Chapter 189: The First Step in Building a Career
“I’ll make the introductions. This is my mother, Zhou Yunqing,” Song Jiayin said, putting down the hot water kettle and standing in the middle to introduce. “Mom, this is A-Zhi’s younger sister, Ning Xiyue, and this is A-Zhi’s brother, Ning Qingyuan. They specially took leave to come take care of A-Zhi.”
“Hello, Auntie,” Ning Qingyuan said politely, standing up straight. When addressing someone, he instinctively nodded and bowed slightly, his face bright with a sunny smile that immediately left a good impression.
“Hello, Auntie. Please, sit here,” Ning Xiyue said, bringing over a small bench, inviting them politely without being overly enthusiastic.
“Hello, and thank you for the bench!” Zhou Yunqing nodded slightly, her expression softening considerably, and went over to sit on the bench Ning Xiyue had brought.
From up close, Ning Xiyue couldn’t help but admire Zhou Yunqing’s skin. No wonder Jiayin’s complexion was so good and she was so beautiful—it ran in the family. Zhou Yunqing clearly cared about her appearance and skincare.
A thought suddenly came to Ning Xiyue.
She sincerely complimented her:
“Auntie, you’re really beautiful. Standing next to Jiayin, I even thought you were her older sister. Up close, your skin is flawless, and I can’t even see pores. You must know a lot about skincare.”
Zhou Yunqing, who had previously carried a hint of pride in her expression, saw these two younger siblings of Ning Qingzhi greet her politely, neatly dressed and proper. Hearing Ning Xiyue’s flattering words, her proud expression completely melted away.
Gently touching her own face, a small smile formed on her lips.
Everyone liked hearing kind words, and even more so when they were genuine and hit the heart.
As a troupe leader who valued appearance and skincare, Zhou Yunqing especially liked hearing praise for her looks and poise.
“Yes, I do have some experience in skincare. If you like, I can tell you a bit about it.”
Zhou Yunqing smiled, lifting her head, and her eyes immediately fell on Ning Xiyue’s delicate, fair skin, so soft it seemed to glisten. She couldn’t look away. She remembered her daughter saying that this girl had been in the countryside—how could her skin be so well maintained? Instantly, Zhou Yunqing became interested in Ning Xiyue’s skincare methods.
She shifted slightly, patted the empty space beside her, and gestured warmly: “Let’s call you Yueyue, shall we? Come, sit here and let’s chat. I see your skin is amazing. That little face is so tender—could you tell Auntie your secret?”
Ning Xiyue was taken aback—she hadn’t expected this auntie to be so interested in skincare. Her plan to start her “career” was about to begin. She smiled and sat down without hesitation.
“Of course, Auntie. I’ll tell you. Skincare can be complicated or simple, but the most important thing is to find some small tricks and the right products for your skin…”
As Ning Xiyue explained, Zhou Yunqing listened with delight, calling her “Yueyue” over and over, chatting intimately.
They talked about different skin types and skincare routines, and Ning Xiyue’s knowledge quickly won Zhou Yunqing over—she had become a little fan. Zhou Yunqing had completely forgotten the original purpose of visiting—meeting her future son-in-law.
Song Jiayin also joined in the conversation, intrigued.
The two male siblings couldn’t get a word in; sitting to the side, Ning Qingzhi lowered his head to read, and Ning Qingyuan buried himself in writing and thinking of pen names.
Meanwhile, the three ladies’ conversation grew longer and more animated.
Ning Xiyue casually showed off her smooth, fair, and slightly fragrant hands in front of them.
Zhou Yunqing immediately noticed, taking Ning Xiyue’s hand and fondly feeling its softness: “Yueyue, your hands are so fair and delicate, smooth and tender. What do you use? Tell Auntie, so she can get some too.”
“You can’t buy it outside. I usually make these myself,” Ning Xiyue replied, taking a small jar of aloe moisturizing hand cream from her bag, using a bit on her hands, and holding it out to them.
“Auntie, Jiayin, I use this. Its moisturizing effect is excellent. See how smooth the back of my hand looks when I spread it?”
Zhou Yunqing’s eyes lit up. She had never seen such a lightweight, hydrating product. Most products in S City department stores and Friendship Stores felt heavy and greasy, and the results were poor—nothing like this.
“This is so moisturizing! Can I try it?”
“Of course,” Ning Xiyue happily handed the jar to them.
“Thank you, Yueyue!”
The mother and daughter said in unison, eagerly scooping some hand cream and spreading it on their hands.
“You can use more. Don’t worry if it runs out—I have extra in my bag,” Ning Xiyue said, pulling out two unused jars of hand cream from her seemingly endless bag. Seeing their curious expressions, she explained, “These are gifts for Auntie and Jiayin, all handmade, hope you won’t mind.”
“Oh, how could we mind? Thank you so much, Yueyue. I love this gift,” Zhou Yunqing said with a smile, tucking her jar into her pocket while giving Jiayin her own.
“I love it too! It smells wonderful, fresh and light. After applying, my hands feel so soft. Yueyue, what’s it called?”
Jiayin asked, enjoying the scent on her hands.
“If you like it, that’s enough. The main ingredient is aloe. I call it Aloe Hand Cream. It’s moisturizing and hydrating, specifically for hands.”
Ning Xiyue knew very few girls could resist good skincare—and elders were no exception. This was exactly how the market opened, little by little.
Hearing it was specifically for hands, Zhou Yunqing asked, “Yueyue, can it be used on the face?”
“Yes, but I usually don’t use it for the face. I have special face creams. Today, since it’s a pleasure meeting you, I’ll take out everything I have for you to try—all good products.”
Ning Xiyue pulled out a jar of palace-style moisturizing face cream, along with the other two items from her early winter set: a whitening and moisturizing mask and a repair cream.
“Let me introduce them. The white jar is the moisturizing face cream,” she said, holding it in her hand. She then picked up the largest white jar.
“This is a mask, with whitening and moisturizing effects. Apply to the face for fifteen minutes, then wash off. Use it every three days.”
Finally, she picked up the smallest jar.
“Although this one is coin-sized, it’s incredible. It’s a repair cream for minor facial imperfections. Use it for a month, and your skin will be flawless. Together with the hand cream, these four items are meant to be used as a set.”
Ning Xiyue placed a full set on the table for Zhou Yunqing and one for Jiayin, separate from the demonstration set.
“Auntie and Jiayin, one set each. Feel free to use them. My mother and I also use them, even my second brother uses hand cream.”
Ning Xiyue’s main goal in gifting these products was to test the waters within the Cultural Work Troupe or open a new market, such as the high-end social circles of well-off women.
Being members of the troupe, the mother and daughter’s interest in skincare was higher than most. They were Ning Xiyue’s best “live advertisement.”
At the same time, it helped her gain favor with her big brother.
Seeing Ning Xiyue’s flawless complexion and the assortment of unfamiliar, unused products on the table, the mother and daughter were wide-eyed with excitement.
Yueyue had been in the countryside as a youth, exposed to sun and dirt, doing endless farm work, yet her skin was even better than theirs. The value and effectiveness of the products she brought were obvious.
Still, they felt embarrassed to accept them.
Especially Zhou Yunqing, as an elder, it felt improper to accept a gift from a younger relative without having prepared one herself.
Zhou Yunqing lightly pushed it back: “Yueyue, this is too precious. How could I accept it?”
“Auntie, I made all of this myself. It’s not expensive, and my brother asked me to make it. I’ve already benefited from him. These are specifically for you, otherwise I wouldn’t happen to have two complete sets in my bag,” Ning Xiyue replied, placing the credit on her brother to increase his favor: “He gave them to you, but since we got along so well, I sent them first. I hope you don’t mind.”
She gave her brother a subtle wink: “Big brother, don’t mind that I sent them first, okay?”
“No problem,” Ning Qingzhi replied, understanding his sister’s intentions. “Auntie, Jiayin, please accept them. My sister’s handiwork is excellent, all high-quality. Rest assured.”
Ning Xiyue winked at Zhou Yunqing and nodded firmly. If they didn’t accept, how could she open the market? How would anyone know her products were good?
This move successfully gained favor, and Zhou Yunqing accepted them with confidence. At the same time, her favor toward Ning Qingzhi increased considerably.
Happily, she touched the skincare products on the table: “Alright, I’ll accept them. Thank you, Qingzhi. I really like them, and thank you, Yueyue.”
“Yueyue, thank you!” Jiayin said, pleased not only to receive the products but also because her mother’s attitude had softened. She looked at Ning Qingzhi with affection: “A-Zhi, thank you.”
Ning Qingzhi shook his head bashfully, but inwardly felt uneasy. After speaking, he lowered his head to read, planning to tell the truth after his future mother-in-law left.
The first lie made him feel guilty and uncomfortable.
