Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
She confirmed her own thoughts, but it seemed like Si Yiyan had suddenly disappeared from the face of the earth. She had taken him for granted in the past, but now, she only felt anxious and distressed within her heart.
It was the longest time that she and Si Yiyan had not met each other for—not sure if he was angry.
It was a Sunday. As Grandpa Du did not need to attend any Traditional Chinese Medicine seminars, Wen Xinya was going to the Du Family to learn about medical knowledge. In the past, Grandpa Du had gathered the learning contents and passed them to her for self-study.
“Xinya, what brings you here!” Upon hearing the servants’ announcement, Du Ruo quickly flew down the stairs like a butterfly to her side and hugged her elbow.
Wen Xinya smiled and said, “It’s Sunday today—the day to learn medical knowledge from Grandpa Du.”
With a sense of realization, Du Ruo muttered, “I knew it—you’ve never visited unless you need something. Previously, you’ve been preoccupied every day with learning this and that, and have even started school now—how could you have made time to specially visit me.”
Wen Xinya said in a teasing manner, “You only know how to say me. When someone else gets busy, she gives up sleeping and forgets about eating, working diligently without feeling tired—don’t even talk about looking at me, I guess she doesn’t even remember me.”
As Du Ruo was absorbed in her research, she had chosen Ching Hua High School which had a more slack management. Grandpa Du, feeling that as a medical family, compulsory education was secondary to the passage of medical knowledge to the next generation, did not stop Du Ruo.
Du Ruo was no match for her. She stared at her and said, “I’m not talking to you anymore. Hang on, I have something for you. I’ll be right back.”
Saying which, Du Ruo ran off like a gust of wind. Mother Hao then brought her a bowl of boiled hashima with red dates dessert. “Old Master had specially instructed me to prepare this. It’s best for the nourishment of vitality and improvement of blood circulation. Miss Xinya, please try it.”
Wen Xinya took a spoonful, tasted it, and said with a smile, “It’s yummy. Thanks, Mother Hao.”
Every time she came to the Du Family, Grandpa Du would instruct Mother Hao to prepare a dessert to nourish vitality and improve blood circulation for her consumption.
Seeing that she was happily eating, Mother Hao joyfully turned around and got busy with other chores.
At this moment, Du Ruo returned with a huge plastic bag in tow. Wen Xinya hurriedly went up and received it—it felt heavy in her hands. “What’s this heavy thing?”
Du Ruo explained, “I’ve recently come up with a new formula, and specially concocted some skincare products, using the scents that you like, for you.”
Wen Xinya felt extremely touched. Every time Du Ruo formulated new products, she would always prepare some for her. “Ruo Ruo, thank you!”
Du Ruo waved her hand, shrugging Wen Xinya off, and continued saying, “This is my improvisation of a secret imperial formula. Grandpa had seen it, analyzed its contents, and confirmed it to be a completely organic and irritant-free Traditional Chinese Medicine skincare product. It enhances blood circulation, nourishes the skin, maintains its youthful vitality, and stimulates metabolism. Grandpa said that long-term usage of this formula has the effect of detoxifying the body—the formula inside even has the effect of health maintenance.”
Wen Xinya knew that Du Ruo had recently obtained an ancient book on imperial women skincare in the olden days from somewhere, and had been researching diligently, sacrificing sleep and food. This probably contained the fruits of her labor. Peering into the bag, she saw a few transparent glass cases in three colors—white, pink, and yellow. She gently opened one of the cases and sniffed it—it held a light viburnum flower scent which was elegant, refreshing, and pleasant. “Smells great.”
Seeing her indifferent look, she instantly started introducing it. “Not only does it smell great, but its effects are also astonishing—it has the effects of whitening, moisturizing, anti-allergy, sunscreen, and nourishing the skin. It can even stop bleeding and helps the coagulation of blood. If you’re doubtful, you can try it on a slight finger cut—guaranteed instant effect.”
“Okay, I believe—how can you come up with something bad.” Wen Xinya naturally believed. After knowing Du Ruo, her skincare products had all been swapped for Du Ruo’s exclusive products. After using them for so long, she slowly felt their goodness.
Du Ruo continued preaching. “These are facial cream, body moisturizer, and shower foam respectively. The instructions and amount for usage are all written on the paper. They can last you six months in total. You can use sparingly—these don’t come cheap.”
Wen Xinya’s heart throbbed slightly. “Ruo Ruo, have you ever thought of linking the results of your research to money?”
She was asking carefully as she didn’t wish to taint such a pure friendship with interests. Previously, after knowing Du Ruo, she had had such an idea. However, as she didn’t have capital, she had never mentioned it. Now that she had some capital on hand, it was time to put this idea into action.
Du Ruo looked at Wen Xinya, slightly puzzled. “You mean mass producing them for sale, right?”
Wen Xinya nodded. “You can take it as such.”
“But the production processes of these are very complicated, using extensive types of Chinese herbs. I’m only passionate about research, and don’t wish to invest efforts on this area.”
Wen Xinya suddenly looked at Du Ruo seriously. “Ruo Ruo, do you trust me?”
Confused, Du Ruo nodded. “Why are you asking this? Of course, I trust you. You’re my best friend.”
Looking at Du Ruo’s pair of dazed but sincere eyes, Wen Xinya felt a warmth in her heart. “Ruo Ruo, leave everything to me. You only need to focus on the research that you like. I’ll definitely let you enjoy more resources for research.”
With an incomplete comprehension, Du Ruo said, “If it doesn’t affect my research, you can do whatever you want.”
Wen Xinya was overjoyed—it felt great to be trusted like this. “Ruo Ruo, this is what I’m thinking—I want to package your research results into the most premium luxury product. We’ll only manage one store, and only take orders from the really wealthy people.”
Du Ruo understood it immediately, and suddenly said excitedly, “In that case, I’ll know about the effects of more people using my products, which will be very useful for my research.”
Wen Xinya smiled and nodded. “You’ll have to separately list down the steps of the formula, to prevent it from being leaked out completely, and hand them to me. You don’t have to care about anything else. I’ll get people to prepare the herbs. We’ll split the earnings equally. How’s that?”
Du Ruo said with a frown, “You’re managing the operations of the store, paying for the herbs, and even want to be responsible for such complicated preparations of the herbs. Won’t it be very disadvantageous for you?”
Wen Xinya smiled and said, “Don’t forget, the formula is the most important—I’ve already gotten a huge advantage.”
Upon listening to what she said, Du Ruo also didn’t deliberate further. “Okay then, it’s decided!”
Although Du Ruo loved research, at the same time, she also hoped that more people would use the fruits of her labor. Now that Xinya was helping her realize her wish, she was naturally happy.
Wen Xinya was amused. “You’re even more vigorous than me. I’ll go back and come up with a proposal. We’ll also need to go through some legal procedures—you’re currently below 18 and will need Grandpa Du’s approval.”
Du Ruo waved her hand and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of things on Grandpa’s end. He’ll definitely agree—he’d long been annoyed at my neglect in proper matters, squandering his herbs away. Now that I can earn my own money for research, he’ll be more than happy.”