Chapter Sixty-Eight: A Dangerous Figure

Li Qingcheng shot Qin Luo a sidelong glance and said, “You’d better catch it. I only have this one sample bottle. If you drop and break it, I’ll have to get someone to bring another over, and you’ll have to spend another hour with me, this shameless seductress. And in that hour, who knows what I might do to you.”

No matter how serious or proper her words, when they came from Li Qingcheng’s alluring lips, they always led one’s mind astray.

“What is this?” Qin Luo asked, carefully studying the porcelain bottle in his hand. He had to admit, Li Qingcheng had an exquisite sense of aesthetics. Whether in her dress or the décor of her office, everything bore her unique touch.

The bottle was shaped like the wine gourd used by the eccentric monk Ji Gong—round-mouthed and long-necked, its base a simple, elegant white, adorned with delicate blue flowers that raised its elegance to another level. The bottle alone was a collector’s item.

“It’s Golden Cocoon Skin-Nourishing Powder—our love’s fruit,” Li Qingcheng said with immense pride, as if she had truly carried this remedy for ten months before giving birth to it. “Try it and see how it works.”

Qin Luo opened the stopper and poured out a little white, floury powder into his palm. He sniffed it and said, “Smells good. Better than my original Golden Cocoon Skin-Nourishing Powder. Has the effect been tested?”

“Of course it’s been tested. Although our formula lacks that rare golden cocoon, the other medicinal herbs still promote blood circulation, dissolve stasis, and remove scars. We’ve conducted thousands of experiments, and the results are remarkable.”

“That’s good. In any case, the product’s quality must be impeccable. Otherwise, we’d rather not launch it at all,” Qin Luo reminded her. This was his family’s formula—he couldn’t allow the hundred-year-old Qin family reputation to be tarnished.

“Don’t worry. I understand that well,” Li Qingcheng nodded.

“When do you plan to launch it?” Qin Luo knew that, although Li Qingcheng often took things lightly, she was reliable when it came to real matters, so he didn’t dwell on quality concerns.

“That’s exactly what I wanted to discuss with you,” Li Qingcheng said. “Recently, I established Qingcheng International Biotech Ltd. This company will serve as our headquarters, operating both Qingcheng International Beauty Spa and this skin-nourishing powder. Any future products we develop will also be managed by this company.”

“I’ve already had a shareholding agreement drawn up. Take a look—if you’re fine with it, you’ll become the company’s largest shareholder.”

While Qingcheng International was entirely Li Qingcheng’s on paper, both of them knew that once the skin-nourishing powder hit the market, it would swiftly become the company’s primary moneymaker.

Qin Luo would receive seventy percent of the powder’s profits, naturally making him the largest shareholder. In this way, he wasn’t simply buying into the company—he was directly elevated to co-owner of Qingcheng International, with Li Qingcheng essentially working as his top executive.

As she spoke, Li Qingcheng turned and fetched a contract from her desk, handing it to Qin Luo. While she leaned over the desk to retrieve the document, the curve of her hips, tightly wrapped in a silver uniform skirt, was displayed perfectly before Qin Luo’s eyes.

Qin Luo could swear on his future wife’s honor that she was wearing black thong underwear today.

This woman was temptation incarnate in every gesture and movement; every detail was intoxicatingly beautiful, exerting enormous pressure on Qin Luo.

He accepted the contract but didn’t flip through it immediately, intending to take it home and review it carefully. It wasn’t a matter of distrust—just his prudent habit. Any document requiring his signature deserved careful scrutiny.

Li Qingcheng didn’t press him to sign on the spot. Smart people need not rely on too many words. She had never taken Qin Luo for a fool.

“There’s one more matter to discuss. You’re the expert here—how do you think we should price the powder?”

“Pricing?” Qin Luo thought for a moment. “That’s hard to say. I’m no expert in business, but I suppose you start with the cost and then add a suitable margin.”

“Without the golden cocoon as an ingredient, each bottle costs about three hundred Huaxia yuan. If we scale up production, the cost might drop further,” Li Qingcheng said honestly.

“So, set it at six hundred per bottle?”

“Six hundred?” Li Qingcheng looked at Qin Luo in astonishment.

“Is that too high?” Qin Luo asked awkwardly. Doubling the cost was perhaps a bit greedy.

“I’d be embarrassed by such a price,” Li Qingcheng laughed. “Do you know how much a basic skincare set costs at our spa?”

“No idea,” Qin Luo shook his head. He’d always had good skin and never needed spa treatments.

“Six thousand six hundred and sixty yuan.”

Qin Luo’s mouth fell open, but no words came out. Were the women frequenting beauty spas all out of their minds?

“You underestimate women’s spending power. Besides, our clients are high-end consumers. If we price it too low, they’ll look down on the product.”

“So what price do you suggest?” Qin Luo countered.

Li Qingcheng’s eyes sparkled with charm as she smiled, her fox-like gaze fixed on Qin Luo. “We’ve prepared two types of packaging. One is liquid, aimed at the lower price point: nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine yuan per bottle. The powder version is high-end: sixteen thousand six hundred and sixty yuan per bottle.”

Qin Luo’s eyes widened. “Isn’t that a bit too expensive?”

“Yes, but if it’s not expensive, who will buy it?”

“If it’s too expensive, who would be willing to spend that kind of money?” Qin Luo asked doubtfully. It made no logical sense.

Li Qingcheng wagged a finger at him, saying, “Little brother, you don’t understand women’s consumption psychology. There are already plenty of beauty products in the thousand-yuan range. If our product launches at a higher price, it will attract attention instead of being ignored. Besides, our formula is unique, and I’m very confident in it. Women never hesitate to spend lavishly as long as it makes them more beautiful.”

Qin Luo nodded, feeling that Li Qingcheng’s reasoning was sound, though he still harbored some doubts. “I’ll provide the formula; I’ll leave the business side to you. I trust you’ll handle it well.”

“Just wait and see the money roll in, little brother,” Li Qingcheng said with a bright, satisfied smile.

*****************************************

The Capital International Airport was a massive international hub established two years ago. With extensive use of tempered glass, the entire airport resembled a colossal transparent palace—spacious, imposing, and flooded with natural light.

In the international arrivals hall, two young men of distinguished bearing and exceptional dress stood out from the crowd.

“Wasn’t Guan Xu highly valued at the Aomo Research Lab? He’s been heading research projects for two years now. Why did he suddenly return to Yanjing?” asked the man with hair falling over his eyes, wearing black-rimmed glasses. His features were plain, but he carried a certain androgynous beauty.

“A man like Guan Xu would never be content working for someone else his whole life. He stayed on in America after graduation just to accumulate more experience and capital. It seems he now feels ready,” replied the man in the Armani suit, his short hair neat, standing as straight as a flagpole.

“His return will certainly liven up Yanjing. Remember how Ling Xiao once had a crush on him? I wonder if she’s moved on,” the bespectacled man said with a smile.

“That’s their business,” the man with the crew cut replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“True, not our concern. I’m just curious to see the excitement. Our city’s heartthrob is back—will he once again set off a war among the women like before?”

“Perhaps,” the man said, glancing at his watch. “He should be out any moment.”

As he finished speaking, a young man emerged, clad in a warm-colored casual shirt and light trousers.

He was a striking figure, the kind who drew every eye in the crowd. One needed only to see the look in the women following behind him to understand.

His features were exceptionally handsome—gaunt cheeks, sharply defined, with a high nose bridge and deep-set eyes. Though unmistakably Eastern in his looks, he possessed something of Western allure.

There was always a smile on his face, warm and approachable. His stride was quick and steady, exuding reliability.

Simply put, he was the type adored by girls from their teens to women in their forties.

“Excuse me, sir. I was sitting next to you on the plane. Would you give me your phone number? Since we’re both in Yanjing, perhaps we could have tea together sometime,” a neatly dressed, pretty girl finally mustered the courage to ask as they neared the exit.

The man glanced at her, his voice rich and gentle. “I’d love to have tea with a beautiful lady, but my wife would be very upset.”

The light in the girl’s eyes dimmed. “I’m sorry to have bothered you.”

“I should be the one apologizing. Best of luck to you,” he said with a smile and a nod.

From afar, the man spotted his two old friends waiting at the exit.

He quickened his pace, and as he reached them, delivered a solid punch to each of their chests.

Though this action was somewhat at odds with his refined demeanor, it was brimming with heartfelt affection.

Indeed, both men broke into genuine smiles as they were punched.

“Guan Xu, welcome home,” the crew-cut man said with a smile.

“Housekeeper Guan, I can’t say I’m glad you’re back. Now that you’re here, you’ll have all the women swooning after you again. I doubt I’ll ever get a chance to have tea with a beauty now,” the bespectacled man joked.

“Don’t worry. What’s mine is yours. Let’s go home,” Guan Xu replied with a smile.