“Sure, but you’ll need to pay an extra ten percent as a storage fee. Is that alright?”
The shop assistant looked at the old woman in front of him as if he’d been expecting her. He took out an exquisite little gift box from under the counter and set it down in front of her.
The old woman wore a worn-out fur coat, as if the demonic winter wind had stabbed holes through it in countless places.
The coat was like a wild wolf as old as its owner. Timeworn and battered, yet still carrying a certain stubborn nobility.
“Mhm.”
The old woman nodded and hurriedly took the box, opening it at once to check the condition of what lay inside.
She carefully took out the ring from the box and examined it over and over. Only then did she finally let out a relieved breath. Then, realizing how impatient and rude she’d seemed, her face flushed a little.
“Please don’t worry. With something this valuable, even if you hadn’t said anything, we’d still keep it safe.”
The assistant didn’t mind her panic or haste. He gave her a knowing smile, speaking with professional ease.
“Principal plus interest… a hundred and ten thousand, right.”
The old woman cautiously fished out a small pouch of gold coins from her ragged coat. As if conducting some solemn ritual, she set the pouch on the counter and laid the coins out one by one.
She lined up eleven of them, then stopped.
“There’s actually a handling fee too… but I’ll waive it for you.”
Smiling kindly, the assistant took the coins and weighed them briefly on the scale beside him.
“Eleven coins from the Economic Lord era. I’ll take eleven.”
“Alright, the ring belongs to you again.”
[What a beautiful ring.]
Turing stared longingly as the old woman took her ring back, feeling utterly frustrated inside.
[I should’ve brought more money when I came out.]
Just as Turing smacked her lips, still debating whether to reveal her true form, Merka walked in carrying a bag of groceries.
“Mrs. Marian?”
Merka’s voice cut off Turing’s thoughts. His question held three parts surprise, seven parts hesitation, which made Turing turn toward the old woman, puzzled.
But compared to Turing, who had no idea what was going on, the old woman narrowed her eyes at Merka, clearly even more confused by the situation.
“Sorry, and you are…?”
As if suddenly realizing something, the old woman folded her hands over her lower belly, then walked with a noblewoman’s elegant steps, passing right by Turing and heading straight to Merka’s side.
She circled him, looking him up and down, then nodded as if she’d confirmed something.
“Black hair, thin lips… those cute little piano-key earrings.”
“And most importantly, eyes vast and hazy like the starry sky.”
Excitement flickered through the old woman’s gaze. She lifted the hem of her long dress slightly and twirled just a little like a delicate tang flower in the wind, then leaned forward beside Merka in a curtsy.
“Oh my, God bless.”
“My heartfelt thanks to you. You must be Mr. Merka, the one my wife mentioned.”
“Please forgive how rude I was to my benefactor last time, lost in a foolish dream and missing the chance to speak with you.”
“If you don’t mind, please give me a chance to make up for it this time.”
She kept her head bowed, still holding her skirt. It seemed she wouldn’t straighten up unless Merka agreed, which left him in a bit of a bind.
He shot a pleading look toward Turing not far away. But Turing was just idly playing with a few strands of hair at her temple, apparently not interested in the old woman at all.
Noticing Merka’s gaze, Turing clicked her tongue, walked over, planted her slim hands on her hips, and looked the old woman up and down before asking Merka curiously,
“Merka, who’s this?”
“Well, that’s… a long story.”
The old woman’s eyes lit up at the sight of Turing stepping in front of Merka like a shield.
“Oh my, and this young lady is your…?”
“She’s absolutely adorable, like ice and snow.”
Seeing Merka’s awkward expression, the old woman didn’t press further.
“I’m sorry, I spoke out of turn.”
“Would you two be willing to honor my humble home with a visit? My husband and I just happen to have prepared a dinner that’s… well, relatively decent.”
“I can properly express my gratitude at the table then.”
The old woman had no idea that, beneath his mild expression, Merka was already grumbling in his heart.
“Uh, sorry, we also just happened to be on our way back to make dinner.”
“See?”
Merka lifted the arm weighed down with bulging grocery bags and gave them a little shake in front of her, forcing out an awkward grin.
“Let’s go, Merka.”
“I wanna see what ordinary folks usually eat.”
Turing’s crimson hair swayed lightly like fluff in the wind, as if announcing her squirrel-like curiosity.
She clasped her hands behind her back and spoke offhandedly.
