"In the end, she still gets shy." Yarrow smirked as Zen slammed the fitting room door shut with a huff.
"Serena, you go pick out a couple of outfits too." He turned to her with a playful glint in his eyes.
"Oh… okay." Serena's voice was softer than usual, and she quickly made her way towards the racks, glancing back at him just once before disappearing behind a display.
As soon as she left, a notification popped up before Yarrow's eyes.
[New Challenge Task: Have a feeding play with Serena. Reward: Affection Token X20]
His lips twitched. That was an easy one. Serena was far too innocent, far too willing to indulge him if he played his cards right.
Then, before he could react, another message followed.
[New Challenge Task: Give Zen a powerful head pat! Reward: Affection Token X50]
Yarrow frowned. Feeding Serena was one thing. But touching Zen's head? That was practically suicide. She'd sooner rip his arm off than tolerate such an audacious move.
"Yeah… let's focus on the Serena task first."
He was still strategizing his approach when a loud crash came from Zen's fitting room.
"Is everything alright, customer?" The shop assistant rushed forward in alarm.
"Let me handle it." Yarrow quickly intercepted. If anyone upset Zen, this whole store might go up in flames—literally.
He stepped up to the door and rapped his knuckles lightly against it. "What happened?"
The door creaked open just a fraction. Through the sliver of space, Zen's cherry-red lips were set in an annoyed pout, her golden eyes sharp as ever.
Without a word, she turned around, lifting the cascade of silver hair from her back, revealing the problem: the dress she had chosen had an intricate clasp system, the buttons left undone, a few of them already scattered on the floor.
"Fasten them. Now."
Ah. So she needed his help.
Yarrow exhaled slowly. "Then, excuse me, Lady Zen."
He slipped into the fitting room, shutting the door behind him. The space was tight, just enough for the two of them. His breath caught for just a second—her bare back was exposed, smooth and breathtaking. The way her delicate shoulder blades framed the soft curves of her spine…
And those wings. Small, folded close to her body, but undeniably regal.
He reached out, fingers brushing against the heat of her skin as he worked the clasps. The scent of leather, new fabric, and something sweetly feminine filled his lungs.
The silver dragon didn't move, but he could feel the subtle way her body reacted. The faintest shiver when his fingers ghosted over her nape. The quiet inhale when he tugged the fabric tighter.
And then, there it was. A single blue bra strap resting against her creamy skin. A scandalous detail amidst the otherwise elegant picture.
Scientific research states that ninety percent of men experience an undeniable urge to snap a bra strap when they see it.
Yarrow had always dismissed that as nonsense.
And yet.
His fingers twitched. Just a little pull—just to see what kind of sound she'd make.
"Hey," Zen snapped, voice edged with warning. "Are you done yet?"
Yarrow let out a slow breath, banishing the sinful temptation. "Just a moment…"
It took longer than it should have. Maybe because he was savoring the proximity. Maybe because the way her body tensed, then slowly relaxed under his touch, was intoxicating in a way he hadn't expected.
Finally, he stepped back. "Done."
Zen stretched, her wings shifting slightly before she turned to face him. The outfit was deceptively simple—a sleeveless blouse with lace detail at the collar, a knee-length brown skirt that hugged her waist just right, and tall leather boots that made her seem even more commanding.
She was stunning.
"Human clothes are so damn tedious."
"But they suit you. Even as a human, Lady Zen is an existence of unparalleled beauty."
The words slipped past his lips without effort, because they were simply true.
Zen smirked, flicking her hair back with effortless grace. "Hmph. Of course."
[Zen's Affection +5]
Outside, Serena emerged from the fitting room next door.
Her new outfit was far from the strict lines of her academy uniform. The loose, off-shoulder blouse, the soft folds of her forest-green skirt, and the fringed shawl draped over her shoulders made her look… softer. More intimate. Less like a schoolgirl and more like a woman Yarrow wanted to pull into his lap and whisper dirty things to.
"How is it?" Serena asked, eyes flicking away just as quickly as they met his gaze.
[Serena is asking for your opinion. How should you answer?]
Affection Options:
[Good. It's a very suitable match for you.]
[Actually, you look better when you're not wearing anything.]
[Haha, I've bagged all the good-looking ones.]
[Busy]
Yarrow stared at the options, a slow smirk spreading across his face.
He already knew which one he was going to pick.
"If you match it with a scarf, it might be even cuter."
"W-Woah, I—then, okay." Serena's cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her blouse.
[Serena's Affection +10]
Yarrow smirked to himself. "So even if I don't follow the pre-set choices, I can still increase affection. These absurd options really are just for laughs."
After picking out a few more outfits, they enlisted Serena's help in choosing clothes for Tao Hu and Ji Xiaofei as well. Yarrow noted with mild amusement how easily their little shopping trip had turned into a full-blown spree.
Expenses had been piling up recently, but he consoled himself with the thought that keeping his companions happy would yield greater rewards in the long run. Power, influence, and their unwavering trust—things that far outweighed a few coins.
Save when you should save, spend when you should spend. That's how you ride a tricycle while smoking a cigar.
With their hands full of shopping bags, they left the clothing store and headed toward their next destination—the alchemy workshop.
Perhaps it was because Zen had now changed into regular human clothing, which made her exposed dragon wings and horns stand out even more, but Yarrow immediately noticed the increased attention they were drawing.
It was only natural. Dragonkin were incredibly rare in this world, and anyone who encountered one couldn't help but steal a few extra glances.
"Mommy, look! That dragon sister is so pretty!"
A little boy, eyes wide with wonder, tugged on his mother's hand and pointed at Zen as they passed.
"Shh, don't point at people like that. It's rude." His mother quickly pulled him away, casting a cautious glance at Zen before hurrying off.
Yarrow's gaze flickered toward Zen, curious about her reaction. As expected, she remained utterly indifferent, her expression unreadable.
Right. As a dragon, she probably couldn't care less about human stares.
After wandering the busy streets for a little over ten minutes, they finally arrived at the entrance of an alchemy workshop.
Though not particularly large, Yarrow knew this shop well—it carried everything an alchemist could possibly need. Moreover, it was one of the few places that specialized in alchemy equipment.
A black iron suit of armor stood at the entrance like an ominous sentinel, giving the place a slightly intimidating atmosphere.
Pushing the heavy wooden door open, Yarrow was met with the distinct scent of herbs and chemicals, a combination reminiscent of an old apothecary. Shelves lined the walls, filled with small wooden drawers labeled with strange symbols. Rows of glass bottles containing colorful liquids shimmered under dim lantern light, and mounted on the walls were various dried animal heads, preserved as ingredients for more obscure concoctions. Toward the back of the store, an open-style alchemy workstation was set up, cluttered with tools, bubbling beakers, and half-finished potions.
Behind the counter stood a middle-aged man with a rugged beard, currently engaged in conversation with a nervous-looking young couple. He held a vial of pink liquid between his fingers, his expression one of exasperation.
"Listen closely. You can only use a single drop at a time. Dilute it in warm water and mix it in. Do not apply it externally. Do not ingest it directly. And most importantly, this is animal medicine—it's extremely potent. Humans absolutely cannot drink this."
"I know, I know! Don't worry, we're using it for pig breeding," the woman replied hastily, shoving a few coins into his hand before grabbing her husband—who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else—and dragging him out of the shop with the potion in tow.
The alchemist sighed, shaking his head. "Another one who won't listen. They always come back in a panic afterward."
Then his gaze lifted, landing on Yarrow and his companions. A familiar grin spread across his face.
"Well, well, if it isn't Yarrow. Long time no see. The extra-large imperial spear of destiny growth potion you asked for—has finally arrived."
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