Lin Qiaoxia swallowed a Beauty Pill, and the immediate effect of the pill didn't fade due to mass production; instead, it worked on the spot just as magically.
All the almost invisible flaws on Lin Qiaoxia's face quickly vanished.
Her slightly sallow skin also became moist, smooth, and delicate like Xu Qingya's and Gu Xiyan's, resembling the freshly peeled shell of a boiled egg, or the skin of a newborn baby.
"It works, it really works!"
Chen Yinxu and several other experts were delighted at the transformation of Lin Qiaoxia's face.
The worries they originally harbored also dissipated.
Chen Yinxu took extra glances at Lin Qiaoxia and remarked, "However, the effect seems slightly inferior to the last time."
"Of course," Mu Jinyu said with a smile. "After all, these were produced on an assembly line. The potency naturally can't compare to the ones I crafted by hand. But by consuming a few more, one can achieve the desired result with quantity."
After speaking, Mu Jinyu nudged Lin Qiaoxia's chin and instructed, "Come on, Sister Qiaoxia, have a few more."
"Oh, oh..."
Hearing their conversation, Lin Qiaoxia was also curious about her change, hesitating whether to take out a mirror to look at herself. Upon hearing Mu Jinyu's command, she didn't dare to delay and quickly consumed a few more Beauty Pills.
Looking at the before-and-after transformation of Lin Qiaoxia, then glancing at Gu Xiyan and Xu Qingya, Chen Yinxu stroked his chin and nodded, saying, "Hmm, seeing this, Secretary Lin's skin doesn't fall short of President Xu's and General Gu's anymore."
"Ah?" Lin Qiaoxia was taken aback by Old Chen's words, unable to comprehend how she had changed.
Seeing this, Gu Xiyan took a small mirror out of her purse and handed it to Lin Qiaoxia, saying, "Here, take a look for yourself. I think your skin may even be better than mine!"
"Thank you, General Gu." Lin Qiaoxia took the mirror and thanked Gu Xiyan before she carefully examined her own appearance.
Upon seeing herself, she was immediately amazed. She hadn't expected that her skin, which had turned somewhat dull due to long nights, irregular sleep patterns, and lack of proper skincare, would become smooth, delicate, and flawless; even more perfect than during her college days.
"How do you feel, satisfied?" Mu Jinyu asked.
"Mhm, mhm…" Lin Qiaoxia nodded repeatedly like a pecking chick.
The surprise in her eyes was undeniable.
During these days as Xu Qingya's secretary and often interacting with the three CEOs, although Lin Qiaoxia was confident about her looks not being inferior to theirs, in front of their perfect, flawless, porcelain skin, she felt greatly outmatched and somewhat humiliated.
Now, after taking the Beauty Pills, she felt her beauty was in no way inferior to theirs.
Watching Lin Qiaoxia's joyous demeanor, Mu Jinyu asked, "Good to hear you're satisfied. What do you think, if we sell each Beauty Pill for ten thousand, would you accept that?"
Mu Jinyu's thought process was simple; Lin Qiaoxia must have some kind of hidden troubles, that's why she was saving money by skimping on expenses, but if someone like her found ten thousand acceptable and was willing to save up a couple of months' salary to buy it, then he...
Well...he could consider raising the price!
After all, money from women is always easy to make.
As Mu Jinyu pondered how much more to charge, Lin Qiaoxia was startled to the point of almost dropping the remaining Beauty Pills in her hand.
With a troubled expression and teary eyes, she looked at Mu Jinyu and stammered, "That expensive? Could I owe you the payment for now and pay you back later?"
Lin Qiaoxia was in a quandary; even though she felt the Beauty Pills were worth the money and not overly expensive, she was currently short on cash and couldn't afford to spend so much on what she considered to be a non-essential item.
Yet, she had just consumed three Beauty Pills, adding up to thirty thousand. With her monthly salary of just over seven thousand, it would take her more than four months to make up for this deficit.
Therefore, she could only plead with Mu Jinyu to defer her payment until she could repay him later.
"What?!" Mu Jinyu was stunned when he heard Lin Qiaoxia's words. He then said with a mix of tears and laughter, "I was asking if you could accept selling the Beauty Pill for ten thousand, not asking you to pay for it. I was just having you test the pill earlier, it's considered a company benefit, you don't have to buy it."
"Really?" Lin Qiaoxia looked at Mu Jinyu with a sorrowful expression, finding it hard to believe his words.
"Of course it's true." Mu Jinyu saw Lin Qiaoxia with her big black glasses and a dumbfounded face looking at him, and couldn't help but reach out and pinch her slightly chubby cheeks.
Hmm... indeed very nice...
Lin Qiaoxia's cheeks were pinched by Mu Jinyu a few times, and her face turned a bright red in an instant.
But she didn't dare defy Mu Jinyu. In her heart, she actually didn't have much resistance, and the way she looked at Mu Jinyu became somewhat shy.
Gu Xiyan watched as Mu Jinyu bullied Lin Qiaoxia in broad daylight, right in front of herself, and since Lin Qiaoxia didn't know how to resist, she immediately got angry. She walked over, slapped away Mu Jinyu's 'salty pig hand', and scolded, "Get off her, is a girl's face something you can just randomly pinch?"
Mu Jinyu also realized his actions and quickly apologized to Lin Qiaoxia, "Sorry, I couldn't resist. I am sorry."
"It's... it's okay..."
Lin Qiaoxia didn't dare to look at Mu Jinyu and lowered her head with a blush, shaking it as she spoke.
Truth be told, she didn't really have that much objection to Mu Jinyu pinching her cheeks. In fact, she quite liked his closeness.
It was just a young girl's modesty that made her feel embarrassed.
Seeing this, Gu Xiyan gave Mu Jinyu several stern glances.
Mu Jinyu could only offer a wry smile and didn't know what else to say.
He was just about to change the subject and discuss the pricing issues with the Beauty Pill,
"Ding-a-ling-a-ling."
The ring of a cellphone broke the silence.
Mu Jinyu reached for his pocket and found it wasn't his.
Lin Qiaoxia, on the other hand, was startled at first, but then took out her phone to answer the call.
"Hello? What? I know, I'll come back right away!"
Lin Qiaoxia answered the call and after just a few words, her expression turned to one of fear and panic. She quickly finished speaking and hung up the phone.
Then, she looked up at Mu Jinyu with an anxious expression, "Young Master Mu, something has come up at home, may I please take a leave? I have to go back right now!"
"Sure," Mu Jinyu said, seeing her anxious look and naturally agreeing.
"Thank you." After Lin Qiaoxia spoke, she immediately turned to leave the workshop and started running outside.
"Wait a second!" Mu Jinyu called out to Lin Qiaoxia, asking her to stop. Then he quickly instructed Xu Qingya and Wen Rou to stay and continue testing the pill, discuss pricing, and other sales-related issues. After that, he called out to Gu Xiyan and went towards Lin Qiaoxia.
Seeing Lin Qiaoxia's somewhat puzzled and agitated expression, Mu Jinyu explained, "You need to go back to the city area, right? The pharmaceutical factory is in the suburbs; it's very hard to catch a ride back from here. I'll drive you back."
"Thank you." Lin Qiaoxia, who was initially unclear about why Mu Jinyu wanted her to stay, was now tearfully grateful after hearing his explanation.