Chapter 53: “Manager Chen, this is fruit beer; it has no alcohol content.”

She hung up the phone.

Shen Rou looked at Zhang Lan, beaming.

"He agreed."

"See? I told you to just try it. Didn't that work out? You successfully invited him."

"So, what are we going to eat later?"

Shen Rou suddenly felt a bit troubled. Given her financial situation, she certainly couldn't afford those fancy meals.

But if they went to some ordinary restaurant, she was worried that Chen Mo wouldn't be used to it.

She clearly remembered that the last time Chen Mo had a staff dinner, they went to a star-rated hotel restaurant.

"How about we go for hot pot? It's not that expensive, and you can definitely afford it."

Zhang Lan thought for a moment before speaking.

She knew Shen Rou's financial situation, so it was impossible to choose some luxurious, high-end restaurant.

"Is that okay?"

Shen Rou asked worriedly.

"Why wouldn't it be? Didn't you say that Manager Chen even ate boxed lunches with you all before? Having hot pot definitely won't be a problem."

Zhang Lan put her arm around Shen Rou's shoulder to comfort her.

"Okay, then let's go for hot pot."

Having received Zhang Lan's confirmation, Shen Rou finally felt a bit more at ease.

"Then let's get dressed and head out."

"Mm."

…

Jiangcheng Pedestrian Street, inside a shopping mall.

Zhang Lan held up a long dress and held it against Shen Rou to see how it looked.

"This one is nice. Go in and try it on; let me see."

"Zhang Lan, maybe we shouldn't. I've already tried on several. It'll be really awkward if we don't buy anything."

Shen Rou glanced quietly at the sales clerk not far away and whispered to Zhang Lan.

"If I tell you to try it on, just try it on. What are you afraid of? You only know if it looks good or fits well once you put it on."

"You definitely have to try on several pieces when buying clothes to choose the most suitable one."

Zhang Lan, looking completely unbothered, pushed Shen Rou into the fitting room.

She often strolled around the mall, trying on anything she liked. As for whether or not she bought it, that depended on her finances.

No one had a rule that you had to buy something just because you tried it on.

After a while, Shen Rou came out wearing the new clothes and walked up to Zhang Lan, looking a bit embarrassed.

"Zhang Lan, isn't this neckline too low?"

"Nothing is showing yet, so how is it low? This is just right. It would look even better if you paired it with a necklace."

Zhang Lan stroked her chin and looked Shen Rou up and down.

She nodded in satisfaction. The long dress perfectly highlighted Shen Rou's curvaceous figure. Her already beautiful face looked even more stunning against the backdrop of the long dress.

She looked pure, yet not lacking in sexiness.

"It needs a necklace too? Then I don't want it."

Upon hearing Zhang Lan's words, Shen Rou waved her hand immediately.

She had secretly checked the price of this dress in the fitting room; it cost over 500 yuan.

Over 500 yuan could buy a lot of delicious food for the children at the orphanage.

If she had to buy a necklace on top of that, who knew how much more it would cost.

"I just said it would look better with a necklace, I didn't tell you to buy one."

Zhang Lan instantly saw through Shen Rou's little thoughts and explained helplessly.

"Oh, but this dress is also very expensive. I just checked the price, it's over 500 yuan."

Shen Rou looked at the dress she was wearing, her expression hesitant.

In her heart, she quite liked the dress, but from childhood until now, she had never bought such expensive clothing.

"You're going to be eating with Chen Mo in a while, don't you plan to dress up a bit nicer?"

"Besides, the mall is having a special sale today, you can get it for less than 500."

Zhang Lan rubbed her forehead; she had once again experienced Shen Rou's frugal nature.

"Really?"

Shen Rou looked at Zhang Lan, pleasantly surprised.

"Why would I lie to you?"

Zhang Lan rolled her eyes at Shen Rou in annoyance, then called the sales clerk over.

"Take a look at this dress, how much is it after the discount?"

"Okay, please wait a moment."

The sales clerk looked at the price list for the dress, then walked to the counter and took out a calculator to calculate it.

"Hello, miss, after the discount, this dress only costs 465."

"Alright, we'll take this dress."

Zhang Lan didn't wait for Shen Rou to speak and said directly to the sales clerk.

Because she knew that even with the discounted price, Shen Rou would still be conflicted.

She simply made the decision for her, as she could also tell that Shen Rou really liked the dress.

Now that she had earned money at the new company and the situation at the orphanage had eased somewhat, it was time for Shen Rou to consider herself as well.

"Alright, miss, do you want me to wrap it up for you, or is this miss going to wear it?"

"She'll wear it as is; just help us cut off the tag."

Zhang Lan said.

Shen Rou watched quietly from the side as Zhang Lan made the decision for her, not saying anything to stop her.

She didn't know what was wrong with her; in the past, she wouldn't have even glanced at a piece of clothing costing over 400 yuan.

Leaving the mall, the two arrived early at the pre-booked hot pot restaurant.

After waiting for about 10 minutes, Chen Mo walked into the hot pot restaurant right on time.

"Manager Chen, over here."

Shen Rou's eyes had been fixed on the entrance of the hot pot restaurant. The moment Chen Mo walked in, she noticed him and hurriedly stood up to wave.

However, she didn't dare to call out too loudly.

Chen Mo looked around and quickly saw Shen Rou waving.

When he saw Shen Rou's attire, he was slightly surprised.

Usually at work, Shen Rou always wore formal attire; this was the first time he had seen her wearing a dress.

Hm! It was actually quite nice.

"This is my university classmate, Zhang Lan."

"This is my boss, Chen Mo."

Once Chen Mo walked closer, Shen Rou hurriedly introduced the two.

"Hello!"

Zhang Lan looked at Chen Mo and generously extended her hand.

"Hello!"

Chen Mo shook her hand lightly and then pulled his back.

The group sat down one after another, with Chen Mo sitting opposite the two women.

"Manager Chen, did you drive here?"

After ordering the food, Zhang Lan asked casually.

"I took a taxi."

Chen Mo replied.

It wasn't that he didn't want to drive, but the car he bought belonged to the company, and during the holidays, he wasn't allowed to drive it at all.

"It's good that you didn't drive. Manager Chen, would you like to have a couple of drinks?"

Hearing Zhang Lan's words, Shen Rou's body stiffened, and she kept patting Zhang Lan under the table.

This girl must be crazy; she dares to say anything.

"Better not. My alcohol tolerance isn't good."

Chen Mo shook his head and refused directly. He clearly remembered the scene last time where he was drunk after less than a bottle.

He didn't dare to touch alcohol again.

"Then let's drink fruit wine. It's the same as a beverage, it has no alcohol content. Shen Rou and I drink it often."

Zhang Lan said with some regret.

"It really has no alcohol content?"

"It really doesn't. To be honest, it's just a drink."

"Alright then."

Chen Mo nodded, reassured. Since it was just a drink, there was no problem.