Afterward, no matter how the Xie Family tried to explain, there were team members making snide remarks from behind. The production team leader considered everything and ultimately did not reverse the original decision.
The events that followed unfolded naturally. Xie Wanzhen’s work promoting activities in the village was suspended, and Xie Wanyan, extremely reluctant yet powerless, apologized to Su Yutao.
Hearing the insincere apology, Yutao graciously accepted it. “It’s fine. You’re younger than me, so I won’t blame you. Just don’t do this again.”
The hypocritical words seemed intended to make her feel grateful, which only infuriated Xie Wanyan further. Today she hadn’t gained any advantage, and on top of that, she had lost her sister’s work. Rage bubbled inside her.
It was all because of that wretched Su Yutao!
Next time, she would make sure Yutao paid.
The little girl’s twisted expression, like venom, struck Yutao as amusing. Her mood lifted, and even her work became a bit more spirited.
But work was still physically demanding. At noon, when she returned home, she pinched her nearly unusable arms and looked at her sunburned cheeks, her heart aching.
At this rate, she would surely be ruined.
Recalling the carefree days of her past life, she realized she could not continue this work. In her previous life, she had infiltrated the palace as a favored concubine with her mortal body. Apart from amusing the emperor, she loved studying beauty and skincare techniques. She not only mastered various inherited formulas from across the land but also learned to make perfumes, ointments, and cosmetics.
Of course, the formulas she used back then were luxurious palace treatments. Here, resources were scarce. She couldn’t replicate her previous regimen entirely, but she could adapt some suitable recipes.
Throughout history, women had always loved beauty. At this time, commercially available cosmetics were scarce, expensive, and required coupons. If she could create products cheaper than the market price, she could make a profit.
However, private trading in the market wasn’t allowed. She would need to find a black market or other channels.
Thinking of this, Yutao immediately enlisted Wu Xiaofeng to inquire about the black market.
Wu Xiaofeng was startled when Yutao explained. She knew that Big Sister-in-law often dreamed of making big money, but the black market was dangerous. If caught, she would have to undergo labor reform. Besides, everyone was barely able to eat; who had extra money for cosmetics? And where would she even get the ingredients? It was all reckless spending.
“I don’t think this will work,” Wu Xiaofeng hurriedly said. “The black market is dangerous. Besides, the cosmetic products you want might not even sell there. It’s unreliable.”
Yutao narrowed her eyes. “Fortune favors the bold. We won’t know until we ask.”
“No, you can’t go.” Wu Xiaofeng glared at her. “You learned to cook recently, right? You could ask the commune restaurant if they need anyone. I hear their pay is decent, and it’s proper work.”
“Work as a cook?” Yutao frowned. Cooking every day would ruin her hands and skin.
Wu Xiaofeng laughed. “Don’t expect too much. Only experienced cooks get in. At most, we could work as waitstaff or prep assistants.”
“But even the waitstaff earn decent wages. It’s better than fieldwork.”
Yutao: …
That was a harsh reality check.
“Isn’t there any other work?” she asked.
“There’s laborer work, sales clerk, and such,” Wu Xiaofeng said. “But the good positions are snatched by city folks long ago. We country people don’t get a chance. The most reliable way is to earn work points and exchange them for cash at the commune at year’s end.”
Thinking of the soreness and fatigue from the morning’s work, Yutao shivered. Seeing Wu Xiaofeng’s resolute expression, she realized she probably wouldn’t dare go to the black market.
She didn’t insist. “Alright, I’ll think about it.”
Wu Xiaofeng warned her repeatedly not to go to the black market to avoid being reported. Yutao casually agreed and returned to her room. She listed all the ingredients needed for her cosmetic and beauty formulas and began preparing her business plan.
For the next few days, she worked tirelessly, alternating between fishing and drying nets. Soon, it was market day. The production team leader, having a change of heart, gave the team a day off.
Yutao decided to go out, both to explore and to purchase materials for her cosmetics.
The next morning, she got up early, donned an apricot-colored dress, and carefully applied her makeup. As she prepared to leave, Zheng Chunling handed her a coin.
Yutao looked at the money but hesitated to take it; the Su Family wasn’t wealthy, and the Original Owner had previously left her a generous sum of five coins.
Zheng Chunling glared. “This is for your little sister. She has exams. Let her eat something nice. Hopefully, she can do well in vocational school.”
Yutao: …
Perhaps she had overthought it. She accepted the coin and decided to visit this sister she had yet to meet.
It was market day. Around eight in the morning, a village bus passed Honghe Village. Yutao rose early and reached the main road just as the bus arrived.
The bus was packed, people pressed together like a meat patty. Yutao frowned, weighing the options of walking versus squeezing in. At the driver’s urging, she finally boarded.
The vehicle was filled with unbearable smells. She nearly suffocated, but the ride was fast. A journey that would take over an hour on foot was cut to just over half an hour.
The morning scene at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative was just as crowded. Yutao observed the long line and pondered.
Su Yuqing was likely still in class; she couldn’t go to the school. Aside from the ceramic equipment for making cosmetics, the most crucial ingredients were Chinese herbs, which could only be purchased at hospitals or herbal shops.
Deciding to play it safe, Yutao went to the hospital.
The hospital was a single-story courtyard complex, not small. She searched for a while before reaching the registration desk. Few people were registering, and the young nurse seemed bored. When Yutao requested to register for Lu Yunyang, the nurse’s gaze shifted oddly.
“Doctor Lu already has many patients. I’ll register you with Doctor Zheng instead!” the nurse said firmly.
Yutao smiled gently. “No, I want Doctor Lu.”
“You’ll have to wait a long time,” the junior nurse said, eyeing the girl’s exquisite appearance—apricot blouse and skirt, pink lipstick and blush—looking more like she was dressing to entice than to seek medical care.
Fox spirit!
Bad intentions!
Yutao concealed her awareness of the hostility. “It’s fine. I can wait.”
Reluctantly, the nurse wrote down the number and handed it over, a thought seemingly striking her.
Could this woman be connected to Doctor Lu?
Dressed like this, perhaps she was his partner?
Doctor Lu was the hospital’s top doctor. Though aloof, he was handsome and skilled. Many girls had secret crushes on him, yet no one had heard of him having a partner. This was major news.
Her expression changed instantly, and she probed, “Little sister, do you know Doctor Lu?”
Yutao was taken aback but noticed the nurse seemed familiar with Lu Yunyang. She lightly parted her lips. Initially, she thought to claim she was Lu Yunyang’s fiancée, but remembered both families had already called off the engagement.
Claiming to be his sister instead… that would make her Lu Yunzhao.
After a moment of thought, she smiled, “I’m his distant cousin.”
The nurse paused, eyes brightening. She hadn’t expected it was only a cousin.
“Ah! That makes sense. You look so good. Does everyone in your family look like this?”
“Hello, Cousin Su, I’m Lin Lifang,” the nurse said with a warm smile, extending her hand. “You really resemble Doctor Lu. Handsome and beautiful—definitely a family trait!”
Yutao twitched her lips, understanding the situation immediately. This junior nurse probably had a crush on Lu Yunyang.
She sized up her competitor: crisp blouse, pink sandals, a hint of perfume, evidently wealthier than herself.
An idea sparked in her mind. Smiling subtly, she shook Lin Lifang’s hand. “I’m rather average-looking; I just put on makeup today.”
Lin Lifang thought her cousin excessively modest. If she looked like that, she would trade ten pounds of fat for it! But respecting the cousinly relationship, she didn’t mind.
“But you’re genuinely beautiful. Your skin is fair, makeup well done,” she said admiringly. Yutao, unfazed, decided to boost her confidence. “You’re good too. Features are neat, face shape okay. Makeup would make you even more beautiful.”
Lin Lifang, struck by the sincerity, could hardly believe it.
“Here’s a secret,” Yutao continued. “I wasn’t always this fair. I’ve been using a beauty clay.”
Though slightly deceptive, the formula genuinely helped whiten skin over time.
Lin Lifang’s interest piqued. “Beauty clay? Can I buy it at a department store?”
Yutao laughed softly. “Department store? I make it myself.” She pointed to her lipstick. “This too. Pretty good, right?”
Lin Lifang was astonished. “You make these yourself?”
“Of course. I’m best at these two. Back in school, I often asked my cousin about them. All my products use Chinese herbs and flowers. Safe. This lipstick is finer, easier to apply, and cheaper than department store brands. No artificial dyes or fragrances, won’t cause allergies.”
Lin Lifang hesitated, then touched Yutao’s skin, feeling its smoothness and makeup-enhanced glow.
“Can I see your products?” she asked.
“I didn’t bring them today,” Yutao said, knowing Lin Lifang was interested. “I’ll bring new products in a few days and teach you to apply eyebrow gel too.”
Lin Lifang eagerly agreed. “I’ll wait, cousin!”
Hearing the familiar term “cousin,” Yutao shivered and quickly bade her goodbye, heading to the consultation room.
Outside, four patients waited. She idly folded the registration slip while waiting. Soon her number was called.
Entering the consultation room, she saw the man at the desk—long brows, thin lips, high nose, dressed in a white coat, exuding a refined, restrained elegance.
The sight made her face heat up and legs weaken. Each step felt drawn out.
Seeing her, Lu Yunyang’s lips twitched slightly. “What illness do you have today?”
Yutao, only there for medicine, immediately stretched out her hand, frowning. “Look! I have blisters on my palm. It hurts so much!”
Lu Yunyang lowered his gaze. The pinkish blisters were already broken, signs of hard labor. He tapped his pen thoughtfully. “Indeed…”
Waiting for more, Yutao leaned closer. “It’s serious, right?”
He nodded. “Soon it will heal.”
Yutao touched her palm, recalling the pain from labor, frowning. “It’s almost healed now, but it really hurt at the time…”
She handed over the prepared ingredient list. Lu Yunyang took it. It included herbs like Lithospermum, Rabdosia, Poria, Angelica, and pearl powder—common medicinal ingredients.
“What are you using these herbs for?” he asked, furrowing his brows.
Yutao propped her head on her hand, smiling. “Lipstick and skin-whitening clay.”
Lu Yunyang raised his eyes. Her pale skin shone like jade—whitening was unnecessary. Skeptical of her usual odd remarks, he asked, “With such a quantity, are you sure you’re not planning to eat them?”
“Doctor Lu, are you concerned about me?” Yutao’s gaze held his steadily, her expression subtly joyful. “Rest assured, you saved my life. I haven’t repaid you yet.”
Lu Yunyang glanced at her, brushing his pen on the paper. “You don’t need to have a doctor write prescriptions for these herbs. You can just get them from the pharmacy next door.”
“I just worried they might not have them,” Yutao smiled, eyes curved, thinking he looked good no matter what. “And I wanted to see you too.”
Her soft tone, like a feather brushing the ear, made the listener’s heart stir.
Lu Yunyang paused, jaw tense, then signed the prescription. “You may get the herbs.”
Foreseeing his reaction, Yutao took the slip. “Earlier, while waiting, I introduced myself to your colleague as your distant cousin. That shouldn’t affect you, right?”
“If it does…”
He cut her off. “If you waste more time, the herbs you want might not even be available here.”
Yutao froze. “Really?”
The man didn’t answer, his dark eyes fixed on her silently.
Trusting him, she decided not to risk another crowded trip.
Moments later, she blinked. “Can I leave something here with you?”
Lu Yunyang looked at her calmly. “What?”
Yutao stood, took the folded heart she had prepared, leaned down slightly, and pushed it toward him, eyes smiling and filled with charm. “My heart.”