He obtained the God of All Laws from human skin.

The next day at noon,

Zheng Ding then groggily opened his eyes.

He squinted and turned over, feeling weak and sore all over, as if he had worked a whole day at the docks the night before.

"Why am I so tired..."

Zheng Ding muttered something, then slowly sat up, supporting himself on the bed frame.

After sitting there blankly for a moment, the scene from last night suddenly came to mind.

Moonlight, a gauze dress, that face with eyes as clear as spring water, and the warm, soft touch of her lips...

Zheng Ding shuddered and hurriedly threw off the covers to look at himself.

She was wearing her undergarments properly.

Although it was a bit wrinkled, everything was still there, and the belt was tied neatly without a single loose button.

He then let out a long sigh of relief: "A dream... last night was just a wet dream after all."

He patted his burning cheeks, his tone tinged with self-deprecation, yet also with an indescribable sense of melancholy and regret.

......

Within the Heaven and Earth,

"You mean, the manager of Xiangmanlou wants to talk to Xiaoxiaosheng in person?" Qin Chuan was tidying up the charcoal pencils on the table, turning his head to look at Sister Wu. "What did you tell her?"

"I told you what I taught you last time: Xiaoxiaosheng has a very strange temper and doesn't like meeting strangers. Our gambling den had to go through several layers of connections to get in touch with him. Ordinary people can't easily meet him." Sister Wu's tone was a bit slick. "But I added that I could ask someone to pass on a message and ask around."

Qin Chuan nodded. Now, Heaven on Earth is gradually getting back on track, and business is booming every night, but manpower is still stretched thin, especially the women. There are only a handful of them, which is far inferior to Xiang Man Lou.

His original plan was to run a full-service gambling den, and if he could connect with the brothel Xiangmanlou, the two sides could exchange goods and services, which would be a good situation.

Since Xiangmanlou has taken the initiative to approach us, we might as well see what they want to do and see if we can find a reason to cooperate.

Hearing this, Xiao Taohua, who was fixing her hair in front of the bronze mirror, turned around and hurriedly interjected, "Manager Qin, do you remember that wealthy merchant I mentioned to you last time? He's the one who asked someone to inquire about Xiaoxiaosheng. I asked him using the method you taught me, and he said he wasn't looking for Xiaoxiaosheng for anything else, but for an important matter."

"What's the matter?" Qin Chuan looked up at her.

Little Peach Blossom blushed slightly, seemingly hesitant to speak. She bit her lower lip, but still whispered, "The wealthy merchant said his daughter is getting married soon and he wants Xiaoxiaosheng to paint a few 'dowry paintings' for her dowry. He said the price is negotiable if I agree."

Qin Chuan was taken aback by this. Seeing his expression, Xiao Taohua thought he hadn't understood, so she blushed and added, "It's one of those erotic paintings of a man and a woman, the kind that's kept at the bottom of the dowry chest for the bride to see before she marries into the family. Manager Qin, you haven't heard of it?"

Qin Chuan had certainly heard of it. These days, things weren't as open as they are in modern times, especially for women who were raised in seclusion. Before marriage, they knew almost nothing about matters between men and women. Mothers couldn't openly discuss it with their children, and fathers were even more reluctant to speak up.

Therefore, many well-off families would secretly hire painters to paint a few erotic paintings before their daughters got married, frame them, and put them at the bottom of the dowry chest, which would then be carried to the groom's house with the bride.

This thing is also known as a "dowry painting," and it is actually used to guide newlyweds on their wedding night, so that the two children don't just stare at each other with wide eyes and not understand anything.

Although it doesn't sound good if word gets out, the private needs of wealthy families are actually quite substantial.

to be frank,

Qin Chuan never expected that someone would actually ask him to draw this.

But then he thought about the promotional posters he had put up on the bulletin board before...

The woman in the painting was elegantly dressed and alluring; the posters were displayed on the streets for several days, and the whole city saw them.

He felt he couldn't find any other reason to defend himself.

That wealthy businessman probably slapped his thigh after seeing the promotional poster, thinking, "Who else would I hire if not the painter who can paint such a beautiful woman?"

A slightly embarrassed smile appeared on Qin Chuan's face.

No,

He felt that those paintings had not only made Heaven on Earth famous, but also made Xiaoxiaosheng famous as a "sex painter".

Zheng Ding's client was at least a bit more subtle, at least using the guise of "beauty paintings." But this wealthy businessman went completely off the rails, directly asking for a dowry painting, without even bothering to conceal it.

No,

Who learns to draw just to create erotic pictures?

That's all for the sake of their own art, okay?

Qin Chuan wanted to refuse, but considering his current financial situation and his need to practice martial arts, he could only go against his conscience and say, "Next time, ask that rich merchant how much silver it costs. He won't paint if it's too little; it's simply an insult to scholarship!"

......

Looking at the plaque of Xiangmanlou in front of him,

Qin Chuan didn't hesitate at all and stepped into the building.

As soon as he entered, a sharp-eyed servant in blue approached him, bowing and asking, "Young master, would you like some tea or music?"

Qin Chuan waved his hand and said, "I'm from Heaven on Earth. I'm here to see your manager. We have something to discuss."

Upon hearing the words "Heaven on Earth," the waiter's smile immediately became even more solicitous, and he quickly replied, "So you are a distinguished guest of Heaven on Earth. Please wait a moment, I will go and inform you right away."

After saying that, he turned around and ran to the back room in a flash. These days, Heaven on Earth is very popular in Qinghe County. With its promotional posters and female dealers, everyone in the town is talking about it. If people from Heaven on Earth come here, they must have something to do. He dares not be negligent.

A moment later, a series of light footsteps came from the second floor.

Before he even arrived, his voice preceded him: "Oh my, this must be Manager Qin from Heaven on Earth?"

Qin Chuan looked up and saw a woman who looked to be in her early thirties walking gracefully down the stairs.

The woman wore a dark green brocade jacket, her hair was combed smooth and shiny, and a fine silver hairpin was pinned to her hair. Her face was covered with just the right amount of makeup, which concealed the fine lines at the corners of her eyes, giving her a mature and sophisticated look.

"Manager Qin, you truly are a promising young man." The woman stopped in front of Qin Chuan, looked him up and down, and her eyes held an undisguised admiration.

When Qin Chuan heard her call out his name, he immediately understood.

The fact that someone from Xiangmanlou could call out his name so readily suggests that they must have been secretly inquiring about the Heaven and Earth Palace.

Qin Chuan didn't stand on ceremony, cupping his hands in greeting and saying, "You flatter me. I heard your establishment is looking for Xiaoxiaosheng?"

Hearing his directness, the woman's smile froze slightly. She turned to the side, made a "please" gesture, and said in a more serious tone than before, "Manager Qin, this is not the place to talk. Let's go upstairs and discuss this in detail. Please follow me to the second floor."

Qin Chuan raised an eyebrow, and without refusing, followed her upstairs.