Huo Haowen: “……” Are you overthinking this? You really think Dad would worry about you? He’d feel sorry for kittens and puppies before he’d feel sorry for you.
“All right, Mommy.” Niannian was obedient now, the perfect little audience for her mom.
Huo Haowen glanced at his sister, thinking this little girl really had been spoiled—or bullied—by her stepmother.
Now she was even defending her. Silly girl.
“Oh, our Niannian is so cute! You’ve been so good, Mommy will buy you a popsicle, okay?”
“Okay!” Niannian licked her lips. She hadn’t had a popsicle in ages.
“Thank you, Mommy.”
“You’re welcome.” Jiang Mengning then looked at Huo Haowen.
“I’ll buy you one too!”
“I don’t want it,” he said, unable to help himself. “Aren’t you still in debt? How can you eat now?”
“Yeah, I’m in debt, but it’s not like I’m not going to pay. One popsicle won’t make me rich or poor.”
“Stay here and don’t wander off,” she told them before walking to the stand. She bought three cream-flavored popsicles. When she handed one to Huo Haowen, he looked disgusted.
“I said I don’t want—uhhh…” Jiang Mengning immediately shoved the popsicle into his mouth.
“I know you’re craving it, so eat it quickly!”
The creamy popsicle melted in his mouth, rich with dairy flavor. Huo Haowen couldn’t help but swallow it with a gulp. The coldness was refreshing in the scorching summer heat. He wanted another bite but felt embarrassed—he had just refused it moments ago, and now he was eating it like a glutton.
Jiang Mengning didn’t tease him; she found a shady spot to sit, letting Niannian sit beside her and finish her popsicle first. Niannian, the little glutton, wasted no time—she slurped hers enthusiastically, her small face flushed red.
Huo Haowen, still embarrassed, wanted more, so he turned his back to his stepmother and nibbled his popsicle quietly. Such an awkward personality—wonder who he inherited that from? His dad probably wasn’t like this.
Jiang Mengning ignored him and focused on her popsicle. Ice cream in this era wasn’t fancy, but it somehow tasted great—not too sweet, not too cloying.
Suddenly, a voice rang out beside her: “You’re so pretty!”
Jiang Mengning looked up. A tall, slender girl stood in front of her, about twenty, fair-skinned, delicate features—the kind of girl who could be a male lead’s unattainable white moonlight in a novel. Her aura was calm, her eyes clear, with just a hint of naivety, clearly well-protected.
“Thank you, you’re pretty too,” Jiang Mengning said.
Bai Huiru immediately squatted down, cupping her own cheeks and tilting her head to study Jiang Mengning carefully—examining every strand of hair. She had never seen anyone so beautiful, far prettier than anyone in the movies.
“Not only are you beautiful, but your makeup is perfect! What’s your name? Can I be your friend?”
Jiang Mengning’s gaze fell on her lips. The girl’s makeup was exquisite, but the bright Barbie-pink lipstick clashed horribly with her innocent aura. Such a pity—this pure, adorable little bunny ruined by the wrong color.
Lipstick! Jiang Mengning’s mind immediately lit up with ideas. She knew exactly what kind of business she could start. In this remote area of the 1980s, acting opportunities were scarce. If she wanted to make money, she’d have to use other means. Cosmetics! Specifically, lipstick. It had plentiful raw materials, low costs, and—most importantly—high profits. A quick way to earn money.
She handed the half-eaten popsicle to Niannian and pulled out a tissue. Leaning closer to Bai Huiru, she gently wiped some of the Barbie-pink off the girl’s lips, leaving only a soft, natural pink. This shade was much more suitable for a cute girl.
“Your lipstick color doesn’t suit you. It makes you look older. Wiping some off will help, and I suggest picking a different shade—it will highlight your beauty and aura more.” Jiang Mengning lightly touched the girl’s face, teasing slightly. Bai Huiru blushed.
“I like making friends with delicate, pretty girls,” Jiang Mengning added.
Bai Huiru hid her face with her hands, looking adorable.
“Really? So which color should I use? Can you help me choose? I’ll listen to you.”
Jiang Mengning smiled seductively: “Something like mine. A light red—it gives your face color when lightly applied, or shows your temperament when layered. You can match it with any hairstyle or outfit. And you don’t need to stick to just one shade. But definitely skip the Barbie pink—it’s really unflattering.”
Bai Huiru believed her completely: “Really? Where did you get this lipstick? I want to buy it.”
Here’s the key part: Jiang Mengning smiled.
“You can’t buy it outside. I make my own. Homemade is safe and healthy—no worrying about chemicals.”
“Wow, you make lipstick? That’s amazing! Can I buy one?” she asked, starstruck.
“Of course! But I’m out of stock at the moment. I’ll have to make some—it’ll take a few days. If you don’t mind…”
“I don’t mind! You’re so pretty, I can wait as long as it takes.” She was completely starstruck, almost dizzy.
“Great. Just a small business, so if I make it and you don’t want it, I’d lose out. How about a deposit first?” Jiang Mengning asked.
“Sure! I’ll give you money now. I have money.” The young lady immediately handed over fifty yuan—no questions. For Jiang Mengning, this was life-saving money.
“Perfect! Wait a few days; I’ll make it and deliver it to you. Where do you live? How will I find you?”
“Bai Huiru. Just come to the Steel Factory housing complex. Tell the guard, and he’ll bring you to me.”
“Got it. I’m Jiang Mengning.”
“Wow, your name’s lovely! I like you even more now.”
“Thank you! You’re really cute too.” Jiang Mengning knew how to handle mutual flattery.
Bai Huiru hid her face, shy, and ran off: “Bye! I have to go, or Mom will worry.”
Watching her leave, Jiang Mengning shook her head. Such a pure girl. She probably had a loving family; otherwise, she wouldn’t be so sweet and naive. She just had to hope there were no bad people around, or she’d be easily cheated.
With just a few words, she had secured fifty yuan. Well, it wasn’t cheating—she was genuinely going to make lipstick. Holding the money, she noticed Huo Haowen giving her a suspicious glare.
“Uh… why are you looking at me like that? The popsicle isn’t good?”
Huo Haowen snorted: “You’re lying again. You can’t make lipstick!” He had thought his stepmother had changed, but she hadn’t.
Jiang Mengning tapped his head. “Adult business. Kids don’t ask too many questions. Come on, let’s go home.”