The dress from the high - end luxury brand had a smooth texture. The fabric was stiff but not rigid. Golden filaments were faintly visible in the stitching of the collar and cuffs, making it low - key yet unique.
When Su Yang was putting on her coat, she subconsciously glanced at the tag that hadn't been removed, then silently let out a breath.
The shoes in the two shoe boxes were exactly the same. Su Yang checked the sizes, slipped on the pair in size 36, and walked out.
On the living - room sofa, Xu Lize was waiting.
When he saw Su Yang walking out of the bathroom, he stood up straight.
The little woman in front of him wore no makeup, and her hair was simply tied into a ponytail. But after putting on that high - quality outfit, Xu Lize felt that the pride hidden in her bones seemed to be brought out.
He finally understood the saying "Fine feathers make fine birds."
"Do the shoes fit?" Xu Lize walked up to Su Yang, sized her up, and then asked.
Su Yang took a couple of steps. "I'm wearing size 36. They fit perfectly."
Xu Lize nodded and revealed the mystery. "You'll wear this outfit for the interview tomorrow."
Su Yang's hand that was tidying her coat pocket froze, then she shook her head and refused. "No, this dress is too expensive... Wait, how did you know I have an interview tomorrow?"
When Su Yang left the restaurant this afternoon, she received a text message from the Human Resources Department of Chen Group, reminding her not to miss the second - round interview at 10 a.m. tomorrow.
She hadn't told anyone about this because Chen Group had high requirements for fresh graduates. Su Yang had heard from her classmates that even if one passed the second - round interview and advanced to the third round, they might still be eliminated.
So she hadn't really held out much hope for the job at Chen Group. She just saw it as an opportunity to gain interview experience.
"Chen Qichuan saw your resume." Xu Lize turned and walked towards the living room.
Su Yang chased after him in her high heels and asked, "Who is Chen Qichuan?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Xu Lize, who was walking in front, stopped in his tracks, turned around, and looked at her amusedly.
"You're going for an interview for an administrative assistant at his company, but you don't know the name of the company's boss?"
Su Yang barely managed to avoid crashing into Xu Lize's arms.
The moment she reached out to press against his chest, her mind started working.
Chen Qichuan, the newly appointed CEO of Chen Group. She had specifically searched for information about him online when she was doing background research on the company in preparation for the interview.
Just as Su Yang was lost in thought, she heard a "snap".
Xu Lize somehow produced a pair of scissors, picked up the tag on her collar, and cut it off with one swift motion.
"Xu Lize!"
Su Yang suddenly felt a great deal of pressure. She didn't really like this feeling of having her life deliberately interfered with and being forced into arrangements.
"Come on, this is a simple matter. It's not as complicated as you think. I have a good private relationship with General Manager Chen. He knows about our marriage." As Xu Lize said this, he tossed the scissors and the tag onto the coffee table. "I gave you the dress for no other reason. From today on, you're Mrs. Xu. Your appearance is related to my face. Do you understand that?"
Su Yang, who had been clenching her hands tightly at her sides, suddenly relaxed them.
"Mrs. Xu..." she repeated Xu Lize's words softly. "...Your face."
"Yes." Although it was just a single word, Xu Lize said it calmly.
At that moment, Su Yang felt as if a crack had suddenly appeared in her already tense and sensitive heart...
After that, it couldn't even be called a bad parting. Before going upstairs, Su Yang even smiled and said "Good night" to Xu Lize.
Back in her room, Su Yang closed the door, took off the outfit, and threw it on the bed. Then she walked over to the desk to check her phone.
There were a few message notifications and a missed call from Song Haolin on her phone.
Su Yang unplugged the charger and called back.
"Su Yang, Teacher Feng's qualification for the competition has been revoked!"
Song Haolin answered the phone quickly. Amid the empty echoes, Su Yang could hear his slightly anxious breathing.
"Is it because of that post?" Su Yang closed her eyes, recalling what she had seen and heard this afternoon.
"The department didn't say explicitly. They won't make an official announcement about this kind of thing either. I was going to say goodbye to Teacher Feng because I'm leaving school tomorrow, and I happened to overhear the department head talking to Teacher Feng." Song Haolin paused for a moment. "Also, your chances of being an outstanding graduate might be..."
"I don't care about my own situation, but they can't slander Teacher Feng like this!"
Su Yang suddenly opened her eyes, and her gaze seemed to be covered with a thin layer of frost, cold enough to shatter.
The next morning, when Su Yang got up, Xu Lize had already gone out for a morning run.
As usual, she went into the kitchen to help the aunt prepare breakfast.
There were scallion pancakes, salty tofu pudding, and small soup dumplings that the aunt had just made.
Just as Xu Lize came back, Su Yang, who had just finished the tofu pudding, stood up.
"Miss Su, aren't you going to eat anymore?" The aunt was surprised to see her start clearing the dishes in front of her. "I haven't steamed the dumplings yet!"
"I'm in a hurry. I won't eat." Su Yang smiled at the aunt. When she passed by Xu Lize, she even greeted him and said "Good morning".
Everything seemed normal, as if she just had to leave early because she was in a hurry.
But even the aunt could sense the awkwardness in the air.
"Mr. Xu, did you two... quarrel?" The aunt frowned as she looked at the soup dumplings about to be ready in the steamer.
Xu Lize didn't answer the aunt. He turned around and chased after Su Yang, then stopped her at the stairs.
"What's with this bad temper so early in the morning?" Xu Lize tightened his grip on her elbow slightly.
"I'm not in a bad temper." Su Yang looked up at him.
The French windows in the living room softened the sunlight, leaving only a brilliant brightness that revealed every detail of Xu Lize's extremely handsome features.
Every time she looked at him up close, Su Yang couldn't help but sigh. This man had a straight nose, a well - defined jaw, and a perfectly chiseled face.
But this perfection lacked any warmth. Even the early - morning sunlight of early summer seemed unable to warm the frost in his eyes.
"If you're not in a bad temper, come and finish your breakfast. I'll take you to the interview on my way later."
After saying that, Xu Lize grabbed her and walked back.
Su Yang didn't struggle. She followed him at a leisurely pace, but as she walked, she asked him, "Xu Lize, are you planning to go public with me?"
"What?" Xu Lize stopped, turned his head, and let go of her hand. His expression when looking at her was as if he were looking at a naive child.
Su Yang thought his reaction was quite amusing. She just sneered disdainfully in her heart, then suddenly stood on tiptoe, put her arms around his neck, and tried to reach his height, bringing her face close to his ear.
"You've given me clothes and are going to take me to the interview. Xu Lize, do you want to go public with me?"
At this moment, all her expressions were hidden in the shadow of his side face.
Both of their breaths were light, and it was hard to tell whose heartbeat suddenly accelerated...