Chapter 14

Li Miao's new home has been chosen. The location was chosen based on Guan Shiyun's suggestion, a compromise between the company and a mysterious location. For the housewarming party, Lin Bei was invited, which also provided a good opportunity to discuss starting a business.

"You've really struck it rich, Gou Miao, this house is so big and beautiful."

"That's right, I said I would definitely rise to prominence, and I would also bring you and your family to heaven."

"Where is Ms. Guan? Is she coming today?"

Lin Bei wandered around the room, looking left and right, and casually asked a question. When she heard that the question was about Guan Shiyun, Li Miao ran up to Lin Bei and carefully examined her.

Lin Bei, busy touring the big house, shoved Li Miao aside, who was blocking her way. She was very busy, first looking at the layout and orientation of the house, then at the furnishings and decorations inside. She was just casually chatting and didn't notice Li Miao's sudden action, nor did she realize why Li Miao's question had suddenly taken a turn.

"You like handsome guys, really handsome guys, right?"

"I like it, and I also like beautiful women, really beautiful women."

Lin Bei took a quick look around and felt that the layout of the house was really good. The scenery outside and the environment of the community were also very nice. As for the decoration style, it would vary from person to person. If she could have a house like this in the city, she would love it. Her thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. She and Li Miao looked towards the door, but her sister had already run to the door like a gust of wind to greet the person who knocked on the doorbell.

——Ding ding ding

Who else could it be but Guan Shiyun? Li Miaohuan ran over happily, her big smile making her want to give Guan Shiyun a bear hug, but when she saw that Guan Shiyun was carrying a box of desserts, she gave up on that idea, took the desserts, and waited for Guan Shiyun to enter.

During their time together, Guan Shiyun discovered that Li Miao loved desserts and thought that she could have some snacks after dinner.

"Are all the ingredients ready?"

"Yes, I've already washed it. Are you hungry? We can serve it right away."

Li Miao nodded obediently. In the end, they decided to have hot pot for the meal. After all, those who could cook had to go to work, and those who didn't have to work couldn't cook, but she could still wash vegetables. Eating hot pot together would be more lively. She skipped and jumped to the kitchen to get the washed vegetables, just waiting for Guan Shiyun to wash her hands so they could start.

Lin Bei waited in the living room, deciding to greet her first before going to serve the dishes with Li Miao. She was still a little reserved when she saw Guan Shiyun, firstly because Guan Shiyun was her friend's boyfriend, and secondly because Guan Shiyun was a big boss, someone she kept her distance from.

"Hello, Mr. Guan."

"You can be casual. Just call me by my name, like Shiyun or Xiaoguan."

Guan Shiyun was very approachable at this gathering of friends. Her tone was light and her smile was equally cheerful. She was neither overly polite nor distant, nor was she overly familiar or overly intimate. She just joked around.

But some people disagreed. Li Miao heard this as she came out of the kitchen with the dishes and immediately rejected it.

"I disagree. Call him General Manager Guan."

"Fine, your Mr. Guan, is that enough?" Looking at Li Miao's pretentious act, Lin Bei took the plate from Li Miao's hand and rolled her eyes as a bonus.

She's become so wary of her, hasn't she noticed that her attitude changed when Guan Shiyun was mentioned? And she still stubbornly denies it, saying, "Oh, I don't love her," her jealousy is suffocating.

The two brought out the prepared meat and vegetables, and Guan Shiyun also came out after washing her hands. The three of them sat around the table, and there was no awkward atmosphere. At least it was better than the first time they ate together.

Lin Bei was different when she ate hot pot; she became more pleasant to talk to, temporarily truced with Li Miao, and chatted happily during the meal.

…

"General Manager Guan actually spent time in a Taoist temple?"

"Yes, I not only stayed there, but also had a serendipitous encounter. During my stay, I met a benefactor who helped me start my business and earn my first pot of gold. Success felt like a stroke of luck."

When Lin Bei heard Guan Shiyun's story, she was not only stunned, but also thoughtful. She looked at the two people sitting opposite her and observed them silently.

Her sisters ate happily, listening to the conversation and occasionally chiming in. Lin Bei probably thought it was because they weren't full yet, while Li Miao was the type who only had the energy to chat after eating. Watching her happily picking up this and that, she piled Guan Shiyun's bowl to the brim.

Guan Shiyun observes Li Miao's preferences, and Li Miao also secretly observes Guan Shiyun. Ever since that time she fed Xiao Wanzi, Li Miao has been enjoying feeding her.

Guan Shiyun looked at her bowl, then at Li Miao, her eyes filled with obvious joy and love.

Halfway through the meal, Guan Shiyun brought up the topic of opening a shop. She worried that sitting together afterward might be too formal and awkward for conversation, and that being too formal could backfire. She had noticed Li Miao's personality before when they dined together at restaurants; she was a meticulous, reserved, and principled person.

"How have you decided about opening a shop?"

"Of course we'll go, she agreed." Li Miao didn't have time to swallow what was in her mouth, but that didn't stop her from blocking Lin Bei's path and getting Lin Bei on the boat first.

Upon hearing Li Miao's reply, Lin Bei naturally rolled her eyes at Li Miao, while Guan Shiyun did not turn her head to look at Li Miao, as if she had expected it, and simply smiled with her eyes lowered.

"Have you considered the manpower and direction? What area do you want to focus on?"

Li Miao was dumbfounded. She didn't know anything about this kind of thing. Although she had learned a lot from Guan Shiyun these days, it was of no use in this matter. With her cheeks puffed out, she quickly abandoned her teammates and pointed with her chopsticks at Lin Bei, who was glaring at her.

"she…"

"Don't look at me like that, I don't really have any ideas, but I can still find manpower. I know some photographer friends, and I also have some colleagues with whom I have good relationships." Lin Bei quickly explained her situation.

She had some ideas, but they weren't well-developed, especially when it came to putting them into practice; it was a complete mess. It was indeed a good opportunity, but not everyone is eager and excited when faced with one; some feel apprehensive and confused.

When Guan Shiyun heard Lin Bei say that, she glanced at Li Miao, who seemed to have nothing to do with her, and focused on eating her meat roll with a smile that grew even brighter.

"Actually, I do have a direction that I can give you as an alternative for reference."

"We've talked and talked, but we still don't have any clue."

What type of makeup do you specialize in?

“She can do everything, she’s good at everything, there’s nothing she can’t do,” Li Miao quickly added.

She knew all too well how modest Lin Bei was. She didn't understand why Lin Bei was modest, but that didn't stop her from blocking Lin Bei's path again. Modest my foot! Lin Bei's makeup skills are amazing, so she should just say the truth.

Hearing Li Miao's praise, Lin Bei's face instantly turned red. Although she thought she was quite good at it, this was too direct and embarrassing.

Upon hearing Li Miao's words and glancing at the blushing Lin Bei, Guan Shiyun roughly understood Lin Bei's level and filtered out the several plans she had prepared in her mind.

“Here’s what I’m thinking: we’ll have the makeup artist at the center of the team, creating personalized makeup and photoshoots. Actually, compared to wedding photography studios or destination photography in a traditional Chinese style, I think this is more suitable for you two.” Guan Shiyun opened her phone and showed the two the photos she had saved.

"Compared to trendy makeup and fixed-style clothing, this, this..." Upon seeing the photo, Lin Bei immediately understood.

These photos show ordinary people with very ordinary appearances, even those who are plain or slightly unattractive. However, the makeup amplifies these "flaws in popular aesthetics," turning them into personal characteristics. Combined with their clothing, they exude a unique, primal, and vibrant beauty that is unlike any of the currently popular makeup styles.

Guan Shiyun could tell from Lin Bei's expression that she understood what she was trying to say, and continued to express her thoughts.

"For this kind of unique, customized photography, the team's main focus is on makeup and styling. This requires a certain level of aesthetic sense, or rather, an eye for beauty, which I believe Ms. Lin can achieve."

"Me?"

"certainly."

Seeing Lin Bei pointing at her with great doubt, Guan Shiyun nodded solemnly in affirmation. She had great confidence in Lin Bei. A sensitive and reserved person is good at discovering the strengths of others. Guan Shiyun did not think that Li Miao's evaluation of Lin Bei was flattery. She believed that Li Miao spoke from the bottom of her heart, without any embellishment or exaggeration.

"Firstly, focusing on makeup and styling is very important for your future management team. You won't rely on others; as the core, you'll be able to get things done."

"Secondly, regarding the market and target customer group. There are many similar photo studios on the market, which simply fit people into fixed style templates and let them choose according to their needs. But this kind of customized service can meet the needs of everyone, and your starting point is to help customers 'discover another side of themselves' and break free from the constraints of standard aesthetics."

Guan Shiyun understood Lin Bei's concerns and her struggle with this opportunity. Combining Li Miao's description with her own judgment of Lin Bei from their two meetings, she couldn't help but glance at Li Miao beside her, who was still meowing and eating.

The kitten, sensing her gaze, looked up at her briefly before lowering its head to continue eating. Guan Shiyun smiled. Her kitten was very confident, carefully considering its words, then turned to Lin Bei and continued speaking, sharing its thoughts about 'work'.

"I have great confidence that Ms. Lin can make this happen. Besides the necessary skills like makeup artistry, the core of success lies in her ability to discover the beauty in others. The target audience for makeup, styling, and photography services is primarily women. I think many girls today lack self-confidence. They are always good at discovering the beauty in others, but they are too harsh on themselves. Your shop's specialty is this 'eye for others.' Through your services, many girls should be able to discover another side of themselves. I think this is a good thing, and it can also be profitable."

As Guan Shiyun presented her 'work proposal,' Lin Bei's mind went blank. She saw Guan Shiyun looking at her gently, and Guan Shiyun gazing at Li Miao with loving eyes.

Being overly critical of oneself, one tends to take everything Li Miao does for granted. Li Miao is straightforward and enthusiastic, her vibrant energy infectious. While one is always focusing on the good in others, will anyone actually notice one's own strengths?

She looked at Guan Shiyun's affirmation of her and listened to Li Miao's flattery. Actually, she also had her own perspective; why not be bolder? Why be so hard on herself? Success is a matter of luck, and wasn't the luck she possessed right beside her?

—'Success is a matter of luck.' She hadn't taken Guan Shiyun's words seriously when they were just chatting, but now they had become her source of comfort.

Lin Bei lowered her head and picked up the food that had fallen on the table. She thought that this conversation had probably been under Guan Shiyun's control since the beginning of the meal; her help and comfort were subtle and pervasive.

She wanted to let loose, and a hint of ambition rose in her eyes; she wanted to make this happen. She looked up at Guan Shiyun, listening intently to her thoughts and suggestions.

"The most important thing in providing such customized services is to listen to the customer's needs, or in other words, to have your aesthetic sense meet the customer's requirements and gain their approval. If you do that, you've already succeeded halfway."

"Finally, it comes down to sales—selling your unique features. For subsequent promotion, you can leverage the internet..."

Having almost finished eating, Li Miao put down her chopsticks and looked at Guan Shiyun, who was 'working'. What should she do? Guan Shiyun looked like this, and she wanted to kiss her even more. Her voice was soft and her tone was gentle yet firm, which made Li Miao's heart feel like a motion-activated light, flashing with each sound. She really wanted to hug Guan Shiyun and kiss her, to keep her heart shining.

"That's about it. I've already chosen a location for the shop, you can go and take a look. As for how to arrange the procurement of equipment, clothing, cosmetics, and so on, that's up to you. As for the funds, here they are."

Lin Bei has no recollection of initially labeling Guan Shiyun as a "big spender." She has noted down what Guan Shiyun just said and will combine it with her own thoughts after the event.

With a relaxed smile, she looked at Guan Shiyun with genuine admiration, respect, and gratitude. During the meal, she saw Guan Shiyun's excellence at work and felt her personal charm in life.

Guan Shiyun seemed to sense something. Seeing the confidence and ambition bursting in Lin Bei's eyes, she knew that Lin Bei had figured things out. She returned the gaze with a gentle, knowing smile.

Seeing the two exchanging glances, Li Miao felt a sense of unease, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it, and she was furious.

Guan Shiyun's phone rang, and she got up to answer it. When she came back, she patted Li Miao's head and said goodbye to the two of them.

"I need to go back to the company for work-related matters, so I might be a little late going home today."

"Okay, I understand."

"I'll be going now, you guys have fun."

"Goodbye, Mr. Guan."

After seeing Guan Shiyun to the door, Li Miao hurriedly returned to the living room, looking at Lin Bei with a scrutinizing expression, ready to question her about the doubts that had been on her mind.

"Tell me, what were you laughing about? Do you have a crush on Guan Shiyun?"

Lin Bei was both angry and amused. The jealousy was making her dizzy, and she still refused to admit it. Let her keep pretending, hide her age, and get revenge for smashing the door. If not now, when?

"Oh, little brat, are you jealous? Didn't you say you didn't love him? You just want to kiss him and go to bed with him."