After a series of adjustments, the saleswoman brought them another dress—a yellow polka-dot dress.
Following a lengthy round of persuasion from Tong Youyi, Su Meier finally agreed to try it on.
“Meier, you’re the best.”
Tong Youyi beamed happily.
A moment later, two beauties with completely different styles appeared in front of the mirror.
Looking at her reflection, Su Meier felt inexplicably embarrassed.
The reason was simple—her oversized glasses drew far too much attention.
Glancing downward, she realized she could barely see her toes.
The effect was so unbelievable that she wondered how she could ever go out dressed like this.
“This dress doesn’t suit me.”
Meanwhile, Tong Youyi’s gaze kept darting between Su Meier’s chest and her own unremarkable one.
She looked as though she had been struck by lightning.
Only after a long moment did she recover.
“Meier, you really are full of surprises. Now I finally understand why you always wear loose clothes.
Your figure is just too good. Waaaah—”
Compared to Su Meier, she felt like an underdeveloped child.
Her confidence was taking a serious hit.
Su Meier awkwardly tugged at the corners of her mouth.
“Being… too well-endowed isn’t exactly a good thing either.”
Carrying around two enormous burdens made walking exhausting.
Fortunately, she had already gotten used to it.
“It’s good. No, it’s amazing! I’m proud of you!”
Tong Youyi rubbed her nose.
She felt as though she was about to get a nosebleed.
Even the saleswoman had never witnessed such a shocking transformation.
Initially, she had assumed Su Meier was simply overweight.
But once the loose clothing came off, revealing her slender limbs and tiny waist—
The places that should be slim were unbelievably slim.
The places that should be full were twice as full.
Combined with her sweet face, she was simply breathtaking.
“Beautiful lady—oh, I mean, miss. This dress really complements your… skin. It makes you look very fair.”
The saleswoman’s eyes kept drifting toward places they definitely should not be looking, causing her tongue to tie itself into knots.
Unable to endure their burning gazes any longer, Su Meier fled back into the fitting room and quickly changed into her original clothes.
Her own clothes felt much more comfortable.
It wasn’t that she was conservative.
Her body practically forced her to be.
“Meier, why did you change already? I wasn’t done looking!”
Tong Youyi sighed regretfully.
Su Meier shot her a helpless glance.
“This dress only looks beautiful on you. I can’t pull it off.”
“Miss Saleswoman, I’ll take both of them!”
“Certainly, Miss Tong. I’ll prepare the receipt right away.”
The saleswoman happily headed off to write up the purchase.
“You’re buying both? Even though they’re the same style?”
Su Meier immediately became suspicious.
“Let me make this clear—I’m not taking one. Don’t try to force it on me. I can’t wear that dress outside.”
“Oh, alright, alright! I won’t give it to you, okay?”
Tong Youyi looked exasperated.
“I just thought it looked great on you, so I bought it.”
Su Meier said nothing further and turned her attention to the other merchandise.
“Miss Tong, the total is two cloth coupons and fifty yuan.”
The saleswoman respectfully handed over the receipt.
“Alright. Package these separately for me.”
Tong Youyi paid without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Su Meier’s attention had been captured by a beautifully designed sewing machine.
Its cast-iron body looked sturdy and durable.
Then she saw the price.
One hundred and twenty yuan.
It was outrageously expensive.
With her current finances, there was no way she could afford it.
“Meier, are you thinking of buying a sewing machine?”
Tong Youyi suddenly appeared behind her.
The unexpected voice made Su Meier jump.
“I’m just looking.”
As if remembering something, Tong Youyi began rummaging through her handbag.
“Found it!”
She pulled out a sewing machine coupon.
“You can have this. I don’t need it anyway.”
Su Meier stared blankly at the green-printed coupon.
She had almost forgotten.
Even if you had money, you still needed the proper coupons.
Without one, buying a sewing machine was impossible.
“What are you standing there for? Take it.”
Tong Youyi stuffed it into her hand.
“Thank you, Youyi. I’ll consider this a purchase. I didn’t bring enough cash today, but next time I come to town, I’ll pay you for it.”
She genuinely wanted the coupon, but she had no intention of taking advantage of her friend.
“We’re friends. Why worry about such a small thing? The coupon would just go unused sitting with me anyway.”
Tong Youyi waved it off casually.
Unable to win the argument, Su Meier could only accept it for now and resolve to pay her later.
“Beautiful lady—oh, miss.”
The saleswoman suddenly spoke up enthusiastically.
“If you decide to buy this sewing machine, I can offer you an employee discount. It’ll be a little cheaper.”
“You can do that?”
Tong Youyi sounded slightly jealous.
“I’ve bought plenty of things from you before, and I’ve never received any discount.”
Realizing she had neglected a loyal customer, the saleswoman hurriedly explained.
“Miss Tong, those discounts only apply to large household items and furniture. If you purchase something like that, I can offer you a discount as well.”
Tong Youyi thought about it.
Her family already had everything they needed.
There was no need to buy additional furniture.
“Alright. I’ll come to you if I ever need anything.”
The saleswoman smiled broadly.
“Of course, Miss Tong. I’ll make sure you get the best possible price.”
“I’ll come back another day for the sewing machine. I only noticed it today and wasn’t prepared.”
She stopped herself just short of admitting she was short on money.
Unlike the stereotypical indifferent sales clerks, the woman maintained a warm smile.
“No problem at all, miss.”
After touring the entire supply and marketing cooperative, Su Meier eventually bought a pig’s trotter.
Overall, it was cheaper than the pork belly sold at the People’s Restaurant.
If she got home early enough, perhaps her mother could make pig’s trotter soup.
When Tong Youyi saw her purchase one, she immediately bought one as well.
“Meier, what do you usually eat? Can you tell me?”
She firmly believed that if she followed Su Meier’s diet, one day she would become just as naturally beautiful.
“Nothing special. Just simple home-cooked food. Whatever’s available.”
Su Meier looked at her in confusion.
Tong Youyi held up her own chest thoughtfully.
“Just ordinary food? And you still developed… like that?”
Su Meier’s face darkened.
“It’s genetics. If it were possible to share, I’d gladly give you half.”
Maybe then she would finally be normal.
Tong Youyi sighed regretfully but felt deeply touched.
“Best friend, you’re so loyal. You’d even share something like that.”
Su Meier: “…”
“Meier, do you want to buy some candy?”
Tong Youyi wandered into the snack section.
Su Meier checked her money pouch.
She still had one yuan, one jiao, and five fen left.
Buying a few snacks was manageable.
As for coupons, Tong Youyi was practically a treasure chest.
She had snack coupons and all kinds of others.
Despite Tong Youyi’s insistence, Su Meier only let her provide a few snack coupons while paying for the rest herself.
After leaving the cooperative, the two walked down the street carrying their purchases in one hand and eating one-fen popsicles with the other.
They were so absorbed in enjoying themselves that neither noticed someone following behind them.
Su Meier could not help sighing.
Having a generous best friend was truly one of life’s greatest blessings.
When they passed through a narrow alley, however, someone suddenly blocked their path.
“Little ladies, my brother and I have been short on cash lately.”
The short, skinny man standing before them gripped a dagger that gleamed coldly in the sunlight.
A lewd grin spread across his face as he slowly approached.
“If you know what’s good for you, hand over your money and valuables as a tribute to your grandfathers.”
At the same time, another thin, dark-skinned man appeared behind them, cutting off their retreat.