Chapter 1Strange Nightgowns

My mom runs a boutique selling silk nightgowns.

The prices are steep: 2,000forashortone,2,000 for a short one, 2,000forashortone,4,000 for a long one.

Yet, women flock to the store, swearing that her nightgowns are made from fabric so fine it makes their skin soft and their complexion glow like spring.

But when my sister asked for one, Mom refused.

Unhappy with the rejection, my sister decided to sneak into the storage room and take one for herself.

That night, I overheard strange noises coming from the storage room.

My mom runs her nightgown boutique next to a small nail salon. Her shop is quite unique: it only sells women’s nightgowns, and they’re available in limited quantities—just ten a night, sold only after sunset.

One evening, a group of young women, dressed to the nines, gathered outside the shop, giggling nervously and shoving each other but refusing to step in.

“Hey, pretty ladies! Why don’t you come inside?”

I peeked out from behind my mom and waved at them.

The most striking of the group—an older girl with long, flowing hair—flipped her hair dramatically and gave a coy laugh. She nudged one of the younger, blushing girls forward.

“Mrs. Carter, do you still have any left? Get my little sister here a nightgown, would you?”

She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.

“The longest, most form-fitting one you have!”

“There’s still stock,” Mom replied, a faint smile on her face.

The girl blushed, a soft pink spreading across her cheeks as she muttered awkwardly.

“Well, uh, the last one I bought… I accidentally tore it.” She winced. “Mrs. Carter, can you please pick another one for me? I promise I’ll be more careful this time!”

Mom’s expression immediately soured.

“How many times have I told you? These silk nightgowns are made from the rarest material—you couldn’t put a price on them! If you buy one, you have to take care of it! How on earth did you ruin it?”

“Oh, it’s because… well… it felt so good on my skin that I… never mind! Please, Mrs. Carter, just one more! I’ll pay whatever it costs. I promise to treat it better this time!”

“Fine.”

She clung to Mom’s arm, pleading until Mom reluctantly nodded.

“Short ones are 2,000,longones2,000, long ones 2,000,longones4,000,” Mom said curtly.

She gave the older girl a once-over and frowned at the excitement practically radiating off her.

“For you, it’s double this time. $8,000. And you’ll have to put it on here in the store. No taking it home.”

“Deal!”

The girl stomped her stiletto heel in triumph, her face lighting up with joy.

“Eight thousand dollars?!”

The younger girl gasped, her face contorting in disbelief. She cast a cautious glance at Mom, and when she saw Mom wasn’t upset, she whispered to her sister.

“Sis… are these nightgowns really worth that much? I mean, eight grand? Do you know how many hours we’d have to work scrubbing old men’s feet to make that kind of money?”

“Trust me,” her sister said confidently. “Mrs. Carter’s silk nightgowns are unlike anything you’ve ever worn. Once you put one on…”

Her voice trailed off, and her expression turned bashful.

“Let’s just say they’re magical. They make you feel amazing. You’ll see for yourself. And once you wear one, you won’t have to worry about scrubbing feet anymore—you’ll have rich men chasing after you instead.”

The younger girl hesitated, then finally nodded.

“Mrs. Carter, please remember what I said. Get her the longest, most form-fitting one!”

Mom smiled mysteriously, running her hands over the younger girl’s waist and sizing her up.

“Don’t worry. We’ve got plenty in stock tonight—long ones, short ones, whatever you want.”