Little White

After tidying up the things in his backpack, Ye Chuan left the room.

After all, he had promised Luo Xi to go shopping together, and he had no intention of refusing. The girl had been quite tired earlier in the morning and had even choked on something.

Especially now that Ye Chuan's physical condition had improved, the surge of primordial spiritual energy within him needed time to gradually release.

...

"Chuan Chuan, over here!" By the time Ye Chuan arrived at the meeting spot, Luo Xi was already waiting at the intersection.

She was wearing a white dress, clearly having put effort into her appearance. Even her usual ponytail was let down, cascading into long hair.

There was also a small, playful braid sticking up like a cowlick—a hair tie Ye Chuan had given her back in elementary school, which she had kept all this time.

Ye Chuan rarely saw Luo Xi dress up, partly because she was naturally beautiful, and partly because he had seen her in every possible state.

There was a time in her childhood when she was chubby and fair, looking like a little lucky doll, before she slimmed down through exercise and diet.

"Hehe, do you notice anything different?" Luo Xi grinned, lightly spinning in place in front of him.

"Changed your underwear?" Ye Chuan glanced down.

"How did you know... Ugh, no! That’s not it!"

Pouting adorably, Luo Xi’s expression made Ye Chuan reach out and pinch her cheek.

Ye Chuan just chuckled before asking, "Where are we going?"

"My dad started working at a company, right? It seems like a big corporation, so I want to buy him some proper work clothes," Luo Xi explained.

That was her main reason for wanting to go out today.

"Proper clothes... A suit?" Ye Chuan asked.

"Mm-hmm." Luo Xi nodded.

"In that case, should we get a custom-made one?" Ye Chuan wasn’t familiar with suits since he had never worn one himself.

For him, a T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops were more than enough.

Add to that his identity as a landlord, and he could even hang a jingling set of keys from his waist (not really).

"Chuan Chuan, isn’t there a tailor shop at the corner? They can make suits, and it’s not too expensive," Luo Xi said, adding that she already had his measurements.

Ye Chuan gave an acknowledging hum. "Let’s go, then."

He took Luo Xi’s hand, and her cheeks flushed slightly as her fingers twitched before interlacing with his.

Luo Xi seemed thrilled, her steps light and her eyes curved into crescents.

But as Ye Chuan held her hand, he sensed something unusual—a faint trace of spiritual energy within her.

Strange. Why would Luo Xi have spiritual energy?

"Hey, beauty, have you been feeling any discomfort lately?" Ye Chuan suddenly asked.

Luo Xi blinked, caught off guard by the question. After a few seconds of thought, she tilted her head cutely. "I feel full of energy today?"

Seeing that the spiritual energy wasn’t harming her, Ye Chuan pondered for a moment.

He hadn’t noticed it last night. Could it be from this morning...?

Oh.

It dawned on him—Luo Xi had ingested his spiritual essence, which was why she now carried a wisp of spiritual energy.

If that was the case, did that mean Luo Xi had the potential to step onto the path of cultivation?

"I’ll have to ask Qian Shuang about the basics of cultivation later," Ye Chuan thought. His own cultivation had been automated through his phone’s breakthrough system, but for foundational knowledge, Bai Qianshuang’s guidance would be essential.

If possible, he wanted Luo Xi to cultivate too. That way, she could stay by his side longer.

The concept of mortality? Absolutely unacceptable.

Soon, Luo Xi led Ye Chuan to the tailor shop.

The owner was a silver-haired grandmother, wearing glasses but exuding a sharp, capable air as she worked on cutting fabric.

Shops like this were becoming rare nowadays, with most people opting for online shopping or ready-made clothes.

The tradition of selecting fabric and having clothes custom-tailored to measurements was slowly fading from the city’s corners.

Sure, there were still those pretentious "artisanal luxury" or "tailoring master" shops, but true craftsmen didn’t need to inflate prices to boast about their skills.

"Granny Wang!" Luo Xi called out cheerfully, clearly familiar with the owner.

"Oh, it’s you, Xi Xi." The old woman adjusted her glasses to get a better look before smiling warmly. "Here to see Xiao Bai again?"

"And more!" Luo Xi replied sweetly.

"Xiao Bai?" Ye Chuan wondered—it sounded like a pet’s name.

Just then, he noticed a white cat sprawled in a cardboard cat bed in the corner, belly-up and purring contentedly.

"Is that... the cat from the barbecue place last time?" Ye Chuan asked.

Luo Xi nodded. "Yep! I ran into it again the next day. Since Mom’s allergic to cat fur, I asked around, and Granny Wang agreed to take it in."

"I see." Ye Chuan could have taken the cat in himself—his place was spacious now, and with only Bai Qianshuang and Lan Xiaoke at home, an extra cat wouldn’t hurt.

While Ye Chuan played with the cat, Luo Xi discussed the suit order with Granny Wang. After noting down the measurements, the old woman got to work.

"Come pick it up in a week," she said.

"Got it~"

A while later, Ye Chuan and Luo Xi stepped out of the shop. The girl was in high spirits, clinging to Ye Chuan’s arm while humming a tune, her head swaying slightly.

"What’s got you so happy?" Ye Chuan asked.

"Hehe, your health is better, Mom’s health is better, and Dad finally has a stable job without pulling all-nighters anymore. Of course I’m super happy!" Luo Xi had always been optimistic.

Even when she knew Ye Chuan wasn’t in the best health, she had quietly saved money, hoping to help him one day.

But then, Luo Xi suddenly tightened her grip on his arm and whispered, "Chuan Chuan... I can stay at your place tonight~"

"I already told Mom I’m not going back."

Ye Chuan caught her meaning immediately. "Ohhh~"

"Ugh, stop smirking! Fine, I won’t go." Blushing furiously at his teasing grin, Luo Xi began lightly smacking his arm.

"I’m not smirking, I’m just happy," Ye Chuan quickly clarified.

"Hmph." Luo Xi turned her face away to hide her shyness, though her grip on his arm only tightened.