The woman in the white dress spoke in support of Gu Qimiao, but her gaze was mocking. She stubbed out her half-smoked cigarette in the ashtray and reached for the red wine on the low table.
Nan Nan was still glaring at Gu Qimiao with puffed cheeks. Just as the woman raised her glass, Nan Nan pushed it. Linlin, smiling, tilted the glass, spilling all the wine onto Gu Qimiao's champagne-colored dress. The purplish-red liquid looked strikingly conspicuous.
"Oh, sorry," Nan Nan said insincerely, grinning smugly.
Gu Qimiao stood up. The wine had soaked her dress. Looking at the woman's triumphant expression, Gu Qimiao seethed with anger. This was something Shen Yanchen had given her, something she cherished so much that she wouldn't dare dirty it even a little, yet this woman had splashed wine all over her!
She reached out to grab the wine glass, intending to throw it back, but the woman in the white dress stopped her. At this moment, Lu Qianwen approached: "What happened? Miaomiao, how did your dress get dirty?"
Linlin quickly spoke: "Nan Nan had a little spat with Miaomiao. Wenwen, take her to change her clothes."
"Miaomiao, come with me."
Gu Qimiao stood frozen, staring at the girl called Nan Nan. Lu Qianwen said, "Miaomiao, give me some face, OK?"
Gu Qimiao wasn't someone who didn't know better. After all, it was Lu Qianwen's birthday party, so she swallowed her anger and followed Lu Qianwen upstairs to change clothes.
"Nan Nan is spoiled by her family, please bear with her a little."
Gu Qimiao said nothing, but she thought Lu Qianwen was quite nice—at least, she was sensible. To have stayed by Shen Yanchen's side for so many years, she couldn't be too bad.
Following Lu Qianwen into her room, she hadn't offended her, so naturally, Gu Qimiao did not show her any hostility.
"I originally planned to wear this dress tonight. My brother sent it back from overseas. It's a bit too small for me; it might fit you well."
Gu Qimiao took the box from her hand and felt very grateful when she saw that she was giving her own new dress. She said, "Thank you."
Lu Qianwen smiled, "Why are you being so polite? You and Yanchen are so close, you can consider yourself half my sister."
It was a very kind remark, but Gu Qimiao felt uncomfortable hearing it.
"Come, change your clothes quickly; otherwise, you'll catch a cold."
Gu Qimiao smiled awkwardly, opened the box, and felt embarrassed as soon as she saw the dress: "Sister Wen, this dress... it's a bit..."
The dress was very short, barely reaching past the thighs, and the back was a plunging V-neck with straps.
"This dress was designed by a famous French craftsman! You have a great figure! It will look fantastic on you!"
Gu Qimiao had never worn such revealing clothes, not even in summer.
"Come on, let me help you change," Lu Qianwen said, unzipping the back of her dress and helping her take it off.
Gu Qimiao, feeling uneasy, crossed her arms over her chest and hurriedly picked up the dress, forced to put it on.
Lu Qianwen smiled behind her.
After fastening the laces on the back, the entire back was left with just four thin straps crisscrossing.
Looking at her now, even though the intention was to embarrass her, the dress looked great on her. Her back was smooth and fair; she would likely attract men's attention as soon as she walked out.
But that was precisely what Lu Qianwen wanted.
Gu Qimiao tugged at the hem of the dress, still feeling uncomfortable.
Shen Yanchen had been talking with Old Master Lu for a while. When he couldn't see Gu Qimiao, he started to get worried.
He quickly ended the conversation and searched for Gu Qimiao in the crowd.
Lu Qianwen was also nowhere to be seen, making him increasingly uneasy...