Chapter 31: The Tailor's Shop

Ever since Lin Xue was forbidden by her brother Lin Feng to date during middle school, she had developed a zero-tolerance policy toward unwanted attention from men. 

She was running toward Lin Feng when Mi Taizi approached her from the opposite direction. 

"Hey there, little sister! Which department are you in? Care to join me for lunch?" 

Mi Taizi stepped in her way, but before he could finish his sentence, Lin Xue grabbed his hair and delivered a sharp elbow to the back of his neck, nearly knocking him out. 

"Disgusting creep!" 

Lin Xue darted off swiftly. 

She found Lin Feng sitting on the lawn and ran up to him. "Brother, that guy was harassing me! He even said he wanted to have lunch with me!" 

She pointed at Mi Taizi as she tattled, and Lin Feng, seeing Mi Taizi stumbling dizzily toward them, felt a headache brewing. 

His sister, after all, had once taken down three older cousins with a beer bottle. Mi Taizi clearly didn't know what he was messing with. 

Lin Feng sighed helplessly. "Xiaoxue, he's one of our own..." 

--- 

At lunchtime, in the staff canteen, Lin Feng, Lin Xue, and Mi Taizi sat together, glaring at each other. 

"Uncle Lin... Is this really your sister?" Mi Taizi asked for the third time. 

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow. "Haven't you asked that enough? Doesn't she look like me?" 

Mi Taizi smiled wryly. So he'd taken a hit for nothing? 

But Mi Taizi was a good sport and thick-skinned. "Little sister, I was out of line earlier. My apologies. If anyone gives you trouble at school, just come to the Art Department and find me. The name's Mi Taizi—*Taizi* as in 'prince'!" 

Learning that Mi Taizi was an ally, Lin Xue smiled apologetically, feeling a little embarrassed. "I'm Lin Xue, Lin Feng's sister. Sorry I hit you so hard earlier; I thought you were a bad guy." 

After the two exchanged introductions, Lin Feng interjected, "She's my sister, and since you call me Uncle Lin, she's your aunt!" 

Mi Taizi nodded vigorously. "Auntie, my nickname is Guo Er!" (*Guo Er* refers to a wuxia character who married his non-blood-related aunt.) 

"You shameless fool..." Lin Feng scolded, while Mi Taizi grinned, and Lin Xue covered her mouth, giggling. By the end of lunch, one had gained a lovely aunt, the other a cheeky nephew, and as classmates, they both seemed in good spirits. 

The canteen wasn't very crowded with staff but was filled with parents dining with their children on freshman registration day. Mi Taizi's edgy hairstyle and attire caught the attention of many infatuated girls, who gathered to whisper and admire him. 

"How handsome!" 

"So cool!" 

Today's young girls were smitten by rebellious boys with a touch of melancholy—exactly the vibe Mi Taizi exuded. 

While Mi Taizi basked in the attention, Lin Xue also attracted glances from many boys. However, upon noticing Mi Taizi next to her, they assumed she was taken and dared not linger. 

--- 

After lunch, Lin Feng gave a stern reminder. "Mi Taizi, I don't care what your father told you, but I'll only help you if you're bullied. Anything else is beyond my scope." 

Mi Taizi, ever the gentleman, said earnestly, "Uncle Lin, that's more than enough!" 

Lin Feng added, "Starting now, both of you focus on your studies. Lin Xue, no dating in your first year, and Mi Taizi, keep an eye on her. And don't even think about pulling any stunts yourself!" 

Blushing furiously, Mi Taizi exclaimed indignantly, "I'm a man of honor! How could you doubt my integrity, Uncle Lin?" 

Lin Xue also pouted, "Brother! I never even planned to date, and you don't trust me?" 

Lin Feng shrugged. "Better safe than sorry. You're a young girl, just starting university. What if someone sweet-talks you and plays with your emotions?" 

Mi Taizi thumped his chest confidently. "Don't worry, Uncle Lin! I'll protect Auntie. Anyone who dares mess with her will answer to me! Even if someone wants to be her boyfriend, they'll need my approval first!" 

Lin Feng rolled his eyes. Mi Taizi's big talk was relentless, but at least it offered some reassurance—albeit in a discounted sense. 

"Alright, I'll leave now. Behave yourselves," Lin Feng said as he prepared to depart. 

Lin Xue and Mi Taizi escorted him to the school gate. Lin Xue's eyes reddened as she hugged him tightly. "What's wrong?" Lin Feng asked. 

"Nothing!" Lin Xue replied stubbornly, clinging to him. 

Knowing his sister's timid nature and fear of loneliness, Lin Feng comforted her, patting her back. "Tomorrow, you'll start military training. Spend more time with your dormmates. If you feel uncomfortable, come to my place over the weekend. I'll have my new house ready soon, and we'll bring Mom and Dad over during the holidays to stay in the city together!" 

His words painted a hopeful future, successfully diverting Lin Xue's attention. She stopped crying and nodded obediently. 

"Study well. You're the only college student in our family!" 

"I know!" 

After bidding farewell, Lin Feng felt a pang of sadness himself. Why all the dramatics? They'd see each other again soon enough. 

--- 

Walking down the street, Lin Feng stretched lazily, envying the life of a university student. For someone like him, who had dropped out early to work, there was nothing more desirable than hanging out with peers, drinking beer, singing karaoke, and gaming. 

But alas... no use dwelling on it. 

Just as he was about to hail a motorbike taxi to the subway station, his phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, he frowned. It was Nie Chuxia. 

What does this princess want now? 

"Hello?" Lin Feng answered. 

"Lin Feng, did Lin Xue register today?" 

"Yeah, why?" 

"No reason. Nanyang University is my alma mater, so I thought I'd check on my junior." 

Huh? 

Lin Feng had assumed someone as high-profile as Nie Chuxia would've attended a top-tier university in Jing City or Magic City, not a local school. 

"Then I'll let her know. She'll definitely be happy to find out you're her senior." 

Nie Chuxia smiled mysteriously. "Are you free this afternoon? How about accompanying me somewhere?" 

"No plans," Lin Feng paused. "But where are we going? I was planning to check out some properties." 

Nie Chuxia replied, "You can look at houses anytime. But this place only opens once every twelve years!" 

"Sounds mysterious." 

"Of course it is." 

Nie Chuxia drove over to the school gate, picked Lin Feng up, and headed into the city. Lin Feng was filled with curiosity, but Nie Chuxia remained tight-lipped, driving him crazy with anticipation. Naturally impatient, Lin Feng had grown more composed over the years, but the mention of a secretive place had him restless again. 

Throughout the drive, Lin Feng kept probing, but Nie Chuxia wouldn't spill a word. She weaved through the streets of the city until they arrived at an old tailor shop in the historic district. 

Getting out of the car, Lin Feng looked at the shop, which seemed like it had been around forever. He chuckled nervously, "Is this the place for the gathering? Seriously?" 

Nie Chuxia gave him a sidelong glance. "Of course not! But if you're going to a gathering, shouldn't you at least have something decent to wear?" 

What the heck? Are my clothes that bad? 

"Missy, this T-shirt and pants combo cost me 100 bucks. That's not cheap!" 

Nie Chuxia rolled her eyes and dragged him inside. 

The tailor shop exuded an old-fashioned, Hong Kong-style charm, complete with an altar, dim lighting, and the faint scent of sandalwood. The narrow aisles were crammed with clothes hanging everywhere. 

The fabric felt ordinary, but the designs were unlike anything Lin Feng had ever seen. 

They seemed to blend the style of traditional Chinese tunics with a hint of Japanese school uniforms from the Republic of China era. Yet, they didn't carry the rigidity of Japanese designs; they seemed lighter, more ethereal. 

An elderly tailor sat behind a worn desk, wearing reading glasses and flipping through a newspaper. A measuring tape dangled from his wrist. 

Seeing someone enter, the tailor looked up and adjusted his glasses. "Buying clothes or having them tailored?" 

Nie Chuxia clasped her hands in a formal gesture, reminiscent of an ancient salute, her fingers curving slightly as if holding something. 

Lin Feng recognized this gesture—it was the same one Nie Chuxia had used to introduce her lineage before! 

The old tailor squinted and then chuckled. "So, you're from Fuyu Mountain. Which sect?" 

Nie Chuxia straightened and replied solemnly, "Huang Ji's candlestick still burns, and the Seven-Star Palace hides its secrets. A disciple of the Candle Sect greets you, elder." 

Lin Feng's eyes widened. This kind of secretive exchange felt like something straight out of a movie! 

Was this some kind of underworld code? It sounded so cryptic and cool! 

The tailor nodded. "How's Old Xian'er? I haven't had anyone from Fuyu Mountain buying clothes here in over a decade. Is he attending the 'Southern Dao Conference' this year?" 

Nie Chuxia replied, "Grandpa is doing well. Since it's the Southern Dao Conference, as the head of the Candle Sect, he'll definitely attend. Today, I'm here to ask for your help in making suitable attire for him." 

The old tailor smiled. "That's a small matter. I didn't expect Old Xian'er, with his lofty standards, to accept an outsider disciple. That's rare." 

Nie Chuxia hesitated for a moment and then whispered, "His outfit needs to be identical to my grandfather's." 

The tailor choked on his tea and nearly spat it out. His eyes widened. "I-identical? How old is he?" 

Nie Chuxia gave a wry smile and quoted something she had once heard from Niu Meng: "Age doesn't matter when your seniority is high enough." 

Their exchange left Lin Feng utterly confused. Under the old tailor's skeptical gaze, Lin Feng was ushered into the fitting room, stripped down to his underwear. 

"Hey! Nie Chuxia! What are you guys doing?! I'm from a respectable family!" 

"Sir! Please, leave the underwear! I've got my dignity!" 

"Hey, old man! Where do you think you're measuring? Try that again, and I'll fight back!" 

Hearing Lin Feng's panicked shouts, Nie Chuxia couldn't help but laugh. 

From the back room of the shop, a plump elderly woman emerged. She wore a thimble on her finger and squinted at Nie Chuxia for a moment before recognition lit her face. "Old Xian'er's granddaughter?" 

Nie Chuxia nodded. "Grandma, you still remember me!" 

The elderly woman chuckled. "Twelve years ago, you were just a little thing. Old Xian'er brought you here for a set of clothes, and I thought he'd lost his mind. I didn't expect you'd actually join the trade. How have you been all these years?" 

The woman poured Nie Chuxia a cup of tea, which Nie Chuxia savored. She sighed with delight. "No tea in Yin Chuan can compare to what you make. Grandma, I didn't expect you and Grandpa to still be running this shop." 

The elderly woman smiled warmly. "At our age, it's hard to let go. Once my granddaughter takes over, I'll retire. By the way, who's that young man inside? He's carrying a lot of yin energy." 

Nie Chuxia tapped her wrist and tugged at her earlobe. 

The elderly woman's expression changed. "The current Black Dog? You found him?" 

Nie Chuxia sighed. "You could say that. But he seems different from the previous ones." 

"How so?" 

"I can't quite put my finger on it." 

Twenty minutes later, Lin Feng emerged from the fitting room, red-faced and mortified, practically seething. 

What the heck! Who makes you strip completely just to measure for clothes? And the old man even tried to measure my… no way! 

"Grandma, if you're planning to measure me again, just put me out of my misery!" 

The elderly woman chuckled but said nothing, her eyes twinkling as she studied Lin Feng. 

After a moment, Lin Feng frowned. "I feel like I've seen you before." 

The woman gave a kind smile. "You're quite likable, young man." 

She asked, "Where do you work? Are you seeing anyone?" 

Lin Feng took a deep breath. "Nanyang City Funeral Home... and no, I'm not seeing anyone." His face flushed with embarrassment. "Does that scare you?" 

The woman chuckled and shook her head. Suddenly, something clicked in her memory. "Is Wang Shouyi or He Chengyang still there?" 

Lin Feng's brow furrowed deeply. 

Wang Shouyi? He Chengyang? 

The funeral home had plenty of old-timers, but he didn't know anyone by name. They were all referred to with respect, given their seniority, while he was the youngest. 

After a moment's thought, Lin Feng realized there was only one person surnamed Wang—the director, Old Wang! 

And only one person surnamed He—the gatekeeper, Uncle He! 

Cautiously, Lin Feng asked, "Grandma, do you know them?" 

The elderly woman nodded. "Those two old devils. They've forgotten their roots."