The next morning, Ximing woke up to the sound of knocking.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
He opened his eyes.
"Who is knocking this early?"
Another knock came.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Ximing got out of bed and walked downstairs.
Kael was already at the door.
When he opened it, a tall woman with fox ears stood outside.
She was holding a small piece of paper.
"Are you Ximing?"
"Yes."
"I heard you make clothes."
Ximing blinked.
"That was fast."
The fox woman smiled.
"I own a shop in the village. Several people saw the clothes you displayed yesterday."
She handed him the paper.
"I'd like to place an order."
Ximing's eyes widened.
"An order?"
"Yes. Ten outfits."
Kael looked at Ximing.
Ximing looked at Kael.
Then Ximing looked back at the woman.
"For Levon?"
"For Levon."
A huge smile spread across Ximing's face.
"Absolutely."
The First Levon Order
Ximing invited her inside and showed her his designs.
She carefully examined each one.
"I like this blue one."
"That can be made in your size."
"And this green coat."
"That one too."
She pointed at another sketch.
Ximing immediately grabbed his pencil.
"Of course."
He made a quick adjustment.
The woman smiled.
"Exactly like that."
Ximing nodded.
"Then we'll make it."
For the next hour, they discussed fabrics, measurements, embroidery, and prices.
When everything was settled, Ximing wrote the order into his notebook.
LEVON — FIRST OFFICIAL ORDER
10 outfits.
He stared at the words.
His first real customer.
Not a favour.
Not a gift.
A genuine order.
After the woman left, Ximing stood silently in the doorway.
Kael walked beside him.
"You're happy."
"Very."
"You're smiling."
"I know."
Ximing looked down at his notebook.
"I didn't expect it to happen this quickly."
Kael smiled.
"You made good clothes."
"I suppose I did."
Ximing suddenly turned around.
"Kael!"
"What?"
"We need more fabric."
Kael laughed.
"I knew that was coming."
They spent the afternoon organizing the clothing studio.
Ximing created shelves for fabric.
A table for measurements.
Another table for cutting.
A separate area for the enchanted sewing machine.
He even created a small display area where customers could see finished pieces.
Ximing stepped back.
The room no longer looked like a simple hobby room.
It looked like a real workshop.
He smiled.
"This is becoming serious."
Kael looked around.
"You don't have to make it huge."
"I know."
Ximing sat down.
"That's the best part."
He looked at his restaurant.
Then at the workshop.
Then toward the fields outside.
He had food.
A home.
A farm.
A restaurant.
And now a clothing business.
Yet he still felt peaceful.
Because everything around him was something he had chosen.
That evening, Ximing sat outside with Kael while the chickens wandered around the yard.
Princess pecked at the ground.
Dumpling chased Pepper.
General proudly stood on top of a wooden box.
Ximing laughed.
"My chickens have more confidence than some nobles."
Kael laughed.
"They probably think they own the place."
"They do."
The sun slowly disappeared beyond the trees.
Ximing rested his head against the back of his chair.
For the first time in a long time, he wasn't wondering what tomorrow would bring.
He was simply looking forward to it.
Tomorrow, he would make the first official Levon order.
And maybe...
Just maybe...
His peaceful retirement was becoming the life he'd always wanted.