Chapter 124: Chapter 124: Mengmeng Clothing Store, Favorability to MAX with a Headpat?

On the other side.

"Who told you to bring ghosts?"

"I just did. What’s it to you?"

"You’re cheating! I’m going to report you!"

"Go ahead. Report me. See if they can even punish me."

"..."

A fierce argument had broken out among the women.

The center of the dispute was whether having your marriage partner’s subordinates follow you counted as cheating.

The marriage candidates who hadn’t realized this mission had such a bug were naturally furious!

They repeatedly accused the others of breaking the rules.

But the candidates with ghosts standing behind them looked on with disdain, flaunting their power and claiming the marriage system had never forbidden it.

Some even started comparing with each other.

It was as if having more and stronger ghosts conferred a much nobler status.

When they saw Yun Zhenyue with not a single ghost behind her,

some of them secretly revealed expressions of smug delight.

After these past few instances,

most of the survivors had developed a deep jealousy toward Yun Zhenyue.

’We’re all women, so why is your life so good?’

Now, seeing that Yun Zhenyue also hadn’t realized there was a bug and had lost out right at the starting line, they felt as refreshed as if they’d just drunk an ice-cold cola on a hot summer day. Their moods lifted instantly.

Han Sumei glanced over, then quickly looked away, feeling smug.

She hadn’t thought to exploit the bug this time either and hadn’t brought any ghosts, which had been annoying her. But seeing Yun Zhenyue in the same predicament made her feel much better.

"Hmph~"

At that moment, Ah Sha from Elephant Country shot Yun Zhenyue a disdainful look.

She was a noble Brahmin!

Born into wealth.

Despite being from Elephant Country, she was different from those lowly untouchables; there wasn’t a trace of darkness on her skin.

She wore jewel-encrusted gold bangles, her ears were adorned with charming earrings, and her olive-green eyes were a blessing bestowed upon her by the heavens.

Ah Sha had long been displeased with Yun Zhenyue.

Especially back at Chilling Middle School. She was the only one who got a perfect score?

’Doesn’t that make me look stupid?’

And with the whole world watching, it was like a hard slap to her face!

As for the matter of Yun Zhenyue punching open a heart chamber...

Ah Sha wasn’t intimidated by it.

She didn’t believe a human could possess the power of an Evil Star.

’Either Mr. Luo’s daughter helped her,’

’or Gu Yuan helped her. Using a trick like that once is impressive enough.’

Her own husband was an Evil Star Yaksha!

A demigod in the mythology of Elephant Country!

She feared no one, human or ghost.

Ah Sha crossed her arms, staring straight at Yun Zhenyue without a word.

The seven Yaksha ghosts behind her also glared, their eyes filled with murderous intent.

The leader was even a Crimson-robed Ghost!

It was as if all Ah Sha had to do was give the order,

and they would plunge their Trident Long Halberds into Yun Zhenyue’s body.

She was just a little mouse, anyway.

They had killed and eaten plenty of those!

But Yun Zhenyue didn’t notice their stares. The arguing was already making her ears hurt.

After waiting for a long time and seeing no mall manager appear,

she started walking off to the side.

"You..."

Ah Sha saw she was being ignored.

This was even more infuriating than being confronted or cursed at.

It meant she and the ghosts behind her were being completely disregarded!

Ah Sha’s face paled, but she ultimately suppressed her anger.

She hadn’t yet figured out the background of this Fierce Ghost Mall. Acting rashly could bring disaster.

She shot a deep, cold glare at Yun Zhenyue’s retreating back.

Ah Sha then led her procession of ghosts upstairs.

She went straight to the fifth floor, where there was only a single clothing store.

Then she had the Crimson-robed Yaksha block the elevator, preventing other marriage candidates from coming up.

Seeing this, the other women were angry but didn’t dare to speak up.

They wanted no trouble with a Crimson-robed Yaksha.

But then,

the other marriage candidates who had brought ghosts began to imitate Ah Sha.

The stronger the ghosts they had, the higher the floor they occupied.

Soon,

the third through fifth floors were all guarded by ghosts.

Han Sumei and the other two remaining marriage candidates

had no choice but to pick a clothing store on the second floor.

The store on the second floor was only slightly better decorated than the first, and it had very few customers.

Working here,

when would they ever be able to afford a single piece of clothing as a gift? It would take forever.

Besides, the quality of the clothes was probably not that good.

...

Just then,

Yun Zhenyue returned from her walk around the mall.

Only then did she realize that the clothing stores upstairs were all guarded by ghosts.

She couldn’t be bothered to fight with them, so she simply found a clothing store that looked pleasant and walked in.

This little shop, called "Mengmeng Clothing," was located in a corner on the first floor.

You could say its location was the worst in the entire mall!

Other stores might have few customers, but at least you could see a few shadows moving about.

This store’s entrance was swept clean, and the sign showed signs of being wiped regularly.

But there wasn’t a single soul in sight.

TING-A-LING~

As Yun Zhenyue walked in,

a hanging bell chimed crisply.

A petite loli in a white lace-hemmed dress was sitting on a chair, bored out of her mind. When she heard the bell, she tilted her head to look at Yun Zhenyue, a look of pleasant surprise appearing in her eyes.

"A customer?"

"Welcome to Mengmeng Clothing! I’m Mengmeng. What style of clothes are you looking for, miss? Our shop has everything, and I made them all myself. They’re all high-quality and inexpensive!"

Mengmeng quickly rushed to Yun Zhenyue’s side, speaking eagerly. She was only tall enough to reach Yun Zhenyue’s collarbone.

"Well—"

Yun Zhenyue blinked.

She didn’t have a single penny on her right now. She couldn’t afford anything even if she wanted to!

"I don’t have any money," Yun Zhenyue shook her head and asked softly, "I was wondering if you’re hiring?"

"No money?"

Mengmeng was deeply disappointed. It was as if her very spine had been pulled out, and her mood became utterly dejected.

She didn’t answer the question about hiring, instead saying listlessly, "Just have a seat for a while. As long as you don’t sit on the clothes, you can sit anywhere. It’s not like there’s any business anyway."

Yun Zhenyue obediently found a chair and sat down.

She waited for nearly half an hour,

watching Mengmeng prop her head up and doze off.

Finally, when Mengmeng woke up and saw Yun Zhenyue was still there, a hint of surprise showed in her eyes. Only then did she explain, "I didn’t expect you to be so patient."

"Look, sometimes my store doesn’t get a single person for days. Do you think I need to hire anyone?"

’No one comes?’

Yun Zhenyue was astonished.

She looked at the clothes hanging on the wall.

A casual glance

landed on a traditional robe of bright red Kesi silk.

Two egrets made of pearls rested on the collar. The craftsmanship was exquisite, the quality extremely high.

Yun Zhenyue looked at the other clothes.

Even the plainest garment seemed to glow like moonlight, a picture of restrained luxury.

Whether it was the style or the texture, they were the best Yun Zhenyue had ever seen.

They were all traditional Dragon Country garments, and the prices weren’t even that expensive.

Even if the location was a bit poor, it couldn’t possibly be as exaggerated as Mengmeng described, with no business for days, right?

"Is it because you haven’t advertised?"

Yun Zhenyue asked tentatively.

"Advertise? I don’t even have money for food. Where would I get the money to advertise?"

Mengmeng’s face was glum, the picture of dejection.

’This...’

Yun Zhenyue could see she was in a bad mood.

’Such a young child has to run a store?’

A wave of pity washed over Yun Zhenyue.

She couldn’t help but slowly reach out and gently pat Mengmeng’s head.

In that instant!

A milky white light appeared!

Yun Zhenyue didn’t even realize it; her Purifying Hand had activated automatically.

HUM!

When she felt the gentle touch on her head,

Mengmeng was startled. She had never met such a forward customer. Besides, she was a ghost! Wasn’t this human girl, who didn’t look much older than herself, afraid?

"What are you do—?"

Just as she was about to shake her head to get the hand off,

an extremely warm and comfortable sensation spread from the top of her head!

Mengmeng felt a warm current run down her spine, and her whole body instantly went tingly and numb, as if she were in her mother’s warm embrace. A sense of security she hadn’t felt in a long time filled her heart.

Even her bones felt like they were softening. A blush appeared on her neck, her eyes closed gently, and her lips subconsciously shut, leaving the last syllable unspoken.

All the negative emotions in her heart vanished under that gentle head pat.

Who knows how long it lasted.

When the touch on her head disappeared, Mengmeng even gently nudged her head upward, but she didn’t find anything. Not comprehending, she opened her eyes in dissatisfaction.

Two drowsy tears slid from the corners of her eyes, as if she’d had a wonderful dream after drinking too much.

"Why did you stop..."

Mengmeng mumbled under her breath.

Before she could finish,

she saw Yun Zhenyue’s apologetic expression and slowly came to her senses. A powerful sense of shame washed over her!

She... she... she!

She had actually gotten lost in the pleasure of a head pat?

Mengmeng’s blush spread from her neck all the way to her earlobes!

Yet, she couldn’t feel any anger toward Yun Zhenyue. In fact, she felt a subtle sense of closeness to her.

How to describe it?

It was like a kitten seeing its mother.

Her Affinity shot up! 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Straight to MAX!

"I’m sorry for touching your head," Yun Zhenyue said apologetically.

"Hmph~"

Mengmeng put her hands on her hips, clearly a little indignant.

She wanted to say that Yun Zhenyue was out of line, acting recklessly, and showing no respect for her as the shop owner!

But the words that came out sounded more like a coquettish whisper.

"I can hire you, but you have to do this every day from now on..."

"Do what?" Yun Zhenyue asked, confused.

"This... Just pat my head, don’t you get it!" Mengmeng said, flying into a rage out of sheer embarrassment.

"Okay," Yun Zhenyue said obediently.