Cao Shuwan gently shook her head and replied, "It hasn't been named yet. How about we ask the owner to name it?"
As soon as she finished speaking, an expectant light shone in her eyes.
Jiang Huaiyu smiled and agreed, "Okay, I'll think about it."
She picked up the delicate white porcelain jar containing rouge and examined it closely. The rouge inside was fine-textured and tender in color. This elegant pink was like a peach blossom bud about to bloom in early spring, but it was not as bright and vibrant as a peach blossom. It was as if she were looking through a thin mist, and it looked more like the flesh of a ripe peach, white with a hint of red, and covered with fine fuzz, which made people feel affection for it.
The peach blossoms are like a light veil of silk, their petals dazzling and scattered in a pleasing manner, their fragrance spreading like a fine mist. How about naming it "Peach Mist"?
Cao Shuwan murmured softly, "Peach Mist..."
Although she didn't fully understand the deeper meaning of the poem, those two words alone were enough for her to imagine that exquisite scene.
"Excellent, let's call it Peach Mist!"
She was overjoyed and readily agreed.
Cao Shuwan gently nudged Jiang Huaiyu to the dressing table. "Master, these cosmetics are difficult to truly reveal if only tested in the palm of your hand. Please sit down and let me carefully apply them to you. Let me see how this peach blossom powder will enhance your beauty."
Seeing the expectant look on her face, Jiang Huaiyu did not refuse and let her carefully apply the lotion to her face.
Cao Shuwan's hands moved swiftly, and she finished her makeup in the blink of an eye.
She handed the diamond-shaped mirror on the table to Jiang Huaiyu, praising her profusely: "Master, you are truly stunningly beautiful..."
Jiang Huaiyu examined herself in the mirror. Her makeup wasn't heavy, but it made her look even more radiant.
"Miss Cao is truly ingenious. I never expected that the peach blossom mist would have such a miraculous effect once it was applied to the face. Given time, she will surely be able to rival Luo Eryin."
Cao Shuwan was overjoyed to receive recognition for her skills. However, when she gazed at Jiang Huaiyu's delicate and beautiful face, as shy as a peach blossom and as radiant as a plum blossom, she couldn't help but feel ashamed of herself. She sighed, "To be honest, whether it's Luo'er Yin or the current Peach Mist, I've never personally tried making them..."
The birthmarks on her face were so conspicuous that even with the most exquisite makeup, who would notice the person behind those birthmarks?
Jiang Huaiyu pondered to himself.
Cao Shuwan's makeup application was extremely skillful, clearly the result of countless hours of practice. However, her words at this moment seemed to reveal a secret: she had never shown her face with makeup before.
She smiled and asked, "Miss Cao, do you still remember what I asked Brother Bai to tell you in the beginning?"
Cao Shuwan nodded gently, her eyes filled with nostalgia. "How could I forget? It was your inspiring words that illuminated my path forward like a beacon. Otherwise, how could I have achieved what I have today?"
Jiang Huaiyu once revealed a principle to her under the guise of Bai Jinxiao: physical beauty is merely superficial; what truly sustains a person's strength is their inner world. With a firm sense of self and unwavering will, one can navigate this world with ease. And those attracted by your inner qualities are the ones who truly appreciate you.
"Boss, I understand the philosophy you want to convey to me, but I still have some regrets in my heart."
Cao Shuwan picked up a jar of bright red rouge, a hint of disappointment flashing between her brows.
"The rouge I make is of the highest quality, enough to drive many women crazy, but it is meaningless to me. Even if I use it myself, no one will appreciate it, and it would be a waste of this precious item."
Jiang Huaiyu gently shook his head, clearly disagreeing with her idea. "Miss Cao, your thinking is too pessimistic. Today, I will reveal another principle to you. Would you like to listen?"
Cao Shuwan smiled and replied, "I will listen attentively to what you have to say, Master."
Jiang Huaiyu asked, "Miss Cao, do you enjoy making rouge?"
Cao Shuwan nodded, her expression full of fondness. "I really do like it."
"What was the purpose of that?"
"At first, I just wanted to raise money for my mother's medical treatment by making rouge. Later, I was fortunate to gain the favor and support of my employer, which allowed me to develop the business to its current scale. The business has grown bigger and bigger, and my wealth has increased day by day. Although the workshop is now very well-established and I am not personally involved in many aspects, I still enjoy making rouge by hand. Whenever I handle these bottles and jars, my heart becomes exceptionally peaceful, as if only I and these rouges remain in the world."
Jiang Huaiyu nodded slightly, deeply agreeing, "That's right. It's precisely because of your passion for making rouge that you enjoy the process while investing your efforts in developing all sorts of new products. Besides the utilitarian purpose, more importantly, you're pursuing inner satisfaction, aren't you?"
Cao Shuwan pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "That's right, exactly! You really have a keen eye for people, boss."
Jiang Huaiyu gently raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a gentle smile. "You know, the same goes for makeup and dressing up. Although it is often said that 'women dress up for those who appreciate them,' this is not an absolute truth. We wear gorgeous clothes, exquisite jewelry, and carefully style our hair, not only for the sake of others' opinions, but more importantly, to make ourselves feel happy. In my opinion, pleasing oneself is far more important than pleasing others."
Cao Shuwan froze on the spot.
After a while, she murmured to herself, "Pleasing myself, not others?"
Jiang Huaiyu nodded solemnly, “Yes, we can’t force everyone to like us or appreciate our value. Rather than living in such constraints, we should follow our hearts and make ourselves feel satisfied first. Miss Cao, those cosmetics on your face are not a waste. As long as you feel happy, then you are doing it willingly.”
After listening to the whole thing, Cao Shuwan lowered her head and pondered for a long time without saying a word.
After a while, she slowly raised her head, tears glistening in her eyes: "It turns out that I have been putting invisible shackles on myself all along."
Jiang Huaiyu sighed softly, "Everyone has all sorts of constraints in their hearts, and it is not easy to break free from them."
She gazed at Cao Shuwan with deep affection, "Miss Cao, I'm sharing these things with you only in the hope that you can cast off your constraints and live a more carefree and independent life."
Cao Shuwan's lips curled up slightly, and glistening tears shimmered in her eyes like morning dew.
“Master, I deeply understand your good intentions.”
She picked up the bronze mirror, reflecting her delicate features, and slowly ran her fingers over the bright red birthmark that covered half of her forehead.
“Boss, your words are powerful. It’s better to accept yourself than to please others. This birthmark has been with me since birth and is destined to accompany me for life. I cannot change its existence. But if I myself feel disgusted by it and ignore my own preciousness, then who will cherish me in the future?”
A hint of relief flashed in Jiang Huaiyu's eyes. "That's right. The way to love others is to first love yourself."
(End of this chapter)
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