Moments later, the door to the changing room was pulled open again, and Qian Xueying turned her face to see Gan Yuan emerging from within, causing her to freeze on the spot.
Gan Yuan was dressed in her smoke purple dress, a figure usually hidden behind loose clothing now fully revealed by the well-tailored dress.
Such a color, normally very picky, seemed just right on her.
The girl standing before her was noble and stunningly beautiful, breathtakingly so.
It took a few seconds for Qian Xueying to come back to her senses.
Gan Yuan smiled faintly, "It’s just a pretty dress."
Usually, she rarely wore bright colors, not to mention such close-fitting and delicate styles, which might not suit her that well.
Qian Xueying’s smile reappeared, "The dress is just a backdrop, Miss Gan is truly beautiful."
"I will wash it and return it as soon as possible," Gan Yuan said.
"No need," Qian Xueying laughed, taking the dirty clothes from her hand, "This dress seems tailor-made for you; how could I take it back?"
"If you feel uncomfortable, just treat me to a meal another day," Qian Xueying cut her off, handing the dress to a servant, "Let’s go see what the main dish is!"
The two went downstairs again, stopping at the corner, where Qian Xueying paused.
"Miss Gan, do you really not know Mr. Moses?"
"I’m truly sorry about what happened just now, but I still hope you won’t blame Mr. Moses. Gaia is someone very important to him; I believe you can understand that."
Gan Yuan nodded, "I understand. I was too impulsive just now!"
"That’s good then," Qian Xueying smiled and continued forward.
"Miss Xueying," Gan Yuan caught up to her, "Do you know Gaia, too?"
A fleeting and hardly noticeable shade of something different flashed in Qian Xueying’s eyes. Turning back around, her expression had returned to its usual gentle and tranquil self, "No, I only recently heard Mr. Moses mention this name."
"Are you and Mr. Moses very close?"
With a soft laugh, Qian Xueying said, "Actually, I think we don’t need to be so formal, you can call me Xueying."
Gan Yuan laughed as well, "Alright."
Below the stairs, a pleasant, deep male voice called out.
At the sound of that voice, Gan Yuan was startled and swiftly turned around.
At the end of the staircase stood a figure, tall and imposing in a crisp suit, with handsome features and a noble air—none other than Huangfu Jue.
"Ajue?" She hurriedly lifted her dress and quickened her pace towards him, "You... why have you come here too?"
She had told Gan Tang earlier to call Huangfu Jue at two if she wasn’t back, and the time was still early, yet he had also come to the Duke Residence.
"I had some matters to discuss with Duke Locke," Huangfu Jue reached out to hold her wrist, guiding her down the last few steps, and lifted his hands to straighten a few strands of her hair that were caught beneath the dress, "What are you doing here?"
Qian Xueying approached with a smile and explained, "Miss Gan came to attend the ball yesterday, and we did not take good care of her, which we deeply regret. Today, my father specifically asked me to invite Miss Gan for a meal."
A hint of something different flashed in Huangfu Jue’s blue eyes.
Without waiting for him to speak, Gan Yuan had already wrapped her arm around his, speaking affectionately.
"Ajue, will you take me home, please?"
With Moses still in the dining room and Qiao Liang there as well, not to mention the addition of Huangfu Jue, the situation could become difficult for even her to handle. To be safe, she decided it would be best to get Huangfu Jue out of there first.