Chapter 40: Chapter 40: Yin Rou (2)

Soon after a while, Li Feng saw Yin Rou returning back with a small bag and he couldn’t help but frown seeing her rag attire.

“Senior, I’m done…” Yin Rou said happily at first, but her voice faltered when she caught his gaze lingering on her clothes. She quickly lowered her head and explained nervously,

“S-Senior, since I have resign from the guild, I had to return everything… even the uniform,” she couldn’t help but feel afraid that Li Feng would look down on her poor appearance. But Li Feng dismissed her worry with his next words.

“This won’t do. Let’s go buy you some proper clothes.”

He casually took her small bag, slipped it into his storage pouch, and grabbed her hand again, leading her away.

“….” Yin Rou’s chest warmed feeling the hand holding her. There wasn’t the slightest hint of disdain in his voice, only casual acceptance.

Before long, they arrived at the same clothing store Li Feng had visited earlier with Senior Brother Lin Yu.

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The bell above the door chimed as the old store owner greeted them. His expression brightened when he recognized Li Feng, but then his eyes landed on Yin Rou. His look turned strange.

’Is that… his daughter?’

Li Feng waved him over. “Help me pick out some good clothes for this little girl.”

He gently pushed Yin Rou forward. The owner hesitated but quickly called over a female attendant to assist her.

Yin Rou’s fingers twisted together nervously as she glanced at Li Feng. She had never stepped inside such a luxurious store before. Li Feng noticed and chuckled.

“Go on. Pick whatever you like. Since you’re kind of like my apprentice, you need to look the part. Don’t make me lose face.”

“Y-yes, Senior.” Her hesitation melted away at his words.,

The female employee, upon seeing Yin Rou, couldn’t help but ask Li Feng, “Esteemed sir, would you like this young lady to take a bath first? We offer such services too.”

Li Feng was surprised that they offered such a service but then agreed. Yin Rou probably hadn’t taken a proper bath in a long while since she still seemed to be covered in dust and dirt, likely related to her work as an apprentice alchemist.

“Sure.”

After the female employee took Yin Rou away, Li Feng turned to ask the store owner secretly while whispering, “Has my order been completed yet?”

The store owner gave a knowing look and replied, “Yes, Esteemed Immortal, your order is done,” then reached under his desk and pulled out a box.

Li Feng smiled upon seeing this, then he paid the amount and asked the store owner again.

“Actually, I’d like to make a few more…” Li Feng began to think of the many women he planned to gift the items to.

The store owner beamed. “Haha, of course! As many as you want.”

Hearing his enthusiasm, Li Feng smiled and added, “Alright, and make sure you have a small size for the child from earlier too.”

Hearing this, the smile on the store owner’s face stiffened. He coughed awkwardly. “Esteemed Immortal… forgive me, but I don’t think it’s proper for your daughter to wear such… garments.” he said, sweating slightly.

“Daughter?” Li Feng tilted his head at his words, then, as if realizing something, with a twitch smile, he said, “She’s not my daughter.”

Hearing this, the store owner couldn’t help but realize he had misunderstood and sighed in relief, since the child was not his daughter, then there was no need to worry about her wearing something …that inappropriate.

He couldn’t help but feel that Li Feng sure had vary taste. The store owner didn’t seem to mind that Yin Rou still seemed young; because in this world, girls her age around sixteen or so were usually already married and had families of their own.

Li Feng then remembered something and hooked his arm on the store owner’s shoulder, whispering near his ear, “Say, store owner… Do you accept custom-made accessories?”

Hearing a hint of a perverted tone from this creative immortal, the store owner hesitated a bit but replied, “Yes, but it depends on what kind.”

Li Feng smiled wickedly and said, “It’s nothing too difficult… I just want an animal accessory,” and began to explain.

The store owner’s eyes widened once more after hearing the detail; this immortal was truly an eye-opener.

Just as they lost in their discussion for a while, the female employee return with Yin Rou who look like a different person.

With her freshly washed, neck-length hair framing her face and her wide eyes bright and lively, Yin Rou looked like a different person. The dirt and fatigue that once dulled her features were gone, revealing a soft, innocent charm. Her cheeks still carried a trace of baby fat, and her slender frame gave her the delicate air of a little rabbit one would instinctively want to protect. Yet, even in her youth, the faint swell of her chest beneath the grass-green robe hinted at the woman she would one day become. The contrast of innocence and the first signs of budding beauty only made her seem more captivating.

Li Feng was slightly surprised upon seeing this and inwardly thought, ’Are all village girls this beautiful? Maybe I should find some time to visit more village ….’

If the store owner had heard Li Feng’s thoughts, he would have told Li Feng that there was no way a village girl could be this beautiful.

“Senior, how is my cloth?” Yin Rou nervously asked, spinning around a bit.

Seeing those growing curves and beautiful face, Li Feng couldn’t help but thank his luck.

With a smirk full of intention, he complimented her, “It looks great on you… but you should try a few more clothes.” Then he led her into the dressing area.

“Please bring me a few more choices. I want her to try out a few more,” Li Feng turned towards the female attendant. Seeing this, the female attendant just smiled knowingly and fetched a few more options for Li Feng.

Yin Rou didn’t seem to realize Li Feng’s intentions as she obediently followed him into the dressing area.

Soon, Li Feng’s voice was heard from inside the hidden wardrobe.

“Let me help you with this,” Li Feng said casually, reaching toward her clothing.

“E-Eh? Senior, there’s no need…” Yin Rou’s voice grew small as she clutched at her robe.

The soft rustle of fabric filled the cramped space. “S-Senior! This is too embarrassing…”

“Relax,” Li Feng smirked, eyes narrowing as if he were a meticulous tailor. “I’m just checking your size.” His hand then reached toward her still growing soft jade.

“Ah—!” Yin Rou let out a startled noise, her face burning crimson.

—

A short while later, the two of them stepped back out. Yin Rou was now dressed in a fresh green robe, her cheeks burning red like ripe peaches, both hands pressed against her face as if to hide them. Her eyes darted shyly, unable to meet Li Feng’s gaze.

’Mother always said a girl should only show her body to her husband…’ Her heart pounded faster. ’D-Does this mean… Senior is my husband now?’

She stole a quick glance at him, then hurriedly looked away, still feeling the lingering warmth on her skin where Li Feng’s hand had explored.

Li Feng, meanwhile, looked utterly satisfied. His eyes swept over her figure, lips curving in amusement. ’Not bad… this little rabbit’s swelling chest is developing nicely, and even her peach is beginning to show. A little more food, a little more care, and she’ll blossom beautifully. Truly, a fine investment.’

Seeing the scene, the store owner let out a sigh of relief, glad that Li Feng hadn’t taken things too far with the little girl inside his store.

After settling the payment, Li Feng tucked the box away into his storage pouch and waved casually at the store owner. With Yin Rou clinging shyly at his side, they stepped out into the bustling street.

The sun was still high, he had plenty of free time left on his hands. A slow grin spread across his face as he looked down at the little girl beside him.

“Come,” he said lightly, taking her small hand again. “Let’s stroll around.”

Yin Rou blinked in surprise, her lips parting slightly. “S-Senior, you don’t need to trouble yourself for me…”

“Nonsense,” Li Feng chuckled, tugging her gently along the street. “Anyone under me will not suffer. Since you’ve followed me, I’ll make sure you live better than you ever imagined.”

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. For someone like her, who had long been bullied and lived a hard life, such a promise felt almost unreal. She lowered her gaze, trying to hide the warmth spreading across her chest.

And so, like a bad uncle about to trick a child, Li Feng led her from stall to stall, buying whatever caught her eyes. A hairpin shaped like a flower, a pair of silk shoes, a small pouch embroidered with rabbits, anything she stared at for more than a heartbeat ended up in his hands. Yin Rou’s arms soon filled with trinkets she didn’t dare ask for, her face reddening more with each purchase.

When they passed by a food vendor, Li Feng bought her skewers of candied fruit and steaming buns, watching with amusement as she bit into them carefully, afraid to make a mess.

Her cheeks puffed up slightly as she chewed, her lips glistening with syrup from the candied hawthorn. Li Feng narrowed his eyes, his thoughts turning darker. Tch… even watching her eat looks indecent. This little rabbit really was born to tempt me.

“Eat more,” Li Feng urged with a smile, slipping another skewer into her hands. “You’re far too skinny. If you want to grow into a proper beauty, you’ll have eat a lot.”

Yin Rou’s face flushed crimson, but she obediently nodded, nibbling shyly on the sweet fruit while sneaking another glance at him, her heart fluttering

—

Soon the sun start to set,

Li Feng was currently holding a pair of roasted fish, engaged in haggling with the stall owner.

While Li Feng was shamelessly arguing for a discount despite obviously having more than enough money, Yin Rou’s attention drifted to the small flower cart set up nearby.

The flowers were simple, white as fresh snow, their soft petals carrying a faint, delicate sweetness. Compared to the flashy spiritual herbs and rare treasures at the other stalls, they seemed almost out of place. Yet Yin Rou’s eyes softened, then she walked toward the stall, fumbled at her sleeve, and pulled out a tiny pouch of savings she had carefully kept hidden.

She exchanged a few coins with the old vendor and carefully picked out two white flower.

When Li Feng turned back, smug at having shaved a few copper coin off the price, Yin Rou was already standing in front of him with her hands behind her back, cheeks glowing with shyness.

She first stepped toward Goldie, who stood silently at Li Feng’s side. “Here… this one is for you,” she said softly, holding out the flower.

The hooded figure tilted its head slightly, then wordlessly accepted it.

Then Yin Rou turned to Li Feng, her lashes lowering as she held out the second blossom. “And this one… for you, Senior.”

Li Feng raised an eyebrow, taking the flower between two fingers as if examining it. “Oh? What’s this little thing called?”

“It’s called Snow Bloom,” Yin Rou said with a faint smile, her voice carrying the warmth of memory. “It’s very common back in my village. Children would pick them and give them to people they liked… My mother always said it brings good fortune when shared.”

Li Feng’s lips twitched, his gaze sliding from the innocent flower to the girl clutching her robes nervously. Heh… is she handing me a token of affection?

With seriousness, Li Feng tucked the delicate white bloom behind his ear. “Mm, this sure suits me, doesn’t it?” he teased, leaning closer as if to flaunt it.

Yin Rou’s eyes widened, then her cheeks turn red. “S-Senior! You look silly!”

“Silly?” Li Feng chuckled, giving her a shameless grin. “Then maybe you should wear one too. That way, we’ll look silly together, like a proper pair.”

Yin Rou’s heart skipped again, her lips parting as she clutched her sleeves tighter. A… pair?

While Li Feng teased and joked with Yin Rou, leaning close and laughing shamelessly, Goldie, who stood behind, was silent and stared at the scene with it golden-lit eyes.

“…” Then Goldie’s gaze returned to the small white flower in its hand.

Its massive hand held the delicate bloom gently, after all, it was a gift. The first gift it had ever received from anyone other than its master.

The bustling market around them faded into background noise, leaving only the playful energy of the shameless master, the shy apprentice, and the solemn guardian silently bearing witness to it all.

The guardian also noticed a flicker of hesitation in Yin Rou’s expression, as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t bring herself to do so…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep