Pretending To Be A Boss

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Tang Xian waved his hand and said:

"The Human World is too dangerous; at every moment I think of returning to the mines. The reason I go over there... is just because there are some interesting and novel things, that's all."

"For example, stories?" Qing JiuYu, seeing that Bai Mansheng's anger had subsided, thought those stories must be interesting.

"Mainly for Miss Bai's stories, and also some other things."

Bai Mansheng said softly:

"You've worked hard."

The fire gradually flared up, and Tang Xian estimated the lamb would take a little while longer.

"It's not hard. I can understand your desire to go to the Human World. Who wouldn't be curious about another world? However, you still need to learn how to be human."

Tang Xian continued:

"Otherwise, just taking you there with the situation being so unstable nowadays, what would happen to the Snake and Fox tribes if you two left and were bullied?"

This statement struck a chord with the two women.

After all, both of them were leaders of their respective tribes.

"Alright. Since you've said so, I won't go either. But I also want to see those stories," Qing JiuYu said.

"Next time I'll get them for you," Tang Xian promised first.

After all, those broken stories weren't worth much.

Qing JiuYu asked, "Do they include all kinds of stories?"

"You could say that."

"Are there those kinds of stories... you know, the really... racy ones?" Qing JiuYu asked with a teasing smile.

"Shameless, Xu Xian put a lot of effort into these stories, it's not your place to be picky," Bai Mansheng coldly told Qing JiuYu.

Qing JiuYu laughed, "I am shameless, but Miss Bai, you should know, if one is too modest, men might just run off with someone else."

"Besides, I haven't even mentioned what kind of stories I mean."

Bai Mansheng was particularly sensitive about the topic of stealing men; the chill in her eyes and brows immediately intensified.

Tang Xian felt a headache coming on. The last thing he wanted was for the two women to end up fighting.

Otherwise, it wasn't impossible for the entire forest to be gone.

"Let me show you something. Follow me."

Bai Mansheng turned her head away and stopped looking at Qing JiuYu, who also stopped taunting Bai Mansheng, and asked:

"What is it?"

Tang Xian didn't answer but instead walked to the opposite cabin, pushed open the door, and said to Qiao Shanshan inside:

"Qiao Shanshan, bring out your makeup."

Qiao Shanshan, who was originally wondering why Tang Xian was walking this way and thinking that she and Dong Ran were supposed to play the part of silent lambs, realized that a woman's pettiness knew no occasion.

"Why should I bring out my makeup?" she demanded in a suppressed voice, her tone conveying an unequivocal refusal.

"Think of it as saving the world."

Tang Xian went straight to the wooden table in Qiao Shanshan's cabin where she kept all kinds of makeup.

Foundation, perfume, nail polish, face masks, lipstick, facial cleanser, primer, eyebrow powder, setting powder, eyeliner, eyeshadow, etc., he grabbed them all in one go.

Qiao Shanshan felt so heartbroken she was nearly falling apart, but Tang Xian selectively ignored her.

Bai Mansheng and Qing JiuYu were curious about all the bottles and jars Tang Xian was holding.

Tang Xian himself didn't really understand these items.

But he was familiar with the instructions for use on the luxury goods from the Champs Elysees on the third layer of the Parisian fortress that Qiao Shanshan had bought.

"This is perfume. Here, Qing JiuYu, try it. Yes, press here, and it will release a spray."

The beauty of Qing JiuYu and Bai Mansheng was natural.

Men often say that the most beautiful women don't need makeup. In fact, no matter how beautiful a woman is, makeup can always enhance their beauty.

Straight-man Tang Xian wasn't initially inclined to ponder such things, but a business opportunity was another matter entirely.

Qing JiuYu pressed the perfume bottle, and immediately, Bai Mansheng and Qing JiuYu caught the scent of blue lemon, Capim-Lime, musk, and applewood blended together.

This artificial fragrance quickly delighted the two women.

Only Qiao Shanshan watched, numb with heartache, as two devastatingly beautiful women sprayed her Nina Ricci perfume in a manner resembling children recklessly playing with toys.

Perfume was just the start; next came the lipstick.

Tang Xian took out a lipstick and said,

"This thing—look at my human servant over there, the one who's in profound grief. Although she's not as pretty as you all, pay attention to her lips. Don't they look more luscious and vibrant than yours?"

Bai Mansheng looked closely and indeed found it to be true.

Qing JiuYu exclaimed in amazement,

"Humans are really ingenious, to think there is such a treasure."

"Exactly, it's for the lips, but how to apply it is a skill. I advise against applying it recklessly. Usually, you should test the color before using it, and it's also important to make sure it matches with your makeup, clothing, and even your shoes."

Qiao Shanshan thought to herself that Tang Xian was right, but could he not use her lipstick like a chalk to demonstrate!

Although these products can be bought, it's just how girls are—sometimes taking their makeup away hurts more than taking their money.

Tang Xian paid no mind to Qiao Shanshan's expression.

But Bai Mansheng said,

"That human seems to be in a lot of pain."

"Because these things are ten times more precious than stories in the Human World, they're almost priceless. Think about it, how could something that can make you beautiful be cheap?"

Given the market monopoly and scarcity of supply, coupled with the high demand from customers, Tang Xian felt his exaggeration was not too far-fetched.

Qing JiuYu and Bai Mansheng both nodded seriously, agreeing that his statement made a lot of sense.

After all, both of them were so renowned among the myriad beasts mainly because of their near-extreme beauty after transforming into human forms.

If beauty could be enhanced by other means, or even made more exquisite, it was naturally of the utmost importance.

Tang Xian then began to fiddle with the primer. Although he had never used it before, Master Tang understood it instinctively after reading the instructions.

"As the saying goes, 'A fair complexion hides many flaws.' This stuff prevents you from tanning and keeps your skin moisturized and whitened. Its main use is to even out skin tone and protect from the sun."

"Next, this is the foundation. It's used to even out and conceal the entire face. Don't underestimate it. Paired with eyeshadow and lipstick, it can work wonders in changing your appearance, making your skin look more delicate and refined from a distance."

Although unsure if Bai Mansheng and Qing JiuYu could fully understand, he made sure to emphasize the effects after each product, thinking it would be of interest to them.

Indeed, Qing JiuYu and Bai Mansheng were very interested.

Tang Xian went through each makeup product one by one, exaggerating their functions considerably.

But to prevent beginners from applying makeup recklessly and ending up looking worse, Tang Xian called Qiao Shanshan out to demonstrate personally.

He simultaneously started to explain the skills and steps of makeup application, such as cleansing, priming, foundation, eye makeup, contouring, and lip makeup, as if he had self-learned them.

Knowing that Tang Xian was set on getting the disasters and calamities addicted to human trinkets, Qiao Shanshan, despite her heartache, began to demonstrate enthusiastically.

Her beauty, although not as extreme as Bai Mansheng's and Qing JiuYu's, was indeed pleasing to the eyes.

Qiao Shanshan usually wore light makeup, and had many makeup products she hadn't used before.

It's just how women are—whether they prefer a natural look or a heavy one is a matter of personal preference, but no matter the style, they can't do without the corresponding cosmetics.

Qiao Shanshan directly applied a rather bold and bright makeup look, instantly transforming from a fresh, professional image to one of enchanting allure.

This astonished Qing JiuYu and Bai Mansheng.

Tang Xian took the opportunity to say,

"These items are very hard to come by, and they are extremely scarce in the Human World too. But I heard some news not long ago about where I might be able to obtain them. I thought maybe you'd be interested?"

Bai Mansheng liked the eye makeup and perfume, but considering the items were overly precious, she felt embarrassed to ask for them.

Qing JiuYu said,

"I remember you mentioned that humans value profit. You're offering me such good stuff, there must be a catch, right?"

Tang Xian shook his head and said,

"Humans also operate on feelings. Sometimes when the feelings are there, they won't care about profit at all."

Seeing Qing JiuYu's and Bai Mansheng's approval rating increase a few points, Tang Xian added,

"I just want six decent quality Soul Crystals."

"What constitutes decent quality?" Bai Mansheng asked.

"The best Soul Crystals you can get would suffice."

Qiao Shanshan was stunned on the spot.

This guy really dared to ask! All these cosmetics combined couldn't compare to a single perfect-grade creature's Soul Crystal.

And the best Soul Crystals that the disaster-level bosses and calamity-level bosses could obtain would at least also be at the disaster level, right?

Qiao Shanshan thought Tang Xian was being too greedy, but then she saw him speak with a generous tone,

"Don't feel like you're taking advantage of me. I, Xu Xian, am a man of sentiment. Making two beautiful friends like you doesn't bother me if it comes at a small loss. I'm not like Tang Xian, reeking of money and vulgarity."