At three in the afternoon, after finishing her meeting, Lin Ruoyan went directly to the location she had arranged to meet Xu Jingyi.
The evening banquet was important for both of them; she needed this formal occasion for her debut, and Xu Jingyi needed to.
Let the outside world know about their relationship.
Even without Lin Ruofeng, the Lin Family was still the Lin Family.
When Lin Ruoyan arrived, Xu Jingyi was almost ready and was in the fitting room changing clothes.
"Xiao Li, could you come in and help me zip up the back?"
She heard Xu Jingyi's voice as she entered. Thinking for a moment, she waved her hand to stop Xiao Li and slipped into the fitting room herself.
Xu Jingyi was facing away from her, so she didn't know who had entered. The back of the gown was quite open, almost entirely exposing her back.
Lin Ruoyan looked at her figure, which was full but still slender where it should be. Her exposed back showed the butterfly bones, ready to take flight, and below them the waist dimples rarely seen on women.
"Sister-in-law, it's me," she said as she walked over.
Xu Jingyi turned around sharply at the sound of her voice, not showing any signs of panic at being disheveled. She just looked puzzled.
"Why are you here?"
"I'll help you, sister-in-law."
Lin Ruoyan said, moving behind Xu Jingyi.
She held the zipper with one hand and tugged at the bottom of the dress with the other.
"You probably don't want rumors spreading that we don't get along, right?"
Xu Jingyi understood immediately.
This place wasn't just her stylist's territory; many women from their social circle came here. Acting wasn't enough; if someone wanted to, this place could also be a place for observation.
"Then thank you, Ruoyan."
She didn't think it was a big deal.
She and Lin Ruoyan were both women, and there was nothing wrong with this kind of behavior between them.
It wasn't like a brother-in-law needed to avoid suspicion.
"It's no trouble."
Lin Ruoyan zipped up the dress and took a step back. "All done, sister-in-law."
Xu Jingyi released her hands from her chest, stretched her waist, and spun around in front of Lin Ruoyan. "How is it?"
She was a mature woman, and her style of dress was also mature.
The chosen dress was a sexy, bright red.
Lin Ruoyan had been standing behind her, and Xu Jingyi had her hands covering her chest, so she hadn't seen the front clearly.
Now, seeing it, Lin Ruoyan couldn't help but be impressed.
The color of the dress might seem a bit vulgar on its own, but it looked perfect on Xu Jingyi, both vibrant and elegant, really suiting her.
But her eyes quickly dimmed.
Her brother had only recently passed away; she had just become a widow.
Morally and emotionally, she shouldn't be wearing such a 'flashy' dress.
Could it be that she was so eager to find the next one?
"Isn't this outfit a bit much, Sister-in-law?"
Lin Ruoyan asked, her voice a little low. She didn't say it directly, but she believed Xu Jingyi would understand.
Xu Jingyi's smile froze on her face. She looked herself up and down. "What's wrong? I always dress like this."
Today's banquet was important. She needed to dress up. After Lin Ruofeng died, so many people were watching her. She had been keeping a low profile recently, but today she needed to be more extravagant.
Lin Ruoyan understood that Xu Jingyi didn't understand.
She held back for a moment before saying, "Brother just passed away not long ago.
I don't think Sister-in-law should dress so brightly today."
Xu Jingyi was taken aback by her words.
She hadn't thought about it.
She had been too busy recently, and the preparations for today's banquet were based on her previous habits.
Extra considerations weren't in the picture.
But she didn't think there was anything wrong with her attire.
Firstly, she was going to a banquet, not a funeral, so she could wear whatever she wanted. Secondly, Lin Ruofeng was gone, but her life would go on.
How would she live if she was always affected by this?
Finally, Lin Ruoyan was her sister-in-law in name, but in reality, they were just in a business partnership. What right did she have to say such a thing?
"Ruoyan, we're going to a banquet today, not a mourning ceremony."
Her face still wore a smile, but her words were very direct. "I don't need any help here. If Ruoyan has nothing else to do, you can leave first."
Lin Ruoyan hadn't expected her seemingly gentle sister-in-law to be so sharp-tongued.
Her face flickered between green and white, her expression shifting uncertainly.
She had only been offering a reminder, but after the other woman's words, she was a little angry.
"Sister-in-law hasn't separated from the Lin Family yet, hasn't set up her own household. Perhaps you shouldn't be in such a hurry."
In a hurry for what? To find another man!
The meaning behind her words was obviou.
It was immediately apparent. Xu Jingyi's face also turned cold. "Legally, I am single, so I don't need Ruoyan to worry about whether I'm in a hurry or not."
The two women exchanged words, neither willing to concede.
The atmosphere chilled to the point of freezing.
Lin Ruoyan snorted coldly and turned to leave the fitting room.
"I was just reminding you, sister-in-law. Take care."
Xu Jingyi said from behind her, "Wait."
Lin Ruoyan, her hand on the doorknob, paused.
"Widows often face gossip.
If Ruoyan still considers me your sister-in-law, then please be careful with your words in the future."
"I don't want certain rumors to spread from you."