DM Chapter 48

Chapter 48: The Best Styling Studio in Asia

 

Jiang Xiaoyuan: “Should I add rhinestones?”

Miss Fan: “What do you think? Do rhinestones look good?”

“Of course it doesn’t look good,” Jiang Xiaoyuan said bluntly. “With your poorly maintained chicken claw-like hands, if you add rhinestones, they’d look like they’ve been clawing through sand.”

Miss Fan, of course, recognized the rudeness, but she maintained her composure. While allowing Jiang Xiaoyuan to work on her hands, she leaned back into the sofa and said with a good temper, “It seems you don’t believe what I said.”

Jiang Xiaoyuan smiled insincerely. “Whatever you say.”

As they spoke, Jiang Xiaoyuan finished the basic nail care and applied the base coat. She couldn’t be bothered to make a big effort on these withered hands. No matter how much she worked, they would still look like pickled chicken claws. She swiftly created a minimalist design, quickly cleaned up her tools, and with a lift of her eyelid said, “Have him come out and tell me himself that he’s sick, and then I’ll believe it.”

Miss Fan realized that Jiang Xiaoyuan was firm, which made things tricky. It was clear she was on Jiang Bo’s side.

Miss Fan immediately adjusted her strategy, patiently waiting on the sofa for her nails to dry, no longer mentioning Jiang Bo. Instead, she examined her nails and said, “You work quickly, and you’ve got good taste.”

Jiang Xiaoyuan gave a brief smile, her attitude unwavering. “I learned from Teacher Jiang.”

Miss Fan didn’t follow up on the comment, as if she hadn’t heard it. She asked Jiang Xiaoyuan, “Have you heard of the ‘Sound & Color Aesthetic Studio’?”

Of course Jiang Xiaoyuan had heard of it. It was a very famous styling brand in the industry, with a complete supply chain covering everything from clothing to cosmetics. The owner, though a behind-the-scenes figure, was often in the limelight on TV shows, becoming hugely popular. It was said that many top-tier celebrities had long-term collaborations with them.

Miss Fan said kindly, “The owner is from Singapore, and their headquarters is there too. But they see the mainland market as promising, so they’ve recently set up a new headquarters here and are hiring. A friend of mine works there as a supervisor, and if you’re interested, I can recommend you. Your exact position would depend on your qualifications. If your professional credentials are sufficient, you could start as an assistant stylist. Otherwise, you may need to work as an assistant for a while.”

Miss Fan glanced at Jiang Xiaoyuan’s tool kit and sincerely said, “You’ve been working in schools, so getting professional credentials should be within easy reach for you. What do you think?”

The “Sound & Color” studio held a position in Asia’s styling and beauty industry comparable to that of Microsoft in software, Google in IT, or Goldman Sachs in finance. It was a household name, and every stylist who left the studio never had to worry about finding work again. It was practically a golden ticket.

If she could really get into “Sound & Color,” would she still have to scrape by wearing knock-offs every day? Would she still have to anxiously wait to earn enough money to bring her grandmother to live with her?

For someone like Jiang Xiaoyuan, a newcomer in the industry, looking up at “Sound & Color” was like a pancake vendor on the roadside staring in awe at a Michelin three-star restaurant.

Despite her resolve to fight against the twisted manipulations of a human monster, Jiang Xiaoyuan couldn’t help but feel a twinge of hesitation.

She quickly steadied herself, thinking: “People don’t offer kindness without a reason; they either have ulterior motives or want something from you.”

Miss Fan didn’t seem bothered by Jiang Xiaoyuan’s guarded attitude. Smiling, she said, “Come, do my makeup—a look for the evening. Let’s see how it turns out.”

She acted like a mentor evaluating a junior, her demeanor making everything feel easy and comfortable.

Even as an adult, sometimes one needs to reflect on oneself based on others’ attitudes towards them. Miss Fan’s lack of excessive friendliness made Jiang Xiaoyuan feel a bit uneasy. As the saying goes, ‘It takes two to tango.’ The other party’s tolerant and gentle attitude made it almost impossible for Jiang Xiaoyuan to maintain her sarcastic tone.

It seemed that the verbal confrontation between the two just now was all an illusion on Jiang Xiaoyuan’s part.

For a moment, she wondered if all the negative impressions she had of Miss Fan when she first entered were built on preconceived notions.

Was what Qi Lian had dug up completely accurate?

This Miss Fan was a middle-aged, divorced woman raising a teenage boy who wasn’t even her biological child. If she was wealthy and flirtatious, it would be natural for her to attract some gossip, wouldn’t it?

Sometimes rumors become so detailed that they seem real. Could Qi Lian have been misinformed?

She shouldn’t think about this; the more she thought about it, the more possible it seems.

Jiang Xiaoyuan struggled to maintain her cold front and silently began working on Miss Fan’s makeup. She even styled her hair along the way.

When she finished, Miss Fan carefully examined herself in the mirror, her expression serious—so serious that Jiang Xiaoyuan began to feel nervous, wondering if she had not put enough effort into the look.

“Not bad,” Miss Fan said. “You’re different from other stylists. You’ve got a great sense of color. Did you study art?”

Jiang Xiaoyuan: “…Yes.”

Her feelings were mixed. Even Teacher Jiang hadn’t noticed this, but Miss Fan had picked up on it immediately.

Miss Fan, looking pleasantly surprised, turned and gazed at Jiang Xiaoyuan warmly. “Tell me, what did you study?”

“Printmaking, oil painting, watercolor… and ceramics,” Jiang Xiaoyuan replied. “I dabbled in a bit of everything.”

Miss Fan sighed. “For someone with an artistic background to be in this field, it’s both underutilizing your talents and playing to your strengths. Young lady, cherish your gifts and keep moving forward.”

Her words carried a weight that almost broke through Jiang Xiaoyuan’s defenses, leaving her feeling like she was losing the battle.

“But remember,” Miss Fan continued, “being a stylist, talent is important, but the most important thing isn’t talent—it’s connections. You need to know that running a small, unknown studio here won’t lead to a future. Where are your clients? Who’s going to promote you? If your studio gets stuck here, even if you work yourself to death, within a year or two, you’ll be competing with local bridal salons for makeup jobs. I’ve seen many young people like you start businesses full of ambition, only to fizzle out. Not many make it. It’s not that easy”

Jiang Xiaoyuan: “…”

Miss Fan’s words hit her hard.

Jiang Xiaoyuan was a person who had handed out flyers on the street before; no one understood the difficulty of building something from scratch better than she did.

In this city, countless small studios and shops open every day, only to disappear after a few months, unable to keep going.

For a large company to start a project is easy—just make the decision. But for a small private business, it’s incredibly difficult. Most are wiped out by competition before they even get off the ground.

In fact, running a studio might not even guarantee as much income as selling pancakes from a street stall.

Jiang Xiaoyuan had never allowed herself to think about these things too much, as they could undermine her motivation. But now Miss Fan had laid it all out in front of her.

Miss Fan said: “Think about it this way. I’ve eaten more meals than you for decades, so I’ve seen more of the world. When it comes to starting a business, it’s easy to go from the top down, but nine times out of ten, going from the bottom up will fail. Do you know what I mean by ‘from the top down’?”

Jiang Xiaoyuan remained silent.

“It means beginning by working for a big, well-known platform. Spend a few years learning the ropes, building connections, then go out on your own. That’s the right way to do it. Forcing your way up from the bottom doesn’t work,” Miss Fan patiently explained. “Think about it. Am I wrong?”

Jiang Xiaoyuan couldn’t refute her, speechless.

Miss Fan watched Jiang Xiaoyuan’s face in the mirror, thinking how incredibly young the girl was—so young it was almost annoying. But being young also made her easy to sway, to the point where a few words of persuasion had shaken her resolve.

What else could young people think about day and night? They were in a hurry to succeed, chasing after abstract dreams and love. What else was there?

Miss Fan pressed on. “Look at me. I thought I owed you a favor for taking care of my son, and I wanted to return it. But now I realize it was unnecessary. With your skills, they’d be eager to welcome you at Sound & Color. There’s no need for me to recommend you.”

Jiang Xiaoyuan hesitated and asked: “Auntie, why are you helping me when we barely know each other?”

Miss Fan gently touched her styled hair: “I’m not helping you. You’re helping yourself. It’s been years since I’ve looked this beautiful. You’ve got real talent, young lady.”

Every word she spoke was impeccably precise. For a moment, Jiang Xiaoyuan herself almost believed she had become an unparalleled makeup artist—someone who left a lasting impression upon first meeting and dazzled everyone with her talent. It seemed no one could help but appreciate her skills.

Jiang Xiaoyuan lowered her head slightly, her gaze sweeping across the house where Jiang Bo once lived. The entire villa had the décor of a young girl’s apartment, with no trace of a man’s presence. Miss Fan was like a spider, having woven her web everywhere, with no movement escaping her watchful eyes. She could change the tide with a mere gesture.

Suddenly, Jiang Xiaoyuan asked bluntly, “Is it all just to stop Jiang Bo and me from setting up our own studio?”

Miss Fan was momentarily startled but then smiled meaningfully. Gracefully, she stood up and, right in front of Jiang Xiaoyuan, ascended to the second floor. She took out a key and unlocked a tightly shut door.

The room inside was dark and gloomy, with all the curtains drawn, blocking out every sliver of light. The floor was littered with shattered porcelain pieces, and a figure sat in the shadows, obscured from view—but easy enough to guess who it was.

Miss Fan spoke softly: “You… It’s one thing to not do anything right, but leave you alone for a moment, and you break a cup. Tell me, what else can you do?”

Jiang Bo remained silent.

Miss Fan answered her own question: “You can’t even take care of yourself. I spoil you at home, and outside, you expect others to accommodate you. Aren’t you ashamed? Come out here! You’re hiding when my friends are here. What kind of behavior is this?”

Jiang Xiaoyuan: “…”

Jiang Bo glanced at Jiang Xiaoyuan from the dimly lit room.

A chill ran down Jiang Xiaoyuan’s spine—how could she describe that look?

She recalled a story she once heard about a baby elephant tied to a small wooden stake. If it’s tied there long enough, even after growing into a strong adult elephant, it will never break free.

How could a grown elephant not break free from such a tiny stake?

Perhaps, from the moment it was tied to that post, it was no longer a “normal” elephant.

Miss Fan’s toe nudged the shattered porcelain, making a faint sound, and Jiang Bo visibly flinched. Almost reflexively, he squatted down to pick up the pieces.

Jiang Xiaoyuan stood there dumbfounded, thinking, Who is this?

The once imperious “Empress Dowager Jiang,” who wouldn’t even notice if a soy sauce bottle fell over?

Miss Fan pulled Jiang Bo up. She didn’t use much force, yet with a mere gesture, he followed her hand like a well-trained animal, displaying a deeply ingrained obedience.

Miss Fan sighed, raised her hand, and gently placed it on Jiang Bo’s gaunt, pale face, saying sorrowfully, “I divorced again because of you. When will you stop being such a burden?”

Jiang Xiaoyuan couldn’t help but interrupt awkwardly: “Have you always been like this?”

Jiang Bo’s gaze shifted downstairs, briefly landing on Jiang Xiaoyuan before quickly darting away, as if scalded.

Miss Fan: “I acknowledge my failure in this area. He was seriously ill as a child and never fully recovered… In fact, I was the one who helped him get started in this field by asking a friend to take him on. I always thought he was timid and overthought things. I didn’t want him to grow up like those rough boys who smoke and curse, so I paved the way for him, introduced him to many people, and even hired special tutors. But look at him—he still can’t do anything right.”

A shiver ran down Jiang Xiaoyuan’s spine—in some ways, Miss Fan had almost succeeded.

Most adult men either grow muscles or gain weight after adolescence. It’s rare for anyone to retain the lean frame of youth, yet Jiang Bo had remained slender, as if his body had activated some unknown mechanism that kept him trapped in the awkward years of his past.

Miss Fan: “I want my own family too, but I can’t. Without me, he can’t do anything.”

Saying this, she affectionately stepped closer in her high heels, tiptoeing slightly to stroke the injury on Jiang Bo’s forehead. “I did it all for you.”

A person surrounded by encouragement still sometimes experiences self-doubt. Jiang Xiaoyuan could hardly imagine what it would be like to hear, day after day for decades, things like, ‘You’re nothing without me’, ‘You can’t succeed in anything’, and ‘You’re simply not cut out for this.’

Miss Fan, still with gentle reproach, told Jiang Bo: “Even if you want to act out, don’t drag others down with you.”

Jiang Bo kept his head down, staring at the gap in the floorboards, his body trembling like a leaf in the wind.

Jiang Xiaoyuan knew she had to speak up.

“Excuse me, if you’re referring to me, I actually think working with Teacher Jiang is pretty great. I’ve learned a lot,” Jiang Xiaoyuan said as she shoved her hands into the pockets of her shorts. “As for starting the studio, that was totally my idea. We’re even planning to go abroad to study special effects. Sure, what you said earlier made a lot of sense, but based on our current client resources, we should be able to support ourselves.”

Miss Fan responded, “I thought we had just agreed, and yet even ‘Sound and Color’ can’t sway you?”

Jiang Xiaoyuan didn’t even look at her: “Teacher Jiang, could you please pay attention to me? Stop pretending to be an autistic child.”

Jiang Bo squeezed out a sentence from his throat with great difficulty: “You should leave for now. We’ll talk later.”

Though Jiang Xiaoyuan was standing at the bottom of the stairs, she miraculously didn’t appear weak at all. “I think we should sort this out now. Who knows? Maybe in a couple of days, I’ll be working under some top-tier professionals at Sound and Color.”

Jiang Bo stood stiff as a post.

Jiang Xiaoyuan: “She says you’re sick. Are you?”

Jiang Bo’s hand, hanging by his side, clenched involuntarily.

Jiang Xiaoyuan: “If you admit you’re sick and say you don’t want to run the studio anymore, that you’d rather live in a dark little room like some mental patient, I’ll leave right now. I’ll send your ID documents back tomorrow, and I’ll be out of your life for good.”

Miss. Fan shook Jiang Bo’s arm like a spoiled child: “She’s asking you a question, why don’t you answer?”

Jiang Bo’s lips were so pale they looked like they’d been painted over.

Miss Fan added, “Miss Jiang, I wasn’t even aware that his ID documents were in your possession. Please return them to me soon. In legal terms, he’s classified as a ‘person with limited capacity for civil conduct.’ As his guardian…”

“Unless a judicial process declares him unfit, he’s not unfit. Don’t be so quick to take on the role, ma’am,” Jiang Xiaoyuan cut her off. “Forgive my bluntness, but when you’re not around, Teacher Jiang is not only normal, he’s quite capable. So, what exactly did he do wrong—did a client complain to you, or is it that he suddenly grew independent, and you just can’t handle it?”

Miss Fan’s face twitched slightly.

Jiang Xiaoyuan leaned back, closing the lid of the toolbox.

“Let me be frank,” she said. “Sound and Color means nothing to me. Who wants to work for them anyway? One day, the best styling studio in Asia will be the one I’m founding today. Jiang Bo, do you remember the name of our studio?”

 

 

 

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