The cleansing cream, facial wash, toner, lotion, essence, cream, BB cream, oxygen masks, and so on, used in the store were all specially developed and produced by Mo Si Company, infused with special ingredients. Li Si was confident that their effects would certainly surpass those of other beauty salons.
At the end of the year, they recruited eighteen young won with experience as beauticians, and they officially started work on the eighth day of the new lunar year.
They specifically hired a professional beautician, Gu Yue, with many years of experience to conduct so initial professional training: whether the cleansing process was thorough, whether massage techniques were comfortable enough to make people want to return, and whether skin types were being accurately assessed, among other things.
These asures were to avoid making mistakes when recomnding products to clients, as such errors could harm both parties and end poorly. They also taught so sales techniques, like how to naturally recomnd products or mbership cards while performing skincare services for clients.
For now, they planned to start with simple services like skin care, whitening, freckle removal, and weight loss, gradually expanding into other services over ti.
Su ng seed to be brimming with determination. Observing this, Li Si refrained from offering her any deep advice. After all, Su ng’s drive was ultimately beneficial to both of them.
As the soft opening neared, Li Si also faced the start of her school term. Once everything was running smoothly, she figured she would just check in occasionally. As her thoughts wandered, Long Wu and Leng Mochen entered together.
"You’re here?" Li Si greeted them warmly, giving Long Wu a subtle look. Over the past few days, Su ng had been avoiding him, and even when she ca over to Li Si’s ho, she rarely gave him a chance to talk privately, sticking closely to Li Si instead.
Long Wu, adopting a serious deanor, walked over to Su ng and said earnestly, "Su ng, I’d like to talk to you."
Su ng froze montarily. It had been a long ti since Long Wu had spoken to her so seriously. Recently, he had been mostly trying to please her, treading lightly. This sudden change caught her off guard, and she wasn’t used to it.
"Alright, here?" she asked, glancing hesitantly at Leng Mochen and Li Si behind her.
Long Wu suggested, "Let’s go outside." Su ng nodded, said goodbye to Li Si, and followed Long Wu out.
Watching their departing figures, Li Si felt a bit worried and murmured softly, "Mochen, do you think they’ll work things out?"
Leng Mochen draped an arm around her shoulders, saying, "Why bother worrying about them? Have you missed these past few days?" Originally, he had planned to spend so quality ti with her during the New Year holiday, but as luck would have it, their plans were constantly disrupted by a third wheel.
"Of course, I’ve missed you! But with the soft opening coming up, there’s just so much to do!" Li Si scratched her head. When her private kitchen restaurant opened last ti, she hadn’t put in much effort, leaving most of it to ng Hao.
This ti, it felt like her first true venture, and since she had been so invested emotionally, taking care of everything herself proved to be exhausting.
"Don’t worry about it! How’s your driving coming along?" Leng Mochen said while pulling her closer and giving her cheek a playful pinch.
"Much better. I drove Su ng here today, and I wasn’t even that nervous!" After a few days of practice, she had beco much more confident, unlike how tense she was the first ti she got behind the wheel.
"How about we go on a trip abroad after our engagent?" He smiled mysteriously. Seeing how much she had been looking forward to traveling abroad recently, he had secretly started making plans.
Curious, Li Si asked, "Where to? The soft opening is coming up soon. Can we really go?" Deep down, she wanted to go, knowing that this period was one of the rare tis she could spare.
"Leave everything to them. Your ti belongs to !" Leng Mochen said domineeringly.
Li Si thought for a mont before shaking her head. "We’re getting engaged on the 14th, and the soft opening is on the 25th. That leaves just ten days. Where could we possibly go? Let’s wait for our honeymoon after the wedding, okay?"
Although she wanted to travel, everything seed too rushed, and she couldn’t bring herself to completely let go of her responsibilities now.
"We can plan a short trip sowhere now and save the longer ones for after the wedding. Where do you want to go?"
"I really want to..." She pondered deeply, not wanting to dampen his enthusiasm. Then she rembered her favorite Korean drama, *The Story of Bali*, which she had watched seven tis. Though the ending was heartbreakingly tragic, she had always fantasized about traveling to Bali with soone she loved.
"Bali! Can we go to Bali?"
"Of course!" Seeing the hopeful curve of her lashes, he couldn’t resist his habitual gesture of pinching her cheek.
"Ouch! That hurt! You bully! Why are you so rough? One of these days, if my face gets bigger, it’ll all be your fault!" She rubbed her sore cheek, protesting loudly.
Her protests only earned her a kiss on the lips, silencing her. anwhile, her heart scread in joy: Bali, here I co!
On the other side, however, the atmosphere between Long Wu and Su ng was far less cheerful.
The two sat across from each other, with two large strawberry sundaes on the table between them.
Long Wu looked at the silent Su ng and finally opened his mouth: "ng ng, do you rember this place? We used to co here all the ti. You used to love the strawberry sundaes here."
Su ng agreeing to co out today had stirred a sliver of hope in him. Bringing her here was an attempt to evoke so of her old mories.
But Su ng looked at him coldly and replied, "I don’t like this anymore. Why did you ask to co out today? Just say it."
Long Wu’s breathing hitched montarily. "I wanted to explain the misunderstanding between us back then!"
"Alright, I’m listening. Go ahead."
Su ng sat coldly with her arms crossed, not even glancing at the sundae in front of her. She had long since passed the stage of being a simple, dreamy girl. Strawberry-flavored? How childish!
Unfortunately, life had crushed her too many tis. Gone were the days of wearing princess dresses and enjoying ice cream. Everything was in the past. Her reason for coming today was to finally end this Chapter.
Long Wu coughed nervously, choosing his words carefully, "What happened back then was a misunderstanding. I admit I was partly at fault, but the child in that woman’s belly truly wasn’t mine. After you disappeared, I investigated everything and gave her the harshest punishnt. Also..."
"Stop! Don’t say anything more, Long Wensong. If you brought here just to rehash this, I suggest you stop talking!" Su ng cut him off sharply, her voice firm and unyielding.
"ng ng, please don’t get upset. Can you just hear out?" Long Wu’s face was full of pleading. This was the girl he had loved, the one who had suffered so much because of him. Guilt weighed heavily on his heart, and he wanted to make things right—to redeem himself. But she refused to give him even the slightest chance.
"I’ve already forgotten everything that happened, and I hope you won’t bring it up again. I know you feel guilty, but there’s no need! If you really want what’s best for , please don’t bother anymore. Just let live the rest of my life in peace, okay?"
After finishing her impassioned words, Su ng stood up and ran out. No matter what he said now, it wouldn’t change anything. Could apologies or explanations erase the pain she had endured?
Long Wu stopped in his tracks, unable to follow her, his face filled with lancholy and regret. Was this the mont they truly parted ways forever...? (To be continued. If you enjoyed this story, please visit Qidian (qidian) to cast your recomndation or monthly vote. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile readers, please visit m.qidian.)
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