"Liang Dian" Cheongsam Custom Shop.
The shop has a distinctly ancient Chinese style, with the storefront display featuring traditional Chinese fabric cheongsams. The owner is a quintessential Chinese man.
The shop isn't very large, about 30 square meters. The walls are adorned with high-quality cheongsam fabrics, and at the back, there is a fabric cutting table and an old-fashioned foot-operated sewing machine.
The owner is a man in his fifties, tall and thin, wearing a black traditional Chinese outfit. He greeted us with a calm smile on his face.
Seeing us enter, he immediately welcomed us warmly, "Welcome to Liang Dian. Are you here to pick up a pre-ordered cheongsam?"
Tang Tian made a dramatic show of loading his gun, the sound echoing through the shop. "No pre-orders, we want to buy a few sets directly today."
Yanzi gave Tang Tian a stern look, then turned to the owner with a smile, "I just arrived in Xiaomengla. I heard you make great clothes, so I came to take a look."
In Xiaomengla, anyone doing business is sharp. The owner knew immediately that we were not to be trifled with.
"Miss, we usually take pre-orders only. We can't sell directly. If you need, you can choose the fabric today and pick up the finished product in a week..."
The owner had seen his share of rough times and wasn't intimidated by Tang Tian.
"Boss, Ning Ge asked me to bring his girlfriend to buy some cheongsams. You wouldn't want to disrespect him, would you?" Tang Tian sneered, dropping Ning Ge's name.
"Oh, so it's Ning Ge's girlfriend! Coincidentally, a lady couldn't pay for her order yesterday. Let me bring those out for you to try..." The owner's demeanor changed instantly, and he hurried to fetch the ready-made cheongsams.
Seeing him leave, Yanzi whispered, "Tang Tian, it doesn't seem right to force this."
Tang Tian gave a knowing smile, "Sister Yan, you'll understand the business here eventually."
I didn't understand the business here either, nor did I want to. But I knew Ning Ge must have significant influence in this place. Otherwise, why would the owner's attitude change so dramatically at the mention of his name?
Sister Yan truly liked the cheongsams in the shop. She tried on seven or eight sets in a row.
There were sleeveless ones, mid-sleeve ones, high-slit ankle-length ones, and short, thigh-high sexy ones...
Colors ranged from blue and white porcelain, plain white lotus, elegant landscape paintings, to festive red...
The variety was impressive.
Yanzi, with her delicate features, fair skin, and tall figure, looked stunning in the cheongsams, her beauty enhanced by the elegant dresses.
Especially in a high-slit ink lotus cheongsam, she looked pure and captivating like a water lotus, yet also mature and sweet like a blooming flower. It was no wonder Ning Ge, a man of many experiences, was smitten.
Each time she tried one on, Yanzi would ask me, "Does it look good?"
If I nodded, she'd take it.
Eventually, she bought ten different cheongsams in one go.
It was only when the shop ran out of ready-made cheongsams that she stopped. Otherwise, I wouldn't have doubted she'd buy the entire stock.
I even wondered if she might one day decide to buy the whole shop, just for herself...
Women are indeed emotional creatures.
Ten cheongsams, with a 10% discount from the owner, cost a total of 98,000 yuan.
I had never bought such expensive clothes in my life.
Yanzi changed into the ink lotus cheongsam and excitedly dragged me around the bustling commercial streets, trying Chinese snacks everywhere.
She bought bags, high heels, and cosmetics...
With Tang Tian and the driver carrying the goods, she was free to shop and eat to her heart's content.
When we reached the Modern Department Store, she suggested buying me an expensive suit, but I refused outright.
Honestly, I wouldn't wear it in the KK park, and I don't like such formal clothes.
As a martial artist, I prefer loose, casual clothes.
So, I picked out a few pairs of sports shoes, seven or eight sets of casual and sportswear, and some daily necessities.
Since it was Ning Ge's money, I didn't feel bad spending it. After all, I saved his life earlier. Spending a mere 10,000 yuan seemed insignificant.
The streets here felt similar to those in China, only the region was foreign.
You could easily find someone who spoke Mandarin or Yunnan dialect.
Xiaomengla had no scam zones nearby. A milk tea shop owner said it was about 12 kilometers from Naban County, a 30-minute drive.
Er Yun lived in Naban County.
At a travel agency, I grabbed a map and planned to study it once I got back to the park.
Three hours later, Ning Ge finally called to urge Tang Tian, and we reluctantly left.
Otherwise, Yanzi would have shopped all day...
Women indeed love shopping and strolling, especially beautiful women.
Like Yanzi.
After dressing up meticulously, she was stunningly beautiful, beyond words, a true beauty.
To someone like Ning Ge, a wealthy older man, she was an irresistible temptation.
Yanzi was smart, quickly recognizing reality, climbing up the ladder, and achieving shopping and personal freedom step by step.
I couldn't help but admire her.
"Cousin, what are you thinking about?"
Yanzi saw me staring out the window and leaned in, holding my arm sweetly.
"...Just enjoying the scenery."
I snapped out of it, glancing at Tang Tian in the front seat, hesitating to speak.
"Xiaomengla is much better than Miaowadi. I'll stay here with Ning Ge. If you miss me, let Liu Shiyi bring you over."
"Sis, be careful and don't anger Ning Ge."
"I know. I studied nursing and have a good temper."
Yanzi leaned her head on my shoulder, her eyes filled with unsaid words.
We might not see each other for a long time after this, or she might be used by Ning Ge to tempt other big shots...
Thinking about this, I didn't push her away.
In Myanmar, I was the only one she could relax around and trust.
With Tang Tian and the driver in the car, we exchanged a few words and fell silent.
Everything was understood without words. If she needed to contact me, she could do so through Liu Shiyi.
After all, she was Liu Shiyi's pawn beside Ning Ge. As long as nothing went wrong, we'd be safe for now.
These cunning old foxes could reward us with money, women, and food but never with phones or SIM cards.
Owning a phone had become my biggest luxury.
Ten minutes later, we arrived at the Dynasty Five-Star Hotel where Ning Ge was staying.
Liu Shiyi and the others were waiting in the lobby, ready to return to Miaowadi.
"Talk, I'm getting out."
Tang Tian quickly took the driver, leaving me and Yanzi in the car.
"Ping An, you're the person I trust most in this world. No matter what happens, I'll always be yours!" Yanzi held my hand, speaking earnestly.
Looking at her tear-filled eyes, I felt a lump in my throat, "Sis!"
"Mm."
Her soft, pink lips suddenly covered mine...