The Price of Revenge

A shiver ran down Xiang Qing’s spine.

‘Go out dressed like this?’

‘She would undoubtedly make it onto the city’s trending headlines tomorrow!’

[Shocking! A Perverted Catgirl Spotted in a Residential Area, Openly Roaming the Wet Market—What For?]

The mere thought of such a spectacle made Xiang Qing wish for death.

“I’m going!”

Xiang Qing snatched the black card, feeling as though she had just grasped a scorching hot potato.

‘No, this was far hotter than any potato!’

She didn’t want to linger for another second in a bathroom permeated by such a perverse aura.

“Then I… I’ll be leaving now?” Xiang Qing asked tentatively, her feet already beginning to inch backward unconsciously.

“Go on,” Gu Wei said, turning sideways to finally grant her a path to freedom.

Leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over her chest, Gu Wei’s beautiful eyes watched Xiang Qing with amused interest.

“Don’t take too long; I’ll be waiting for you to cook me dinner.”

As if granted a grand amnesty, Xiang Qing clutched the card and spun around, bolting towards the entryway.

‘Run, quickly!’

‘Escape this madwoman!’

With the fastest speed she had ever mustered, she changed into the clothes she had arrived in, not even bothering to tie her shoelaces before stomping on her heels and bursting out of that palace-like, luxurious home.

The door slammed shut with a resounding bang, and Xiang Qing leaned against the cold panel, gulping in ragged breaths.

‘Saved…’

‘Finally, I’ve temporarily escaped the clutches of that she-devil!’

The air outside felt so incredibly fresh, the world so wonderfully beautiful!

Inside the elevator, Xiang Qing glanced down at her own plain clothes, then recalled the utterly mortifying cat-girl outfit she had just worn, and the small, still-warm underwear she had washed…

Her face burned anew.

‘What in the world is happening to me?’

‘Did I desecrate Gu Wei’s ancestral grave in a past life?’

‘To be tormented like this in this one?’

Ding.

As the elevator chimed its arrival on the first floor, Xiang Qing took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

‘It’s nothing more than buying groceries, cooking, and picking up a few work outfits, right?’

‘How big a deal can that be!’

‘As long as I don’t have to step out in that monstrous getup, everything will be fine!’

Xiang Qing stepped out of the resplendent community gates, gazing at the bustling street, and for a moment, an unexpected sense of bewilderment washed over her.

‘Where should I even go to buy them?’

Gu Wei, that woman, was clearly a pampered young lady who wouldn’t lift a finger, her kitchen undoubtedly cleaner than her own face.

‘Groceries would have to be from some high-end imported supermarket, and as for clothes…’

The mere thought of “work clothes” made Xiang Qing’s head throb once more.

Given Gu Wei’s deranged aesthetic, the work uniforms would undoubtedly require as little fabric as possible, with the most provocative styles imaginable.

‘Ideally, they’d be the kind that would get her account immediately banned the moment she put them on.’

‘But those abominations would be worn by her!’

‘She certainly didn’t want to relive the feeling of public execution in hell!’

As Xiang Qing clutched the black card in her hand, a wicked thought suddenly bubbled up from the depths of her heart.

‘Hmph, Gu Wei!’

‘You think you’re so rich, don’t you?’

‘You love to torment me, don’t you?’

‘You want me to buy work uniforms, right?’

‘Fine!’

‘I’ll buy them!’

‘And not only will I buy them, I’ll buy the most expensive ones!’

‘I’ll spend your money and make your heart ache!’

‘Consider it compensation for all the mental anguish I’ve suffered washing your underwear for so long!’

As this thought solidified, the corners of Xiang Qing’s mouth curved upward in an uncontrollable smirk.

She felt an instant surge of empowerment!

The sheer pleasure of retaliation made her momentarily forget all her humiliation and embarrassment.

Pulling out her phone, she immediately hailed a taxi and set its destination to the city’s most exclusive luxury shopping mall.

Half an hour later, Xiang Qing stood before the resplendent entrance of the luxury mall.

As she gazed upon the brand logos she had only ever seen in magazines, Xiang Qing felt not the slightest bit intimidated.

‘What was there to fear?’

‘She now held a black card in her hand, after all!’

‘Even if the card wasn’t hers, the thrill of swiping it would surely be just as satisfying!’

Xiang Qing straightened her back, striding in with an air of arrogant confidence.

She made a beeline for a premier women’s fashion boutique renowned for its sensuality and luxury.

The store’s interior was elegantly minimalist yet exuded sophistication, and every garment displayed seemed to carry a hefty price tag.

A sales associate, impeccably dressed in a professional suit and wearing refined makeup, approached her with a practiced, professional smile.

“Welcome, miss. How may I assist you today?”

The sales associate’s gaze lingered for a mere fraction of a second on Xiang Qing’s T-shirt and jeans, and her smile subtly dimmed.

‘Hmph,’ Xiang Qing scoffed internally.

‘Oh, so you’re one of those who judges a book by its cover, are you?’

‘Well, today I’ll show you exactly what ‘never judge a person by their appearance’ truly means!’

“Just browsing,” Xiang Qing replied, mimicking the haughty demeanor of a wealthy character from a TV drama, her chin slightly raised, projecting an air of cool indifference.

She feigned nonchalance, sauntering around the store’s displays.

She had to admit, expensive items truly were a cut above the rest.

While many of the clothes here featured sensual designs, they were also exceptionally well-designed and crafted from premium fabrics.

Xiang Qing’s gaze fell upon a black silk slip dress.

The dress boasted a figure-hugging silhouette, with a V-neckline that plunged just enough to reveal her elegant collarbones without being overtly revealing.

Its hem reached mid-thigh, featuring a subtle side slit that allowed glimpses of her long, slender legs with every step.

‘This one… seems acceptable?’

‘It satisfied Gu Wei’s desire for something sensual, yet remained within Xiang Qing’s own comfort zone.’

‘Perfect!’

“This one,” Xiang Qing said, pointing to the dress, “please get me my size; I’d like to try it on.”

“Certainly, miss. One moment, please.”

The sales associate promptly returned with the new dress and led Xiang Qing to a fitting room.

A few minutes later, Xiang Qing emerged from the fitting room.

The moment she stood before the mirror, even Xiang Qing herself was momentarily stunned.

‘Was the person in the mirror truly her?’

The black dress perfectly accentuated her slender waist and the graceful curve of her hips.

Her already luminous, fair skin seemed to radiate even brighter against the stark black fabric.

The dress’s V-neck design left her delicate collarbones elegantly exposed.

With every movement she made, the side slit in the skirt’s hem offered tantalizing glimpses of her long, perfectly sculpted legs.

‘This effect was absolutely breathtaking!’

Xiang Qing herself was utterly captivated by the sight.

She finally began to understand why that madwoman Gu Wei always insisted on her wearing such peculiar outfits.

‘The sheer impact, it truly was something else!’

“Miss, you look absolutely stunning in this!” the sales associate exclaimed, her eyes lighting up, her tone now genuinely sincere. “It perfectly highlights all your best features; it looks as if it were tailor-made for you!”

Xiang Qing felt a secret delight, yet maintained her cool, aloof expression.

“It’s acceptable,” she stated blandly. “Though it feels a bit plain.”

Her eyes darted, and a new idea sparked within her.

“Do you have any stockings here? Bring me all the different colors you have.”

“Yes, we do!” the sales associate chirped, instantly energized. She swiftly gathered a large assortment of exquisitely packaged stockings.

Black, white, grey, nude… some with delicate lace trim, others in fishnet patterns… truly, every kind imaginable.

Xiang Qing’s desire for revenge ignited fiercely once more.

“Ten pairs of these black lace ones.”

“And ten pairs of these pure white ones.”

“Oh, and these fishnet ones… Ugh, they’re a bit much, but that pervert will definitely love them. Give me ten pairs of those too!”

“This one…”

The sales associate watched, dumbfounded, as Xiang Qing swept through the selection as if buying wholesale, her mouth agape enough to fit an egg.

‘This customer… she looks so ordinary, yet she’s a hidden big spender!’

“Miss, these stockings are all imported, and their prices… are a bit on the higher side,” the sales associate cautioned delicately.

“How much?” Xiang Qing asked, her expression radiating an air of ‘money is no object’.

“Each pair… is roughly three thousand yuan.”

A jolt went through Xiang Qing.

‘Three thousand yuan for a single pair of stockings?’

‘Are these stockings made of gold?’

‘This is highway robbery!’

But the words had already left her lips, and she couldn’t lose face now!

Without so much as a blink, she waved her hand grandly.

“It’s fine, price is not an issue,” she declared, pulling the black card from her pocket and flashing it before the sales associate. “I only want the best. Besides what I’ve chosen, wrap up all the other beautiful clothes in the store for me.”

Upon seeing the black card, the sales associate’s eyes widened in astonishment.

‘My heavens!’

‘What incredible luck had she stumbled upon today, encountering a true patron of wealth?’

“Excellent, excellent! Miss, please wait a moment! I’ll get everything packed for you right away!”

The sales associate’s attitude immediately shifted 180 degrees, her smile so effusive it could melt anyone.