At exactly 6 PM, Lin Yuxi's manager stepped out of his office and walked toward her.
"It's time to get ready," he said.
Lin Yuxi bit her lip slightly. 'There's no way to escape this, huh?' she thought.
The manager signaled for a salesgirl to come over. The girl hurried toward them and waited for his instructions.
"She's going to have dinner with Mr. Mei and Mr. Zhou. Get her a nice dress. Something… appealing." The manager's eyes briefly scanned Lin Yuxi, making her uncomfortable.
"Sir, I think my current attire isn't bad. It's a business meeting, after all," Lin Yuxi said politely.
She knew it wasn't just a business meeting. She was being sent as an 'offering.' And she knew that if she changed out of her work clothes, she would likely end up wearing something skimpy.
"No. It's not just a business meeting. They aren't ordinary people. You can't attend dinner with them looking like that." He turned to the salesgirl. "You know what to do."
With that, he returned to his office.
Lin Yuxi clenched her fists behind her back.
'How disgusting,' she thought.
"Sis Lin, what kind of dress would you like?" the salesgirl asked excitedly.
Lin Yuxi raised a brow. 'Why is she so excited?'
As if reading her mind, the girl quickly said, "I—I've always wanted to play dress-up with you, Sis Lin. You have such a beautiful figure!"
"Huh? Dress-up?" Lin Yuxi blinked in confusion.
"Yeah! Most of us always imagine how you'd look in the new dresses that arrive. You're like our model. Not just because of your looks—your personality is lovely too!" the girl rambled like an excited fan.
Lin Yuxi glanced around. Most of the salesgirls nearby were secretly watching them, their faces filled with anticipation. She hadn't expected this. She had thought everyone disliked her because of Mei Loufei.
She turned back to the girl.
"Your name is Ruolan, right?"
The girl nodded quickly, looking honored that Lin Yuxi remembered her name.
"Look, Ruolan. I appreciate the admiration. I really do. But you know what could happen at this dinner, right? I believe you're not naïve enough to ignore that."
Ruolan's expression turned apologetic.
"I'm sorry… I forgot about it for a moment."
"It's alright. Just get me a dress. Please make sure it's something decent," Lin Yuxi said softly.
Ruolan nodded firmly.
"I won't disappoint you! I'll find something that makes you look extremely beautiful and elegant and—"
"Just go get the dress," Lin Yuxi interrupted with a sigh.
Ruolan nodded and marched away like a soldier given an important mission.
Lin Yuxi sighed again and sat down on the lounge couch, trying to think of a way to escape her fate.
While she was deep in thought, Ruolan returned, pushing a rack full of dresses toward her.
Lin Yuxi stood up and examined them, frowning slightly.
"Aren't these too revealing?" she asked, holding up a green dress. It was beautiful, but extremely short—and the neckline was far too low.
"Not all of them are like that," Ruolan said quickly, pulling out a blue dress. It was slightly less revealing, but to Lin Yuxi, it wasn't much better.
"Why don't you try a few first? If you don't like them, I'll bring another rack," Ruolan suggested as she handed her the blue dress.
Lin Yuxi sighed. She hated dressing up, and now she would have to try on several outfits.
'How tiring.'
She entered the dressing room with the blue dress.
A few minutes later, she stepped out.
Several gasps echoed through the store.
There weren't many customers—mostly the salesgirls—and they couldn't hide their admiration.
The dress was short, but it looked stunning on Lin Yuxi. It emphasized her long, fair legs. The fitted turtleneck hugged her body perfectly, decorated with delicate rose patterns.
"Wow! Sis Lin, you look so beautiful!" Ruolan exclaimed as she circled around her.
"It's uncomfortable," Lin Yuxi said, constantly pulling the hem down.
"Oh… right. Too short. Let me get something else."
Ruolan hurried back to the rack and returned with a rose-pink dress. It was similar to the blue one, except for an opening at the chest that would clearly reveal her cleavage.
"I don't like this one," Lin Yuxi rejected immediately.
"I'll bring another!" Ruolan said enthusiastically.
She continued pulling out dresses, excitedly talking about how amazing Lin Yuxi would look and what accessories would match each outfit.
Lin Yuxi rubbed her forehead.
A headache was coming.
Half an hour later…
After trying on countless dresses, Lin Yuxi finally stepped out with a dress that she felt was acceptable.
It was a fitted red off-shoulder knit mini dress with long sleeves and ribbed fabric that hugged her waist and hips elegantly.
The striking red color complemented her fair skin perfectly.
Thankfully, it didn't reveal her cleavage, and it wasn't as short as the others.
She smoothed the fabric and looked up—only to see Ruolan and several salesgirls staring at her with wide eyes.
Lin Yuxi blinked.
"Um… is it bad?"
They all shook their heads immediately.
"Then…?"
"Y-you look…" one girl started, struggling for the right word.
"Gorgeous," another said.
"Perfect," a third added.
Soon, compliments flooded in as they surrounded her.
Lin Yuxi was trapped among them until the manager suddenly stepped out of his office, causing the salesgirls to quickly compose themselves.
The manager walked over, scanned Lin Yuxi from head to toe, and nodded approvingly.
"Go to the third and fourth floors. Get matching heels and jewelry," he ordered Ruolan.
Ruolan nodded and rushed off.
"You look different now that you're all dolled up," the manager commented before pointing at another salesgirl.
"You. Style her hair."
The girl nodded and led Lin Yuxi to a chair.
She carefully undid Lin Yuxi's neat bun, letting her long silky hair cascade down her back like a waterfall.
"Wow… your hair is so soft and beautiful," she said while gently running her fingers through it.
"Thank you. But there's really no point styling it. This isn't a salon. How about we just leave it like this?" Lin Yuxi suggested.
"Actually… it looks great this way," the girl agreed, smoothing it slightly and bringing a section over her shoulder.
Just then, Ruolan returned carrying elegant red heels and a delicate necklace.
Lin Yuxi slipped on the heels while Ruolan carefully fastened the necklace around her neck.
Finally ready, Lin Yuxi looked at herself in the mirror.
She almost didn't recognize the woman staring back.
The salesgirls whispered excitedly behind her.
"Sis Lin… have you ever considered becoming a model?" Ruolan asked.
Lin Yuxi blinked and shook her head.
"You'd be perfect for it."
"It sounds bothersome," Lin Yuxi muttered.
"It's time to go," the manager announced.
They turned to see him standing beside a burly man in a suit who clearly looked like a bodyguard.
Lin Yuxi sighed inwardly.
Escaping this will definitely be difficult.
She followed the man into the elevator.
Outside the mall, a black Land Rover waited.
The man opened the rear door for her.
Lin Yuxi took a deep breath and got in.
The car soon drove away.
Her palms grew sweaty as the vehicle headed toward a place she did not want to go.
She glanced at the driver.
If there are more bodyguards there… escaping this won't be easy.
Soon, the car stopped in front of a hotel.
Lin Yuxi stepped out and looked up at the towering building.
STARDUST HOTEL.
Taking a deep breath, she followed the bodyguard inside.
They took the elevator to the 14th floor.
Lin Yuxi carefully memorized the path.
They stopped outside a private room guarded by several bodyguards.
The man gestured for her to enter.
Inside was a private bar.
Zhou Hongyi and Mei Zhenhua sat across from each other on couches, laughing while drinking.
Zhou Hongyi noticed her immediately.
His eyes slowly roamed over her body, lingering on her legs.
"Come, come!" he said happily, gesturing her closer.
Lin Yuxi suppressed her disgust and walked over with a polite smile, bowing slightly in greeting.
"Sit, sit," Zhou Hongyi said, patting the seat beside him.
Lin Yuxi sat, leaving a noticeable distance.
Zhou Hongyi laughed and shamelessly moved closer.
His hand slowly reached her bare knee.
Lin Yuxi immediately lifted her hand to stop him—
"How about we discuss the contract first, Mr. Zhou?" Mei Zhenhua interrupted calmly.
Zhou Hongyi withdrew his hand.
"Right, the contract. Send it to my secretary tomorrow. It'll be signed," he said casually.
They talked for a while while drinking.
Soon, Zhou Hongyi poured a glass of whiskey and handed it to her.
"Here, pretty."
"I'm sorry, but I don't drink alcohol," Lin Yuxi replied politely.
"Oh come on. Just a little sip."
"It wouldn't set a good example for my child if she found out," Lin Yuxi said calmly.
Zhou Hongyi blinked.
"You have a child?"
"Yes. She's five."
"You don't look like you have a kid," he said, his gaze roaming over her again.
Lin Yuxi's smile nearly slipped.
"I hear that a lot."
"What about the father?" Zhou Hongyi asked.
"I'm a single mother."
"Oh, okay. But that shouldn't stop you from drinking." Zhou Hongyi chuckled. "Besides… you won't be going home tonight."
Lin Yuxi clenched her fists on her lap.
Shameless.
"Please excuse me. I need to use the restroom."
"Sure, sure. Take your time," Zhou Hongyi waved.
She walked out of the room.
Four bodyguards stood outside.
"Excuse me, where is the restroom?" she asked politely.
One of them pointed down the hall.
"Thank you."
She walked toward it calmly.
One bodyguard followed her.
When she reached the restroom door, she turned to him.
"I need to fix my makeup, but I left my bag in the room. Could you please get it for me?"
The guard hesitated before walking away.
In truth, she had no bag. She had only brought her phone.
And she wasn't wearing makeup.
The moment he disappeared around the corner...
Lin Yuxi ran.
She rushed toward the elevator, but it was in use.
Without hesitation, she turned and sprinted toward the stairwell.
Moments later, Zhou Hongyi's furious shout echoed through the hallway.
"Find her!"