Chapter 132: Commissioning a Formal Gown

Chapter 132: Customizing the Gown

Chu Dong was frustrated. After being rebuffed by a room full of women, he ignored the mountain of photo frames and other clutter, pointed his finger at the three girls for a long while, and turned to head back to his room in a huff. Just then, Xiao Yu’er called him back, looking mysterious.

"Brother-in-law, I really can't go. Otherwise, I wouldn't miss such a lively event for the world. How about this? Let me find someone for you. She definitely won't let you down." Xiao Yu’er pulled Chu Dong into her small study.

"I don't want any duds," Chu Dong said, looking back at the grinning Xiao Yu’er.

"She’s a total beauty, not a bit less attractive than me." Xiao Yu’er didn't feel the slightest bit embarrassed praising herself like that.

"Can you just say it all at once? Who is it?" His curiosity piqued, Chu Dong grew impatient.

"Ms. Xiao. How about that? Satisfied?" Xiao Yu’er said triumphantly.

"Ms. Xiao? No, that won't do. That won't do at all." Chu Dong immediately objected. He had only just managed to settle the rumors; how could he possibly burden Xiao Rou with more trouble?

"It’s fine! No one dares to badmouth Ms. Xiao anymore, so don't you worry. Besides, Ms. Xiao has been feeling like she owes you a favor. Isn't this the perfect opportunity?" Xiao Yu’er winked at him; the girl was far too clever for her own good.

"This..." Chu Dong pondered for a moment, then left with a parting word, "Fine, go ahead and arrange it."

It was bizarre for a sister-in-law to be setting her brother-in-law up with a date, but the eccentric Xiao Yu’er was certainly capable of it. The next day, news arrived. Xiao Yu’er couldn't even wait to get home before calling Chu Dong to claim credit, saying that Xiao Rou had agreed.

Once he had a partner, preparations had to begin. Xiao Rou was not like Tan Xue, whose measurements Chu Dong could easily eyeball to create a perfect fit; this required professional tailoring. Learning from his previous experience, Chu Dong didn't drive directly to the school gate this time, but parked at a small grocery store a short distance away.

Xiao Yu’er had obediently taken a taxi home, and Xiao Rou arrived quickly after receiving Chu Dong’s call. She wore a grey wool skirt and small black leather boots, looking quite spirited. Given her usual habit of dressing modestly for her teaching image, it was clear she had made a special effort today.

"I’m sorry to have kept you waiting so long, Brother Chu." Xiao Rou smiled softly as Chu Dong got out of the car to open the door for her.

"What are you saying? I’m the one asking for a favor, yet you’re the one apologizing." Chu Dong closed the passenger door and walked around to the driver's side. "Let’s eat first, then we’ll go get fitted."

Xiao Rou’s personality was as gentle and lovely as her name—a natural grace, not the affectation of a young girl. Hearing this, she nodded in agreement.

Chu Dong took Xiao Rou to a newly opened Teochew steamed cuisine restaurant. The decor was lovely, with a green exterior that looked much like a coffee shop, and a similar vibe inside.

Chu Dong requested a small private room, about ten square meters, furnished with only two armchairs and a small square table. By the window sat a large fish tank containing several sprigs of seaweed and dozens of red goldfish. The room was surrounded by pots of vibrant, colorful flowers.

She seemed a bit reserved. Following Chu Dong's suggestion, Xiao Rou hastily ordered two dishes and then kept her head down, remaining silent, almost as if she were waiting for him to take the lead.

"Ms. Xiao, I don't know if I should say this," Chu Dong said with a smile, noticing her shyness.

"Brother Chu, go ahead," Xiao Rou looked up.

"You have a delicate, girl-next-door charm, but I think you have the temperament of a refined lady of a noble house. You’d be better off if you just relaxed. Xiao Yu’er told you, right? We’re just going to a banquet. You don’t need to do much socializing; just being graceful and poised is enough. Don't worry, it’s not like I’m asking you to carry out some monumental task. Try to relax." Chu Dong pressed his hands downward, watching Xiao Rou’s cheeks flush slightly.

"Oh, I see." Xiao Rou felt even more embarrassed by his words.

"Haha, let's eat. I'll take you to buy some things later." Seeing her grow even more constrained, Chu Dong dropped the subject.

The two had a somewhat quiet meal, after which Chu Dong took her to a private studio.

Much like movie stars walking the red carpet, choosing what to wear to a high-level banquet is a headache. Ordinary designer brands often failed to meet the aesthetic demands of such circles. It wasn't just about the fit or showing off one's beauty; it had to be unique, as becoming the focal point of the banquet was the dream and pursuit of every woman. Thus, studios dedicated to designing attire for such occasions had emerged.

The "Zero Studio" Chu Dong brought Xiao Rou to was one such place.

The proprietor was a tall, thin young man wearing thick-rimmed glasses who didn't even acknowledge them when they entered.

"Sit down for a moment. We just need to take a few measurements," Chu Dong said, acting like the owner as he brought a chair over for Xiao Rou.

"Four-Eyes, are you dead? Can't you greet a guest?" Chu Dong walked over to the man he called Four-Eyes and snatched the fabric he was cutting right out of his hands.

"If you're a guest, then I'm just a passerby on the street. What do you want?" Four-Eyes didn't look up, merely glancing at Chu Dong over the rims of his glasses.

"Make me an evening gown. You know what I require, right?" Chu Dong placed the fabric behind him, out of reach.

"That will cost a lot of money." Four-Eyes picked up another finished gown to inspect it.

"Money?" Chu Dong’s eyes widened. "I sponsor this shop, don't I? You’re charging me for using some of your fabric? Are you trying to kill me?"

"If you only wanted the fabric, it wouldn't cost money," Four-Eyes said leisurely. "But a dress without embellishments lacks a soul. Are you asking me to dress a corpse?"

"How much will it cost then?" Chu Dong didn't care about the money, but he needed a rough figure.

"Spend like water," Four-Eyes spat out the four words coldly.

Without getting a direct answer, Chu Dong was quite frustrated, his finger trembling as he pointed at Four-Eyes. "You brat, if it weren't for the fact that we used to sit at the same desk, I’d smash those broken glasses of yours today."

"Brother Chu, maybe we should forget it. I have dresses at home." Chu Dong had already spent so much money on his brother; she felt bad that he had to spend more just to take her to a banquet.

"It's fine, go sit down. It’s a small matter." Chu Dong comforted Xiao Rou, looked at the busy Four-Eyes, and slapped his thigh. "Fine, I’ll take it. Just go wild!" Even as he said it, Chu Dong felt depressed—how had he ended up sounding like a nouveau riche?

"Go inside and measure. Give me the shoulder width, bust, waist, and height. Leave the money and you can go," Four-Eyes said without looking up, his focus entirely on the garment in his hands.

"Who are you asking to measure? Me?" Chu Dong pointed at his own nose.

"Nonsense. You want me to do it? Handle your own woman. I need the most precise data; doing it over clothes won't work. I have no interest in seeing your wife naked, although if you insist, I could reluctantly..." The stiff-necked Four-Eyes could actually crack a joke.

"Get lost. Do you measure everyone like this?" Chu Dong didn't believe him.

"Of course not. But you wanted the best, didn't you? How can I make the best without the most accurate data? You can measure roughly if you want, provided you don't mind wasting millions." Four-Eyes remained unperturbed.

Chu Dong kicked him, then turned to look at Xiao Rou.

Xiao Rou’s face was bright red, her head hung low. She never expected such a demanding requirement. If that was the case, wouldn't it mean... she couldn't even bring herself to think about it, missing the mention of millions entirely.

"Ahem..." Chu Dong was in a bind. Shoulder, waist, and height were manageable, but the bust and hips required precision... This Four-Eyes had his quirks and insisted on doing everything himself; there wasn't even a staff member in the shop. He regretted sending Xiao Yu’er away.

"Do you have a curtain or something?" Chu Dong had measured her height, shoulder, and waist, and suddenly thought of a solution. He hurried over to Four-Eyes.

"Look in the back yourself."

In the fitting room, Chu Dong found a white cloth about two meters long and half a meter wide, as if it had been prepared just for him. He found two clips, hung the cloth from the top of the fitting room, and created a crude partition.

He called Xiao Rou over, asked her to stand on the other side, and took his place on this side. "Hmm, I think this works. What do you think?"

Through the cloth, one could vaguely see the other side, but it was blurry. This allowed for the "precise" measurement Four-Eyes demanded.

Xiao Rou was incredibly nervous, but she trusted Chu Dong implicitly. Seeing his setup, she figured that as long as they were careful, it would be fine. She agreed to the measurement.

Chu Dong gripped the measuring tape, his palms sweating so much he almost dampened the fabric. After a moment of rustling sounds as she removed her outer layer, Xiao Rou whispered that she was ready.

Chu Dong passed one end of the tape through; Xiao Rou wrapped it around herself and passed it back. She adjusted the tape across her chest and let her hands drop naturally, trembling inexplicably.

Through the cloth, Chu Dong blurred the lines, keeping the tape as level as possible, and carefully brought the ends together. Having completed the task, he let out a breath. Unexpectedly, his left finger joint brushed against her protruding shoulder blade, feeling a delicate, silky texture. At the same time, he clearly felt her body shudder. Chu Dong maintained his composure, swallowed hard, carefully pinched the intersection of the tape, and let go of the starting end.

He recorded the data, then moved on to the hips. With the previous experience, this went much more smoothly. Xiao Rou had soft, gentle curves where her hips met her abdomen, and Chu Dong completed the measurement there.

Chu Dong stepped out first, leaving Xiao Rou alone to get dressed. He handed the set of data to Four-Eyes. "You have exactly ten days. If it's not done well, don't blame me—you’ll be the one needing a new pair of glasses."

With the now-dressed Xiao Rou in tow, he walked out of Zero Studio.