Seeing Hu Jiuli’s flourish, Xie Xiaobao instinctively hid his hands behind his back, stammering, “I-I’ll walk myself.”
“Fine.” Hu Jiuli, disappointed, tucked his hands into his pockets and strode to the makeup table, patting the chair. “Sit here.”
Xie Xiaobao sat, facing the mirror.
His reflection showed short black hair, soft and fine, framing his cheeks. Light brows contrasted with deep black eyes and lashes, striking against his pale skin.
“My taste is impeccable,” Hu Jiuli said, circling the chair and leaning down slightly.
He straightened, his expression turning serious, and opened a makeup box, starting on Xie Xiaobao’s base makeup.
Staff positioned a camera, ready to shoot.
Xie Xiaobao’s skin was flawless, so Hu Jiuli applied a light base, subtly enhancing it before moving to the full makeup.
His round face, with lingering baby fat, could be a flaw in the sharp-cheeked, bony fashion world, but Hu Jiuli’s theme turned this into a strength.
“Cross-gender beauty,” in Hu Jiuli’s vision, wasn’t about making Xie Xiaobao a glamorous woman but crafting a beauty that transcended gender.
Hu Jiuli studied his features, his brush moving swiftly.
He contoured the face for depth, elongated the round eyes with eyeliner, and added intricate, dress-matching green eyeshadow patterns at the eye corners.
The makeup took nearly two hours, from noon to 2 p.m. The final look was seamless, with no visible makeup except the ornate eye patterns, amplifying Xie Xiaobao’s features perfectly.
Applying a sheer layer of lip gloss, Hu Jiuli swept Xie Xiaobao’s bangs back with gel, revealing his full forehead, completing the look.
“Almost done.” Hu Jiuli stepped back, added a retro bracelet, and nodded, satisfied.
Xie Xiaobao, stiff from sitting still for hours, exhaled quietly. Seeing his transformed reflection, he widened his eyes and gasped in awe.
Hu Jiuli packed away the makeup box, reverting to his carefree demeanor. “What do you think?”
Xie Xiaobao stared, amazed. “It’s stunning.”
His skin glowed pinkish-white, poreless even under bright lights, like fine porcelain. The left eye’s vine-like pattern stretched to his brow, exuding allure, while the right side was bare, with only his dark eyes and lashes standing out.
Hu Jiuli crossed his arms. “Are you praising me or yourself?”
“Definitely you,” Xie Xiaobao said without hesitation.
Hu Jiuli snorted, laughing, realizing his earlier probing was pointless. This kitten was just clueless, and he wondered how his family let him out alone.
“Let’s take photos.” Hu Jiuli nudged him toward the background cloth, smiling. “Relax, no pressure.”
Xie Xiaobao took deep breaths and posed as the photographer directed.
By evening, after removing the makeup, Xie Xiaobao was ready to leave with Old Wang.
Hu Jiuli tagged along naturally. When they reached the car, Old Wang stopped him as he tried to climb in. “No need to be so polite, Teacher Hu. We’re good here.”
“It’s late—aren’t you eating?” Hu Jiuli grinned, trying to slide in. “I’m alone, so I’ll tag along for dinner.”
Old Wang yanked him out by his shirt, smirking. “Xiaobao’s tired and needs rest. Sit in the front.”
Hu Jiuli tsked, annoyed, but Old Wang held firm. Grudgingly, he took the passenger seat, turning to Xie Xiaobao. “Xiaobao, is your manager always this fierce?”
Xie Xiaobao, checking He Yu’s messages, glanced at Old Wang’s grumpy aura and whispered, “No, just with you.”
Hu Jiuli: *…*
Choked silent, he switched topics. “Where’re we eating?”
Xie Xiaobao, focused on texting He Yu, mumbled, “Up to Brother Wang.”
He Yu had messaged at four, asking if recording was done and inviting him to a new seafood restaurant he’d found.
Starving, Xie Xiaobao drooled over the restaurant’s details but, with Hu Jiuli tagging along, didn’t want to ditch him. Reluctantly, he texted He Yu:
[*Going to eat with Brother Wang and Teacher Hu. Let’s try it another day ^_^.*]
He Yu paused, messaging Fang Huaiyue to cancel the restaurant reservation.
[*Sounds good. We’ll plan another time.*]
[*How’d the shoot go? Smooth?*]
Thinking of the dress, Xie Xiaobao blushed, replying vaguely:
[*Pretty smooth.*]
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I’m also confused