CHAPTER 774: CHAPTER 476: FORMAL DRESS

"It’s not a bother," Sui Yi said without being pretentious, if only her left hand was convenient... she wouldn’t have needed his help then.

Cao Ling was not around.

Although the attendants could help, since they had offered, she really couldn’t refuse.

--British men are mostly gentlemen.

Xiluo stepped forward, reaching for the strap and tying it, seemingly oblivious to Sui Yi’s beautifully bare back behind her, which astonished a few onlooking attendants. Honestly, in the highly developed United Kingdom, even though not as romantic as France, they were quite open about sensuality. These women, seeing the "stunner" in front of the mirror, couldn’t help but feel envious and their hearts flutter, but this man remained so calm.

There was only one possibility.

GAY.

After swiftly securing the dress, Xiluo took a step back, maintaining a reasonable distance, and said, "She had an emergency and left earlier, this is a message for you."

He took a card out of his pocket.

Sui Yi took it and glanced at it.

--Got an emergency, sorry, will make amends later, Xiluo is trustworthy.

The handwriting was somewhat sloppy, indicating a rush, probably due to some incident...

Sui Yi looked at the attendant who had been there all along. Understanding her gaze, the attendant came forward and said, "Miss Cao just seemed to see someone outside the shop and chased after them.."

An acquaintance?

It must be related to her mission. She really is utterly committed.

As Sui Yi held the card, she heard Xiluo’s cool voice, "I don’t think you suit this dress..."

The attendants in the room, upon hearing this, felt like rolling up their sleeves and scoffing, all of them looking towards the mirror at the Eastern woman.

Honestly, most of them were Caucasian, proud of their fair skin... but compared to the blemish-free, poreless Oriental Beauty, and then considering her slender yet elegantly structured, handsome body...

Chinese women generally have smaller frames, many unable to fill out clothes or carry a strong presence, not like Cao Ling who naturally and through nurture carried a magnetic field. The moment they first saw Sui Yi, a typical super-classical beauty, they felt the dress style in the shop might not suit her...

Because it leaned towards glamorous and aloof styles...

But once she wore this simple and elegant black dress...

Ha!~

It felt like no other dresses could sell because no one else would look good in them.

It was because she looked too perfect, extremely attractive, that they thought Xiluo was blatantly lying.

Are they saying she’s cheating because Chinese people’s aesthetics differ from ours?

But when Sui Yi neither denied nor confirmed, he had already said, "Looking too good in it might make people overlook your identity, don’t you think?"

At his words, Sui Yi slightly turned her head and saw, from the mirror, the calm eyes of the man behind her...

Stern.

This man had a bit of that classical British sternness.

Almost no one from the younger generation is like that today.

She turned around.

"Indeed, it’s too long... and inconvenient," she said.

An attendant nearby was somewhat troubled: "But Miss Cao has already paid... and for those over there too," she pointed towards a pile... at least seven or eight dresses laid out...

"She said if you didn’t have time to try them on, to just pack them up and send them to Duke’s mansion, as long as the size is right, they are bound to look good..."

"She paid for all of these?" Sui Yi asked.

"Yes," the attendant replied.

Sui Yi lightly tapped her forehead and exhaled, thinking this girl was really generous, these must cost at least a million...

Xiluo seemed not at all surprised.

Cao Ling was always a shopping guru; a casual shopping trip to London without spending a million did not fit her status and character.

Plus, considering Sui Yi had repeatedly helped Duke Junshi’s mansion, it would have been odd if she showed no appreciation.

And this person usually bought clothes without looking at prices...

Since it was already paid for, Sui Yi would not ask someone to return them, but it seemed all these dresses were backless, shoulderless, and showed a lot of leg...

She did not quite understand why Cao Ling specifically chose these for her, did she not know that she never wore such dresses on a regular basis, even daily attire tended to be simple and casual..

As for the outfit for the Hua Sha gala..

"I’m here to notify you on behalf of the Duchess... she ordered a few suits some days ago, they should suit you better,"

Hmm? Sui Yi recalled that a few days ago Cao Qijun indeed asked if she had prepared a gown, she answered casually at the time, and later she forgot about it..

Upon returning to Duke’s Mansion, Sui Yi indeed saw several dresses, certainly not gowns of any sort, but rather simple two-piece sets, complete with coats and other outerwear, each outfit equipped with a wristwatch, shoes, brooches and more..

They were neither as heavy and grand as menswear nor as charming and delicate as womenswear, but had a more independent and elegant feel, with a generous demeanor and an unusual style, yet many details were quite precious.

They matched Sui Yi’s preferences and characteristics well, also taking into account her identity, which was extremely thoughtful, and with five sets to choose from.

Sui Yi recognized the designer she had seen occasionally on British TV channels or in magazines these past few days... This was indeed understanding Cao Qijun’s intention.

Although it was not enough to repay a favor, it was similar to returning a peach for a plum.

With the dress settled, and a crash course on several dance steps for the ball, she calmly awaited the arrival of the Hua Sha gala. Naturally, Sui Yi also learned that the rivalry between the Ron and Foss families had quieted down somewhat, and the business of the Junshi Clan indeed had increased in transparency... This made the public curious, fortunately, some media and magazines hinted at by the Duke’s Mansion proactively analyzed the Duke’s Mansion’s intentions, highlighting a mindset proactive in transparency for fear of being framed. The public quickly followed the media’s analysis into various conspiracy theories, understanding and even speculating about the affairs of the Ron and Foss families.

After all, these two families were old partners. While the deal in question was not small, for a noble lineage lasting hundreds of years, it was trivial. Was there really a need to concoct such a scheme now? Moreover, the other side wasn’t foolish enough not to notice the change in materials, nor likely to suffer in silence. It would be a sign of having one’s brain squeezed by a door to plan to cheat them.

Ron wasn’t foolish, nor was Foss, yet they bizarrely went at it hammer and tongs these past few months, each suffering losses. If there wasn’t a dark hand manipulating behind the scenes... it seemed unlikely.

With this, the public gained some insight, also coming to understand the Duke’s Mansion’s careful planning. In the future, should such incidents occur, public opinion wouldn’t be so easily deceived...

This was the Duke’s Mansion laying the groundwork, at the very least stopping the severe situation from worsening, and gradually moving toward improvement...

Of course, to address the root cause, it was still necessary to figure out exactly who the other party was, and how they used the dark hand to stir up trouble...

Deep within Duke’s Mansion, Sui Yi and others sharply felt that just before the Hua Sha gala, this seemingly calmed London was brewing an undercurrent...

What she did not know was that compared to the flowing undercurrents of London’s Bright World, the Dark World, such as the Adventure Guild circles, at least within the London circle, was tempestuous, all for a recorded combat video that had everyone agitated.

The enigmatic Eastern warrior, the haughty prestigious Duke of Rose, the elusive A-rank General Philip, and that legendary and aloof Rose Monarch, in one event, such figures involved were enough to stir up the adventurers’ circle in the London Region, especially that video...

Indeed spectacular.

"Haven’t seen such spectacular fighting in many years, could be considered a premium even in the B-rank fighting zone, Wayne, you’re out of luck, facing such an Eastern hermit"

Inside a grand palace, this elegantly postured, sweater-clad Earl pressed his cigarette butt into an ashtray, taking a sip of red wine.

"I know, but uncle, this person has been close with Junshi Castle, it looks like a long-term relationship is forming, that’s not good news for you,"

"Heh~ Trying to make use of my disagreement with Junshi Castle to satisfy your personal desires?"

He squinted his eyes, causing Wayne to shudder and respond, "I wouldn’t dare.. though I indeed desire revenge against that woman, it’s also considering your interests.. I have checked, that woman will also attend the Hua Sha gala, and moreover, she has a sizeable share of mineral resources.. but actually, she doesn’t hold much power, uncle, according to the rules of our circle... treasures belong to those who can secure them.."

They are real-life winners, almost the same in the Dark World, but ** are stronger because they want to be stronger, live better, longer, more splendidly!

Minerals are a huge wealth urgently needed in both the World of Light and Shadow, indifferent to monetary benefit, but selling it within the Adventure Guild means a huge fortune in Adventure Coins, then

using that to buy other treasures, enough to significantly boost the Duke’s strength.

What is the most important in this world?

Talent? Pfft!

The Dark World doesn’t subscribe to that notion, what talent can enhance my strength? It’s not a Dual Cultivation crucible!

Still, treasures are the most practical!

So...

Wayne knew this Earl uncle would surely agree.

He laughed indeed, his deep eyes hiding a sly, chilling fox, "Wayne, I’ve rather liked you since you were young, because you’re smart, and smart people tend to live long..."

Wayne smiled and nodded, gradually relaxing his previously slightly tense clenched fists.

His palms were sweaty.

Three minutes later, he left the room and walked out of the grand and opulent palace...

Exiting the manor, he turned his head back at the palace...

Everyone in the United Kingdom recognizes what this palace is.

And residing within, are members of one of the country’s most historically honored families, he had just seen one of its important members.

A dangerous, cunning, and deeply strategic and poetic character. (Made up, don’t overthink, no offense meant)

If it weren’t for that Chinese woman who had angered him, and also hindered some of his interests... he really wouldn’t want to contact this person. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to recommend and vote monthly at qidian.com, your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please visit m.qidian.com to read.)