Chapter 66: Am I Really Just a Fox?

Seeing that the girl had finally compromised, Shi Zhiyan let out a long sigh of relief. However, the Soul-Eating Beast in the corner wore a solemn expression, closely monitoring their every move, and could not help but let out a sigh.
How could this girl be so dense? ... Is this Gong Mofan really trustworthy?
...
Before long, they arrived at a bustling avenue. Seeing the dazzling array of snacks and toys lining the streets, little Tong felt that his two eyes were simply not enough to take it all in. After all, this was his first time shopping on such a lively street, and he was filled with curiosity about every single plaything.

"Son, don't hold back with your wealthy sugar daddy here. Buy whatever you want without mercy!" Ming Xi saw Little Tong staring with great interest at a pinwheel spinning before a stall, and spoke quite unceremoniously.

"Oh, got it, Mommy! Little Tong wants a pinwheel."

"Then take it! Which one do you like? Mommy will get it down for you."

"Little Tong wants that biggest one!" Little Tong pointed at the pinwheel at the very top.

"No problem!" Without a second thought, Ming Xi pulled down the pinwheel and placed it into Little Tong's hands. Seeing the boy's overjoyed expression, an indescribable wave of happiness surged into the depths of Ming Xi's heart.

"Child's father, check out!" She said this without the slightest bit of hesitation.

"You really are bold and unrestrained. Are you so sure I can afford to support the two of you?" Shi Zhiyan had no choice but to admire Ming Xi's audacity—she acted completely as if the three of them were a real family!

"Of course! I have complete faith in your purse~"

Shi Zhiyan was left completely speechless, having no choice but to let this shameless pair of mother and son indulge themselves wildly at the expense of his silver taels on the main street.

"Mommy, Little Tong wants a candied hawthorn."

"No problem! Child's father, pay the bill!"

"Mommy, Little Tong wants osmanthus cake."

"No problem! Child's father, pay the bill!"

"Mommy, Little Tong wants this rattan ball."

"No problem! Child's father, pay the bill!"

"Mommy, Little Tong wants this doll."

"No problem! Child's father, pay the bill!"

...
As the items piled up, becoming far too many to carry, Shi Zhiyan finally began to wonder what on earth was wrong with this mother and child. Did they want to buy out the entire street? Furthermore, they couldn't use magic out here in public—was this meant to drive him to his wit's end?

However, Shi Zhiyan could tell that Ming Xi was clearly just trying to fulfill all of Little Tong's desires, hoping only that the boy could be as happy as any other child. As for Ming Xi herself... she hadn't bought a single thing.

Until they reached the entrance of a clothing boutique, Shi Zhiyan suddenly froze, stopped in his tracks, and called out, "Hey, you thieving girl, wait a minute!"

"What?" Ming Xi turned back, utterly puzzled as to why this guy had stopped in front of a clothing store. Could it be that *he* wanted to buy clothes?

"I've got no objection to you buying things for Little Tong all the way here, but let me ask you a certain young lady who just matched wits and courage with the Snake King—don't you think the clothes you're wearing right now are practically guaranteed to turn every head on the street?"

Ming Xi was startled upon hearing this, and Little Tong was even more startled!

Ming Xi lowered her head, only to realize that her tattered garments revealed far more than they should have in almost all the places they shouldn't...

Though it wasn't particularly severe, she still couldn't help but mentally subject Xuan Ye to a vicious tongue-lashing!

"Mommy, Godfather is right. You should go buy a pretty dress," Little Tong raised his little head and said to Ming Xi.

A blush swept across Ming Xi's face, and she had no choice but to take a few steps back and enter the clothing boutique.

"This time, pick whatever you like, don't hold back. Just take a look around."

Though Shi Zhiyan said this, Ming Xi was, after all, merely a fox; how could she possibly understand human aesthetics?

"I... I don't know how to pick clothes..."

"Then how do you usually go out? Don't tell me you go streaking!"

"You're the one streaking! How am I supposed to know which clothes look good?"

Seeing that Ming Xi had no idea what she actually liked, Shi Zhiyan was rendered slightly speechless. He then sized Ming Xi up for a moment before picking out a pure white gauze dress. The craftsmanship of this garment was quite delicate, with adorable fur trim adorning parts of the clothing and exceptionally intricate edges. It was not only exquisite but also brought out a touch of loveliness.

"Take it and try it on. This one should suit you well."

"Oh, thanks..."

Seeing that Shi Zhiyan was capable of such gentleness and attentiveness, Ming Xi suddenly felt inexplicably shy.

The moment Ming Xi walked out of the clothing store after changing her attire, Little Tong was instantly stunned and frozen in place.

"Whoa! Mommy! This dress is really, really pretty!" Little Tong didn't hesitate to pounce forward, "And it smells so nice, too."

"Really?"

"Mhm!"

That was strange. Why couldn't she feel it at all herself? Could all of this be proof of Ming Xi's words—that she was merely a fox who knew nothing of human emotions?

No way! She had always considered herself far superior to humans; how could she possibly fail to understand human emotions and preferences? Could it be that in the future, she would only be able to roam the streets naked?

What on earth! Surely she wouldn't have it quite this miserable in the human world?!