Chapter Nineteen: Choosing a Dress

Faced with the program's absurd rules, Xiao Yang's team was somewhat overwhelmed.

Sheng Jiaoyang was also astonished by the requirements; compared to the superior treatment received by the winning team, their treatment was worlds apart.

However, she didn't regret her impulsive actions during the game.

But some people were quite regretful, such as the girl who had complained about Sheng Jiaoyang during the game, Xiao Yang who hadn't trusted Sheng Jiaoyang, and the others who had just been passively observing.

But it was too late for regrets now.

After Zhuo Yiyan started the timer, as the first batch of brave warriors to enter the wholesale market, the five contestants ran into the market, each followed by a cameraman.

Sheng Jiaoyang was also among the first to enter and select items. Although she also ran into the market, her expression wasn't as panicked as the others.

Ten minutes was really short; even browsing the market took more than ten minutes. Therefore, such a short time required the contestants to be targeted in their selections. Since they needed to be targeted, they had to think clearly about what style they wanted before entering the market.

Leaving aside whether ten minutes was enough time to try things on, just specifically looking for something would take a lot of time.

Several contestants, once inside the market, were running around like headless chickens. Two of them, with weaker nerves, had already burst into tears, and the remaining two were on the verge of collapse.

Compared to them, Sheng Jiaoyang seemed much more composed. She strolled past various women's clothing stores, and just as the cameraman was about to remind her that a third of the time had passed, she turned into a pajama store.

The cameraman was stunned for a couple of seconds before following her in.

And now, Sheng Jiaoyang was already holding a black silk men's bathrobe.

Note that it was a men's bathrobe!

The cameraman was stunned again, the camera fixed on the bathrobe in Sheng Jiaoyang's hand for several seconds.

The shop owner, a relatively young woman, immediately realized they were filming a TV show upon seeing the camera. She quickly tidied her hair and, with a warm smile, asked Sheng Jiaoyang, "Is this for your boyfriend? You have excellent taste. This one you're holding is newly arrived; this style is very popular right now—simple and elegant. Your boyfriend will definitely look incredibly handsome in it. Look at the quality of the fabric; it even shines under the light, and it won't fade no matter how many times you wash it. Beautiful lady, would you like one?"

"How much?"

"Three hundred and sixty, no bargaining." The shop owner grinned

, revealing her teeth. Sheng Jiaoyang raised an eyebrow and said, "The price tag on this is only three hundred and twenty. Are you sure you want three hundred and sixty?"

Although she didn't care about the money, she didn't like being ripped off.

The shop owner's smile froze instantly. She said awkwardly, "I misremembered, it's three hundred and twenty, three hundred and twenty."

"Even specialty stores have discounts. Your wholesale market shop is certainly putting on airs."

The shop owner's expression was completely frozen. She no longer dared to underestimate this young woman. She said, "So, how much are you willing to pay?"

"Two hundred. If you're selling, pack the clothes for me."

Sheng Jiaoyang knew there was some markup on the price, but she was too lazy to haggle and didn't have the time, so she gave a price that wouldn't be refused.

Sure enough, the shop owner took out a bag and packed the robe without a word.

The money was exchanged for the robe. The shop owner checked the banknotes, her face beaming with a warm smile, almost waving a handkerchief: "Beautiful lady, would you like to choose one for yourself? I have many other styles..."

"No, thank you." Sheng Jiaoyang turned and left.

"Welcome back next time!" came the shop owner's cheerful voice from behind.

Sheng Jiaoyang continued walking towards the next shop without stopping.

Ten minutes passed in a flash.

The five contestants attracted everyone's attention when they returned to the car.

"Tell us quickly, what's it like inside?" the second group of contestants, eager to enter the market, asked impatiently.

"Don't ask me, I'm still completely confused," one contestant shook his head with a wry smile.

Two others, preoccupied with their tears, didn't answer.

Another said, "I advise you not to wander around when you go in. Just go into whichever shop you see and choose, otherwise you won't have time to find something that fits."

Xiao Yang looked at Sheng Jiaoyang, whose expression was the calmest, and asked urgently, "Jiaojiao, what about you?"

"She's right. Never think you'll find something better at the next shop, because you simply don't have the time," Sheng Jiaoyang paused. "If you want to buy a dress, go to the left side when you enter. Bags are on the right, and shoes and other small items are at the very back."

Undoubtedly, Sheng Jiaoyang's advice was helpful to the contestants about to enter the market, and everyone's opinion of her changed.

"Jiaojiao, thank you!" Xiao Yang said.

Sheng Jiaoyang shrugged and walked back to his seat.

"What did you buy?" Luo Yi asked curiously, looking at the bags in Sheng Jiaoyang's hands.

"You'll find out tonight," Sheng Jiaoyang said with a smirk, keeping everyone in suspense.

"Okay," Luo Yi sighed, feigning disappointment.

Nearly half an hour passed before the remaining two groups of contestants returned after selecting their items.

Zhuo Yiyan didn't inquire about Xiao Yang's team's results; instead, he took everyone to a restaurant for a sumptuous lunch.

After lunch, everyone drove back to the villa.

Zhuo Yiyan announced that the garden party would officially begin at 7 PM and then disappeared again.

This time, unlike the opening show a week ago where a makeup artist helped with makeup, the contestants had to do their own makeup for the party.

If you couldn't do makeup, OK, someone else would.

This is where social skills come in. Don't underestimate the importance of social skills; being popular is a skill in itself. No one succeeds alone.

Everyone started thinking about their evening makeup, except for Sheng Jiaoyang, who liked to be unconventional. He went straight to a nap as soon as he got back to the villa.

Luo Yi and Pu Mingyu returned to their room and saw Sheng Jiaoyang already curled up in a ball, fast asleep. They exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of helplessness and envy on each other's faces.

They couldn't sleep now either; the thought of the judges commenting on their outfits that evening made them both nervous and excited.

As night drew closer, everyone became even more nervous, meticulously preparing their makeup and hairstyles. Sheng Jiaoyang, having had a good night's sleep, finally got up.

"You're finally awake! Hurry up, there's only an hour and a half left, get moving! Do you need our help with your makeup?" Luo Yi walked into the room.

"I can manage myself, but I need to borrow your makeup bag." Sheng Jiaoyang rubbed her tousled short hair and replied.

"Here, use it as you like." Luo Yi rummaged through the bedside table

and pulled out her makeup bag, handing it to Sheng Jiaoyang. "Thanks." Sheng Jiaoyang took the makeup bag and immediately put it with the things she'd bought that morning. She then pulled out a change of clothes from her suitcase and headed out.

"Hey, where are you going?" Noticing something was wrong, Luo Yi quickly asked.

"To take a shower!"

"..."

Luo Yi sighed, wondering why this guy wasn't in a hurry at this hour.

Time passed slowly, getting closer to 7 PM. At the top of the hour, all the neon lights in the garden lit up.

A cheerful violin tune began; the party was about to start.