Spring Fashion was exactly the kind of store Su Yiling had learned to avoid - all gleaming surfaces and overly attentive salespeople who could smell money from across the room.
"Mrs. Su!" The manager practically glided over the moment they walked through the door. "What a pleasure to see you again. And this must be your lovely daughter."
"Hello, Manager Liu. We need business casual pieces for tomorrow evening. Something sophisticated but not overdone." Her mother was already scanning the displays with a practiced eye.
"Of course, of course. We have some beautiful new pieces that would be perfect." Manager Liu gestured toward a section of the store filled with elegant dresses and blazers. "Miss Su, what's your size?"
Su Yiling opened her mouth to answer, but her mother was faster.
"She's a size small, but we should try multiple sizes to ensure the perfect fit. This is for an important business dinner."
And so it began.
For the next two hours, Su Yiling found herself trapped in a cycle of trying on clothes, walking out to model them for her mother, listening to critiques, and returning to the dressing room to try something else.
"This one is too plain."
"That color washes you out."
"The cut is wrong for your figure."
"Too young. You need something more mature."
Su Yiling stood in front of the three-way mirror wearing what felt like the twentieth dress of the afternoon - a navy blue sheath dress that her mother had finally deemed "acceptable" - and caught sight of her own expression. She looked exactly as tired as she felt.
"This works," her mother declared from her position on the velvet chair outside the dressing rooms. "Classic, professional, flattering. We'll take this one."
"Finally," Su Yiling muttered under her breath as she headed back to change.
"What was that, dear?"
"Nothing, Mom."
But even as she complained silently, Su Yiling had to admit there was something oddly satisfying about the whole process. In her previous life, she had gradually stopped caring about how she looked, settling for whatever was convenient rather than what actually suited her. Seeing herself in well-fitted, quality clothing was a reminder of who she used to be.
The navy dress did look good on her. It made her appear older, more sophisticated. More like someone who belonged at a business dinner with important people.
Their next stop was the skincare section of the department store, where her mother proceeded to have a lengthy consultation with a beauty specialist.
"Her skin is naturally good, but we want it to be flawless tomorrow," her mother explained, as if Su Yiling weren't standing right there. "What do you recommend for a radiant, healthy glow?"
The specialist examined Su Yiling's face with professional intensity. "Excellent bone structure. Clear complexion. A light exfoliation tonight, followed by a hydrating mask, then a primer and foundation tomorrow should give her that perfect polished look."
Su Yiling submitted to having various products tested on her face while her mother nodded approvingly. Cleanser, toner, serum, moisturizer, eye cream - the list seemed endless.
"Do we really need all this?" Su Yiling asked as the specialist rang up what looked like half the cosmetics counter.
"Quality skincare is an investment," her mother replied firmly. "You'll use these products for months."
Next came the jewelry store, where her mother spent nearly an hour selecting "appropriate accessories" - a simple pearl necklace, matching earrings, and a delicate bracelet.
"Nothing too flashy," she explained to the sales associate. "We want elegant and understated."
Su Yiling tried on the jewelry while studying herself in the store's mirror. The pearls did complement the navy dress perfectly, adding just the right touch of sophistication without being ostentatious.
"You look lovely," the sales associate said sincerely. "Very professional and polished."
Despite her growing exhaustion, Su Yiling felt a small flutter of pleasure at the compliment. She looked good. Confident. Like someone who belonged in rooms full of successful people.
"Can you have everything delivered to this address?" her mother asked, handing over a card with their home information. "We need the dress and accessories tomorrow by noon at the latest."
"Of course, Mrs. Su. We'll have everything delivered first thing in the morning."
By the time they finished shopping, it was nearly five o'clock and Su Yiling's feet were aching despite wearing comfortable shoes.
"One more stop," her mother announced. "Dinner. You need proper nutrition; you have try, baby."
They ended up at Golden Phoenix, an upscale Chinese restaurant her mother favored. The hostess seated them at a quiet table by the window, where they could watch the early evening crowd moving along the sidewalks outside.
Su Yiling slumped in her chair with undisguised relief. "My feet are killing me."
"Beauty requires effort," her mother replied, but her tone was gentler now. She studied Su Yiling's tired face with maternal concern. "You did well today. I know shopping isn't your favorite activity."
"It's not that I hate it," Su Yiling said, surprising herself with the admission. "I just get overwhelmed by all the choices and decisions."
Her mother smiled. "Your grandmother used to say the same thing. She claimed shopping was more exhausting than running a business meeting."
They ordered tea and several dishes to share - steamed fish, mapo tofu, and stir-fried vegetables. The familiar flavors were comforting after the long day.
"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" her mother asked as they ate.
Su Yiling considered the question. "Not really. Meeting someone that important... it feels like there's a lot riding on making a good impression."
"There is. But you'll do fine." Her mother's voice carried quiet confidence. "You're intelligent, well-spoken, and tomorrow you'll look the part too. Just be yourself."
Be herself. If only her mother knew which version of "herself" Su Yiling actually was these days.
"What if I say the wrong thing? What if I embarrass the family?"
"You won't." Her mother reached across the table to pat her hand. "Trust me. I've raised you well."
Su Yiling looked at her mother's face - the genuine affection there, the pride, the absolute faith in her daughter's abilities. In her previous life, she had taken this support for granted, even resented it sometimes. Now she felt only gratitude.
"Thank you for today," she said quietly. "For the clothes and everything. I know I wasn't the most cooperative shopping companion."
"You were fine. And besides, seeing you try on all those outfits... it reminded me of when you were little and used to play dress-up with my jewelry and shoes." Her mother's smile was soft with memory. "You were always so serious about getting the look exactly right."
Some things never changed, apparently.
They finished dinner as the sun was setting, painting the restaurant in warm golden light. Su Yiling felt relaxed for the first time all day, her earlier weariness replaced by a pleasant tiredness.
"Ready to go home?" her mother asked.
"More than ready."
As they walked back to the car, shopping bags from the delivery services already on their way to the house, Su Yiling reflected on the day. Her mother could be overwhelming sometimes, but her intentions were always good. And despite her grumbling, Su Yiling had to admit she was looking forward to wearing the outfit tomorrow.
She wanted to make a good impression at the party. Not just for her family's business prospects, but for her own sense of confidence.
Tomorrow night, she would look the part of someone who belonged at high-level business dinners. The question was whether she could play the part as well as she looked it.
The drive home was quiet, both women tired from their shopping marathon. Su Yiling watched the city lights beginning to twinkle in the growing darkness and wondered what tomorrow evening would bring.