Hongyuan Group, Fashion Design Department Office.
“Not bad, not bad. Little brother, you really do have some ability.” Ji Haotong leaned back against his swivel chair, looking at the order sheet in his hand, clicking his tongue in praise.
“That’s for sure. My campus connections aren’t just talk.” Ji Yuennian crossed her legs in leisure, sitting comfortably on the sofa, her face animated and brimming with pride.
“Hey, big bro, how much is the commission this time?”
“Thirty-two thousand.” Ji Haotong said, tapping his fingers lightly on the desk. After a slight pause, he added, “I’ll chip in some from my private stash and round it up for you. Forty thousand.”
“Nice!”
“As expected of my real brother.”
Ji Yuennian cheered.
Don’t misunderstand—Ji Yuennian wasn’t taking any kickbacks. This went back to a family dinner in her first year of high school. She’d grumbled about not having enough allowance, hoping to get her parents to increase it.
Instead, Ji Honglai just said blandly, “If you want money, earn it yourself,” and then assigned Ji Yuennian a task to act as a manager and pull in orders. However many she got, she’d receive a percentage as a reward.
The money didn’t come from clothing sales profits, but from Ji Honglai’s own salary. He said it was to cultivate their children’s ability to make money from a young age.
So, in her first year of high school, Ji Yuennian used her network to successfully land several hundred orders, even connecting with the clothing department for long-term cooperation.
But later, with Ji Haotong’s support, she gradually stopped pulling in orders. After all, money you earn while lying flat feels much sweeter than money you have to work for.
Seeing Ji Yuennian jumping for joy, Ji Haotong couldn’t help but shake his head with a helpless smile. His little brother truly had the heart of a child.
But suddenly, as if he remembered something, he slapped his forehead, took something out from a drawer, and tossed it over to Ji Yuennian, shouting, “Little brother, catch!”
Ji Yuennian’s reflexes were quick; she snatched the object out of the air, and on a closer look, it turned out to be a car key. Judging by the logo, it was the Mercedes SL63 she’d been eyeing for ages.
“Dad got it for you.” Seeing Ji Yuennian’s confused face, Ji Haotong explained proactively. He spread his hands: “About what happened last time, don’t hold it against Dad. He just can’t bring himself to apologize. Think of this as his way of making it up to you.”
“Actually, you shouldn’t think Dad is as strict with you as he seems. He’s the classic type—cold on the outside, warm on the inside. Otherwise, the times I secretly transferred you money would’ve been reported to Mom ages ago…”
“I love Dad so much!” Before he finished, Ji Yuennian hugged the car key, cheered, and broke into a wide smile.
The corner of Ji Haotong’s mouth twitched.
“I know you’re excited right now, but remember to find time to get a driver’s license. Sure, you know how to drive, but having a license and not having one are two very different things. Especially when it comes to drinking and driving—I’m warning you now, that’s strictly off-limits.”
“Got it!”
“Remember to take your girlfriend out more often. Depression needs fresh air, new scenery, and emotional support. Mom’s been consulting several psychologists lately, making a plan for you.”
“Yes.”
“Dad also said, starting this week, your allowance is up to a hundred thousand. He wants you to take Chi Baobao out to eat and have fun. Take your time treating the depression, there’s no rush.”
“Okay!”
“……”
After saying all that about allowance and his girlfriend, Ji Haotong glanced at his still-excited little brother, couldn’t help but smile, and then turned his attention to the qipao design sketches spread out on the table.
Ji Yuennian could indulge in the thrill of a new car key for a while longer, but he still had work waiting.
Eighteen-year-old Ji Yuennian was still a young man, able to show his emotions openly, but he himself couldn’t do the same. He was a man—allowed to feel joy or anger, but not to show it outwardly.
Picking up one of the latest qipao design sketches, his fingers unconsciously traced the lines gently, lips murmuring as if evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of the design.
On the side, Ji Yuennian was still immersed in the joy of a new car and a bigger allowance, but the moment she saw that qipao design sketch, she was instantly captivated.
“Bro, is that the qipao style I haven’t seen on the market before?”
“Of course not. This qipao hasn’t gone into mass production yet. I’ve only got a half-finished sample right now.”
Ji Haotong answered while lifting his head, reaching out to gently rub his little brother’s neat, ear-length short hair, half-joking, “What’s wrong? Want to try it on?”
“Sure.”
Before she realized it, Ji Yuennian actually nodded, her eyes flickering with excitement and longing.
*****
Ji Yuennian was sick—not only was it mild psychosis diagnosed at the hospital, but she also had a cross-dressing and female clothing fetish that had followed her for more than ten years.
Ever since her gender swap, Ji Yuennian thought she’d completely overcome her desire to cross-dress. Now, whenever she saw women’s clothes, the inexplicable urge in her heart wasn’t as strong as before.
But at this moment, she finally realized that maybe her fetish hadn’t been conquered at all. Instead, it had changed into a sort of collector’s obsession with women’s clothing, just like a second-dimension fan willing to blow thousands just to get their favorite character from a gacha pool.
She didn’t feel that old thrill for ordinary women’s clothing anymore because she’d already collected all the styles she wanted. But now… when she saw the intricate patterns and unique cut of the qipao, Ji Yuennian felt like it was dancing right on her XP.
And facing Ji Haotong’s teasing, she had actually agreed without thinking.
So now, in the changing room, staring at the full-length mirror, seeing the image of a short-haired, deep-eyed, jade-skinned supermodel queen, Ji Yuennian didn’t even know what kind of expression to make.
Wearing women’s clothes was already thrilling enough, and now she had to do it in front of her own big brother, and in a qipao that showed off every curve.
“Little brother, are you ready yet? It’s been fifteen minutes. If it’s really not working, just give up.” From outside came Ji Haotong’s voice, a little too eager to watch the show.
Ji Yuennian was snapped back to reality by his voice. She took a deep breath to calm her tangled emotions, glanced down at the tightly bound bandages on her chest, and responded, “Almost done, just wait a bit longer, I’m changing.”
Very soon, when the changing room door opened again, the person outside—who’d only meant to enjoy the spectacle—suddenly widened his jet-black eyes.
The pale satin fabric shimmered with a gentle luster, as if the first ray of morning sunlight fell on the snow-white petals of a gardenia.
The qipao collar traced the elegant curve of her neck perfectly, and the exquisite knotted buttons looked like pearls, radiating an old-fashioned charm.
Her short hair, unexpectedly, gave the ensemble a dashing air. The deep black eyes were even more mysterious and alluring framed by the qipao, like an unfathomable dark pool, drawing people in to explore its secrets.
The split hem of the skirt, with every subtle movement, revealed the fair lines of her legs, carrying a sense of subtle sensuality.
“Little brother?” Ji Haotong called out in surprise.