The two got into the Gu Family's private limousine together, silent all the way.
Yan Xintong seemed not to want to say a word to Qiao Xiguan, remaining silent throughout the ride, occasionally checking her phone or looking in the mirror.
Yan Xintong had always felt superior, being highly intelligent. She married into the Gu Family a little later than Qiao Xiguan, but she was immediately favored by Qi Huifen upon her arrival. The next year, she gave birth to twins for the Gu Family, a boy and a girl, which overjoyed the elderly Gu couple. Consequently, they treated Yan Xintong even better.
Yan Xintong also prided herself on her aloofness, never treating Qiao Xiguan, the Gu Family's eldest daughter-in-law and her sister-in-law, with much respect; instead, she often belittled and bullied her out of jealousy for being prettier.
Qiao Xiguan had always had to swallow her pride, knowing she held no position of power in the Gu Family and daring not to speak out. But the Qiao Xiguan of the past hated Yan Xintong.
She hated her deeply.
Why could she harbor such intense hatred for someone? Qiao Xiguan should have been used to being bullied, yet she couldn't let go of her feelings towards Yan Xintong alone.
She bit her lip, her brows furrowing, but she couldn't remember why no matter how hard she tried.
The two arrived at Shanghai's finest mall and headed to the designated gift section.
As soon as Yan Xintong entered, a clerk approached eagerly, "Is the second young madam here to choose a gown?"
"There's a family banquet at home tonight," Yan Xintong responded, appearing calm in the face of the clerk's enthusiasm.
"In that case, it's perfect timing. We just received several new models yesterday. With your figure and temperament, they are absolutely stunning. Come take a look, they are the freshest designs, I guarantee you'll be satisfied," the clerk said with great eagerness.
Yan Xintong followed the clerk with an arrogant expression.
Qiao Xiguan was completely ignored.
She watched the person walking away and sneered, making her way to the gift section to browse. A clerk saw her but didn't greet her, assuming she was an attendant of Yan Xintong's.
She pursed her lips, her eyes landing on a white strapless trailing evening dress with rows of crystals at the bust, which twinkled under the light.
Qi Lingfeng had said that when she wore that evening dress, she arrived like an angel falling to Earth, so beautiful that it made people want to hold her close, to cherish her in their arms and savor her with their lips.
The man who had whispered sweet nothings and pledged eternal love into her ear, time and again, used those same hands, blood-stained and icy, to tear her very being to shreds piece by piece...
"What's this, you've taken a liking to this dress?" Yan Xintong's voice suddenly rang in her ear.
Qiao Xiguan snapped back to reality.
She smiled subtly, "Just looking."
"Just looking?" Yan Xintong scoffed coldly, "This dress has already been reserved. You can't afford it. Those crystals on the front are real diamonds, each one worth a fortune, plus it's imported from Paris and handcrafted. Have some self-awareness."
Having said that, Yan Xintong walked away.
Qiao Xiguan looked at the evening dress.
Yes, the dress belonged to Huo Xiaoxi.
It was custom-made in Paris following discussions between Qi Lingfeng and the designer to fit Huo Xiaoxi's measurements. Qi Lingfeng had brought her here to try it on once. On that occasion, they had been discussing marriage...
"Qiao Xiguan, are you going to choose a gown or not!" Yan Xintong's dissatisfied voice came from not too far away.
Qiao Xiguan pursed her lips and walked to another area.
Yan Xintong had made her choice, a black form-fitting deep-V trailing gown. With a slim but curvaceous figure, Yan Xintong didn't look at all like someone who had given birth to twins. She was extremely well-maintained, and the black dress highlighted her graceful poise perfectly, earning her endless compliments from the clerks, drawing a pleased smile on her face.
"Are you not picking a dress yet? After the selection, you still need to get your makeup done. How long do you expect me to wait for you?" Yan Xintong said with a poor tone.
"Does this lady need any assistance?" the clerk hurriedly inquired.
"What lady? She's the eldest young madam of the Gu Family," Yan Xintong remarked sarcastically, then laughed deliberately.
The clerks in this place knew more high-society gossip than the wealthy themselves. With Yan Xintong's prompt, the clerk immediately understood who Qiao Xiguan was—a joke in high society.
The biggest joke of all.
"Madam Gu, this way, please." The waiter beckoned half-heartedly, barely hiding a smirk.
The section of dresses the waiter brought her to was clearly several notches below the ones for Yan Xintong.
Qiao Xiguan looked around and asked, "Are there no others?"
"This section suits you," the waiter said bluntly.
"Who says?" Qiao Xiguan raised her eyebrows, chilling.
The waiter was taken aback.
People said Madam Gu was timid and incapable, shy and easily frightened.
"I…" The waiter's voice trailed off suddenly.
"Where's your boss?"
"Madam Gu."
"Call your boss here," Qiao Xiguan demanded, word by word.
The waiter fidgeted with her fingers.
"What, should I go call him myself?"
"Not at all, Madam Gu. If you don't like the dresses here, we have others. Please, come this way," the waiter hurriedly offered.
Regardless of the customer, as a waiter, you really couldn't afford to offend anyone.
She had assumed…
Biting her lip, she watched with alarm, as the "Madam Gu" before her was nothing like the rumors described.
Qiao Xiguan followed the waiter to select another gown.
The waiter was now visibly more respectful.
Qiao Xiguan chose a silver-white short evening gown, form-fitting and enchanting, devoid of overly elaborate decorations. Because Qiao Xiguan was so striking, an overly flamboyant woman like her didn't suit overly intricate garments, which could come across as vulgar. A simple yet figure-hugging dress like this not only sculpted her perfect curves but also set off her beautiful features to the utmost.
So when she stepped out in this dress, even without makeup, she was already breathtakingly stunning.
Yan Xintong was clearly jealous, very jealous.
Her eyes tightened as she glared fiercely at the waiter who had helped Qiao Xiguan with the dress selection.
She had clearly indicated that one was only allowed to choose from the lower-grade section.
The waiter kept her head down, not daring to meet her gaze.
It wasn't that she was unaware; it was just that this Madam Gu was clearly not someone to be trifled with.
Qiao Xiguan sat down in front of the makeup mirror.
She wasn't blind to the looks Yan Xintong was giving her; she just didn't care.
To be so beautiful and still get pushed around, Qiao Xiguan, are you really such a pushover?!
She pursed her lips as a person who looked like a makeup artist approached.
Qiao Xiguan smiled and said, "I'll do it myself, thanks."
The makeup artist hesitated, glancing at Yan Xintong.
Yan Xintong sneered, "You're going to do your own makeup?! When your mother-in-law left, she told me to make sure you were dressed up pretty. If you don't do it well, are you ready to bear the blame yourself when she complains?"