Chapter 72:

Han Yixun’s paralysis required a long-term treatment process—this was something that couldn’t be rushed, nor should it be. Meanwhile, Qin Chaoyu frequently visited the Han family and gradually became acquainted with Han Shuying. To be precise, it was Han Shuying who took the initiative to get close to Qin Chaoyu.

Every time Qin Chaoyu visited the Han household, Han Shuying would eagerly seek her out.

As long as someone wasn’t arrogant or unreasonable, Qin Chaoyu never refused to engage with them. And though Han Shuying had been pampered since childhood, the Han family’s strict upbringing had instilled in her a sense of propriety and understanding.

With those dewy, translucent eyes gazing pitifully at her, Qin Chaoyu—far from being heartless—could hardly bring herself to refuse.

Soon enough, Qin Chaoyu relented, silently allowing Han Shuying’s approach.

She also tacitly acknowledged Han Shuying as her friend.

Thus, Bai Pengpeng and the others quickly learned of Han Shuying’s existence.

For Qian Fangyuan and Miao Zhaodi, it wasn’t anything unusual—just Chaoyu making another friend. In their eyes, Chaoyu’s pleasant personality and remarkable abilities made it perfectly natural for her to form friendships.

But for Bai Pengpeng, who knew Han Shuying’s background, it was a different matter.

Given Han Shuying’s status, Bai Pengpeng couldn’t be sure if her intentions were pure. She worried that Han Shuying might have ulterior motives in befriending Qin Chaoyu and feared that Chaoyu might end up hurt. As a result, she had always treated Han Shuying with caution.

One Saturday, Han Shuying visited Qin Chaoyu’s dorm again.

She slumped over a chair, looking miserable.

With such a conspicuous presence, it was impossible not to notice. Unable to bear Han Shuying’s sighs any longer, Bai Pengpeng spoke up, “What’s wrong with you? Coming to our dorm looking all gloomy—does our room smell bad or something?”

Han Shuying shot Bai Pengpeng a glare and snapped, “I’m not in the mood for jokes right now.” Then, mysteriously, she added, “I’m contemplating something major!”

“Oh,” Bai Pengpeng replied indifferently. “Then keep contemplating.” She went back to painting her nails.

After finishing one hand, she held it up to inspect it closely.

*Ah, this cherry blossom nail polish is really pretty. Not only does it make my hands look a shade fairer, but it also enhances their beauty. Definitely a good buy!*

“You—!” Han Shuying fumed, inexplicably feeling wronged. She glared fiercely at the heartless woman.

*Baby is upset, but baby won’t cry!*

Qian Fangyuan, always eager to oppose Bai Pengpeng, immediately chimed in when she saw Bai Pengpeng ignoring Han Shuying. “Bai Pengpeng, how can you be so cold-hearted?” she said righteously before soothingly adding, “Shuying-jie, don’t mind her. If you don’t mind, you can talk to me about it.”

Han Shuying gave Qian Fangyuan a grateful look and said, “I just graduated from university, but I don’t know what to do next. I’m feeling a bit lost.”

“What to do?” Qian Fangyuan pondered. “You could find a job related to your major.”

“If it were that simple, I wouldn’t be struggling. I spent four years studying that subject, and it completely drained my passion. So after graduation, I don’t want to do anything related to it.”

Bai Pengpeng stretched out her hands to let her nail polish dry and remarked coolly, “Then just laze around. With your family background, you could idle away your whole life without worrying about being a burden.”

“Do I look like someone who just idles around?” Han Shuying bristled, glaring at Bai Pengpeng. “You’re insulting my character!”

“Character?” Bai Pengpeng pretended to think before saying innocently, “What’s that? Can you eat it?”

Han Shuying: “…”

*Ugh, so annoying! This brat never has anything nice to say! Not a single day goes by without her provoking me!*

“Just shut up!” Han Shuying roared.

Seeing Han Shuying’s anger at Bai Pengpeng, Qian Fangyuan smirked gleefully. “Bai Pengpeng is always like this—never a kind word to say. Shuying-jie, don’t take her seriously.”

Han Shuying patted her chest to calm herself. “I’m not angry. If I took this brat seriously, I’d only be torturing myself.”

She slumped back against the chair. “Ugh, this is so frustrating!”

Qian Fangyuan didn’t know how to solve the problem either, so she could only offer some temporary comfort.

But Han Shuying wasn’t the type to stay gloomy for long. To her, there was no obstacle in life that couldn’t be overcome. Soon enough, she perked up and eagerly turned to Qin Chaoyu, who had been quietly reading nearby. “Chaoyu, Chaoyu, do you have any scar-removal medicine?”

“Scar-removal medicine?” Qin Chaoyu set down her book and thought for a moment before nodding. “I do, but what kind of scar are you trying to remove? Describe it so I can find the right one.”

Han Shuying’s eyes lit up. She immediately rolled up her pant leg to show Qin Chaoyu a small scar on her thigh. Fortunately, the season meant she wasn’t wearing thick clothing, or she might not have been able to roll it up at all.

Qian Chaoyu examined the scar—it was about the size of a coin and appeared quite old.

Han Shuying traced it with her finger. “I got this scar when I was a kid. The injury must’ve been pretty bad, and since I didn’t take proper care of it afterward, it left this mark. At first, I didn’t care, but as I grew older and started caring about my appearance, this scar became an eyesore. It ruins the look when I wear skirts. I’ve tried all sorts of products and methods, but at best, they only lighten it—nothing completely removes it. So I thought I’d ask if you had anything.”

Han Shuying’s fair skin, inherited from her mother Gu Qiuyan, was naturally flawless, and her meticulous skincare routine kept it radiant. The unsightly scar on her leg was like a drop of ink on a pristine painting—jarring and out of place.

Qian Chaoyu barely glanced at it before turning to fetch the medicine. For her, removing such a small scar was child’s play.

Qian Fangyuan and Bai Pengpeng watched expectantly. Both had minor scars from past carelessness, though luckily, theirs were in less noticeable spots. Still, as girls who valued beauty, why refuse the chance to erase them?

Only Miao Zhaodi paid no attention. Logically, she should have had the most scars, given her years of farm work and lack of skincare resources. But when Qin Chaoyu had altered her appearance earlier, she had removed them all.

Qian Fangyuan and Bai Pengpeng hadn’t noticed at the time, but if they had, they would’ve demanded the medicine long ago.

Qin Chaoyu climbed onto her bunk, pretending to search her bed while actually retrieving the medicine from her space. She stored all her past and recent concoctions there for easy access.

Her bed curtain shielded her actions, so the three below noticed nothing unusual.

She pulled out a small white porcelain bottle—about 100 milliliters—perfect for storing the ointment.

Climbing down, she handed it to Han Shuying. “This will remove your scar. Apply it once a day, anytime, but leave it on for three hours before washing it off.”

Han Shuying accepted it like a treasure. This concerned her flawless thighs—no room for error.

Seeing only one bottle, Bai Pengpeng and Qian Fangyuan exchanged glances before asking in unison, “Chaoyu, do you have any more?”

Qin Chaoyu eyed them suspiciously. “You want some too?”

They nodded earnestly.

“No, I don’t make much since it’s rarely needed. This is the only one, and it’s for Shuying.”

This was, of course, a lie. Qin Chaoyu had dozens of bottles in her space—leftovers from her practice sessions. The medicine had a long shelf life if sealed properly, lasting five or six years, and even longer in her space.

Her reluctance wasn’t out of stinginess but caution. Her bunk was small, and though she had a bed desk, space was limited. She’d already retrieved many items before—how could she explain stockpiling something so trivial?

Han Shuying was quick. Before Qian Fangyuan and Bai Pengpeng could turn to her, she’d already stashed the bottle in her bag. When they looked her way, she declared, “No way! I don’t even have enough for myself!”

Qian Fangyuan and Bai Pengpeng looked crestfallen, gazing pitifully at Qin Chaoyu.

Feeling the pressure, Qin Chaoyu waved her hands in surrender. “Alright, alright, I’ll make some for you when I have time. You won’t miss out.”

Only then did they withdraw their pleading stares, satisfied.

—

After returning home, Han Shuying diligently followed Qin Chaoyu’s instructions.

True to form, Qin Chaoyu’s products never disappointed. In less than a week, the scar had visibly faded. At this rate, it would vanish completely within a month.

Staring at the fading scar and the porcelain bottle beside her, Han Shuying sank into deep thought on the sofa.

She realized she had finally found her calling.

Ever the woman of action, she sought out Qin Chaoyu the very next day.

Han Shuying usually arrived smiling and cheerful, so her solemn expression this time made Qin Chaoyu fear something was wrong. Hearing that Han Shuying had something important to discuss, she agreed without hesitation and followed her out.

Bai Pengpeng, though usually wary of the Han heiress, had grown to see her as a straightforward, well-intentioned person over the past month. Concerned, she asked if she could join, thinking her family connections might help if needed.

With Han Shuying’s approval, they headed to Benyuan Zhai together.