139: Chapter 19 Shopping Routine

"I'm not buying for myself; I'm buying for you."

Hearing this, Mu Nianci instinctively refused, "No need, I have clothes."

Have clothes?

Meng Li looked her over. "The clothes you're wearing have been washed until they've faded."

Mu Nianci replied, "As long as they can be worn, it's fine. I'll replace them when they can't be worn anymore. My adoptive father and I have been like this for many years."

Meng Li was stunned for a moment.

Mu Nianci's words reminded him of his first life.

At that time, he had the same mindset.

As long as clothes could be worn, it was fine. As long as they weren't eyesores, it didn't matter if they were old or ugly; wearing a set of clothes for three or four years was the norm.

The problem was that Mu Nianci was a young lady, and he wasn't short on money, so...

"There's nothing wrong with that mindset. However, I think if circumstances allow, we can make a slight change."

After saying this, Meng Li turned to look at the shop assistant, pointing at a fiery red dress. "Take this one down and let my yet-to-be-wed wife try it on."

Yet-to-be-wed... wife?

Mu Nianci was startled, and her cheeks immediately flushed red, all the way to the back of her ears.

Out of a young woman's reserve and shyness, she wanted to say something, but found herself speechless.

Because there was nothing wrong with Meng Li's words.

"Right away," the assistant agreed with a smile, quickly handing the clothes to Mu Nianci.

Mu Nianci hesitated.

The clothes were indeed beautiful, and she liked them at first sight, but she could tell they were expensive.

Seeing this, Meng Li took the clothes and stuffed them into her hands. "Try them on. Whether we buy them or not, we'll talk after you've tried them."

Only then did Mu Nianci take the clothes and walk inside.

Taking advantage of the gap, Meng Li selected another set in lake blue.

A moment later, Mu Nianci walked out having changed her clothes.

Meng Li walked over and circled her, looking her over. He smiled and said, "Beautiful. The clothes are beautiful, and the person is even more beautiful."

Mu Nianci's face turned red again. "Don't tease me."

"How so? I'm just telling the truth." Meng Li replied, then held out a hand. "I'll hold the clothes you changed out of. Go and try this set on."

After saying that, he handed over the lake blue dress.

Mu Nianci did as he said, and after a short while, she walked out wearing the lake blue dress.

Meng Li looked her over seriously, nodded with satisfaction, and turned to the assistant. "I'll take both sets. She'll wear this one, and pack up the clothes she changed out of."

"Alright, please wait a moment."

The assistant agreed enthusiastically and took the clothes to start packing.

Mu Nianci hesitated to speak.

Meng Li noticed but didn't mind. He asked the assistant, "Do you have shoes here?"

The assistant said, "Yes, what size do you need?"

Meng Li turned back to ask Mu Nianci, "What size shoe do you wear?"

Mu Nianci's expression was a bit evasive, and she didn't respond.

Meng Li thought she didn't know, so he said, "If you're not sure, take one off and let the assistant compare it."

Mu Nianci hesitated for a moment but eventually took off one embroidered shoe.

Meng Li took it and glanced at it, keenly noticing that the insole was a bit high. He suddenly understood something, turned, and handed the shoe to the assistant who had finished packing the clothes.

The assistant took it and went to compare it with the shoes in the store.

Meng Li looked at Mu Nianci and asked with a smile, "When did you learn to hide private money?"

As he spoke, he spread his palm, revealing a small-denomination Banknote that had been folded and flattened several times.

Mu Nianci was startled. After realizing what happened, she explained, "This isn't private money; it's money kept for emergencies in critical moments."

"I see, then I was mistaken."

"However, I've also done things like hiding money in the soles of my shoes."

Mu Nianci was greatly surprised. "You've done it too?"

"Yes." Meng Li confirmed, then explained, "My father was the local County Lieutenant, but he passed away when I was four. My mother couldn't raise us two brothers alone, so she could only take us to live at my maternal uncle's house."

"My uncle was just a Baochang, and he couldn't earn much money. So, my life back then was no different from that of ordinary people."

"It was only later, due to some Opportunities, that life slowly got better."

"I've basically done things like only replacing clothes when they can't be worn anymore and hiding money in shoe soles."

"Really?" Mu Nianci was a bit skeptical.

Meng Li smiled. "Of course it's true. You'll be coming home with me soon to meet my mother and uncle. Whether it's true or false, you can just ask them then. There's no need for me to lie to you at all."

Mu Nianci thought about it and agreed, feeling a bit happy in her heart.

Because of these similar experiences, she felt that the distance between her and Meng Li had closed quite a bit.

At this time, the assistant returned with a difficult expression. "Sorry, customers, our small shop doesn't have shoes this large."

"If you two want to buy some, you'll have to check other shops."

After speaking, he handed the embroidered shoe back.

Meng Li took it, put the Banknote back inside, and then returned the shoe to Mu Nianci. At the same time, he said to the assistant, "No matter, let's settle the bill for the two sets of clothes."

"Alright, a total of thirty taels and twenty wen. Thirty taels will do."

"Thirty taels?!" Mu Nianci looked shocked and continued, "I don't want them anymore."

She and Yang Tiexin performed on the streets. Usually, they only received tips ranging from dozens to hundreds of wen a day. After deducting food and lodging expenses, they couldn't save much.

Thirty taels of silver was already a huge sum in her mind.

Meng Li smiled. "You're already wearing them; how can you not want them?"

"Don't worry, I can afford it. I won't act beyond my means. So, don't worry, just take them."

With that, he pulled a Banknote from his sleeve to settle the bill.

Seeing thirty taels of silver being given away like that, Mu Nianci felt a bit pained. Even after they left the door, she couldn't help but mutter, "Too expensive!"

Meng Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Nianci, being thrifty is a good thing, but if circumstances allow, there's no harm in making yourself live a bit better."

"Besides, this is my money being spent."

"You're so pained by it; could it be that you want to manage the household before you've even wed?"

Mu Nianci's face turned red, and she flatly denied it. "No, I just simply think it's too expensive."

Meng Li said, "Whether something is expensive depends on the situation. As long as you look good wearing it, feel happy wearing it, and can afford it, then it's worth the price and isn't expensive. The saying 'A thousand gold pieces can hardly buy what the heart likes' is exactly the point."

Seeing him say this, Mu Nianci spoke no more.

Next, Meng Li took her to buy shoes. As a result, they visited several shops but couldn't find suitable Embroidered Shoes; they were all too small!

Out of helplessness, Meng Li had to buy her a pair of Men's Cloth Boots.

"Are my feet too big?" On the way back, Mu Nianci asked a bit awkwardly.

In her original situation, she wouldn't have cared about this.

If the shop didn't have suitable shoes, she would just make them herself.

The Embroidered Shoes she wore before were handmade by her and were her only pair.

If they got dirty, she could only replace them with Straw Sandals.

But at this moment, she cared a little.

It wasn't that she cared about her feet being big, but rather she cared about the opinion of the person in front of her.

Meng Li shook his head. "No, they just haven't been deliberately distorted."

...