Mu Qi's eyes lit up, "Right, right, right."
"Then let's be friends. I just returned from studying abroad and I'm not familiar with Shangjing. You can show me around. Of course, if others don't ask, we won't say anything, so as to create the illusion that I'm your boyfriend."
Mu Qi's eyes immediately flashed with surprise.
"Wait, why do you seem so familiar with all this?"
It's practically a side hustle, how could he not be familiar! Li Chonglou grumbled inwardly but didn't explain. He just changed the subject and continued, "So, are we going to change our clothes now? But I still have a question."
Mu Qi's words were interrupted, and she instinctively asked, "What other question do you have?"
Li Chonglou touched his face, "I look obviously a bit older than you. Is that really suitable?"
Mu Qi paused, then suddenly covered her mouth and chuckled, "It's precisely because Brother Li is of that age that it's suitable. If he were too young, like Young Master Du, it would only cause more trouble. My sisters all like to find someone older than themselves."
So, that last sentence was the main point!
Li Chonglou was somewhat speechless. Although it was his first time encountering such a custom, he wasn't entirely surprised. Perhaps older age made people seem more mature and gave them a sense of security.
Shaking his head, Li Chonglou could only return to the main topic, "Where should we go to buy clothes next?"
Mu Qi looked relieved, as if her worries were resolved, and took the lead.
"Follow me. This place has the best clothing stores in all of Shangjing. I guarantee you'll be transformed!"
"No, in short, it's to make you satisfied!"
As if sensing she had used the wrong idiom, Mu Qi turned back and stuck out her tongue, adding a touch of cuteness to her inherently pure demeanor.
However, the person in question didn't know that in Li Chonglou's heart, her pure persona had long since vanished.
Mu Qi was clearly very familiar with the area and expertly led Li Chonglou into a building and to a high-end clothing store.
A moment later, Li Chonglou, clad in an expensive suit, stood before the mirror, with Mu Qi marveling beside him.
"It feels like these clothes were tailor-made for you."
Li Chonglou smiled faintly. Being praised by others, as long as it was sincere, would always brighten anyone's mood. However, Li Chonglou had always been confident in his own appearance, so he didn't pay it much mind.
"Can we go now?"
"Yes! Just this set!"
Mu Qi snapped her fingers with great satisfaction. An employee quickly approached, and then Mu Qi produced a gold card.
Seeing this, Li Chonglou couldn't help but say, "Uh, it's my own clothes. I'll pay for it myself."
Mu Qi shook her head, "That won't do. I'm asking for your help. Besides, things here are not cheap."
As if afraid of embarrassing him, Mu Qi winked subtly to hint.
Li Chonglou didn't think too much of it and nodded.
After the two left the clothing store, the employee who had served them suddenly whispered to her colleague, "Another guy living off a woman. How come such good luck never falls on me."
Just as her colleague was about to retort, a deep voice sounded from behind them.
"Who were you calling a kept man?"
The two were clearly startled. Discussing customers behind their backs was a major taboo. If the boss found out, they'd be packing their bags in an instant!
They quickly turned around, only to see a young man, also dressed in an expensive suit, smiling at them.
The employee who spoke first's face lit up with joy, and she quickly stepped forward respectfully, "Young Master Long, are you out relaxing today? Don't you have sparring practice?"
The two were clearly acquaintances. The man addressed as Young Master Long chuckled, "Even a hanged man needs to catch his breath. I happen to have a banquet to attend today, so I came to see if there were any new arrivals."
"Yes, there are brand new arrivals. I've refused to sell them to others, saving them for you, Young Master Tian."
Anyone with common sense would know that this was flattery, as people in their line of work, unless they were the actual boss, had no authority to decide on sales.
However, flattering and being praised were similar principles; few people disliked it, so the man didn't expose the other's words but continued, "You still haven't answered me, who was being called a kept man."
The employee then pointed to the retreating backs of the two and whispered, "Young Master Long, it was Miss Mu. She just brought a man here to buy clothes and even paid for him. I've worked here for so long, and this is the first time I've seen Miss Mu act like this."
The man's expression instantly froze, and then a look of interest spread across his face.
"Come, tell me in detail."
Thus, the two began to whisper, and after reviewing the surveillance footage, the man called Young Master Tian quickly left with the latest suit.
As soon as he left, the other employee immediately pulled her colleague aside.
"Brother, how dare you say those things to him? If he gets unhappy, we're finished!"
The employee said calmly, "Don't worry. Didn't you just know? That person just now is recognized as the strongest of the younger generation, Young Master Long! Because he often needs to spar with seniors, it would be offending him not to share any gossip with him."
As he spoke, there was a hint of pride in his tone.
"Young Master Long is also one of my old clients. With him here, let alone Miss Mu, even two of her couldn't get me fired over this matter."
The other employee was half-convinced, but seeing her colleague so confident, she finally began to relax and also started to curry favor.
Not only did she call him "brother" repeatedly, but she also took on all the heavy and light tasks herself, making the smugness on his face grow.
That's how people are. Regardless of their status, as long as they are in this world, pleasing others is a mandatory lesson, almost instinctually ingrained in their bones.
Of course, Li Chonglou knew nothing of this.
Shangjing, in the end, was still mostly populated by ordinary people. The people in the circles were not in the same world as them. Furthermore, integration would exacerbate consumption, so he had not performed soul fusion.
As for things happening ten meters away, if he wasn't paying attention, he was just as oblivious as any ordinary person.
With his new attire and his previous experience, both his temperament and appearance greatly satisfied Mu Qi. On the way to the banquet, she even proposed a monthly arrangement.
Li Chonglou waved his hand without hesitation, refusing, "Miss Mu Qi, that won't do. I have my own life and my own affairs to attend to. I don't have the time."
Mu Qi said persistently, "I can offer you the best price. I guarantee you'll have food and clothing for life!"
Li Chonglou still shook his head decisively, "There's no need to discuss this. I truly cannot agree."