167: Shanghai returns

As the car drove away from the Xihong City highway exit, Xia Zhu was leaning against the car window, curiously staring at the road sign by the side of the road—the words "Magic City Downtown 50km" were particularly conspicuous in the sunlight.

She clutched the cosmos ring in her hand, her fingertips repeatedly rubbing the blue gemstone on it, and turned to ask Xie Hui, "When you were a Corporate Slave in the Magic City before, did you have to squeeze onto the subway every day? I read online that the subway during morning rush hour in the Magic City can squeeze people into photographs."

Xie Hui gripped the steering wheel and couldn't help but laugh, "It's more than just squeezing into photographs. The rental apartment I used to live in was less than ten square meters. Once the bed and table were put in, there was no room to stand; I even had to squat at the doorway just to cook instant noodles."

It's different now. Once we arrive in the Magic City, I'll get you a big house directly, so you can see what 'the status of a Transmigration practitioner' is all about."

Xia Zhu's eyes lit up. She took out her mobile phone from her bag and pulled up the guide for Magic City delicacies she had saved earlier, "Then let's go eat xiaolongbao as soon as we arrive! I read in the guide that the xiaolongbao at Chenghuang Temple is super delicious, and there are also pan-fried buns and scallion oil noodles; I want to try them all!"

"No problem, let's eat first before going home." Xie Hui freed up one hand to ruffle her hair, "By the way, I've saved quite a few old maps of the Magic City in the small universe. I'll take you into the small universe later to see it. The Magic City inside is exactly the same as in reality, even the xiaolongbao shop you want to eat at has an imprint, it's just empty of people, so we can walk around as we please."

The two chatted and laughed, and the car soon drove into the downtown area of the Magic City.

When passing by the old residential complex where Xie Hui used to live, Xia Zhu pointed at the shared bikes crowded together downstairs and said in a low voice, "Is this the place where you used to live? It looks so cramped."

"You said it. Back then, when I came home from work, I didn't even have a place to park." Xie Hui smiled and pointed to the river-view villa area in the distance, "Our new home is over there, with a first-line river view and a garden. In the future, if you want to feed cats in the yard, it won't be a problem—I had Xiao Zhang help book it yesterday, paid in full. It came out to 28 million, just right to spend some of the cooperation fees earned in Xihong City."

Xia Zhu covered her mouth in surprise, "Twenty-eight million? That's so expensive! But a first-line river view must be beautiful. Can I also plant some flowers in the garden?"

Xia Zhu nodded, her cheeks slightly flushed, "Can you help me buy some clothes? I didn't bring any."

"Simple." Xie Hui turned the car into the most luxurious shopping mall in the Magic City, "Let's go buy them now, pick whatever you want, don't look at the price—consider it a 'Transmigration commemorative gift' for you."

The two spent the afternoon shopping in the mall. Xia Zhu picked out a light blue dress, Xie Hui matched it with a pair of white high heels for her, and they also bought a small handbag; it added up to an expenditure of over fifty thousand.

Xia Zhu looked at herself in the mirror, feeling a bit embarrassed, "Wouldn't that be too wasteful?"

"Wasteful? My girlfriend looks good, so I have Face." Xie Hui blurted out. Only after he finished speaking did he realize what he had said. Xia Zhu's Face instantly turned red to the roots of her ears, and she lowered her head and whispered, "Who... who is your girlfriend."

Xie Hui smiled and didn't refute, but his heart felt sweet—from Xihong City to the Magic City, he was becoming more and more certain that Xia Zhu was the person he wanted to travel through the myriad worlds with.

Xie Hui held her hand, "Let's go see our new home tomorrow, and by the way, I'll take you into the small universe. It has an imprint of the Magic City, exactly the same as the real one; you can wander around for as long as you like."

Xia Zhu nodded, her eyes full of anticipation, "Okay! By the way, when are we going to Hogwarts? I still want to see the flying broomsticks!"

"We'll go as soon as we've settled into our new home." Xie Hui said with a smile, "When we get to Hogwarts, I'll take you to Diagon Alley to buy a wand, and then go to Hogsmeade Village to eat candies from Honeydukes; I guarantee you'll have a great time."

The car drove onto the driveway of the river-view villa. The neon lights in the distance flickered, reflecting on their clasped hands.

Xia Zhu looked at the villa outside the window, then at the pearl bracelet in her hand, her heart full of happiness—she had never imagined that she would go from being an accountant in Xihong City to someone who could travel through the myriad worlds with the person she liked and own a big house in the Magic City.

Back at the villa, Xie Hui took Xia Zhu into the living room and opened the floor-to-ceiling windows, taking in the full view of the river.

Xia Zhu walked to the window and suddenly said, "Xie Hui, take me into the small universe; I want to see the Magic City inside."

"Okay." Xie Hui held her hand and silently recited "Enter small universe" in his heart—the next second, the scene before them changed into the Magic City in the small universe. It was exactly the same as the real one, only empty of people; there were no boats on the river, no cars on the street, and it was so quiet that they could hear the sound of the wind blowing.

Xia Zhu ran excitedly down the street, pointing at the Oriental Pearl Tower in the distance, "Look! The Oriental Pearl Tower! It's just like the real one!"

Xie Hui followed behind her and said with a smile, "In the future, whichever city we want to visit, we'll just put the imprint of that city into the small universe. Whether it's the Magic City, Xihong City, or the castle at Hogwarts, we can come anytime."

Xia Zhu stopped, turned to look at Xie Hui, her eyes filled with starlight, "It's so good to have you here."

Xie Hui walked over and gently hugged her, "It's only good because you're here."

The night grew deeper, and the two returned to the villa from the small universe. Xia Zhu leaned on Xie Hui's shoulder, chatting about plans for the next world, their laughter echoing in the living room.

Xie Hui knew that this episode of Real World trivialities in the Magic City not only fulfilled his past dreams but also deepened his relationship with Xia Zhu, and from here on, only more excitement awaited them.