Going Power Shopping – Part 3
Rebecca was taken aback by the request. VIP clients were typically content to stay in their rooms, awaiting their clothes to be brought to them, and often concerned with their status. But Rebecca quickly realized this might be a refreshing and enjoyable day at work. “Please wait here for a moment while I organize a few things before we head into the mall,” she said, trying to mask her surprise.
Anna understood that this delay was likely to be about preparing the intimate items she had requested. Meanwhile, Du AnLing and Leng Xi, excited by the prospect of exploring the mall, were already discussing their next shopping trip. Before they could delve further, Rebecca returned and discreetly activated a switch, signaling that the room was now occupied. She led them down the corridor and through a door that would take them into the mall.
Over the next hour, Anna, Du AnLing, and Leng Xi, with Rebecca accompanying them under the watchful eyes of the bodyguards, leisurely explored M Mall. Whenever Anna showed interest in something, Rebecca would promptly instruct the store to have the items delivered to the VIP area in Anna’s size. She also suggested additional pieces, making sure the staff knew exactly who Anna was.
As they wandered, Du AnLing and Leng Xi seized every opportunity to ask Anna about her ideal wedding—locations, colors, themes—anything that could help them work with Assistant Wang and Anna’s family to plan the big event for her and Hou Yi. They both realized this was likely their only chance to be involved in the wedding planning, and they were determined to make the most of it.
Anna shared her vision with them, describing the wedding she dreamed of, the one she would have if her relationship with Hou Yi were different. In truth, she was falling in love with him, but she couldn’t bring herself to express those feelings, not with the circumstances surrounding their marriage. For now, she was focused on helping to plan the wedding while unsure of Hou Yi’s true feelings for her.
As they were nearing the end of their walk through the mall, Anna spotted a tailor’s shop. “Could you take me in there?” she asked Rebecca.
“Miss Anna, this shop specializes in suits for young professional women,” Rebecca replied.
“Well, in the next few weeks, I’ll need them,” Anna said, surprising both Du AnLing and Leng Xi. In the Hou family, it was unheard of for a wife to work outside the home, especially since the founding of Hou Enterprises.
“Sweetheart, why would you need suits like that? For generations, Hou wives have never worked, and I imagine with Yi, it won’t be long before you’re pregnant,” Du AnLing remarked, sounding concerned.
“Mother, Aunt, please don’t misunderstand,” Anna responded carefully. “Yi and I met when he came to the law firm I work at, and he’s promised me I can continue working.”
“But you’re just a secretary,” Du AnLing replied, puzzled.
“No, Mother, Aunt. I’m a qualified lawyer in Australia. Yi and I have talked about this, and we agreed that I’ll continue working with my Australian employers, who represent Hou Enterprises. I’ll handle most of their legal work for Australia remotely from here. I also plan to become a qualified lawyer here in China. Yi doesn’t want me to feel trapped or waste my talents. And when we have children—hopefully soon—we’ll figure out how to manage everything,” Anna explained.
Rebecca overheard this conversation and offered, “Miss Anna, we have stores that can supply you with designed suits if you’d prefer.”
“No, I want them handmade for me—both for use here and when we return to Australia,” Anna clarified.
“Understood, Miss Anna,” Rebecca replied, and she led them into the tailor’s shop to find the person in charge.
A young woman emerged from a back room. “In the absence of my parents, I’m in charge,” she said with a polite smile.
“Miss, I’m Rebecca, one of the VIP personal shoppers. These ladies are my clients, and the youngest is a lawyer. She needs bespoke professional attire made, in addition to everything else she’s purchasing. Can you assist her?” Rebecca asked.
“Of course. If the Young Madam would come with me, I’ll take her measurements and discuss her requirements,” the young woman said, gesturing for Anna to follow her.
Anna followed her into a dressing room, where the woman took out a tape measure and began measuring her. “Madam, what exactly are you looking for?” she asked.
“I need five separate suits suitable for the climate here in China, as well as five sets—winter and summer weight—for use in Victoria, Australia,” Anna replied. “Each set should include two jackets, skirts, dresses, and three pairs of pants, along with shirts, in colors that you think will work for me and my complexion. The Australian suits should be navy or black in both winter and summer weight.”
She paused, thinking for a moment before continuing. “As for the fabric, I’m happy to pay for top-quality materials. I’ll need two sets of suits for here and one winter-weight set for Australia as soon as possible. The rest can be made over time.” Anna looked thoughtful for a moment, then added, “Do you make anything other than suits?”
“We do, Madam. What else were you looking for?” the young woman inquired.
“While I’ll buy ready-made, designer items today because I need them right away, could you also design and make a few unique, one-off items suitable for…” Anna trailed off, as a thought came to her mind.
Rebecca watched Anna carefully, realizing this day was going to turn out much differently than she had anticipated. But with Anna’s confidence and vision, it was becoming clear that this shopping trip was not just about clothes—it was about shaping Anna’s identity and her place within the Hou family.
