Shopping really wore you out

Lin Chen followed close behind, marveling inwardly at the sight. He had to admit that a child's power to heal was truly formidable.

Even such a heavy knot in the heart, such bone-piercing disappointment, could slowly be soothed by Little Yu'er's boundless energy and innocence.

Zhu Zhuqing, who had been on the verge of sinking into gloom, had stepped out of the shadows completely. She shed her loneliness and rediscovered her own confidence and vitality.

Having truly let go, Zhu Zhuqing was no longer bound by her past obsessions. Her mind relaxed completely, and she finally immersed herself in the easygoing atmosphere of their shopping trip.

No longer weighed down by her thoughts, she accompanied Little Mo Yu patiently, her eyes curved in a smile as she earnestly discussed everything along the street with her.

"This osmanthus cake smells lovely. It's just sweet enough. Yu'er should like it."

"This pale pink dress really suits you. It looks sweet and adorable, just perfect for you, Yu'er."

"This plain-colored dress has a lovely cut. It's simple and elegant. It should suit me."

The two figures, one grown and one small, wove eagerly from shop to shop.

From local snacks to clothes and accessories, from delicate ornaments to everyday odds and ends, they shopped to their hearts' content, their eyes brimming with delight at every new discovery.

Meanwhile, Lin Chen, who had originally come along to keep them company, had unwittingly become their personal pack mule.

At first, it had only been a skewer or two of snacks and a couple of pieces of clothing, which were easy enough to carry. But as time passed, the food, new clothes, accessories, and household supplies multiplied, piling up until both his hands were laden.

By now, Lin Chen's left hand was hung with all manner of paper-wrapped treats—sweet cakes, dried fruit, candied fruit, and snacks stacked layer upon layer—while his right held a jumble of colorful clothing bags, accessory gift boxes, and bags of household supplies.

The heavy load dragged at his arms until they began to ache. Both hands were completely occupied; he could not even find room to lift them.

Lin Chen smiled bitterly to himself. At last, he truly understood the complaint countless men had voiced online in his previous life:

—Accompanying women on a shopping trip really was physical labor of the highest order.

He was a level thirty-three Soul Elder who had survived several brushes with death. His physical condition far surpassed that of ordinary Soul Masters, and his stamina, endurance, and bodily strength were among the best of anyone his age. Ordinary fights and long journeys never left him feeling tired.

Yet after accompanying them for just one morning, the shopping piled into his hands had left his arms aching and his body and mind exhausted.

He was filled with regret, deeply wishing he had switched to a Soul Tool with more storage space before leaving.

The low-grade Soul Tool he wore had very little room, enough for only a few personal belongings.

It had long since been filled to capacity and could not hold any of their steadily growing purchases.

With no other choice, he had to carry everything by hand. In just one morning, it had accumulated into an enormous pile.

But the two ahead of him, absorbed in the joys of shopping, did not notice his exhaustion at all. They even remembered to turn back and gently hurry him along.

"Lin Chen, hurry up. A new clothing shop has opened up ahead, and its designs are gorgeous. Let's go take a look."

Zhu Zhuqing's clear voice rang out, tinged with girlish excitement. Her earlier gloom and loneliness were long gone.

Lin Chen looked up. Sure enough, the new clothing shop at the intersection ahead had an eye-catching storefront, and its fresh designs had drawn quite a few women to stop and browse.

Looking at the eager pair, he could not bring himself to refuse. He could only grit his teeth and press on beneath his burden, following them with slightly heavy steps.

Time slipped by, and the sun climbed higher. Its warmth turned sweltering, and before they knew it, noon was approaching.

The streets grew increasingly crowded and noisy. After an entire morning of shopping, Lin Chen was already exhausted in body and mind. His hands ached and tingled, and weariness seeped through his whole body.

Unable to endure any longer, he quickly stepped forward and gently suggested to the two, who still had not had their fill:

"Zhu Zhuqing, Yu'er, it's almost noon. The sun's getting stronger, and it's too hot. We've bought almost everything we need, so let's head back to the academy first. We can come out again this afternoon if we have time, all right?"

At his words, Zhu Zhuqing and Little Mo Yu both stopped, their faces showing lingering regret. Clearly, they had not shopped enough yet.

Little Mo Yu pouted and gently tugged Zhu Zhuqing's sleeve, her eyes full of reluctance.

"Sister Qing, let's shop a little longer. There are still so many pretty things we haven't seen."

Zhu Zhuqing hesitated as well. She glanced at Lin Chen's laden hands, but she still wanted to keep going.

Seeing this, Lin Chen could only humble himself and plead his pitiful case as gently as he could, his voice full of helplessness:

"I really can't keep going. Look, both my hands are full. I can't carry one more thing, and my arms are practically numb. If we keep shopping, I'm going to start dropping things. Let's go back and rest first. We can come out this afternoon, or any other time, all right?"

After his earnest, aggrieved persuasion, the two finally compromised and reluctantly nodded.

With their permission secured, Lin Chen instantly let out a huge sigh of relief. Inwardly, he cried out, wishing he could break through to Soul Saint on the spot, fly through the air, and return to the academy in a single second, escaping this "sweet torment" of shopping once and for all.

The three lingered no longer. They turned and headed back toward Suotuo City's Intermediate Spirit Master Academy.

Walking briskly the whole way, they made it back to Mo Yuan's quiet little courtyard in just an hour.

The moment he stepped through the courtyard gate, Lin Chen could hold on no longer. He hurried to the stone table and set down every bag and bundle of food in his hands. In an instant, the entire tabletop was covered with a dazzling assortment of goods.

The instant he put down the heavy load, his whole body relaxed. His legs went weak, and he dropped straight into a wooden chair in the courtyard, his mind going blank. He was too tired to move so much as an inch.

His arms ached and tingled, and his legs were sore and weak. Even as a powerful Soul Elder, he had been worn out completely by that morning's shopping.

His gaze swept across the table and landed on the neatly placed teapot. His mouth and throat were already parched, and he could not be bothered with the tedious business of pouring tea. He snatched up the pot, lifted its lid, tilted his head back, and gulped straight from the spout.

The refreshing, faintly sweet tea flowed into his throat, instantly easing the dryness in his mouth. His overheated body cooled considerably, and some of the exhaustion from running around shopping began to fade.

Mo Yuan, who happened to be coming out of the house, caught every bit of this careless, rather bedraggled display.

Watching his disciple sprawled in the chair and gulping tea so unceremoniously, Mo Yuan's eyes filled with teasing amusement. He feigned puzzlement as he asked:

"How did you end up this exhausted? You only went shopping for supplies. Why do you look more bedraggled than after going out to train and fight?"

Lin Chen swallowed his tea and let out a long, weary breath. Looking utterly defeated, he replied helplessly:

"Teacher, when you have time, go shopping with your wife once. Then you'll understand what it's like. It's much more tiring than a drawn-out fight with a Soul Elder."

Hearing this, Yun Yan could not help laughing softly. Her eyes were gentle and full of mirth; Lin Chen's complaint had clearly amused her.

After laughing, Yun Yan turned toward Zhu Zhuqing and Little Mo Yu and walked over to them. Her gaze settled on the table laden with purchases, and she eagerly began looking through the clothes, accessories, and snacks.

"This dress has a lovely cut. Zhu Zhuqing will look cool and ethereal in it."

"This little outfit is sweet and adorable. It's just right for Yu'er."

"These snacks look authentic. They should taste quite good."

His teacher's wife's gentle voice drifted through the courtyard. The three gathered around the table, enthusiastically discussing their purchases, and the little courtyard once again filled with warmth and lively chatter.

Still slumped in his chair, Lin Chen quietly watched the warm, harmonious scene before him. The weariness in his heart silently faded, leaving only a deep sense of peace and ease.

This seemingly exhausting shopping trip had not only soothed the wounds in Zhu Zhuqing's heart completely, but also helped her fully settle into life here, truly putting down roots in this entirely new world.