"Xia, what do you think of these colored inks?" Minister Yang returned with three boxes of colored inks and placed them on the table.

Xia Lan got up, picked up a pen, tested it, and nodded.

“Sure.” Xia Lan spread out a new sheet of paper and wrote down the department store’s grand sale and anniversary celebration on it, then drew some small slogans and decorative patterns next to it.

Minister Yang watched as Xia Lan finished drawing a poster in front of him, his gaze growing brighter and brighter.

"Xia, you can even draw?" Minister Yang felt like he had found a great treasure, with countless potential within her.

“I learned some things from my mother before,” Xia Lan said with a smile, then her face suddenly darkened.

The original owner learned traditional Chinese painting from her mother, while in her previous life she studied it. Before starting her company, she accumulated a lot of experience from setting up a stall to opening a shop.

"What's wrong..." Minister Yang asked worriedly, looking at the eyes that had suddenly lost their luster.

“My father was eaten by a tiger while he was on the mountain. My mother fell ill and never recovered after losing my father…” Xia Lan’s eyes reddened as she spoke of her parents, and then she pretended to wipe away her tears.

Everyone was taken aback when they heard that Xia Lan had just lost her parents.

"I'm sorry, I brought up something that's bothering you," Minister Yang said quickly, looking at Xia Lan.

"I'm fine. It's not your fault, there's no need to apologize," Xia Lan smiled at Minister Yang.

"At least I still have the knowledge my mother taught me! She taught me to read and write, and it's all useful now."

Looking at Xia Lan, Xiao Ling and the others felt very sorry for her.

"Then we'll help you together." Qian Xue wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes; Xia Lan was so pitiful.

Qian Yao felt even more heartbroken when she saw Xia Lan's feigned nonchalant smile.

"We'll help you too." The two who had just been scolding Xia Lan quickly came over.

"Zhu Fangfang, Liu Hong, you two can go back to the counter! We don't need your help here anymore." Minister Yang glanced at the two of them indifferently.

He had overheard the two talking about Xia Lan when he was at the door, and he felt that they didn't need to stay and help.

Zhu Fangfang's expression changed; they had finally managed to get a chance to show their faces in front of Minister Yang.

They wanted to curry favor with Xiaoling and Minister Yang, but now they've kicked them out without offering any help. Wouldn't it be a waste of their hard work to secure those spots?

"Boss, let me stay and help! The four of them can't handle it all!" Liu Hong quickly said.

She didn't want to be kicked out; she had boasted to everyone that she was sure she would gain Minister Yang's favor.

If I slink back to the counter like this, they'll laugh me to death!

"No need, the few of us are enough!" Xiaoling glanced at the two of them, dashing their hopes.

Zhu Fangfang and Liu Hong were sent back to the counter, while Xiao Ling, Qian Yao, and Qian Xue stayed to help Xia Lan. Minister Yang watched them make the products while offering his opinions and lending them a hand.

Xia Lan spent the entire afternoon working in her office to get the materials for tomorrow's event ready.

Xu Li, however, looked distressed. She had to manage both counters. The candy counter was even more popular with the children because of Xia Lan, and they all wanted to drag their parents over to buy candy.

Xu Li was extremely busy.

When Xia Lan and others took out the posters and displayed them at the entrance, their vibrant colors immediately attracted the attention of passersby.

When Xiaoling and the others arranged the decorative flowers that Xia Lan had taught them to make, the entrance of the department store immediately became festive.

A crowd gathered in front of the poster, curiously looking at the text on it. Those who didn't know asked the people next to them, wanting to know what it was all about...

"What does it say on this?"

"Hey, comrades, what are you doing?"

"Could you explain this to us? What does it say here?"

"Store anniversary event? What does that mean?"

"..."

Seeing that people kept asking questions, Xia Lan glanced at Minister Yang, who took her hint and quickly came over to explain to the curious people.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is an event specially organized by our department store to thank you for your support over the years. For the next three days, anyone who comes to our department store to buy something will receive a free gift," Minister Yang announced loudly.

Seeing how tired he was from shouting, Xia Lan rolled up a paper tube for him. Minister Yang looked at Xia Lan curiously, and Xia Lan gestured to him how to use it.

Minister Yang put the paper tube to his mouth and continued, "As long as you buy something, you can get a free gift, no matter how small."

"Really? It'll be a free gift no matter what we buy?" Someone was immediately drawn in by these words.

Xia Lan tugged at Minister Yang's sleeve and whispered in his ear, "Sir, we can't say everyone gets one; it has to be first come, first served."

"Of course, but it's first come, first served. We can't guarantee it if you're late, since we have a limited number of gifts." Minister Yang was about to say that everyone would get one, but he quickly changed his mind to listen to Xia Lan.

Xia Lan nodded, but she couldn't agree too readily. Of course, the free gifts would only be given out until they were all gone; she couldn't keep arranging them indefinitely.

"Starting tomorrow?" someone else asked.

"Yes, it will start promptly at eight o'clock tomorrow morning." Minister Yang said with a smile when he saw how enthusiastic everyone was.

"Then who should we ask to pick it up tomorrow?" someone asked, raising their hand.

Minister Yang was taken aback; he hadn't prepared an answer to this question yet! He looked at Xia Lan, who stepped forward to rescue him.

"There will be a small counter at the entrance. After you buy something, you can come to the counter to get one, but each person can only get one. Don't be greedy and get more!"

"Oh? You can only get one!" someone said immediately, disappointed.

"Yes, in order to ensure that every guest can receive a gift and participate in our activities, we hope everyone will support us and give others a chance to have some fun! Don't you think so?" Xia Lan said with a smile.

Everyone laughed at Xia Lan's humorous reply.

“Yeah! We can’t let you take them all by yourself! We have to give everyone a chance too! Don’t you all agree?” someone chimed in, echoing Xia Lan’s words.

"Yes!" everyone replied with a smile.

The pre-event was a great success. After the guests learned about it, they went home to tell their families. Once the news spread among passersby, Minister Yang's satisfied smile never disappeared.

Qin Yu, standing in the crowd, looked at Xia Lan beside Minister Yang. She had just been so radiant, confidently and humorously defusing the crisis and winning everyone's approval.

A dark glint flashed in Qin Yu's eyes as he overheard the men's comments about Xia Lan...

He just wanted to hide her away and not let others see her beauty.

She is his.