"Mother, my dowry isn't urgent. We've started selling some cosmetics, and there's a commission for every set sold. I can earn more money."
Da Ya helped Mei Shi sit on a chair in the room.
"What about your younger siblings?"
"Er Ya went to sell flowers, and Xiao Zong went to sell newspapers. They haven't returned yet. You are all so sensible."
Mei Shi said with relief. Since her last illness, her children had all found ways to earn money. Though it wasn't much, it could help supplement the household expenses.
"Mother, Er Ya and Xiao Zong doing this isn't a long-term solution. I want to send Xiao Zong to school. As for Er Ya, our employer mentioned they might open a branch, and then Er Ya could apply.
If she learns from me for a while, she'll definitely get in more easily than others. It's just that our home is too far from the shop now, so I can only work half-days every day."
Da Ya carefully explained her plans to her mother.
"School? That will cost so much money! We aren't the kind of family that can afford to send children to school!" Mei Shi immediately refused after listening.
It wasn't that she didn't want her son to go to school, but she couldn't exploit her daughters. Children are all her own, she couldn't be biased.
Moreover, there was a school in their alley. They had sold everything they had to send their son to school, and even sold their daughter to be a concubine, but in the end, the son turned out to be ungrateful.
"Mother, education is truly very useful. The high wages I earn now are precisely because I've learned knowledge and skills. Our employer is someone who studied abroad, and she strongly supports education.
I've learned to recognize many characters, and I can write beautifully. Even if I lose this job, I can find other work. With education, I can find more job opportunities."
Da Ya greatly admired her employer. She knew so much, and many of their training sessions were conducted by her employer. She seemed capable of anything.
Especially when she chatted with foreigners, she was eloquent and dignified, completely different from them, someone they could only look up to.
She envied people like her and wanted to become like her. Therefore, she actively participated in every learning opportunity organized by the shop. The more she learned, the more she admired her employer.
"But..." Mei Shi was still hesitant.
"Mother, I'm the one paying. Just listen to me! I want to be closer to the shop so I can work more hours. Er Ya is already twelve years old. When the employer's new store opens, she can also go to work, and I'll send Xiao Zong to school.
If Er Ya weren't a bit older, I would have wanted to send her to school too. There are many students where we are, and every time I hear them chat, I really envy their lives."
As Da Ya spoke these words, her eyes were full of longing. In fact, she also wanted to study. But she had lost her chance.
However, she could still learn at the shop. Their employer was always looking for teachers to teach them, and now they were learning foreign languages. She was learning French to serve the wives of foreign ministers.
She believed their family's life would get better and better. Just as her employer said, they needed to have their own skills and control their own finances, and not place their lives in the hands of others.
"Then we'll do as you say. When you have your next day off, we'll go look at houses together." Mei Shi finally made up her mind.
"Don't worry, Mother. Our lives will get better and better!"
A grand banquet was about to be held, which brought even more business to Jing Hong Ge. Recently, with more staff, Jing Hong Ge had also launched a mobile makeup service.
This meant customers could pre-book stylists from the pavilion, and at the appointed time, the stylists would arrive at their doorstep with their makeup cases.
This way, customers wouldn't have to travel to Jing Hong Ge in their formal attire for makeup and then head to the banquet.
However, this at-home service was only available to gold card customers. But in a metropolis like Shanghai, there was no shortage of wealthy people. Therefore, the demand for such services was considerable.
Before every banquet, many stylists would carry their makeup boxes and take rickshaws to various mansions in the city.
Lin Yan also received an invitation to this banquet. So, early in the morning, Zhang Ma woke Lin Yan up and began to give her skin and hair treatments.
All the upper-class individuals in Shanghai would attend this banquet. Zhang Ma was also very concerned about her young lady's marriage, as her madam had already given birth to the young lady at this age.
Therefore, at this banquet, she had to make sure her young lady stunned everyone and found a suitable match that would satisfy her father.
Lin Yan was aware of Zhang Ma's intentions, but she didn't mind. However, she didn't want to find a partner this early. Even if she met him at the banquet, she wouldn't start a relationship with him so soon.
She had too many things to do, and the situation was becoming increasingly tense. She had to accomplish more.
"Yan Yan, are you ready?" Father Lin came in and saw Zhang Ma brushing Lin Yan's hair.
"It's still early!"
Father Lin waved his hand at Zhang Ma. Zhang Ma put down the comb and walked out, closing the door behind her.
"Does Father have something to say?"
"Tonight, pay attention to the French and British ministers. I need to know some information," Father Lin said seriously. He actually didn't want Lin Yan to do anything, but only Lin Yan had the capability to handle this matter.
"I will. Does Father need to know any other news?" Lin Yan asked, her expression becoming serious.
"No, but you must be careful and don't let anyone discover you," Father Lin urged, still worried.
The banquet began, bringing together all the elite figures of Shanghai. Without a certain social standing, one couldn't even reach the threshold of this banquet.
Lin Yan held a wine glass and chatted with the wives of ministers from several countries. Her authentic and fluent foreign language made these ministers' wives quite fond of her.
They discussed the latest cosmetics, clothes, and jewelry.
"Lin, your cosmetics should really be sold in France. They are simply too effective. I can hardly imagine how sad I'll be when I can't use them after returning home!"
"Is Madam returning to your country?"
"Yes, my husband's term is almost up. So, after the new minister arrives and we complete the handover, we'll be returning."
"Madam, don't worry. I've already contacted Angelina. She will transport my goods to Europe. However, I've handed over the sales matters to her. It might be more expensive than selling them here. After all, she needs to make money, doesn't she?"
"Oh, you are truly an angel! It doesn't matter if it's a bit more expensive. Ever since I started using the cosmetics you produced, I can't stand my previous ones.
When your products reach Europe, they will surely sweep across the continent. After all, no woman can resist becoming beautiful!"
The minister's wife, having obtained the information she wanted, was very happy and looked upon Lin Yan even more favorably.
"Who is this Angelina you mentioned?"
"She's from the Kent family. Her father gave her several ships, which she's using for transportation." Lin Yan didn't mind sharing her connections with this minister's wife. Don't think she couldn't see the greed in the minister's wife's eyes.
She also wanted to engage in this business, but her family, including her husband's family, couldn't compare to the influence of the Kent family. This was also why she chose Angelina as her partner.