Chapter 130

Page Twenty-Three Tony·Yang

Just as Lǐn Huā had predicted.

Wearing a mask, sunglasses, and a cap, walking through the bustling crowds of the Balance Commercial District, the回头率 was not low.

But there were no paparazzi, only police checks. Luckily, I used my wits and brought along the ID card that Xiǎo Hǎi Táng made for me.

Overall, the Balance Commercial District is a high-end consumption area, but there’s an exception in the underground shopping street where individual businesses compete by offering lower prices.

However, Lǐn Huā stopped me from taking the downward escalator.

“Don’t go down, we’re going to the brand stores upstairs.”

Seeing my hesitation, Lǐn Huā wrapped her arm around my waist and lifted my chin with the other hand, speaking in a deep, neutral voice, “Money isn’t an issue, my little darling.”

Shocked, she was flirting with me, pushing me onto the upward escalator.

“Try to pick something cheaper, I don’t want to keep spending your money.”

I am indeed someone who likes to save a penny, but Lǐn Huā’s kindness isn’t cheap. As the saying goes, favors are hard to repay.

“Fēi Jiě, is there anything you want to buy? Tomorrow, Younger Aunt and my younger cousin will come, should we get some gifts?”

Ascending the escalator to the second floor, Lǐn Huā turned to Fēi Jiě, who shook her head and said calmly, “The money I have now is given by Huā Yíng, buying gifts with her money for her doesn’t make sense.”

“You really aren’t romantic at all, Fēi Jiě. The key is the sentiment!” Lǐn Huā said, frustrated.

This person is really like a block of wood. How did she manage to win over the eldest daughter of the Huángfǔ family back then?

I added to Lǐn Huā, “A suitable dress, a pretty necklace, nothing too expensive, she’ll be happy. Buy some small toys for her daughter, Barbie dolls or magical girl sets…”

Lǐn Huā interrupted me, “Her younger cousin is already twelve years old. She’s not interested in these toys anymore.”

Oh, is that how girls are?

Even now, I still like Gundam models and Kamen Rider belts!

“She’s thirteen this year,” Fēi Jiě corrected, “Jīng’ér likes stuffed animals. She always wanted an oversized teddy bear, but I never bought one for her.”

Stuffed animal, probably referring to a teddy bear. I looked around but didn’t see any shops selling such things.

Of course, the entire Balance Commercial District must have them somewhere. It’s just a matter of finding them. The Balance Commercial District is perfect for shopping, with multiple commercial plazas connected by web-like skywalks, constantly alternating between indoor and outdoor spaces. No matter how you walk, there’s always a new path to explore.

Conversely, finding a specific shop is very difficult here. It’s like a giant maze.

Then came the shopping.

I don’t know if it’s because brand stores are expensive or if women’s clothing is naturally pricey, but those prices made me wince. Yet, Lǐn Huā didn’t seem to care and treated me like a dressing doll, making me change outfits in every store we passed, even trying on a bikini.

Fortunately, they don’t allow trying on bikinis, so she didn’t get her way.

Fēi Jiě mostly followed quietly, being very unobtrusive yet noticeable. Occasionally, she would try on clothes herself, perhaps picking out a gift for her ex-husband.

She has her own taste in clothing, which I think is much better than Lǐn Huā’s girlish aesthetic. This must be thanks to her ex-husband.

Then, passing by a fashion store, we were approached by a handsome man who looked like a gigolo.

He wore flamboyant tails, his long black hair slicked back, leaving a small lock hanging over his nose.

He was quite handsome, but he wasn’t my type… Wait, what am I thinking?

“Excuse me, ladies, would you consider being a flat model for us?”

It turned out he wasn’t a gigolo. He placed his hand on his chest and bowed to greet us.

Was he looking for models?

But he subconsciously ignored Lǐn Huā, causing her cheeks to puff up angrily.

“Hey! Aren’t there three of us?”

How did he know I was beautiful with my sunglasses and mask on?

“Ah, I’m very sorry, miss. Our brand sells women’s clothing, which requires a certain standard of figure.”

Clearly, Lǐn Huā didn’t meet that standard.

I quickly held back the furious Lǐn Huā, stopping her from using violence.

“Is this the store?” Fēi Jiě asked.

I looked at the shop behind him, named “Tony·Yang.” At first glance, I thought it was a barber shop.

“Yes! Mr. Tony·Yang, a renowned fashion designer internationally, his designs are both fashionable and practical. Whether for home, travel, dates, or banquets, he can make you the center of attention.”

Using a person’s name as a brand feels so low-class.

“Sir, may I ask your surname?”

The calm Lǐn Huā suddenly spoke, a cunning glint in her eye.

“Huh? My last name is Yang.”

So, you are Tony·Yang!

The handsome designer blushed, realizing he had been boasting.

“Cough, well, you guessed right, I am Tony·Yang.”

As if waiting for the awkward moment to pass, he fell silent for a few seconds.

“But we are genuinely looking for temporary models. The photos will be featured in our promotional booklets and displayed on billboards outside the store. Of course, we will provide compensation, but you can also choose any item in the store as payment if you prefer.”

He straightforwardly admitted he was the designer.

Although this guy seems unreliable, the clothes in the store look good even to my untrained eyes. Either getting paid or getting clothes is fine, it’s extra income.

I hesitated, turning to Fēi Jiě.

“I don’t mind, you decide.”

In other words, she didn’t care about the money, but did she want to come with me if I decided to do it?

I turned to Lǐn Huā again.

“Why are you looking at me? I can’t be a model.”

Right, she doesn’t fit.

“We’re still high school students, we won’t wear revealing clothes.”

“Relax, my design philosophy emphasizes the beauty of the clothes themselves.”

He invited us into the store, took a white dress with a cape off the rack, and showed it to us.

“What do you think?”

I don’t know much about women’s clothing, although it looks nice, I couldn’t say more.

“Can the hem be shortened?” I asked instinctively.

“This dress doesn’t have a waistline, it’s designed for a flowing effect. If it’s shortened, it won’t flow properly.”

Ghostly!

He waved it in his hand, and the skirt, made with memory material, swayed elastically, looking even more ghostly.

This dress should be worn by Fēi Jiě. With her hair, she’d be scarier than Ms.贞子.

“Although the clothes for the shoot aren’t available now, they will look like this.”

“Not in the store?” Lǐn Huā asked.

“Oh, because we’re shooting new designs. Currently, we only have samples. Don’t worry, they’re on their way and will arrive soon.”

“It’s for the promotional photos of the new designs?”

“Yes, after the shoot, the samples need to be sent to the factory for production. So time is tight, we can’t hire professional models… Of course, the compensation will definitely satisfy you, considering your figures.”

“Oh? How much?”

He held up one finger, “One thousand.”

Five hundred for a few photos? Flat modeling pays too well!

He added, “One thousand each.”

“Really? Are you kidding? How much do your clothes cost?”

He flipped the label of the ghostly dress, which read 1999.

I stepped back in shock, bumping into Fēi Jiě.

Tony·Yang explained, “Of course, usually we don’t sell at this price. We quote based on the customer’s situation. But yes, one thousand is still within reach.”

I think one thousand is still expensive!

“Do you have to be so surprised? Clothes at this price aren’t even considered luxury?” Lǐn Huā glanced at me disdainfully and whispered in my ear, “I’ve spent over three thousand on you today, Kǎi-Chan.”

Though she was whispering, I felt Lǐn Huā was waving a stack of cash in front of my face. I’m just a poor high school student! These rich people!

“I’ll repay this great favor in my next life!”

“Idiot, I was just joking. If we talk about gratitude, I wouldn’t be able to repay you no matter how much money I had!”

Assuming we were discussing, Tony·Yang, no, Tony·Yang stood quietly, but his fidgeting hands betrayed his anxious heart.

Lǐn Huā continued whispering to me, “Are you sure about earning this extra income? The photos will be in the booklet and on the billboard. Aren’t you worried someone might recognize you?”

That was a valid concern. I asked Tony·Yang, “Do flat models have to show their faces?”

“Of course. Wearing sunglasses is fine, though it might not match some outfits.”

Lǐn Huā asked, “Do you have cosmetics?”

“Yes.”

She confidently patted her chest.

“I’ll take care of it. No one will recognize you!”

Lǐn Huā’s makeup skills had advanced to the point of disguise. I could trust her.

“No problems then. When can we start?”

With the deal settled, Tony·Yang seemed more relaxed. He pulled out three Jīng’ér candies from his pocket and handed them to us like cigarettes.

“Thanks for the help. You can rest in the store. The clothes will definitely be here by four.”

Four o’clock?

I checked my phone. It was already half past three.