Chapter 15: Heading to Town

The next day, after the failure to complete the mission at the castle, Su Lan decided to head to town to make friends. Not only did she fail to complete the mission but, she was given more work from His Majesty. Now she had to open a pastry and stainless steel lunch box and water bottle stores. Su Lan felt her ideal lifestyle was getting further away from her.

Su Lan (in her mind): Mini Su Lan crawling on the floor towards her dream life. Tears stream down her eyes while waving a handkerchief and screaming “NO! Don’t go, come back!”.

Su Lan mentions her father regarding her head to town and ends up with a bunch of bodyguards. They could only come to an agreement after Su Lan agreed to his request but have the bodyguards out of sight. She had Mango get her some merchant and commoner clothing. After she finished dressing up she got her handbag and went out.

Once Su Lan headed out she came to a realization. She didn't know how and where to make friends! Su Lan had never had any close friends. Based on her personality she made friends in school and once school ended they no longer contact each other. The Su Lan from this world didn't even have friends!

Su Lan pulled up her info screen and searched: where do you go to make friends in town?

Info Screen: Bar, different associations, and street.

Su Lan:"...."

Su Lan decided to go to the street first. When she found kids around ages 5-10 on the street running around she paused and walked away.

Su Lan (in her mind): Okay, next let's try the sword association.

Su Lan purchased a bunch of snacks and items she found interesting as she walked to the sword association. Once she walked in she saw a bunch of buff men in there. She turned and ran out. Once she got out she started to breathe deeply.

Su Lan (in her mind): My god, it stinks of sweat and blood in there!!!! Okay, next.

Su Lan headed to the magic association. Just like before she went in and headed to the next association. The reason being all the people in there had their nose pointed above the clouds. The next association was the alchemist association. Once she walked in she found everyone to be in their own world. How could she make any friends here if all they can see is their pills and medical ingredients!!!

After she left she walked up to a bench and sat down sighing.

Su Lan (in her mind): Don't tell me I really have to go back to the streets and play in the mud with the kids there. Crying without tears. Where can she go to find kids her age? Or should she head to the bar as the system suggested? 

Thinking of all the unreliable locations she went to beforehand. Su Lan decided not to go to the bar.

When Su Lan was zoning out on the bench, she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. Su Lan looked up, her eyes widened in shock. Prince Jun was there in merchant clothing with two other boys around his age.

Su Lan: Prin....Jun why are you here?

Su Lan stops herself before saying prince.

Prince Jun smiles and the other 2 boys were shocked that she called his name directly.

Prince Jun: "Xiao Lan, why are you here by yourself?"

Su Lan lips start twitching. How can he call her like they are close. She didn't realize she did the same thing. In the modern world she lived in, people call everyone directly by their first name. That is of course if they were talking business would they call some with a personal title (examples: Mr., Ms., Miss. etc.) with their last name to show respect.  

Su Lan smiles: "I wanted to come out to make some friends but it hasn't been going well."

Prince Jun: "Where did you go?"

Su Lan: "The Main Street, magic, sword and alchemist associations."

Prince Jun and the 2 boys behind him had their lips start to twitch trying to hold in their laughter. Their shoulders also shook. 

Su Lan could tell from their reaction that those were no place to make friends. After thinking about what she saw when she went there she felt speechless too!

Su Lan (in her mind): System you are the one who made these suggestions! Why am I the one being laughed at!

Info screen (pops up): Of course, no one can see me but you. If they don’t laugh at you, who will they laugh at?

Su Lan (in her mind): Do you think this is funny! I tried so hard to find an opportunity to make friends! It was your suggestions that are unreliable!

Info screen: Those are suggestions for a reason.

Su Lan (in her mind): Crows flying overhead. 

Su Lan: "Where should I have gone?"

Prince Jun: "You could have come find me. Don't you think I would be a good option for a friend?"

Su Lan (in her mind): What!!! That was an option???!!! She thought she missed her chance already! Then why did she spend all morning running around!!!

Su Lan: "I feel like you would be more of an older brother than a friend."

Prince Jun laughs.

The two boys with Prince Jun were stunned at her response. Everyone knows that Prince Jun likes to run around and cause trouble. He was nothing like a reliable older brother.

Prince Jun: "Okay, you can call me brother Jun from now on. Why do you suddenly come out to find friends though?"

Su Lan: "Ah, I was bored at home and wanted someone to play with. Everyone else is always busy."

Prince Jun: "You didn't seem to have any problems with that before."

Su Lan: "I didn't, but I got bored of being by myself only (pouts)."

Info Screen: Bored..yup.. keep acting.

Su Lan (in her mind): I didn't want to either!!!!

Prince Jun and the 2 boys (in their mind): Cute!!!!