The Landlady and The Amnesiac

33

Chapter 33 – Evening Dress

Time flew by and without realizing it, it was already the coldest period of winter. Luo Bei who couldn’t stand the cold didn’t need Grandma Luo’s repeated reminders, she knew to wear her long johns. It was fine if the weather was only cold, but it was accompanied by drizzles so the freezing cold seeped into the bones.

Luo Bei was going to attend her company’s year-end party today. Not only that, she would also take on the role of MC.

“I don’t even want to be the MC.” Luo Bei laid on Zhao Pianpian’s bed with a despaired look on her face, “I have stage fright, actual straight fright, and don’t you think it’s so awkward?”

Zhao Pianpian was turning her place upside down looking for something. Without looking back, she asked, “Then you can tell your boss you don’t want to.”

“There aren’t a lot of female employees in our company. If I don’t become MC, I’d have to perform. Now that I think about it, let’s just stick to being an MC. At least I won’t have to dance in front of so many people.”

“You don’t need to waste your money buying a dress anymore.” Zhao Pianpian searched for a long time and finally dug out two dresses. They were bought when she was still working for Lei Yuhao. “Some people might take offence since for female celebrities and rich young ladies, evening gowns are meant to only be worn once. But if you don’t mind, you can try them on. I was around your size before I was pregnant, it should fit.”

Of course, Luo Bei didn’t mind. She wasn’t a celebrity, nor was she an heiress. Plus, Zhao Pianpian’s dresses were very beautiful.

One was a strapless lavender evening dress and the other was a white mermaid gown. The designs were intricate and exquisite.

Luo Bei tried both dresses on. She prioritized convenience in the end, choosing the lavender dress. She had fair skin so wearing this color made her elegant as an orchid.

Zhao Pianpian had not been poor back then. After all, she was Lei Yuhao’s secretary and assistant, her salary had not been low. So while the dress she bought wasn’t as extremely expensive as a rich madame’s, it wasn’t cheap either.

“I thought it was a pity that I only got to wear it once and won’t have the chance to wear it in the future. I’m glad you can wear it.”

Luo Bei glanced at her. Baby Chen was about to turn six months old soon. The day she and Lei Yuhao would be reunited was approaching. She laughed as she imagined it, “How do you know you won’t be able to wear it in the future, ah, no. Indeed, you won’t be able to wear it.”

As Mrs. Lei, she would of course not be wearing dresses for the second time. When the time came, she would probably have a special team designing dresses for her. Whether it was glory, splendour, wealth and rank or a husband who sincerely loved her, she would have it all.

“Who knows, maybe in the future you’ll have so many dresses you won’t be able to wear them all.” Luo Bei pretended to count her fingers mysteriously, “I think you’ll be very, very happy in the future. And rich, too.”

Zhao Pianpian laughed, amused by her. She pinched her cheeks, “Ok, thanks for your blessing.”

Zhao Pianpian had obviously misunderstood what Luo Bei meant by rich and happy.

Zhao Pianpian felt that her greatest blessing was currently her child. Even though he tired her out every day, it was all worth it seeing his smile.

***

Because Luo Bei was now an executive assistant, there were times she needed to follow her boss to business dinners so she learned makeup. She knew that if she used a makeup artist for tonight’s event, they’d pile on excessive amounts of foundation and concealer like they didn’t have a care in the world. It would look good from a distance, but if viewed close up, it would look too thick and scary. It would be even harder to remove the makeup later. She didn’t let the makeup artist hired by the company do her face and did her own makeup while she hid in a corner.

Luo Bei could totally afford to go barefaced – she was that beautiful – but on such an occasion and wearing such an evening dress, she would look bland if she didn’t have makeup on or her makeup was too light.

Her boss was also quite generous this time. The company’s year-end party was held in the best hotel in the city. Apparently, the prizes for the lucky draw were shopping mall vouchers and even a one-night stay at the hotel.

Luo Bei checked the price on an app. The price of a room here was half a month’s salary…

She was the type of person who had never won an extra bottle when buying beverages, so she didn’t expect to win any big prizes this time. She was content with just participating.

The year-end party would start at around seven o’clock and end at around nine o’clock. It was currently seven o’clock. It was Luo Bei’s first time as an MC so it was impossible to say she wasn’t nervous. In her evening gown and light makeup, she exited the waiting room and ran into a few people who she made small talk with. She wanted to find the male MC to see if they could rehearse their lines together.

Who knew that just as she walked out of the lift and looked around for the male MC’s waiting room, someone suddenly forcefully grabbed her arm.