Liu Yuming’s eyes grew brighter. "That’s right! Why didn’t I think of any of this? Mom, you’re amazing."

Tan You smiled. "Alright then, let’s start with how to apply makeup. The very first step is to wash your face..."

Chen Min was a little girl who could sit still for long periods. As Tan You explained things to Liu Yuming, she sat to the side, watching. Her little hands would occasionally make a few gestures, as if she were mimicking Tan You’s movements.

Liu Yuming followed Tan You’s instructions and finished the makeup on half her face. She stared at herself in the mirror for a long time, absolutely reveling in her own beauty. "Mom, you’re just too amazing!"

Tan You said, "This is just the basics. A complete ’style’ isn’t just about your face, but also your clothes. There’s no rush for that, though. Master this craft first. I hear a team leader at your factory is getting married at the end of the month. You could go talk to her about it."

Liu Yuming wasn’t at all surprised that Tan You knew what was going on at her factory. In her heart, her mother was simply all-knowing and all-powerful.

"Alright, I’ll practice hard all month. That way, I’ll have the confidence I need when I go talk to Wang Yan." Noticing Tan You staring at her, Liu Yuming added defensively, "I didn’t say anything wrong, did I? You’re the one who told me to be fully prepared before doing anything!"

"Good. I’m glad you were listening." Tan You smiled. "There are many other makeup styles I know. I also know how to make lipstick and face cream. If you work hard, I’ll teach you all of it in the future."

Liu Yuming started gushing again. "Mom, you’re seriously amazing! You know everything."

’It’s not that I know everything,’ Tan You thought. ’Anyone who’s lived through the information age would know this stuff. Things like ancient methods for making rouge and lipstick, or face creams and hydrosols... you can find tutorials for all of it online.’

’Of course, I later researched it all out of my own interest, so I’m well aware of how to produce them with modern techniques. And now, all this knowledge has become the perfect carrot to dangle in front of Liu Yuming to keep her motivated. It’s actually a pretty clever plan.’

Liu Yuming was applying her makeup in the mirror when her hand suddenly paused. "Mom... I love makeup and pretty clothes so much. Does that make me... improper? Do you think I’m not a good girl?"

"Of course not," Tan You said, putting down her book. "Don’t let yourself be confined by what other people think. There’s no rule that says a woman has to spend her entire life bearing children and doing housework. The law certainly doesn’t require women to sacrifice themselves for their families."

"Everyone is allowed to have their own hobbies. All you’re doing is enjoying pretty clothes and makeup. What’s wrong with that? As long as you’re not hurting anyone or breaking any laws or moral codes, you can do whatever you want."

"If these things make you happy, then you should do them. Happiness is the most important thing in this world. When you’re weak, people will naturally find fault with you. But when you become strong, they’ll turn around and think everything you do is right."

Liu Yuming beamed. "That’s wonderful. My mom really is the best."

Hearing Liu Yuming call her "my mom" over and over, Tan You thought, ’I haven’t really shown her that much affection. Why is she suddenly so attached?’

Perhaps because she had a genuine love for makeup and tailoring, Liu Yuming poured significantly more effort into those two pursuits. She didn’t buy clothes anymore; instead, she made her own.

Especially now, in the height of summer, Liu Yuming wore a different outfit almost every day. Some were pieces she made herself, while others were altered from her old clothes. Of course, since she wasn’t a master yet, Tan You usually provided the design sketches and measurements, leaving Liu Yuming with the final task of sewing everything together.

When it came to makeup, however, Liu Yuming had a lot of Spiritual Energy. She was especially obsessed with hairstyling; every day after work, she would grab Chen Min to practice, nearly styling the little girl’s hair into a work of art.

Liu Yuming’s first job came quickly, but it wasn’t from Wang Yan, the woman Tan You had recommended. Instead, it was from another colleague at the factory: an Auntie Liu from the sewing team. Her daughter was getting married the day after tomorrow, but unfortunately, the photo studio’s makeup artist was too busy to take on any more clients.

Liu Yuming had overheard Auntie Liu asking her colleagues if they knew anyone who could do bridal makeup, and she volunteered herself. "Team Leader Liu, what if I do your daughter’s makeup? I’m quite good at it, I really am."

To convince Auntie Liu, Liu Yuming leaned in close. "Look, I wear makeup to work every day. You think it looks pretty good, right?"

Auntie Liu and a few other colleagues gathered around Liu Yuming. "You know, it really does look good."

One of the women touched Liu Yuming’s cheek. "It’s not like other people’s makeup at all. You touch their face and get a whole handful of powder."

"And Yue Ming’s eyes look so beautiful."

"You even put powder on your eyelids?"

"And this lipstick! It’s not like the ones other people buy. The color is gorgeous."

’That’s eyeshadow,’ Liu Yuming thought. ’It took me ages to make it. And the lipstick... I’ve made so many different colors. It totally satisfies my collector’s itch.’

"Auntie Liu, if you’re still not sure, I can come over tonight and do a trial run for your daughter. I can do all sorts of hairstyles, too..."

Auntie Liu laughed. "I know you’re good with hair. Haven’t you noticed how many of our colleagues have started copying your hairstyles?"

She was a straightforward woman. "Tell you what, you don’t need to come all the way to my place. I’ll have my daughter come here tonight. You can do the trial right here at the factory, and it’ll save you the trip."

’Perfect!’ Liu Yuming thought. She said aloud, "Okay, I’ll just need to take a quick leave of absence to go home and get my supplies. It’ll take about an hour round trip. Team Leader, can I get permission to go?"

The team leader in charge of attendance readily agreed. "Sure. Just make up the hour later. I want to see how Yue Ming does bridal makeup, too. I’ve never seen it done before."

Tan You saw the whole scene unfold at the factory. She lowered her eyes and smiled, then began giving instructions to Chen Min. "Go pack your mom’s tools. Put all her cosmetics into the case..."

"Oh, and get that red dress your mom made. Auntie Liu’s daughter is about the same size as Wang Yan, so she can take it with her for the daughter to try on."

The moment Tan You gave the order, Chen Min sprang into action. She did everything with meticulous precision. She arranged all the different colored lipsticks in perfect numerical order, as if she had a touch of OCD.

When Liu Yuming returned, she saw the makeup case and the red dress laid out on the vanity. She planted two quick kisses on Chen Min’s cheeks. "You’re such a good girl! You save Mommy so much trouble."

"Mommy’s going to be back late tonight..."

Chen Min’s face was serious. "I know. Grandma told me. I’ll go over to Grandma Guihong’s house."

With the dress slung over her back, the case in one hand, and Chen Min’s hand in the other, Liu Yuming walked briskly toward her eldest aunt’s house.

When her eldest aunt heard that Liu Yuming was going to do a makeup trial for a bride that night, she didn’t quite understand but was happy for her nonetheless. "Alright, you can leave Little Min here with me. Just come get her when you get back tonight."