Chapter 5: Why Not Try Dating Me Instead…

The sales associates at the luxury boutique were unusually tense today.

Their distinguished client seemed different from her usual self.

No one had expected her to request that red dress.

But what could they do? The dress had already been brought over, and the young lady had spoken.

Two sales assistants accompanied her to the fitting room, helped her into the dress, and brought several pairs of high heels to match.

Soon, Xia Mi La emerged from the fitting room.

She stepped onto the circular platform in her heels, glanced at her reflection in the full-length mirror, then turned to Xu Lian Yi and asked, “How do I look?”

Xu Lian Yi had already moved closer. Her eyes were filled with the vibrant life radiating from the dazzling red.

Everyone had initially thought Xia Mi La wanted to try the red dress out of spite, but the moment she appeared in it, all such notions vanished.

Because it suited her perfectly.

Jet-black hair, snow-white skin, wrapped in crimson…

Even Xu Lian Yi was discovering for the first time how exceptionally well red complemented her.

Had Bai You Na worn this dress, it might have appeared garish and frivolous she lacked Xia Mi La’s clear, pure gaze and her elegant grace.

Most importantly, Xia Mi La remained entirely herself. Though the gown was stunningly eye-catching, it didn’t overshadow her inherent radiance in the slightest; its splendor and liveliness merely served as adornments to her natural beauty.

It was in this moment that Xu Lian Yi sensed a change in her friend something internal, as if something fundamental had shifted.

But before she could utter the words “You look beautiful,” the door to the VIP room was pushed open from outside.

The rude intruder who hadn’t bothered to knock was Zhao Taihe.

Leaning against the doorframe, he casually peered inside, then froze at the sight of Xia Mi La standing there in the red dress.

After giving her a head-to-toe appraisal, he grinned and let out a sharp whistle.

As he strode in, he asked her, “What happened to your arm?”

Not being particularly close to him, Xia Mi La replied offhandedly, “Just a minor scrape.”

Zhao Taihe didn’t press further, his long legs already carrying him to stand before her.

“Why isn’t your fiancé here with you?” he asked, though he continued without waiting for an answer, “Is he upset with you for meddling, or is he busy with that random girl who appeared out of nowhere?”

Zhao Taihe was the youngest son of JK Group, the same age as Xia Mi La, and also a student at Tanmyung High School.

He and Jin He were rivals, having fought since childhood, even dividing their school into factions where they competed over everything.

Today was no exception he’d come specifically after hearing Xia Mi La was here. Even if he didn’t run into Jin He, teasing his fiancée was satisfaction enough.

The moment he spoke those words, Xu Lian Yi knew he was here to stir trouble and immediately snapped, “Zhao Taihe, have you lost your mind?”

Zhao Taihe ignored her completely, his gaze fixed on Xia Mi La.

He looked into her dark, luminous eyes, at her smooth long hair, her pale shoulders and delicate collarbones…

A smirk curled his lips as he said, “Xia Mi La, that Jin He is useless. Why not try dating me instead?”

Xia Mi La didn’t avoid his gaze. Meeting his eyes, she curved her lips into a smile: “Zhao Taihe, whether someone knows how to date has nothing to do with how many partners they’ve had.”

Zhao Taihe was notoriously known as a playboy. He possessed strikingly handsome features with peach blossom eyes that shimmered like clear springs, captivating countless young women’s hearts. Being someone who never refused advances, he was willing to try with anyone who caught his fancy, maintaining a very liberal dating style.

Hearing Xia Mi La’s remark, he wasn’t offended but instead broadened his smile: “Indeed, words alone prove nothing. One must experience it to know.”

At this point, Xia Mi La saw no need to engage with him further.

“Are you finished?Xu Lian Yi timely intervened as the dismissive host, “You may leave now.””

“Then I won’t disturb you any longer.” Zhao Taihe offered insincere pleasantries before finally turning back to Xia Mi La, “See you at the banquet.”

Xia Mi La had already withdrawn her gaze, no longer looking at him.

Only after he left did she smooth her dress again and ask Xu Lian Yi: “What do you think of this dress?”

“Of course it’s beautiful.” Xu Lian Yi finally got the chance to voice the answer she’d wanted to give earlier. Remembering Zhao Taihe, she added, “Didn’t you see how that scoundrel Zhao Taihe’s eyes were practically glued to you?”

Xia Mi La chuckled at her comment.

“Alright then.” she said, “I’ll take both dresses.”

The sales assistants who had been enjoying the drama suddenly froze, their faint smiles stiffening on their faces.

Miss Mi La taking both dresses… How were they going to explain this to Miss You Na?

“Is there a problem?” Xia Mi La noticed their hesitation, “Sister You Na only mentioned reserving them. She didn’t place an order or pay any deposit. I arrived first, so I should have priority. That shouldn’t be an issue, should it?”

She was actually being quite diplomatic.

Luxury stores reserve products for clients according to their status levels from highest to lowest. Even if her status hadn’t reached her grandmother’s highest level, it certainly wouldn’t rank below Bai You Na’s.

Therefore, this store had made procedural errors from the beginning. Their catalog should have been presented to her first, allowing her the earliest selection and decision.

But of course, they might have actually done so initially.

So now was simply the appropriate time to correct the disorder.

“Yes.” The manager, skilled at reading situations, nodded immediately and complied, “We’ll package these for you right away.”

Xia Mi La felt today’s shopping experience had been quite satisfactory.

She went on to select several more outfits, various accessories, handbags, and even picked two latest model watches to match with Xu Lian Yi as bestie editions. Finally, she chose a tie and a belt.

“Are these for Jin He?” Xu Lian Yi expressed disapproval, “Has he apologized? He should be giving you gifts instead.”

Xia Mi La nodded and hummed in agreement: “That’s what I thought too. So these are for my father.”

“For your father?”

“Yes.” Xia Mi La said, “I’m having dinner with Dad tonight.”

Xu Lian Yi immediately understood the implication.

After shopping concluded, the sales assistants refreshed their warm coffee before stepping out to organize and package all the items Xia Mi La had selected, leaving the two friends to rest in the VIP room.

After they had all walked out, Xu Lian Yi spoke up with concern, “Mi La, let me accompany you to dinner tonight. Since you took two dresses today, Bai You Na will definitely complain to your father.”

“It’s fine.” Xia Mi La picked up her coffee to reassure her, “Yi Yi, it’s time for me to grow up and mature a little. I can’t always rely on you to protect me.”

Her words carried a tinge of melancholy.

“What kind of talk is that…” Xu Lian Yi said, “My very existence is meant to…”

“Yi Yi,” Xia Mi La interrupted her, “you are my best friend. Friends should be equal and mutually supportive. I hope I can also have the ability to be someone you can rely on.”

“Mi La…” Xu Lian Yi looked at her, her eyes filled with both emotion and a trace of unease.

“Let me try first.” Xia Mi La said with a smile, “If I can’t handle it, I’ll come to you for help.”

“Alright.” Xu Lian Yi looked at her and nodded.

Xia Mi La’s transformation was already quite evident.

Xu Lian Yi thought that this probably still had something to do with Jin He. It was because of that guy’s outrageous behavior of dating other girls that Mi La was provoked into making such changes.

However, she wasn’t sure whether this change in Mi La was for better or worse.

After they left, several sales assistants couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.

“This daughter of the Xia Hong family has finally shown some authority, acting a bit more like a wealthy heiress.”

“Hmph, she’s putting on airs now, but what are we supposed to do?”

At these words, the atmosphere immediately turned somber.

Having failed to reserve the dress Bai You Na wanted, she would definitely fly into a rage.

“Forget it,” after a while, one SA spoke disdainfully, “even if we had given Bai You Na the dress, would she have treated us politely?”

“That’s true.” The others chimed in agreement.

Bai You Na was extremely arrogant. She never really treated them as human beings – mocking them when she was in a good mood, and even getting physical when she was upset. She never missed a chance to flaunt her heiress status in front of them.

But what was she really? The true heiress was Xia Mi La.

Xia Mi La wasn’t pretentious at all. Gentle and good-tempered, she had always been polite to them. Yet precisely because of this, she had been constantly suppressed by Bai You Na.

Now, it seemed the true heiress was beginning to awaken.

Actually, this was a good thing, wasn’t it? Perhaps it would help Bai You Na recognize her place sooner.

“Alright.” The manager clapped her hands to cheer everyone up, “The young lady just made such a large purchase. Isn’t that enough to put smiles on your faces?”

The generous commission was probably the only thing worth being happy about today.

“Yes.” Everyone tried to perk up and responded with smiles.

“Get back to work.” The manager continued.

Everyone dispersed as instructed.

Only one person still had a cloud of worry over her face.

She was the one who had taken Bai You Na’s call about reserving the evening gown. So while others might escape consequences, she would be the first to bear the brunt.

The manager could see her concern.

She sighed and went over to comfort her, “Xiu Zhi, why don’t you go home early today?”

Li Xiu Zhi really wanted to just leave. But having dealt with Bai You Na many times, she knew how crazy this woman could be. When Bai You Na was angry, even if she wasn’t in the store, there would be no escape. And it might even make her angrier.

“No,” she then shook her head bitterly, “I can’t drag you all down with me.”

Author’s Note:

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Rising strong, Mira~~[hugs]