Read Novel Full Chapter 147
Chapter 147 : Hundred Days Banquet
The renovation of Yuanbao Street was nearly complete, and Ding Meifang was keeping a close watch over the progress.
During Jiang Li’s confinement period, when she couldn’t leave the house, Ding Meifang visited every couple of days to report on the updates. The results were nearly identical to what Jiang Li had envisioned.
An auspicious date, April 28th, was chosen for the official opening of the store.
Before the opening, they hired a barber named Su Lin, who previously worked at a state-owned barber shop. Due to her straightforward personality, Su Lin had offended her superior and was unfairly dismissed after being set up.
Jiang Li had someone look into the matter, confirming Su Lin’s account. Furthermore, Su Lin’s skills were exceptional, she had been one of the best barbers at the shop. Since her departure, customer complaints at her old workplace had noticeably increased.
Despite Su Lin’s addition, the store was still understaffed, so the second and third floors were temporarily closed, and only hair-cutting services were offered.
Meanwhile, many units in the building were rented out, and the rental income transformed Jiang Li into a bona fide wealthy woman.
With Wang Juan taking full charge of the clothing store near the school, Jiang Li shifted most of her focus to Yuanbao Street.
“Boss, we have a candidate for an interview,” Su Lin said, her face showing hesitation. She paused for a moment before adding, “He’s interviewing for a makeup artist position… and he’s a young man.”
Su Lin was a rule-abiding individual. The only thing she had ever done out of line was clashing with her former boss and joining a private barber shop out of defiance.
The idea of a male makeup artist in this era, when even slightly standing out could draw attention, left Su Lin uneasy. After exchanging a few words with the candidate, she needed a moment to gather herself.
Jiang Li straightened up, intrigued. “Call him in,” she said, curious about the man bold enough to pursue such a profession.
A young man, around 1.7 meters tall, entered with a faint fragrance wafting around him. He wore wide-leg bell-bottom pants and a floral shirt, his slicked-back hair shining, and his face smooth and fair.
When he spoke, his soft voice was sweet and delicate, gentler even than Jiang Li’s.
“Hello, boss. I saw your job posting and decided to come in for the interview,” he said brightly.
“Alright. Please introduce yourself,” Jiang Li responded.
“My name is Li Xu, I’m 22 years old. I grew up in the countryside and recently moved to the city. Back in the countryside, I used to act as a matchmaker in my spare time. I’d also help brides with their makeup and styling,” he explained.
“Boss Jiang, please don’t look down on me because I’m a man. I know just as much about makeup as any woman. I’ve read countless books on the subject. Give me a chance, and I can demonstrate for you right now. Would that be okay?”
Li Xu spoke rapidly, his words tumbling out like a firecracker. His family had recently relocated to Haicheng, and he struggled to adapt.
Initially, he couldn’t continue matchmaking due to his unfamiliarity with the area. In a city as vast as Haicheng, most jobs available to men were manual labor hauling goods, construction, and other grueling, messy tasks. The thought of ending each day filthy and exhausted repelled him.
Jiang Li, who prided herself on not judging others, said, “Alright, give it a try.”
Li Xu’s face lit up. “Let me borrow your cosmetics!”
Li Xu was indeed talented. After working on Ding Meifang for more than half an hour, her appearance was noticeably enhanced.
He had chosen a soft pink lipstick close to her natural lip color and focused on refining her eyebrows and eyes.
Li Xu’s expertise in eyeliner, eyebrow shaping, and foundation application was impressive, leaving Jiang Li satisfied that he was skilled.
“Start work tomorrow,” Jiang Li said. “Ding Meifang will explain the job details and salary to you.”
Ding Meifang, still admiring herself in the mirror, only snapped out of it when Jiang Li called her. “Come with me,” she said.
She introduced him to Su Lin, saying, “This is Su Lin. You can call her Sister Lin.
Our working hours start at 8:00 AM, and we usually finish by 5:00 PM. However, since the store has just opened, there might be occasional overtime, for which you’ll receive additional pay.
Your salary consists of a base pay and commissions. For the first three months, you’ll have a technical assessment at the end of each month. Passing all three assessments will make you a regular employee, and your base pay will increase…”
Li Xu, barely containing his excitement, listened intently while sneaking glances at his surroundings.
The spotless, gleaming tiles, bright crystal chandeliers, polished glass windows, and the constant fragrance in the air made him feel like he was in heaven.
“This is exactly where I belong,” Li Xu thought to himself, intoxicated by the store’s ambiance.
“Alright, Sister Meifang, I’ll do my best to pass the assessments,” he replied enthusiastically.
Ding Meifang felt a bit awkward. “I’m younger than you. Just call me Meifang. Work hard. Our boss is generous and treats employees well.”
Li Xu, brimming with excitement, stamped his feet in joy. He silently vowed to give his best and work in this store for the rest of his life.
—
As summer approached and the weather grew warmer, Qi Shaoqiang had already been working at the police station for two months.
The twins were now 100 days old, and Jiang Li booked a banquet at the Liming Hotel to celebrate with family and friends.
Recently, due to high demand, Qin Xiaoting had purchased two adjacent stores at her customers’ request, connecting them into one larger establishment.
The newly renovated space now included private rooms and elegant seating, transforming the restaurant into a medium-sized venue capable of hosting banquets and other gatherings.
Meanwhile, He’an, now over two years old, had become a bundle of energy, running around at every opportunity. Liu Lixin often chased after him, trying to feed him.
He Ning, in contrast, had a quieter personality. Dressed in a pink princess dress with soft bangs, she spent her time near the cradle after dinner, occasionally touching her younger brother. Her babyish coos melted Jiang Li’s heart.
Jiang Li couldn’t help but feel a twinge of regret about not having another daughter. Looking at Jiang Huan wailing loudly in the cradle, for the first time, she felt the absurd urge to swap him for a little girl.
—
“Lizi, have you heard? Someone in the neighborhood lost a child recently!” Qin Xiaoting’s voice carried a nervous edge, her fear as a mother evident.
The thought of losing her child chilled her. She whispered, “If it happened to me, I’d either lose my mind or turn into something monstrous.”
Jiang Li’s heart skipped a beat, her temples throbbing as she withdrew her hand from the cradle. “What happened?” she asked.
“It happened during summer vacation. The child was visiting his grandmother. After finishing his homework, he played hide-and-seek in the alley with other kids. In the blink of an eye, he was gone,” Qin Xiaoting explained.
Liu Lixin, who had just caught He’an, added, “I ran into the parents. The mother fainted on the spot, and the father was frantic, crying his heart out. The neighbors all went out to search, but no one found him even after dark. That was yesterday.”
Liu Lixin sighed. A whole day and night had passed without any trace of the boy, and he feared the worst.
“Could it be human traffickers?” Jiang Li asked, her first instinct.
“Likely,” Qin Xiaoting agreed. “If it were an accident, like falling into a river, they would’ve found something.”
“It’s true. More and more strangers are moving into the city now. It’s not like before when everyone knew each other, and a new face stood out.”
—
“I’m late!”
Qi Shaoqiang climbed the stairs hurriedly, his uniform soaked with sweat, wrinkled and clinging to his body.
He found Jiang Li and apologized, “Sorry, wife. Something urgent came up at the station, and I couldn’t leave.”
Jiang Li, still preoccupied with thoughts of the human trafficker, was struck by the parents’ tragedy. As a mother, she could barely imagine the agony of losing a child. It would be devastating.