Liu Fang nodded, wondering how the conversation had shifted back to Xia Xiaolan’s boyfriend.

“What good qualities could he possibly have if he’s such a perfect match for her? They haven’t even said what he does for work—he might just be an idle good-for-nothing.”

While Liu Fang dismissed it, Liang Bing’an shook his head. “You can’t be so sure. Our niece is truly beautiful.”

Beauty was such a rare resource that even he needed the beautiful Xia Xiaolan for a “marriage alliance.” If the Liu family had any connections in the provincial capital, and if Xia Xiaolan had indeed caught the attention of someone important, wouldn’t that explain everything?

Liang Bing’an advised Liu Fang not to act rashly and to first investigate Xia Xiaolan’s unseen “boyfriend” before taking any action.

Liu Fang wasn’t convinced.

She thought about the life she’d led these years and the life her second sister had led.

In the entire Liu family, she considered herself the most capable. Now suddenly her idle good-for-nothing elder brother had struck it rich, and her submissive second sister had secured some powerful connection through her daughter.

Liu Fang simply couldn’t accept it.

But today’s events had indeed shocked her considerably. When Liang Huan returned from school, she realized she’d forgotten to buy the clothes.

Liang Huan threw a tantrum, and Liu Fang, still in a daze, casually placated her:

“What’s the rush? That ‘Blue Phoenix’ store belongs to your Uncle’s family—you won’t have to worry about clothes in the future.”

Liang Huan couldn’t believe it.

Uncle’s family-owned ‘Blue Phoenix’?!

Her classmates spoke of that store as very high-end, saying it was decorated like a grand hotel, with not a single piece of cheap clothing, and even managed to steal business from the department store.

Such a store, owned by her farmer uncle from the countryside? Liang Huan thought her mother was talking nonsense.

“Why would I lie to you? Your aunt manages the store, and your Second Aunt works there as a cashier. I saw it with my own eyes—how could I be wrong?”

Liang Huan had little emotional connection with Liu Yong and his wife. After Liu Fang’s marriage, she rarely visited her maiden family, and Liang Huan had only met Uncle Liu Yong a few times. She had always looked down on her farmer uncle and second aunt.

Now, while she still looked down on her Second Aunt, she suddenly felt her Uncle was someone worth getting close to.

“My Uncle cares about me! Wearing some clothes is nothing—he even gave me a red envelope this year.”

Liang Huan easily convinced herself.

Thinking about having endless new clothes to wear, her heart soared to the commercial district. When she pestered Liu Fang to take her to the provincial capital, Liu Fang put her off until the weekend.

Liang Huan was overjoyed, but Liu Fang couldn’t sleep well that night.

The next day, following Liang Bing’an’s suggestion, she again headed to the provincial capital with gifts. Although the Liang family was well-off, private cars were rare in those days. Even Liang Bing’an’s car belonged to his work unit, so Liu Fang had to take the bus to the provincial capital. This time, instead of carelessly bringing a box of pastries and her old clothes as gifts, she took a carton of Liang Bing’an’s cigarettes and two cans of milk powder.

The cigarettes were obviously for her newly wealthy brother, while one can of milk powder was for her nephew Liu Zitao, and the other for her second sister’s family.

Liu Fang wasn’t thoughtless—she just needed to assess whether someone was worth her sincere attention. Once she committed herself, she handled things thoughtfully and carefully.

When Liu Fang returned to the commercial district, she ignored the old street-sweeping grandmother’s expression and headed straight for “Blue Phoenix.”

Li Fengmei had no idea what this woman wanted, showing up again!

But with Liu Fang’s friendly demeanor, it was difficult to throw her out.

Liu Fen knew what was happening. After closing the store yesterday, Grandmother Yu had pulled her aside for a long talk, firmly believing that Liu Fang’s visit was about arranging a marriage for Xia Xiaolan. The root of everything lay with Xiaolan—Liu Fang wouldn’t give up until she had secured a good price for Xiaolan.

This matter had been brought up during New Year’s, but she had refused then. Xiaolan already had a boyfriend, and Zhou Cheng was quite serious about her.

The family had received so many gifts from Zhou Cheng. Liu Fen wasn’t focused on economic conditions; she accepted Zhou Cheng’s gifts because she already saw him as her future son-in-law. Things like ginseng and foreign exchange certificates for imported appliances couldn’t be accepted carelessly!

Liu Fen thought that if her younger sister brought up marriage arrangements again today, she would have to make things clear.

“Sister-in-law, Second Sister, are you both still busy?”

Liu Fang warmly set down her things, but Li Fengmei ignored her. It wasn’t until almost noon that Liu Fang managed to talk with her second sister, and the conversation inevitably turned to Xia Xiaolan’s boyfriend.

So Grandmother Yu had been right?

Liu Fen had nothing to hide and spoke about Xia Xiaolan’s boyfriend:

“He’s a spirited young man who truly cares for Xiaolan. What does he do? Well, he’s only 21, and he’s…”

As Liu Fen answered honestly, Liu Fang just smiled.

An outsider who looked quite handsome. Her husband Liang had been suspicious for nothing—that old street sweeper hadn’t lied, he was “suited” for Xia Xiaolan! With such conditions, what was there to fear? Though his profession was a bit unusual, if Xia Xiaolan married this outsider, it would indeed be difficult to break them up.

But they weren’t of age yet, and weren’t married!

Liu Fang pushed the milk powder into her second sister’s hands. “It’s good for your health. You and Xiaolan should each drink a cup every day, I guarantee you’ll… Oh my, Second Sister, why do you look so much fairer?”

Liu Fang had intended to say the milk powder was nourishing and would make women fairer, but she noticed her second sister looked different compared to New Year’s.

Liu Fen had indeed become fairer.

Spring had arrived, and the effects of several months of good food and care were showing. Her face had filled out, the wrinkles around her eyes had softened, and her rough skin had improved both internally and externally, becoming much more delicate. Whitening skin required not only nourishment but mainly sun protection. Liu Fen used to work under the hot sun, and her exposed areas would get sunburned and peel. Year after year, her skin had darkened.

The parts of her body that weren’t exposed to sunlight were quite fair. This year, even if she got some sun in summer, wouldn’t she naturally become fairer after being covered up for several months?

Working in the clothing store, leaving early and returning late, there was no chance of getting sunburned.

Liu Fen’s skin tone had lightened, her complexion had improved, and while her dress sense wasn’t exactly fashionable, at least she no longer looked like an aging village woman.

Her overall state was changing, and Liu Fang, who had been about to promote her milk powder’s benefits for women, suddenly noticed this comprehensive change. She moved closer to Liu Fen and caught a familiar scent—was it cold cream?

Liu Fang’s expression became complicated. “Second Sister, how much salary does Sister-in-law pay you each month?”

Weren’t they talking about milk powder? Why the sudden shift in salary?

They had milk powder at home, not just the instant kind, but Xia Xiaolan had also arranged for fresh milk to be delivered to Grandmother Yu’s house daily. However, Liu Fen wasn’t foolish enough to mention this. Her sister had kindly brought milk powder—how could she brazenly say they didn’t need it, that they already had more milk powder than they could drink?

“Why are you asking about Fen’s salary? It’s enough for her needs, that’s what matters!”

Li Fengmei came over, and Liu Fang couldn’t continue her questioning.

When Li Fengmei first married Liu Yong, Liu Fang had quarreled with her sister-in-law. Liu Fang looked down on Li Fengmei for being a second marriage, though she knew that given her brother’s circumstances, even finding a previously married woman was not bad. But times had changed—back then, Liu Yong had no money, but now he had a business.

Liu Fang held her tongue, waiting for the day when her brother Liu Yong would grow tired of his wife—then she could have her revenge.

“Mom, Aunt, I’m back!”

Xia Xiaolan, returning from Beijing by train to the commercial district, arrived at the store and ran into Liu Fang.