章 24: Wang Jing
Si had explained the idea to him well. She did so while she was renovating the store, and although there were some cries and tears mixed in as she did so, Shou still got the general gist of it.
The completion rate was for every individual costumer to see. It evaluated the role of the costumer in the world and their significance. Their job was to bring change into the world; through finding an identity, winning a war, becoming a myth, killing significant people—all of it worked. If the costumer reached a full completion rate, it would mean they had successfully altered fate.
Since Si had many items, she decided to use them as a reward.
Though Zhang Yong did not quite understand the significance of the completion rate yet, he still nodded without any words. Whatever Shou said, he would believe wholeheartedly. "Then, please allow me to enter right now!" He reached for his bag to take out the spirit stones.
"No can do. "Shou shook his head. "You will have to come back another day."
Zhang Yong clenched his jaw. "Two times, no— three the original price, how about that? Price is not the issue here." The thought of using this much money made his head ache. Yet, he simply could not let this opportunity go.
In his mind, this mysterious store was like a dream. It was almost too good to be true, and he feared it might disappear as if a mirage, and no one would know where it went. The feeling was fantastical like that. If that wound up to be the case, he would be full of regret for the rest of his life.
"It won't change no matter how high you rise it."
"This..." His shoulders slumped down and it felt like the world had turned a shade darker. Still, what could he possibly do about it? Coercing him? Such a vile and unjust idea, his stomach churned by the mere thought of it. And even so, anyone running such a place was by no means simple. "I understand. Then I will reluctantly wait until tomorrow."
Hearing his words, Shou gave him a nod of acknowledgement, and placed his head on the counter again. He was still a little tired since Si woke him up so abruptly. His eyelids got heavier and he slowly returned to slumber . . . was it not Zhang Yong silently standing in front of him.
Shou tilted his head upward. "You need something?"
The man blinked twice. "No."
"Then why are you still here?"
"I'm planning to stand here until tomorrow arrives."
"Go away!"
...
The evening slowly encroached without anyone realizing.
Li Yinyi flabbily walked through the city, her head swaying from side to side. Her eyes were in a daze and her small mouth hung low.
"Concentrate and stop staggering," Li Yangyi shouted right behind her.
Li Yinyi turned around sluggishly. "Ah, uh, what? Did you say something? I couldn't hear you since my ears are numb."
Li Yangyi sighed. "You can only blame yourself for that, not only did you not return before sunset, you even squandered all the money. Of course father would spend the time lecturing you."
"He didn't have to hold me for the whole day though," Li Yinyi complained. She actually wanted to go to the Store of Fates the moment she awoke, but her father gave her no chance to do so.
Li Yangyi smiled wryly. "He probably wouldn't have, but you just had to ask for more money, right after. In fact, if it wasn't for father telling me to get the money back, and you being the only one to know where it is, you'd probably still be behind the mansion walls."
"Eh, we didn't come to play?" Li Yinyi blinked innocently.
"Of course not!" Li Yangyi sighed. "So where do we have to go now?"
"Uhm, you have to turn right."
"I see, so left it is. It's unexpectedly at a well-off area. As expected of a robbers den, always well hidden in plain sight." His eyes revealed a sharp glint.
Li Yinyi grabbed his arm and pulled him away. "Hey, I said right! Right! What's wrong with you? Can't you even trust the directions of your little sister?" She knitted her brows. "I really don't get you. Why would anyone lie about this?"
"Sorry, force of habit." Li Yangyi rubbed his head in embarrassment.
He looked at the inconspicuous alleyway. Hardly anyone walked in it, and the shadows of the buildings made the path look somewhat dubious. "Yes, that seems more like a place for shady dealings." He reached for the sword on his hip, and grew more vigilant.
Li Yinyi only tilted her head in confusion. What was her brother doing? It wasn't like there were any wild beasts in the city or something.
The duo—both with vastly different ideas—entered the alleyway. However, they did not make it far, as someone behind them called out, "Oh, is that brother Li Yangyi I am spotting there?"
Without even turning around, Li Yangyi frowned. Li Yinyi, despite not understanding why her brother would do so, decided to simply follow along and frowned too—though she looked more cute than angry.
The both of them faced the flippant young man standing at the distant left side. He had long hair carefully tied up in a ponytail, his face was masked with cosmetics—most notable was the corner of his eyes, painted red. Together with his glimmering long robe and the custom-made paper fan, he looked more finely dressed than the girls his age.
"Wang Jing. Just my luck to have met you here." Li Yangyi clicked his tongue.
"It probably must be because you have done great deeds in your past life, to encounter such fortune."
"It seems we have different ideas of fortune. I for one consider meeting a Casanova in broad daylight a bad omen. Also, I'd like it if you were to refrain from calling me 'brother'."
Wang Jing did not react and kept smiling amicably. "Oh, I see Miss Yinyi is with you today too! What a pleasant surprise."
"Oh, it's you Wang Jing." Li Yinyi brightly grinned and waved her hands. "I haven't seen you for a long time. How have you been doing?"
Wang Jing bowed slightly. "I have been doing well. For some reason, every time I was trying to meet you, the servants would say you are busy, ill or absent. They would not even welcome me in. But seeing your beautiful face, all the dissatisfaction has been swept away."
"Don't act like you don't know the reason," Li Yangyi spat out, and seethed with anger. He gripped his sword-hilt tightly and cursed his luck. Of course, of all the days, of all the people, Wang Jing and Li Yinyi had to meet today. "Could it be, did you follow us?"
"Oh my," Wang Jing hid his face behind the fan, "still distrustful as ever. Where has the bond between fellow members of the three great families gone? Wang family, Li family, Zhang family; Harmony begets prosperity, do you not know?"
Li Yangyi said nothing. Instead, a cold gleam appeared in his eyes.
He didn't know when it happened, but one day, that despicable Casanova had set his eye on his sister. He probably saw her as an easy target for his distasteful conquests. The naive Li Yinyi did not understand that mans sinister motive and happily went along with him. Li Yangyi, hearing that womanizer wished to court his innocent little Li Yinyi, flew into a fit of rage. A sister should only love her brot—no, wait, that wasn't it. A brother should protect his sister.
"Miss Yinyi, how about coming over to my house today and look at the flowers I cultivated. And since it is turning late, you can also stay the night." Wang Jing edged closer.
Li Yinyi tilted her head. "Hmm, I'd love to see them, but I have something to do today, so maybe next time."
"Despicable!" Li Yangyi almost drew his sword and killed that bastard on the spot. He grabbed Li Yinyi's hand and decisively walked away. "Don't even dream about it," he screamed and then disappeared in the dark alleyway.
Wang Jing stood still, with the fan hiding his face. He muttered, "If you are so anxious to leave, I might just want to find out where you are headed, brother."
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