For three consecutive days, business at Blossoming Years was thriving, riding high on success. In contrast, A Pinxiang Ju appeared desolate, with only a few loyal custors visiting.
"Boss, we’re selling like crazy! Beijing is amazing—there are plenty of people with disposable inco, and so many of them use skincare products." Ji Qin’s assistant said excitedly.
Ji Qin paused her hand flipping through the ledger and, with a self-satisfied look, glanced at the quiet A Pinxiang Ju across the street. She spoke with determination, "The factory is all set now. Go to the factory and tell them to speed up production. Make another 300 bottles of rose skincare lotion."
"300 bottles?" The assistant hesitated. "Isn’t that a bit much, boss?"
"What’s ’too much’?" Ji Qin declared confidently. "We’re striking while the iron is hot. With the new store opening, there’s a lot of foot traffic right now. This is the perfect ti to sell as much as possible. Once the novelty wears off, there won’t be as many people, but by then, we’ll have established ourselves."
The assistant wanted to ask whether those 300 bottles could all be sold, considering they were currently only selling around fifty bottles a day.
Two tigers can’t share one mountain—Ji Qin was determined to squeeze out Tian Sangsang. But Tian Sangsang was frustratingly calm, showing no reaction at all. Ji Qin’s gaze turned deep and envious as she watched a wealthy lady enter and exit Tian Sangsang’s shop. High-end products—the kind Tian Sangsang was skilled at creating—Ji Qin knew she could make them too, given more ti to research.
Hua Zifeng had delivered loquats to Tian Sangsang yet again—this ti, two baskets. But this batch of loquats was perfectly fine; moreover, Hua Zifeng’s mother hadn’t co looking for trouble. On top of that, when Tian Sangsang and Zhao Chun had been on edge, hoping to catch the man in black, he never showed up again.
Everything had cald down, as if the previous storm was nothing but a dream.
For now, they breathed a sigh of relief.
Early on the day Ji Qin finally had the 300 bottles of rose skincare lotion made, she had her people place them in her shop. Suddenly, she caught sight of the advertisent sign hanging outside A Pinxiang Ju across the street. It read:
New Product: Calendula Toning Water. Oil-control and refreshing. Free trial for the first three days. Only four yuan per bottle.
Ji Qin stared hard at the sign. Tian Sangsang had launched a new product? In that instant, she realized that Tian Sangsang’s lack of reaction these past few days might have been because she was working on this new product!
What on earth is Calendula Toning Water?!
Ji Qin knew Tian Sangsang’s skincare products were effective, but ever since Ji Qin began making her own skincare products, she’d stopped using anything from Tian Sangsang’s shop. Though her products couldn’t compare—they were like a roadside knockoff attempting to rival an international luxury brand—Ji Qin’s stubborn pride wouldn’t let her go back.
There was a ti when Ji Qin thought it wise to understand one’s place. Her shop should have a clear position in the market, even if it was aid at the middle-class demographic at best. But she wasn’t content—everyone wants to climb higher, especially when it was Tian Sangsang who had forced her out of East Sea. Revenge can wait ten years for a proper opportunity.
And so, Ji Qin had returned for vengeance.
Years ago, cornered to desperation and burdened with debt, she had barely managed to et a wealthy businessman in Dongzhen. The businessman was in his sixties. Trading her charm, Ji Qin gained his favor and learned so basic business skills under his ntorship.
Ji Qin glared discontentedly at the shop across the street. Tian Sangsang caught her gaze and offered a slight smile.
As the sun climbed higher, more pedestrians began to fill the street. Being a Sunday, there was a decent amount of foot traffic.
Tian Sangsang brought ng Shuyan into the shop and settled him on the sofa in a small nook. "Yanyan, stay here for a while, okay? Mommy will be outside handling custors. Don’t run off, and if anything happens, just call for Mommy, alright?"
ng Shuyan wanted to stay with his mom, but he reluctantly nodded, wearing an expression that said he understood—though reluctantly.
Tian Sangsang could see through his little feelings, and she gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Grinning with delight, Shuyan picked up a loop puzzle. "Mommy, you can go. I’ll play with this."
Tian Sangsang left the small room.
"Sangsang, once the crowd picks up, you can’t be serving custors—let handle it," Guan Kunling said, frowning with concern.
"Trust , Kunling. When there’s a crowd, you won’t be able to manage it all by yourself."
"Then forget about making money. Your health is more important." Her expression beca tense.
Tian Sangsang touched her flat belly and smiled helplessly. "I know my limits. It’s not a big deal—I’m not even showing yet. Besides, you’ll be right there next to . What could possibly happen?"
She spoke playfully, insisting on helping out. She had a hunch—no woman would be able to resist her new product. Those who refused to buy would simply be the ones who couldn’t afford it. So, there would definitely be plenty of custors, and Kunling alone wouldn’t be able to handle them all.
"Look! A Pinxiang Ju has launched a new product!"
"Toning water? What’s that?"
"Free trial—is that for real?"
"Let’s go and check it out!"
"It’s four yuan per bottle! Usually, the cheapest thing they have is five yuan!"
"What a steal!"
"..."
Many of the custors headed for Blossoming Years turned instead toward A Pinxiang Ju after noticing the advertisent. In their minds, A Pinxiang Ju was a classy place. Even if they couldn’t often afford its products, they didn’t mind admiring it. With the prices lowered by one yuan and the promise of free trials, only a fool wouldn’t want to take a look!
A young woman in a dress hesitated at the shop’s entrance, cautiously peeking in:
"Are you really offering free trials here?"
Tian Sangsang stood at the doorway, one hand resting on her belly, smiling warmly. "Co in, beautiful—it’s free."
"Does it work well?" the young woman asked again.
"You’ll know once you try it," Tian Sangsang said with a continued smile. "Your face seems a bit oily—not too comfortable, is it? Sumr is here, and oily skin becos a problem. Plus, UV rays are very strong. We need to know how to protect ourselves. Won’s skin needs care all year round. Our Calendula Toning Water is specially designed for sumr—not only does it deal with scorching sunlight, but it keeps your skin oil-free and fresh. I guarantee you’ll feel great after using it!"
"Okay, I want to try it!" The young woman seed intrigued and eager.
Hearing their exchange, the surrounding crowd turned their attention to them with curious faces.
"This toning water works best with a cotton pad," Tian Sangsang said with composure, picking up a cotton pad and raising it to show everyone.
In unison, the crowd comnted, "Oh, so that’s what a cotton pad is~"
Then Tian Sangsang poured a small amount of toning water onto the pad. "Of course, you should cleanse your face before applying any product, but since we’re not at ho today, we’ll skip that step. Let show everyone how to use this toning water—starting with this young lady." She gently pressed the pad against the woman’s face, first focusing on her cheeks and then spreading to other areas. She paid extra attention to the areas around the nose, which often get oily, tapping a few more tis for better oil control.
She was like a master at her craft, each movent captivating the curious onlookers.
The young woman stared at Tian Sangsang’s face intently, fully trusting her words.
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