Rouge Shop

On one side, the two old men were busy discussing the exhumation and reburial, while on the other, the two youngsters were chatting about rouge and powder.

It could be said they were minding their own business, neither interfering with the other.

Just like that, after chatting for a while, Ren Tingting turned to her father.

"Father, I'd like to go with Brother Sheng to see the rouge at his Auntie's shop."

"Master, hehe."

Hearing the request from the young man and woman, Master Ren and Uncle Nine exchanged a glance and both nodded in agreement.

"Tingting, if you want to go, then go."

"Qiusheng, take Miss Ren there. Remember, take good care of the young lady."

While speaking, Uncle Nine secretly slipped a few silver dollars into Qiusheng's hand, giving the latter several meaningful winks.

Qiusheng cooperated perfectly, tucking the silver dollars away before winking back at his master.

Immediately, he led Ren Tingting out of the Western restaurant and onto the main street.

"Brother Sheng, where is your Auntie's Rouge Shop?"

"Oh, look, Tingting, it's just up ahead."

Qiusheng pointed the way, instantly indicating the location of his Auntie's Rouge Shop.

And so, the two walked into the Rouge Shop, chatting and laughing all the way.

As soon as they stepped through the door, Qiusheng began to shout.

"Auntie! Auntie!"

"Qiusheng, you little brat, what are you yelling about? Didn't you say you were living at your master's place from now on? Why have you come running back?"

"Are you trying to see if this old woman has been angered to death by you yet?"

Qiusheng's Auntie was still in the back room, but her voice carried clearly into the shop.

Moments later, a woman who looked to be in her thirties walked out from the back; this was Qiusheng's Auntie.

The moment she emerged, she saw her nephew standing next to Ren Tingting, whose beauty and grace were far beyond that of any ordinary girl. The anger on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a beaming smile.

"Oh my, Qiusheng, you little rascal, you didn't even give me a heads-up that you were bringing a young lady home. You really are a little devil."

Qiusheng looked on awkwardly as his Auntie eyed Ren Tingting as if she were her future niece-in-law, and he couldn't help but cough twice.

"Auntie, this is Master Ren's daughter. She came to the shop today because she wants to purchase some rouge."

"Oh, so that's it. Come, Miss Ren, sit, please sit."

Although she had heard her nephew's explanation, it was clear that Auntie didn't believe it!

As she spoke, she pulled a chair over and sat Ren Tingting down.

"Thank you, Auntie. Do you have any high-quality rouge and powder here? I want to buy some to teach others how to apply makeup."

Ren Tingting looked at the woman across from her, feeling puzzled by the strange way she was being stared at.

However, she didn't think too much of it, assuming the woman was just being hospitable because she was a good friend of Brother Sheng.

"Oh my, I have plenty of fine rouge here. By the way, Qiusheng, why are you still standing there like a fool? Go and bring out the best rouge and powder!"

"Oh, oh, I understand, Auntie."

Hearing his Auntie's command, Qiusheng had no choice but to go to the counter and bring out box after box of rouge and powder.

Soon, Ren Tingting's table was covered in all sorts of cosmetics.

As for what followed, there was no room left for Qiusheng in the Rouge Shop. The constant chattering between the two women made him dizzy, and in his helplessness, he could only squat by the door, staring at the Yi Hong Brothel across the street.

After watching for a long while, he let out a frustrated sigh.

"Sigh, what kind of quality is this? It's just a shame I don't have any money on me right now."

"Otherwise, if I could bring out a group of girls, I'd immediately become the leading figure of the Yi Hong Brothel in this era!"

As Qiusheng muttered to himself, he suddenly felt a cold breeze behind his head. He quickly tilted his neck, and a cloth shoe flew past his cheek. Faintly, Qiusheng could even smell a sour, musty odor.

"You little brat, what are your thieving eyes looking at?"

"Tingting bought so much rouge, go help her carry it back."

As soon as he turned his head, he saw his Auntie glaring at him, while Tingting covered her mouth and giggled.

"I know, Auntie. My friend is here, show me a little respect, will you?"

Qiusheng grumbled, picked up the cloth shoe, placed it back by his Auntie's side, and said to Ren Tingting, "Tingting, have you finished picking everything out? If so, I'll take you home."

"Yes, Brother Sheng, I've finished."

As she spoke, Tingting lifted the cloth bag in her hand.

Qiusheng watched Ren Tingting, who had just finished her massive shopping spree, his eyes filled with genuine admiration.

It had to be said, no matter the era, women were always incredibly generous when it came to shopping.

Don't let the small cloth bag in Ren Tingting's hand fool you; the moment Qiusheng took it, good heavens, it weighed at least ten pounds. Just that alone had to be worth at least a dozen or twenty silver dollars.

Qiusheng slung the bundle over his shoulder and said to Ren Tingting, "Alright, let's go. I'll see you home."

"Mm, thank you, Brother Qiusheng, and thank you, Auntie."

"Oh, Tingting, you really are so well-mannered. I wonder which lucky scoundrel will be able to marry such a fine girl as you in the future."

Auntie gently took Ren Tingting's arm, walked her and Qiusheng to the door, and waved goodbye.

"Oh, that's right, Auntie, I have things to do tonight, so I won't be coming back."

As he spoke, Qiusheng took off running.

He left only a retreating figure behind, while his Auntie pointed at him and cursed.

"You little rascal, all you know how to do is run around causing trouble all day long. You'd best never come back for the rest of your life!"

"Pfft."

Once they were out of the Rouge Shop, Ren Tingting finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Her smile was like a thousand peonies blooming in a riot of color, instantly capturing Qiusheng's heart and soul.

"Brother Qiusheng, your Auntie is such a nice person."

Tingting said this while still laughing.

After she finished speaking, she realized that Qiusheng was staring at her, completely dazed.

"Brother Qiusheng, what are you looking at? Is there something dirty on my face?"

Brought back to his senses by Tingting's words, Qiusheng shook his head and rubbed his nose.

"Nothing, it's just that you look so beautiful when you smile, I couldn't help myself, hehe."

As he spoke, Qiusheng scratched the back of his head.

By now, it was already afternoon in Ren Family Town. Under the bright, sunny sky, Ren Tingting stood on the main street. After Qiusheng's blunt, honest words, her blushing face looked even more radiant and moving in the sunlight.

"Yo, where did this beauty pop out from? How come I, Qiang San, have never seen her before?"

Just as Qiusheng was admiring Ren Tingting with a gaze full of appreciation, a repulsive voice suddenly cut through the air.