"You have some?"

"What kind of cream is it?"

Out of consideration for the fountain pen, Bird’s Nest asked one more question.

He wasn’t actually that interested in this deal.

Most things on the black market were essential goods.

Creams and pills didn’t have a large market.

Gu Jiaojiao was confident in her product and immediately started to explain.

"They’re beauty pills. I don’t have many."

’Beauty pills?’

Bird’s Nest took a proper look at her.

He sized Gu Jiaojiao up, never expecting her to be so capable as to have beauty pills.

On the black market, the best business had been the facial soap Brother Leng gave him. Recently, a shampoo bar was added to the mix. The price was high, and few people wanted it, so he’d only sold a few bars.

He had thought this kind of product would be a tough sell.

But unexpectedly, two days later, the person who had bought the shampoo bars before came back and bought all the remaining stock.

This just went to show that when it came to beauty, women were truly willing to spend money.

After all, every era has its poor and its rich.

The poor struggle to survive; the rich live for quality.

What the rich lack are high-quality goods. As long as you have them, they’re willing to pay.

Thinking of those fifty shampoo bars, even he, a black market boss, couldn’t hide his excitement.

It was the first time he’d realized making money could be so easy. A single day’s business was equal to several months of his usual income.

Bird’s Nest suppressed his excitement and tried to keep his voice calm.

"How effective are your pills? They won’t cause an upset stomach, will they?"

People were willing to try topical products, but for things you ingest, it would be a big problem if something went wrong.

"That’s simple. You can take a couple and see for yourself if they work."

In her past life, Gu Jiaojiao’s business philosophy wasn’t just aimed at women; men needed to maintain their health too.

Her master had taught her formulas for women’s beauty and wellness, and also some for men’s physical conditioning.

In the entire imperial palace, besides the women, there was only one man.

Naturally, a formula for conditioning that man’s body wouldn’t be anything less than exceptional.

Gu Jiaojiao later developed an affordable version, and it sold out the moment it was released.

So she didn’t think there was anything wrong with what she’d said.

But Bird’s Nest’s eyes went wide.

"What did you say?"

"You’re telling me to take them?"

Bird’s Nest pointed at himself in disbelief, his expression turning fierce.

"I’m a grown man! How can I take that stuff? You must be..."

’What if I take that stuff and become all effeminate?’

’I haven’t even found a wife yet!’

’No way.’

’Absolutely not.’

’This woman... she’s got such bad intentions!’

Bird’s Nest glared at Gu Jiaojiao. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Gu Jiaojiao was speechless.

’What did I say?’

"Fine, if you don’t want to, you don’t have to. Why get so worked up? It’s not poison, it’s not going to kill you!"

Gu Jiaojiao also knew that you couldn’t change a person’s mindset with just a few words.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be called a mindset.

Bird’s Nest snorted. "Who’s worked up? Anyway, I’m telling you, I will absolutely not take them."

Gu Jiaojiao nodded.

"Alright, then don’t."

"But let me ask you, do you want to make money or not?"

Bird’s Nest nodded. "Of course I do."

"Well, you have to try them to know if they work, and that’s how you’ll make money. A lot of money. Are you sure you want to give that up?"

Gu Jiaojiao knew a little about the black market herself.

"I happen to know you have a competitor."

"If you don’t want to take these pills, I can just find someone else. When their products are selling better than yours, your position as the boss might not be so secure."

Gu Jiaojiao’s tone was perfectly calm, but her words were wickedly sharp.

Bird’s Nest couldn’t help but shoot her another look.