32. Do you really want to wear this?
Afraid that Jiang Ruyan might go on about this broken path, Jiang Zhi quickly changed the topic.
Finally, Qian Qian finished her noodles.
Everything was ready; Jiang Zhi shouldered the backpack she prepared last night and looked at Jiang Ruyan, “Shall we go?”
“Wait a minute!”
Unexpectedly, Jiang Ruyan was not pleased. She stepped forward, circled around Jiang Zhi a few times, and with her chin resting on her hand, asked, “Are you really going out dressed like that?”
“No, is it not okay?”
Jiang Zhi paused, looking down at her outfit, which was just a simple white t-shirt and black pants… she wore this to work all the time.
“But we’re going shopping!”
Jiang Ruyan pretended to be serious, saying, “Of course, when you go shopping you should dress beautifully. Don’t you think wearing something like what I’m wearing today would mesmerize those disgusting men?”
As she spoke, she flipped her hair, tossed a flirtatious glance and a kiss towards Jiang Zhi.
Jiang Zhi was instantly covered in goosebumps and rubbed her arms, saying, “I’m not going to seduce anyone; does what I’m wearing really matter that much?”
She thought to herself that if she did manage to catch someone’s eye, and that someone was a man, she’d be so disgusted with herself. Absolutely.
“Nonono~”
“Do you know what’s important?” Jiang Ruyan looked at Jiang Zhi with frustration, “The important thing is that you look so good; it’s a waste not to dress up!”
“It’s fine when you usually wear something plain, but to go out with me dressed like this?”
“And this bag of yours, I can’t even be bothered to comment!”
“Why are you carrying a backpack shopping? It’s not like you’re going to school!”
Jiang Ruyan bared her teeth, “Hurry up and change, put on a skirt or something, or I’ll dock your salary!”
Jiang Zhi: …
Thanks, feeling quite criticized.
Is it that out of style?
She thought it was fine, though?
She wasn’t really sensitive about fashion; Lin Shuwan had helped her with her outfits before, but she gave up on that because it was too much trouble. In the end, she just wore what was comfortable.
By the way, Sister Jiang, this is called abusing your power!
Jiang Zhi’s tone carried a hint of helplessness, “But I only have this kind of clothes.”
“Only?”
Jiang Ruyan blinked, not believing her: “How is that possible? Haven’t you ever worn a skirt, little Zhi?”
What era is this?
Not using makeup she could understand, but never wearing a skirt? What girl doesn’t wear a princess dress as a child to play Barbie?
“… Worn it once.”
Jiang Zhi answered truthfully.
And it was a princess dress; thinking back, she actually wore foundation and lipstick at the school anniversary party.
But at that time, she was still a boy.
Seeing Jiang Ruyan’s incredulous expression, Jiang Zhi led her to her wardrobe, opened it, and showed her.
All unisex clothes.
Even the women’s underwear was the plainest style.
“Here.”
Jiang Zhi said, “I really don’t have a skirt; see, you don’t believe me…”
“Very good!”
Jiang Zhi thought Jiang Ruyan would give up the idea of her changing clothes right there, but unexpectedly, she suddenly shouted, then put her hands on her hips, confidently proclaiming, “Then it’s time for me to step in!”
“?”
“Let’s go buy you clothes! Don’t worry, little Zhi, leave it to your sister; I guarantee I’ll make you look beautiful!”
Jiang Ruyan revealed a mouthful of white teeth and smiled at Qian Qian, who was following them: “Right, Qian Qian? Let’s make mom beautiful!”
“Eh? Uh-huh!”
Qian Qian didn’t understand much but was still charmed by Jiang Ruyan’s enthusiasm.
She raised her hands high and shouted, “Yay! Mom’s makeover plan!”
Beside them, Jiang Zhi: …
Isn’t anyone going to ask for my opinion?
——————
In the scorching heat of June, Zaoc City felt like a giant steamer, the sun so strong that it might melt someone.
“I’m dying of heat.”
Once in the car, the first thing Jiang Ruyan did was turn on the car’s air conditioning, letting out a wail, “Ahhh, so annoying; my makeup is all gone!”
Jiang Zhi settled Qian Qian in the back seat, ignoring Jiang Ruyan’s complaints. While buckling her seatbelt, she curiously looked around.
Wow, what a luxury SUV.
This was her first time riding in such a nice car; only at times like this would she remember that Jiang Ruyan was actually a rich second-generation.
“This car belongs to my dad; I can’t afford to buy such a good one.”
Seemingly sensing Jiang Zhi’s curiosity, Jiang Ruyan shifted gears, stepped on the gas, and explained appropriately while slightly turning her head.
The mall they were heading to was the May Mall located in the city center.
Probably because it was a day off, the streets were full of traffic, and Jiang Zhi could already imagine what the situation in the mall would be like.
It must be very crowded… Feels tiring…
She was already feeling a bit exhausted, saying she was accompanying her to unwind, but she really didn’t like shopping that much.
Especially shopping with girls.
It used to be very painful when she went out on dates with Lin Shuwan; what they called shopping was just pure torture in her eyes.
Looking at clothes for ages without buying anything, and all the stuff they bought ended up being carried by her…
She was also puzzled; on such a hot day, isn’t it better to stay home, blast the air conditioning, and play games? At the very least, finding a coffee shop to take a break would be fine!
Not understanding, but respecting it.
Jiang Zhi made her position clear today: just honestly provide emotional value.
As for Jiang Ruyan’s big makeover plans for her, she didn’t take it to heart; her body was her own—who could force her to wear a skirt or something?
Then she heard Jiang Ruyan say, “Hey, little Zhi, what kind of style do you like?”
“… I’m not sure.”
I like the strong woman style; my ultimate fantasy is to pin a strong woman down and listen to her make cute whimpering sounds…
Hehe…
Jiang Zhi thought repressively.
As the time passed, Jiang Ruyan said and Jiang Zhi listened; before she knew it, they arrived at the mall.
Once they got out of the car, Jiang Ruyan led the mother and daughter duo, expertly heading straight for a well-decorated, spacious women’s clothing store.
Jiang Zhi wasn’t well-versed in women’s clothing brands, but seeing the English logo of this store gave off an upscale vibe, making her feel like “this is not where I belong.”
She randomly picked a piece of clothing to check the price.
Wow.
Definitely not a place she should be.
On the other side, Jiang Ruyan declined the salesperson’s guidance and said seriously, “Little Zhi, you have a standard strong woman face; the styles here are perfect for someone like you, see if there’s anything you like.”
Jiang Zhi felt uninterested; she yawned and glanced around, genuinely unable to see what clothes suited her “strong woman” style…
Wait, am I really considered to have a strong woman face?
Xp turns out it’s me?
So, she casually responded, “I don’t need clothes, Sister Jiang, you just buy whatever you want; I don’t mind.”
“That won’t do; we agreed I would make you look pretty.”
Jiang Ruyan immediately wasn’t happy: “Besides, how can you go shopping and not buy anything? Hey, you can’t leave empty-handed!”
“…”
So tired.
Jiang Zhi just thought this store was too unprofessional; looking so upscale yet not having a single seat—did they consider how boyfriends accompanying their girlfriends to shop feel?!
Fortunately, the air conditioning in this mall was quite cool.
Even though there were a lot of people, it wasn’t unbearable, and there were many pretty girls around.
Along the way, she saw quite a few girls in short skirts and black stockings; their legs were longer than her entire existence, though their looks were a bit lacking.
“Little—Zhi—”
Seeing Jiang Zhi not only unwilling to buy clothes but also daydreaming, Jiang Ruyan squinted her eyes, emitting a dangerous light: “Little Zhi~?”
“Ah? Oh!” Jiang Zhi was suddenly brought back to her senses, her back feeling cold: “I’m here! I… uh…”
“I don’t care about that!”
Jiang Ruyan directly took a few pieces of clothing from a nearby rack and shoved them into Jiang Zhi’s hands, “This will do, trust your sister’s taste, go try it on!”
“No, I really don’t want to wear a skirt!”
Jiang Zhi panicked; she wasn’t ready to wear a skirt yet, she was a boy after all, not a pervert… what’s the big deal about wearing a skirt?!
“Why don’t you want to wear it? Everything has to start somewhere, right, Qian Qian?”
At this moment, Jiang Ruyan didn’t forget to engage Qian Qian: “Mom looks pretty, right? Qian Qian, do you want to see mom in a skirt?”
“Yes!”
Qian Qian eagerly responded; she hadn’t seen her mom wear a skirt in a long time.
The little girl pulled on Jiang Zhi’s arm, swaying it: “Qian Qian wants to see mom in a skirt; come on, mom, just wear it, okay~”
Her big eyes sparkled brightly, her small mouth babbling non-stop, like a little squirrel that saw a chestnut with gleaming eyes.
Three black lines immediately formed on Jiang Zhi’s forehead.
Watching her daughter with an expectant face, then turning to Jiang Ruyan’s scheming grin, her brain started battling itself. After a while, Jiang Zhi’s face turned slightly red, and she stammered:
“Just… just this once…”
“Let’s make it clear! I’m only trying it on; I definitely won’t buy this dress!”
