Chapter 21

Qiao Xiuyu’s arm encircled the woman’s lower back, allowing him to feel the slender softness of Mu Ruo’s waist. A faint, delicate fragrance drifted into his nostrils. Captivated by the subtle scent, his fingertips instinctively pinched the soft flesh at her waist, savoring the exquisite texture that slipped between them.

The moment he pinched her, Mu Ruo trembled and nestled even closer into his embrace. Her face was a picture of unspoken desire, her damp eyes radiating an effortless allure.

They brimmed with utter trust in Qiao Xiuyu, along with deep dependence and admiration.

Her innocent little white flower features somehow produced seductive expressions utterly at odds with her pure looks. Her body displayed just the right touch of inexperience, and every gesture seemed like a deliberate effort to please him.

Qiao Xiuyu felt a tightness in his lower abdomen as darkness deepened in his gaze.

In the next instant, he captured Mu Ruo’s lips without a second thought. She yielded willingly, their tongues entwining in a deep, passionate kiss.

She lifted one leg, baring the elegant curve of her waist. The cheongsam hugged her figure tautly, like a spark igniting a prairie fire that scorched away Qiao Xiuyu’s last shreds of reason.

He whirled her around and pinned her against the reception table, sending papers, pens, and files scattering to the floor.

He had lost control the night before and thought he could stay calm today. But this woman, Mu Ruo, held an irresistible pull on him. Her features echoed Bo Ranying’s temperament—pure, innocent, lively, like a little white flower stretching toward the sun.

He had first encountered her while visiting a friend’s company. Fresh out of school, she had just been rejected from an interview. He was instantly drawn to her and felt a pang of pity. Short an assistant at the time, he hired her on the spot.

It had started as a simple act of kindness, but things had taken an unexpected turn.

Mu Ruo’s initial impression reminded him of Bo Ranying, yet she differed in so many profound ways.

For one, Mu Ruo depended on him completely. She stayed rooted in place, clinging to him softly and weakly, always awaiting his aid. Her beautiful, clear eyes shone with affection and shy adoration for him, worshiping his knowledge, his family background, and his capabilities. She watched him work with wide-eyed awe. When she noticed his fatigue, she would brew him a cup of sweet, clear tea or warm water laced with vitamins. She frequently brought him simple homemade baked goods brimming with heartfelt care. She grew jealous, threw little tantrums, and overflowed with possessive desire toward him. After she got drunk one night, knocked on his door, and confessed her feelings, everything spiraled out of control… and he found himself utterly ensnared.

Bo Ranying had never offered him any of that.

He had just ended a video call with Bo Ranying, witnessing her cool, aloof demeanor. His inner cravings had swelled to a bursting point, leaving him vulnerable to the slightest provocation.

Mu Ruo let out a soft hum. As Qiao Xiuyu immersed himself deeper, she nipped at his shoulder, pestering him relentlessly for answers. “Brother Qiao, were you just on the phone with Ranran Jie?”

“Mm.”

Qiao Xiuyu kept up his rhythm. The mention of Bo Ranying’s name from Mu Ruo’s lips only heightened his arousal.

Mu Ruo’s face still wore that fragile expression. Her lips quivered as she reached down and gripped his manhood firmly. “Between me and Ranran Jie… who’s prettier?”

Veins bulged on Qiao Xiuyu’s forehead, snapping him back to clarity. “How could you possibly compare to Little Ran?”

In that instant, he could no longer withstand the overwhelming pleasure she bestowed and surrendered completely…

That afternoon, Bo Ranying and the teacher took early leave from the Dance Troupe and headed to the bridal boutique they had booked.

The shop owner, Xu Hui, was a veteran clothing designer who had collaborated with the Qiao Family for many years. She owned several prestigious brands of her own and had claimed gold awards in the design world, earning her a name that carried real weight in the industry. Approaching sixty, she hailed from one of Linxi’s own elite families and shared a long-standing friendship with the Qiaos. Every wedding gown in her shop was handmade with the finest materials and tailored to perfection. Appointments required booking six months to a year in advance just to get on the schedule.

These days, she rarely accepted commissions herself. Her health couldn’t handle the grueling, intricate work anymore, and she hadn’t encountered a project that truly sparked her passion in ages. Her apprentices typically handled the designs and patterns for clients.

She had agreed to come out of semi-retirement and design Bo Ranying’s gown personally only because of her ties to the Qiao Family.

Xu Hui greeted her with warm enthusiasm the moment she arrived. “Ranran, come here! I’ve had the three sample gowns designed just for you made up. Try them on and see how they fit—pick the one you love most!”

Bo Ranying happily linked her arm with Xu Hui’s, letting the older woman stride ahead and lead her to view the finished custom creations.

As for whether they would fit perfectly, that was almost laughable. With Teacher Xu taking the measurements herself, there wouldn’t be so much as a millimeter of error from design to final product. The gowns were guaranteed to hug her figure flawlessly—unless Bo Ranying herself had let her measurements slip.

Stepping into the gown display room, Bo Ranying became utterly entranced by the vision before her.

She could scarcely hear Xu Hui’s voice; it reached her ears as a distant murmur.

Xu Hui’s designs fulfilled every young woman’s dream of romance and grandeur for her wedding day.

“Ranran, take a look—which gown catches your eye? Since this is for your engagement, I kept them from being too ornate. I didn’t want them overshadowing your beauty. When you and Xiuyu have your actual wedding, I’ll craft something far more elaborate…”

Bo Ranying felt as if she had wandered into a princess’s wardrobe. Hanging on the mannequins were three gowns, each with its own distinctive allure—breathtaking, radiant masterpieces that could steal away any onlooker’s heart and soul.

One featured satin fabric for the bodice, styled like a tailored suit jacket with a wide V-neckline and three decorative buttons. From the third button, a clever waist sash extended, incorporating the remaining satin into an exaggerated bow complete with subtle ruffled edges, flowing into a long, softly voluminous white train. Every detail showcased the designer’s ingenuity, exuding elegance and beauty.

Bo Ranying fell in love with it at first sight and chose to try it on.

Xu Hui and her apprentice carefully helped Bo Ranying into the gown. Dragging the train with care, she approached the full-length mirror. Her eyes fluttered as she lifted her gaze to behold herself.

Her hair was swept into a simple updo. The precisely cut bodice gave her a structured silhouette, while the wide V-neck perfectly framed her long, graceful swan-like neck. At first glance, it appeared sleek and minimalistic, but the massive bow served as a captivating focal point, infusing a youthful sweetness and playfulness that banished any notion of plainness.

The gown accentuated her figure’s strengths and minimized its flaws, presenting her in her most captivating form.

“Absolutely stunning,” Xu Hui said, gazing sincerely at the girl in the mirror.

Bo Ranying was thoroughly delighted with how it looked on her. She handed her phone to Xu Hui and asked her to record a video.

She couldn’t wait to share this moment of pure joy and satisfaction with Nan Qi.