The girl squeezed her shoulders, pressing the water out her damp clothes. She snuggled her chin into her breast and quickly shut the door, to prevent the cold rain from entering. She sneezed once and rubbed her nose, before she paid any attention to her surroundings.
The store was small, and the wooden walls barely retained the heat. She looked at the source of light that guided her here—a black cube, shining a blue light. The place had minimal decor, with only a few empty shelves and a counter. The old, rustic smell tickled her nose.
There were several reasons that led her here. For one, the rain showed no signs of ending soon. She saw the lights and felt attracted to it. The sign indicated it was a store, thus she decisively entered. Otherwise, she wouldn't even dream of it—but seeing the state of this place, the girl started to regret her decision. How was this better than just staying outside?
No. She shook her head and drove away these mean thoughts.
"Good evening," Shou greeted.
The girl, startled by the voice, looked at the person listlessly resting on the corner. He was illuminated by the soothing blue light. She gasped when she saw his face.
"Oh, what a beauty!" She inadvertently blurted out, "but I feel like something's is missing. What a shame."
Shou, who was about to stand up, froze in place. He squeezed out a faint smile, though it twitched. "What does that even mean?"
"Haha." Si laughed in the background. "I get it."
"Oh, excuse me, I've been rude," the girl said and quickly bowed down. She held her face in embarrassment. "I'm sorry, I'm usually around my family where I learned not to hide my thoughts, I hope I did not offend you." Her movements were clumsy, like a lamb not accustomed to the world yet.
"It's fine."
Her eyes darted around the room. "Uhm, if it is all right with you, may I stay here to hide from the storm?"
Si immediately shouted, "get out if you can't pay! This ain't charity! [Angry face]."
Shou glared into the air, to make her shut up. Surprisingly, it worked. "Sure, but as you can see, I don't have a seat to offer you."
The girl smiled brightly. "I don't mind, as long as I have a place to stay. You really saved me!" She took a corner and prepared to sit down, but seeing the hardened mold, she decided otherwise. In the end, she stood in front of the counter, staring at Shou.
There was a rather long silence after that.
"Uhm, thank you," the girl broke the spell of stillness, "my name is Li Yinyi. May I ask you what your name is?"
"Shou. No surname," he answered.
"Oh. Okay." She nodded. "I will make sure reward you for that. If it's not enough, I will ask my family for some more."
"It's fine, I don't lack money."
Li Yinyi didn't reply. She only looked at the desolate store and puffed her cheeks in puzzlement. "Are you sure about that?"
"..." Shou rubbed his temples. "Ah, maybe I should throw you out after all."
"I'm sorry, I will behave from now on," she quickly said and bowed her head down. "Then, uh, I hope you don't mind me asking, but what do you sell here?"
Upon her question, Shou turned quiet. He cupped his hands and placed them on the table. His eyes turned inexplicably sharp, making the girl nervous. In a serious tone, he said, "I don't know."
"Huh?" Li Yinyi blinked twice, until the words finally connected wit her brain. "Ah—aha, I see, uh, yes," she stumbled for words, "running a business must be hard for someone as young as you. Who knows, maybe after this storm is gone, I can help you if you wish. Feel free to call me big sister Yinyi." She then puffed her chest out, trying to look dependable. For some reason, that action reminded him of Si.
"Actually," Shou paused. "Uhm, I am 22."
"Haha... cough. So, you are older than me. You look very young, like a girl. Wait no, that sounded weird, it was supposed to be a compliment." She shrank back. "Uh, sorry."
"No, it's fine." Shou vigorously shook his hands.
As such, the conversation died again. The both of them looked at each other, one seated, one while standing. The air, even through the heavy rain, turned dry. The girl turned her head and looked at the door. She was seriously considering to leave. "Let's see, what's the worst possible scenario if I go out now? Getting hit by lightning? I hear the survival rate is 1 to 7. I like the odds."
"It's fine, I really don't mind," Shou stopped her, fearing she might step into the storm.
Her eyes then fell on the black cube again, "that reminds me, what is that thing over there? It looks funny."
"That is my ware," Shou answered.
"Oh, how do you use it," she asked, her eyes filled with curiosity. "Or is it only decoration? But the light is so dazzling. How much does it cost?"
Shou pursed his lips. In all honesty, he didn't want her to ask that. At least not until he had cleared the prices with Si. Or else, who knew if he might be drowned in spit if he said them out loud.
Si urged him, "Come on, say it."
"A-about, uh, 15 spirit stones," he squeezed out with a tight smile. It was the price Si decided on. He then closed his eyes.
To his surprise, there came no scream, instead, he heard the sound of jingling money, and when he opened his eyes, he saw a big purse filled with white, little gems—they were spirit stones. "How lucky, I have about enough," the girl smiled innocently again.
Shou tilted his head in confusion. He tilted, and tilted, but was still unable to read the girls thoughts. She only smiled with pure eyes of curiosity. "It may not be something I should say, but don't you think I might be scamming you?"
"But why would anyone do such a bad thing," she asked, honestly unsure of the answer.
'Could it be, the woman in front of me was incomparably naive? That is no good, how can she live such a life? But that does work out for me. At least, I don't have to deal with annoying complains for now,' Shou thought and calmly collected the money.
Si on the other hand was a lot more agitated. She had already imagined that girls dark expression and even started gloating, but reality turned out different.
Truthfully speaking, she was looking forward to someone causing trouble. For systems, it was somewhat of a hobby to find such people, and then deal out punishment to them. It was very fun, everybody should try it sometimes. But that girl, she was like a newborn, her eyes filled with trust; She was the exact opposite. "What the hell is this? Where's the arrogant young master threatening to trash the store? Where's the man accusing you of a scam? Where's the person calling you a mere mortal, that can be easily squashed with a finger?"
"For once, I agree with you," Shou muttered. Looking at Li Yinyi, he could not help but feel like he was tricking her.
She only waited attentively for him to talk.
"All right, let me explain how this works then."