Daily Life in the 70s-Chapter 115: Trust

Qiao Ying asked her to a vacant spot to the side, where Shen Yiyue and the others could see them.

"Our Cultural Troupe also delivered a performance today. We’ve been preparing for it three months in advance, hoping to be the standout act like in previous years. But in the end, there’s always someone better."

"It wasn’t until later that we realized those three roles were created through makeup. It was truly surprising. How did you manage it? Just on that point alone, you’ve already scored high."

"I entered the Cultural Troupe at sixteen, having performed in no fewer than two hundred shows, from the General Military Region to rural production teams, and I have never seen craftsmanship like yours—it’s almost as if you have a magical touch."

Yang PeiMin shook her head and chuckled, "Mr. Qiao is too kind. It’s not as good as you say."

"Mr. Yang, I don’t know if you’d be willing to teach me a thing or two. I’d even perform a formal apprenticeship ceremony," Qiao Ying said earnestly, looking at Yang PeiMin with sincerity and a bright and cheerful tone. Makeup is so important to actors on stage. You should know, they usually just rub some cream on their faces and pretty much all go barefaced. Yang PeiMin’s arrival was like opening a door to a new world for them.

Yang PeiMin waved her hand dismissively. She wasn’t stingy about teaching her makeup techniques; it was something that would become widespread soon enough even without her.

Now spreading the word would only expedite the demand.

"Don’t talk about apprenticeships; come to me with any facial issues you have."

Qiao Ying inquired about where she lived, and upon learning she resided in a rural area some seventy to eighty kilometers away, looked somewhat regretful, "It’s a shame I can’t visit you often."

Yang PeiMin hadn’t given it much thought; she simply demonstrated the use of the makeup products on the spot, "I’ll write down the steps for you later."

Qiao Ying was pleased by her straightforward manner. She watched the demonstration, asked several questions, and took simple notes of the steps.

"How can I get in touch with you later? Are you working, or are you still studying?" Qiao Ying inquired. She was curious about Yang PeiMin and wondered where she learned such a skill, especially being from a rural area.

Yang PeiMin raised an eyebrow. Regular contact would mean writing letters, "Just send them to the brigade, and I’ll try my best to guide you through this simple process again."

Qiao Ying stood next to Yang PeiMin and watched as she quickly applied foundation on a girl who had come for a tryout, adjusting her complexion to a bright and comfortable color. Qiao Ying’s eyes fixed on the process non-stop, wondering aloud, "Where did you buy these products? I haven’t seen them in stores outside."

Indeed, the stores had some—foundations, lipsticks, and the like—although few, and those were imported goods at the Huiqiao Store.

She hadn’t expected the girl before her to possess a full set, including several she had never even heard of.

When Yang PeiMin mentioned she had mixed them herself, Qiao Ying was astonished beyond words.

Her gaze towards Yang PeiMin shifted subtly.

Upon glancing at the tools in her hands, Qiao Ying blurted out, "Could I trade you a new set? Our troupe recently acquired some fabric, and I bought the extra. Do you think you could use any of these? Or something else, just let me know."

Yang PeiMin shook her head, "There’s no need for that. I’ll give you a set; it’s not something rare, after all. I can make another set when I get back."

Qiao Ying was pleasantly surprised but didn’t want to accept the gift without giving anything in return, "I truly appreciate Mr. Yang’s generosity, but I can’t just take this for nothing. How about this—I’ll treat you to dinner later, then arrange for someone to drive you back."

Yang PeiMin agreed to the help offered but declined the upfront invitation, not wanting to impose.

Qiao Ying saw her somewhat helpless look, but also admired her manner—neither servile nor overbearing.

Having demonstrated the makeup for Qiao Ying, the performance on their side was also drawing to a close.

After writing down her address and a few makeup tips for Qiao Ying, Yang PeiMin was also ready to head back.

Qiao Ying still felt reluctant as she saw them off onto the vehicle.

Shen Yiyue edged closer to Yang PeiMin, "Is Deputy Team Leader Qiao always so amiable? He doesn’t seem very stern."

Yang PeiMin nodded.

Shen Yiyue’s interest grew, "Sister-in-law, I never thought those leaders would also come to us asking about makeup. Did she ask where we got these things from? Did she say anything else?"

Yang PeiMin gave her a simple explanation, and Shen Yiyue, nodding, asked further, "So will they come to ask us again in the future?"

Yang PeiMin shook her head; she herself wasn’t sure but thought they probably would.

A classmate nearby, seeing the way the sisters-in-law were whispering to each other, couldn’t help but say, "You sisters-in-law really have a good relationship."

Yang PeiMin smiled with pursed lips.

Shen Yiyue looked even prouder, slightly lifting her chin.

Though her expression was similar to Shen Yixiang’s, she appeared much cuter than Shen Yixiang.

When they returned to the entrance of the village, Heizi from the team called out to her, "Sister-in-law Yiguang, you have a package." freēwēbηovel.c૦m

Yang PeiMin followed him to collect it.

Shen Yiyue also came to help; the package was quite heavy.

"Sister-in-law, it must be something brother sent back. I wonder what it is; it’s awfully heavy."

Yang PeiMin thought it must contain some food; she had written in her last letter that everything was fine here apart from lacking some fruit, and she wondered if there might be such a surprise.

It had been nearly a month since Shen Yiguang had returned to the military, and they kept up with writing letters every half a month.

Each time, they could fill three whole pages with trivial matters.

Back at home, she couldn’t wait to take out the letters; there were two, one from the elders and one of her own.

Shen Yixiang, seeing the words "Personally opened by Comrade Yang PeiMin," couldn’t help but feel a bit envious, "Let’s see what brother has said to you, needing to use two envelopes. Is there anything that can’t be said together?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Chen Guizhi scolded, "Don’t meddle in this. How can a couple’s private words be shared with others?"

She looked at Yang PeiMin and smiled, "Your sister just loves to talk childishly, don’t mind her." The thought of her son and daughter-in-law having a good relationship put her at ease; as long as the two were fine, the matter of her following the army would soon be settled, and then she would see her grandson.

Thinking this, she hurried Yang PeiMin to go back to her room and read the letters.

Shen Yixiang stamped her foot and said, "Mom, shall we see what brother has sent back? Let’s check it out while everyone is here."

Chen Guizhi agreed and called over Yang PeiMin, "Daughter-in-law, come over and take a look."

Shen Yixiang felt annoyed again at their eagerness not to leave her out.

Yang PeiMin responded with a smile and moved forward, joining Shen Yiyue in opening the package.

Inside were dried plums and bamboo shoots, about five or six catties of each, and to Yang PeiMin’s greater surprise, there were even scallops from the coastal region.