Chapter 133: As If Where the Dream Began

Chu Dong felt slightly uncomfortable. Even with all the money in the world, this was not how one should spend it. If it were Tan Xue, it would be a different story; after all, it is reasonable for one’s own wife to make such extravagant investments. But as for Teacher Xiao, while she was perhaps not as breathtakingly beautiful as Tan Xue, she was still someone he could never truly possess.

Though he had acted on impulse earlier, the mere thought of Wang Dongliang being humiliated at the upcoming charity gala made him feel much better. After dropping Xiao Rou off at the hospital, Chu Dong went in to visit her brother. Xiao Rou had to attend to him, so after a few moments of casual conversation, Chu Dong took his leave.

"Sister, are you and Brother Chu dating?" Xiao Xiaofeng looked frail from the torture of his illness, yet he was still happy to see his sister.

"No, of course not. Brother Chu is just the older brother of one of my students. Didn’t I tell you that already?" Xiao Rou felt a flicker of emotion, but she maintained a nonchalant expression.

"Oh, what a pity," Xiao Xiaofeng said, looking disappointed.

"What do you mean, 'what a pity'?" Xiao Rou asked as she cooled some boiled water for her brother.

"It would be great if Brother Chu could be my brother-in-law," Xiao Xiaofeng said with a smile.

"Nonsense! How could someone like Brother Chu possibly be interested in me?" Xiao Rou suddenly felt her heart race and quickly tried to mask her panic. "Drink your water."

"I’m not talking nonsense. Even though Brother Chu hasn’t said anything, I know that anyone would like you, Sister. Brother Chu probably doesn't want to bring it up because he's paying for my medical treatment and doesn't want to seem like he’s expecting favors in return. I understand men; he’s doing this to avoid being accused of leveraging his kindness. He is a true man." Xiao Xiaofeng held the cup without drinking, sat up straight, and spoke to his sister with great earnestness.

"What would a child like you know? Say that again and I’m leaving." Xiao Rou was completely flustered now. She shoved a freshly peeled apple into her brother’s hand, stood up, and left with his laundry.

"She clearly likes him too, so why live so exhaustingly?" Xiao Xiaofeng murmured while watching his sister’s retreating figure.

The hospital’s laundry room was at the end of the hallway. Xiao Rou walked in, carrying her basin and detergent. She set down the clothes, turned on the tap, and as she listened to the rushing water, her chaotic heart gradually began to calm.

Little Yu attended an elite school, so as her brother, Chu Dong must have come from a wealthy family. Yet, in his daily interactions, he lacked the arrogance typical of the rich and remained quite easygoing. Even so, there was surely a significant distance between them. Furthermore, Chu Dong had never said anything to her, not even the slightest hint. Even if what Xiaofeng said was true, it would create a formidable obstacle between them. She certainly couldn't be the one to initiate things, could she?

Since her school days, Xiao Rou had never lacked suitors, yet she had never felt that anyone could truly enter her heart. And yet, this man—who hadn’t even left a particularly good first impression—had been the one to help her during her most difficult times. After a series of encounters, Chu Dong had slowly walked into her life, quietly and even domineeringly claiming a place in it. Could he really be her destined one? Besides, come to think of it, Chu Dong was quite handsome, too.

Xiao Rou’s face flushed red. Instead of washing the clothes, she spent half the time washing her face. Looking at her crimson cheeks in the mirror, with a few damp strands of hair clinging to them and droplets of water slowly sliding down, she gently blew one away as it reached the corner of her mouth...

Chu Dong was still kept quite busy. Tan Xue was completely hands-off, and now he was doing the work of an assistant as well, with no one to complain to. Under his management, Silver Dragon was gradually increasing its efficiency; redundant management staff were being cleared out or reassigned, and the rusted mechanisms of the company were once again radiating vitality.

The four elders were now truly enjoying their time abroad and had no desire to return. Before leaving, Tan Songhai had even taken the ivory chess set that Chu Dong had "secretly" gifted his "father-in-law." Now that the two old friends had a pastime, they spent their days either sightseeing or locked in battles over the "Chu-Han boundary" of the chessboard.

Tan Xue had also taken Li Youlan out for a trip; the two had actually signed up for a tour group to Hainan for a ten-day vacation. Chu Dong’s objections were ignored, and he was officially appointed as Little Yu’s personal attendant, responsible for all aspects of her daily life. Fortunately, he didn't have to worry about the little girl’s grades, otherwise, Chu Dong would have been in tears.

Days passed, and the day of the charity gala finally arrived. Chu Dong brought Xiao Rou to the Zero Studio.

"Glasses, hurry up and show me where the evening gown I had crafted from gold mountain fabric is." Carrying a thick stack of bills, Chu Dong didn't even wait for Xiao Rou before rushing inside.

"The dress isn't with me," Glasses said calmly, remaining unhurried.

"Nonsense, how could it not be here?" Chu Dong grabbed a cup of water from the table and drank it before Glasses could stop him.

"I can't afford to pay for something so expensive if it gets lost. It’s in a safe at Citibank. I’ll give you my seal and the bank receipt; go fetch it yourself." Glasses snatched the cup back and, finding it empty, looked a bit indignant. "That was rock sugar water my girlfriend brought me, you..."

"Give it to me, fast." Chu Dong reached out for the items, then suddenly froze. "Wait, what? Your girlfriend? You have a girlfriend?"

Glasses—whose real name was Xu Zhaoyang, though he lacked a bit of masculine edge and leaned toward the effeminate side—had always preferred making clothes and never used to spare a glance for any girl. The fact that he now had a girlfriend left Chu Dong in complete shock.

Adjusting his glasses, Xu Zhaoyang looked quite indignant. "Why can you have one and I can't? Go get your things." He tossed his ID and the bank receipt to Chu Dong and ignored him.

"Heh, kid, I’ll interrogate you when I get back. Don’t think you can get away with this." Chu Dong told Xiao Rou to wait there while he drove off to collect the dress.

With all the paperwork in order, he quickly retrieved a small sandalwood box. Chu Dong didn't even open it before rushing back.

Seeing Chu Dong return, Glasses smiled for the first time. "This is my most satisfying work."

"How do you know if I’m satisfied?" Chu Dong couldn't stand his arrogant air.

"As long as your data is accurate, I guarantee anyone would be satisfied." Glasses was extremely confident.

"Rubbish, even the money is satisfied." The total on the bills in Chu Dong’s hand was three million—in US dollars.

While Xiao Rou was changing, the two men traded jabs. Unexpectedly, the usually taciturn Glasses didn't lose a single point in the banter.

After quite a while, Xiao Rou still hadn't emerged. Chu Dong grew a bit anxious and called toward the back, "Xiao Rou, are you done yet?"

"Yes, yes, I’m done. I..." Hearing Chu Dong’s urgent tone, Xiao Rou felt at a loss. Looking at herself in the mirror, she could hardly imagine that she would be wearing something like this.

It was made of bright blue silk. The low-cut front revealed the edges of her white-and-pink-dotted bra, and the back was cut away just above her delicate hips. The slit, similar to a qipao, fully showcased her proud, beautiful legs. But because of this, she felt as if she had been placed on an operating table.

She poked her head out, her body still mostly inside the changing room, and covered her chest with one hand, looking distressed. "Brother Chu, can I not wear this? It’s a bit... a bit small..."

"How is that possible?" Xu Zhaoyang could tolerate anything, but he couldn't stand it if his craftsmanship was questioned. Upon hearing it was "small," he immediately protested, "That means the measurements you took were wrong. I would never make a mistake like that."

"Are you Deep Blue? You don't make mistakes? Just you wait." Chu Dong flicked Glasses on the forehead and went to the back to pull Xiao Rou out.

Before he even managed to pull her out, Chu Dong started laughing.

No wonder Xiao Rou said it was small; she was still wearing her bra... Glasses’ tailoring shouldn't have had any issues. He had asked for the most precise measurements specifically to fit the bodice; one couldn't wear a bra with such an evening gown. It