19. Lipstick

Su Yun changed back into her market attire, and He Mian took her to a salon, where the stylist began her transformation. Su Yun’s natural beauty was evident; she’d already applied a light touch of makeup before leaving, so the makeup artist praised her flawless skin, added subtle enhancements, switched her lipstick shade, and styled her hair.

She wore black high heels with a red sole, an off-the-shoulder, mid-sleeve long dress that accentuated her collarbone, paired with a clutch. Su Yun thought He Mian was making too much of a fuss—after all, it was just a private gathering, why all the grandeur?

“Mr. He, your partner is like a goddess descended to earth. How’s the effect, satisfied?” the stylist asked with a smile.

He Mian stared at Su Yun without blinking, his eyes brimming with intensity that said everything.

Su Yun felt a little embarrassed under He Mian’s heated gaze, lowering her head slightly.

—

“Be careful, don’t let it smear,” Su Yun mumbled.

“Don’t talk. It’s your good fortune that my artist’s hand is applying lipstick for you,” He Mian retorted, though his movements were meticulous.

Su Yun was unimpressed; the lipstick she’d worn was ruined as soon as she got in the car—He Mian had kissed her relentlessly the whole ride.

The makeup artist, anticipating this, handed her the lipstick.

“All done, press your lips together.”

Su Yun checked herself with her phone’s front camera. Not bad.

“Have you put lipstick on many girls before?” she teased.

“You’re the first.”

A master at flirting, Su Yun thought privately, the credibility of his words questionable, but the sweetness undeniable.

Su Yun took He Mian’s arm as the attendant opened the door respectfully for them.

“Oh, you finally made it,” Jia Yan called from the entrance, “so which young lady caught your eye?”

There were four people in the private room, including the attendant: Jia Yan, his companion, the single Wang Xiaobao, and the attendant pouring drinks.

Su Yun greeted everyone. Xiaobao’s gaze held reproach: Why didn’t you tell me you were He Mian’s girlfriend?

Su Yun gave an awkward smile—it wasn’t anything important, so why bring it up?

Jia Yan looked at Su Yun, “You look familiar… let me think… Su Yun, is it?”

He glanced from Su Yun to He Mian, “So you like them pure…”

“Shut up.” He Mian pulled Su Yun to a seat, shielding her from Jia Yan’s teasing.

Su Yun noticed Jia Yan’s companion was Western, and joked, “Young Master Jia, a new flame again?”

Unexpectedly, the Western beauty replied in fluent Chinese, grilling Jia Yan, “Be honest, is there someone else besides me?”

Jia Yan hurried to placate her, “Darling, haven’t I been with you these days? How would I have time for anyone else?”

Jia Yan shot Su Yun a glare. Sophie was his latest acquaintance, and from the first moment he met her, Jia Yan felt for the countless time that he’d finally found his soulmate.

Su Yun was blameless—who would have guessed the Western beauty was so fluent in Chinese? Jia Yan really had unique taste, drawn to feisty troublemakers.

Jia Yan looked at He Mian again, signaling him to keep his woman in check.

He Mian shrugged—he couldn’t control her.

—

Jia Yan, with his silver tongue, soon soothed the beauty.

Su Yun listened to the whole exchange, shaking her head and clicking her tongue. A man’s words, when sweet, were truly sweet.

Sophie was a karaoke queen, her singing lovely, and Jia Yan became her number one fan, cheering wildly.

Xiaobao seized the moment when He Mian stepped out for a call to ask Su Yun, “Xiao Su, how did you manage to win He Mian over?”

Persistent, Xiaobao had pondered it carefully—he simply couldn’t understand how He Mian, immune to women for so many years, suddenly took notice of Su Yun.

It wasn’t that Su Yun wasn’t beautiful; Xiaobao had seen plenty of women more attractive and charming than her appear beside He Mian, but none had moved him in the least. Why was Su Yun the exception? She must possess something extraordinary.

Jia Yan overheard and rushed to answer, “I know this one! I have the right to speak. It was a night of dazzling decadence, with beauties everywhere…”