Volume 3 Chapter 12 / Chapter 178: The Protagonist, Like a Dandy
The interior of the clothing store was decent, but as it was afternoon, there weren’t many customers.
The onlyAn elderly shopkeeper was tidying up the garments, and the place felt quite deserted.
However, the moment Ye Anping stepped in, the atmosphere became lively.
He walked straight to the racks, picking out clothes for Feng Yudie based on his usual preferences and aesthetic. The shopkeeper followed him closely, explaining the fabrics and craftsmanship every time he picked a piece:
“Young master, this outer robe is embroidered with dragon silk. If you wear it—”
“I’ll take it.”
“Young master, these undergarments are made of real silk. They’re cool and absorbent—”
“I’ll take it.”
…
In no time, Ye Anping had gathered a large pile of clothes and returned to the entrance where the stunned Xiao Yunluo and Feng Yudie were waiting with Xiaotian. He threw the clothes to Feng Yudie:
“Senior Sister Feng, try these on.”
?
Both the shopkeeper and the two girls had question marks appear over their heads.
Feng Yudie tilted her head in confusion, “These are men’s clothes.”
“Yes, I picked them one size smaller than what I wear. They should fit you just right.”
Feng Yudie looked at the clothes in her hands, hesitated for a moment, and then threw them back.
She frowned and shook her head, “I won’t wear them!”
?
Ye Anping furrowed his brows, slightly puzzled.
—Feng Yudie refuses to wear men’s clothes?
He had thought that given her personality, she would grab the clothes and try them on without needing any explanation from him. But…
Reflecting on it, Ye Anping realized that in the game, Feng Yudie had never actually dressed as a man. The only time she came close was during the Imperial Sect Quest Line when she disguised herself as a eunuch to sneak into the Celestial Palace.
At this moment, Xiaotian flew up to Ye Anping’s face, supporting Feng Yudie’s stance:
『Yes! Yudie is a girl. How can you make her wear men’s clothes, Ye Lad?』
It couldn’t allow Yudie to wear men’s clothes. She was already naive enough. If she fell in love with men’s clothes after wearing them once, she and Ye Anping would never be together.
After a pause, Ye Anping asked decisively:
“You really don’t want to wear them?”
“Not. At. All!” Feng Yudie crossed her arms, “My master said all men are bad. If I wear men’s clothes, wouldn’t I become bad too?”
?
What kind of logic is this…
Ye Anping couldn’t follow her reasoning and didn’t know how to respond for a moment.
“…”
Seeing Ye Anping frowning deeply, Feng Yudie thought for a moment, recalling how he had helped her earn many spirit stones. Realizing her words might have been too harsh, she quickly added with a sweet smile:
“But, Young Master Ye, you’re a bit better, not as bad as my master said, hehe…”
?
Ye Anping didn’t continue the conversation, instead cutting straight to the point:
“You really won’t wear them?”
“Absolutely not!”
Feng Yudie denied once again, then glanced at Xiao Yunluo, who was completely out of sync with their conversation, and suggested:
“How about we go to the women’s clothing store? You can help me pick out some outfits for Junior Junior Sister Pei. I’ll gift them to her later. Since Senior Sister Xiao is here, I can buy a few more expensive ones.”
“…”
Hearing this, Ye Anping’s expression became even more peculiar. He had to admit that sometimes he really couldn’t follow Feng Yudie’s train of thought.
Previously, her idea of a monogamous harem for Pei Lengxue was already shocking. Now she was using Xiao Yunluo like a membership card.
And it seemed Senior Sister Xiao offered better discounts than Senior Sister Bai.
Ye Anping suddenly felt a bit tempted, but he quickly realized that he had been sidetracked by Feng Yudie once again. After a moment of silence, he decided to play along, showing a slightly disappointed expression and shaking his head:
“I think if you wear this outfit, my junior sister would definitely find you quite attractive.”
!
“Hmm?” Feng Yudie was taken aback, her eyes lighting up, “Young Master Ye, do you agree?”
Agree for you to be with my junior sister? You’re dreaming… Ye Anping gave her a sideways glance and frowned:
“Just tell me, will you wear it or not?”
“If Junior Sister Pei likes it, of course, I’ll wear it!”
With that, Feng Yudie snatched the clothes from Ye Anping’s hands and rushed behind the screen in the store to change.
Ye Anping was speechless but relieved that she was at least willing to wear the outfit.
After returning to the Profound Star Sect, he could just have his junior sister compliment her a couple of times.
However, due to the men’s clothing store, the changing screen was not as thick as those in women’s stores, and he could faintly see the silhouette of a graceful girl changing clothes behind the paper screen.
The shadow was vague and elusive, with a slender waist and long hair reaching down…
At first glance, it seemed somewhat provocative, but remembering the shadow belonged to Feng Yudie, any such thoughts dissipated, leaving only a series of black lines across his face.
Fortunately, Xiao Yunluo’s voice pulled him out of his strange mood:
“Ye Anping, what are you doing? Why make her wear men’s clothes? Is there something that requires her to disguise as a man?”
Ye Anping remained silent for a while, sensing she had something on her mind. He hesitated before signaling with his eyes for her to send the shopkeeper away. Then he responded:
“What’s the matter?”
Xiao Yunluo understood and, frowning, took out her identity badge, ordering the shopkeeper to step outside:
“Shopkeeper, please step outside for a moment. I need to discuss something with this young master.”
Seeing the Profound Star Sect’s Young Mistress’s badge, the shopkeeper quickly ran outside and closed the door behind her.
Xiao Yunluo then took out several anti-eavesdropping talismans and placed them on the door before quietly asking:
“You don’t seem like you’re doing this on a whim or out of curiosity. Didn’t you and she resolve the Chi Dragon’s issue with Lengxue previously? So, I think you’re preparing for something again.”
Ye Anping looked at the talismans and thought that this girl had grown more cautious, at least compared to a year ago. He breathed a sigh of relief and smiled:
“What do you want to say, Senior Sister Xiao?”
“I just…” Xiao Yunluo pursed her lips, then put her hands on her hips and asked, “You didn’t tell me anything back then, and I was kept in the dark. Although my swordsmanship isn’t as good as Junior Sister Feng’s or Lengxue’s, if you need a girl to dress as a man, you don’t have to be embarrassed. If you need my help, just ask! As long as it’s within my ability and doesn’t violate my principles, I’ll definitely help you!”
Is she feeling marginalized and hence insecure?
Ye Anping looked at her, thought for a moment, and then reached out to pat her head.
“Ah…” Xiao Yunluo blushed, wanting to push his hand away but not quite willing to, so she weakly questioned, “What… what are you doing…?”
“There is indeed a favor I need from you, Senior Sister Xiao.”
“Hmm?” Xiao Yunluo’s eyes lit up, “What is it?”
“Senior Sister Xiao, could you talk to the shopkeeper later and ask her to give me a 68% discount?”
“…”
Xiao Yunluo was stunned, then furrowed her brows and slapped his hand away, ready to punch him in the chest:
“Ye Anping!!”
“Just joking…”
Ye Anping waved his hand in surrender, smiling:
“Senior Sister Xiao, you’re not stupid, and you’ve read many books since childhood, so you’re knowledgeable. But this is something you can’t help with.”
“Why?”
“Too many people recognize your face.”
“I see… I understand.” Xiao Yunluo nodded, looking down, “But if you ever need my help with something I can do, don’t hesitate to ask! For Lengxue’s sake, I won’t refuse you.”
“Alright…”
Ye Anping nodded, then noticed Feng Yudie peeking out from behind the screen, grinning at him and Xiao Yunluo. It seemed she had finished changing a while ago but had been quietly observing them. Xiaotian was kicking the back of her head noisily:
『Yudie! Don’t just watch!! Go join them!!』
Feng Yudie ignored it. Seeing Ye Anping look over, she asked guiltily:
“Hehe… Am I interrupting?”
Ye Anping, expressionless, asked:
“Finished changing? Come out and let us see.”
“Okay, here I come!”
Feng Yudie grinned, stepping out from behind the screen. She stood with her chest out, head high, wearing a scholar’s cap, her ponytail slightly flipped, standing somewhat awkwardly and grinning foolishly:
“Senior Sister Xiao, Young Master Ye, how do I look? Good?”
Xiao Yunluo looked at her, furrowing her brows. Feng Yudie, with her good looks, did look like a rather androgynous handsome scholar in the scholar’s outfit.
However, she found it strange that Feng Yudie, despite being in men’s clothes, looked more like a girl than when she’s in a dress.
“…Not bad, pretty good…”
Ye Anping looked at Feng Yudie’s pigeon-toed stance and thought: She looks like a dandy, but with some practice in posture and movement, she could pass.
Then he said:
“My junior sister will probably think you look good too.”