Chapter 178: Chapter 166: Snowflake Cream

Xiao Man pretended not to hear the adults’ conversation. She forced herself to remain silent, apologizing to her grandpa, grandma, and uncle in her heart. ’Some things can’t just be stated plainly,’ she thought. ’I have to investigate them myself to find out the truth!’

Xiao Man also desperately wanted to know what was going through Tang Qingyun and Wu Xiaowen’s minds. Why could they love Tang Yaxuan so dearly, yet refuse to accept their own biological daughter? They weren’t even willing to spare her a single glance!

’I’m the child they gave birth to. Am I really that terrifying?’

Xiao Man gave a self-deprecating smile, picked up the medicine bottles, and went to distribute them to Grandpa Tang and Mr. Tang. She told them there were no dietary restrictions; they just needed to take the correct dosage every day. The pills were for regulating their health. Grandpa Tang’s were for some underlying health issues, while Mr. Tang’s were simply to strengthen his constitution and fortify his body.

As for her grandma’s pills, Xiao Man would prepare and mail them after Grandma Tang finished the month-long course of medicinal soup. If the herbs from her space were left in the outside world for too long, their Spiritual Energy would dissipate, and their efficacy would be greatly reduced.

Xiao Man also gave her grandma two porcelain bottles. Inside was a translucent, snow-white cream. Xiao Man smiled and said, "Grandma, the later batches of your medicinal soup will have beauty-enhancing ingredients, you know. If you take your medicine properly, you’ll become a beautiful grandma. This is a ’Snowflake Cream’ I made myself for your face and hands. Once you try it, you’ll see how nice it makes your skin feel. I made this elegant orchid scent just for you."

Holding the two porcelain bottles, Grandma Tang felt a mix of joy and sorrow, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. She wanted to hug her granddaughter, but Tang Qingshan cut in, demanding a bottle of ’Snowflake Cream’ for himself.

Even Grandpa Tang came over. "Manman, you see, the winters in Beijing are windy and dry. Grandpa’s skin isn’t in great shape either."

Xiao Man looked up at their faces. "But you’re men..."

Tang Qingshan replied, "Who says men don’t use this stuff? That jar of face cream on your dresser is what I use all the time. I thought it was great, so I had Xiao Zhang buy a jar for you, too."

Xiao Man was speechless. ’I would have made more if I’d known. Oh, right! Last night, when I was experimenting, I made a bunch with a grassy, leafy scent. I can just give them that. They’re all products from my space, anyway—beneficial and harmless.’

"Let me go get it... Hmm, Mr. Tang, you like a chrysanthemum scent? I don’t think so. It’s a bit tacky for a man to use a floral scent."

"Then what scent do you think a man like me should use?" Tang Qingshan asked, looking amusedly at the quirky little girl.

"Your name is Qingshan, so you should have the air of a great mountain. Do you like the scent of pine and cypress, or maybe a unique woody fragrance?"

"The pine scent isn’t bad, but I think it’s better to actually be standing in a forest, surrounded by it. What good is a tiny wisp of fragrance? Give me something a little more mysterious!"

’Isn’t that asking for a bit too much?’

"How about... a grassy, leafy scent?"

"What kind of grass and leaves? Let me smell it first."

Xiao Man scrunched up her face. ’He’s treating me like I’m working the Snowflake Cream counter at a department store!’

She decided to deal with Grandpa Tang first. "Grandpa, what kind of scent would you like?"

"I’m not picky. The same elegant orchid scent as your grandma’s will be just fine."

Xiao Man was speechless.

’And that’s not picky?’

’There were only a dozen or so clusters of elegant orchids in her space. After much hesitation, she’d only brought herself to pick three blossoms to infuse into the cream. She’d given two bottles to her grandma, and she had prepared one for Zhou Hui Lan, since both of their names contained the character for orchid.’

"Grandpa, I’m all out of the elegant orchid scent. Can we try something else? What about daffodil? The fragrance is pretty similar to an orchid’s."

Yesterday at the Gu Mansion, she had seen pots of daffodils in vibrant bloom. When no one was looking, she had swiped two pots into her space, which was perfect for picking the flowers to make a few bottles of daffodil-scented cream.

"Alright, daffodil it is," Grandpa Tang agreed easily.

Xiao Man handed him a bottle. Tang Qingshan asked, "What about mine?"

"I’m going to get it. I made some with a woodsy, botanical scent earlier, but I was afraid no one would want it, so I just left it in my room."

Tang Qingshan was speechless.

’Seriously? I get the one nobody else wanted?’

When Xiao Man ran back downstairs with two bottles, Tang Qingshan took them and sniffed each one. In the end, he kept them both. The blend of fresh grass and a certain woody fragrance instantly transported him back to his younger years—to wide-open skies, lush greenery, and the fire of youth...

Seeing his son’s entranced expression, Grandpa Tang was quite envious. However, he had already received a bottle, so he kept silent, content with what he had.

By the time Gu Shaozhen and Zheng Shaojin arrived, Xiao Man’s luggage was packed, so they all headed over to the Gu family’s home together.

At the Gu family’s home, Xiao Man gave instructions for Mr. Gu’s pills and medicinal baths. She also gave a bottle of pills to Gu Shaoqin, who had thalassemia. While the Gu family’s influence and wealth meant his treatment was never an issue, recovering sooner would spare him a great deal of suffering.

Gu Shaoling grabbed Xiao Man’s arm. "You’re leaving today? Then when are you coming back? I gave you a New Year’s gift, but you still haven’t given me a gift in return!"

Granny Gu was too late to stop her granddaughter, and it wasn’t the right time to scold her. She looked apologetically at Grandma Tang. "This girl is so thoughtless. I’ve completely spoiled her."

"She’s just a child, and she’s not wrong. It’s the truth, after all."

As she spoke, Grandma Tang opened the leather handbag she was carrying and said with a laugh, "Come, come, the gifts are right here. Our Manman stayed up all night making this wonderful stuff. All you ladies, young and old, will get one!"

Zhou Hui Lan, Jiang Yuyan, and Gu Shaoling gathered around curiously. Granny Gu quickly asked, "What is it? Does an old woman like me get one?"

"Yes, there’s one for you! Here!"

After Grandma Tang finished handing out the ’Snowflake Cream’, she added, "Now, don’t you look down on this. If you’re not going to use it, give it to someone else, because you won’t get another one when you regret it later! Qingshan spent a fortune just on the herbs last night. After Manman prepared our medicine, she used all the remaining precious herbs to create this ’Snowflake Cream.’ It has the finest pearl powder, the most expensive fragrances... Oh, I don’t really understand all of it, but in short, it’s a top-notch beauty and skincare product!"

Jiang Yuyan dabbed a little on the back of her hand and sniffed the fragrance. She looked at Xiao Man. "Manman, does this ’Snowflake Cream’ have a name? It smells wonderful, feels so smooth, and isn’t greasy at all. I love it! Do you have any more?"

Xiao Man smiled and shook her head. "I was short on time and didn’t have enough herbs, so I could only make this much. It’s one bottle per person, each with a dedicated scent. Granny Gu and Shaoling have daffodil. First Aunt’s is orchid, and Third Aunt’s is lotus. By the time you finish this bottle, Third Aunt, the faint blemish on your left cheek should be gone."

"Really?" Jiang Yuyan was overjoyed, clutching the white porcelain bottle. "Then I’m going to hide this! Don’t any of you try to steal it. I’m not giving it to anyone!"

Granny Gu gave her a speechless look. "Who in this family would try to steal it from you, besides your sister when she visits?"

Zhou Hui Lan smiled and said, "Thank you, Manman. This Snowflake Cream already looks different from the usual kind, and the scent is just what I like. I love it!"

Gu Shaoling looked at her own bottle, then at the one in her grandma’s hand, and pouted. "Why is my scent the same as Grandma’s? Can’t I have a different one?"

Xiao Man ignored her. ’This is the return gift,’ she thought. ’Take it or leave it.’

A moment later, Gu Shaoling saw Xiao Man give Gu Shaozhen, Zheng Shaojin, and Gu Shaoqin each a bottle of the same daffodil-scented Snowflake Cream. She flew into a rage. How could someone as exceptional as her use something so common? In a fit of pique, she shoved her bottle into Granny Gu’s hands, truly rejecting it.

After the farewell dinner, Xiao Man told her grandparents that they didn’t need to see her off personally; having the two young men drive her to the airport would be enough.

Grandma Tang held back her tears, simply pulling Xiao Man into a tight hug before telling Tang Qingshan to accompany them to the airport.

Grandpa Tang and Mr. Gu stood together, their expressions solemn as they watched Xiao Man walk into the distance.

Mr. Gu asked, "Are you sure we don’t need to give her a consultation fee? I have it all ready. The girl came all this way; we can’t have her thinking we old folks are inconsiderate."

Grandpa Tang shook his head and sighed. "There will be plenty of time for that later. This isn’t the moment. She’s our family. I know what’s in her heart."

It wasn’t until she reached the airport that Xiao Man took a proper look at her luggage. Some of it was packed by Grandpa and Grandma Tang, and some of it was from the Gu family. Adding the two large bags Granny Gu had asked her to deliver to Zheng Shaolian, she had a staggering total of eleven bags!

When she arrived, she had only brought a large bundle of herbs, a small travel bag, and the green satchel on her shoulder.

Xiao Man joked, "People talk about returning home in glory, but I look more like a newly rich tycoon coming home!"

Both Shaolian and Shaojin were amused by her comment. Tang Qingshan simply patted her gently on the head.

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