For the next couple of days, there was no sign of the devilishly handsome pest Luther, and Su Lin was finally able to focus on her battle with the herbs.
Grandpa Su's birthday was just around the corner, and Su Lin wanted to gift the old man her self-made herbal moisturizer.
Sure, it would be awkward for her to gift something simple, pedestrian, and home-made when others would probably be gifting expensive jade figurines and famous paintings or calligraphies, but Su Lin was doing this purposefully.
She wanted to get some attention at this birthday party, even if it was negative.
It was the perfect time to throw a spotlight on herself.
Her plan is to willingly set herself up as a bait, and when the wolves in the expensive evening gowns snarl at her, she will humbly showcase her amazing product in front of the entire elite gathering of the city.
What could be a better publicity stunt??
And the added bonus would be if this makes the old man, Grandpa Su, take her seriously.
Otherwise, why would an investment business mogul trust a housewife, when she suddenly wants to start a company?
The old man might have given her some words of support and encouragement, but if she actually wanted him to take her seriously and support her venture, she needed to make waves at this party.
Almost an entire week passed quietly and Su Lin was finally done with her first version of a gentle skin-nourishing moisturizer.
She beamed and wiped the sweat off her face, as she handed it to her friend for a try.
Runyan gulped, as she looked at her friend's tired eyes shining with anticipation.
A home-made moisturizer her uneducated fried brewed in their kitchen with some common herbs?
Runyan did not have much hope. She was worried that her slightly naive friend was expecting a bit too much.
She hesitantly tried on the translucent jelly-like substance.
But as she applied it slowly, she couldn't help but be amazed.
The minute the soft jelly touched her skin, it was quickly absorbed without a trace.
Her skin as well felt very cool and pleasant. There was no sticky or oily feeling left behind.
Her skin was smoother than usual and felt quite energized.
"What the heck?" Runyan was genuinely amazed.
These past few days she had watched Su Lin lock herself up in the kitchen and perform crazy stunts for hours together.
All sorts of liquids surfaced here and there, ranging from pungent black liquids to colorless vomit like substance.
Being a witness to all of that, she had never once considered that the end product would be so smooth, refined, and fragrant.
Suddenly, the past clouding her mind cleared and she could see her best friend in a new light.
Even though Runyan has known Su Lin for years, the woman in front of her looked completely different, a bright and optimistic young woman, full of life!
She was finally able to witness her talent in person.
Starting a cosmetic company based on herbal products from scratch??
Runyan previously had her doubts, considering the ridiculousness of the idea.
But now, she dared to believe in the possibility that they might really be able to pull this off.
"Lin Lin, this is amazing!!" Runyan excitedly exclaimed and patted her tired-looking best friend.
Su Lin blankly nodded.
The minute she confirmed with her eyes that the product was working perfectly as it should be, tiredness took over her body.
She had worked nonstop these past few days.
Su Lin flopped on the couch, to take some much-deserved break.
The next day morning, Runyan hurriedly woke up Su Lin.
Her friend had almost slept through an entire day and she was worried that her health would be ruined by fasting for so long.
Also, Grandpa Su's birthday party was today evening.
Su Lin had been incessantly plotting something for this big event. So Runyan didn't dare to let her sleep through it.
As her best friend, Runyan wanted to encourage and support this new her in every she can!
Su Lin groggily woke up and devoured the food Runyan had prepared for her. Only then the color in her cheeks returned.
"Lin Lin, Ummm… We should go out for some shopping." Runyan suggested after breakfast was over.
"Hmm?"
"Neither of us have anything appropriate to wear for the event. Would they even let us in?" Runyan worriedly explained.
Grandpa Su's birthday party was no doubt going to be one of the major events in the city and the reserved venue was a 7-star hotel!
How could they possibly enter such a luxurious event in their everyday normal wear?
Su Lin pensively gazed at Runyan for a second, before smirking.
"Don't worry. Don't worry. Actually plain and normal clothing should be the best attire for us!"
"And about getting in, all I need to do is place one phone call to my other dear 'friend' Tang Yue and she will definitely get us in."
… Especially if we are dressed in plain normal attire…
Su Lin didn't speak out loud that last part. She simply smiled.