After thinking for a moment, Gu Sheng said, "Come with me to buy clothes."
Upon hearing this, everyone couldnāt quite believe their ears.
"Brother Sheng, you said to do what? Buy clothes for you?"
"Yeah, Hong Mei is still injured, yet weāre not going to find Real Ling Xiao, but buying clothes instead?"
"Thatās right, weāre buying clothes. Hong Meiās clothes are soaked with blood and canāt be worn anymore. We need to buy clothes for her first. As for Real Ling Xiao, Iāve already cut off two of his fingers, and heās probably fled. Itās pointless to waste time on him for now."
Understanding his meaning, everyone nodded repeatedly and followed along.
In the clothing store, Gu Sheng picked out a few pieces and then held up a red one, saying to the shopkeeper, "This outfit is a bit loose; could you alter it to be more fitted?"
"No problem, sir. Please wait a moment."
While Gu Sheng sat to the side, Shi Lou and a few others exchanged glances, continuously making funny faces.
After the exchange of looks, Er Gou came over.
"Brother Sheng, you even know what size clothes Hong Mei wears? You guys... you guys..."
As he spoke, he stuttered a bit, and the Eight Diagrams jade in his eyes kept gleaming.
Seeing him like this, Gu Sheng flicked his forehead lightly.
"I treated her wounds, so I have some idea. Weāre just regular friends now, but surely in the future, we wonāt be. Is that satisfactory?"
Hearing his answer directly from his mouth, Er Gouās eyes lit up.
"Brother Sheng, what do you mean by āin the future, we wonāt beā?"
"I like her, but I havenāt told her yetāis that clear enough?"
Upon hearing this, Er Gou and Shi Lou couldnāt stop nodding.
"Crystal clear, crystal clear, couldnāt be any clearer."
Seeing their mischievous smiles, Gu Sheng couldnāt help but laugh.
After purchasing clothes, everyone returned to the inn together.
Shi Lou searched for a while, but Lan Yao still hadnāt returned.
"That Lan Yao is slower than usācould it be heās avoiding tonightās treat?"
"No way, heās a typical playboy who doesnāt care about Silver. He probably couldnāt find the herbs and isnāt back yet."
"Thatās good; Iām looking forward to tonightās meal."
While the group chatted, Gu Sheng entered Hong Meiās room with the clothes.
"How do you feel now? Better?"
"Iāve been fine for a long time. You healed me and even transferred so much spiritual energy to me. My body is actually better than usual. Where are the clothes you bought? Let me see."
Gu Sheng brought over a pile of clothes and stacked them in front of her.
Seeing so many clothes, Hong Mei was a bit bewildered.
"You bought so many?"
"Youāre a girl, so having more clothes is normal. I wasnāt sure what style you liked, so I got them according to your usual style. Check them out, do you like them?"
Hong Mei took out the dresses one by one, nodding ceaselessly like a chicken pecking at grains.
"I like them, every one is beautiful."
"Try them on."
Hong Mei made a choice and pulled out the red dress.
"Gu Sheng, go out."
"Kicking the donkey after grinding?"
Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow as he said this, causing Hong Mei to laugh.
"So, youāre the donkey?"
Amused by his words, Gu Sheng couldnāt help but laugh as well.
"Go ahead and try it on; Iāll step out. Call if you need me."
Gu Sheng stepped out but stayed guard outside the door without leaving.
Seeing him stay, the others also didnāt leave.
As they chatted, Hong Mei pushed the door open and came out.
Seeing her in red, looking valiant and spirited, everyone was dazzled.
"Hong Mei, you donāt look like someone whoās been injured at all."
"Yeah, you look healthier than me."
"No kidding, Brother Sheng picked an outfit thatās perfect for you, like it was tailored just for you."
Listening to the others, Hong Mei blushed and glanced at Gu Sheng.
"Gu Sheng, I really like the clothes you picked. Thank you."
"Why be polite with me."
As soon as Gu Sheng finished speaking, Bai Yu joined in teasing, "Exactly, Hong Mei, why be polite with our Brother Sheng? Weāre all one family~"
He exaggerated the words "one family," and everyone started to join in.
Hong Meiās face turned red under their teasing, so she changed the topic: "Whereās Lan Yao? Why havenāt I seen him?"
"I sent him to buy Thousand-year-old Ginseng."
"Why buy Thousand-year-old Ginseng? Iām already healed; we donāt need it."
"Heās already gone, and when he returns, itāll be as an apology."
Gu Sheng said with a laugh, leaving Hong Mei a bit confused.
"Apology? Why apologize?"
"For... his reckless words and poor timing."
Gu Sheng said meaningfully, making Hong Mei realize instantly, her face turning as red as a tomato.
"Iām tired, Iām going to rest again."
Having said that, Hong Mei fled in embarrassment.
Looking at the closed door, Bai Yu came closer, his gaze shifting between Gu Sheng and the tightly shut door.
"Gu Sheng, did you make Lan Yao go so far to get the herbs because he disrupted your plans?"
Gu Sheng gave him a glance without answering.
Naturally, everyone understood; not speaking is akin to agreeing!
No wonder Gu Sheng sent Lan Yao so far away! So thatās it! Lan Yao, oh Lan Yao, you deserve it! He wasnāt wronged!
While everyone secretly laughed, Gu Sheng cleared his throat.
"Lan Yao will take a while to return, everyone go rest first, weāll talk when heās back. Meanwhile, pack your thingsātomorrow morning, we set off."
Having said that, Gu Sheng left first.
Everyone returned to their rooms, waiting until nightfall.
Shi Lou and the others rubbed their bellies from hunger when Lan Yao finally returned in a flurry.
"Gu Sheng, Iām back!"
Seeing his nervous look, Gu Sheng raised an eyebrow.
"What, didnāt find the Thousand-year-old Ginseng?"
After Gu Sheng asked, Lan Yao looked guilty.
"Iām really sorry, I tried my best but still couldnāt find the Thousand-year-old Ginseng. Tomorrow, tomorrow morning Iāll return to the Elf Clan, my brother must have some!"
"No need, Hong Mei is already well, you donāt need to go back. You lousy rascal, hurry and eat, everyoneās been waiting for you."
Hearing Gu Shengās words, Lan Yao was puzzled and turned to Bai Yu.
"Whatās up with him? Hong Mei is okay?"
Bai Yu stepped forward and meaningfully patted him on the shoulder.
"Lan Yao, take care in the future and mind your tongue, donāt rush into things, or if Gu Sheng made you look for Thousand-year-old Ginseng today, tomorrow heāll make you look for Ten-thousand-year-old Ginseng."
After Bai Yu finished, Shi Lou and the others couldnāt suppress their laughter.
Seeing them like this, Lan Yao became even more confused.
"Bai Yu, what do you mean? I canāt understand you, and why are they laughing?"
"Donāt ask, or Gu Sheng will send you looking for Ten-thousand-year-old Ginseng tonight. Go eat quickly; weāve been hungry waiting for you. Didnāt we say no return until weāre drunk? Itās a rare chance, hurry up."
Bai Yu didnāt give him a chance to speak and pushed him downstairs.
Lan Yao originally wanted to find Gu Sheng for more answers, but Shi Lou and the others, worried he might say the wrong thing again, kept him engaged. Once the liquor arrived, Lan Yao forgot about the matter and joined everyone for a drink.
Everyone managed to relax for a change, thoroughly enjoying the drinking session.
As midnight approached, everyone eventually returned to their rooms.
With daylight breaking, Gu Sheng woke everyone and they continued on their journey.
Leaving the town behind, they traveled south quickly.
The entire day they hardly rested, until dusk fell and Gu Sheng finally slowed down and looked at Hong Mei.
"How are you, tired?"
"Not at all, Iām completely fine. This little distance means nothing to me; Iām full of energy nowāeven going another day wouldnāt be a problem."
At that moment, Gu Sheng suddenly reached out and grasped her wrist, placing his fingertips on her pulse.
Knowing heās still concerned, Hong Mei quietly settled down, letting him take her pulse.
After a moment, Gu Sheng released her wrist and relaxed.
"Letās push ahead a bit more and find a good place to rest."
"Okay."
Hong Mei agreed cheerfully and skipped ahead of everyone.
Watching her figure, Gu Sheng couldnāt help but smile.