“No wonder you’re so confident about helping the Qiao family repay such a huge debt you really trust her,” Zhou Yu said. After speaking, he immediately decided, “Alright, then I’ll provide resources and manpower and cooperate properly with her.”
“Mm, she won’t let you take a loss. Whenever you want to shoot, just set the time and let me know.”
After hanging up, Zhou Yu quickly called Qiao Zhiwei.
Hearing the news, Qiao Zhiwei was both happy and surprised. She had originally prepared a whole set of negotiation points to discuss with Zhou Yu, even planning out what to do if he refused.
If he didn’t agree, she would first shoot a set so he could see the effect.
She cared so much because this business opportunity was safe, reliable, and didn’t require extra money to invest.
It couldn’t have been more perfect.
Now that her younger sister could also participate, she could confidently hand over more of the plan for her to execute. She would also have a clear picture of how many orders the shop received.
If the cooperation didn’t go well, she could withdraw at any time.
If the cooperation went smoothly and had good prospects, she could invest more energy, collaborate with him to open more branches, turn it into a brand, and allow more people to join.
“Then I’ll come over with Brother Jingnian tomorrow,” Qiao Zhiwei said happily.
“Alright, I’ll wait.”
“Thank you for trusting me,” Qiao Zhiwei said gratefully.
“No need to. I’m counting on your creativity to make our shop stronger,” Zhou Yu replied.
Since Huo Jingnian trusted her, she would trust him in return. Even if it didn’t work out, he wouldn’t lose anything at worst, just some energy and film.
Qiao Zhiwei smiled. “Okay, I’ll do my best.”
After hanging up happily, Qiao Zhiwei went to her room and told Qiao Zhilan the news.
Hearing it, Qiao Zhilan was ecstatic, almost in disbelief. “Really, Sister?”
“Mm.”
“Great! I believe you can do it perfectly.”
“Mm,” Qiao Zhiwei replied, then added, “Sister will teach you how to do makeup.”
Qiao Zhilan knew her sister’s makeup style was different from others. It was always beautiful and natural she would look much prettier, yet it seemed like she wasn’t wearing makeup at all.
Her sister had helped her before, but she had little patience, only drawing eyebrows and red lips.
Qiao Zhiwei took out her own usual makeup and arranged it neatly on the dressing table.
At this time, makeup products weren’t abundant. Many items were brought from Hong Kong or abroad when her father had money.
Because of this, most girls only knew how to draw eyebrows and apply lipstick, then cover with thick foundation and a large blush.
It looked heavy and exaggerated, all following a standard formula.
She sat across from Qiao Zhilan and said softly, “This time you need some patience. Don’t start complaining before finishing your eyeliner like before.”
“Mm, got it,” Qiao Zhilan smiled, her eyes curved with joy. “Even if I get impatient, I’ll hold it in. After all, this is a skill I’ll need in the future. With our family situation now, I can’t just rely on you to do everything.”
Hearing this, Qiao Zhiwei looked at her sister seriously and felt a pang of emotion. This carefree little girl seemed to have grown up overnight.
She lowered her gaze, picked up her tools, and patiently began applying makeup.
Half an hour passed, and the little girl remained sitting upright.
Watching herself change little by little in the mirror, Qiao Zhilan exclaimed in surprise, “I’m actually this pretty?”
“Of course,” Qiao Zhiwei affirmed.
“I must learn to do this makeup myself,” Qiao Zhilan said, determined.
When Qiao Zhiwei reached the final step, she suddenly heard Qiao Zhilan ask, “Sister, where did you even come from?”
Qiao Zhiwei tensed, her hands freezing in place. Just as she wondered if Qiao Zhilan had discovered something and how she should explain it, she heard her say:
“You must be a fairy descended from heaven. You can do everything. Others don’t know, but I do. If not for you, our whole family would have been sent away as capitalists back then. If not for you, Dad wouldn’t have thought to buy imported medicine abroad to treat Grandpa Huo, and no one would have saved us sisters. If not for you, even Huo Jingchen, smart as he is, wouldn’t have realized that the major you picked for him would allow him to study abroad in four years. If not for you, Dad wouldn’t have thought to hire professionals to research household products like laundry detergent and shampoo. Except for Huo Jingchen being ungrateful, everything else brought huge returns. And the idea you’re thinking of now, I believe it will succeed too. Being with you, I’m not worried at all that our family’s debt can’t be repaid. I just worry that one year might not be enough.”
Qiao Zhiwei exhaled, smiling. “So I’m that amazing in your eyes?”
“Of course. You’re the most amazing girl I’ve ever seen in this world.”
“How many girls have you seen?” Qiao Zhiwei smiled.
“Doesn’t matter. I don’t think there will be any others, and you’re this pretty.”
Qiao Zhiwei thought for a moment. “Of course there are others. I’ve seen them.”
“That Xia Yin?” Qiao Zhilan scoffed. “She’s just from a good family.”
“No. Once you see Brother Jingnian’s mother, you’ll know what truly outstanding means.”
Qiao Zhilan was surprised. “But she passed away, right?”
“People may pass away, but their experiences, past, and photos remain.”
“How do you know she was amazing?”
Qiao Zhiwei couldn’t explain everything to her sister at once and finally said, “I’ve seen her photos. She was very beautiful.”
“Needless to say! Otherwise, who would Brother Jingnian resemble? Surely not Uncle Huo? Even Huo Jingchen resembles his mother. Thankfully that fool Huo Jingli looks like Uncle Huo.”
Qiao Zhiwei couldn’t help laughing at her sister’s gloating tone.
“Average-looking but arrogant… that’s what they mean by ‘appearance reflects the heart.’ Before, I wouldn’t have tolerated her,” she sighed, “but now, under someone else’s roof, you have to lower your head.”
She only sulked for a second before brightening up. “But soon, we’ll escape these days.”
“Mm.”
After finishing the final step, Qiao Zhiwei smiled at Qiao Zhilan. “Look.”
Qiao Zhilan stared at herself in the mirror, nodding repeatedly. “Ah, if I were born looking like this, that would be amazing. So pretty.”
She was very satisfied with her makeup.
Qiao Zhiwei smiled, seeing her sister’s expression. It felt good these two sisters hadn’t laughed and chatted like this in a long time.
“Good thing you’re home.”
Hearing the voice, Qiao Zhilan looked up and saw Qiao Wanxia at the door. She immediately scolded herself, “I forgot to close the yard gate. You’re not welcome here. Leave quickly.”
Qiao Wanxia didn’t care about Qiao Zhilan’s attitude; she looked anxious. “Zhilan, Weiwei, I have urgent news for you.”
“Probably nothing good. We don’t want to hear it,” Qiao Zhiwei said bluntly.
“It’s about Uncle and Aunt. There’s news about them.”
Hearing this, Qiao Zhiwei immediately asked, “Where are they?”