Li Qingqing chuckled: "Give them to the servants, I guess. My cousin is completely bewitched by him, but he thinks he can fool me with these tricks? No way!"
Once inside the Ferrari, Chen Xinyu said apologetically to Zhao Qiang, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect there to be such a thing between you and Qingqing."
Zhao Qiang said, "It's nothing. She's just a child. How could I possibly hold a grudge against her?"
Chen Xinyu said, "Yeah, you're so nice. Where do you want to eat?"
Zhao Qiang said, "Didn't you say you'd come home and cook for me?"
Chen Xinyu said, "I was just saying that out of anger. My parents can't even eat the food I cook."
Zhao Qiang said, "Maybe I like it."
Chen Xinyu said, "You're so good at sweet talk. I'd be willing to die for you after hearing you say these words."
While the couple in love were whispering sweet nothings to each other, Li Qingqing's birthday party had just begun. Although Chen Xinyu and Zhao Qiang were absent, it had no impact on Li Qingqing's birthday party at all. If there was any impact, it was that Li Qingqing was in a bad mood. She had finally found her enemy, but she couldn't take revenge because of her cousin's presence. Li Qingqing was filled with hatred, and Zhou Wan felt the same way. The two of them gritted their teeth from time to time at the birthday party, which scared everyone.
Several bottles of unlabeled cosmetics were broken. The smell was surprisingly pleasant, but considering they were bought casually from a roadside shop, Li Qingqing would never use them. She wondered if they were artificially added fragrances, like the "One Drop Fragrance" advertised on TV these days—smells good, but is a disaster when applied to the face.
"You can take these cosmetics and use them," Li Qingqing said to the several hired maids. These maids were of very average appearance, so it was impossible for them to buy good cosmetics. Although the cosmetics didn't have labels, they thought that it would be strange if Li Qingqing's products were ordinary. Perhaps they were for internal use only, which was why they didn't have labels. So, after discussing it, they divided the cosmetics equally, and each of them was extremely grateful to Li Qingqing.
The temperature is very high this season. Although there is central air conditioning indoors, there is no air conditioning in the general work areas. The servants move around in the various work areas and soon become drenched in sweat. During their break, some of them take a shower, use the cosmetics they are given, and then throw themselves back into their busy work. They can forget about getting any rest until the early hours of the morning.
Li Qingqing was playing drinking games with Zhou Wan and a few other girls, while several men, including Cui Xinyu, were keeping her company. Even if they couldn't win Li Qingqing's favor, they were still pleasing to the eye to look at these beautiful women. Moreover, Li Qingqing was known for her love of showing off, and her low-cut dress definitely revealed her ample figure, which was every man's favorite.
"Huh? It smells nice, not like perfume, neither too strong nor too weak. What is it?" Li Qingqing sniffed. Zhou Wan reminded her, "You drank too much, didn't you? You've already forgotten the smell of cosmetics from earlier."
Li Qingqing grabbed a maid who was delivering wine: "Have you used those cosmetics?"
The maid said, "Yes, the shower gel is very effective. My whole body feels comfortable after showering, and the face wash is also very good. I feel like I've become fairer. Thank you so much for your kindness, Sister Li." This maid was very good at talking, but Li Qingqing was a pragmatist. She immediately moved the maid to the brightest spot in the room, and upon closer inspection, she could see the difference. If the maid didn't already have good skin, then these cosmetics were quite effective, because her skin looked radiant and supple, not at all like the undesirable effects of whitening skincare products. Instead, it looked like her natural skin tone.
Zhou Wan had been watching Li Qingqing's actions. She asked, "What? You doubt that those cosmetics are really effective?"
Li Qingqing said, "Who knows? But my cousin has no reason to embarrass me with roadside stall goods. She's usually so good to me. I was so angry with Zhao Qiang that I didn't think much of it."
One of her female companions said, "Isn't that simple? Just find someone to test it out for themselves."
Li Qingqing said, "That's right, everyone follow me. Whoever's skin isn't fair enough can be my guinea pig." A few people were about to follow, but Li Qingqing's words scared them all back. What if the fake product burned their skin?
Zhou Wan was a fervent advocate for cosmetics. She jumped up and exclaimed, "Use me as an experiment! I'll take any cosmetics you want, the more the better!" With that jump, a lot of cosmetic powder fell from her face to the ground. This woman was truly obsessed.
Li Qingqing would of course not refuse if someone volunteered to do the experiment. As for whether it would burn Zhou Wan's skin, Li Qingqing thought that burning it would be the same as giving Zhou Wan plastic surgery. If her skin was good, she wouldn't need to use so many cosmetics.
Everyone followed Li Qingqing to her room, where servants quickly brought up several bottles of cosmetics. Although these unlabeled cosmetics had become incredibly popular among the servants and were in high demand, no one dared not hand them over, otherwise they might not be able to leave the Li family home.
Li Qingqing handed Zhou Wan a bottle of shower gel, which the maid had used earlier, and said, "Go take a shower, then come out and show us."
Zhou Wan didn't hesitate, grabbed the shower gel, and went into the bathroom. Everyone else just stood outside listening to the rushing water. Cui Xinyu and the others weren't allowed in, otherwise they would have gotten nosebleeds. Zhou Wan's skin wasn't great, but she was still a beauty, much prettier than the average girl.
A moment later, Zhou Wan ran out naked: "Look!" she shouted. Li Qingqing and the others surrounded her. She touched Zhou Wan's breasts and said, "They really do look much softer. Your skin used to be very rough, and it was uncomfortable to touch your breasts, but now they are very smooth. What's going on?"
Zhou Wan said, "What else could it be? I've come to believe in these cosmetics. It feels very strange when I put it on my body. I can't describe the exact feeling; you have to experience it for yourself. In short, it feels very comfortable. I think the feeling of making love is nothing more than this."
Zhou Wan's exaggerated description completely seduced the other girls, who all rushed to grab the bottle of shower gel, saying, "Let us try it too!"
Li Qingqing held up the shower gel and said, "Shut up, everyone. We have a big bathroom at home. Let's go shower together." Although everyone knew that showering together would inevitably mean being touched by the exhibitionist Li Qingqing, they still couldn't resist the temptation and followed Li Qingqing to the big bathroom. Then they all took off their clothes and started showering, laughing and joking. The scene was very erotic.
People outside were waiting to cut the cake, so they sent people around to look for the main character. When they learned that the female lead was taking a bath with the guests, everyone was speechless. Li Qingqing's parents were also embarrassed and could only advise everyone to wait a little longer.
Finally, Li Qingqing and the others came out wearing bath towels, their faces full of surprise. The cosmetics that made them feel comfortable the moment they were applied to their skin were truly amazing. No cosmetics had ever shown such effects so quickly before, except for the beauty cosmetics series that are now almost impossible to buy.
Zhou Wan waited outside and saw Li Qingqing leading the way out. She asked, "So, I didn't lie to you, did I? Hurry up and get your cosmetics back! I'm telling you, you have to give me one of each kind, or I won't be your friend anymore." Zhou Wan was threatening Li Qingqing; as the first person to try it, she had the right to do so.
The other girls also pleaded, "Qingqing, hurry up and do it! Otherwise, once the servants hear that it has miraculous effects, they will all rush to use it, and we will suffer huge losses."
Li Qingqing waved her hand and said decisively, "What's the rush? Since my cousin bought these cosmetics, we'll definitely use them. Don't worry about small gains or losses."
Everyone thought it made sense; even a large bag of cosmetics had its limits. If they could find the distributor, they'd be rich. Maybe it came from a youth health product company, which was why it wasn't labeled. Chen Xinyu was truly a master reporter; it was impossible for ordinary people to get their hands on these kinds of goods. All their previous resentment towards Chen Xinyu for being stingy and buying cheap goods from street vendors for Li Qingqing's birthday gift vanished.
Where did you buy Volume 2 [562]?
[562] Where did you buy it?
Li Qingqing's father, Li Han, was a prominent figure in Beijing. He had put a lot of thought into preparing this birthday party for his daughter. The guests were getting impatient, and he sent people to urge them again and again. But in the end, all he got was news that Li Qingqing had run off with a group of girls. Li Han was furious. Unable to get through on the phone, he had no choice but to announce that he would personally cut the cake since the birthday girl wasn't there. However, he was certain that when Li Qingqing got home that night, Li Han would give her a good scolding.
At this moment, Li Qingqing didn't care how her father would punish her. What girl doesn't love beauty? The pursuit of beauty is something that no obstacle can stop. While rushing out, Li Qingqing called Chen Xinyu.
"Cousin, where is it?" Li Qingqing's attitude was very respectful at this moment. There was no other way; you had to be like this when you needed someone's help.
Chen Xinyu was busy cooking for Zhao Qiang at home. If her mother were there, she would be extremely surprised. A man who makes his daughter cook for him is one of a kind in the world. Of course, Chen's mother was more concerned about whether her daughter could cook a decent meal on her own. However, Chen's mother didn't need to worry about that at the moment because she and her father were still at Li Qingqing's birthday party.
"I'm at home, busy right now. If you have something to say, say it. If not, hang up now," Chen Xinyu said curtly.
Li Qingqing smiled ingratiatingly: "Hehe, cousin, are you still angry? We'll treat you to dinner in a bit. We'll be there soon, so get ready."
Chen Xinyu said into the microphone, "Hello, I'm not going, I..." The receiver went dead, and Chen Xinyu could only throw her phone aside.
Zhao Qiang was watching TV with his legs crossed in the living room when Chen Xinyu peeked out and said to him, "Li Qingqing said she's coming to have dinner with me."
Zhao Qiang said, "What's the point of eating? Their food isn't even that good."
Chen Xinyu said, "I guess the cosmetics must have been discovered."
Zhao Qiang said, "Ignore her."
Chen Xinyu hummed in agreement: "I'll continue cooking for you."
Actually, things like burning the food or adding the wrong salt, as described, are rare. Anyone with a modicum of common sense wouldn't make such a basic mistake, let alone Chen Xinyu, who is more than just a little bit smart. She was busy in the kitchen, and the aroma of the food wafted into the living room. Zhao Qiang was watching TV, sniffing the air, quite content. But this tranquility was quickly shattered.
Knock, knock, knock. Someone was knocking urgently on the door. To say 'knock' would be an understatement; it was practically banging on it. Chen Xinyu stormed out of the kitchen, spatula in hand, and yelled, "Coming! Coming! Who is it? Are the Japanese invading the village?"
Li Qingqing hurriedly pushed open the door, practically squeezing through the crack, and said, "Cousin, tell me the address where you bought the cosmetics." Li Hongying had left after delivering the gift; otherwise, she would have known the address too. Besides, Li Qingqing didn't want to bother her. That woman was very possessive; if she knew about this, she would probably grab all the goods before Li Qingqing could.
Chen Xinyu, holding a spatula, said rudely, "What address? It's just a roadside shop, I bought it anywhere. Your cousin has seen it, it's not a secret. Come on, you guys get out of here right now. Can't you see I'm busy? I don't have time to entertain you."
Chen Xinyu tried to push Li Qingqing out, but Li Qingqing stubbornly refused to leave with a grin. "Cousin, you can't be so heartless, can you? I'm still your cousin, aren't I? Oh, you're preparing to cook? I never knew you could cook. This is unprecedented. It's all my fault. You should be eating my birthday cake right now. I was out of my mind and came to invite you back myself."
Chen Xinyu said, "You would be so kind?" Chen Xinyu knew Li Qingqing well, so she didn't believe it at all.
Li Qingqing said, "Of course I mean well. Is there any need to question our relationship? I'm just unhappy that you're with that Zhao Qiang. Look at him, what kind of person is he? He's sitting with his legs crossed in your house and expects you to cook for him. That's too much. I'm standing up for you." As she spoke, Li Qingqing tried to snatch the spatula from Chen Xinyu's hand.
Chen Xinyu dodged Li Qingqing's hand as she tried to snatch the spatula: "Forget it, my business is none of your concern."
Zhao Qiang naturally guessed Li Qingqing's intentions, because he noticed that these people's skin had changed compared to before, presumably because they had used the cosmetics he had sent. So at this moment, Zhao Qiang was even more determined to take advantage of the situation. If he didn't take revenge now, when would he? With that thought, Zhao Qiang raised his leg even higher, his voice carrying the air of "I'm the boss."
"Chen, hurry up and cook, I'm hungry."
Chen Xinyu obediently replied, "Okay, I'll be right there. I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."
Li Qingqing stared in disbelief. Zhou Wan nudged her and said, "Hey, did I hear that right? Your cousin is as docile as a cat?"
Li Qingqing said, "Yes, I also doubted whether this was her. She never used to be polite to men."
Zhou Wan asked, "Is she bewitched by this man?"
Li Qingqing said, "How would I know? Let's just ask for the address and then go."
As she spoke, Li Qingqing followed Chen Xinyu into the kitchen, but no matter how she asked, Chen Xinyu wouldn't say anything. Soon after, the four dishes were cooked. Chen Xinyu set out the dishes in the dining room. The rice had been cooked for a while. She walked up to Zhao Qiang and said gently, "Dinner's ready. Would you like some wine?"
Zhao Qiang nodded: "We'd like some drinks. Today is a special day; consider it a celebration for your cousin's birthday at your home."
Li Qingqing felt embarrassed. The person had given her a gift to celebrate her birthday, but she had chased them away. Fine, she chased them away, but now they were shamelessly coming back to find her. Wasn't she just asking for trouble?
Zhou Wan looked at Zhao Qiang, who was waiting patiently for Chen Xinyu to pour him wine, and said to Li Qingqing, "Who does he think he is? He really thinks he's the boss. Does your cousin have a tendency to be sexually assaulted?"
Li Qingqing said, "I've never heard of her having this hobby before. You tell me, aren't Zhang Zihan and Cui Xinyu better than this Zhao Qiang? They're both obedient and know how to serve women. Why is my cousin willing to serve him? She must have something wrong with her head."
Chen Xinyu poured Zhao Qiang a glass of wine. Zhao Qiang took a sip and said, "It tastes good."
Li Qingqing said irritably from the side, "Of course it's good. This is wine I gave to my uncle. It costs tens of thousands of yuan. It's such a waste that you drank it."
Zhao Qiang picked up a piece of food with his chopsticks and said to Chen Xinyu while eating, "Since it's so expensive, hurry up and fill my cup. I must drink more." Li Qingqing, who was listening nearby, was furious.
While refilling Zhao Qiang's glass, Chen Xinyu asked, "How is it? It's my first time cooking, is it alright? Is it too salty?"
Zhao Qiang said, "It's alright, the saltiness is just right, but you don't need to put in so much oil, it's a bit greasy. As for the cooking time, it's about right."
Chen Xinyu nodded: "Okay, I'll remember. I definitely won't do it like this next time. Just bear with it this time, or I'll cook you another plate right away."
Zhao Qiang said, "Don't waste it. Just be more careful next time. Sit down and eat with us."
Chen Xinyu said, "No need, you eat first, I'll make you a pot of tea." As she spoke, Chen Xinyu put down the wine bottle and actually went to make tea for Zhao Qiang. Li Qingqing and Zhou Wan looked at each other, as if they had never met Chen Xinyu before.
When Chen Xinyu returned after making tea, Li Qingqing coughed to remind her cousin of her presence, "Cousin, I'm thirsty."
Chen Xinyu pointed to the water dispenser in the living room and said, "There's water over there, go get some yourself."
Li Qingqing pointed to the teapot and said, "I want to drink tea."
Chen Xinyu ignored her: "Brew it yourself. This pot is for Zhao Qiang."
Li Qingqing was extremely dissatisfied, even forgetting about the cosmetics. She shouted, "Cousin, what's wrong with you? Were you forced to take some kind of sleeping pill? Is this really you? No way, I'm calling my aunt and uncle to come back!"
Zhou Wan reminded Li Qingqing that the important matter was more pressing, "Cosmetics, ask her where she bought them."
Li Qingqing ignored him and called Chen Guangming first, "Uncle, please come home quickly, my cousin has gone mad."
Chen Guangming was startled: "What? Say it again."
Li Qingqing said, "She's cooking for a man. Do you think my cousin has gone crazy?"
Chen Guangming breathed a sigh of relief: "It's Zhao Qiang, isn't it?"
Li Qingqing said, "Yes, so Uncle already knew."
Chen Guangming said, "If there's nothing else, hurry back. Everyone's waiting for you. What's going on? Your dad can't get through to you on the phone. What are you doing at my house?"
Li Qingqing said, "I'm just concerned about my cousin, so why aren't you, as her father, worried?"
Chen Guangming said, "A daughter is no longer under her parents' control when she grows up. What's the use of me being anxious? You should come back right away, or I'll have your father send someone to look for you."
Li Qingqing could only hang up the phone. It seemed that her uncle was also helpless against Zhao Qiang, and she had worried too much.
Chen Xinyu kept refilling Zhao Qiang's wine and water, which infuriated Li Qingqing and Zhou Wan. Seeing their sworn enemy so carefree only fueled their anger. However, Li Qingqing knew she couldn't stay there any longer. Her uncle knew her location, and her father would send someone soon, so she had to act quickly.
Li Qingqing said to Chen Xinyu, "Cousin, hurry up and tell me where you bought your cosmetics. If you don't tell me, I'm going to stay at your house all day."
Chen Xinyu gave the address and said, "You'd better leave quickly, I don't want to get scolded by my uncle."
Overjoyed upon learning the address, the two women ignored Zhao Qiang's pretentious manner and turned to leave. Before leaving, they said to Zhao Qiang, "Be careful, don't be so cocky now, you'll regret it later."
Li Qingqing, Zhou Wan, and the other girls waiting downstairs immediately drove to the shop Chen Xinyu had mentioned. It was already 10 PM, and even shops that were open at night should have closed by then. Besides, the female owner had almost sold off her remaining stock and had gone home early to celebrate with her husband. So when Li Qingqing and the others arrived, they found the security door locked. But this didn't deter Li Qingqing. She gave the order: "Break down the door!"
These tough women were no pushovers; they all carried weapons in their cars. The store was a cosmetics shop, and the security door wasn't even a brand name one. They banged on it and it was opened. The fact that they were vandalizing someone's shop in the dark naturally attracted the attention of the people around. Someone called the police, and before they could even go inside, patrol cars arrived with sirens blaring.