Chapter 13: Has Yiluo Gone Astray?

Keke half-heartedly followed Yiluo into the largest clothing shop in the small town.

The shop was filled with women’s long dresses, dazzling to the eyes.

Although the technology of this world was not very advanced, the hand-crafted dresses were indeed more exquisite and luxurious than those of modern times.

Yiluo merely admired the craftsmanship and design in her heart, while Keke was clearly captivated—her eyes were literally sparkling.

Any dress here was made with better workmanship and materials than the ones the two of them were wearing.

The shop owner was a thin, forty-something man with a mustache.

When Yiluo and Keke first entered, he wasn’t very interested—after all, the two were dressed plainly.

But once he saw their faces clearly, a smile tugged at his mouth and he quickly came forward to serve them.

“Hi, beautiful ladies, welcome to my clothing pavilion.

All our clothes come from major trade caravans, guaranteed to be the best in town—better even than those in the nearby city-states.”

The owner had been in business for many years.

Seeing how poorly Yiluo and Keke were dressed but noticing they were just as beautiful as the Flower Saintess who passed through town years ago, his lustful thoughts stirred.

Yiluo looked at the overly enthusiastic shop owner and immediately saw through his intentions.

She did not expose him, instead pointed at a beige carved princess dress hanging at the center of the shop and asked, “Warm-hearted owner, how much is this?”

The owner squinted, thinking Yiluo had good taste—she had chosen the best display dress at a glance.

He immediately began introducing enthusiastically:

“This princess dress is from a merchant in the capital of the Arkhande Empire.

I bought it for 1 gold coin.

If the young lady fancies it, I’m willing to sell it at cost—1 gold coin.

It would be this dress’s honor to be worn by such a beautiful young lady.”

In reality, he had bought the dress for 15 silver coins and normally sold it for 50.

He had intentionally doubled the price.

The exchange rate for copper-silver-gold coins was 100 to 1.

Five silver coins could support an ordinary family for a whole year.

This was something Yiluo had subtly learned from Uncle Senel on the road.

Hmph, truly black-hearted.

Although Yiluo despised the owner in her heart, she showed nothing on her face.

Hearing the price, she looked dejected.

“It’s far too expensive… But owner, you must be very wealthy, to own such valuable dresses at such a young age.”

The owner basked in the compliment, feeling flattered.

“This is only part of it.

I have even better and more expensive dresses.

Would the young lady like to take a look?”

Hearing this, Yiluo looked delighted, hands clasped before her chest, eyes filled with expectation.

“Really? You would show us?”

With beauty paired with such eager expression—no man could resist.

“Of course! How could I refuse a beautiful lady?”

Keke watched Yiluo’s behavior from the side, utterly confused.

Does she really like clothes this much?

This owner is obviously scamming her!

As the owner turned to lead them into a small inner room, Keke leaned close to Yiluo’s ear and whispered a worried reminder.

Yiluo winked at her in return, smiling knowingly, telling her not to worry and just do as she said.

The small room was spotless and well-cleaned.

The magic lamp lit up automatically as they entered.

Several dresses even more luxurious than those outside were placed on mannequins, the tiny gemstones sparkling under the lamplight.

Both Keke and Yiluo were momentarily stunned.

These dresses were simply too lavish—far above the level of the ones outside.

The kind that only nobles and wealthy merchants would wear.

The owner was pleased with their reactions.

“If the beautiful young lady has taken a liking to one, you may try it on.”

He thought secretly: Once they put on my clothes, they’re not leaving.

Yiluo’s stunned expression was, of course, fake.

She scanned the room and fixed her gaze on the most luxurious white princess dress.

The gauzy dress had complex yet cute patterns, with red gemstones adorning the hem, sleeves, and chest.

It was cool but not revealing and just the right size for Keke.

“Really?”

“You’re too kind, owner. Thank you.

But I am curious—how much is this one?”

Yiluo looked up at him with admiration, pointing at the white dress.

“That one? Two gold coins.

It comes from the capital of the Republic of Vina, the homeland of clothes.

It is the treasure dress of my shop.”

His eyes swept over Yiluo, realizing the size didn’t suit her.

He was just about to recommend a backless dress when Yiluo urged Keke to thank the owner.

“Uh? Oh?”

“Thank you, owner.”

Keke felt awkward trying clothes she couldn’t afford, but under Yiluo’s urging—and because the dress was simply too pretty—she bowed stiffly.

The owner frowned slightly, clearly hoping Yiluo would be the one trying clothes on.

He hesitated.

At that moment, Yiluo leaned in to whisper in his ear:

“I love my little sister the most.

I want to see her wear the prettiest dress.”

“Owner… do you have a maid outfit suitable for me?”

Good heavens—was this not an obvious hint?!

The owner’s mustache twitched upward.

His hesitation vanished instantly.

“Of course, of course!

I’ll help your sister with the dress first, then help you choose the best maid outfit.”

Such a pure-looking girl… I didn’t expect this… Hehehe…

As Keke went to change, Yiluo shyly told the owner:

“Owner, the maid outfit should be a normal one…

It’s my first time wearing one… I’m embarrassed…”

Her shy expression nearly sent him to heaven.

“I understand, I understand! Leave it to me.

A first time is important.”

Yiluo watched him go into another room and called after him:

“Owner, it needs to be a new one.

You’re such a good man.”

“Of course, brand new!”

Soon, the owner returned with a brand-new maid outfit.

Yiluo checked it, found no issue, and asked,

“How much is this set?”

The owner laughed.

“Don’t mention money—so vulgar.

You and I are fated.

It’s my gift to you.”

Yiluo smiled happily and went to change.

In the fitting room, she put on the maid outfit.

The skirt barely reached her knees.

She looked at the white over-knee stockings in her hands, troubled.

Why does this world even have white over-knee socks?!

The owner was truly a hardcore pervert.

Yiluo looked at herself in the mirror—the black-and-white maid outfit exposing her slender arms and legs, golden hair falling softly over her chest, the ribbon rising ever so slightly with her breath.

Her blue eyes reflected curiosity and hesitation, making her already pure appearance even cuter.

Sigh.

Yiluo sighed lightly.

Wear it.

As a perfectionist, the stockings made the outfit complete.

It wasn’t vanity.

Just acting.

Yes. Acting.

Although her blushing face betrayed her.

When Yiluo walked out, she was startled by Keke’s transformation.

In the white princess dress, with her slender figure and cute face—she looked like a true little princess.

“A miracle!

Too cute.

But the hat doesn’t match—take it off.”

The owner praised nonstop.

Yiluo walked over, blocking the owner’s gaze.

She swapped the light-blue hat from another dress with the green hat on Keke’s head.

Keke looked up shyly—she had never worn anything this fancy.

Yiluo patted her shoulder.

“Keke, you look beautiful and adorable. Perfect.”

Then she turned to the owner.

“This is correct, right?”

“Yes yes, perfect!”

His eyes returned to Yiluo.

“But the maid outfit looks even better on you…”

“Of course.

I’m satisfied with the clothes.

Two gold coins.

Please wrap up our old clothes.”

Her expression changed instantly; all previous admiration disappeared.

“Huh?”

The owner froze.

When the two gold coins dropped into his hand, he finally understood.

“You… bought them?”

“Of course.”

He couldn’t believe it.

Gold coins were rare—especially for two plainly dressed girls.

He weighed them and examined both sides.

No doubt—they were real.

The ducks he thought were in his grasp—a pair of ducks—had flown away?!

“Owner, please pack the clothes.”

“Ah? Ah! Right away!”

Yiluo feared the perverted owner would do something strange with their old clothes if left behind.

That would be disgusting.

When the owner handed the old clothes to her, she asked,

“This maid outfit is free, right?”

He nodded awkwardly.

“Yes, it’s free.”

“Indeed. We are fated.”

Yiluo smiled sweetly and left with Keke.

After they left, the owner sat down, disappointed, but cheered up again when he saw the two gold coins.

Women—money can buy them.

And two gold coins?

He was lucky if he earned that in a whole year.

The maid outfit cost 5 silver coins.

The white dress was indeed from the Vina Republic, but he had bought it for 50 silver coins from a desperate merchant.

He thought for a moment and decided to close early today—after all, he had made a huge profit.

…

“Keke, the owner was too greedy.

These dresses may be good quality, but they are not worth 2 gold coins!”

Seeing Keke’s outraged expression, Yiluo found her adorable.

She pinched her cheeks and nodded happily.

“I know.”

Keke’s eyes widened.

“Then why did you buy them?!

Don’t tell me… Yiluo, are you actually rich?”

She remembered Yiluo wolfing down six huge, coarse black breads that morning—that image was unforgettable.

“Nope.”

Yiluo’s cheerful tone made her even more suspicious.

“You’re so strange!!!

Who gets scammed and still looks happy?!”

Yiluo swayed happily.

“Because Keke looks even cuter in that dress.”

She was enjoying the same joy as a father buying his daughter a beautiful, perfectly fitting dress.

It simply made her happy.

Keke blushed.

“But… it’s too expensive!

I can never repay you!”

Yiluo paused, then innocently tilted her head.

“You don’t have to repay me.

Because I plan to steal the money back tonight.”

“And give that lustful shop owner a lesson.”

Keke froze, then whispered nervously,

“Stealing is bad… and dangerous…”

Seeing her worried expression only brightened Yiluo’s mood.

She wrapped her arm around Keke’s and pulled her toward the bright marketplace.

“Don’t worry.

Now it’s your shopping time.

Come—big sister will take you shopping!”

“Wait—what?!

More spending?!”

“This is too expensive!”