Chapter 394: More beautiful than I imagined

The afternoon sun was scorching, like a blazing summer day.

The car finally stopped before a four-story building in a bustling district; its exterior alone was exquisite and noble. Looking ahead, the golden walls resembled a castle, embossed with intricate patterns, with a string of English letters woven into the design.

Zi Heng leaned against the car window, curiously craning his neck to observe the golden 'castle' ahead: 'Are we going there?'

Xia Xi likewise gazed curiously at the person in the driver's seat.

Xu Yanfeng unfastened his seatbelt: 'Yes.'

Zi Heng pushed open the car door and stepped out: 'What is this place for?'

Zi Heng had become Xia Xi's 'spokesperson,' and this was exactly what she wanted to ask.

Xu Yanfeng smiled with his eyes: 'You'll know once we go inside.'

He lightly patted Xia Xi's back, signaling her not to stand there dazed.

Probably because Xu Yanfeng had made arrangements beforehand, upon entering the shop, several uniformed staff immediately smiled and stepped forward to greet them. One staff member said, 'Mr. Xu, Mrs. Xu, welcome; please follow me.'

The shop had no customers and no merchandise on display; it was unclear what it sold.

Full of doubts, Xia Xi followed Xu Yanfeng, led by the staff to the fourth floor.

In the spacious area, the lighting was astonishingly bright; one wall was mirrors, another draped with lustrous champagne-colored curtains that nearly reached from ceiling to floor, while elsewhere stood beautiful ornaments.

A staff member pressed a remote, and the curtains slowly parted down the middle, revealing the wedding dress behind—exquisitely beautiful and lavish, draped on a mannequin and covered with a transparent dust cover.

Xia Xi's breath caught for a second; this wedding dress was not unfamiliar to her—she had seen it in a booklet not long ago.

The entire booklet displayed the dress's details; every aspect was flawless, with no flaws to be found.

She looked at Xu Yanfeng, who curled his lips: 'It's been a while since we brought it back from abroad; we just hadn't found the right time to bring you here for a fitting, but today works perfectly—we're both free.'

The staff, smiling broadly, told Xia Xi: 'Mrs. Xu, we'll help you put it on.'

Xu Yanfeng lifted his chin and spoke gently: 'Go ahead.'

Xia Xi was pulled over like a marionette by several staff members, and the curtains closed again.

The wedding dress's weight exceeded Xia Xi's expectations; putting it on was extremely strenuous. Without help, she alone might end up drenched in sweat and still fail to wear it properly.

The staff said: 'Our wedding dress designer flew over especially; we just called him—he's on his way and will arrive shortly. For any alterations needed, he will personally handle them, guaranteeing your complete satisfaction.'

Xu Yanfeng sat patiently on the sofa, with Zi Heng beside him, swinging his short legs. On the coffee table before them were tea and snacks brought by the staff; he nibbled a cookie slowly, then yawned.

Xu Yanfeng glanced at him and said slowly: 'This is a pivotal moment in your mother's life; be serious.'

Zi Heng: '?'

After closing his mouth from yawning, Zi Heng thought a moment, then opened it again, protesting: 'My classmates' parents married first and then had kids; why are you and my mom different?'

Xu Yanfeng: '……'

Having been outmaneuvered by his own son, Xu Yanfeng also refused to yield: 'Of course it's because you, this child, weren't born according to the norm—how could you have been born before we married? That's your problem.'

Zi Heng: '??'

Clearly feeling duped but unable to find words to rebut, Zi Heng pressed his lips, set his little face in a stubborn expression, stared at Xu Yanfeng for a good while, and muttered: 'You're bullying me again; I'll tell Mom later.'

'Is that what you call bullying me?' Xu Yanfeng scoffed lightly, 'A real man, so fragile?'

'... I'm not talking to you anymore.' Zi Heng flopped onto the sofa, his back of the head facing him.

Xu Yanfeng picked up a magazine from the coffee table and flipped through it casually.

Xia Xi hadn't come out yet, but one could faintly hear her speaking softly with several staff members. The wedding dress designer arrived first, wearing a pink shirt and white trousers, with a full beard.

Xu Yanfeng had previously discussed the dress design with him via video call; they were already somewhat acquainted. After shaking hands, they conversed fluently in French.

After waiting a while longer, several staff emerged from behind the curtains; Xu Yanfeng ceased his talk with the designer and turned his head toward where Xia Xi was.

The curtains slid apart again, and as his view widened, Xia Xi in a pristine wedding dress came into his sight. She stood on a round platform about twenty centimeters high, her face rosy, her eyes sparkling.

She had gone out without makeup today; her features were naturally striking, and going bare-faced clashed in no way with this elaborately crafted wedding dress.

Since there wasn't time to create a hairstyle matching the dress, the staff simply helped Xia Xi pin up her long hair and attach a long veil, to present the dress's overall effect.

The air seemed to freeze; the surroundings were utterly silent. Xu Yanfeng couldn't even hear his own breathing, only realizing later that at the moment he saw Xia Xi, he had instinctively held his breath.

Even the designer who had personally crafted this wedding dress was stunned, his eyes bright, staring blankly at Xia Xi.

The staff had wanted to say something, but the atmosphere was too hushed; speaking up would have been a disruption, so they remained silent and waited.

Still receiving no feedback from Xu Yanfeng, Xia Xi's hand brushed the dress's hem; the scattered diamonds traced her palm, bringing a faint cool sensation: 'Say something, will you?'

Her voice was soft, carrying a reproach she herself hadn't noticed.

Xu Yanfeng seemed to have finally found his voice, clearing his throat affectingly solemn: 'More beautiful than I imagined.'

He spoke clearly; everyone present heard it, and several staff exchanged glances, smiling furtively.

The designer stepped forward, asking Xia Xi if anything felt unsuitable. Xia Xi didn't understand French, looking bewilderedly at Xu Yanfeng beside her. The designer also realized this, about to repeat the question in English, but Xu Yanfeng had already translated his meaning for Xia Xi.

Looking at herself in the wide mirror, Xia Xi found nothing dissatisfying; if she had to point out something, it was this: she rested her hand on her waist and said, 'You didn't tell me beforehand we'd be trying the dress this afternoon; perhaps I ate too much at lunch, so my waist feels a bit tight. Still, it's fine—on the wedding day, not eating should be just right.'

Xu Yanfeng turned to convey Xia Xi's meaning to the designer; the designer stared at her waist for two seconds, indicating it could be altered, saying these were minor issues.

Because the wedding dress takes a long time to make, bodily changes are normal; alterations are usually reserved in advance, quite simple—just need to let out an extra two centimeters.

Xia Xi listened to their back-and-forth, completely unaware of what they were saying.

After patiently waiting for them to finish their conversation, she then asked Xu Yanfeng: 'What did you tell him?'

Xu Yanfeng replied concisely: 'The waist can be let out by two centimeters.'

'Ah?' Xia Xi blinked, 'I just said that—I should have overeaten at lunch; I definitely won't eat like that on the wedding day.'

Xu Yanfeng grasped her fingers and gave them a gentle squeeze: 'Beauty matters, but comfort matters more. I don't want you to starve yourself to fit into this dress. If it weren't impossible to reduce its weight, I'd have him make it lighter for easier movement.'

Xia Xi was easily persuaded: '... All right.'

She glanced again at her reflection in the mirror, wearing the dress: 'Give me my phone; I'll take a few photos, then I'll go take it off.'

Xu Yanfeng handed her his phone; Xia Xi faced the mirror and took several shots in a row. As she was about to say she'd change back into her own clothes, Xu Yanfeng whispered: 'Don't change yet.'

Xia Xi puzzled: 'What's up?'

'I just want to look a few more times.' Xu Yanfeng said.

The clerk left tactfully, not disturbing them. The French designer also quietly slipped out after being reminded by the clerk.

Xu Yanfeng found the remote that had fallen in the corner and closed the long, heavy curtain.

Zi Heng was admiring the mother in the wedding dress, and suddenly could see nothing.