Sudden Trouble

Mei Ling, who was left alone in the corner of the dressing shop, started browsing the soft and beautiful fabrics the shop has to offer while waiting.

Mei Ling is not only talented in sculpting and cooking but also in sewing. Because of her dextrous hands as well as her ability to learn fast, it can be said that Mei Ling is good at anything involving her hands.

She thought of her spouses and decided to buy some fabrics to sew. She decided to make some clothes for them herself, a gesture of sincerity.

"Old man Ci, how much is this roll of fabric for?" Mei Ling asked the old man who was making his way to her after successfully selling clothes to a customer.

"Ah? Why are you buying such a bright color roll of fabric?" Old Ci glanced at the bright red roll of fabric and remembered a certain Mer. Realization dawned on his wrinkled face.

"Aha! Since you're our important guest, one silver coin will do."

"I'm not buying only one. I'll be taking those six rolls of fabrics too." Mei Ling pointed to a peach blossom, dark blue, brown, grey, black, and gold rolls of fabrics. Each color represents someone.

"Seven rolls of fabrics, seven silver coins. Mei Ling, do you know? This is your biggest purchase in our store yet." Old Ci muttered and thought of the past. Mei Ling, who's a rare customer, only buys one or two rolls of dark and black fabrics.

Mei Ling's lips twitched at the old man's muttering and opened her mouth. "Old Ci, I also need some threads to go along with those fabrics."

"A person changes when they're married." Old Ci gestured to his workers to complete her purchase.

After a while, Mei Ling was dragged inside by Old Ma to a room. A dressing room to be exact. There, her five spouses stood in their new clothes, showcasing their different charms.

"Gorgeous." Mei Ling praised. Her mother really has good taste when it comes to looks. Her five spouses are beautiful, each with their unique charm. It was as if she was looking at pieces of art in a museum.

Han, Rin, and Jin blushed at the compliment, Lin shyly bowed his head, and San lightly snorted, puffing his chest higher.

"My taste in fashion didn't diminish. My skills are still top-notch." Old Ma praised herself and sighed while looking at the beauties. Her poor son has no chance, and no luck at all. 'Unfortunate. So unfortunate.'

Mei Ling looked at her spouses one more time before turning to Old Ma.

"Old Ma, recommend a few more pieces of clothing for them. I'll pay for it." Mei Ling remembered her mother's advice: Splurge money!

"Wife! You don't need to buy a few more. The one we're wearing is enough." Han nervously pulled his wife's hand. While at it, his fingers subconsciously rubbed her fingers. It was rough and calloused, but strangely enough, it was relaxing to touch.

Han subconsciously continued his little movement, making Mei Ling freeze at the touch.

'What is he doing?' Mei Ling blankly thought and glanced down at his hand holding hers.

As if scalded by her gaze, Han reluctantly released his hand. 'Pity. It was an addicting touch.' Han murmured in his heart.

Old Ma, who witnessed everything, shook her head and looked at the frozen woman.

"Old Ma, bring me more good clothing with their sizes. It'll be good if you have matching jewelry for it." Mei Ling woke up from her daze and ordered.

"Wife!" Han panicked.

Mei Ling turned to her fidgeting spouses and sighed. She hates the custom of this world. Her spouses can't even enjoy being splurged and spoiled because they keep thinking of their 'lowly' status.

"One piece of clothing is never enough. The five of you are now part of my household, this means that all of you are under my care. As the head of the household, I must make sure all of you are clothed, fed, and well-taken care of." Mei Ling solemnly said, her words effectively making the Mers shy and bow their heads to avert their gazes from hers.

Old Ma, who listened to Mei Ling's words, once again pitied her son who was unable to marry this excellent huntress. 'She could've been my daughter-in-law.' Old Ma sighed in regret.

"Mei Ling, you and your Mers can wait here. I'm going to manage your purchase." Old Ma signaled to her workers and departed from the room along with them.

An awkward silence permeated the scene after the old woman's departure.

'Why do I feel kind of awkward?' Mei Ling thought and sat in a chair.

"I'm sure the five of you are tired of strolling around and changing your clothes, so why don't you rest your legs?" Mei Ling gestured to the seats and her spouses meekly complied.

The awkwardness began to lessen.

Lin was about to open his mouth to say some words of gratitude when the dressing room door loudly opened.

The fair hands that slammed the door open belonged to a seductive-looking person. Despite looking disheveled, the person retained a certain sense and look of flamboyant beauty.

"Where? Where are those five vixens who married my Ling'er?!"

"Entertainer Ni, please leave right now! You are disturbing the customers of our Silong Shop!" Workers of the dressing shop immediately acted and tried to stop the intruding person.

"Them! These are the vixens that tried to own my Ling'er!!!" Ni Loung noticed the detestable Mers beside his beloved woman. He immediately knew that they were the ones who stole his wife from him! He pointed his fair fingers at the Mers with a condescending look.

Mei Ling stared at the Mer who was being restrained by the workers and found him vaguely familiar.