Reopening Blossoming Fragrance

Everyone was rushing to finish tying up the loose ends of the set up for the shop, "Hurry up everyone! The store is about to open soon!" Bao Ming shouted loudly which also reached the upper levels of the store. Da Fu was fixing the employees uniform, and placing badges to signify their positions and status as employees of Blossoming Fragrance. Fangsu's grandpa was laughing at the boisterous atmosphere, seeing all the employees panicking as the time for the opening was approaching closer.

Fangsu, however, was in the process of disguising herself using a black wig and a veil. To hide her white eye colour, Fangsu used a one-time use eye colour change spell that would last for 6 hours. The disguise was for the sake of hiding her identity but also she could easily blend with the crowd if needed. "Fangsu! The store is opening! We need you!" Da Fu called out which Fangsu sat on the handrail of the stairs, sliding down, quickly reaching the main hall where all the employees were stationed uniformly at the entrance of the shop.

Fangsu nodded and two employees opened the doors. As soon as the doors opened, women came rushing in especially ones that were middle-aged women. These women were around when skincare from the Chen family was first introduced. The employees rushed to help the customers many who were new and puzzled by the sudden opening of a skincare shop.

Many of the newer customers were aided by the employees who explained the products and their uses. Thanks to the help of Fangsu who diligently drilled it into the employee's mind until they could recite all the information from the top of their heads. The flow of customer who overwhelming and on many occasions, they have had to quickly restock the products on the shelves. "Mother! Wait for me! It's too crowded!" A voice called out, which was very familiar to Fangsu.

Jingyi was being tossed around like a rag doll in between the flood of women that continued to enter the shop. Fangsu pulled Jingyi away from the crowd, "Jingyi, where is your mother?" Fangsu asked Jingyi while trying to look into the crowd to find Jingyi's mother. Jingyi pointed to the woman dressed in a navy jacket, an embroidered lavender skirt, and a magenta-coloured satin cloak that had an embroidered peonies. Whilst looking into the crowd to find the woman, a familiar figure who amidst the sea of the customer, a middle-aged man with a younger woman, who was gently caressing her swollen stomach. Fangsu stood frozen. Her surroundings had completely disappeared as she could to watch the two individuals in the distance. But, Fangsu quickly snapped out of the zone focusing on Jingyi.

Jingyi gasped in shocked, taking a lock of Fangsu's dyed hair in her hands, "Fangsu so that you? You look like another person, " Jingyi when to find any remnants of Fangsu's ash grey hair but she could find a single strand of it, "What happened to your beautiful hair?" Jingyi started to tear up as the thought of such beautiful ash grey hair had disappeared.

Fangsu laughed at Jingyi, "I dyed my hair using a mix between plant extract and clay, " Fangsu laughed at Jingyi's expressive facial movements at the realisation that it was a dye, "It can be washed away easily plus it will leave the hair well-nourished and hydrated." Fangsu pulled Jingyi into a private room, where Fangsu asks a servant for a bowl of water. Taking a lock of hair from the inner part, Fangsu dipped it into the water while gently washing away the dye, revealing her shiny ash grey hair that was soft to the touch.

The door opened the reveal the same woman who was Jingyi's mother, "Jingyi, what trouble have you caused this time?" Pouting at the sudden call from an employee from the shop saying that the owner was with her daughter.

Jingyi's expression twisted in disbelief with her mother, "Mother! I didn't do anything!" Immediately pouting at the accusation.

Jingyi's mother stared at the young girl who was similar in age with Jingyi, bowing in respect, seeing such a young girl managing such a huge business was impressive, "I'm honoured to meet with the owner of such a renowned establishment," But a strand of ash grey hair in Fangsu's hand caught her eye immediately, her eyes immediately shone with joy.

Fangsu stood to bow to the older woman, "It is a pleasure to meet ma'am," gesturing to the seat opposite from herself where Jingyi was already sitting, "Someone please get two catalogues of products for the customers and some refreshments." Fangsu asked an employee who was standing by the door outside. They quickly disappeared, returning with a book with a design of a single Qilin surrounding the name of the establishment, Blossoming Fragrance. With the refreshments on the table, Fangsu handed the two catalogues to Jingyi and her mother. Each page was filled with an hand-drawn image of the product along with information on ingredients, properties, recommendations for which skin types and combination of other products. Jingyi excitedly flicked through the pages, some of these products were foreign and unheard of which included, facial mask, cleansers, toners, moisturises and perfumes but there were some she was familiar with, aromatic dews and hand cream.

Jingyi's mother gently placed the closed catalogue on the table, "What would recommend for my skin type?" questioning the young girl, "There are so many products and frankly I do not know what to purchase." quietly sighing after being overwhelmed with such new products.

Fangsu smiled, "Ma'am, at Blossoming Fragrance we provide the help customers need with their skincare needs," Fangsu stood up and sat next to Jingyi's mother, "If I'm allowed, can I examine your face?" Fangsu politely asked for consent to touch the woman, who immediately nodded.

As Fangsu's finger wandered across the dimensions of Jingyi's mother face, closely examining any blemishes and skin concerns. After the examination of Jingyi's mother's face, Fangsu asked for a towel soaked in lukewarm water which was then provided to Jingyi's mother. "What did you find out?" Wiping her face with the towel which Fangsu took away to give back to the servant who immediately left.

"For the information, I'm about to announce, I hope Lady Ruan doesn't take any offence." Fangsu politely bowed her head. Warning the older lady for any future offences, who giggled and nodded, indicating for Fangsu to proceed with the results, "Madam, your face has lost it's former ability to properly spring back to normal, you are starting to show signs of ageing around the corners of your eyes and lips and your forehead." Fangsu pointed to the areas of concern.

Jingyi's mother placed her hand on her face, "Is there a way to help fix them?" Pouting unhappily as her skin was in the progress of ageing. Any women would do anything to help fix their skin and complexion whether it whitens their skins or slow ageing as much as possible. However, some methods to help these women tend to be temporary fixes and are toxic, further worsening their skin or completely destroying it.

"Madam, unfortunately, it comes as you get older, your skin loses its elasticity and collagen which then causes the appearance of wrinkles," Fangsu explained as she points to the areas that showed wrinkles. Picking up the catalogue, Fangsu flicked to the anti-ageing and skin revitalising section.

After a long period of time, Fangsu was able to curate a range of products for Jingyi and her mother, both who were satisfied. As Fangsu lead the two women out of the private room, they paused in the middle of the stairs as a Jingyi took Fangsu's hand into her hand, "Fangsu! I want to repay you for letting me have dinner at your place, so let me invite you and your grandpa to my home for dinner tomorrow!" Jingyi bounced up and down excitedly hoping for a yes for an answer and to Jingyi's joy, Fangsu nodded agreeing to come for dinner. Both Jingyi and her mother walked out of the shop with a gleeful smile.

After the opening day had finished and the doors were closed, all the employees fell to the ground. Many who were puffed out with exhaustion and laid on the ground to rest. Fangsu has listed all the products that would have needed more restocking and manufacturing, "Today has been hectic but it was a major success." Counting all the hypothetical amount of products, Fangsu let out a breath of exhaustion, "Everyone can rest now, but we will have to continue working later." After counting up the number of restocks needed, Fangsu immediately starts to make more products that were quickly sold out. The most popular products were the perfumes, aromatic dews and creams. Most of the skincare had very little taken off the shelves which could be an indication that women had no idea whether it could benefit them. Fangsu understood all the skincare that she introduced in this shop is completely new and not the traditional.

Nevertheless, Fangsu continues to remake the products that needed to be restocked for tomorrow. The other employees who saw the work ethic of Fangsu got off the ground and helped clean up, restock and make the products along with Fangsu. The door of the shop that was previously closed but opened to reveal Wen Cheng, "How was your first day of business?" Dressed in a traditional purple hanfu with a fur cloak to block out the wintry chill, When Cheng pressed his bamboo fan on his lips, smiling, "You have done well!" Congratulating Fangsu who was still hard at work.

Fangsu nodded, removing her veil so that it wouldn't hinder her especially if it were to be caught on fire, "Young Master flatters me but I'm afraid that the workflow is troublesome even with this amount of employees." Fangsu knew that at the rate they were going at, Blossoming Fragrance would not stay afloat for long. This was troublesome since both commoners and nobles were flooding the shop, she would need a way to slow the traffic of customer or separate the two completely, "A specialised floor for noblewomen would be able to help decrease the traffic and it would give the employees more time to be able to interact with customers of lower status." Mumbling to herself as she continued to formulate the perfumes which were a luxurious product as it took more money, time and expensive materials to create it.

Wen Cheng heartily chuckled at Fangsu, seeing that she didn't even need his help to solve the customer traffic problem. Fangsu was stunned by the suddenly chuckling from Wen Cheng and the two bickered against each other like siblings. Something that Fangsu missed.

After finishing the preparations for the products and clean up of the store, everyone left to go to their rooms to retire. Removing her veil and eye colour changing speed but still keeping her hair dye, Fangsu walked through the marketplace to look for ingredients, a chilly breeze rushed through the marketplace causing people to seek refuge inside shops, "Fangsu quickly come here! You will catch a cold!" A vendor called Fangsu down to their stall to shelter underneath. A kind middle-aged woman pulled Fangsu to a stool that was nearby by fire so that she could warm up, "Fangsu? Is that your child? Why did you dye your hair?" The warmth of the fire easily overridden the feeling of the cold from Fangsu's body. The woman began rubbing her hands together, "Be careful now, it has been getting much colder recently." Trying warm up the stiff joints in her fingers that come with the cold season.

Fangsu smiles appreciating the warmth of the fire, "Auntie Lou, how are the vegetables doing lately?" Fangsu quietly asks about the conditions of the crops that Auntie Lou grows since Fangsu always buys ingredients from her.

Auntie Lou laughs heartily at Fangsu's question, "It's doing well! After you told me about the magical fertiliser, my vegetables have been grown big and tasty." Auntie Lou dramatically gestured with her hands, showing how her once small-sized vegetable have explosively grown into massive vegetables.

Fangsu shivers as the cold breeze still were able to invade the stall protective barrier, "That's good," Continuing to huddle against the fire's warmth.

Auntie Lou goes the back of the stall with a bundle of vegetables; massive eggplants and taro flowers. Giving Fangsu the whole bundle of eggplants and taro flowers, which Fangsu gratefully receives. As Fangsu goes to fetch her purse to pay, the middle age stops her, "You help me with my vegetables, so you don't need to pay." Auntie Lou has a massive smile on her face, "Because of your fertiliser my vegetables grow big and I'm able to sell them all easily at the end of the day without any losses!" Grabbing Fangsu's hand and placing the vegetables into her basket.

Fangsu still felt obligated to pay for the vegetables but before Auntie Lou can push her out of the stall to stop her from paying, Fangsu slams 12 copper coins on the counter before continuing to walk around the market place to find more ingredients. Chillies, Shallots, spicy sauce, soy sauce and oil. With all the ingredients in hand, Fangsu returned back home to cook dinner.

After they finished dinner, Fangsu then decided to clean herself from the day's hard work. After having a bath, Fangsu felt cleaned and refreshing, having all the sweat and grim sitting on top of her skin. Her wet hair returned back to its ash grey colour, however, it, unfortunately, left an incredible mess behind. Forcing Fangsu to clean up the area to that the dye wouldn't leave behind a stain.

"Fangsu come here!" Her grandpa called to her, which Fangsu quickly went to her grandpa's side who holding a report in his hand, "Wen Cheng told me about your suggestion." He smiled, proud of Fangsu's observation even though it was the first day of operations for her. Fangsu smiled, her lips pushed her flushed milky white cheeks, her ash-grey eyes brightened with joy. This created a memory that would forever be her grandpa's favourite expression on Fangsu's face.

Fangsu separated her damp hair before braiding it into two braids on each side of her head, "Busy but it seems to work." A solemn memory flashes behind her eyes.

Her grandpa was confused with her choice of words, "Anything memorable stick to you today?" He asked, but all he saw on Fangsu's face was anger. Her hands were clenched till they were white, her jaw was clenched hard with her eye squinted tightly, "Fangsu what's wrong?" His heartfelt uneasy having that his granddaughter was angry.

Fangsu bit her lip until it bled, "I saw him." Those few words instantly reminded Fangsu of her mother and siblings who suffered when they were still alive.