Chapter 16: A Major Client from Shan Province

On the day of Qin Fangfang's wedding, Gu Wenran rose early and carefully packed her cosmetics. The night before, she had transferred her space cosmetics into porcelain bottles—too exquisite a container would arouse suspicion.

Pushing open the door before dawn, she stepped into the moonlit streets towards the town, passing by the Great Green Mountain. From within the forest came eerie howls of wolves.

"Howl..."

The wolves' eyes gleamed with a dangerous light, their fierce gaze naturally instilling fear. Yet, excitement sparkled in Gu Wenran's eyes. She had never seen wolves before, nor did she know if they were good to eat.

Raising her foot as if to ascend the mountain, she imagined letting these wolves witness her ruthless methods. But thinking of the wedding and the need to avoid bloodshed, she withdrew her foot and continued toward the town.

Sensing the danger, the wolf pack on the mountain grew alert and tense, their wild instincts on edge. After Gu Wenran passed, the wolves retreated deeper into the Green Mountain.

Arriving at Qin Fangfang's home, she found Fangfang already sitting on the bed waiting.

"Sister Wenran, you finally made it," Fangfang greeted her warmly.

Gu Wenran knew that wedding preparations always started early; despite hurrying, she was still late and felt she had kept everyone waiting.

"Sorry I'm late. I'll start your makeup right away."

Fangfang stopped her gently. "No rush. Have some hot water and rest. He won't be here for another hour."

"Let me apply some makeup first and see if you like it," Gu Wenran insisted.

She applied a subtle makeup to Fangfang, who possessed the sharp, distinctive features typical of northern women—majestic and grand like towering mountains. The simple, light makeup made her radiant and captivating.

"How is it?"

Looking in the mirror, Fangfang could hardly believe she could look so beautiful—rosy lips, pearly teeth, a sweet smile, eyes like autumn waters, and brows as if painted.

"Thank you so much, Sister Wenran. Come, let me introduce you to my aunt."

In the Qin family’s living room, guests had gathered to send off the bride. As Fangfang appeared, all eyes turned to her.

"Fangfang is stunning—truly worthy of being a Qin family daughter."

Fangfang pulled Gu Wenran forward. "Aunt, this is my friend who makes beauty creams. I think you two will get along."

Fangfang’s aunt, Qin Aiwen, was a renowned businesswoman who had ventured into commerce years ago and firmly established herself in Shan Province through sheer effort.

"Hello, Miss Gu. I’m Qin Aiwen, head of the Shan Province Department Store."

"Hello, Director Qin. I’m Gu Wenran from the Toyota Brigade."

"Don’t call me Director Qin—call me Aunt. You don’t look like a country girl; your skin is so delicate, even more pampered than city folk."

"Aunt, wait until after the wedding. She’s not going anywhere," Fangfang coaxed, having been very close to her aunt since childhood.

The wedding morning passed quickly—from the groom’s arrival to the feast’s end. Qin Aiwen insisted on discussing the whitening cream in detail with Gu Wenran.

"The cosmetics industry is tightly controlled now. The domestic market is sluggish, and import-export is complicated. Cosmetics are in short supply at the department store."

Qin Aiwen wanted to recruit Gu Wenran to Shan Province to start a factory and develop cosmetics tailored for their own people.

"Aunt, I want to go, but I really can’t leave right now—my mother-in-law and child are at home, and I can’t just abandon them."

Gu Wenran felt a strong sense of belonging to her family; after finally integrating, leaving would only worsen relations.

"Alright, I won’t pressure you. If you’re interested, come find me anytime. But I need you to bring me two hundred bottles of your whitening cream as a deposit. Delivery in a week—is that doable?"

Gu Wenran took the hundred yuan and thanked Qin Aiwen for the opportunity.

"I’ll definitely deliver in a week."

After leaving the Qin residence, Gu Wenran headed to Sanmao Alley to find Wang Bai.

"Brother Wang, I’m here to pick up the remaining two hundred and fifty porcelain bottles."

Wang Bai handed over the packed bottles.

"Do you still need more? If so, I can make them."

"Yes, as many as possible. Just make them all—I’ll take every single one."

They made their agreement, and Gu Wenran carried the bottles home.

When she arrived, everyone else was working in the fields except Zhou Qing, who was at home with the two children. Outside the door, someone was sneaking glances inside.

"Who are you? What are you doing at my door?" Gu Wenran grabbed a stick and approached. Just as she was about to strike, the person stood and fled.

Gu Wenran paid no mind and entered to find Zhou Qing and Shen Simin sitting in the courtyard.

"Sister-in-law, I’m back. Shen Zhiqing heard I was home and came to see me," Zhou Qing said.

Gu Wenran felt indifferent; if they preferred Shen Simin, there was no reason for her to stay.

"You two talk. I’m going back inside."

Zhou Qing noticed Gu Wenran’s displeasure and sent Shen Simin away before entering to check on her.

"Warm, I don’t know who told her I was back, but she insisted on coming in. I didn’t dare kick her out."

Gu Wenran loathed Shen Simin—so malicious yet so pretentious.

"I’m not angry, just don’t like her."

"Me neither. She’s strange, always prying about Siniand, and getting close to Yubao. Be careful."

Gu Wenran bristled at the mention of Yubao. Zhou Siniand could be given to her, but not her son.

"I know. Big sister, when Mom comes back tonight, I’ll tell you some good news."

"Okay, I’ll cook dinner."

After Zhou Qing left, Gu Wenran took out all the money she had earned today—the 210 yuan from selling fifty bottles of whitening cream plus the 100 yuan deposit.

"Now the house is settled."

For dinner, Zhou Qing cooked cured meat. After the meal, the family sat in the courtyard, enjoying the cool moonlight.

Gu Wenran sat facing them, solemnly.

"I went to the wedding today. What happened while I was gone?"

Hu Ailian thought she had been bullied and urged her to speak quickly.

"Aunt Qin ordered two hundred bottles of whitening cream from me today—five yuan each. Our family is making money."

Gu Wenran was about to smile but restrained herself, thinking of the neighbors.

Hearing about the large sum, Hu Ailian quickly urged everyone inside.

"What’s going on? What whitening cream?"

Hu Ailian knew Gu Wenran was making something but didn’t expect it to be so profitable. They barely earned one hundred and eighty yuan a year from farming.

"Warm, is this really making money?"

The herbs for Gu Wenran’s whitening cream weren’t valuable; the secret lay in the magical spring water that improved and whitened the skin.

"Mom, yes, but the herbs smell bad and aren’t easy to get. After this batch, I don’t know when I can make the next."

Hu Ailian, knowing how often she went to the mountains and how hard she worked for her money, said no more.

"Mom, with this money, we’ll build a big house with more rooms. It’s too cramped for so many people now."

"Warm, this money is yours. Keep it. Yubao’s already five—time flies."

Gu Wenran had high standards for life; if she couldn’t live in the space, the house outside must at least be bright and comfortable.

"Let’s build it. I’ll find someone tomorrow."

Seeing she wouldn’t be persuaded otherwise, Hu Ailian let her be. This home was now hers to manage.