"Wenxiu, it looks like someone over there is selling whitening products," Li Mei couldn’t help but touch her face. She was from the countryside and had always struggled with her skin. Hearing the others talk about whitening and hydration, she immediately wanted to go take a look.
Just now, Chen Wan’s classmates came to find her, and Tian Sangsang seized the opportunity to promote her cleansing and moisturizing products. A group of girls gathered around, chattering away noisily.
"Is this better than face cream? Does it melt into the skin on contact?"
"Does it really hydrate?"
"Can I get as fair as you if I use it?"
The questions, no matter how they were phrased, all revolved around the same things. Tian Sangsang patiently explained everything, using her usual pitches. Finally, she smiled and said, "I have some samples here. You can all try them. No amount of talking compares to experiencing it firsthand."
The girls had never encountered the concept of samples before, so they all nodded enthusiastically.
Jia Wenxiu and Li Mei approached, and only then did they realize it was Tian Sangsang.
"Let’s go, Xiaomei. I already told you it’s a scam. How could you trust products being sold on the street? Let me recommend a brand-new line from Fuxiang—it works wonders." Jia Wenxiu gave Tian Sangsang a dismissive glance, as if looking at trash. She detested people —shamelessly selling things on the street, even targeting students. She would never stoop to something so disgraceful—utterly disgusting.
Li Mei, upon realizing it was Tian Sangsang, immediately believed Wenxiu’s words without any doubt. Either way, she couldn’t bring herself to buy from Tian Sangsang. After all, no one with true culture, status, or dignity would engage in such petty sales activities.
"You two, stop right there," Tian Sangsang called out to them, turning around. Her eyes flickered softly as she spoke gently yet with undeniable authority.
The one dressed more plainly was undoubtedly Li Mei, she remembered. As for the girl next to her, she was quite striking. Not too tall, not too short, with a slender figure. Her skin was fair with a radiant glow, and her eyebrows were sharply defined. Her large, round eyes were as clear as glass. She wore a striking red-and-white dress, exuding a spirited yet composed charm, a blend of demureness and liveliness.
Jia Wenxiu pursed her lips and smiled. "What do you want?"
"Just now you said my products are a scam. Sorry, I disagree. I’d like to know on what basis you claim my products are fraudulent. If you have no evidence, don’t spout nonsense—especially not in public. Doing so not only harms my reputation but also misleads my customers." Tian Sangsang’s lips curled coldly. "And you call yourself a student? A scholar speaks with integrity. After all, what goes around comes around. Words have consequences—they’re a responsibility to oneself."
"That’s true, that’s true." One girl who had just tried a sample chimed in, disagreeing with Jia Wenxiu’s words. She had only applied a tiny amount, yet it left her skin feeling cool and refreshed, as though it was deeply nourished. It was indeed different from anything she’d used before. Clearly, this was a quality product.
This was right at the entrance of the university, where many students passed by. Seeing a commotion, some naturally gathered around.
"Hey, isn’t that Jia Wenxiu from the Media Studies Department? The campus belle!"
"Isn’t she dating Li Yibai?"
"Wow, Li Yibai? He’s amazing! I love his *Heroic Legend of the Condor Heroes*. I heard he wrote another script recently, and it got picked up by a TV station."
"Let’s go check it out."
Tian Sangsang’s gaze deepened—so this is Jia Wenxiu? The protagonist of a charmed life. Turns out, this is her true nature.
Zhao Chun sighed hesitantly. Wenxiu had changed. When he was younger and visited Jiang Jinghuai’s home, he had met Jia Wenxiu. Back then, she was lively and cheerful. Once she started studying in this province, with their schools located so closely, their friendship had been casual and pleasant. But suddenly, something had shifted. Wenxiu began ignoring him, her attitude toward him becoming one of disdain. When had it started? Probably when she broke ties with the Jiang Family. She hadn’t even visited when Grandpa Jiang was hospitalized in his anger over her actions.
Jia Wenxiu, unused to being the center of unwelcome attention, felt her temper boil under all the scrutiny. She coldly glared at Tian Sangsang. "Am I wrong? Are your products reliable? Do they have a brand? Are they certified? What are they made of? You casually sell something out here—if someone’s skin has an allergic reaction, can you take responsibility?" With that, she flicked her wrist, preparing to leave. Talking to someone was a complete waste of time.
"Hold on, beauty—why so quick to leave?" Tian Sangsang stopped her, raising an eyebrow. "I haven’t finished answering your questions. You can’t just throw accusations and walk away. I deserve a chance to explain myself. My products are absolutely reliable. The brand? It’s Yan’s. As for registration, nope, not yet. But thanks for bringing that up! I’ll go handle it soon."
"What are they made of, you ask? Pure, natural, pollution-free ingredients, of course. But the specific formula? That’s a secret. As for safety? Absolutely no harm. Just look at me—my face is the best testament!"
With a faint smile, Tian Sangsang stood in the middle of the crowd, confidently allowing herself to be scrutinized—a strategy that doubled as free advertising. She had to thank Jia Wenxiu for drawing such a big audience.
Her words hit the crowd like a bombshell. The reason? Tian Sangsang’s skin was flawless, and she was drop-dead gorgeous.
Jia Wenxiu’s expression froze.
"You accused my products of being fraudulent. So, let me ask you: What skincare products do you use? Let’s compare them right now. If you didn’t bring them, no worries—we’ll just compare our faces instead. Whose skin is better, yours or mine? I trust the audience’s judgment to be sharp and fair." Official source is novel※fire.net
The onlookers indeed began comparing the two. The verdict? Jia Wenxiu’s looks couldn’t hold a candle to Tian Sangsang’s. Even the Media Studies Department’s campus belle paled in comparison to a vendor from the street.
Zhao Chun glanced over as well. Under the sunlight, Tian Sangsang’s skin practically glowed like fine white jade. Her jet-black, sparkling eyes revealed a hint of mischief, utterly eclipsing Jia Wenxiu.
"I was careless with my words. If there’s a misunderstanding, I’ll clear it up. My concern was for the students’ safety, that’s all," Jia Wenxiu said politely, dipping her head slightly. "As students, we should prioritize knowledge over appearance. If everyone is too concerned with outward beauty, they risk losing their inner depth."
"Well said!" Tian Sangsang clapped her hands in agreement. "Even the prettiest things are fleeting, like flowers falling from trees or faces fading in mirrors. My focus isn’t on superficial beauty only. I, too, value inner character deeply. That’s why I was particularly troubled by your misunderstanding of me earlier. Precisely because you are a student, you should weigh your words carefully."