Anastasia shook her head, clearly disagreeing, and said, "As long as you''re not stealing or cheating, making money in a way you can be proud of is nothing to be ashamed of. Honey, believe it or not, if these old-school brands don''t adapt, they''ll eventually be left behind." Hearing this, Herman perked up with interest. "Babe, go on, I''m all ears. I want to hear what you think."


    Anastasia continued, "Being on maternity leave can get pretty dull, you know? So I started looking into current trends. Social media entrepreneurship is the new wave. It''s basically an evolution from the emerce era and still tied to it. Young folks today are working their butts off. They have no time for shopping in physical stores, right?"


    She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts and added, "Plus, young people mostly make impulse buys. Catch them at the right moment, and you''ve got them spending. I''ve noticed a surge in short-form video tforms. Young people use these to pass the time, like a new kind of window shopping. The inte has everything, and they''re always up for trying new things. I think tapping into social media is a smart move. Give Sandy a bit more time, and her value will definitely skyrocket."


    Listening to Anastasia''s analysis, Herman couldn''t help but say proudly, "My wife is so smart, always sharp with business opportunities. Ipletely agree with you. But remember, the tide that lifts you can also capsize you."


    Anastasia nodded in understanding. "The inte makes things easy for everyone, speeding up information sharing. It can make someone rich overnight but can also ruin them just as fast. With such temptation, it''s hard not to cut corners. I remember Dad mentioning that Sandy''s store mixed in fakes with the real deal."


    Herman nodded, "Exactly. In business, integrity is key. Honesty is what takes you the distance."


    Just as Anastasia was about to respond, they noticed Jason leaving.


    "He''s leaving so early." Anastasia frowned, "Looks like it''s really over between them."


    Herman also saw Jason walking away and remarked, "If it''s meant to be, you can''t escape it. If not, no amount of trying will make it work."


    "Let''s leave it to fate then." Anastasia felt bad for Monica, "I always thought there was something fishy about Jason getting drunk and messing up. Hey, question for you, when guys get drunk, can they even... perform?" Herman coughed awkwardly, whispering, "Babe, let''s keep it ssy."


    "I''m serious here." Anastasia pressed, "cking out from drinking, do you really not remember anything? Not even a hint?"


    Even back when Anastasia was set up, she remembered parts of it, only losing some memories due to severe depression, unable to recall who she was with that night.


    "No matter how drunk, there''s always some memory," Herman exined. "Details might be fuzzy, though. As for your question about being able to... perform, as long as someone''s alive, even in a vegetative state, it''s possible." Herman recalled a night years ago at Neon Dreams, a night he could still feel and remember being with a woman, though her face was a blur, the dim lights and the passage of time fogging his memory.


    Anastasia got it and teased, "No wonder they say men can''t control themselves. Seems it''s true."


    Herman: "..."


    Clearing his throat, Herman suggested, "Babe, let''s change the subject. Emmie and Sam should be due for their feeding. Let''s go check on them."


    Anastasia, eager to see the babies, followed Herman to where Katelyn was.


    Katelyn was with the babies and a group ofdies in the lounge, chatting. As Anastasia and Herman approached, they heard a baby crying and Katelyn scolding, "Pattie, what''s the matter with you? All thumbs today, not acting like a big sister at all..."