Chapter 14: Strolling the Market

After leaving the weapon shop, Ba Ke Er took Zhang Fan to the part of the market selling clothes. Gradually, the sounds from the market grew louder, and the number of people on the road increased. Soon, Ba Ke Er and Zhang Fan stopped in front of a stall that sold only female clothing. Zhang Fan saw that the clothes looked like they were made of silk and cotton, and he asked Ba Ke Er:

How come there are no animal hides?

The answer was:

"Fan Fan, do you like animal hides? But the weather isn't that cold yet; wearing animal hides would be uncomfortable, and besides, females would feel hot wearing animal hide clothing."

"Then how come you wear animal hides? Aren't you afraid of the heat?" Hearing Zhang Fan's question, the female vendor wore a look of watching a show. Ba Ke Er, however, felt a bit embarrassed and whispered into Zhang Fan's ear:

"Fan Fan, the animal hide I'm wearing is from my beast form; it's my own fur, so of course I don't feel hot." Hearing Ba Ke Er's explanation, Zhang Fan's expression stiffened. No way! I've embarrassed myself again! And out in the street! So humiliating! Wuwuwu… I'm dying of embarrassment!

"Alright then, let's hurry and buy some clothes; we can go home after we're done." Having said that, he casually picked out a few sets of clothes and a couple of cloth shoes on the stall, had the vendor wrap them up, then waited for Ba Ke Er to pay. He couldn't wait any longer and tugged Ba Ke Er away. Afterwards, Ba Ke Er took him to buy some pots, pans, bowls, and ladles.

While strolling through the market, Zhang Fan found it strange: why didn't this huge market sell any rice or flour? Moreover, there was no soy sauce or vinegar either. Yet, every time he ate the meat Ba Ke Er grilled, it tasted of soy sauce and vinegar. So he posed this question to Ba Ke Er.

But Ba Ke Er's answer made him marvel at the Creator's greatness! It turned out that on this planet there were many strangely flavored fruits, and the juice of the soy sauce fruit and the sour vinegar fruit was exactly the soy sauce and vinegar taste he had tasted. As for the rice and flour he mentioned, Ba Ke Er said he seemed to have seen them on the way to the seaside, though he wasn't certain. However! Comrade Ba te er declared: he would definitely find everything Zhang Fan wanted for him!

Along the way, Zhang Fan followed Ba Ke Er as they wandered around the market, observing Ba Ke Er's thoughtfulness and the beaming smiles of the Beastmen on the market, and Zhang Fan realized that happiness was really this simple:

Having someone you like who also likes you back, having a comfortable life, having friendly neighbors.

Although this place is backward, Zhang Fan still feels that he is very happy now. Everything here feels as beautiful as a dream; he truly hopes this dream can continue forever, never to wake up!

Finally, Ba Ke Er and Zhang Fan had bought everything they needed, so they once again held hands like when they came, walking together toward home in the sunset. The afterglow of the setting sun shone behind them, making them look somewhat unreal, yet they were truly there.

This scene was seen by both mated and unmated people in the market. Those who had mates began to silently bless them in their hearts, wishing them a very happy life. However, those males who had not yet found mates did not think that way; they all felt that Zhang Fan was a fine female who should not be monopolized by Ba Ke Er alone! They also had the right to pursue him! He was so gentle, so handsome, and would surely treat them well if they became mates. They made up their minds to start pursuing him tomorrow.

But no one had considered whether Zhang Fan would agree to let them pursue him.