The next morning, Gustave had barely risen from his bed when he discovered Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai standing outside his room, waiting with eager anticipation written across their faces. These two young men had been too excited to sleep properly throughout the entire night. After all, in their current era, owning a tailored suit represented far more than mere clothing—it was a powerful symbol of social status and worldly sophistication.
Gustave smiled with amusement and shook his head at their obvious enthusiasm.
"You'll have to wait until I finish my breakfast" he said with gentle teasing.
"Master Gustave, we have already prepared breakfast for everyone!" Qiu Sheng announced proudly. "Would you like us to bring it to your room so you can eat more comfortably?"
In their determination to ensure they could acquire new suits today, both Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai had risen before dawn to prepare an elaborate breakfast spread, then waited patiently for Gustave to awaken and begin his daily routine.
"No, no, that's quite unnecessary," Gustave replied with a dismissive wave of his hand. "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself after I finish washing up."
He was certainly not a helpless invalid who required others to serve his every need. In fact, Gustave found overly attentive service styles somewhat uncomfortable and intrusive.
"Very well then, Master Gustave! We'll be waiting for you in the main hall!" Qiu Sheng declared, pulling the reluctant Wen Cai away from Gustave's doorway.
Wen Cai had clearly been preparing to engage in even more elaborate flattery and servile behavior, but Qiu Sheng recognized when enough was enough.
After the two eager disciples departed, Gustave began his morning washing and personal preparation routine. A short while later, he made his way to the main hall where the others were gathering.
Today's breakfast had been laid out with exceptional care and abundance on the main hall table. In addition to the usual simple fare of white rice porridge, pickled vegetables, and fresh soy milk, there was also an entire roasted chicken and a generous portion of expertly braised donkey meat.
"Have you two committed some new transgression?" Lin Jiu inquired suspiciously upon observing the unusually sumptuous breakfast spread.
Seeing such an elaborate morning meal immediately made Lin Jiu suspect that Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai had committed some fresh misdeed. After all, their breakfast budget was strictly fixed, and the additional roasted chicken and braised donkey meat must have been purchased with the disciples' own money.
Both Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai had inherited Lin Jiu's naturally frugal tendencies. For either of them to willingly spend their personal funds on extra food meant either they had committed some terrible crime or they wanted something very badly indeed.
"Master, this is simply because you have been working so diligently during this particularly demanding period," Qiu Sheng explained to Lin Jiu with an exaggerated expression of filial concern and devotion.
His tone was so transparently flattering that it would have been obvious to anyone listening.
"Yes, Master! This represents our sincere love and appreciation for all your guidance," Wen Cai added enthusiastically, moving behind Lin Jiu to begin massaging his shoulders with theatrical dedication. "Don't we simply want to demonstrate our profound respect and gratitude?"
"Really?" Lin Jiu responded with obvious skepticism, clearly not believing a single word of what his disciples were claiming.
Their sudden transformation into perfectly devoted students was far too dramatic and convenient to be genuine.
"Fellow Taoist Yimei, Qiu Sheng and Wen Cai have done absolutely nothing wrong," Gustave interjected with an amused smile, deciding to reveal the truth. "I simply mentioned that I wanted to take them to have suits tailored today."
His explanation immediately clarified the mystery behind their unusually generous behavior.
"Ah, no wonder their attitude has changed so dramatically," Lin Jiu replied with understanding, finally comprehending why his disciples had suddenly become so attentive and eager to please.
"Fellow Taoist Yimei, Fellow Taoist Tiantong, how would you both feel about accompanying us today to have some clothing made?" Gustave suggested, extending his invitation to both of his distinguished friends.
The prospect would make the outing more enjoyable and provide an opportunity for all of them to spend time together.
After hearing Gustave's generous offer, Lin Jiu found himself genuinely tempted by the prospect of owning a tailored suit. However, he also felt considerable hesitation about accepting such an expensive gift from someone he had only recently met.
"I appreciate the kind offer, but I don't have any need for new clothing," Zhang Zhiwei declined politely. "I have several excellent suits back in my own world that are gathering dust from lack of use. Please just have something made for Fellow Taoist Lin Jiu."
Although Zhang Zhiwei typically wore traditional Taoist robes in public, he did indeed own several high-quality Western suits that had been gifts or purchases from his interactions with the modern world.
Hearing Zhang Zhiwei's refusal, Lin Jiu felt somewhat embarrassed about the situation. If Zhang Zhiwei had agreed to participate, Lin Jiu would have felt more comfortable accepting the generous offer as part of a group activity. However, the current circumstances made him feel awkward about being the sole recipient of such expensive generosity.
"Then the matter is settled!" Gustave declared decisively, recognizing Lin Jiu's internal struggle with accepting charity. "After breakfast, Fellow Taoist Yimei will accompany us to order a proper suit!"
Gustave understood Lin Jiu's personality well enough to know that the Taoist master was too concerned with maintaining his dignity to accept help easily, so he simply made the decision for him.
"Ah, thank you so much, Gustave!" Lin Jiu responded gratefully, bowing respectfully to express his appreciation.
Since Gustave had presented the matter as already decided rather than as charity, Lin Jiu felt comfortable accepting the generous gesture.
After breakfast concluded, Gustave and his friends made their way to the tailoring establishment in Renjia Town that specialized in creating Western-style suits. The shop displayed an impressive array of ready-made suits in various styles, along with an extensive selection of quality fabrics that provided customers with numerous options for customization.
"Uncle Jiu! Have you come to have clothing made today?" the shop owner called out with obvious pleasure and recognition.
Lin Jiu was essentially known by everyone in Renjia Town, so when Gustave's group arrived at the establishment, the proprietor immediately came forward to greet them personally.
"Yes indeed, boss! We've come to look at some clothing options today. Thank you for your assistance!" Lin Jiu replied with a warm smile, returning the friendly greeting.
"Please, everyone, come inside and make yourselves comfortable," the shop owner responded enthusiastically, welcoming Gustave and his friends into the well-appointed interior of his establishment.
"I'm curious about what style Uncle Jiu might prefer," the proprietor began his sales presentation with professional enthusiasm. "Please examine these examples—all of these are finished garments that were specially ordered by previous customers. In terms of variety and quality, our establishment ranks second only to the prestigious Zhou Ji shop in the provincial capital!"
The shop owner spoke with obvious pride and confidence, claiming that the styles available in his store were second to none in the entire province, inferior only to Zhou Ji, which specialized in creating custom garments for high-ranking government officials and wealthy merchants in the provincial capital.
After listening to the proprietor's impressive claims, Lin Jiu and his two disciples began carefully examining the displayed finished garments, studying the craftsmanship and design details with growing interest.
Lin Jiu immediately fell in love with an elegant morning suit displayed prominently in the store—a formal style that was essentially a daytime version of a tuxedo. When he imagined himself wearing this sophisticated ensemble complete with a matching top hat, Lin Jiu could already envision how distinguished and handsome he would appear in such refined attire.
"Shop owner, could you please provide more details about this particular ensemble?" Lin Jiu inquired, pointing directly at the morning suit that had captured his attention.
"Of course! This is called a morning dress, and it represents the height of fashion worn by the upper classes throughout Western society," the proprietor began an elaborate explanation.
He launched into an extensive and flowery description of the garment's significance, history, and social implications, displaying the kind of persuasive eloquence that made Gustave want to applaud his salesmanship skills.
After listening to the shop owner's impressive sales presentation, Lin Jiu immediately committed to that particular style. Wen Cai, not to be outdone, followed his master's lead and also selected a formal tuxedo style after hearing both the proprietor's enthusiastic description and observing Lin Jiu's choice.
Gustave nearly couldn't suppress his laughter when he heard Wen Cai commit to ordering a tuxedo. While it was perfectly appropriate for Lin Jiu to wear such formal attire given his dignity and bearing, the thought of Wen Cai dressed in full formal evening wear promised to create an absolutely hilarious spectacle.
"Qiu Sheng, don't you want the same style?" Wen Cai asked with obvious confusion when he observed that Qiu Sheng wasn't selecting a tuxedo like himself and Lin Jiu had chosen.
He couldn't understand why anyone would pass up such an obviously prestigious option.
Qiu Sheng shook his head with quiet confidence. He possessed his own aesthetic sensibilities and personal taste, unlike Wen Cai, who tended to blindly follow Lin Jiu's choices in most matters.
After careful consideration and examination of the available options, Qiu Sheng selected a combination featuring a crisp white shirt paired with a matching vest. The white shirt and vest components were perfectly acceptable choices, but when combined with the butterfly collar style he preferred, the overall effect made Gustave think Qiu Sheng would resemble a waiter from the Republican era. However, since Qiu Sheng genuinely liked this particular combination, there was nothing anyone could do to dissuade him.
"Now then, Uncle Jiu, please examine these fabric selections. These represent the finest new materials that my establishment has recently acquired," the shop owner announced proudly after the three customers had finalized their style choices.
He brought out samples of the highest quality fabrics available in his inventory for their consideration.
When Lin Jiu touched the luxurious material, his expression immediately changed with concern. Although he was not a professional tailor or fabric expert, the texture and quality felt extraordinarily expensive to his experienced hands. Since Gustave was generously paying for everything today, Lin Jiu felt deeply uncomfortable about using such costly materials to create his clothing.
"Shop owner..." Lin Jiu began hesitantly, preparing to ask the proprietor to substitute some less expensive fabric options.
"Shop owner, please use only the very finest fabrics available in your store!" Gustave interrupted firmly before Lin Jiu could complete his request for cheaper alternatives.
"Excellent choice! Uncle Jiu, please proceed to the back room so we can take your measurements," the shop owner responded with obvious delight.
When he heard Gustave's instruction to use premium materials, his face lit up with joy. The finest fabrics combined with multiple custom orders represented a truly significant business transaction.
Hearing Gustave's decisive instruction, Lin Jiu felt embarrassed and attempted to approach him with a protest about the unnecessary expense.
"Fellow Taoist Yimei, please go have your measurements taken immediately," Gustave said with gentle but firm authority, effectively ending any discussion about fabric choices.
His tone made it clear that the matter was completely settled and not open for debate.
Lin Jiu found himself at a complete loss for words. He could only sigh with helpless resignation before following the shop assistant to the measuring area to have his dimensions recorded.
"Sir, may I ask your name? Would you perhaps be interested in examining some options for yourself?" the shop owner approached Gustave while Lin Jiu and his disciples were having their measurements taken.
Not only had Gustave demonstrated remarkable generosity moments earlier, but his sophisticated clothing and bearing made it obvious to the proprietor that he was dealing with a wealthy and discriminating customer.
"My name is Gustave. As for clothing, I'll pass for now," Gustave replied with a polite wave of dismissal.
"Mr. Gustave, I can observe that you possess an exceptionally upright posture and dignified bearing," the shop owner persisted, refusing to be discouraged by the initial refusal. "The garments you're currently wearing clearly indicate that you are an educated young gentleman who came from abroad..."
Faced with Gustave's rejection, the proprietor was not easily deterred. He launched into an elaborate display of his considerable eloquence, praising Gustave's appearance, bearing, and obvious sophistication in increasingly creative and flattering terms.
The shop owner continued his effusive praise for five or six minutes without repeating a single compliment or running out of superlatives. After listening to such an extended and creative performance, Gustave felt genuinely embarrassed to refuse the man's services, so he decided to order a set of clothing as appropriate compensation for the proprietor's remarkable verbal artistry.
"Very well, shop owner, please prepare a set for me as well," Gustave conceded with good humor. "However, I'm not entirely satisfied with the current styles available in your store. I'd like to suggest a specific combination and see if you're capable of creating it."
Hearing Gustave's agreement to place an order, the shop owner breathed a visible sigh of relief and felt tremendous satisfaction at finally securing this valuable customer. Although Gustave had special requirements and custom specifications, the proprietor felt completely confident in his ability to meet any challenge!
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