Yunxia Ancient Street was a highly commercialized antique-style street in Canglong City.
From afar, dark gray tiled eaves and palace roofs rose and fell in unbroken succession, spreading into one continuous expanse.
Walking down the street, crimson gates and embroidered windows lined both sides, with upturned eaves and soaring corners making it feel as though one had crossed through time and stepped into antiquity.
The weather was pleasant, with temperatures around twenty-two degrees, and the street bustled with people.
Young men and women walked hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, chatting, taking in the sights, and eating snacks, as though holding each other at this very moment meant they could hold on to this winter.
Many people in culturally distinctive clothing could also be seen taking photographs beside various characteristic ancient buildings.
"This is so delicious, I want more."
"Come on, bro, take a picture of me here."
"Xiaolu, Xiaolu, stop spacing out. Let's try this."
As a college student, Li Yunyao usually had a heavy study load and spent most of her time in Liuchuan County. She rarely came to Canglong City, and now that she was both sightseeing and shopping, her nature was quickly set free.
Li Pin followed the two of them, watching with a hint of indulgence.
Having rarely spent time with "family," he did not find it dull either.
"Xiaolu, look, look! Those young ladies are so pretty."
At that moment, Li Yunyao pulled Lin Xiaolu along as she stared at six women dressed in ancient-style clothing, exquisitely made up, with gauze sleeves drifting in the air. Her face was full of envy.
Li Pin glanced over.
The Taibai Kingdom had enjoyed sixty years of peace, and every industry had developed rapidly. Its economy and entertainment scene were exceptionally prosperous.
Star Refiners stood aloof from the masses and were too far removed from the ordinary world. The martial artist system, on the other hand, had existed since ancient times. As martial arts flourished, it also drove the rise of the antique-style industry. All kinds of ancient costumes and garments emerged one after another, then underwent layer upon layer of refinement through modern craftsmanship, reaching a level of beauty that left people marveling in astonishment.
Women dressed in ancient-style clothing like those before them were not uncommon.
However, all six women were quite attractive. Combined with the high-grade materials and exquisite designs of their clothing, they stood beside an ancient bridge, posing with their hands resting on willow branches. Naturally, they drew attention.
Li Pin took another look and saw that it was a newly opened ancient-costume shop of considerable size nearby.
Having six women wear gorgeous outfits while taking pictures and strolling around the area was clearly one of the Shang Family's ways of drawing in customers.
And sure enough, Li Yunyao...
"Bro, Xiaolu, let's go inside and take a look."
Hadn't she been drawn in?
Li Pin followed the two of them into the shop.
The prices of ancient costumes varied enormously depending on materials and workmanship. Though this shop looked unremarkable from the outside, its interior decoration was highly distinctive.
There were quite a few customers like Li Yunyao who had been drawn in.
Yet before long, they hurried back out.
As for the reason...
One moment ago, Li Yunyao had spotted a pink ruqun that blended modern and ancient elements, her eyes brimming with delight. The next moment, when she saw its four-digit price tag, she was so startled that she quietly pulled Lin Xiaolu toward the exit.
"If you like it, buy it."
Li Pin said.
"No, it's too expensive. Two thousand six hundred eighty-eight? Oh my god."
Li Yunyao had never bought clothing this expensive in her life.
Ten years ago, the research institute where Father Li worked had suffered a Demonic Beast attack. Father Li, along with dozens of others at the institute, had all perished. Afterward, the institute's owner fled, and the Li family received no compensation. Over the past ten years, the Li family had not lived particularly well.
Of course, thanks to the support of their eldest and third uncles, they had not fallen into poverty.
Still, even Li Pin's high school tuition back then had come from relatives' aid. Naturally, they could not afford overly expensive daily necessities.
Only after their eldest sister, Li Yunyan, started working and got married did things improve somewhat.
"It's fine. If you want it, buy it. Do you think a Level 2 Martial Artist's income can't afford two outfits?"
Li Pin said.
He had seen the six women outside earlier. The materials, designs, and craftsmanship of this shop were indeed pleasing to the eye and worth the price.
It was not simply setting sky-high prices because it was located in a bustling area.
"Even so, no. It's too expensive."
Li Yunyao shook her head.
At that moment, a lively and adorable-looking girl with twin ponytails and airy bangs walked over. "You have great taste, miss. This is one of our shop's best-selling ancient costumes. It's an improved version of the Wide-Sleeved Fairy Dress. We also have professional makeup artists and hairstylists here who can provide every customer with free makeup and styling. And since we're currently celebrating our opening, if you buy two outfits at once, you can enjoy a thirty percent discount..."
At this point, the girl paused and looked at Li Yunyao with some amazement. "You're so beautiful, miss, and your figure is wonderful too. You're practically a natural clothes hanger. If you're willing to let us take a photo to keep in the shop, I can ask the manager for a half-price discount."
"Huh? Half price? And free makeup and styling?"
Li Yunyao paused mid-step as she headed out.
She looked at that outfit...
It really was beautiful.
But...
She still shook her head.
Li Pin, however, smiled at the girl. "Go on."
He pointed to the outfit Li Yunyao had chosen, as well as another one that Lin Xiaolu liked. "Have the makeup artist get ready."
"Certainly. This way, ladies."
"Bro... I don't need one..."
Lin Xiaolu quickly said.
"You need two outfits for the half-price discount. Buying them this way is clearly more cost-effective."
Li Pin said.
"But this..."
Ding!
Just then, a text notification sounded from Li Pin's phone.
He glanced at it.
"You may not understand the annual salary of a young Level 2 Martial Artist."
He showed his phone to Li Yunyao.
After only one glance, Li Yunyao's eyes widened.
"Your card ending in *8879 received a transfer of 1,000,000.00 yuan at 15:31 on December 25. Balance after transaction: 1,041,073.58 yuan. [Taibai Bank]"
"Wow."
Light shimmered in Li Yunyao's eyes. "Bro..."
Ever since she was little, she had taken Li Pin as her role model...
Not because of his personality. Mainly because Li Pin had been clever since childhood and had good grades, so all the family relatives praised him.
Half the reason he had become her role model had been imposed on her by the family.
But at this very moment...
She truly felt the benefits of having an older brother. She felt what happiness was.
"Go on."
Li Pin put away his phone and patted her head.
"Thank you, bro. I'm going, then."
Li Yunyao said happily, pulling Lin Xiaolu along as they quickly followed the girl to the makeup room on the second floor.
Watching Li Yunyao's excited face, Li Pin's expression remained calm.
In "Li Pin's" memories, Li Yunyao had never been this close to him.
He...
Had done better than "him."
"Sir, this way, please."
Another girl dressed in the shop's distinctive clothing stepped forward and led Li Pin aside to pay.
She spoke softly and sweetly the whole way.
The bill was 2,688 yuan.
In Canglong City, where the average income was only a little over one thousand yuan, that was nearly three months' wages for an ordinary person.
Li Pin had taken it out so casually, so the girl naturally treated him gently.
What was more...
Li Pin possessed a temperament that others simply did not have—high-spirited vitality, sunny and handsome.
That made her smile even sweeter.
While Li Pin was paying, he seemed to sense something.
Someone's gaze had lingered on him for a while?
He turned his head and looked over.
He saw a woman gazing somewhat enviously at Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu as they each selected an exquisite ancient costume and went upstairs.
When she noticed Li Pin's gaze, she seemed startled. She hurriedly looked away, pulled along the woman who had been shopping with her, and quickly left the shop.
Li Pin thought for a moment and remembered the woman's name.
She seemed to be called Zhang Yunxi?
Not long ago, Fang Baiyun had wanted to introduce her to him, but she had left before they even finished eating?
The only reason he could recognize Zhang Yunxi was because it had happened not long ago.
Otherwise, after a month or two, he would have long forgotten someone he had only met once.
It was not that he had a poor memory, but that he understood the human brain had limited capacity.
There was no need to waste precious memories on meaningless people.
Thanks to Alliance Leader Low-Key Sword's Beginning for the reward. An old reader who has been with every book, they even gave an Alliance Leader reward after Nuclear Powered Sword Immortal ended. Likewise, they are this book's first Alliance Leader.
Thank you for your support.
I had originally planned to add extra chapters in thanks when the book was released, but adding one now and then adding more upon release was clearly a better way to show my gratitude.
Before you continue