C59 A Strange French Woman!

In the bustling district of East Fourth Street, Haicheng, the area was known for its opulence and affluence. The shops and restaurants lining the street exuded a sense of luxury and high society, catering to those with money to spend.

Yuvyuv stepped down from the rickshaw, accompanied by her maid, Xiaoju. Her bright eyes scanned the familiar surroundings, which stirred a sense of unease within her. Truth be told, she didn't like this place anymore. It was a part of their own country, yet it had become a foreign enclave, managed by foreign police and governed by foreign rules. Despite the excellent security and the rarity of petty crimes, it irked her that their land was under foreign control.

Yuvyuv's eyes flashed with a brief, cold glint before she quickly composed herself.

"Miss, this is the French Concession. It's so lively here! Even though it's getting dark, the street is brighter than during the day," Xiaoju remarked, wide-eyed with wonder. She had never been to this area before and was amazed by its vibrancy.

Suddenly, Xiaoju pointed excitedly at a shop not far away. "Miss, look! Isn't that the new boutique Sister Xiaotao mentioned? The sign says 'New Style Boutique.'"

Having grown up alongside Yuvyuv, Xiaoju had picked up some reading skills while Yuvyuv learned to read as a child, so she recognized the shop's name.

Yuvyuv glanced at Xiaoju with amusement, listening to her chatter without annoyance, knowing the girl was simply fascinated by the novelty of it all. She looked across the street at the newly opened boutique and nodded with a smile, "Yes, let's go over there."

"Yes, miss," Xiaoju replied excitedly, following closely behind with a round face lit up with curiosity. She was eager to see what this new dress shop was all about.

Ye Yuvyuv had never been particularly interested in dresses, and if it weren't necessary for tonight, she wouldn't have bothered coming to buy one. As the two of them pushed open the glass door and entered the store, they were immediately charmed by a delightful song playing inside.

Ye Yuvyuv raised an eyebrow. "This is sung by a very famous French singer. Her voice is sweet and soothing, unlike the bold high notes of other singers. Listening to her is like enjoying a sweet afternoon tea—comfortable and delightful."

"It's a song by Sharil," Ye Yuvyuv found herself saying aloud.

A voice nearby expressed surprise, "Miss, have you heard this new singer's songs too?"

A woman, about thirty, wearing an authentic French ball gown, with naturally curly blonde hair and striking blue eyes, approached them with a confident smile. Ye Yuvyuv thought, "She's a genuine French woman—cheerful, warm, and outgoing, just like most French women."

Ye Yuvyuv offered a polite smile, "Hello."

As the French woman warmly approached, eager to link arms, Ye Yuvyuv subtly stepped aside and smiled, "This singer's voice is so sweet, it feels like having dessert. I love desserts, so I enjoy listening to sweet songs."

"Oh, you are such an interesting lady," the French woman said, unfazed by Ye Yuvyuv's gentle avoidance, her smile still warm and inviting. Her ocean-blue eyes studied Ye Yuvyuv intently, then lit up as if discovering a treasure. "You are truly beautiful, like a lovely fairy—absolutely stunning."

"Elf?"

Yuvyuv raised an eyebrow with a smile, tilting her head slightly. She understood what "elf" meant—it was just a foreign word—but she pretended not to.

Her slender, fair fingers pointed toward a row of beautiful dresses not far away, displaying the politeness expected of a young lady. She smiled and said, "Sorry, I need to pick out a dress for tonight."

After speaking, Yuvyuv didn't respond to the French woman's compliment. Instead, she took Xiaoju, who was staring wide-eyed at the foreigner, and headed toward the elegant dresses.

"Miss, that woman's hair is golden, almost like it's glowing. Could it be made of gold?" Xiaoju whispered in amazement as she followed behind Yuvyuv like a little duckling.

"And, Miss, her eyes are blue. Blue! Miss, she looks like the fairy tale creatures Mrs. Sui talks about at night. Mrs. Sui says those creatures have blue eyes that glow in the dark. Miss..."

Xiaoju's voice trembled as she continued.

Yuvyuv was casually browsing the dresses, nearly bursting into laughter at Xiaoju's words. She turned to explain that the woman was just a foreigner, not some mythical creature.

But the French woman approached again with a warm smile. "Miss, you are so beautiful. We have a new dress in our store that would suit you perfectly. Please, come with me."

Yuvyuv frowned slightly, feeling the French woman's enthusiasm was a bit much. However, she saw no malice in the woman's bright blue eyes, so she decided not to react harshly.

It dawned on Yuvyuv that this shop actually belonged to the French woman, which intrigued her. In this area, although foreigners owned many stores, they usually stayed behind the scenes and didn't work as clerks or salespeople.

Because it made them feel like their supposedly superior status was being insulted.

Hah!

These foreigners come here to make money and take over, yet they have the nerve to feel this twisted sense of shame. Their act of taking over another country is disgraceful and beastly.

Ye Yuvyuv's eyes darkened slightly; this was why she didn't like foreigners. But she didn't refuse, after all, she was here to shop for clothes.

Following the French woman, Ye Yuvyuv warily and somewhat doubtfully went up to the second floor with her.

"So, there are two floors here?" Ye Yuvyuv wondered, her hand instinctively moving to her waist. There, she had a Browning pistol she had taken from Adjutant Chen. She hadn't returned it, thinking that since that jerk of a man had forcefully bitten her finger and made her sign an IOU, she had no reason to give it back.

Hmph!

Thinking of that jerk, Ye Yuvyuv's beautiful amber eyes narrowed slightly.