C18 The Golden Couple!

Zhang Xiaolong glanced down at his attire. While it wasn't exactly dirty, it certainly wasn't suitable for a high-class party.

But it wasn't his fault; he never planned on attending any parties.

With a sense of resignation, he shook his head. If only he had known, he wouldn't have accepted the task. Now he had to buy new clothes and wondered if they would be expensive.

Lost in these thoughts, they entered the clothing store.

The sales associate immediately recognized Chen Yaru and greeted her warmly, "Miss Chen, are you here to pick up your gown? It's all ready for you. Please come this way to try it on."

"Yes, and could you also assist this gentleman in finding something appropriate?" Chen Yaru requested. "Preferably something that coordinates with my outfit."

Before the sales associate could respond, Zhang Xiaolong, as if his throat had been scorched by a chili pepper, coughed and blurted out, "Miss Chen, I don't need new clothes. If it's an issue, please find someone else."

He didn't finish his sentence before he started heading for the exit.

"Wait..." Chen Yaru called out, rushing to grab his arm, "You can't just go back on your promise like that!"

"Well, I've decided I don't want to change," Zhang Xiaolong said, seeing that she wasn't letting go. He leaned in and whispered, "Please, let it go. I've only got five thousand yuan to my name. What kind of store did you bring me to where a single item costs over ten thousand? If my dad hears about this, he'll break my legs..."

Chen Yaru paused, taken aback by his reasoning, then chuckled. "You're not getting out of this. Besides, I'm offering to buy you the outfit. What's there to be afraid of?"

"That makes it even less okay!" Zhang Xiaolong's brow furrowed.

He had only intended to lend a hand, but the thought of accepting a gift worth thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of yuan, for a simple favor, was too much for him.

"And why not?" Chen Yaru asked, her lips pursed in disappointment.

As a stunning beauty, she was accustomed to others buying gifts for her, never the other way around. Yet, this time, she found herself eagerly offering to buy a man clothes, only to have him adamantly refuse.

The young elites of Qingyang City would surely be infuriated if they caught wind of this.

"No means no. I just can't accept your gifts," Zhang Xiaolong insisted, trying to leave.

But Chen Yaru clung to him tighter, her arms wrapped firmly around her chest. "Don't you dare walk away! If you try to leave again... if you even think about it... I'll burst into tears right here and let everyone see how you've mistreated me!"

Zhang Xiaolong felt a wave of embarrassment as he sensed the warmth from her embrace. Glancing around, he noticed many onlookers, including whispering staff members.

His hearing was exceptionally sharp; despite the distance and their hushed tones, he could make out every word. The salesgirls saw him as a heartbreaker, toying with Chen Yaru's affections, and they sympathized with her plight. He felt a sense of despair, like wanting to cry but lacking the tears.

"Look, if you keep this up, we're going to become a spectacle, like pandas at a zoo, with everyone staring at us," Zhang Xiaolong pleaded.

"So, you're not leaving?" Chen Yaru pressed, not easing her grip.

"Fine," Zhang Xiaolong conceded reluctantly. "I don't have the money for the clothes right now, but I promise to pay you back when I can."

Chen Yaru was slightly irked, yet the fact that Zhang Xiaolong agreed to stay softened her stance. She didn't press the issue further and simply directed a sales associate to assist him with trying on clothes.

Meanwhile, she slipped into the formal dress she had previously selected. Admiring the garments in the mirror, she was quite pleased with her choice. Then, catching sight of Zhang Xiaolong in his new attire, she was dazzled. The tailored suit accentuated his lean, impeccable figure, and the refined bow tie added an air of sophistication. Coupled with Zhang Xiaolong's naturally ethereal presence, he was the epitome of a fairytale prince.

Even Zhang Xiaolong himself was taken aback by his reflection after changing clothes, hardly recognizing the man in the mirror as himself.

"Do you like it?" Chen Yaru's voice was soft and tender, her eyes alight with a fiery passion.

"It's okay," Zhang Xiaolong responded vaguely, feeling somewhat uneasy despite the clothes looking quite stylish.

"Absolutely dashing..." The sales assistant who had helped Zhang Xiaolong with his selection was starry-eyed, but she quickly became embarrassed, "I mean, Miss Chen and your boyfriend are just the perfect match—like a golden couple!"

Chen Yaru offered a sweet smile, "Please, go ahead and charge it to my card."

Once they had left the boutique, Chen Yaru continued to drive, occasionally stealing glances at Zhang Xiaolong, which made him nervously wonder if they might end up crashing into a wall.

Thankfully, his concerns were unfounded, and soon enough, they arrived at a grand villa.

Zhang Xiaolong stepped out of the car with no thought of opening the door for Chen Yaru. Though he was a College Entrance Examination Top Scorer with a high IQ, he clearly hadn't quite mastered the art of chivalry.

Chen Yaru didn't seem to mind; she gave him a gentle smile and took his arm, and together they walked into the villa.

The greeter at the door didn't recognize Zhang Xiaolong, but with Chen Yaru at his side and his distinguished air, he was courteously ushered in.

Still, the greeter couldn't help but sneak a peek at Chen Yaru, noting the closeness as she linked arms with Zhang Xiaolong, and contemplated whether to report this unexpected intimacy.

"Yaru has arrived! I've been looking forward to seeing you," a warm voice called from inside, as a young man with charming eyes approached them.

The greeter sighed in relief, realizing there was no need for any report.

"Wang Changyu, I've told you many times, we're not close. Please address me as Chen Yaru or Miss Chen," she said, glancing at Zhang Xiaolong as if to preempt any possible misunderstanding about her relationship with the man before them.

Wang Changyu's expression shifted, though not because of Chen Yaru's words. She had always maintained a cool distance from him, and any pleasantries from her would have been out of character.

Yet, the presence of an unfamiliar man by Chen Yaru's side irked him.

"Alright, alright, I admit I was wrong, Miss Chen," Wang Changyu thought to himself. He didn't dwell on Zhang Xiaolong for long, instead uncharacteristically taking the initiative to apologize. "I was actually waiting for you because I wanted to offer a sincere apology. I realize that some of my past actions have caused you considerable inconvenience, Miss Chen. I assure you, such incidents will not recur. I hope you can grant me the opportunity to be just a regular friend."

"Hmm?" Chen Yaru had braced herself for his usual persistence and planned to introduce Zhang Xiaolong as a deterrent. Surprisingly, the man seemed to have turned over a new leaf.

It was hardly in Wang Changyu's nature to do so. Could there be an ulterior motive?

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