Chapter 589: Chapter 589: Enemies on a Narrow Road

Ruisa Shopping Mall is the most upscale mall in the Imperial Capital, especially those luxurious stores on the top floor.

Now with 21 major brands, the most famous is no longer those established Blue Blood Nobility brands, but Master Irina’s studio. It has become the new check-in spot for the young ladies and daughters of the elite.

However, Master Irina adopts an appointment system domestically, ensuring that customers have a comfortable shopping experience by only receiving three guests per day.

Qiao Xi has privileges!

She does not need to make a reservation and can visit the store at any time, where the best reception room will be prepared for her.

This was agreed upon when Master Irina’s design studio settled in the Imperial Capital with Huo Xingzhou.

Thus, the three of them, along with Old Chen, headed straight for store number 21 on the top floor.

On the way, Sun Weimeng was still boasting to Huo Sijiao about his great achievements when he first arrived in the Imperial Capital.

“Right here, Lu Yan, that lame guy, wanted to give us a hard time, refusing to serve me and Qiao Xi. He wanted to make us a laughingstock at the Guan Family’s birthday banquet by not being able to purchase a single gown in the Ruisa Building. But then he got a severe slap in the face from your brother!”

“It was so satisfying! That day, I practically flew as I walked, entering Master Irina’s studio amidst the jealous looks from those socialites. Xiang Mingzhu was so angry her mouth was crooked, and a saleswoman who had an affair with Lu Yan was scared half to death.”

Huo Sijiao couldn’t help but laugh at his story, “Speaking of Xiang Mingzhu, I haven’t heard anything about her for a long time.”

Since the tryout assembly, the Xiang Family has fallen.

Xiang Mingzhu seems to have kept a much lower profile.

She is no longer seen at various flashy events in the Imperial Capital.

“She must be hiding. The daughter of one of the former four great families now lives in ruin. Even if Xiang Tao transferred his shares for a sum of money, most of it was used to pay off debts. A smaller part was taken abroad…”

At Banshan Qiushui, the Xiang Family’s home, only an empty villa shell remains.

It’s said that even the servants were dismissed.

Sun Weimeng, who often has a plethora of gossip, said, “Xiang Tao must have left some money for Xiang Mingzhu. I heard from my friend that she’s recently been drinking in bars. The Xiang Family really can’t handle much pressure.”

Huo Sijiao sighed incessantly.

Their Huo Family’s second branch also experienced a downfall, so she knows the taste of being trampled underfoot and humiliated.

The sudden plunge from heaven to mud.

But all this is self-inflicted.

Xiang Mingzhu was too greedy, malicious at heart, she deserved what she got.

“Let’s go, the top floor of Ruisa Shopping Mall requires wealth verification for entry. The luxury of the Imperial Capital is unparalleled; even your face can’t serve as credit.”

Sun Weimeng, familiar with the process, led them to the entrance on the top floor and only after verifying wealth with his bank card were they allowed to proceed.

Huo Sijiao, full of curiosity, looked around and said, “In Haicheng, I’ve really never been through the experience where you need to verify income just to buy clothes.”

“That’s because they know you’re Huo Xingzhou’s sister!”

Sun Weimeng took back his bank card and waved his hand, “Today the young master is picking up the tab, you all can spend as you like!”

“You should save those few millions to invest in the beauty salon. My sister-in-law and I will use my brother’s card,” said Huo Sijiao as she walked arm in arm with Qiao Xi.

Once these familiar faces showed up, the stores on the top floor all went on alert.

The salespeople standing at the shop entrances all showed their big white teeth, smiling warmly and kindly, as no one dared to offend this new nobility of the Imperial Capital any further.

But Sun Weimeng and Qiao Xi did not linger.

They went straight towards the very last store, number twenty-one.

“Welcome, Young Madam Huo.”

“Welcome, Young Master Sun, Miss Huo. Please come in; President Huo has informed us of your arrival in advance. We’ve reserved our largest VIP room for you and are waiting for your presence. We’ve delivered a selection of dresses suitable for your styles to the VIP room for your choice.”

Upon Qiao Xi’s arrival, she was directly received by the manager.

“Okay, thank you all.”

“You’re welcome. Young Madam Huo is a valued guest recognized by Master Irina. This time we also have the latest dresses, which will only be displayed in the showcase after you’ve made your choice.”

This was the highest level of treatment.

Huo Sijiao said with a laugh, “Sister-in-law, I’m really basking in your glow. I also love Master Irina’s designs, and I want to try them on carefully today.”

“You’re basking in your brother’s glow.”

The manager led the way and passed several display stands to reach the VIP room. The mirrors surrounding the stands reflected the brilliant lighting, like a magical passage from a fairy tale world.

The mirrors could rotate to reveal an entrance, with each mirror concealing a VIP room behind it.

Not far away, a VIP resting area was separated by a screen, furnished with sofas and a coffee table, providing afternoon tea service on par with a five-star hotel. There was a male guest having afternoon tea, his head lowered as he flipped through a magazine.

His silhouette seemed somewhat familiar.

Qiao Xi withdrew her gaze, hearing the manager say.

“Young Madam Huo, please come this way, your VIP room is here. This way, please, for the gentleman…”

Sun Weimeng waved his hand dismissively: “I won’t pick out anything. I’ll wait for you all in the resting area, with my looks, any formal wear I put on looks particularly handsome.”

His confidence was practically overflowing.

Huo Sijiao laughingly showed disdain, “Sister-in-law, let’s ignore him and choose our dresses first…”

“Hmm.”

Qiao Xi nodded lightly.

However, before they could enter the VIP room, the door of the adjacent VIP room opened.

The mirrors reflected the warm light and shimmered as the door swung open.

Compliments came from inside: “Miss Lu, wearing this classic white fishtail dress, a yearly masterpiece from Master Irina, suits you perfectly! The design with a tulle overlay looks absolutely ethereal and complements your temperament. This dress, with its bridal elements, is just right for your engagement.”

“Thank you for the compliments.”

A gentle voice, with an appropriately cool resolve, rang out.

She walked out gracefully, her silhouette elegant, with two top sales associates trailing behind carrying the hem of her dress.

Upon seeing the woman’s face, Huo Sijiao muttered discontentedly, “Trouble really does come in a flood! Here I didn’t run into Xiang Mingzhu, but I did see the person I dislike even more.”

Sun Weimeng rolled his eyes in response.

Qiao Xi, on the other hand, maintained a composed expression, now able to control her emotions in the presence of Lu Yingxue.

“Sister-in-law, let’s go inside,” urged Huo Sijiao, pulling Qiao Xi towards the largest VIP room.

It was then that Lu Yingxue, having heard the commotion, stepped closer for conversation: “I didn’t expect to see Miss Qiao here. Are you here to pick out a dress for mine and Ayi’s engagement party?”

The soft, gentle voice of Qiao Xi responded: “The Zhong Family and Lu Family have both sent out invitations. It would be rude for us not to attend.”

“I was worried Miss Qiao might not grace the event with her presence; now I’m relieved.”

In the presence of others, Lu Yingxue always maintained a magnanimous and elegant demeanor, which allowed most people to form a favorable impression of her in a short time.

Very few were aware of her private ruthlessness.

Her gaze rested upon Qiao Xi’s delicate, fair face, and she said, “Since Miss Qiao and her friends have come, could you perhaps do me a favor? This is my first engagement, and I have no experience.”