Commercial Street.
Lin Lu lowered the brim of her hat, trying her best not to attract attention.
However, despite her efforts to remain low-key, her waist-length silver hair and extravagant clothing style drew curious glances from everyone around her.
Combined with her stunning appearance, staying inconspicuous was impossible.
“Wow! Look, look! What character is that cosplayer playing?”
“I don’t know… but her face is incredible… is she a famous influencer?”
‘As expected… they think I’m a cosplayer,’ Lin Lu sighed, hoping no one would come up to ask for a photo.
“Maybe a character from a new anime? Or is it an original design?”
“Original? Her fashion sense is amazing.”
Lin Lu quickened her pace to distance herself.
While waiting for the light, she stared straight ahead at the countdown.
[3, 2, 1 —]
The green light flickered on, and she almost sprinted across the road.
Lin Lu pulled out her phone and confirmed the location of the shop she had just looked up.
It was 200 meters ahead, a right turn at the intersection.
Lin Lu kept her head down, following the navigation as she hurried along.
Just as she turned the corner —
“Ah!”
A figure suddenly darted out from the side.
Lin Lu couldn’t dodge in time, and the two collided head-on.
She stumbled back two steps, her hat flying off as she nearly fell to the ground.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry! I wasn’t looking where I was going! Are you okay — “
The other person was a girl with twin tails, holding a phone in her hand.
It looked like she had been filming a video while walking.
She looked up and froze the moment she saw Lin Lu’s face as the latter picked up her hat.
Those crimson eyes and the long silver hair, now completely uncovered, seemed to glow in the sunlight.
Matched with Lin Lu’s beauty…
“Holy crap.”
The words slipped out of the girl’s mouth.
Lin Lu: “…”
“Miss, you… you’re way too pretty! Can I take a photo? Just one!”
“No.” Lin Lu dusted off her hat and put it back on, speaking rapidly, “I’m in a hurry. I have to go.”
“Wait, wait, wait!” The girl chased after her.
“You’re a cosplayer, right? You have to be! That hair and those eyes — it’s definitely a wig and contacts! Which circle are you in? Do you take commissions? Let’s exchange contacts~”
Lin Lu was already running.
It wasn’t that she wanted to, but if she didn’t, a crowd would surely form.
She could already see several people nearby looking over, some even raising their phones toward her.
If this ended up online, she would be famous…
Lin Lu jogged all the way until she finally braked at the entrance of a clothing store.
“Whew… whew…” Lin Lu leaned against the doorframe, bending over to catch her breath.
‘I should… be safe now, right?’
“Why did you run so fast? I almost couldn’t keep up with you.”
Lin Lu whirled around.
The girl with the twin tails was standing right behind her, not even out of breath, smiling at her.
“Ah! You — ” Lin Lu jumped back a step in shock and asked, “Why are you following me?!”
“Huh? Because you ran, so I chased,” the girl said, scratching her head as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
“It’s rare to meet such a high-quality cosplayer. If I don’t get your contact info, I won’t be able to sleep tonight.”
Lin Lu rubbed her forehead.
“I’m really not a cosplayer,” Lin Lu whispered, “This hair is real. So are the eyes.”
The girl stared at her for three seconds.
Then, her eyes lit up with excitement, “Natural silver hair and red eyes?! Wow! I’m so jealous!”
Lin Lu: “…”
She opened her mouth to say something, but the words died in her throat.
What was there to say?
This girl was clearly a social butterfly of the highest order… anything she said would be useless.
“Fine,” Lin Lu gave up the struggle and said, “You wanted to exchange contacts? Here, scan my QR code.”
“Got it!” The girl worked her phone with lightning speed.
“My name is Su Tang! What about you, Miss?”
“Lin…” Lin Lu paused, “Lin Lu.”
Su Tang looked up and asked, “Lin Lu? Hmm… can I call you Little Lu from now on?”
“Whatever works.” Lin Lu sighed.
“OK!” Su Tang nodded, “So, Little Lu, are you here to shop? I come here often. Their clothes are pretty good, though a bit expensive.”
“Yeah, I’m here to buy… clothes,” Lin Lu said vaguely.
Su Tang’s eyes sparkled, “Perfect! I’ll help you choose! I have great taste!”
“No need,” Lin Lu started to refuse, “I’ll just pick a few things.”
“It’s fine, it’s fine! I have nothing to do today anyway!” Su Tang had already pushed the door open and started walking inside.
“Besides, with your looks, it would be a tragedy if you picked something that didn’t fit!”
“Wait…”
Seeing this, Lin Lu had no choice but to follow Su Tang inside.
The store was spacious, with racks filled with various styles of women’s clothing.
Su Tang had already circled the place.
Seeing Lin Lu enter, she waved excitedly, “Little Lu! Over here! You’ll definitely look great in this!”
Lin Lu walked over and saw what she was holding —
A dress.
It had a white base with light purple floral prints, a cinched waist, and a hemline that ended just above the knee.
“…” Lin Lu was silent.
“Well? Doesn’t it match your hair color?” Su Tang held the dress up against her.
“If you wear this, you’ll definitely be the prettiest girl around!”
“I don’t — “
“Just try it! Trying it on is free!” Su Tang shoved the dress into her hands.
“The fitting room is over there! Go, go!”
Lin Lu looked down at the dress, then up at the expectation in Su Tang’s eyes.
Fine.
She was here to buy clothes today anyway.
She took the dress and walked toward the fitting room, closing the door and letting out a long breath.
Then, she changed into the dress.
The zipper was in the back; she had to reach back several times before she finally managed to pull it up.
Turning around, she looked into the mirror.
The girl in the mirror was wearing a light purple floral dress.
The hem reached mid-thigh, revealing a pair of long, straight legs.
Her silver hair flowed down, making her red eyes look even brighter.
“…” Lin Lu stared at the person in the mirror for a long time.
Then, she heard herself murmur, ‘Wait… it actually looks pretty good?’
She immediately shook her head.
‘No, no, no!’
Su Tang’s voice came from outside, “Little Lu? How is it? Does it fit?”
Lin Lu took a deep breath and opened the fitting room door.
Su Tang was waiting right outside.
When she saw her, she froze.
“Wow~ This… this suits you way too well!” Su Tang circled her twice.
“This dress was practically made for you! Little Lu, you should wear this style every day. Don’t waste those looks! Wait? But…”
Su Tang seemed to notice something was off.
“Little Lu… you wouldn’t happen to be…” Su Tang narrowed her eyes and leaned in, whispering into Lin Lu’s ear, “going commando under there, would you?”
Lin Lu’s face instantly turned bright red, and she jerked her head to the side.
Seeing Lin Lu’s reaction, Su Tang was certain her guess was correct.
“I couldn’t tell~ You’re quite bold, Little Lu~” Su Tang giggled, “Then… let’s pick out some undergarments. What’s your size?”
“Uh… I… I’m not sure.”
Lin Lu’s face was burning.
She had only become like this this morning; how could she possibly know her size?
“Huh? How could you not know your own size?” Su Tang tilted her head in confusion.
“Oh~ Are you some kind of sheltered young lady? Someone else usually buys your clothes for you? No wonder your skin is so fair and tender~”
Su Tang came to her own conclusion, immediately imagining Lin Lu as a clueless rich girl.
That explained why she was so shy earlier.
“It’s okay, I’ll help you measure.”
Su Tang borrowed a soft measuring tape from the clerk.
“Come here, come here!” Su Tang suddenly broke into a mischievous grin, wiggling her fingers like claws as she slowly approached.
“Take it off~ Little Lu~ Heh heh heh~”
Lin Lu instinctively covered her chest and backed away, “What… what are you doing…”
“Don’t be shy, we’re both girls!” Su Tang grabbed Lin Lu and, in an instant… dragged her into the fitting room.
“Ah! Don’t… don’t touch that!”
“Heh heh heh~ Scream all you want, no one is coming to save you.”
The fitting room was suddenly filled with a cheerful atmosphere…