Chapter 366: Chapter 366: Yue Ming 16
Right now, what Liuu Yuming and Liuu Jun were doing was, at best, just small potatoes. But that was fine. At least they were taking it one step at a time, building a solid foundation as they went.
Liuu Yuming thought about it for a long time before finally clapping her hands. "So I need to find a photographer!"
"But if we find a photographer, I won’t be able to handle all the work as the only makeup artist. Should I hire another one? But what if they learn my techniques and then leave to start their own business?"
"Almost everyone in the big city knows how to do makeup," Tan You chuckled. "Even if they learn your makeup techniques, do you really think they can master your styling skills in just a few months?"
"It’s because you’re naturally talented that you picked it up so easily," Tan You reassured her. "If it were anyone else, it would probably take them a year or two to reach your current level."
"Hehe, I didn’t realize I was that good," Liuu Yuming said, cupping her face as a wide smile suddenly spread across it.
Seeing Liuu Yuming’s uncontainable joy, Tan You couldn’t help but ask, a little skeptically, "It’s not like I don’t praise you often, right? Do you have to be *this* happy?"
Liuu Yuming replied, "Being praised by a parent always feels good, no matter how many times it happens. But there’s no rush to hire anyone yet. We’ll find a photographer first and go from there."
Liuu Jun proved himself to be Liuu Yuming’s perfect partner. Just the other day, Liuu Yuming had mentioned needing a photographer, and not two days later, Liuu Jun had found one. With a photographer on board, their business operations became much smoother.
Even the two wedding dresses Liuu Yuming had left to gather dust were finally put to use. And one had to admit, the photos turned out exceptionally well.
When they went out for the wedding photoshoot, Liuu Yuming, as the shop’s only makeup artist, naturally had to tag along. While she was taking a moment to touch up the bride’s makeup, the groom suddenly approached her. "Ma’am," he began, "can I buy this suit? I’d like to wear this one for the wedding."
Liuu Yuming was more than happy to agree. "Of course. Since you’re our very first wedding photography clients, the suit is a gift. And if the bride likes her red dress, that’s a gift for her, too."
The bride smiled. "Thank you so much! The clothes you design are gorgeous."
"Especially this suit. It’s not stuffy at all. The suits you see in stores these days have those exaggerated shoulder pads and low-cut collars—they just look so dated."
Liuu Yuming powdered the bride’s nose. "I just kind of figured it out on my own. As long as my clients are happy wearing them, that’s all that matters."
She didn’t mention how her own eyes had lit up when she saw the formal wear sketches drawn by Tan You. It was a universal truth that women, no matter their age, loved seeing a man in a suit, and Liuu Yuming felt she herself was completely under their spell.
"It also helps that the groom has a great physique. He really fills out the suit perfectly." As Liuu Yuming spoke, she glanced at the suit on the groom. Her gaze was clear and professional, purely appreciative, and the couple didn’t find it the least bit offensive.
Once the touch-up was finished, Liuu Yuming went to join Liuu Jun. Whenever Liuu Yuming was on-site for a makeup job, Liuu Jun naturally went with her. She was his older cousin, after all; of course he would stay by her side.
"It must have been hard to find this spot for the photoshoot. You put a lot of effort into it, didn’t you?" Liuu Yuming said, sitting down beside Liuu Jun and taking a sip of the water he offered her.
Liuu Jun smiled. "Actually, it wasn’t that much trouble. Mr. Qi recommended it. You know how he loves photography? He’s traveled all over and has seen tons of places, so he suggested this spot to me."
"Thinking about it, we could make this park a permanent location for our wedding shoots. In another month, the plum blossoms will be in bloom. Photoshoots then would be gorgeous."
Liuu Yuming replied, "The scenery is beautiful, sure, but isn’t it a huge hassle to do a photoshoot in the freezing cold?"
Liuu Jun was full of confidence. "Believe me, if the scenery is beautiful enough, people will be climbing over each other to book a session. We’re the only ones in the city offering outdoor wedding photoshoots."
"It’s nothing like the current trend of just shooting in a studio. Those always look so artificial."
Liuu Yuming smiled. "If business really picks up, we should hire a couple of people. And maybe we should buy a van? We have to bring so much equipment for on-location shoots, and using a motorcycle is just too inconvenient."
Liuu Jun mentally tallied his savings. "Buying a new van might be a stretch. How about we get a used one?"
"If we’re getting one, we should get a new one," Liuu Yuming said. She knew roughly how much money Liuu Jun had. "I’ll cover whatever you’re short. I haven’t been spending much lately."
"The only thing is the driver’s license..."
Liuu Jun rubbed his nose. "I actually took the test a while back. I just didn’t expect I’d need it so soon."
Liuu Yuming was completely relieved. "Okay, you take care of buying the van. And we really do need to hire. That way, I can lead the team on shoots, and you can focus on drumming up more business."
Liuu Jun said, "Actually, I don’t even have to go out looking for clients anymore. Our on-site makeup service has such a great reputation that people are already coming to us."
"But we definitely need to hire more staff for the shop. What kind of people do you think we should look for?"
Liuu Yuming thought for a moment. "Let’s hire two makeup artists and a driver. That should be enough for now."
Liuu Jun shook his head. "It’s not easy finding makeup artists who are skilled enough to start right away. Honestly, the skill level of most artists out there is pretty disappointing. You’ll just have to train them once they’re hired."
Liuu Yuming replied, "It’s a necessary part of the process. Let’s just do it. The most important thing is that they have good character."
Liuu Jun said, "Don’t worry, I’m a great judge of character."
The two cousins discussed the shop’s operations while watching the couple have their pictures taken. Liuu Jun suddenly stretched and asked, "Sis, watching other people get married all the time... how does it make you feel?"
Liuu Yuming thought for a moment. "Happy for them, I guess. Seeing a bride all dressed up and beautiful as she enters a new Chapter of her life... I only feel joy for them. Not a shred of envy or jealousy."
"Men are what they are, to be blunt. My mom once told me that I’d have to choose between two hardships: the hardship of work, or the hardship of a man. Since I don’t have to suffer for a man anymore, I’ll just throw myself into my work."
"And really, work isn’t even that hard."
"That’s because you’re a pro now," Liuu Jun said, glancing at her. "Remember how tiring it was to travel for on-site jobs before we got the motorcycle? Sometimes we had to leave at three in the morning."
Liuu Yuming said, "Maybe so, but we got through it, didn’t we? From now on, things will only get better."
Liuu Jun agreed. "You’re right. Things are definitely going to get better and better for us."
"Oh, right, Sis. Someone’s interested in your cosmetics formula. She’s already approached me twice. She wanted to go to you directly, but I’ve been holding her off. Do you want to meet with her?"
"It’s not that I have anything against her, it’s just... their factory is really small."
Liuu Yuming let out a curious "Oh?" and said, "How about this: see when she’s free, and let’s arrange a meeting soon. A small factory is fine; it might even make it easier for us to negotiate a partnership."
"With a bigger factory, we’d be at a disadvantage. It would be like trying to bargain with a tiger for its hide."
