Chapter 58: The Market [1]

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: The Market [1]

Xi Yunxui stepped out of Madam Huo’s room, gently closing the door behind her.

For several seconds, she remained standing in the corridor.

Her expression was thoughtful.

Why didn’t the system issue a mission?

It was unusual.

In the past, whenever she did something that benefited a member of the Huo family, the system would immediately seize the opportunity to issue some strange mission.

Prepare a meal.

Help someone.

Make someone happy.

Even complimenting Madam Huo had earned her affection points.

But this time, Madam Huo had directly entrusted her with preparing food for the Huo family’s patriarch.

That should have been the perfect opportunity for another mission.

Yet the system had remained completely silent.

Xi Yunxui narrowed her eyes.

Could it be broken?

She was just about to mentally call the system when she heard footsteps approaching from the staircase.

She turned around.

"Auntie Zhang."

Auntie Zhang walked toward her with a purposeful expression. She stopped in front of Xi Yunxui and glanced briefly toward Madam Huo’s closed door.

"Xi Yunxui, wait here for me for a moment."

"Yes, Auntie Zhang."

Without explaining further, Auntie Zhang opened Madam Huo’s door and went inside.

Xi Yunxui watched the door close again.

She sighed softly.

I’ll ask the system later.

There was no point worrying about it now.

She leaned against the wall and waited patiently.

Several minutes passed.

Then the door opened.

Auntie Zhang stepped out.

"Xi Yunxui, come with me."

Xi Yunxui immediately straightened.

"Yes."

She followed Auntie Zhang downstairs.

Rather than heading toward the kitchen or living room, Auntie Zhang led her directly toward the staff quarters.

Xi Yunxui was slightly confused.

When they reached the corridor leading to the rooms, Auntie Zhang stopped.

"Go and change into your normal clothes."

Xi Yunxui blinked.

"My normal clothes?"

"Yes. We’re going to the market."

For a moment, Xi Yunxui simply stared at her.

Then her eyes lit up.

"The market?"

"Yes."

Auntie Zhang smiled at her reaction.

"Why are you looking so excited?"

Xi Yunxui quickly composed herself.

"Nothing, Auntie Zhang."

But internally, she was practically celebrating.

I’m finally going to the market!

Ever since arriving in this strange modern world, she had spent most of her time inside the Huo family’s residences.

She had seen cars.

She had seen airplanes.

She had seen enormous buildings.

She had even learned how to use a refrigerator and several modern kitchen appliances.

But she had never properly visited a modern market.

For someone who had spent her entire previous life in an ancient world, that was an experience she desperately wanted.

Auntie Zhang gave her an amused look.

"Go quickly. We don’t have all day."

"Yes!"

Xi Yunxui hurried into her room.

The moment she opened the door, she found King C sprawled comfortably on the bed.

The little white creature lifted his head.

His golden eyes immediately settled on her.

"What?"

Xi Yunxui walked over and crouched beside the bed.

"I’m going out."

King C’s ears twitched.

"Where?"

"The market."

His eyes brightened.

"Are you bringing me?"

"No."

The answer came so quickly that King C’s expression immediately fell.

Xi Yunxui pointed one finger at him.

"You’re staying here."

King C opened his mouth.

"But—"

"No."

Xi Yunxui narrowed her eyes.

"And while I’m gone, you will behave yourself."

King C swallowed.

The memory of being suspended above a fire flashed through his mind.

His little body trembled.

"I will."

"Don’t sneak into the kitchen."

"I won’t."

"Don’t steal vegetables."

"I won’t."

"Don’t wander around the residence."

"I won’t."

"And don’t cause trouble."

King C nodded vigorously.

"I promise!"

Xi Yunxui was satisfied.

"Good."

She then reached into her bag and pulled out several carrots.

King C’s eyes immediately followed them.

Xi Yunxui held them up.

"If you’re obedient, I’ll bring you more carrots when I come back."

King C’s eyes practically sparkled.

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Then I will be the most obedient creature in the entire mountain!"

Xi Yunxui couldn’t help laughing.

"That’s better."

She was about to leave when she remembered something.

Her gaze shifted toward the other creature.

The small, flaming-red, chicken-like creature was perched nearby, its green eyes watching them curiously.

Xi Yunxui frowned.

What am I supposed to do with this one?

She silently contacted the system.

System, what should I do with it while I’m gone?

The system answered almost immediately.

[The host can leave it under King C’s care.]

Xi Yunxui stared at King C.

Then she stared at the fiery little creature.

Then she looked back at King C.

"King C."

The little goat-like creature straightened.

"Yes?"

"I’m leaving the little one with you."

King C looked at the red creature.

Then at Xi Yunxui.

"Me?"

"Yes."

"You trust me?"

Xi Yunxui smiled.

"I trust you because you’re afraid of me."

King C’s face stiffened.

"That isn’t trust!"

"It is today."

King C was speechless.

Xi Yunxui handed him another carrot.

"If you take good care of it, I’ll give you plenty of carrots when I return."

King C immediately hugged the carrot.

"I understand!"

"Good."

Xi Yunxui gave him one last warning look.

"I’ll know if you misbehave."

King C’s smile froze.

"How?"

Xi Yunxui paused.

She had absolutely no idea.

But she confidently pointed toward him.

"I just will."

King C immediately nodded.

"Understood!"

Xi Yunxui smiled in satisfaction and turned toward the door.

As she left, King C muttered under his breath.

"She really is terrifying."

The red creature tilted its head.

"Ki?"

King C sighed.

"Don’t ask."

---

Xi Yunxui quickly changed out of her maid uniform.

She chose a simple outfit that was comfortable enough for walking around the market. After checking herself in the mirror, she tucked her hair neatly behind her ears and left her room.

A few minutes later, she met Auntie Zhang downstairs.

The older woman looked her over and nodded.

"Good. Let’s go."

"Yes, Auntie Zhang."

They walked toward the front entrance together.

A black vehicle was already waiting outside.

Xi Yunxui slowed slightly when she saw it.

Although she had already ridden in several cars since arriving in this world, she still found herself fascinated by them.

The vehicle looked much smaller than the Huo family’s private aircraft, yet it was still incredibly polished.

A driver stepped out and opened the rear door.

"Please."

Auntie Zhang entered first.

Xi Yunxui followed.

The moment she sat down, she instinctively looked around.

The interior was spacious and comfortable, with soft leather seats and several strange buttons.

She discreetly examined them.

What does this one do?

Before she could become too curious, Auntie Zhang spoke.

"Xi Yunxui, we’re going to several places today. We need to purchase ingredients for the patriarch’s visit, so don’t wander away."

"Yes, Auntie Zhang."

Xi Yunxui nodded obediently.

"I understand."

The car soon began moving.

At first, Xi Yunxui simply watched through the window.

Then her eyes gradually widened.

Country M had already seemed incredibly advanced to her.

But the streets here were different.

There were people everywhere.

Cars moved in orderly streams along wide roads. Tall buildings rose on both sides of the streets, their glass surfaces reflecting the morning sunlight. Large electronic displays flashed advertisements across buildings, while pedestrians moved along the sidewalks carrying bags, talking on phones, or rushing toward various destinations.

Xi Yunxui leaned closer to the window.

Her eyes moved from one thing to another.

"What is that?"

Auntie Zhang looked toward where she was pointing.

"That? It’s an advertisement screen."

"Oh."

Xi Yunxui nodded thoughtfully.

A few seconds later—

"And that?"

"A shopping mall."

"And that?"

"A bank."

"And that?"

"A restaurant."

Xi Yunxui’s eyes became brighter with every answer.

There were simply too many things to look at.

Auntie Zhang eventually laughed.

"You really don’t get out much, do you?"

Xi Yunxui immediately sat upright.

"I’ve been busy."

It wasn’t exactly a lie.

She had been busy.

Very busy.

Busy surviving.

Busy learning about the modern world.

Busy dealing with the system.

Busy preventing King C from getting her fired.

Auntie Zhang shook her head with an amused smile.

"You should go out more often."

Xi Yunxui quietly agreed.

I definitely should.

The car continued forward until the towering buildings gradually became shorter.

Soon, the surroundings became much livelier.

Rows of shops appeared along both sides of the road.

There were fruit stalls, vegetable vendors, butcher shops, restaurants and stores of every description.

The closer they got, the more crowded it became.

Finally, the driver slowed down.

"We’re here."

Xi Yunxui immediately sat upright.

Her eyes sparkled.

The market.

She was finally here.

The moment she stepped out of the vehicle, a wave of sounds rushed toward her.

"Fresh vegetables!"

"Fresh fish!"

"Come and have a look!"

"Fresh fruit!"

"Today’s vegetables just arrived!"

People moved in every direction.

Vendors called out to customers.

Carts rolled past.

Motorbikes passed along the road.

The scent of fresh produce mixed with the aromas of cooked food from nearby stalls.

Xi Yunxui stood completely still for several seconds.

Her mouth parted slightly.

This wasn’t anything like the markets she remembered from her previous life.

There were brightly colored signs everywhere.

Electronic scales.

Refrigerated displays.

Plastic packaging.

Rows upon rows of neatly arranged vegetables.

Even the market stalls looked more organized and sophisticated than she had expected.

She slowly turned in a circle.

"This..."

Auntie Zhang smiled.

"What is it?"

Xi Yunxui’s eyes were practically glowing.

"It’s amazing."

Auntie Zhang laughed.

"It’s just a market."

Xi Yunxui shook her head.

"No. It’s much bigger than I imagined."

She looked toward a stall where vegetables were arranged in neat rows.

Then she spotted a machine being used to weigh produce.

Her eyes widened.

"What’s that?"

"A weighing scale."

Xi Yunxui nodded solemnly.

"Of course."

She had absolutely no idea how it worked.

Auntie Zhang didn’t notice her confusion.

Instead, she took her arm gently.

"Come. We have a lot to buy."

Xi Yunxui followed.

But as she walked through the bustling market, she couldn’t stop looking around.

Everything was new.

Everything was strange.

And everything fascinated her.

For the first time since arriving in the modern world, Xi Yunxui felt as though she was actually getting the chance to experience it rather than simply surviving inside it.

She didn’t know that before they even finished their shopping, her trip to the market would bring her into contact with something—and someone—she absolutely wasn’t expecting.