The car drove smoothly and soon arrived at a shopping mall.
This mall was called Emperor Life Plaza. It occupied a prime location in Yanjing City and was one of the malls under Emperor Group.
“Get out,” Lu Chen said as he pushed open the door and stepped out first.
Chen Mengyao hesitated for a moment before following him out of the car.
“CEO Lu, you’re here.” A mature, alluring female manager had been waiting for a long time. The moment she saw Lu Chen, she swayed her hips gracefully and hurried forward with a warm, eager smile. Her cheeks were flushed, her every gesture filled with charm. “CEO Lu, please, this way.”
Lu Chen nodded. “Take her for a bath and then get her some suitable clothes.”
“Yes, CEO Lu!” The flirtatious manager bent ninety degrees in a bow, her voice sweet and sticky. “Miss, this way please!”
She led Chen Mengyao toward the elevator.
Standing at the elevator entrance, Chen Mengyao watched the numbers descend, her heart pounding wildly. She had worked in malls before, but never once had she felt this nervous. Her clothes were still dirty and ragged, her entire appearance screamed disheveled. In this spotless, elegant mall, she felt completely out of place.
“Don’t be nervous. Just treat it like your own home.” Lu Chen stepped into the elevator, giving her a faint glance as he spoke casually.
Chen Mengyao pressed her lips together and nodded. Strangely enough, his words made her feel a little more at ease.
The elevator rose to the ninth floor. When the doors slid open, the sight of luxury boutiques filled her vision.
Every store here was lavishly decorated, exuding opulence. Famous paintings of top global luxury brands hung on the walls, while showcases glittered with exquisite, expensive jewelry.
The guests coming and going were also elegantly dressed, every gesture refined, their conversation polite and dignified.
As soon as Chen Mengyao stepped inside, she felt like a duckling dropped among swans.
She walked behind Lu Chen, watching his graceful, confident steps. His noble aura was like that of a king descending upon his domain, his presence powerful enough to make others tremble.
Biting her lips, Chen Mengyao grew more and more uneasy.
The manager walked ahead, swaying her hips as she led them toward a luxurious store. She turned respectfully to Lu Chen. “CEO Lu, the guests in this store have already been cleared out.”
The manager closed the store’s door and brought out a brand-new white dress. She led Chen Mengyao to a finely decorated room and said respectfully, “Miss Chen, after you finish your bath, please change into this dress. Afterward, I’ll help you pick out a few more outfits.”
“Okay.”
Chen Mengyao nodded softly, her heart beating furiously as sweat dampened her palms. Her feet slowed involuntarily.
Lu Chen glanced at her and chuckled. “Afraid I’ll peek?”
Chen Mengyao swallowed, first shaking her head, then nodding.
“Go in. I won’t.” He shook his head with a smile at her innocent nervousness and turned away.
Only after hesitating for a long time did Chen Mengyao slowly walk into the bathroom.
Mist filled the bathroom, scented with a pleasant fragrance that made her sniff softly. She stripped off her dirty clothes and stood before the mirror, looking at herself.
Her fair, delicate skin, her pretty, refined features, her slender figure, and those bright almond-shaped eyes with long curled lashes—all of it looked beautiful enough to make one’s breath catch. Her soft red lips and perfectly balanced curves made her almost flawless.
It was hard to imagine how such a petite, delicate body could have such graceful shape.
After staring for a few seconds, Chen Mengyao finally removed her undergarments and slipped into the warm bath. The chill and exhaustion in her body melted instantly, replaced with comfort and relief.
The bathtub was enormous, her body sinking under the foamy water, her fair skin faintly visible through the mist, like a mermaid drifting in water. In the corners of the bath, crystal spheres glowed with soft blue light, filling the room with dreamlike beauty.
Chen Mengyao leaned back, her thoughts replaying the night’s events over and over. It all felt surreal, like a dream. Her heart beat faster, her cheeks flushed hot, and she quickly closed her eyes, trying to calm herself.
Ten minutes later, she emerged in the white dress prepared for her, her delicate feet stepping into a pair of crystal sandals. She looked completely renewed. Her slender body, wrapped in the dress, made her appear sweet and lively.
Her damp hair was wrapped up, exposing her fair neck and elegant collarbones that gleamed faintly under the lights. She was pure and fresh, like a lotus blooming in the water—elegant yet carrying a fatal allure.
Looking into the mirror, Chen Mengyao froze. Was this really her? She hadn’t known she could look like this.
If Lu Chen saw her like this, could he really restrain himself and stick strictly to the contract, without laying a finger on her?
Her cheeks burned, her legs stiff as she forced herself to walk out.
The moment the manager saw her, her eyes lit up with excitement. She hurried forward, clapping her hands in praise. “Miss Chen, you’re so beautiful!”
Chen Mengyao blushed, lowering her head without speaking.
“Miss Chen, come with me. I’ll help you choose a few more outfits—guaranteed to make CEO Lu unable to look away!” The mature manager’s hand fell on her thin shoulder, her voice soft and sultry.
“T-thank you… but there’s nothing between me and CEO Lu…” Chen Mengyao stammered, waving her hands quickly to deny it.
The manager paused, then covered her mouth with a teasing laugh. “I understand, I understand! Miss Chen doesn’t need to explain, I know everything.”
Chen Mengyao: “…”
The manager ignored her helplessness and, smiling brightly, pulled her toward the back of the boutique.
Along the way, all the female staff cast envious, jealous looks at her. To become the woman by the side of the Lu Group’s young master was a dream they could never even hope for.
Chen Mengyao, who had never experienced such treatment, felt completely out of place, awkwardly trailing behind the manager.
The manager, however, was unfazed, dragging her along to try on clothes.
Finally, three sets were selected—a black lace strap dress, a short purple puff princess skirt, and a light blue knee-length pleated skirt.
“Miss Chen, which one do you like best?” the manager asked with a smile.
Chen Mengyao hesitated for a moment before whispering, “I don’t like any of them. Can I not choose?”
“Alright then!” The manager immediately turned to a female assistant and called out, “Miss Chen likes all of them! Pack everything she just tried on!”
Chen Mengyao: “…”