140: Chapter 20 How will you thank me?

After buying shoes for Mu Nianci, Meng Li thought for a moment and took her to buy a set of clothes for Yang Tiexin as well. The man was Mu Nianci's adoptive father, making him his father-in-law in this life; it was no trouble to show a little courtesy.

Mu Nianci did not refuse, but her gaze toward Meng Li grew increasingly soft.

Having finished their shopping, the two returned to the Inn.

Yang Tiexin and Guo Jing had finished their conversation and were currently sparring in the courtyard.

Meng Li observed them closely for a few moments, noticing that in terms of fist and footwork, Guo Jing was still quite green. He was not as seasoned or experienced as Yang Tiexin and was clearly in the position of being instructed.

However, because they were only sparring with physical techniques, Guo Jing was not using his Internal Energy; otherwise, Yang Tiexin might not have held the upper hand.

When the two stopped, Guo Jing walked over to Meng Li and Mu Nianci, smiling. "Elder Brother Meng, Sister Nianci, you're back."

"Sister Nianci, are those new clothes? You look beautiful!"

Mu Nianci nodded and smiled. "Yes, Meng Li bought them for me."

As she spoke, she handed a bundle to Yang Tiexin. "Father, this is for you. Try it on; if it fits, wear it. If not, we'll go exchange it tomorrow."

Hearing that something had been bought for him as well, Yang Tiexin was somewhat surprised, his expression hesitant.

Seeing this, Meng Li said, "Uncle Yang, this is just a small token of my regard."

Hearing this, Guo Jing followed up with persuasion. "Uncle, since it's Elder Brother Meng's intention, please accept it. My Masters also changed into new clothes a few days ago, saying that clothes make the man just as a saddle makes the horse. Even Great Heroes and brave men look more impressive in fine new clothes."

Mu Nianci added, "Father, you'll be going to the appointment with us in a while. If we successfully find Mother and Younger Brother Kang, they will be happier to see you dressed like this."

"Alright then."

Yang Tiexin was swayed and took the bundle to his room to change.

Guo Jing turned back and noticed a pair of men's cloth boots peeking out from the bundle in Mu Nianci's arms. He instinctively asked, "Sister Nianci, are those shoes for Elder Brother Meng?"

Mu Nianci shook her head slightly. "He bought them for me."

Guo Jing was instantly confused. "For you? These are clearly for a man; they look about the same size as the ones I wear."

Mu Nianci pursed her lips and said nothing.

Meng Li gave Guo Jing a 'Finger Flickering Technique' flick, then reminded him, "I'll let it slide this time, but if you meet other girls in this situation in the future, you must not say such things."

Guo Jing was puzzled. "Why?"

Meng Li explained, "You grew up in the Great Desert, so you aren't familiar with the customs of the Central Plains."

"Around the time before the Song Dynasty migrated south, a custom appeared in the Central Plains—Foot Binding! It involves wrapping a girl's feet in cloth from a young age to suppress their growth, making her feet look small and delicate."

"As time passed, this custom became increasingly popular, to the point where most women's shoes in shops are made according to the standards of bound feet."

"But Foot Binding must start from childhood and is a tedious process that cannot be achieved overnight. Furthermore, after binding, it affects walking and labor. Ordinary commoners and poor families don't have the luxury for it, so most do not bind their feet."

"In these cases, their feet are larger than bound feet, sometimes as large as a man's."

"At the same time, because their families are not wealthy, they often make their own shoes rather than buying them."

"Consequently, general shoe shops naturally don't carry shoes suitable for them to wear."

"Nianci is in this situation, but it is normal and healthy."

"So that's how it is." Guo Jing nodded in realization, then became confused again. "Since Sister Nianci's situation is normal, why did you tell me not to say those things next time, Elder Brother Meng?"

Meng Li sighed. "Because that is the current social trend."

"Nowadays, many people consider small feet to be the standard of beauty for girls."

"What you said just now is equivalent to saying someone has big feet, which implies they are ugly. It will make a girl unhappy, or even fly into a rage out of shame."

"If you encounter someone with a bad temper, you might even get beaten up."

"I see." Guo Jing finally understood completely, but then felt perplexed. "Small feet are beautiful, so big feet are not? I remember the shoes my mother wears are about the same size as mine, but I never thought she was unattractive. On the contrary, I think she is the most beautiful woman in the world."

Meng Li shrugged. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder."

"Anyway, I think bound feet are not beautiful; they actually look a bit frightening."

"Frightening? In what way?" Guo Jing asked.

The way he kept asking made Meng Li feel like he was dealing with a curious toddler, but he still answered: "It's simple. Imagine your own feet, with four toes curled into a ball, even growing into the sole of the foot."

"Wouldn't that deformed appearance be frightening?"

Guo Jing imagined it and instantly shivered. "If perfectly good feet grew like that, it really would be quite frightening."

At this moment, Yang Tiexin walked out after changing his clothes.

Hearing Guo Jing's words, he asked in confusion, "What is frightening?"

Guo Jing replied, "Girls' feet are frightening."

Yang Tiexin: "???"

Mu Nianci smiled silently and changed the subject. "Father, do these clothes fit well?"

Yang Tiexin stroked his beard and smiled. "They fit; they're just right."

He then looked at Mu Nianci and Meng Li with emotion. "You both are very thoughtful."

Meng Li and Mu Nianci smiled without speaking.

Guo Jing walked around Yang Tiexin to inspect him, praising, "Uncle, now that you've changed into these new clothes, you look even more like a Great Hero."

Yang Tiexin didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he understood the youth was straightforward and didn't know how to give proper compliments, so he didn't mind.

Afterward, the group chatted for a while. Seeing that it was getting late, they prepared to eat together.

Meng Li and Mu Nianci went to put their things away first.

When they were alone, Mu Nianci suddenly said, "Meng Li, thank you."

Meng Li was stunned for a moment, not knowing which thing she was thanking him for, but he played along. "Then how will you thank me?"

Mu Nianci was taken aback; she clearly hadn't expected Meng Li to say that.

After recovering, she asked back, "How do you want me to thank you?"

Meng Li walked up to her, slowly bringing his face close to hers.

Seeing this, Mu Nianci seemed to realize something. Looking at the approaching handsome face, her heart panicked slightly. Her hands involuntarily gripped the corners of her clothes, yet she did not dodge. She instinctively closed her eyes, her breathing becoming rapid as a rosy flush rose to her pretty face.

Seeing this, Meng Li smiled and gave her a light kiss on the forehead, then leaned into her ear and whispered, "This will do."

After speaking, he pulled back and waited for her reaction.

Mu Nianci opened her eyes and looked at him, her gaze carrying a hint of shy annoyance as she chided, "You're teasing me again!"

Meng Li laughed. "If I don't tease you, how will you smile?"

Smile?

Mu Nianci touched her face, only then realizing that the corners of her lips had turned upward at some point. At the same time, she wasn't angry; she felt more shame and joy than anything else.

"Smile more in the future. You look very beautiful when you smile."

...