"Can we stop by a jewelry store first?" Madeline asked, holding James's arm, while Xiao Ping walked a step behind them, carrying a bottle of wine in one hand and a black umbrella in the other.
"I'm sorry, Madeline! But I think we passed one yesterday!" James spoke and glanced at the earrings Madeline was wearing. But seeing Madeline's frowning face, he quickly added, "But it's fine to take a look tomorrow!"
"Thank you, James!" Madeline said, hugging James's arm tighter.
'Hahaha, with just a look she made him change his mind. Really, I pity people with mistresses; they just become their wallets. Anyway, it's none of my business, so I shouldn't worry about it. It's not like I'll be the one paying!' Xiao Ping laughed inwardly before saying, "You told me the market down the street is for the capable only! But you didn't tell me its name!"
"To 'West End' market. There we can buy suitable clothes for you, Ping, my new glasses, and some supplies for the house," James answered, turning to look at Xiao Ping. "And we'll also buy some herbs and supplies for the cafe; the stock is running low."
'West End? Isn't that a somewhat modern name? Oh, I almost forgot the Prince's achievements! It's not unlikely that he named that street!' Xiao Ping thought as he nodded in agreement and said nothing more, continuing to walk silently behind the lovers, listening to their flirting under that red umbrella.
There were many people, but their features were terribly and incredibly dull and listless. They looked exhausted, leaning against houses and pillars. But as they walked on, there were no more people... only the houses on both sides and the street lamps on the pavement.
There was only Xiao Ping, James, and Madeline! No one else was around, and even the houses looked suspiciously faded in color... even the street looked strange to the eye. The beginning of the street wasn't like this, so Xiao Ping thought it signaled the street's end. But he didn't forget the sight of the previous people.
They walked through the street to its end, where life gradually returned after the quiet afternoon hours. Shop signs danced in the cool breeze, and the smell of fresh bread wafted from a nearby bakery. Xiao Ping looked around attentively, trying to form a mental map of the city. The Victorian architecture was intricate, but he noticed strange details; eye-shaped decorations adorned some facades, and thick copper pipes emerged from some buildings and angled towards the sky, as if venting something invisible.
"What are these pipes?" Xiao Ping asked unintentionally.
James turned quickly, a warning flash in his eyes. "Don't ask about things that don't concern you in public places," he whispered in a low voice. "That's the ventilation system for the lower levels."
Xiao Ping understood the hint. The lower levels, perhaps the slums, or perhaps something else more mysterious. He turned his head as if he hadn't asked.
At the entrance to 'West End' market, Madeline suddenly stopped and pointed to a clothing store. "There! 'Draper & Sons' has the best fabrics imported from the South."
'Draper & Sons? Isn't that a modern name? So there is something fishy about this Prince. Even if he has a method to aid his thinking, this is practically impossible. But if he has the ability to see the future and invent things not from this era! But that's impossible unless he is a high-level ability holder, and I don't even know if such an ability or method exists... There is definitely something suspicious.' Xiao Ping thought to himself, still harboring doubts in his mind. He said it was impossible, but he couldn't deny it. At that moment, his face darkened.
Madeline didn't notice Xiao Ping's expressions because she was focused on the store ahead, but James did notice Xiao Ping's expression and felt something strange at that moment. Because he had only seen Ping show such expressions when he had brutally beaten someone in his tavern, but there was a difference; these expressions Xiao Ping showed were of denial and fear of the unknown.
'What reason makes this devil show such expressions on his face!' James thought to himself as he was pulled into the store ahead. But he didn't resist and soon they entered the store, which was warm and lit by golden gas lamps. The smell of new fabric and scented wood filled the place. They put their umbrellas in the umbrella stand at the entrance... before seeing an elegant salesman approaching them, a professional smile on his face.
"Mr. James! How delightful to see you again. And Miss Madeline, as always, you look like spring itself." Then he looked at Xiao Ping, pausing for a moment as if trying to remember his face, before regaining his composure. "And how may I assist your friend?"
'Obvious flattery! But what does he mean by their friend?' Xiao Ping wondered to himself.
But James spoke and pulled him out of his thoughts. "We need a full suit: shirt, trousers, tie, coat, and a suitable hat. Something practical yet decent," James said, examining the fabric racks.
The salesman quickly and deftly took Xiao Ping's measurements, examining him with exaggerated interest. "You have a good build, sir...?"
'This is too close for taking measurements.' Xiao Ping thought to himself and was suspicious of this man but didn't show it, quickly answering: "Ping, Xiao Ping, that's my name!" Xiao Ping answered, stepping back a few steps from the salesman.
"Mr. Ping, certainly. I see you have elegant taste; this navy blue will suit your green eyes." The salesman showed a soft, dark blue fabric.
Xiao Ping refused with just a gesture. "Black. Or dark gray. No bright colors. I prefer to stay out of sight, so wearing a suit with bright colors might attract unwanted attention."
'He wants to stay hidden from view!' James understood without words. "Listen to his advice. And add a thick wool coat; the weather will get colder."
"As you command, Mr. James!" The salesman inclined his head before heading towards the fabrics. But he asked: "Do you want me to take proper measurements and tailor a suit for him? Or do you want a ready-made suit?" he said while taking out the measuring tape and looking at Xiao Ping with a suspicious smile.
'What do you want with this question? It can't be that he desperately wants to take my body measurements! It's a measurement obsession!' Xiao Ping wanted to refuse, citing that he had agreed with James to take a ready-made suit, not through measurements.
James looked at Xiao Ping, a smile appearing on his face, and said: "Yes, salesman, if you take the measurements, what discount will you offer?"
'Damn you!' Xiao Ping cursed inwardly.
"20 no... 60 percent!" The salesman was a little surprised but regained his composure and made an offer.
'Is the discount all you care about? But! All this discount just because you want my measurements?!' Xiao Ping looked at James and complained internally.
But the salesman's voice pulled him out of his thoughts when he said: "And now, Mr. Ping, may we begin." He said while his strange looks towards him increased.
Xiao Ping wanted to refuse but gave in and said: "You may begin."
"Yes, sir!" replied that salesman as he hurried towards Xiao Ping and began taking measurements of his feet, forearms, neck, waist, and all other measurements with great professionalism.
"You seem like a professional!" Xiao Ping complimented the salesman after seeing his skills.
"Your praise honors me, Mr. Ping!" replied the salesman and continued: "I don't want to waste too much time and delay my customers, so I work on taking measurements with high speed and efficiency, satisfying all customers."
Xiao Ping saw that smile on the salesman's face as he wrote the measurements on a white paper and said: "No matter what you do, you will never satisfy everyone, so try not to pressure yourself for others!"
"I will take that into consideration! Mr. Ping." The salesman inclined his head and said: "I will go to tailor a suit for you, and I request that you return to pick it up on 1670/12/27."
"Date 1670/12/27?!" Xiao Ping was surprised; he didn't expect that upon coming to this world he would be in such an ancient date, but he continued and said: "Then what is today's date?"
"Today's date is 1671/1/1." The salesman answered casually!
"What? How can you say today's date is 1671/1/1 and want me to return on 1670/12/27? Are you mocking me!" Xiao Ping was angry about this, but James intervened. He had been browsing the various fabrics, but upon seeing Xiao Ping's anger, he grabbed him and whispered: "What he says is true; after four days we will return for your suit, so don't be angry."
'Does he think I'm angry because of the suit's delay? Does he think I'm just an impatient fool?!' Xiao Ping mocked inwardly while pushing James's hand away and said: "You fool, I don't mean that; I mean why is he telling me to return after four days while giving me the date in reverse?"
"What do you mean by reverse? That's how dates have been since ancient times? It's normal!" James replied while urging the salesman to leave.
'What does he mean it's normal? That's not normal at all! It's unnatural! For the date to go backwards! That's unbelievable!' Xiao Ping thought while his eyes widened in shock!
...
End of Chapter ~ To be continued