Did the Tsundere Miss Get Slapped in the Face Again Today? - Chapter 76

Chapter 76: “She Is Walking Towards Her.”

There were three evening gowns on the rolling rack. It seemed like plenty of choices, but Jiang Zhi looked at them again and again, falling into silence each time. The colors were too vibrant; she felt like she couldn’t possibly pull them off.

Seeing that Jiang Zhi hadn’t made a decision for a long time, the staff member asked, “Have you chosen? Which one do you prefer?”

Jiang Zhi gave an awkward smile. “Is there nothing else?”

The staff member replied, “No, just these three. If you aren’t satisfied, you are welcome to prepare your own gown.”

Recalling the rental prices she had just seen on her phone, Jiang Zhi was instantly silenced.

“This one, then.” Steeling herself, Jiang Zhi chose the one that seemed slightly less exaggerated than the others.

It was “slightly less exaggerated,” but still far beyond anything Jiang Zhi had ever dared to try. She had no idea what kind of disaster she would look like once it was on. She told herself that if the result was too strange, she would just bite the bullet and spend the money to rent a different one.

To match the gown, she needed makeup. Jiang Zhi usually went bare-faced and truly didn’t know how to apply makeup; the most she could manage was a bit of lipstick or primer. Her life was very “low-maintenance.” Even if she knew how, she didn’t have any tools.

Just as she was worrying, the staff member who brought the dresses pulled out a makeup kit.

“You provide makeup services too?” Jiang Zhi was astonished.

Providing the dress was one thing, but to help with makeup as well? The organizers of this banquet were being overly considerate, making her feel quite flattered.

When the makeup was done, the hair styled, and the gown put on, she stood before the mirror. The person in the reflection had undergone a total transformation. Her long hair, usually tied in a ponytail, flowed over her shoulders. The black-framed glasses she wore year-round were gone, revealing her narrow, elegant eyes.

Did she look good? Jiang Zhi couldn’t tell. Such a magnificent dress in such a bold color felt alien on her, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly why.

“You look beautiful,” the staff member said.

“Thank you,” Jiang Zhi replied with a polite smile. She didn’t really take the compliment to heart; she figured the staff was just being professional and kind.

But to her surprise, the staff member’s gaze was sincere as she repeated, “Really, you look very beautiful.”

Jiang Zhi was stunned.

“However, if you could straighten your back a bit more, it would look even better,” the staff member suggested.

Hearing this, Jiang Zhi straightened her spine. The Jiang Zhi in the mirror actually looked quite respectable—elegant, even. But… it was just a layer of beautiful skin. Jiang Zhi was self-aware enough to know that this “beauty” belonged to the makeup and the styling, not to her.

The real her wore dusty clothes, black glasses, and a canvas bag—an ordinary existence that would vanish into a crowd instantly. The person in the mirror wore a vibrant red dress, yet her eyes still held a trace of timidity and self-doubt.

The hotel wasn’t far from the banquet venue, but it was still a ten-minute drive. Walking in an evening gown was out of the question, and the bus felt inappropriate, so she compromised and hailed a taxi.

As soon as she sat in the back, the driver kept glancing at the rearview mirror. Jiang Zhi wasn’t sure, but she felt he was looking at her. She rubbed her nose, feeling uneasy. I must look too overdressed and ridiculous. Is he laughing at me in his head?

Just as she was feeling embarrassed, the driver spoke up: “Little girl, you look wonderful in that outfit. I almost thought a celebrity had stepped into my car.”

His tone was open and genuine—a heartfelt compliment. Jiang Zhi was dazed. In her entire life, aside from her grandmother, no one had ever really given her a formal compliment. Even if they had, she always assumed they were just being polite.

Meeting the driver’s sincere gaze, she couldn’t bring herself to doubt him. He truly thought she looked good. Facing a stranger’s praise, Jiang Zhi was a bit flustered and could only manage a dry, “Thank you.”

Upon arriving at the destination, she paid the fare and stepped out. The area was crowded, and the eyes of the onlookers swiveled toward her in unison. Unused to being the center of attention, Jiang Zhi felt her scalp tingle.

But when she caught the clear spark of admiration in their eyes, her mood shifted. Maybe I actually suit red? Maybe I don’t always have to hide in black, white, and grey? A faint smile touched her lips—one of the few moments of genuine happiness she had felt in two years.

She had been nervous about the grand banquet, but the admiring glances of strangers gave her a sense of security.

The banquet was held at a private villa in the city center. After handing her invitation to the staff, she was led inside. First came a lawn as wide as a football field. After walking down a stone path and pushing through the tall doors of the villa, the sound of music drifted out.

Inside the bright hall, a dazzling crystal chandelier hung overhead. In the center was a three-tier champagne tower, the glasses sparkling brilliantly. Waiters with smiles and golden trays of red wine wove through the guests. The attendees were all dressed in magnificent gowns or suits; many were famous bloggers Jiang Zhi recognized.

Jiang Zhi stood at the door, hesitating. She didn’t have any curiosity or longing for this opulent place; she mostly felt fear. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself inside and found a quiet corner to stay in.

She thought she might waste the opportunity her company fought for. With her current mindset, let alone networking, she could barely bring herself to start a conversation. Fortunately, her arrival didn’t draw much attention. She could stay quietly in the corner until the end, maintaining her lack of presence.

Sometimes, being invisible made Jiang Zhi feel safe. She wasn’t used to the spotlight, just as she wasn’t used to wearing bright red. Holding a glass of champagne, she pretended to sip it, killing time.

How much longer until this ends? Can I leave early? Obviously not.

As she was spacing out, the main doors opened. Everyone turned to look, and Jiang Zhi followed suit. With just one glance, her gaze froze.

It was Lin Anran.

The radiant Third Miss Lin. She wore a white evening gown featuring hand-embroidered patterns—a clash of classical and modern styles that was exquisite and luxurious. She looked like a princess. The light from the chandelier seemed to favor her, making her look ethereal and noble.

Jiang Zhi stood in her dark corner, secretly watching the person standing at the peak of the world. One was in the bright, lively crowd; the other was in the dark, cold corner.

Lin Anran was surrounded by people, with a constant stream of guests approaching her to talk. Jiang Zhi watched her from afar with a mix of joy and bitterness. She lowered her head, not daring to look more for fear that resentment would grow in her heart. She had no right to feel that way.

She tried to stop herself from looking, but her eyes kept drifting back. She was caught in a loop of looking and looking away. Finally, she gave up. Fine, look. It’s not like I’ll have many chances in the future. This might be the last time I see her.

She allowed herself to indulge for just a little longer. When the banquet ended, when tomorrow came, she would be gone from Anran’s life again. As she watched, her nose tingled and her eyes grew damp. She tilted her head back to blink away the tears and gulped down some champagne to drown the bitterness. The taste of alcohol made her wince.

In the distance, Lin Anran picked up another glass of red wine. Jiang Zhi felt a surge of worry. Why is she drinking so much? She can’t handle her alcohol. She’ll feel terrible later. Seeing Anran finish another glass, Jiang Zhi’s brow furrowed into a tight knot. She wanted to go and stop her, but she had no standing to do so.

She sighed and gave up the unrealistic thought. She just hoped Anran would stop. When she turned her head for a second and looked back, Lin Anran was gone. Jiang Zhi searched the crowd over and over but couldn’t find her.

Did she leave because she felt sick? She wondered if anyone reliable was with her. If she was drunk and alone, it was dangerous.

Jiang Zhi searched frantically and finally spotted a figure in the back garden of the villa. As she approached the person standing by the pond, her frantic heart slowed down. She found a waiter and asked him to bring a glass of warm milk—to help sober up—to the person by the water.

Lin Anran stared at the milk the waiter brought. She paused, took the glass, but didn’t drink. Instead, her sharp gaze shot toward a specific corner of the shadows.

Jiang Zhi panicked. With quick reflexes, she ducked behind a tree. Pressing her back against the trunk, she clutched her chest. That was close. I almost got caught.

She didn’t dare appear before Anran, fearing her anger or that she would ruin her mood. Anran had told her to “hide well,” and Jiang Zhi was doing exactly that.

Tap, tap, tap…

The sound of high heels on the outdoor wooden decking grew louder, approaching from a distance. Jiang Zhi was at a loss; there was nowhere to hide but behind this single tree. The footsteps grew closer and heavier, each one sounding like a beat against her own heart.

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