Shen Yanxi

After lunch the next day, Mom retreated to her bedroom, rummaged through the wardrobe for a while, and finally pulled out a black dress. She walked over to the full-length mirror.

The dress featured a square neckline, was sleeveless, and fell just above the knees.

She had bought it years ago, back when she was still an athlete, specifically for a victory celebration banquet after winning a championship. It had been quite expensive, but she hadn't worn it since.

Mom slipped off her old T-shirt and shorts, revealing a body that was both powerful and curvaceous.

Her flat stomach showed no hint of excess fat, her firm, pert buttocks, and her long, straight legs glowed with healthy radiance in the afternoon sunlight.

She slipped the dress over her head. The zipper was at the back, and she reached behind her with some effort.

The dress had been slightly loose back then, but now it stretched taut across her form.

After giving birth to me and years of rigorous training, Mom's frame remained unchanged, yet her bust and hips had grown fuller than her teenage years by more than one size.

Her large, round breasts stretched the fabric at the dress's chest taut, creating an exaggerated curve that seemed poised to burst through the material at any moment.

The skirt's hem clung tightly to her rounded, pert hips, outlining every curve with unapologetic clarity—even more provocative than her tight workout leggings.

Mom studied her reflection, her brow furrowing slightly.

Was this outfit too tight? Too revealing?

But she had no other choice.

The rest of her wardrobe consisted of either workout clothes or cheap market finds—nothing suitable for going out.

She sighed, rummaging through the shoe cabinet to retrieve a pair of high heels long forgotten.

They were sleek black pumps with stiletto heels soaring to 7cm.

Once she slipped them on, her already impressive 5'10" frame shot past 5'11", radiating confidence. Her naturally stunning legs now seemed even more breathtaking.

She stepped into the bathroom to apply her makeup.

Her collection was modest—all affordable brands—but she applied each product with meticulous care.

She filled in her brows, applied eyeliner, and brushed on a light layer of lipstick. The woman in the mirror, once worn down by unemployment and poverty, gradually vanished beneath a layer of refined elegance.

Finally, Mom rummaged through her jewelry box and slipped on a silver necklace. The delicate pendant rested between her deep collarbones, adding a touch of feminine allure.

She wanted to present herself as doing well in front of Shen Yanxi—at the very least, not as the pitiful soul dismissed by the Sports Bureau.

Straightening her posture, the woman in the mirror appeared tall and stunning, like a black tulip blooming defiantly against the cold wind.

...

Perched atop the city's most exclusive hotel, the private club at the pinnacle of Yundinghui was off-limits to ordinary folk.

Following the address Shen Yanxi had sent, Mom took the bus to the vicinity, then walked another ten minutes before locating the place. By the time she stepped into the gilded lobby, a thin sheen of sweat glistened on her skin.

Mentioning Shen Yanxi's name, a uniformed, courteous attendant immediately smiled and guided her toward the elevator.

The elevator was a glass-walled observation lift. Beyond its transparent walls, the city's skyscrapers steadily shrank below, eventually becoming tiny matchboxes.

Mom nervously clutched her handbag, her palms growing slightly damp.

The elevator stopped at the 66th-floor sky lounge.

As the doors opened, melodious piano music flowed out, mingling with the faint scent of aromatherapy and the rich aroma of coffee—a world apart from the bustling city below.

Few guests were present, sitting in small groups on sofas engaged in quiet conversation. Each was impeccably dressed, their manners refined.

The moment Mom stepped inside, she drew the attention of nearly everyone present.

She was exceptionally tall, especially in high heels, standing out like a crane among swans.

Even more striking was the dress she wore—tight to the point of being almost too tight—revealing every curve of her physique, a perfect blend of athletic strength and sensuality.

Her full breasts, slender waist, and the round, pert buttocks stretched taut by the fabric. With each step, the flesh beneath the skirt trembled slightly, forming an alluring curve only an athlete could pull off.

Eyes—some scrutinizing, some stunned, some laced with desire—flooded toward Mom. Feeling uneasy, she instinctively reached to tug her skirt hem, hoping to conceal her overly provocative hips. But the dress was too tight; she couldn’t budge it.

"Lingling! Over here!"

A crisp, pleasant voice rang out.

Mom followed the sound and saw a woman in a silk blouse with flawless makeup smiling and waving at her from the best window seat.

It was Shen Yanxi.

She was still as dazzlingly beautiful and strikingly alluring as in college.

A perfectly tailored beige silk blouse sat atop black high-waisted trousers, her feet in black heels with red soles. Large, wavy curls cascaded casually over her shoulders, radiating a lazy yet commanding confidence.

Mom took a deep breath, steadying her steps in the heels as she walked toward Shen Yanxi.

"Oh my, my champion! I’ve been waiting for you!"

As soon as Mom approached, Shen Yanxi stood up, arms wide open for a big hug.

Slightly shorter than her 5'10" mother, Shen Yanxi still stood at a full 5'9". Both in heels, their slender figures pressed together, both possessing model-like physiques.

Yet the moment their bodies touched, Mom instantly felt the invisible chasm between them.

Shen Yanxi's silk blouse felt cool and silky against the skin, carrying the scent of high-end perfume—a rich blend of floral and woody notes layered with depth.

In contrast, Mom herself carried only the clean scent of laundry detergent, her dress fabric rough and stiff.

At this very moment, the carefully prepared battle armor she wore seemed utterly laughable in front of Shen Yanxi.

"Yanxi, it's been ages."

Mom offered a stiff smile.

"Long time no see? More like you wanted to cut ties with me, huh?"

Shen Yanxi released Mom, playfully pinching her arm. "All these years without a word, I thought you'd made it big and disowned your poor sister!"

Though she called herself the "poor sister," the diamond-encrusted watch on her wrist and the expensive platinum bag behind her silently proclaimed her current wealth and status.

This display of warmth acted like a mirror, starkly reflecting her mother's current embarrassment and distress.

Two friends who once shared bunk beds and split a bowl of instant noodles now stood worlds apart—one like a queen perched on a throne, the other like a beggar with nowhere to turn, come to ask for alms.

"Sit down, why are you standing? No need for formalities between us."

Shen Yanxi warmly took her mother's hand and guided her to sit on the sofa opposite her.

The plush sofa swallowed her whole as she sank in, only deepening her unease.

Shen Yanxi snapped her fingers. Instantly, a waiter in a tailcoat approached, bowing as he presented two menus.

The leather-bound menus felt substantial in her hands.

Her mother flipped through them, her pupils tightening slightly at the elegant names and exorbitant prices listed beneath.

"Afternoon Iris," "Midsummer Light-Year," "Alice's Dream"...

Even a glass of plain water cost over a hundred dollars.

Mom's gaze swept over the prices as her fingers traced the smooth menu. The cold sensation only deepened her awareness of how out of place she felt here.

"What's wrong, Lingling? Haven't found anything you like?"

Shen Yanxi's voice snapped Mom out of her awkwardness. Leaning forward slightly with her elbows on the table, she watched Mom with keen interest. "Just order whatever. It's my treat today—consider it a welcome home gift."

Mom tugged at the corners of her mouth, closed the menu, and gently pushed it aside. Then she pointed to the exquisite cup of coffee beside Shen Yanxi, trying to make her voice sound casual: "I'll... have the same as you."

She thought this was the safest choice—it wouldn't expose her ignorance and wouldn't seem too deliberate.

Yet the waiter standing nearby frowned, bowing slightly with respectful yet superior tone: "My apologies, ma'am. The 'Geisha' coffee Miss Shen ordered is a limited-edition bean air-shipped directly from a Panamanian estate. It's hand-brewed and exclusively available to our highest-tier private members."

His words instantly flushed her mother's face crimson. Her hands, resting on her knees, unconsciously clenched the hem of her skirt.

She felt the air around her grow thin, as if the faint, lingering glances of others had all converged on her, watching the spectacle of this intruder.

The waiter, seemingly oblivious to her discomfort, continued his dutiful introduction: "These beans are exceptionally rare, boasting a unique flavor profile with notes of citrus and jasmine..."

"Enough."

Shen Yanxi cut him off.

"She's my best friend, my confidante. She can order whatever she wants, understand?"

"Yes, yes! My deepest apologies, Miss Shen! I'm afraid I'm unfamiliar with the proper etiquette." The waiter bowed hastily. "I'll prepare it immediately."

With that, he swiftly snatched the menu and fled the scene.

Throughout the entire exchange, Shen Yanxi's tone remained as calm as still water, yet she effortlessly controlled the situation.

"Ignore him. What a snob."

Shen Yanxi turned her gaze toward her mother, her eyes holding a hint of nostalgia and admiration. "But seriously, Lingling, your figure... it's absolutely... stunning."

Her gaze swept over her mother's chest and waist, tightly defined beneath the dress. "Let me tell you, those twenty-something models at my company diet and work out every day, but none of them have your kind of presence. Those curves, that derrière—wow, it's like the heavens themselves fed you."

Being complimented so bluntly on her body by her former best friend made Mom's cheeks flush slightly, yet the deep-seated inferiority born of poverty was strangely soothed.

"What nonsense! After having children, who still has a figure?"

Mom's words were modest, but her posture instinctively straightened.

"Having kids just makes you more attractive, you know!"

Shen Yanxi winked at her mother and whispered, "Remember back in college when we went to the public bathhouse? The way those girls looked at you—their eyes were like knives, pure envy and jealousy! I told you then, with a figure like yours, it'd be a waste not to be a model."

Mentioning college relaxed Mom’s tense nerves, and a long-missed smile spread across her face. "You’re one to talk! Back then, you were always pinching my waist, calling it a ‘water snake waist’."

"Oh, you did!" Shen Yanxi giggled, her laughter shaking like a flower branch. Just then, her phone buzzed beside her.

She glanced at the caller ID, motioned for her mother to wait, then sank back into the plush sofa. Instantly, she shifted from casual chatter with a friend into the poised, efficient mode of a businesswoman.

"Hello, Mr. Wang... Yes, it's me... Hmm, I've reviewed that project. Three points is too low. You know the market value of the girls I manage... Five million is the absolute minimum. Also, we only deal directly with brands—no messy PR agencies involved... Got it. I'll await your response."

Her words were crisp and decisive.

After hanging up, she reverted to the smiling Shen Yanxi, as if the person just negotiating millions hadn't been her at all.

But her mother’s heart sank once more at the mention of those figures.

Five million—an astronomical sum she dared not even dream of.

Just then, a waiter approached with coffee, carefully placing a bone china cup identical to Shen Yanxi’s before her mother.

"Your coffee, ma’am. Enjoy."

Mom lifted the cup, mimicking Shen Yanxi's manner, and brought it to her lips for a small sip.

An intensely bitter and sour taste exploded in her mouth, shooting straight to the top of her head.

To her, this taste was even more unbearable than herbal medicine. She nearly couldn't help but frown, but seeing Shen Yanxi across the table, serene and elegant as she savored life, she forced down the discomfort and swallowed the coffee without flinching.

"How is it? Not bad, right?" Shen Yanxi asked.

"Hmm... quite unique," Mom managed a smile.

They chatted aimlessly about various amusing college stories. Outside, the sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright patches on the expensive carpet and bathing the entire sky lounge in a warm glow.

"Hey, Lingling, remember our sophomore year sports meet?" " Shen Yanxi suddenly laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You won the 10,000-meter race without breaking a sweat, then got ambushed the moment you stepped off the track."

Mom froze, then recalled the incident, smiling sheepishly. "You mean... that senior who gave you a love letter?"

"Love letter? That was the least of it, sis!"

Shen Yanxi gestured dramatically. "That guy stood there at the finish line holding a huge bouquet—ninety-nine roses! The whole school was watching! And you? You didn’t even glance at him. Just said, 'I’m allergic to pollen. Move it,' and sent him packing. The guy turned green right then and there, ha ha ha!"

Shen Yanxi laughed until she was doubled over, the silk blouse across her chest rippling with each movement.

Mum, too, was drawn into the memory. The stiffness on her face, born of embarrassment, melted considerably. She lifted the cup of awful coffee and took another sip before saying, "Back then, my mind was entirely on training. I had no time to think about such things."

"I know. You were a stubborn blockhead, single-minded!"

Shen Yanxi's smile faded, her eyes reflecting a complex mix of admiration, regret, and a hint of secret envy. "Back then, I kept thinking, Zhu Ling was born for the track. You just stood there, doing nothing, and you were the center of attention. Unlike me, who had to fight tooth and nail to learn makeup, learn how to dress, learn how to smile at people, just to scrape together a little bit of someone's attention."

She reached out her well-maintained hand and took her mother's hand across the table.

"Look at you—all these years later, you're still so beautiful. That figure, that aura..."

Her gaze slid once more from her mother's ample bosom to the curves of her waist and hips, tightly hugged by the dress. "If I had your assets, I'd have stormed Hollywood long ago."

The words were half-serious, half-joking, yet they sent a warm wave through her mother's heart.

How many years had it been since anyone had complimented her like this, aside from the hormonal whispers of teenage boys?

Just then, a small commotion arose at the neighboring table. A middle-aged man dressed in fine attire approached, holding a wine glass and wearing a respectful, ingratiating smile. "Miss Shen? It really is you! I'm Wang from Hengtong Real Estate. We met briefly at Mr. Li's cocktail party last time. You look more youthful and beautiful than ever."

Shen Yanxi merely gave him a fleeting glance before withdrawing her gaze. She didn't even consider standing up, offering only a polite upward curve of her lips. "Mr. Wang, hello. I'm afraid I can't join you today. I'm catching up with an old friend."

It was a polite yet unmistakable dismissal.

"Understood, understood. My apologies for the intrusion. Please continue your conversation."

The man, having met with a firm refusal, showed not a trace of irritation. Instead, he bowed even more humbly and withdrew discreetly.

This brief exchange made Mom acutely aware once more that the woman sitting across from her was no longer the impoverished student who’d once shared a bowl of instant noodle soup with her—she now possessed power and status Mom could never hope to attain.

This realization instantly extinguished Mom’s lingering nostalgia.

She knew she couldn’t wait any longer.

During another pause in their conversation, Shen Yanxi lifted her cup to drink coffee. Mom's hands, resting on her lap, clenched tightly. Finally gathering her courage, she met Shen Yanxi's gaze directly: "Yanxi, actually... I came to see you today because I need to ask a favor."

Shen Yanxi paused mid-sip, then set her cup down. A hint of playful reproach touched her voice. "Oh dear, what a scatterbrain I am! I was so caught up reminiscing that I completely forgot our business. Go ahead, what is it? Anything within my power, no problem! We're close, aren't we? Now that I've made it, do you think I'd forget my best friend?"

Her words were flawless—demonstrating her loyalty while subtly highlighting the gap between them.

Mom’s heart skipped a beat, but with the words already spoken, there was no turning back.

Steeling herself, she briefly recounted how she’d been fired from the Sports Bureau, couldn’t find work, and was even struggling to afford my tutoring fees.

With every word, Mom wished she could vanish into a crack in the ground.

After listening, Shen Yanxi didn't respond immediately. Instead, she leaned back, sinking into the plush sofa.

She tapped her thigh rhythmically with one finger, her gaze lingering on Mom's face—a mix of stubbornness and helplessness—as if appraising the value of a commodity.

Just as her mother’s heart sank, expecting a refusal, Shen Yanxi suddenly smiled. She pulled a business card from her exquisite platinum handbag and handed it over.

"I thought it was some big deal. What’s the big fuss?"

She pushed the card toward her mother. "Take it."

Hesitantly, her mother reached out and accepted the card.

The card was black, thick in texture, with several lines of gold-embossed text printed on it. The design was simple yet sophisticated.

【Founder/CEO of Sy Model Management & Culture】

【Shen Yanxi】

【Lya】