Chapter 19: I won’t wear it
Once in the car, Zhou Ting glanced at the dazed Lin Xiaoxiao, chuckling and shaking his head before leaning toward her.
The move snapped her out of her thoughts, her heart racing with nerves.
Was this man about to… no way, not in the car, that’s too much…
As her mind filled with wild thoughts, Zhou Ting grabbed the seatbelt beside her, buckling it around her waist.
“Safety first. What’re you spacing out for?”
Blushing at his teasing, Lin Xiaoxiao turned away.
“G-got it…”
Zhou Ting smirked at her flushed ears, saying, “Relax, your outfit doesn’t exactly spark desire.”
She glanced at her loose pants and shirt—comfy, at least.
Zhou Ting hit the gas, speeding up. Lin Xiaoxiao didn’t know where he was taking her, but it didn’t matter now.
Staring out at the passing scenery, her usual anxiety faded, replaced by rare calm.
Soon, the car stopped at a mall. She looked at him, puzzled.
He just said, “Get out.”
Once out, he took her hand, pulling her into the mall.
“Hey, why’re we here?”
Zhou Ting snapped his fingers.
“Getting you new clothes. That outfit’s hideous—like an ugly duckling.”
Lin Xiaoxiao rolled her eyes.
“I didn’t ask you to bring me out…”
Her words trailed off under his wicked smile, and she shut up.
His “ugly duckling” jab hit home. She was a duckling, hatched from a duck’s egg, not a swan’s…
Zhou Ting led her to a clothing store, the prices making her flinch as always.
The saleswoman greeted them warmly.
Zhou Ting pointed at Lin Xiaoxiao. “Find her a suitable dress.”
Lin Xiaoxiao stayed silent while Zhou Ting nitpicked everything.
After much fuss, he finally nodded at a black dress.
In the fitting room mirror, Lin Xiaoxiao saw herself. The V-neck revealed a swath of pale skin, sheer sleeves hinted at her arms, and the hem hit her knees. Her only thought: women’s clothes are such a rip-off—so little fabric, so expensive.
Zhou Ting eyed her, feeling something was missing. Noticing her short hair and socked feet, he got it.
He said something to the saleswoman, who nodded, brought black stockings, heels, and a pink hat, then left them alone.
Lin Xiaoxiao’s heart sank. “Y-you’re not watching me change. I won’t wear those!”
Wearing stockings at home was humiliating enough—parading them in public? No way!
Zhou Ting raised an eyebrow. “Really not?”
She nodded firmly, retreating to the corner, ready to resist.
But as he closed in, she bit her lip, fear creeping in…
*
Eventually, Zhou Ting led out a shy Lin Xiaoxiao.
She wore a pink hat and a black cinched dress that accentuated her slim waist and long legs.
Thin black thigh-high stockings paired with open-toe heels made her irresistibly alluring.
A closer look revealed her red-rimmed eyes, a mix of shyness and charm, swollen lips with faint bite marks, and trembling legs…
Satisfied, Zhou Ting paid and took her hand to leave, but she looked at him pitifully.
He raised an eyebrow. “What?”
Blushing, she whispered, “I-I’ve never worn heels. I can’t walk…”
Realizing, he sighed and told the saleswoman, “Get her some flats.”
He bought the heels anyway, whispering as they left, “If you’re not used to them, wear them at home to practice, right?”
Her body trembled, catching his meaning, both exasperated and helpless.
In her new outfit, she felt countless subtle stares, making her nervous. She clung tighter to Zhou Ting.
He noticed, pleased. He loved a blank canvas of a woman, one he could mold to be sensual just for him…
Then, the system’s voice chimed in her head.
[Ding! As a qualified bad woman, seducing a man in public is a must. Task: Within five minutes, tease a man into kissing you forcefully.]
[Reward: Captivating eyes (host gains fox-like, charming eyes, greatly boosting allure).]
[Penalty: Reverse Pinocchio nose (telling the truth makes your nose grow).]
Lin Xiaoxiao froze, then groaned inwardly. The system was at it again. A penalty for telling the truth? Seriously?
With time ticking, she didn’t want a growing nose. Her gaze landed on Zhou Ting.
Seducing a man in public was mortifying, especially since she used to be a man and had no clue how to do it.
Zhou Ting noticed her distraction. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head. “N-nothing. Can we keep browsing?”
Surprised but agreeable, he nodded. “Sure. Whatever you want, your master will buy.”