Chapter 362: Chapter 362: Yue Ming 12
After recording all of Wang Xiaomei’s measurements and confirming the wedding dress style and delivery date, Liuu Yuming and Liuu Jun finally concluded their bridal makeup assignment for the day.
On the way back, Liuu Yuming began to discuss the business side of things with Liuu Jun. "I plan to make this bridal makeup service a long-term thing," she said. "I’ll keep my job at the garment factory for now, but if this gets too busy, I’ll consider quitting to focus on it full-time."
"I can’t do this alone, so I was thinking of bringing you in on it. I have two ideas. Want to hear them?"
Liuu Jun, cycling alongside Liuu Yuming, said, "Go ahead, Sis."
Liuu Yuming slowly laid out Tan You’s plan. "The first option is for you to go out and find clients. For every client you bring in, we’ll split the profit fifty-fifty. Of course, we’ll have to deduct the cost of my makeup supplies first."
"The more clients you find, the more money you’ll make."
"The second option is..."
Before Liuu Yuming could even finish, Liuu Jun had already made up his mind. "Sis, I’ll take the first option! Does this mean I’ll basically be doing what people around here call ’field sales’?"
"Something like that," Liuu Yuming said with a smile. "Since you’ve chosen this path, you’ll have a lot on your plate. You’ll need to find out which families are planning weddings and pitch our services to them. I’ll only be responsible for the bride’s styling and nothing else."
Liuu Jun was pedaling so hard it looked like sparks would fly. "Don’t you worry, Sis! I know I’ve got to earn my keep. I’ll start asking around tomorrow. I’ll make sure your business thrives for years to come!"
"Once we’re making good money, we can open our own photo studio!"
Liuu Yuming laughed. "Alright, I’ll leave you to worry about all that. I’m really not skilled in that area."
"When we get back, let’s strike while the iron is hot and sign an agreement. Even as family, we should keep our finances clear. That way, neither of us takes advantage of the other."
Liuu Jun was overjoyed. "Don’t worry, Sis, I’ll give it my all! I heard the aunties talking—they said they’ve never seen a makeup artist as skilled as you! The way you make the brides look so beautiful is amazing!"
Liuu Yuming ignored Liuu Jun’s flattery. "You also need to manage your time well when you’re looking for clients. Once we start making money, we should really buy a motorcycle. Bicycles are just too inconvenient."
"Don’t worry, I’ll handle all that. You just focus on what you love to do, Sis." Liuu Jun’s face lit up with excitement. He had been idle at home for a few years and never imagined he’d now be on the verge of taking flight with his cousin.
When they arrived at Liuu Changzhen’s house, everyone was still awake. Chen Min was sitting at a small table, propping up her little chin, her head bobbing as she dozed off. She looked adorably groggy.
Hearing the sound of bicycles outside, Chen Min immediately stood up. "Mommy and Uncle Jun are back!"
And sure enough, in walked Liuu Yuming and Liuu Jun.
Liuu Changzhen and his wife were keeping Chen Min company. Seeing the two arrive, they immediately urged them to have something to eat. Liuu Yuming said, "Auntie, could you make me a bowl of noodles, please? Since we were working as bridal attendants, it wouldn’t have been right to eat the client’s food."
Liuu Jun rubbed his stomach. "That’s right. I was helping the groom entertain guests all evening and only had two bowls of water to drink."
His mother was already distressed for them. "I’ll add a poached egg for each of you, then. You went to work and couldn’t even get a proper meal?"
"I actually ate lunch, but my sister was really busy," Liuu Jun said, first downing a large bowl of cooled boiled water. "She had to stick with the bride every second. Anytime the bride ate or drank something, Sis had to touch up her makeup."
"She barely had a few bites at lunch before she had to go back to the bride."
Liuu Yuming smiled. "You take someone’s money, you do the job right. In our line of work, that means staying with the bride at all times."
"And since Uncle is here, let’s sign that agreement we just discussed."
Liuu Changzhen, taking a drag from his cigarette, asked, "What agreement?"
So, Liuu Yuming explained the agreement she’d made with Liuu Jun. Naturally, Liuu Changzhen had no objections. Getting everything down in black and white now would prevent disagreements later.
His mother overheard all of this, and she now put even more gusto into cooking the noodles. When the bowls were brought out, there were two poached eggs in Liuu Yuming’s bowl.
Liuu Yuming chuckled and casually scooped one of the eggs into Liuu Jun’s bowl. "Auntie, eating too much this late at night can give you indigestion. Let Jun have it. He’s a growing young man."
Liuu Jun accepted it without a second thought, cradling the large bowl and slurping his noodles down. SLURP, SLURP. His mother watched, looking weary, and finally sighed. "You’re always the one looking out for Jun."
"That’s not the right way to look at it," Liuu Yuming said, her expression turning serious. "I can’t build this business by myself. When I’m out on a job, I’m gone all day and don’t get back until late at night."
"I’m not unattractive, and if I don’t have a strong man with me, who knows what kind of trouble I could run into."
"If Jun works with me, he’ll be a huge help."
Her aunt smiled. "Don’t you worry. You just go out and earn money. Your uncle and I will take good care of Little Min. We absolutely won’t let you have to worry about a thing at home."
She had already seen the 50 yuan sitting next to Liuu Jun. ’Fifty yuan!’ she thought. ’These days, a factory worker’s monthly salary is just over 300. If they could get a bridal job every day, how much would they earn?’
As soon as she thought it, she said it out loud. Liuu Yuming couldn’t help but laugh. "It’s not that easy. We’re just starting out, so we don’t have a stable client base yet. I figure it’ll be a success if we can even get ten jobs a month."
Her aunt replied, "Ten jobs a month is still a lot! Besides, it’s not like you have to stick to wedding attire. You know how to make clothes now, don’t you? You could open a shop in town later, make custom clothes for people, or just sell the ones you make. That business would surely do well too."
’Even Tan You couldn’t help but smile. This aunt from the Liuu family is actually quite perceptive,’ she thought. ’She just laid out the very plans I had made for the future.’
Liuu Yuming considered this for a moment. "Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. When I start this work depends on whether Jun can bring in any clients. Until he does, I’ll keep my job at the factory and just take time off when needed."
"If business picks up later on, I’ll quit my job and focus solely on the bridal styling."
Liuu Changzhen smiled. "Yue Ming’s plan is the right one. You shouldn’t take too big a leap. Just go one step at a time."
Since Liuu Changzhen had spoken, his wife said no more. She was just lost in thought. ’Maybe I could also go ask around and see who’s planning a wedding? It would be for my son’s sake, after all.’
Having finished his noodles, Liuu Jun said, "Don’t worry, Sis. A few of the aunties today seemed pretty interested. I’ll follow up with them later."
With that, Liuu Yuming left it entirely in his hands. "Alright. Just let me know in advance when you book something, so I can ask for time off from the factory."
After finishing their late-night snack at Liuu Changzhen’s house, Liuu Yuming wiped her mouth and took Chen Min home. Once they were back, Liuu Yuming presented the remaining 88 yuan to Chen Min. "From now on," she said, "you’re in charge of our family’s finances."
