Chapter 24: This Outfit Doesn’t Look Good
"Good morning, Madam."
"Morning."
Butler Wang stood near the dining table, greeting Shen Xi with a friendly smile.
Gu Hanling glanced at her but didn’t react to her playful attitude. Instead, he said casually,
"It’s summer now, don’t go barefoot. It’s bad for your body, especially during your period."
His tone carried a hint of an older brother’s concern.
"Oh… hehe…"
Shen Xi laughed awkwardly. The word ‘period’ felt unfamiliar to her. She had almost forgotten that she was in a woman’s body now. She had been a little worried about it, too.
But as soon as she saw the beautifully prepared breakfast spread on the table, she obediently sat across from Gu Hanling, picked up a sandwich, and took a big bite.
"Mmm~ this is so good!"
She chewed happily, her cheeks puffed out. Now that she was more comfortable around him, she didn’t bother acting ladylike anymore.
Watching her look so satisfied with just a bite of food, Gu Hanling found her amusing as ever. The usual coldness in his eyes softened slightly.
Just then, Shen Xi’s phone rang in her pocket. She glanced at the caller ID but hesitated to answer.
"A call from Shi Jingyan?"
Gu Hanling’s voice was unreadable, as if he was just curious.
Shen Xi swallowed her food, took a sip of milk, and shook her head.
"No, it’s my younger brother."
She had a bad feeling about this. Her original younger brother, Shen Zekai, never called her for anything good. She didn’t want to answer in front of Gu Hanling, but now that he had asked, ignoring the call would seem suspicious. She had no choice but to pick up.
"Sister, I’ve got some great news! Wanna hear it?"
The villa was well-insulated, and the dining room was quiet. Shen Zekai’s voice came through loud and clear. So clear that Gu Hanling, sitting across from her, could hear every word.
Shen Xi was speechless. She had meant to buy a pair of earphones last time but forgot. Now, it was basically like she was on speakerphone. A bad feeling crept up on her.
"Go on..."
"Hey, isn’t today Shi Jingyan’s birthday? I’m about to take care of Lin Yueyue. Don’t worry, Sister, I’m not doing anything crazy, just making sure she won’t be able to attend the party!"
Shen Xi’s face turned green.
She instinctively glanced at Gu Hanling, he had an amused look, as if he was watching a show, with an inexplicable smile on his face.
"Are you insane?! Go home right now!"
"Huh? Why? Sister, I’m about to catch her, no one will even know! Trust me!"
"Have you ever heard of laws? Do you even know what’s legal? Are you trying to get the Shen family wiped out?!"
"Huh…?"
The Shen family only had one son. If something happened to him, that would be the end of the family line.
Shen Xi didn’t really care about the Shen family, but this brother of hers, who was helping her unconditionally, needed saving. She couldn’t just let him follow the plot and end up in prison.
At that moment, Gu Hanling casually raised two fingers at her.
Shen Xi’s face darkened.
As a top-tier domineering CEO, there was no way he was making a cute peace sign. Knowing his personality, he meant “2”. And in his world, that meant two million.
She instantly understood.
If her brother caused trouble and disrupted Gu Hanling’s peace, he would deduct two million from her!
Once again, it was clear. This man was determined to pressure her with money!
Shen Xi rolled her eyes at him in frustration, unintentionally showing a hint of charm in her expression.
Gu Hanling saw the woman showing a rare, charmingly annoyed look, and his smile deepened.
"Zekai, Jingyan has me in his heart. I’ve been planning this for a long time. I’m about to give him a one-of-a-kind surprise that will finally make him see my true feelings."
"In terms of talent and looks, how am I any worse than Lin Yueyue? Trust me, I will make Jingyan change his mind."
Shen Zekai, on the other end of the call, was thrilled to hear Shen Xi’s response. He was now convinced that the last time she said she didn’t like Shi Jingyan, it must have just been out of anger.
"Alright, I’ll listen to you, Sister! See, I knew it! Last time, you said—"
"I’m having breakfast. Gotta go."
Feeling guilty, Shen Xi quickly hung up. She knew exactly what her brother was about to say.
If Gu Hanling found out that she had told her brother she no longer loved Shi Jingyan and wanted to be Mrs. Gu instead, then she could forget about getting the two-year reward.
Shen Xi sighed internally. Just yesterday, when she saw Shi Jingyan, she swore she wouldn’t go. But now, to keep up appearances, she had no choice but to bite the bullet.
She glanced at Gu Hanling and saw that his usual smirk had faded. He seemed focused on his breakfast, as if he had no interest in talking to her anymore.
………………………………….
Back in her room, Shen Xi changed into a white strappy dress. The slim fit highlighted her curves, while the hem swayed just above her knees, modest yet subtly seductive. Her bare shoulders, smooth as jade, and the deep neckline revealing just a hint of cleavage made for an irresistibly alluring sight.
She stood in front of the mirror, taking in her reflection. This was her first time wearing a dress. With no makeup, she still exuded an effortless charm. The only problem? It felt... drafty. Like she wasn’t wearing anything.
"Am I dressed too well for this?"
Then again, she was supposed to be stealing a man. If she kept wearing androgynous outfits, Gu Hanling might start getting suspicious.
Taking a deep breath, she adjusted her dress slightly before heading downstairs.
As soon as she stepped into the living room, she saw Gu Hanling sitting on the couch, deep in thought, fingers lightly resting on his chin.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up. A fleeting glimmer of surprise flashed in his eyes.
"That outfit doesn’t look good."
His tone was indifferent, eyebrows slightly raised.
Shen Xi froze.
Not good? That’s impossible.
Her current self is so pretty, and she looks good in anything. Also, she was a man before, so she knows what men find attractive.
But since this was her first time wearing a dress, and for some reason, his comment made her feel unconfident. Her cheeks tinged with slight embarrassment.
Then, Gu Hanling added, "Yesterday’s outfit looked better."
"???"
Shen Xi started to question this man’s taste. Yesterday’s outfit? The random, boyish mix-and-match she wore? That was what he liked?
Just as she was about to ask him about it, her phone buzzed. It was a message from Keke, saying she was almost at the villa’s entrance.
Earlier, Keke had contacted Shen Xi, saying that her boyfriend, Jiang Bailang, had business ties with Shi Jingyan and was also attending the birthday party. Since it was hard to find a taxi around here, Shen Xi had offered to go with them. Besides, having Keke as company would lessen the feeling of social awkwardness.
"No time to change. Keke’s already outside. Bye-bye~"
She waved at Gu Hanling and quickly dashed toward the door, the white dress flowing elegantly behind her.
Watching her leave, Gu Hanling’s gaze darkened slightly.
At this moment, Shen Xi looked just like a naive little white rabbit breaking free from its cage. Unknowingly hopping into a den of wolves, glowing eyes and all.
A black Mercedes-Benz slowly approached the grand entrance of the villa. Jiang Bailang, behind the wheel, took in the sight of the extravagant estate and the immaculately landscaped garden.
Instantly, his once-prized E-Class Mercedes felt like... a tractor.
"Wait… isn’t this the Gu family’s estate?"
A suspicion crept into his mind. Earlier, Su Kexin had mentioned picking up her best friend from the top-tier villa district in Su City. He thought she was joking.
But now that he was here, reality hit him. She wasn’t joking at all.
Then, he saw Shen Xi.
Dressed in a flowing white dress, she looked like a fairy running toward them. His eyes darkened with greed, his tongue unconsciously running over his dry lips.