Xu Nanxi was cornered by the mother and daughter-in-law, feeling utterly humiliated.
He was merely a guest in their home, not a grandson of the Feng family. He knew instinctively that the old man wouldn't speak up for him.
With Song Qinglan present, he didn't dare say much. He shot Cheng You a venomous glance and turned to leave.
From the countryside to Yancheng, this journey had been arduous. This was the first time he had suffered such a significant setback.
A chill crept into Song Qinglan's heart. She felt that although Xu Nanxi appeared gentle, he was like a venomous snake, ready to strike at any moment.
"I wonder if it's good or bad that the Feng family let this child stay with them," she murmured.
Cheng You reminded her, "Auntie, aren't you close to Grandma Lin? You should let her know. Xu Nanxi isn't a good person; calling him ill-intentioned wouldn't be an exaggeration."
Song Qinglan replied with an "En," and said, "I'll talk to her later."
After seeing her mother-in-law off, Cheng You temporarily put Xu Nanxi's matter aside and began to write a reply to Qi Chengyan.
The first batch of medicine had already been sent, and there would be second and third batches later, though in smaller quantities.
She didn't need to worry too much about the money. Qi Shengwen had secured a fund, allowing her to purchase the medicine at cost price.
Although she wouldn't make a profit, it would at least prevent Zhen Shanhall from suffering significant losses.
She also wrote about various trivial matters: school, the compound, and the medicinal herb garden. Most of it was dry and dull, but she simply wanted to share it with him.
After finishing, she realized she might have been too verbose, her letter being even thicker than Qi Chengyan's.
Cheng You propped her head on the desk in distress, wondering when he would return.
He Sao from next door called out, "Cheng You, are you home?"
"Yes!" Cheng You called back at the top of her lungs.
Before long, He Sao arrived, her face beaming.
"My husband sent a letter. Did Commander Qi send you one?"
Cheng You waved the envelope in her hand. "I was just about to write back."
He Sao said, "Perfect, let me show you my reply. What do you think?"
Her letter was much simpler; she wrote one page herself and had her child write another.
However, she had added a touch to her own page, a bright red lipstick print at the bottom.
He Sao had completely forgotten about it and quickly put the letter away, her old face flushing red.
"Oh, it's all that scoundrel's fault. He gave me a lipstick before he left and wrote saying he'd never seen me wear lipstick, so I did this!"
He Sao felt incredibly embarrassed. She had been married for so many years, and to engage in such antics as an old married couple, she wondered what Cheng You must be thinking.
Cheng You pursed her lips and smiled. "Auntie, being an old married couple doesn't hinder your affection. Speaking of which, I've never worn lipstick before."
Qi Chengyan was a rough man; he handed his salary over to her, and she could buy whatever she wanted.
Apart from food, he rarely gave himself gifts.
He Sao examined her, gently touching her fair, smooth cheek.
With red lips and white teeth, and delicate skin, why would she need makeup?
"Your lips are more beautiful than if you had lipstick on!"
He Sao's main intention was to ask Cheng You if her wording was smooth. Cheng You read through it, corrected a few typos for her, and He Sao left happily.
Her visit had indeed reminded Cheng You; she could send him a photo.
With that thought, she actually did it.
She found a photo studio and, for the first time in her life, applied foundation and bright lipstick.
Looking at the heavily made-up woman in the mirror, she felt like a stranger.
The woman who did her makeup kept praising her good skin and hoped to persuade her to leave a photo at the shop for advertising.
Cheng You readily agreed, but only for one photo.
The proprietress's smile reached her eyes. "Even one is a showpiece for our shop. How could we dare ask for more? All the photos you take today, no matter how many outfits, are free."
Cheng You gladly accepted, though she didn't plan to take too many.
One photo was enough to send.
The proprietress recommended a qipao. "I have a red qipao here. You'll look stunning in it."
Except for her wedding day, Cheng You rarely wore red.
Hearing the recommendation, she became somewhat interested.
"Can I see it?"
"Of course. Wait a moment, I'll go upstairs and get it. Young girls your age prefer Western dresses, like the 'bu la ji,' and think qipaos look old."
But in reality, when worn, they possessed a unique charm.
The red qipao the proprietress brought up was slightly form-fitting, with a cinched waist and a slit that reached just below the calf, not too high.
The lustrous satin was embroidered with ornate peonies.
At first glance, it did appear somewhat mature.
"I've never worn a qipao like this before. Will it look bad?" Cheng You was unsure if she could pull it off.
The proprietress smiled and said, "Please rest assured, I'll style your hair personally and pair it with some small heeled leather shoes. It will be incredibly beautiful!"
Cheng You was moved and obediently changed into the qipao.
The proprietress was skilled and even styled her hair into a bun.
At first glance, it looked quite presentable.
"If this were the Republic of China era, the officials with guns would be captivated by you."
Cheng You felt a little embarrassed by the praise. "Just take two photos in this outfit for me. You can choose another set to photograph and keep for the shop."
The proprietress felt a bit regretful in her heart, thinking how beautiful she looked and wishing she could take more photos.
Then she thought, rarity increases value.
The proprietress herself took the photos, directing Cheng You on how to pose.
Seeing how beautiful she looked, she took a few more sets.
"You look so beautiful! Are you married?"
She wondered which man would be so lucky.
Cheng You smiled and said, "I am married."
"Oh! Then why isn't your husband with you? He truly has no luck seeing this."
"He's at the front line. He's been gone for over a month. I thought I'd send him a photo."
Upon hearing this, the proprietress looked at her again.
"You're a military wife? I couldn't tell, you look so young. When your man returns, have him accompany you for a photo. He in his uniform, you in a white wedding dress. I have a few wedding dresses here; they're exquisite!"
Cheng You actually had that thought, but she didn't know when Qi Chengyan would be back.
She agreed for now, "Okay, when he returns safely."
"He will, he will. Everyone will return safely!"
The proprietress went in to choose an outfit, a simple, decent suit.
"Just take this one. As a military wife, you need to maintain your image."
Cheng You felt a warmth in her heart; she had even considered this.
Always soft-hearted, she cooperated and took more photos with different backgrounds and poses.
The photos would take two days to be ready, so Cheng You sent her letter first.
She would send the photos in two days, as a surprise for him.