Chapter 145: Old Acquaintance
Upon arriving at the mall, Song Qingwan pulled Zhao Dong straight toward the luxury stores on the third floor. Many people stared at her curiously along the way; after all, seeing someone wearing sunglasses inside a mall was quite rare. Combined with her ethereal aura, it was hard for Song Qingwan not to attract attention. Walking beside Zhao Dong, her pretty face was clearly tense.
Zhao Dong whispered, "Afraid of being recognized?"
Song Qingwan gave a wry smile. "Yes. If I get recognized, I'll be surrounded for half the day."
Zhao Dong chuckled. "Being a star comes with its own set of problems. It can't be easy."
Song Qingwan sighed softly. "It's all just surface glamour. Many of the actresses you think are so dazzling are, in reality..."
"In reality, what?"
She glanced at Zhao Dong and shook her head. "Never mind. You know what I mean."
"The unspoken rules?"
Song Qingwan smiled. "It's an open secret in the entertainment industry. Practically every star you can name, or anyone who has ever appeared on screen, has been subjected to them."
Zhao Dong smacked his lips. "Then what about you and Yang Sixue?"
Song Qingwan shook her head and rolled her eyes at him reproachfully. "What are you thinking? Do you know why Yang Sixue and I were being ostracized not long ago? It was because a few directors had designs on us, and we turned them down."
She continued, "The only reason I can still be active in the public eye is because of sheer, incredible luck. You couldn't find one actress in ten who's had that kind of good fortune."
Zhao Dong asked, "After what happened with Chen Sheng and Qiu Jie last time, is there anyone else who still has designs on you?"
Song Qingwan sighed softly. "It's hard to say. Chen Sheng's status was already very high. Since you took care of him, his subordinates definitely won't dare to bother us anymore. But in the Chinese entertainment industry, there are plenty of people with even more status than him... It's a cesspool. Trying to stay untainted is just too difficult."
Zhao Dong glanced at her. "How about this? Next time you run into a problem you can't solve, tell me."
Song Qingwan smiled. "And you can solve anything?"
Zhao Dong gave a faint smile. "It won't be a problem."
Song Qingwan gave Zhao Dong a deep look but said nothing more. Soon, they arrived at a luxury boutique on the third floor.
A sales associate immediately noted Song Qingwan's exceptional demeanor and hurriedly welcomed her in, but her brow furrowed slightly when she saw Zhao Dong. Their auras... are so different. And they don't seem... like a couple. The associate didn't recognize Song Qingwan, but she felt the woman looked vaguely familiar. She put on a polite smile and asked, "Hello, ma'am. How may I help you?"
Song Qingwan smiled faintly. "Please pick out two outfits for this gentleman. I want the best you have in the store."
The sales associate glanced at Zhao Dong. Although surprised, she maintained her smile. "Certainly, no problem."
Soon, she returned with two outfits. When Zhao Dong saw the price tags, he was dumbfounded. They were both expensive suits, each costing between 70,000 and 80,000!
Zhao Dong quickly refused. "There's no need for something this expensive. Do you have anything cheaper?"
Song Qingwan immediately cut in, "Just try them on first. The styles are quite nice. Like I said, don't worry about the money."
Zhao Dong could only manage a helpless smile. It's true that a beautiful woman's kindness is the hardest to accept. Now I owe her another favor.
Soon, Zhao Dong stepped out of the dressing room. When Song Qingwan saw him, she froze, an expression of disbelief spreading across her face. He stood tall and poised, with a handsome face, sharp brows, and bright eyes. Dressed in the expensive suit, he exuded an indescribable aura.
Song Qingwan was floored... With this look, he could easily make it in the entertainment industry! And his appearance was far more charismatic than those pretty boys!
A peculiar light glimmered in her eyes. She had always preferred masculine men and had absolutely no interest in the pretty-boy types who wore makeup, lipstick, and long hair.
Looking at Zhao Dong now, Song Qingwan said from the heart, "Zhao Dong... you've managed to wow me again."
"What do you mean?" Zhao Dong asked with a smile.
The sales associate was also staring at him, her eyes full of astonishment. "Sir," she said sincerely, "your aura is the best I've seen in any man in all the years we've been open. If you wouldn't mind, I'd even love to shoot a promotional video with you."
Zhao Dong smiled. "You're too kind. The promotional video won't be necessary; I'm just a country bumpkin."
The sales associate's face flushed red, feeling a bit flustered under his gaze.
Song Qingwan smiled and handed over her card. "Pay with this."
"Of course!"
After paying, Zhao Dong walked out of the store with Song Qingwan, clad in his new, expensive suit. The gazes of many passersby turned toward them, their expressions filled with surprise.
Walking beside Zhao Dong, a blush crept onto Song Qingwan's pretty face, and she suddenly felt a little shy. Her height was a perfect match for his, with the top of her head reaching just to his chin. They looked like a match made in heaven walking together, with Song Qingwan appearing like his gentle and enchanting partner.
Zhao Dong glanced at Song Qingwan, and her eyes, hidden behind her sunglasses, met his. The atmosphere instantly grew subtle. Through the tinted lenses, they could each feel the other's intense gaze.
Zhao Dong was the first to break eye contact. Song Qingwan, startled for a moment, also averted her gaze. "Zhao Dong..." she said, a little embarrassed, "could you come with me to look at some clothes, too?"
Zhao Dong smiled. "No problem. Let's go."
"Okay."
The two of them headed toward another luxury women's clothing store, and Zhao Dong secretly resolved that this time, he would be the one paying.
As they walked in, a sales associate took a long look at Zhao Dong, then at Song Qingwan, before her face broke into a radiant smile. "Welcome, please come in."
Song Qingwan began browsing, and in just a moment, her eyes lit up as a white dress caught her attention. She smiled at the sales associate. "Could you please get this dress down for me?"
"Of course. One moment, please."
Just as the associate was about to hand the dress to Song Qingwan, the store door swung open. A man and a woman walked in, laughing and chatting together. Seeming to sense something, Song Qingwan frowned slightly and turned to look.
The man who entered also looked toward Song Qingwan. The instant their eyes met, her expression changed. The man's expression shifted as well, a myriad of emotions flashing across his face before he finally spoke in a complex tone, "Qingwan. What a coincidence. I never expected to run into you here."