Cheng Xi didn’t know anything about the skincare products here, so she just opened a mid-priced one and took a sniff.
The scent was a bit familiar—it was just like the face cream she used, though the fragrance was a bit fainter.
Next, she opened the most expensive one and sniffed it.
“Why do they all smell the same?” she asked, puzzled.
The only difference, if any, was that one was faint and the other was extremely faint.
Xiao Li gasped, “You don’t know?”
Tan Wei explained, “Cheng Xi, you’re new here, so you wouldn’t know.
These skincare products we use are actually made from diluted Alien baby cream.
It’s what the nobility prepares for their female offspring.
The nobles only use the best, and a single bottle of the highest-quality baby cream costs at least two hundred thousand Star Coins.
Someone discovered that this baby cream has an amazing effect on human skin.”
“But not everyone can afford that price, so Sister Mo Li came up with a method.
She dilutes the baby cream and separates it into different grades to make it easier for us to buy.”
“Oh, so that’s how it is.” ‘It makes sense,’ Cheng Xi thought.
‘Humans here don’t even have freedom.
How could they possibly mass-produce skincare products?’
‘So it’s made from diluted Alien baby cream.
Don’t tell me the face cream I’ve been using is the actual, undiluted baby cream they’re talking about?’
“Then I don’t need to buy any.” ‘I already have the real deal, so I don’t need this diluted stuff.’
Tan Wei was taken aback.
“What’s wrong?”
Cheng Xi said sheepishly, “My master prepared some baby cream for me.
No wonder the scent was so familiar.”
Tan Wei: “…”
She rolled her eyes, speechless, her voice laced with envy.
“You lucky people make me want to scream!”
“It was one thing for modern society to be all about looks, but it’s the same thing here! If I were as beautiful as you, why would I have to work so hard to earn my own money!” Her tone was full of resentment.
Cheng Xi could only manage an awkward smile.
“Since you’re not buying anything, let’s go then.”
After they left the beauty shop, it was almost noon.
“Tan Wei, let me treat you to lunch. Thank you so much for your help.”
Tan Wei waved her hand.
“It’s nothing.
I was just showing you the way.
Besides, you already paid me a service fee.
I’m at your service today.”
“But I won’t say no to a meal.
Since you have the money, I’ll happily let you treat me, hehe.”
Cheng Xi gave a gentle smile in return.
The two found a Chinese restaurant, ordered a few dishes and a vegetable soup, and chatted as they ate.
A thought occurred to her, and she asked, “That bracelet Sister Mo Li wears, can it hold a lot of things?”
At the mention of this, Tan Wei’s envy returned.
“Yeah, that’s called a Space Bracelet. There’s a pocket dimension inside that can hold tons of stuff. All the Aliens have one.”
Cheng Xi was tempted.
“Where can I buy one? Can we wear them too?”
“Humans aren’t allowed to buy or sell those freely.
Sister Mo Li’s master is really good to her and gives her everything.
Not only a Space Bracelet, but a Light Brain too.
It’s kind of like our cell phones, you can contact others anytime, anywhere.”
“Most of those whose masters are nobles have them.
Once you learn the Alien language, you can try asking your master for one.”
“Oh, I see.” ‘Maybe I should go back and ask my master for one too?’ Cheng Xi mused.
‘After all, having a Space Bracelet would be incredibly convenient.’
The two chatted as they ate.
By the end of the meal, Cheng Xi had learned a lot.
Tan Wei asked, “Are there any other places you want to go? I can keep showing you around this afternoon.”
Cheng Xi shook her head.
“No, that’s okay.
I’ve already taken up your whole morning.
You should get back to your business this afternoon.
I’ll just wander around on my own.”
“Alright then, I’ll head back.
Anyway, you know where my shop is, so just come find me if you need anything.”
Cheng Xi nodded.
“Thanks again for your help today.”
“No problem.” Tan Wei waved and left.
She had learned a lot today, and Cheng Xi didn’t have much desire to keep exploring.
She figured it was about time to go meet up with her master.
But before that, she was going to buy some more snacks for herself.
‘I’m never eating that mush again!’
She returned to the snack street and bought some soft bread, some fruit, and a few other things, only stopping when she couldn’t carry any more.
Carrying the heavy bags in both hands, her desire for a Space Bracelet grew even more urgent.
HUFFING AND PUFFING, she hauled her food onto the elevator and back to the third floor, planning to find the bar where they had agreed to meet.
…
Half an hour later, with a look of utter despair, Cheng Xi dropped her things on the ground.
Giving up completely, she sat on the steps and rubbed her hands, which were red and raw from the shopping bag handles.
‘That’s right.
She was lost…’
She had found more than ten bars, but she couldn’t find the one they were supposed to meet at.
She was about to go dizzy from walking in circles.
There was nothing for it but to retrace her steps.
If only she could get back to the main entrance, she’d be fine.
But—she—couldn’t—get—back! Get faster updates on g.com.
She couldn’t even find Tan Wei’s shop again!
Cheng Xi had worn herself out.
She sat on the steps of some unknown floor, gasping for breath.
Gloomily, she propped her chin on her palm, elbow on her knee, and watched the crowd come and go as dark spots swam before her eyes.
She decided to rest for a moment then ask someone for directions.
‘I refuse to believe I can’t find my way back!’
She was thirsty from walking so far with all her heavy bags.
She rummaged through a bag and pulled out a carton of juice.
She had planned to savor it back home, but now…
sigh…
“Well now, quite a haul.”
As Cheng Xi was drinking her juice, she suddenly heard a familiar, teasing voice from above her.
She looked up instinctively and, sure enough, saw the master she had been desperately searching for!
She scrambled up from the steps, so emotional she felt like crying.
“I finally found you…”
Hotte: “…”
“Don’t tell me you got lost?”
Cheng Xi nodded vigorously.
“I did get lost! I couldn’t find my way back at all, and I bought all this stuff. I have no energy left to walk. I’m dead tired.”
Holding the juice in one hand, she gestured with the other to show just how exhausted she was.
Hotte couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.
He patted her head comfortingly, his magnetic voice laced with amusement.
“How can you be so silly?
You can’t even find your way back?”
Hearing him call her silly, Cheng Xi pouted slightly and grumbled, “It’s my first time here.
Isn’t it normal to be unfamiliar with the place!”
“Let’s sit and rest for a bit before we go.”
She tugged lightly on his sleeve, urging him to sit with her for a while.
Hotte let her pull him down, sitting with her on the steps.
He rummaged through the shopping bags to see what she had bought.
He raised an eyebrow slightly when he saw the contents.
“It’s all food?”
Cheng Xi complained to his face, “Master, do you have any idea? That mush makes me want to vomit, so I bought all this for myself to eat. Ugh, never mind, you wouldn’t get it anyway.”
She gestured vaguely to illustrate her point.
Little did she know, Hotte understood her perfectly.
Her words just made him pause for a moment.
“You don’t like the food at home? You prefer this?”