Xia Xiaolan could barely look at Zhou Cheng after waking up. She discovered she had been sleeping on his lap, and there was a suspicious mark on his knee – probably from her drooling in her sleep.

Xia Xiaolan was mortified. How could she drool while sleeping? Hadn’t her sleeping posture always been good?

Zhou Cheng acted completely normal, not teasing her about sleeping on his leg, which saved Xia Xiaolan from fleeing in embarrassment.

This incident added a hint of romance to their atmosphere. Before, Xia Xiaolan could dismiss Zhou Cheng because her heart was clear, but now there was something indefinable between them.

This time they arrived in Guangzhou in the evening rather than early morning.

Xia Xiaolan was now familiar with Guangzhou, and she didn’t have to fear dangers near the train station because Zhou Cheng was with her.

This time she didn’t need Bai Zhenzhu as a guide – Zhou Cheng could easily carry several bags of goods by himself.

Li Fengmei hadn’t asked for her money back, and knowing Xia Xiaolan needed capital for stock, Liu Fen hadn’t stopped working either. Even before Xia Xiaolan left, after moving to Shangdu, Liu Fen was rushing to the oil factory several times a day. The mountain-like pile of oil residue had been noticeably depleted by Liu Fen, who drove around selling it. Before this trip, Liu Fen gave Xia Xiaolan another 300 yuan.

Last time she had brought back over 1,800 yuan. After spending 120 yuan on rent and buying bedding, kitchenware, and other necessities for the move, Xia Xiaolan rounded it down to 1,600 yuan in capital. Adding Liu Fen’s 300 yuan, she now had 1,900 yuan.

Of course, over 600 yuan of this was Li Fengmei’s money.

Though Li Fengmei didn’t want her share of the profits, Xia Xiaolan reinvested both the principal and profits into this second stock purchase.

With nearly 2,000 yuan in capital, Xia Xiaolan could buy more stock than her first time. Though the sweaters with lace-trimmed collars and colorful beading, as well as the green maple leaf sweaters, had sold well, Xia Xiaolan had no intention of buying them again. Her goods sold quickly because of their novel styles. Selling two pieces in the same color was acceptable – it wasn’t easy to run into someone wearing the same thing in a city as big as Shangdu.

She wasn’t running a wholesale business, buying dozens of pieces in one style!

Rarity creates value – things become worthless when too common. If not for their uniqueness, how could her sweaters sell for over 30 yuan each?

Moreover, Chinese people excel at imitation. No matter how novel those two styles were, with originals as a reference, someone could probably produce high-quality copies… Once every young woman was wearing them on the street, who would buy them at premium prices?

“This time I want to stock more coats.”

Winters were cold in Yunan Province, and Xia Xiaolan preferred to sell cotton coats.

However, after circling the wholesale stalls twice, she found few selling cotton coats. Given Guangzhou’s weather – never snowing in winter – local people didn’t demand such warm winter clothing.

Zhou Cheng noticed her sweating from the effort of selecting clothes.

“Pick some for yourself too.”

Young girls all like to dress up, and Zhou Cheng thought Xia Xiaolan dressed too simply.

She was so beautiful – shouldn’t she dress prettily?

Before, conditions didn’t allow it, but now her financial situation had improved and she was even reselling clothes, yet she hadn’t kept any for herself.

Xia Xiaolan certainly knew what would look good on her.

But her face already attracted enough attention – dressing up might invite more trouble.

Xia Xiaolan shook her head, “New clothes aren’t practical for work.”

Zhou Cheng disagreed – clothes were meant to be worn; when they wore out, you bought new ones.

“If people see you wearing these clothes, they’ll sell faster.”

Celebrity endorsements weren’t common in China yet, but overseas, attractive celebrities could influence consumption. With Xia Xiaolan’s looks, she could be in movies. With a change in style, she’d be a modern fashion icon… The styles she wore would likely ignite strong purchasing desire in female customers.

Being a model for her own business?

Between integrity and profit, Xia Xiaolan decisively chose the latter.

She searched the wholesale stalls, skipping the tight turtleneck sweaters, finally selecting a beige chunky knit crew neck sweater. For outerwear, she passed on the solid-colored mid-length wool coats, choosing instead a short red plaid toggle coat, paired with slight-flare jeans.

Xia Xiaolan could imagine how she’d look. Shangdu’s female customers wouldn’t find it too unfamiliar – though uncommon in China, similar styles appeared in Japanese dramas. Xia Xiaolan knew she had delicate features; at just eighteen, she didn’t need to dress too maturely.

Of course, she also needed simple white shoes.

Jeans were Xia Xiaolan’s focus this time. The whole world was wearing jeans, and they were becoming popular in China too.

Scarves and gloves were inexpensive, so she bought some wholesale.

After spending all but a hundred yuan, Xia Xiaolan couldn’t stay longer in Guangzhou and needed to return to Shangdu.

“Bai Zhenzhu who met me last time – she’s trustworthy, right?”

“Yes, though I’ve never met her.”

Zhou Cheng was quite vigilant, afraid Xia Xiaolan might misunderstand.

Xia Xiaolan certainly wouldn’t connect Bai Zhenzhu with Zhou Cheng. She pondered, “So you weren’t lying!”

Zhou Cheng straightened up, “I don’t lie. Next time I can show you my credentials.”

Before coming to Guangzhou, Liu Yong had discussed everything with Xia Xiaolan – how Zhou Cheng and Kang Wei had saved him, what business they were in, and Zhou Cheng’s insistence that he wasn’t involved in smuggling… Cigarettes – Zhou Cheng’s business was the same opportunity Xia Xiaolan had discovered but lacked capital to pursue.

They had thought alike, or rather, Zhou Cheng had thought of it earlier. Before her rebirth, Zhou Cheng had already started the cigarette business. Tobacco was a state monopoly – Zhou Cheng was very bold and had already earned considerable wealth.

Given his business scale, a thousand-yuan Rolex wasn’t extravagant.

Zhou Cheng was full of mysteries – how had he gotten into business?

Zhou Cheng noticed Xia Xiaolan’s expression becoming distant again and couldn’t understand why. Their relationship had been growing closer these two days, developing in a good direction.

Was she retreating into her shell just because of his profession?

Zhou Cheng was puzzled, “You don’t like this profession?”

Zhou Cheng pressed his lips together – if his future wife didn’t like it, should he change professions now?!

“No, I like and respect it!” Xia Xiaolan had at least this level of understanding.

Before Zhou Cheng could rejoice, he heard Xia Xiaolan continue: “But respect doesn’t mean I want to marry someone in it. Long-distance relationships are hard… Zhou Cheng, I think I’m starting to like you.”