Chapter 31: Purple Nightgown

After the rain passed and the sky cleared, the roads had been cleaned up.

The building felt even stranger than before, brand new yet spotted with old traces.

One could only tell from the plants that it had just weathered a disaster. Lilac flowers used patches of green grass as their graves, while the sycamore tree’s shadows hung more melancholically than usual, blanketing half a midsummer room.

Cui Can found a parking spot under the sycamore tree, parked the car, went upstairs, knocked on the door, and waited.

She heard footsteps through the door, unhurried—not like Gan Xun’s eager patter to welcome her.

The one who opened the door was Zhao Chiyun.

It had only been two days apart, but she looked completely different.

One could say hairstyles had an enormous impact on people, but it wasn’t just the exterior; Cui Can couldn’t quite put her finger on what exactly had changed.

Zhao Chiyun smiled like the lady of the house. “Please come in.”

She even enthusiastically pointed out which slippers on the shoe rack Cui Can could wear, as if Cui Can—this weekly visitor—knew Gan Xun’s house less well than she did.

Cui Can didn’t trouble her and simply bent down to grab a pair, sitting to slip them on.

Zhao Chiyun was fully dressed and ready to go, her sun-protective jacket zipped all the way up.

Her shoulder-length hair was clipped up high, thick and glossy.

At first glance, no one would zero in on her long hair as the noble daughter of the Prince’s Mansion anymore—instead, it was that face of national beauty, stunning beyond words.

Shaped into the look Gan Xun liked—Cui Can guessed.

Cui Can had known all along that Gan Xun wouldn’t have the heart to send her away.

Gan Xun emerged from her room after changing clothes and saw Cui Can and Zhao Chiyun huddled together, laughing at something on the screen.

A fuzzy unease prickled in her heart, her jealousy kicking in, and she hurried over.

She was ready to catch them off guard when she realized they were watching cat videos. She felt embarrassed for her own overthinking.

Cui Can looked up with a grin. “All dressed up, huh? Let sis check out how pretty you are. Mm, nice figure—turn around for me.”

Gan Xun rebelliously refused. “Go away.”

Cui Can suddenly asked, “Did you two sleep together?”

Silence fell over the scene.

Zhao Chiyun remembered that Gan Xun had said not to tell Cui Can about it, because Cui Can was a gossip.

Sure enough, Gan Xun didn’t answer. “What are you even saying?”

Cui Can said, “Whenever I came over before, you never closed your bedroom door. Today you come out and shut it right behind you—what’s that if not a guilty conscience?”

Gan Xun immediately got it. Xu Yanyan getting caught cheating was just too normal.

Cui Can seemed scatterbrained on the surface, but she was sharp at picking up clues.

Zhao Chiyun smiled faintly and told her warmly, “This is now this County Princess’s boudoir. I have a habit of closing the door.”

“Oh, like that. My bad, sorry.”

Cui Can admitted her mistake quickly.

Gan Xun chimed in, thinking to herself that Zhao Chiyun was really good at covering things up.

She fell a bit short in that department.

As they got into Cui Can’s car to head out, Gan Xun recalled the question Zhao Chiyun had asked her the previous afternoon.

She’d forgotten exactly how she’d muddled through it, but somehow she’d convinced Zhao Chiyun that her overblown shock was simply because Zhao Chiyun was from ancient times.

In her mind, ancient people wouldn’t be so upfront about their sexual orientation.

The shock was just that—nothing more.

And Cui Can was always spouting nonsense anyway; nothing out of her mouth was surprising.

That night in bed, with the lights off, she’d asked Zhao Chiyun why she minded her reaction.

Zhao Chiyun had given a light laugh. “Not at all. Just idle chat—you’re overthinking it.”

The exact same tone as the one she used now to smilingly brush off Cui Can.

Gan Xun sat in the passenger seat while Zhao Chiyun occupied the center of the back row alone, her posture upright and imposing, like someone of great importance.

It made the two modern people up front look like her driver and assistant.

“First to the mall for clothes, then that bookstore you recommended. There’s a good restaurant right nearby.”

Gan Xun laid out the itinerary with Cui Can.

Zhao Chiyun asked, “Didn’t you say money was tight? Clothes or stationery—have to pick one.”

Gan Xun turned around, gripping the seatback with a smile. “Changed my mind—gonna get you both. Sell the pots and pans if I have to.”

She exaggerated on purpose to lighten the mood, but Zhao Chiyun took it at face value.

Back in the day, she would have seen it as Gan Xun’s high awareness—knowing priorities, how to serve a noble.

She’d have just nodded contentedly.

But now, she wondered if Gan Xun treated her differently, not just because she was the County Princess of the Prince’s Mansion.

“No worries. County Princess, buy whatever today. If she runs short, I can spot her cash—I brought plenty.”

Gan Xun flashed an etiquette-class smile. “Teacher Cui, you’re such a good person.”

They took the elevator straight from the parking garage into the mall. Zhao Chiyun’s eyes took in the overwhelming splendor; even her blinks slowed as she etched the scene bit by bit into her heart.

Towering billboards and endless shops, rich fragrances and passersby with all sorts of accents.

The mall’s air conditioning was plentiful. Though bundled up tight, she felt no trace of stuffiness.

Inside the store, with Gan Xun and Cui Can’s guidance, Zhao Chiyun picked out a few pieces herself and followed Gan Xun to the fitting room.

She pushed open the door and eyed the cramped space, a sudden fear gripping her for no clear reason.

She said to Gan Xun, “Can you stand inside with me?”

Cui Can didn’t dare dwell on the mental image and quickly looked away, replying to three messages from parents.

“Won’t fit.”

Gan Xun felt bad and explained softly, “Don’t be scared—everyone changes like this. There’s just the one door. I’ll sit right outside and wait; won’t let anyone in.”

“The store has surveillance too. Super safe.”

“You’re not leaving?”

“Why would I? Don’t trust me? Just call out anytime.”

Once Zhao Chiyun shut the door, Gan Xun still stared at it, as if expecting the shout.

Cui Can pocketed her phone and asked out of the blue, “How long have you two been together?”

“…”

Gan Xun shot her a baffled look.

Cui Can pressed, “Can she handle it alone?”

“Short sleeves, shirt, pants—nothing tricky.”

“You taught her well.”

Gan Xun chuckled and sat down, speaking earnestly. “Can Can, I know you’re thrilled at the idea of me dating, but don’t keep making those over-the-top adult jokes about us.”

“You know me—I don’t just casually get involved with people.”

“Especially her. She’s staying for now, but she doesn’t belong to our world.”

Gan Xun grew wistful at that point. She was starting to dread that Zhao Chiyun might leave without even a goodbye.

“And she doesn’t get a lot of modern jokes. You and I pick up on them instantly, but she just sits there blankly—that’s kinda bullying her. Makes her feel insecure.”

Gan Xun’s tone rang true. Cui Can mulled it over. “My issue. I’ll watch it from now on.”

Cui Can added, “Did she get mad? Or you?”

Gan Xun shook her head. “Neither of us is mad.”

“I’m just worried, you know? Words can subtly shape a person.”

Cui Can looked lost. “Not following.”

Gan Xun gathered her thoughts. “What I mean is, if you keep dropping those hints, we’ll start with preconceived ideas.”

“I’ll think, ‘Hey, I must have feelings for her. She’s living here, so anything could happen.'”

“She’ll think that if she stays, she has to tie herself to me—get hit with these jokes, pushed toward a lesbian thing even if she’s straight.”

Gan Xun recalled that night’s uncontrolled kiss and felt a chill of fear.

“Keep going like that, and if something does happen someday, it might not be because of love.”

Loneliness, panic, having only each other.

She didn’t want that.

Cui Can was stunned by the depth of her thinking and nodded repeatedly. She sighed, “If only I thought things through like you. How come I’m just a hookup brain plus love brain?”

Gan Xun turned serious. “Don’t say that about yourself—no one should. You’re great.”

It was her who overthought everything, unable to just enjoy the emotions.

A while later, Zhao Chiyun emerged. She’d gone for basic styles—her County Princess tastes hadn’t synced with this world yet. To her, these clothes were just for modesty.

To play it safe, she’d pared it down to solid colors.

But with that face, she couldn’t dial back the appeal much.

She stepped out of the fitting room, and nearby customers instinctively turned to stare, their gazes lingering.

She was like a brand’s freshly signed spokesperson, turning the plainest outfits into a runway around her.

Cui Can overheard a few girls nearby whispering praise and finally caught on. “Wait, why? So she’s gorgeous, you don’t like her—but if you two accidentally sleep together someday, it’s all on me?”

That right?

“…”

Gan Xun sometimes felt like she was talking to a brick wall.

Her overly blunt words heated her face. As if that would ever happen.

No time to argue, she stood and headed to Zhao Chiyun.

In the end, Gan Xun footed the bill. She’d picked this store—highest value for money within her means.

As for Cui Can’s go-to brands, she had the good sense to steer clear.

Next, they hit the second-floor lingerie shop so Zhao Chiyun could pick out underwear and sleepwear on her own.

When asked her size, Zhao Chiyun knew it but wasn’t sure how it matched modern sizing. She shot Gan Xun a pleading look.

Cui Can glanced over too.

Gan Xun panicked inwardly—how would I know?

Memories flashed: their first meeting, those accidental intimate brushes. She felt at a loss.

She mumbled it was unclear and asked the shop owner to measure.

Zhao Chiyun didn’t mind the stranger aunt’s touch—tailoring was routine back in the Mirror Country.

The actual size came out close to what Gan Xun had guessed. She was a girl too; she could eyeball it.

Some measurements were just tricky to verbalize accurately.

With underwear selected, Zhao Chiyun scanned the racks. She disliked the rest and pointed out the lilac-colored nightgown on the model. “That’s pretty.”

Gan Xun agreed it looked upscale—no gaudy bows or lace. She touched the fabric; it felt comfortable.

But the nightgown skewed mature: spaghetti straps, V-neck, not all that long—barely covered anything.

She couldn’t fathom why Zhao Chiyun liked it.

Especially at that price.

Still, she gritted her teeth and bought it. It was rare to see that spark of genuine appreciation in Zhao Chiyun’s eyes for a piece of clothing.

Zhao Chiyun didn’t try it on. She said if she did, she wouldn’t come out—Gan Xun would have to go in and check.

Gan Xun shot that down immediately.

She knew she couldn’t handle it with composure.

But as she scanned to pay, Zhao Chiyun happily rifled through the shopping bag. “Trying it on at home for you is the same. It should fit.”

Cui Can let out a big cough and held back any jokes.

But that felt even worse to Gan Xun—like they were all prim in public but anything went behind closed doors.

So shameless.

Gan Xun could only manage a dry laugh and say, “Okay.”

Once Cui Can headed to the bathroom, Gan Xun stewed more and more. Seizing the chance, she asked, “Why’d you like that nightgown?”

Zhao Chiyun gazed down at the kids splashing in the pool on the first floor, offhand. “Purple is an omen of wealth and nobility.”

“But it’s just a nightgown.”

Even that had to follow omens?

“I saw something similar in the magazine you gave me. This modern style beats that ghost-face skirt of yours by a mile.”

What ghost-face skirt—that was a cartoon character!

The fashion magazine came back like a boomerang. Gan Xun took back her earlier gripe about Zhao Chiyun not getting fashion.

She tried directness. “I just think it doesn’t suit your noble and dignified vibe. How about we swap? There are other styles in the same material.”

“You think it’s too seductive, right?”

Zhao Chiyun nailed it right away, baffled by the objection. “But I’d only wear it in the bedroom—no one to see. What’s wrong with that?”

“Gan Xun, you’re so conservative.”

God, am I not human?

Gan Xun mumbled weakly, “Can’t I just feel heartbroken over the money?”

“But you paid without a second thought.”

Zhao Chiyun leaned on the railing, drawing close—nearly pressed against her. “Are you really that afraid of seeing me in it?”