That Face Worked Better Than a Discount Card

The way Cedric looked Lia over made her skin prickle.

The last time she had felt so closely scrutinized was back when she was an apprentice, with her master watching her work.

She had been running this high-end tailor shop for almost a year and had seen every kind of customer. Yet one little boy had her feeling uneasy all over.

Then again, he was awfully easy on the eyes.

Judging by his clothes, he hardly looked like someone who could afford to shop here.

If he had had a more ordinary face, Lia would have politely shown him out by now, young as he was.

But Cedric's face had a warmth to it. The words to send him away stuck in her throat.

"Sweetie, are you sure you've come to the right place?"

Lia crouched, her qipao following the curve of her waist, and asked gently,

"Did you get separated from your parents?"

"I'm in the right place. I'm here to order clothes."

Cedric looked at her in confusion.

"Do I need an adult with me to do that?"

"No, it's just..."

Lia glanced at his faded, well-washed clothes and changed what she had been about to say.

"Our prices might be a little high."

"Oh, that's fine. I know what to expect."

Cedric walked over to the row of fabrics hanging along the wall.

"How much would it cost to make an outfit that repels dust, odors, and oil?"

Unlike Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions, this shop could enchant its fabrics with minor spells.

Dust and cooking-oil resistance were standard. They had waterproof options too.

"Those fabrics aren't cheap. Twenty Galleons a yard."

As Lia spoke, she estimated how much he would need.

"At your size, an outfit would take about two yards. The labor costs half the price of the fabric, so you're looking at around sixty Galleons altogether."

Cedric rubbed his chin.

He had planned to order three outfits at once, but now he would have to think twice.

"I'll take one for now, then."

"Are you sure? You're at the age when you'll shoot up. The clothes might not fit you by next year."

Lia set down her measuring tape.

"Tailored clothes are made to fit closely. Even putting on a little weight could make them uncomfortable."

"Then I'll order new ones next year."

Cedric sounded utterly unconcerned.

He wanted to eat well and dress comfortably.

When he had been scraping by on the streets, he had had no choice. Now he had no intention of skimping on himself.

Money? He had crossed into another world. Surely he could find a way to earn it.

"All right. Come inside and I'll take your measurements."

As she spoke, Lia stole another glance at his face and pulled aside the curtain.

Cedric lifted Xuanling off his shoulder, set him on a nearby stool, and slipped behind the curtain.

Before long, his helpless voice floated out.

"Ma'am, do you really need to touch me that much to measure my arm span?"

"Oh, sorry. I have to keep the tape close to your body for an accurate measurement."

"Then... is pinching my cheeks part of measuring me too?"

"I couldn't help it. You're too adorable."

A full five minutes passed before Lia finally took her hands away, still reluctant to stop.

She wrote down Cedric's measurements with a satisfied smile.

"Custom work takes three days. You can pick it up then, but I'll need a ten-percent deposit first."

Cedric nodded, took out six gold coins, and handed them over.

"I haven't asked your name."

Lia accepted the money, her voice especially soft.

"Cedric Gray."

"You're Cedric Gray?"

Lia's eyes went wide.

"You know me?"

Cedric glanced at her.

"Is that a problem?"

"You're so much younger than I imagined. I never expected the cook everyone praises to be a child."

Lia blinked.

"Lots of customers who come here for clothes have mentioned your cooking."

"If you let me try something you've made, I might just knock a little off the price."

Before she had finished speaking, Cedric thrust a paper bag in front of her.

"You have to keep your word."

His eyes curved with his smile.

Lia was genuinely caught off guard.

She had only been teasing him, but the boy's hands had moved faster than his mouth.

"Go ahead and try it. If you don't like it, I'd be too embarrassed to ask for a discount."

Cedric gave her a gracious way out.

After that, Lia could hardly refuse.

She took the bag, opened it, and picked out a piece of Rock Sugar Biting Cabbage.

He had already handed out all the crispy fried ones. The rock-sugar kind was all he had left.

Lia popped the sugar-coated Biting Cabbage into her mouth and chewed a few times.

Her already large eyes widened like saucers.

"How... how is this so good?"

Lia covered her mouth with a gasp.

"Glad you like it."

Cedric raised an eyebrow.

"So what kind of discount does this little snack of mine get me?"

"Well..."

Lia covered her mouth, looking pained. Her eyes darted around the empty shop before she clasped her hands and pleaded with Cedric.

She looked as pitiful as could be, her voice turning coaxing and sweet.

"Little brother, running a shop isn't easy for your big sister. Could you let it slide this once?"

"Afraid not."

Cedric narrowed his eyes.

"Whether you're dealing with people or doing business, you have to keep your word, big sister. You wouldn't go back on yours, would you?"

His little face fell, and he fixed Lia with a pair of pleading, watery eyes.

Lia clutched her chest. It felt as though someone had squeezed her heart.

A muffled groan escaped her throat. At last, she gave in.

"All right, all right! Stop looking at me like that. Keep it up and I really will take you home and raise you!"

She forced her face into a fierce scowl and pushed the six gold coins back to him.

"Fine, ten percent off. No deposit. Bring fifty Galleons when you pick it up in three days!"

"Only ten percent?"

Cedric made no effort to hide his disappointment.

"Stop! I'm not listening!"

Lia clamped her hands over her ears, squeezed her eyes shut, and shook her head like a rattle.

"You're not tricking me again."

Cedric's mouth twitched.

Hah. Women.

Despite that thought, he thanked her with a sweet "Thank you, big sister," then pushed open the door and left.

Only after he was well away did Lia dare take her hands off her ears.

She opened her eyes, unable to hide her regret. Her elegant composure had vanished.

Cupping her slightly warm cheeks, she murmured,

"Wow, the way he called me big sister was so sweet. I really want to take him home and raise him."