“Husband, I want a box of blush…”

“No.”

The two stood in a stalemate on the long street with flickering lights, causing passersby to turn around.

Shan Yu respected men who liked to wear makeup, but he would never allow Wan Qiu wearing makeup.

There was no reason, it was simply rejection and it wouldn’t work.

Wan Qiu was truly effeminate, playing the role of a wife. He never thought of himself as a man. Like most women concerned with their appearance, Wan Qiu also wanted to dress better. At the very least, he didn’t want to continue being stared at for the birthmark on his face and be subjected to comments like: “Oh, look at that guy’s face… it’s so scary…”

“It’s really ugly…”

“I thought I saw a ghost…”

“Such an ugly shuanger actually has a husband…”

The stall owner’s little girl couldn’t stand it any longer and pointed at Shan Yu with her arms akimbo: “Aren’t you a man? You look so handsome, why won’t you want to buy a box of blush for your wife? There are truly so many strange things in ancient times! I’ve seen people nitpick each other, but I’ve never seen anyone like you. If it were in modern times, a guy like you wouldn’t even be able to get a wife!”

Shan Yu raised an eyebrow, a time traveler?

As the little girl spoke, she snatched the blush from Wan Qiu’s hand and handed him another box: “Everyone loves beauty, why can’t men wear makeup? Come on, sister will give you foundation. Go back and cover up the birthmark on your forehead. It’ll make the blind dog man jealous. By the way, take my advice and leave him while you’re still young. There are plenty of good men out there who work hard and care about others. Don’t stick with a stingy guy like this. Hurry up and find someone better in this New Year!”

Shan Yu, who truly wanted to enjoy the New Year with Wan Qiu, said, “…”

‘Have I wronged you in a past life, little girl?’

.

When the windows were trimmed.

The hair was cut, and the mirror was adorned with yellow stickers.

What a beautiful and artistic poem, but to be applied to a grown man like Wan Qiu…

Shan Yu turned sideways with the little bun in his arms, his heart aching.

Ever since Shan Yu bought a bunch of bottles and boxes for Wan Qiu a few days ago, it seemed like he had been possessed. Whenever he had a spare moment, he would sit in front of the mirror and play with his face, applying layers of blush and foundation until he resembled an opera performer.

Not to mention what Shan Yu thought, the little bun didn’t even recognize his own mother. He pouted and refused to let Wan Qiu hold him. When he saw his face, so white with makeup it looked like it might flake off, he was so scared he wanted to cry.

On this New Year’s morning, the faint light of dawn illuminated the room.

Shan Yu was sleeping soundly, hugging the quilt, when suddenly he heard the little bun crying, his voice sharp and hoarse, echoing through the room.

He woke up abruptly, raised the bed curtain, and saw a figure in red standing by the cradle. He hurried over, asking, “Lian Zhou! What are you doing? Quickly, get away from the child… Wan Qiu?”

Shan Yu grasped Wan Qiu’s shoulders, scrutinizing him from head to toe, his pupils trembling uncontrollably: “You! Why are you dressed like this?”

And this deliberately applied makeup…

His face was so pale, the powder seemed ready to fall off, and his lips were so red they looked as if they had been dipped in blood. High and low, his eyebrows were dotted with cinnabar. It was truly… embarrassing to behold.

Shan Yu frowned deeply, and Wan Qiu blushed in embarrassment, asking, “Husband, do you think I look good like this?”

“Okay, it’s alright…” Shan Yu didn’t want to upset Wan Qiu, so he tried to be tactful. “Your makeup skills are improving, but maybe try something less bright? Why not go for a calm look for New Year’s?”

“I want to wear something more festive for New Year’s.” Completely absorbed in the confidence that careful dressing would make him look good, Wan Qiu handed the frightened, crying little bun to Shan Yu. “Husband, please watch the child, I’ll go greet Grandpa Yaba.”

As Wan Qiu happily left, Shan Yu sighed helplessly and muttered to himself, “Just don’t get near Lian Zhou.”

Later, Wan Qiu returned in tears. Not only was he disheveled, but his palms were also badly bruised.

Shan Yu didn’t need to ask; he guessed Wan Qiu had been mocked and bullied by Lian Zhou. He advised gently, “Take off these clothes, they’re not right for you.”

Many people thought red was tacky, it was indeed too bold. It didn’t suit someone of average appearance and temperament like Wan Qiu.

“What do you mean, husband?” Wan Qiu choked back tears, hurt in his eyes as he asked, “Do you think… do you think I’m not worthy of wearing red? That only Lian Zhou can pull it off?”

“Anyone can wear it, but whether it suits them is another matter.”

“So… am I ugly?”

Shan Yu disliked lying and didn’t want to hurt Wan Qiu. He chose his words carefully, “This color isn’t the best for you.”

Wan Qiu’s tears flowed freely. He bit his lip, looking at Shan Yu with resentment. “Does my husband think only Lian Zhou looks good in red? Is he the only one who can wear it?”

Shan Yu felt Wan Qiu was being unreasonable. He frowned, about to retort, when his hair was pulled.

The little bun seemed to sense the tension. Nestling in Shan Yu’s arms, he patted Shan Yu’s chest and grabbed his hair to chew on, laughing with watery eyes.

“Let’s calm down first.” Shan Yu lifted the little bun, coaxing him back to sleep. Returning to find Wan Qiu still crying, he sighed softly. “Alright, stop crying. Let’s have a happy Chinese New Year.”

Shan Yu took Wan Qiu to a bathroom for a hot bath, gently washing off the makeup and tending to his scratched hands with soothing ointments.

The medicinal scent of eupatorium japonica and the warmth of the water eased Wan Qiu. Leaning against the bath’s edge, he felt Shan Yu’s gentle touch like the rising steam, impossible to hold onto.

He had no right to hold onto someone like this.

“Why are you crying again?” Shan Yu blew on Wan Qiu’s bruised palms. “Does it hurt?”

Wan Qiu shook his head, tears still flowing.

“Actually, among men, your skin is quite fair…” Shan Yu began, but Wan Qiu burst into sobs. “Woo~”

“Actually, among other people, your skin is already quite fair. You don’t need to add other things; it looks artificial, especially if you’re not good at applying it…”

Shan Yu gently lifted Wan Qiu’s chin to look at his smooth, fair face, much more pleasing without the makeup. “Your features aren’t ugly, but the birthmark on your forehead stands out…”

Feeling insecure, Wan Qiu instinctively turned away, but Shan Yu leaned over and kissed him gently on the forehead.

Right on the birthmark.

.

To make Wan Qiu happy, Shan Yu cut him bangs to cover the birthmark and carefully applied eyebrow pencil to shape Wan Qiu’s eyebrows.

With painting technique.

This was Shan Yu’s biggest compromise on Wan Qiu’s makeup. Forget about blush and other cosmetics.