When Jin Liwei led her to one of the shops on the second floor, Xie Ming's eyes widened in surprise. Her mouth hung open in awe as she hadn't seen such a beautiful place before. While no place could match the grandeur and elegance of the royal palace, this place had its unique charm.
The women's clothing showroom was a stunning display of elegance and luxury. With its high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and rows of carefully arranged dresses, it felt like a palace of fashion. The dresses, made from the finest fabrics and adorned with intricate details, were showcased like works of art. Soft carpets and comfortable seating areas added to the inviting atmosphere, making it a place where people could explore their sense of style and sophistication.
Xie Ming couldn't hide her amazement as she covered her mouth in disbelief, her eyes fixed on the clothes neatly hanging on the rows before her. The concept of a clothing showroom was entirely new to her, and she marveled at the idea that this was where they could buy clothes. She realized that Jin Liwei wasn't joking with her, and her curiosity about this modern world continued to grow.
She couldn't help but contrast this modern world's approach to buying clothes with the practices of her own time. In her era, seamstresses would personally visit the palace, taking measurements and crafting garments according to each individual's preferences. Even for noble ladies, the local boutiques allowed women to socialize, share tea, and discuss their desired measurements for tailor-made dresses.
There were ready-made clothes in her time but they were typically viewed as more affordable options for commoners. Those garments were often loose-fitting and made from cotton, reflecting a practical and functional design. However, they often required additional alterations to achieve the desired fit and style, making them a common choice for those who couldn't afford the luxury of custom-tailored clothing.
As Xie Ming looked at the well-arranged clothes hanging on the racks in the showroom, it became clear that these garments were designed for a variety of body types and sizes, unlike the custom-tailored outfits she was accustomed to. It was yet another example of the differences between her world and this modern one, leaving her both fascinated and intrigued.
Who could have imagined a place where one could shop for clothes, savor savory dishes, buy a variety of items, and socialize with people, all under one roof?
Upon entering the showroom, Jin Liwei allowed Xie Ming to explore at her own pace while he settled on a couch in the waiting area. Though it was his first time shopping with a woman, he figured it would be less tedious to wait for her to finish.
Watching her with arms crossed over his chest, Jin Liwei couldn't help but be entertained by Xie Ming's awestruck exploration of the store. As she paused frequently to admire different outfits without actually picking anything up, he thought, 'Did she forget that we're here to buy something?'
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Xie Ming's eyes widened in admiration. "This dress is gorgeous! It's just like what I've seen women wearing on the streets. But why are they so short?" She pondered, examining a set that consisted of a top and a short skirt, reminiscent of outfits she had spotted from the car.
While she was engrossed in her observations, a sales associate in a black formal uniform approached her. "Madam, have you found something you like? Or may I assist you in making a selection?" The attendant inquired in fluent English.
Xie Ming turned towards the woman, perplexed by the unfamiliar language she was speaking. While the language of this world same as her world, it was still difficult to decipher the meaning of some words. However, it is still understandable due to their similarities other than the changes made over time.
But the new language spoken by the sales associate was entirely foreign to her. "Um, did you say something to me? I am sorry, I couldn't understand what you said." Xie Ming said in confusion and embarrassment.
The woman was smiling at her but her words remained a mystery to her.
The sales associate quickly deduced that Xie Ming didn't understand English. Without missing a beat, she switched languages and repeated her inquiry in the local language.
"Ah! I understand now. Could you help me find dresses that are more modest and simple?" Xie Ming requested.
"Of course, Madam. Please relax in the waiting lounge, and I'll bring a selection for you based on your preferences," the saleswoman replied, before heading off to pick out suitable dresses.
When Xie Ming returned to the waiting lounge, she found Jin Liwei watching her intently. She took a seat beside him and couldn't help but ask, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Jin Liwei, who had seen her interaction with the saleswoman earlier, raised an eyebrow and inquired, "Didn't you understand what the saleswoman said?"
Confused, Xie Ming questioned, "What do you mean?"
"You have spent years abroad, haven't you? Can memory loss make someone forget a language they have spoken for years?" Jin Liwei wondered aloud, trying to make sense of the situation.
Xie Ming pursed her lips, and hesitated, feeling the weight of the awkward moment. Adapting to this new world without the original Xie Ming's memories is nothing but challenging. She attempted to change the topic of the conversation, saying, "Do I look like a doctor to you? How would I know if you could forget a language or not? Moreover, I don't even remember my name, how can I possibly remember an entirely different language?" She questioned him.
Well, technically, she was a doctor, a Chinese traditional one. She learned about traditional medicine from her father and was well-versed in it, almost at par with the great physicians of her time. However, she never officially held the title of 'physician' and always remained as the forgotten Empress.
Hearing her response, Jin Liwei found her reasoning reasonable and didn't question her further. He had initially thought that she might be pretending to be a different person to postpone their divorce, but witnessing the difficulties she faced after the memory loss, he began to empathize with her.
Living a life with no memories must be quite frustrating.
With that realization, he decided to assist her to the best of his ability. However, this wasn't driven by genuine concern for her well-being. If, upon the return of her memories, she accused him of neglecting her during her illness or orchestrating a scheme to evade their divorce, he wanted to be able to counter those allegations.
'That's right. I don't care for her, but it's for my sake, my reputation,' he repeated in his head, underscoring the self-interest that motivated his decision.
While Liwei was lost in his thoughts, the saleswoman arrived with a movable clothing rack, carrying a set of dresses tailored to Xie Ming's specifications. "Madam, here are the dresses suited to your preferences. You can see if any catch your liking."
Xie Ming gazed at the beautiful, simple, and modest dresses she had requested and marveled at their elegance. Although they were still shorter and more revealing than what she used to wear, a part of her was inclined to embrace this change and adorn these graceful dresses.
Throughout her entire existence, she dedicated herself to fulfilling the wishes and preferences of others. In this life, she yearns to live following her own choices.
They say that adapting to a new place involves changing not just your habits but clothes as well. How could she remain tied up to her past when this world was so vastly different from hers?
The assortment of dresses included knee-length options, long maxi dresses with shrugs, and even shorter dresses with elbow-long sleeves. The outfits exuded simplicity, predominantly featuring pastel colors that contrasted sharply with Xie Ming's previous collection of vibrant, short, and glittery dresses. In comparison, these dresses were refined, simple, and decent.
As Xie Ming was picking through the options, Jin Liwei was taken aback by her choices and stared at her in confusion. "Are you sure you like these dresses? If not, we can go elsewhere if you don't find this collection appealing." He was uncertain if she would appreciate these dresses, considering her known taste in clothing.
Despite not liking her fashion sense, he acknowledged that she was the one who would wear them. Who was he to intervene?
Xie Ming shook her head while examining the dresses and responded, "These dresses look suitable to me. Please fetch me this one and this one," indicating a couple of dresses to the saleswoman. She selected only a few dresses, just enough for her to rotate in the coming months.
Jin Liwei was caught off guard by Xie Ming's change in taste. Witnessing her evolving fashion sense, a smile crept onto his lips. It seems that not only have her bad habits changed, but her distinctive sense of dressing has also transformed into a more refined and graceful style.