Imperfect Desires

Xiu practically had to drag Nora away from there. It was a strenuous task since the latter was acting like a kid who couldn't just let go of the teddy bear that had caught his eyes. Nora's big eyes were looking earnestly towards that dress.

Seeing her throwing tantrum at this age over a dress, Xiu was really depressed. She knew Nora well enough to know that this best friend won't be getting over this for a long time. But still, she saw the conviction in her eyes as she turned her eyes away from the dress and walked beside Xiu like an obedient girl.

As they boarded the elevator, Nora's whole demeanor shifted. "Baby Xiu'er, I heard there is a new Mala Hotpot Restaurant on the eighth floor. Shall we give it a try?"

Seeing how hard Nora was trying to keep her promise. Xiu felt her heart softening up. "Okay. You book a room. I have something to buy on the sixth floor." Saying that Xiu pressed the button for the sixth floor and got off.

"Don't take too long," Nora shouted as the elevator doors closed.

Xiu looked around before finding her way to the escalator and riding it back to the fifth floor. She made a beeline straight to the shop she had in mind.

*Chanel* signature board was illuminated above the glass doors.

Xiu strutted inside and found a sales attendant pleasantly smiling back at her. "How can I help you, Miss?"

Xiu pointed at the mannequin in the display window and said, "Can you get me that dress?"

Yes, she was back at the place where she saw Nora's pleading eyes. That feisty girl never reacted like this even after a break-up. But over losing a dress, she was really depressed and seeing her in such down spirits, how could Xiu be at ease? For her strong resolve, Xiu decided to give her a surprise. She earned it after all.

So what if Nora Cartwright was Bai Xiu's best friend? For the past five years, Xiu had come to love her the same way Bai Xiu did if not more than her. Xiu didn't know how deep Bai Xiu's bond was with Nora but she knew that her own bond was deeper than it had ever been with anyone in her previous life.

The sales attendant bowed her head respectfully and immediately presented the dress to Xiu in the size she asked for. Xiu touched the dress while analyzing it like an expert. Clothes were once her passion, how would she be unaware of what would look good on Nora?

This particular bodycon dress was designed intricately with floral lace detailing and lining. It was a knee-length dress in a beautiful navy blue color which Xiu thought would compliment Nora's olive skin perfectly. It had a decent V-neckline, not the plunging one which might look vulgar with Nora's gorgeously shaped body. It had half-sleeves just making it one elegant and not-too-over the top dress.

Xiu nodded her head in appreciation and directly said, "Wrap it up for me, please. Thank you!"

The sales attendant was a bit taken aback by her delicate but melodious voice and more so by Xiu's polite and graceful manners. She immediately smiled brightly and said, "Wouldn't you like to try it on, Miss? This will certainly look good on you."

Xiu thought she was being nice just because it was her job but the sales attendant was really speaking from her heart. If one ignored the fact that Xiu was a bit scrawny and focused on her delicate features, it wasn't hard to tell that she was a real beauty.

"It's a gift for my friend." That was the only reply Xiu gave making the sales attendant feel a bit disappointed.

Xiu was trudging her way towards the counter for payment when the surrounding whispers got to her ear.

"Aya! This Meng Chaun is really becoming a Zhong Cao Machine[1] these days. My mother saw her advertisement for that new Glory Perfume and immediately asked me to buy it for her. She's really getting influential." A girl that looked to be in her early twenties was talking to her friend.

"It's not just your mother. Even mine asked me for the same lipstick that Meng Chuan applied to her fan at the last fan meeting." The other girl replied.

"Hey, but let's not forget the original Zhong Cao Machine of our nation." Another one of the girls joined in just when Xiu was losing interest in these gossips when she heard her own name. "Goddess Xiu was the real deal back in the day. Don't you remember? Even though social media wasn't as strong as it is today, people would still buy whatever she wore even in her normal outings."

Xiu gave a bitter smile at this comment. Indeed, her fashion influence was off the charts back then. But why did it seem like it had been centuries? It clearly had only been five years but a lot had changed.

"Don't talk about that hypocrite! She was just a beautiful vase."

"All that backlash was well deserved!"

"Guys, don't talk bad about a dead soul." The girl who mentioned Chen Xiu spoke again.

"Stop always supporting her. She only committed suicide to hide her evil deeds. If she hadn't jumped down that balcony, people might have pushed her themselves."

Those hurtful words pierced Xiu where it hurt the most. She had bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from breaking down. But her pale face was clear give-away that she was hurt.

Today was really not her day as it was the second time, she was reminded of her wounds that had just scabbed.

The sales attendant had noticed her odd behavior but didn't comment. But when Xiu passed her credit card for the payment, the sales attendant spoke in a gossipy manner, "These young kids know nothing these days. People like us only knew what status Chen Xiu held in the industry." Xiu gave her a surprised look. The sales attendant thought she didn't know anything as she continued, "Miss, you might not know this but Goddess Xiu was the first Asian endorser for Chanel. And our outlet's had gone in a frenzy back then. She could make sand turn to gold just like she made our local brand of jewelry an international one with just being an endorser for it."

Xiu silently took the bags from her hand and collected her card as well. "Miss, do come to shop again. Also, please don't mind my rambling. I just feel a bit sad that such a bright star ended in such a pitiful manner. I get a bit emotional."

Xiu shook her head at her saying, "I don't mind. Thanks for your help." With her kind smile, Xiu left the store.

Right outside, she saw an advertisement screen with Meng Chuan holding a Glory Perfume bottle. Xiu gave it a fleeting glance and walked away. Did she miss those days? Not in a million years! No one felt more fed up of that industry than her.

Besides, a star was always meant to fade away. She just became one of those who faded too soon.

She shrugged her shoulders at that thought in a nonchalant manner but with a huge weight on her heart.

But feeling happy with her gift for Nora, Xiu was in high spirits. Imagining the look on Nora's face, she was inwardly grinning. That silly girl would really go crazy with this surprise.

[1] "Zhong Cao Machine": Zhong Cao means to "plant grass," and describes the effect when someone sees something owned by a friend or family member, or an advertisement for a product, and wants it. The effect is like planting a seed in their minds. It refers to someone who holds the power to sway the public's fashion preferences.