Chapter 38: Matching Outfits

The sudden intimacy caught Zhou Jianghao off guard.

It took her a good while to squeeze out a response. “So you want me to be your shield to fend off your family?”

Tan Qingya laughed in exasperation. She couldn’t quite follow this girl’s train of thought. Good grief—after all that talk, that was her takeaway?

She pinched Zhou Jianghao’s cheek and teased, “Exactly. So cooperate with me properly. Be loving in public and in private. We’ll snag that annual Model Couple Selection for sure.”

“…I’ll do my best.”

Zhou Jianghao missed the joking tone entirely and looked troubled.

The yearly Model Couple Selection was a national event aimed at boosting marriage rates. Winners got a free trip around the world.

Voting usually happened online before the New Year, but celebrities always dominated. With their massive fanbases, one vote here and one there added up fast, creating an insurmountable gap. Regular couples rarely stood a chance.

“You took that seriously?” Tan Qingya raised an eyebrow. She was about to explain further when the car pulled up near the mall. Unexpected gridlock today—an accident up ahead meant they couldn’t drive any farther.

“President Tan, there’s a crash blocking the road ahead,” Little Wang said apologetically from the driver’s seat.

“Find a spot to park. We’ll walk from here.”

Tan Qingya shrugged it off. It was just a short distance; a stroll wouldn’t hurt.

But the moment they stepped out, Zhou Jianghao shivered. Only then did Tan Qingya notice how lightly she was dressed.

“You’re cold?” She pulled Zhou Jianghao close and felt her hand—icy cold, as if she’d been feeling the chill even in the car.

The temperature had dipped a bit lower today.

Unfortunately, Tan Qingya was wearing a dress and couldn’t lend her a layer.

Zhou Jianghao was still being stubborn. “No, I’m not.”

“Your mouth,” Tan Qingya huffed with a laugh. “It’s so soft when we kiss, but so stubborn when you talk.”

The unexpectedly intimate words turned Zhou Jianghao’s face bright red again.

Afraid Tan Qingya would keep going, she rushed to say, “Okay, maybe a little cold. But just a bit—once we’re inside, it’ll be fine.”

No sooner had she spoken than Tan Qingya pulled her even closer. Zhou Jianghao was leaning almost fully against her now, and Tan Qingya quickened her pace. “Then let’s walk faster.”

Zhou Jianghao barely had time to react before she was swept along.

With her back pressed against Tan Qingya, warmth seeped through steadily. Her clothes must have been too thin after all—she swore she could feel the heartbeat coming from behind her.

Thump—thump—thump.

Strong and steady, it even sped up her own pulse in response.

They were supposedly shopping for a gift for the Old Madam, but Tan Qingya led her straight to buying a coat for Zhou Jianghao first.

The later it got, the colder it became. Fresh off an illness, her resistance was low, and Zhou Jianghao had no desire to call in sick for days again. So she obediently put on the outfit Tan Qingya picked out.

A beige trench coat.

It felt warmer the instant she slipped it on. As they stepped out of the store, Zhou Jianghao glanced at Tan Qingya’s thin dress, then back at another trench coat hanging on display. After a moment’s hesitation, she turned and pointed to it. “Excuse me, could you take that one down?”

“Sure thing.”

While the sales associate fetched it, Tan Qingya looked at her in surprise. “You like that one better?”

She reflected inwardly. She was used to being overbearing and had picked based solely on her own taste, forgetting the five-year age gap between them. There might be a generation divide; their styles could differ.

Zhou Jianghao took the coat from the sales associate and glanced at Tan Qingya, a touch awkward. “It’s for you to wear.”

Tan Qingya froze.

In those few dazed seconds, Zhou Jianghao had already boldly draped it over her shoulders. She even tugged at one sleeve and shook her arm. “Put it on.”

Ah, she was acting spoiled.

Tan Qingya’s gaze softened, and she lifted her arms cooperatively.

The coat fit perfectly, though her clothes were usually custom-made. This was her first time wearing something off the rack from a mall store.

“Wow, you two look stunning in those! Like goddesses come to earth!” the sales associate gushed extravagantly. Seeing no reaction on either woman’s face, she panicked inwardly. Then she spotted the rings on their fingers and had a stroke of inspiration. “And they match like couple’s outfits—perfectly coordinated!”

As soon as she said it, the taller woman shifted slightly, glancing casually at the fitting mirror.

The slimmer one flushed red at the ears, clearly embarrassed.

The sales associate knew she’d nailed it this time. “Young couples should wear matching outfits! Look how great you two look together. Anyone on the street would spot you as that sweet, lovey-dovey pair!”

The flattery only made Zhou Jianghao more mortified, as if she’d deliberately picked out couple’s wear for Tan Qingya. Her face burned as she grabbed another style of coat and offered it over. “Um—this one’s nice too. Want to try it?”

“Doesn’t go with my dress.” Tan Qingya gave it a quick look but didn’t take it. She admired her reflection instead, lips curving. “This one’s good, though.”

She seemed genuinely pleased.

Zhou Jianghao’s heart raced, though her face remained impassive. She nodded curtly. “Then we’ll get this one.”

“Mm.” Tan Qingya handed her the card. “Buy it for me, then.”

Zhou Jianghao stared at the black card for a long moment before looking up. “This is your card.”

“So?” Tan Qingya blinked innocently.

Her expression was so natural, as if there were no issue at all.

“…”

Buying it with Tan Qingya’s card—did that even count as her gift?

“I’ll buy it myself.”

She pushed the card back, firm. Tan Qingya gave her too much already. The trench coat was pricey but within her means.

“Alright.” Tan Qingya nodded but slid the card back over. “Hold onto it for now. Use it for any expenses in the future.”

“Mm.”

Zhou Jianghao nodded and didn’t refuse again.

Tan Qingya rarely made requests of her. That Model Couple Selection she’d brought up weighed on her mind. If Tan Qingya hadn’t paid attention to it, she wouldn’t even know about the event—so it was probably true, even if said in jest.

She wanted to make an effort.

Loving couples didn’t act so overly polite with each other. It came off as too distant. She needed to break that habit, bit by bit.

Dinner at the Tan Family started at seven. The two arrived right on time.

Zhou Jianghao’s last visit had been to discuss whom she’d marry. This time, she’d soared up the social ladder as the wife of the family’s leader. Though they’d been warned in advance, the others still looked uncomfortable.

The table was full—the rare full family gathering, with even the heavily pregnant Li Tongan present.

After all, this was Zhou Jianghao’s “first” family dinner as Tan Qingya’s wife. They had to show proper respect, lest Tan Qingya misunderstand and think they were slighting her. They’d be the ones to suffer then.

Still, watching the person they’d once dismissed become untouchable was hard to swallow, no matter how much mental prep they’d done.

Especially seeing the two walk in wearing matching coats. Li Zhenyu’s expression twisted.

“Well, well—dressed in couple’s outfits, are we?” The Old Madam chuckled before they even got close.

She’d worried about their relationship before, but now it seemed her concerns were unfounded. The pair looked so affectionate.

“You finally remembered to come back?” As they approached, she tossed out her usual barbed tease. “I thought some people had forgotten all about this old bag!”

“You? We’d never forget.” Tan Qingya shot her a light glance. “You’re the one who forgot us, gallivanting abroad for so long.”

Mention of that made the Old Madam guilty.

She snuck a peek at her eldest daughter, who stood placidly with no smile but also no scowl. Relieved, she glared at Tan Qingya. “Quit with the cheek!”

Then she pulled Zhou Jianghao over, her face breaking into unstoppable smiles. Her tone did a complete one-eighty, brimming with grandmotherly warmth. “Little Hao, relax. This is your home now—make yourself at ease.”

“Okay.” Zhou Jianghao wasn’t used to such closeness and stiffened like a statue.

The Old Madam seated her at her left—the spot usually reserved for Tan Qingya. Sitting there made Zhou Jianghao feel even more on display, and she wasn’t comfortable with it.

She couldn’t help sneaking a glance at Tan Qingya.

Tan Qingya sat right beside her, utterly unbothered by the seat swap. A casual smile played on her face; she looked perfectly at ease.

Suddenly, Tan Qingya turned her way.

Zhou Jianghao’s gaze froze. She pretended nonchalance and looked away.

The dishes weren’t all out yet, and with the Old Madam silent, no one touched their chopsticks. Zhou Jianghao kept her head down, avoiding the stares from all sides.

Then her left hand, resting on her lap, brushed against something.

She jolted and looked down to see Tan Qingya’s fingers lightly touching hers. Far from pulling away when caught, they hooked her pinky and gave it a gentle shake.

There were so many people here.

Zhou Jianghao’s ears turned bright red in an instant. She tried to pull her fingers back, but Tan Qingya gripped them tightly once more, refusing to let her go.

The Old Madam sat right beside her, liable to notice at any moment.

Zhou Jianghao felt a natural reverence toward the Old Madam. There was no way she would dare to engage in such furtive antics with Tan Qingya right under her watchful eyes. Seeing that Tan Qingya wouldn’t release her, she grew anxious and bumped her leg against Tan Qingya’s.

It wasn’t a heavy collision, but the sensation was novel for Tan Qingya all the same.

Once that mischievous impulse took hold, she couldn’t hold it back. She gave the palm of Zhou Jianghao’s hand a little pinch, then nudged back gently with her own leg.

Sensing how rigidly the girl had tensed up, Tan Qingya’s smile deepened. She still knew where to draw the line, however, and was just about to loosen her grip when the Old Madam suddenly turned her head to look over.

A powerful thud followed right on its heels.

Zhou Jianghao had likely been startled by the Old Madam’s movement and failed to control her strength. The impact landed squarely on Tan Qingya’s bony kneecap—already forceful enough, and it struck right on the bone, sending an aching throb through her leg.

Tan Qingya hissed in pain on the spot. She immediately released her hold, letting go of Zhou Jianghao.

“What’s wrong?”

Hearing the sound, the Old Madam turned to her youngest daughter.

“Nothing.” Tan Qingya drew in a deep breath, resisting the urge to rub her throbbing thigh as she forced herself to stay composed. “I’m just hungry.”