Reborn to Outshine My Ex and His White Moonlight novel Chapter 195

Chapter 195: Chapter 195: Does it still hurt?

The bridal boutique was the only brick-and-mortar store in the country for a top international wedding dress brand.

Booking an appointment to view the dresses had to be done a year in advance.

Of course, for someone of Gong Chen’s status, waiting was unnecessary.

As they entered the boutique, opulent like the Lu Fu Gong, the manager had already cleared the venue in advance.

"Old Mr. Gong, Third Young Master, Third Madam."

The manager was quick to recognize and immediately adjusted his address upon seeing the couple arm in arm.

Song Wanqiu shyly glanced at Gong Chen, seemingly waiting for him to confirm her identity.

Gong Chen did not respond to her; his expression was cold as he spoke, "I have an international video conference later tonight."

His implication was clear: don’t waste time.

The manager was taken aback and subconsciously looked towards Song Wanqiu.

Song Wanqiu also paused, then lightly smiled with a hint of resignation, reaching up to adjust his coat collar, "Don’t overwork yourself; actually, I could have come by myself. I’d rather you got some more rest."

"No need, let’s go."

Gong Chen’s tone was casual as he handed his coat to Chen Jin and strode ahead.

Song Wanqiu’s hand only brushed the edge of his coat, freezing for a second before she instinctively took off her own coat.

"Third Young Master, you’re too impatient."

She assisted Old Mr. Gong forward, not forgetting to turn her head and remind Lin Zhiyi, "Zhiyi, hurry and follow us."

Lin Zhiyi had long been accustomed to Song Wanqiu’s behavior and wore an expressionless face as she silently followed.

Inside the spacious fitting room reminiscent of an exhibition hall, Old Mr. Gong and Gong Chen had just sat down when the manager personally served tea.

As the scent of tea lingered, accompanied by the voices of two clerks, the fitting curtain slowly opened.

"Here comes the bride."

Song Wanqiu, wearing a veil, slowly emerged; her satin dress was embedded with thousands of tiny diamonds, sparkling with each step she took.

It’s often said that women in wedding dresses are the most beautiful women in the world, and it was no exaggeration.

Even though Lin Zhiyi knew how malicious Song Wanqiu could be, she had to admit she looked stunningly beautiful and pure.

In the past, Lin Zhiyi had also dreamed of a wedding.

But she had never worn a wedding dress up to her death.

She and Gong Chen were forced into marriage by public opinion.

He had randomly picked a free time after a meeting to register their marriage with her.

The sole reason was to obtain a birth permit for their child.

Back then, she had known that the Gong family would never host a wedding for her, so she could only pretend to pass by a bridal boutique regularly, secretly fantasizing about wearing the dress in the window and taking a wedding photo with Gong Chen.

Unfortunately... the dress was later sold to someone else.

Today, everything finally proceeded as Gong Chen wished.

He was about to marry the woman he loved most.

This was the outcome Lin Zhiyi wanted, yet she felt a tight string in her chest becoming tighter and tearing apart.

When she silently withdrew her gaze, she met those deep eyes under the brilliant crystal lights, the bottom of his eyes speckled with broken light, emitting waves she couldn’t comprehend.

Song Wanqiu noticed their gazes and reluctantly walked up to Gong Chen, asking embarrassedly, "Third Young Master, do you like it?"

"Hmm."

Gong Chen lowered his gaze to sip his tea, his emotions unreadable.

Old Mr. Gong smiled, "Wanqiu has always been a lady of great upbringing and a beauty; she looks good in anything, elegant and clean."

Lin Zhiyi, sitting on the single sofa at the far end, distinctly felt a serious gaze carving through her when she heard the word "clean."

Her chest felt tight, yet she appeared powerless, only able to silently fixate on the tea in her hands.

In truth, she was the least welcomed person here.

But her presence demonstrated their magnanimity, tolerance, and superiority.

At that moment, Song Wanqiu turned to look at her, smiling meaningfully.

"Zhiyi, go pick out a bridesmaid dress. I’m not one of those brides who fears being upstaged, so pick whatever you like."

Lin Zhiyi looked skeptically at Song Wanqiu.

Was she really being kind?

With the warmth of their hands, a print remained.

The compact space was quiet yet filled with heavy breaths.

Lin Zhiyi felt compressed tightly in his embrace... so tight she could barely breathe, as if she were being embedded into his chest.

Then, Song Wanqiu’s voice came from outside the curtain.

"Zhiyi, are you not ready yet? Do you need my help?"

"..."

Lin Zhiyi, panicked, pushed against the man in front of her.

He finally released her, though he lingered, touching her wrist.

The day Song Wanqiu had a miscarriage, she had been pushed and scraped badly. Even after the wound had healed, it still left a faint scar.

"Does it still hurt?"

He looked down at her, his voice deliberately low and magnetic, with a barely perceptible softness.

Lin Zhiyi forcefully pulled her hand back, "It’s none of your business."

His lips barely moved, as if he wanted to say something but ultimately didn’t.

Suddenly, Song Wanqiu’s footsteps approached from outside.

"Zhiyi, are you embarrassed to come out? It’s okay, I won’t mind however you look."

Hearing the footsteps draw nearer, Lin Zhiyi pushed him urgently.

"You, you need to leave."

"The dress is on the rack."

Gong Chen squeezed her hand and then turned to leave.

Lin Zhiyi looked down and realized she was holding a tube of scar removal ointment.

Looking up again, the fitting room was empty, as if no one had ever been there.

But on the rack opposite, there hung a white dress.

Soon after, Song Wanqiu, smiling, forcefully pulled back the curtain of Lin Zhiyi’s fitting room.