Going Power Shopping – Part 6
The room erupted in laughter, the sound so infectious that even the bodyguards struggled to keep a straight face. Anna had learned quickly that the Hou family’s shopping trips were nothing short of legendary, particularly when it came to their larger-than-life approach to luxury.
Turning to the bodyguards, Anna said with a smile, “As for lunch, if the weather’s nice, we’ll go with that plan.”
Before anyone could respond, Rebecca re-entered the room with three other staff members, all pulling racks of clothes behind them. As they entered, Anna noticed stacks of lingerie, nightwear, and other personal items in the dressing area. The staff quickly left, and another person stepped in.
“Miss Anna, this is our shoe specialist,” Rebecca said as she introduced the new arrival. “She’ll be taking your measurements. Madam AnLing and Madam Xi, could you take a look at the selections I’ve made and see if there’s anything we need to add? I know you’re familiar with all of Miss Anna’s needs for the various events she will attend.”
As the shoe specialist began measuring Anna’s feet, she turned to Rebecca and spoke up, “Please ensure that you only select low heels or flat shoes for me, including the three or four pairs of navy and/or black business-style shoes. I can’t stand high heels or anything over two inches in height.”
As the specialist worked, Anna observed Du AnLing and Leng Xi reviewing the racks, both of them nodding with approval. They each removed a few items and placed them aside, likely for Anna to try on later.
Once the shoe specialist finished, Du AnLing addressed Anna. “We’ve selected a few items for you to try on, but honestly, everything you’ve brought in looks absolutely perfect for your needs.”
Anna walked over to the racks and started perusing the clothes Rebecca had arranged for her. Most of the items were exactly what she would need as Hou Yi’s wife for various functions and events, but she couldn’t help but notice an overwhelming number of skirts and a lack of slacks in the selection.
“Rebecca, these selections are great, but could you add some slacks and jeans to the mix? I’ll need those as well, especially for casual or business occasions. Please let me try those on too.”
Anna walked into the dressing room to change into the dress she’d brought with her. As she changed, Rebecca finished making the necessary adjustments to the other selections. Once Anna was ready, she stepped out in the dress, showing it off to Du AnLing and Leng Xi, who both nodded approvingly.
Rebecca, ever efficient, guided Anna through the process of trying on the rest of the clothes. After the last outfit was presented, Anna made her way to the dressing room to change again. She turned to the bodyguards before leaving, saying, “Please make the lunch arrangements as we discussed earlier.”
As Anna changed into her next outfit, Rebecca took a few items from the bottom of one of the piles and said, “Miss Anna, I suppose you didn’t expect everyone to see some of these.” She gestured to the items, which included some intimate lingerie. “While I’ve arranged for normal underwear and nightwear, since you’re newly married, I also included these. I’m guessing you won’t want to try them on, but I’ve set them aside for you.”
Anna blushed as she picked up the first item—a nightdress held together with bows on the side and at the shoulders, paired with a matching cover-up. The second item was another nightdress, this one with spaghetti straps, barely covering the essentials. A wave of embarrassment flushed over her as she realized what else was in the pile.
She gave Rebecca an awkward smile. “I think these will be fine.”
Just then, the shoe specialist returned with a trolley, stacked high with about 50 or 60 boxes of shoes. Anna sat down as the specialist picked a few boxes off the trolley and began to check if the shoes fit. Anna was amazed as each pair slid onto her feet perfectly. She stood and walked around in the shoes, impressed by how comfortable and well-fitted they were.
When the shoe specialist left, Anna turned to Rebecca, feeling a twinge of guilt. “I know it’s a lot, but I’m aware I’ll need such a variety of clothes. Please arrange for all the items selected to be sent to…” She paused as a bodyguard handed her a card. “The address on this card.”
Before she could continue, Du AnLing spoke up. “Actually, send everything. Since the items we selected fit perfectly, I’m sure all the others will too.”
Anna hesitated, “Mother, I don’t need everything.”
Du AnLing gave her a stern look. “Anna, you will need it all. Don’t argue. I know my son won’t have any objections to the items being ordered.”
Anna sighed but relented. “Alright, then.”
Rebecca pressed a button by the door, and within a minute, five more staff members entered to assist her in preparing the items for delivery. They quickly began taking everything out of the room to be packed up.
As the staff worked, Anna looked around the room, feeling both overwhelmed and grateful. This shopping trip, while extravagant, was a sign of the world she now inhabited, a world that required a different set of rules—and a different set of clothes. She could only hope that Hou Yi would accept this new reality without too much fuss.
