Chapter 23: Like a Cat Getting Fish

The waiting area outside the store.

Lin Xiangyi watched as Shen Ye was escorted by the sales assistant and disappeared in the direction of the fitting rooms, catching a faint glimpse of the young girl’s shy expression.

He let out a soft chuckle.

Judging by her reaction, she probably hadn’t been to a human clothing store much before.

But this place wasn’t bad—girls would probably like this kind of clothing, right?

Hopefully she’d be happy.

He let out a sigh, the smile on his face gradually fading.

Now then, time to reflect on my own matters.

Lin Xiangyi leaned back against the chair, tilting his head up slightly, staring at the ceiling as he spaced out.

Earlier, when those two random guys had stopped him for a bit, he’d figured Shen Ye might have been waiting too long.

But he hadn’t expected to run into trouble like that.

He stayed silent, his gaze on the ceiling filled with complicated emotions.

If I’d been even a few seconds later, things would have turned ugly.

What was I thinking?

Leaving a defenseless girl alone in the middle of a crowd.

With her looks, I should’ve seen trouble like this coming.

Back at the house that time, even though she threatened me, I’d already guessed she didn’t like being around humans.

But it’s normal for a spirit being to not want contact with strangers.

Not to mention her spirit body is injured, and she has the restriction of not overusing her spiritual power.

And on top of that, she even ran into…

Tsk.

Lin Xiangyi clicked his tongue.

No matter how strict the Association is, there are always corners the law enforcers can’t see.

Judging by that guy’s technique, this probably wasn’t his first time.

Scum who uses their status as a spirit master to bully the weak.

Damn it, once the exam’s over, next time I see him, I’ll beat his ass.

But then…

As if thinking of something pleasant, Lin Xiangyi rubbed his chin.

Heh~

I looked pretty damn cool just now.

Took that little punk down with one hand.

Though Xiao Ye didn’t seem to react much—probably scared, I guess.

First time hero saving beauty, and it’s honestly a bit unfamiliar.

Heh.

Heh heh heh heh heh.

Lin Xiangyi couldn’t help but hum softly, his creepy laughter drawing strange looks from passersby.

Noticing the stares, he quickly composed himself, pretending to look at the clothes in the display window, a blush creeping up to his ears.

Ahem, that was a little embarrassing.

“No thanks, I’m fine.”

“Really, I don’t need it.”

A familiar girl’s voice came from inside the store, tinged with a hint of panic.

Lin Xiangyi snapped back to attention and followed the sound.

Shen Ye walked out from the direction of the fitting rooms.

The sales assistant followed behind her, holding a beige dress, and with the girl’s refusal, hung the garment back with a disappointed look.

By the time Shen Ye reached him, Lin Xiangyi noticed the shopping bag in her hands was flat and barely held anything, so he asked:

“Why did you only buy these? Is that enough?”

As he spoke, he tried to peek at what Shen Ye had bought.

“Mmh—! Don’t look!”

Shen Ye quickly hid the shopping bag behind her back, her small face flushed red.

Lin Xiangyi didn’t say anything, just took it as the girl’s usual shyness. He walked to the counter and, while paying, asked:

“Really enough? Buying a few more wouldn’t hurt.”

At that, Shen Ye’s face turned even redder. She grabbed Lin Xiangyi by the wrist and pulled him toward the door.

“It’s really enough, let’s go check out another store.”

“Oh, okay. Walk a little slower.”

Short little legs, but she sure moves fast.

Lin Xiangyi stumbled a step, then matched Shen Ye’s pace. He glanced back at the store.

The sales assistant, with a regretful frown, was staring blankly at the departing Shen Ye, and happened to lock eyes with Lin Xiangyi.

Her expression hardened, and she shot him a contemptuous look, her lips moving as if saying something.

Though the distance was too far for Lin Xiangyi to hear.

He could read the words forming on her lips.

—Pervert.

What?

???

What the hell?

How am I a pervert just because Xiao Ye picked out clothes?

Wait.

What did that girl even do?

Lin Xiangyi was full of question marks.

Before long, Lin Xiangyi stared speechlessly as Shen Ye stopped in front of a store.

“You’re really… going to buy clothes here? Xiao Ye.”

In front of them was a discount menswear store, its displays filled with simple, plain men’s clothing.

“Haha, those clothes were too expensive. I’ll just grab something simple and make do.”

Shen Ye gave an awkward laugh, hiding the shopping bag behind her back.

They really weren’t that expensive.

Lin Xiangyi wanted to say that, but seeing Shen Ye’s expression, he let it go.

“Alright,”

The two pushed open the door and stepped inside.

“Jingle bell—”

The shopkeeper was a tall, burly man, hunched over organizing the shirts on the racks. Hearing the doorbell, he looked up with a hearty smile.

“Welcome.”

Lin Xiangyi stepped forward and asked:

“Hello, do you have clothes in her size?”

The shopkeeper glanced between the two and asked, puzzled:

“Sir, this is a menswear store. Our clothes suit men like you better, but…”

His gaze lingered on Shen Ye for a moment.

“If you’re buying clothes for your girlfriend, she’s so pretty—why not take her next door instead?”

As he spoke, he pointed outside the door, toward the very store they’d just come out of.

“Haha, she probably didn’t like those clothes much.”

Lin Xiangyi laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of his head.

Shen Ye, meanwhile, shrank behind Lin Xiangyi, too lazy to bother correcting the shopkeeper’s misunderstanding.

The shopkeeper raised an eyebrow, his gaze darting between Lin Xiangyi and Shen Ye. He didn’t say much, just stepped aside and made a “please” gesture.

“Well then, please follow me.”

He carefully adjusted his position, letting Shen Ye walk in front so she could see the clothes on the racks clearly, while Lin Xiangyi trailed at the back.

“Most of what we carry are loose, casual styles like these. But if you need something specific…”

The shopkeeper chatted on.

Maybe because the customer was unusual, or maybe because the shopkeeper was particularly patient.

Under his introductions, Shen Ye and the others began browsing the store’s menswear.

Occasionally, customers wandered in, only to witness a strange sight.

Two hulking men standing around a petite young girl, watching her hold up various monochrome men’s clothing against herself.

The two men would even nod earnestly with commentary from time to time, while the girl in the middle happily picked out outfits.

A girl this pretty, choosing menswear in this store?

Customers would freeze for two seconds, then quietly back out of the shop.

Strange, truly strange.

But Shen Ye, the one at the center of it all, didn’t see it that way.

Unlike her unease in the women’s store, she was now completely like a fish in water.

Oh wait, or maybe like a cat getting fish.

Hehe, whatever, it’s all good.

Those clothes over there can wait for Xiao Meng to pick them out.

Compared to those flashy little dresses, clothes like these suit me much better.

Shen Ye thought with pure delight.

But then,

She held up a shirt, checked the size, and compared it against her petite frame.

Everything’s a bit too big?

Shen Ye tilted her head.

Doesn’t matter. As long as I can wear it.