Taming The Hidden Bigshot By Kissing Him-Chapter 621: Your Hands Are Dirty

"Welcome!"

"Welcome, everyone."

Sun Weimeng stood at the door as the greeter. Well, he could at least count as one of the co-owners. The first floor was arranged with sofas and coffee tables, separated by screens at various corners.

Beauticians were enthusiastically introducing the salon’s packages and services to the guests.

Nearly all the prominent families of the Imperial Capital were here. Many wives of businessmen had also come, planning to use the beauty salon as a natural venue for socializing and pulling in business for their families—a classic space for wives’ social circles.

Huo Sijiao and Qiao Xi made rounds through the salon before finally stopping.

"Sis-in-law, I told you the business would thrive. No woman can resist whitening and scar removal treatments, especially with such incredible products! It’s a pity my brother couldn’t make it for the ribbon-cutting. He’s been so busy lately, always mysterious." Huo Sijiao beamed from ear to ear. Who would have thought that she could find a career she was passionate about in the Imperial Capital?

Qiao Xi was genuinely impressed with her.

The beauty salon’s arrangements were meticulous, with no detail overlooked. It turned out her sister-in-law really had a knack for cosmetics. Her bubbly and outgoing personality quickly bonded her with the wealthy socialites.

The salon was bustling with guests pouring in like a stream, the crowd almost overwhelming.

Qiao Xi glanced at the packed venue, her eyes tinged with a smile. "Have all the private rooms been booked?"

"Of course! Those downstairs are all waiting for vacancies."

Just as the two were chatting, a voice called out to them.

"Miss Huo, Young Madam Huo."

At the front entrance, Ye Ying carried a flower basket and approached them, speaking softly, "Congratulations on your grand opening! Wishing you great success in business."

As soon as Qiao Xi saw her, her thoughts drifted to Zhong Yi. Her eyes flickered as she said, "Thank you, Miss Ye. Please sit down and enjoy a cup of floral tea. The opening was rather rushed, so there may be some oversights—please forgive us."

Ye Ying shook her head. "I really enjoy it here. Just don’t mind if I come too frequently in the future."

"How could we mind?" Huo Sijiao said warmly. "I’d be delighted if you came over! You’re here to support us, after all. You and my sister-in-law can sit and chat for a while; I’ll head out and help Sun Weimeng entertain the guests."

"Alright."

Ye Ying responded gently.

After watching Huo Sijiao leave, Qiao Xi led Ye Ying to a semi-private lounge area separated by screens.

"Right this way, Miss Ye."

"Thank you."

The two sat on the sofa, and Qiao Xi poured her a cup of warm floral tea. Ye Ying took a sip, exclaiming, "So fragrant! I’ve never tasted such unique floral tea in the market before. My throat feels so much better already."

"I specially blended it. You can take a bag with you on your way out. Brewing it regularly not only tastes good but also nourishes the skin."

Qiao Xi said with a smile.

Ye Ying looked at her, warmth blooming in her heart. The Ye family never deprived her of material wealth, but her stepmother constantly targeted her.

In that cold household, she’d never felt any warmth and had always been mocked and ignored by outsiders.

She grew up timid and shy, retreating step by step until everyone trampled over her. Even her marriage was controlled by her stepmother, who intended to marry her off to the Wang Family. Now that the Wang Family was bankrupt, her stepmother had turned her sights on Zhao Chang.

Insisting that even Xiang Mingzhu could marry him, so why was she being so picky?

"Thank you, Qiao Xi. May I call you that?"

"Of course."

Qiao Xi placed a few plates of snacks in front of her.

Ye Ying gently pulled down the high-necked sweater around her collar, speaking somewhat awkwardly, "I’ve been applying the Jade Skin Ointment you blended for me every day. Can you take a look—do the scars look lighter? I worried I might be imagining it this morning."

Qiao Xi leaned closer to examine her carefully and said, "They do look lighter."

"Then can you take a photo for me? I’ve been tracking my progress daily. Watching these scars that have haunted me for so many years slowly fade away feels like an unforgettable experience. Qiao Xi, they will eventually disappear, won’t they?"

These scars seemed to represent all the years of her low self-esteem.

Only when the scars faded could her insecurities detach from her.

Qiao Xi reached out and touched the jagged scars and gently said, "The scars have been around for too long, so whether they’ll fully return to normal is hard to say. But they can certainly fade significantly. As the saying goes, heaven rewards those who persevere. If you keep at it, there might be a surprising outcome."

"Mm!"

Ye Ying’s eyes welled up with tears as she nodded earnestly.

She had specially looked into Qiao Xi’s background and discovered that her life had been even harsher than her own. From Qiao Xi, she seemed to draw some inexplicable strength.

Qiao Xi looked at her and smiled. Her almond-shaped eyes curved like a crescent moon in the sky.

Just then.

From the second floor came the sharp sound of a woman arguing.

"My necklace was clearly placed right there, so why is it gone now? Is Furong Beauty Salon bullying its customers just because it’s big? I only went to the changing room to switch outfits, and now my necklace worth tens of thousands has disappeared! Call the police!"

A somewhat plump middle-aged woman holding her handbag was yelling loudly at the end of the corridor.

Even those on the first floor could hear her shouting clearly.

Beauticians were softly reassuring her, striving to minimize the disturbance.

The salon’s opening day absolutely couldn’t afford police intervention. People who didn’t know the details might even suspect the salon was involved in some shady business.

And it was far from auspicious!

"Mrs. Pei, please calm down. Our salon is equipped with surveillance cameras, so your necklace will surely be found. I’ve already sent staff to search your private room; I kindly ask for your patience."

Zhao, the salon manager, patiently explained, trying to placate Mrs. Pei’s emotions.

However, the jewel-adorned Mrs. Pei was not easily appeased.

"You think just finding it will suffice? I won’t swallow this injustice! There must be a thief in your salon!"

Mrs. Pei clutched her handbag tightly, her meticulously maintained face tense with a fierce and indignant expression, clearly difficult to deal with.

Downstairs, Qiao Xi excused herself to Ye Ying and quickly ascended the stairs, intending to resolve the matter personally. The moment Zhao Manager spotted her approaching, he hurried over and whispered a prompt in her ear: "Miss Qiao, this is Mrs. Pei from a branch of the Pei family. She’s Miss Pei Chun’s mother."

Ah, not an immediate member of the core Pei family.

With a gentle and friendly smile, Qiao Xi walked up to Mrs. Pei and greeted her.

"Mrs. Pei, hello. I’m Qiao Xi, the owner of Furong Beauty Salon. If there’s anything troubling you, shall we sit down over tea and discuss? How about it?" Qiao Xi’s attitude was courteous and she carried herself humbly.

After all, she ran a business, and regardless of the customer’s background, they were all guests.

But this guest seemed particularly unreasonable.

"Just sit down because you said so? You think I’m someone you can control? That necklace is encrusted with South African Blue Diamonds and worth 680,000 yuan. Your salon must employ thieves, stealing it! Who knows if you’re covering for them! I demand to call the police!"

Mrs. Pei was aggressive and reached for her phone to dial.

Qiao Xi extended her hand and gently grabbed her wrist, stopping her action. "Mrs. Pei, let’s discuss this calmly. Calling the police on opening day doesn’t seem appropriate. I promise to give you a satisfactory explanation. How about that?"