Inside a traditional Hanfu boutique near the Night Bridge, a famous scenic spot in the East District, Song Shuya walked into the shop lugging a 20-inch suitcase in one hand while dragging Yun Deng by the arm with the other.
Business was booming; several tourists were already waiting in the first-floor lobby lounge for service. The shop manager had collaborated with Song Shuya before, and the two shared a very close relationship.
After heading up to a private room on the third floor, Song Shuya pushed Yun Deng forward and introduced him to her friend. The manager was a gentle woman with a side-braided hairstyle dressed in a pale-colored qipao, speaking with the distinct, soft accent of the South.
After greeting her, Yun Deng sat awkwardly on a nearby sofa playing with his phone, only standing up again once the two women finished catching up.
Tonight, Xia Shisheng wanted to play the “big shot” and insisted that Yun Deng dress up as a beauty so the two of them could perform a little drama together.
Inside the room, Song Shuya opened the suitcase and told Yun Deng to pick a dress he liked to change into first.
Following her instructions, Yun Deng squatted down and picked up a few pieces in subdued colors to inspect them, but no matter which one he grabbed, his expression remained one of extreme distaste.
A pale yellow floral camisole dress: too revealing. A white V-neck waist-cinching dress: too tight.
There were over a dozen items, consisting of either camisoles or miniskirts, and after a quick look, Yun Deng did not want to wear a single one of them. As a hot-blooded, iron-willed alpha male, being made to wear these girls’ clothes was worse than being killed.
“Are you trying to make a fool out of me? Why is there not a single thing long enough to cover my neck?” Yun Deng complained, pointing at one of the garments. “And look at this one; the neckline is so low it won’t block the wind at all. I will freeze to death if I go out in this tonight.”
Seeing that he disliked all the items she had meticulously selected, Song Shuya began to doubt if there was something wrong with Yun Deng’s aesthetic. She had bought all of these because they were this year’s popular bestsellers; they were expensive, and the tags were still attached.
“There is only an hour and a half left. Just pick something and make do; do not miss tonight’s date. If you keep dragging your feet, it really will be too late.”
At this moment, Yun Deng truly regretted agreeing to that bastard Xia Shisheng’s request. He was at a total loss for what to do. Scanning the room randomly, his eyes landed on a qipao. It did not expose the neck or the legs, and it looked quite modest and fully covered.
The shop’s interior followed a classical Chinese style, featuring screens and murals, with the changing room and dressing table separated by a beaded curtain. The walls were lined with qipaos and Hanfus, with rows displayed below as well. Not only were the colors pleasing to the eye, but even the incense used to scent the clothes was alluring.
“Sister Xue, can I wear a qipao from your shop? I think these look better,” Yun Deng asked, immediately walking over to the manager.
The manager stopped tidying the wigs on the rack and handed a garment pole to Yun Deng with a beaming smile. “Of course. Take whichever one you like.”
Sitting nearby and sipping tea, Song Shuya was highly amused to hear that Yun Deng wanted to wear a qipao. With the mindset of watching a good show, she went over to help him pick one out.
There were many styles hanging on the wall, each with exquisite patterns and textures. Yun Deng scanned them, feeling dazzled. Finally, he chose a pale yellow qipao with a double-round collar, embroidered with large patches of pear blossoms; it looked fresh and elegant. The size happened to be just right.
“You would rather wear a qipao than any of the dresses I brought in that suitcase?” Song Shuya remarked, glancing at Yun Deng as he held the garment, inspecting it intently.
“Forget it, I really cannot stand those things you brought,” Yun Deng replied as he walked into the changing room.
In another cubicle, the manager finished organizing the wigs and came out to chat with Song Shuya about daily life. Inside the changing room, Yun Deng was still struggling with the outfit, taking quite a while before he managed to get it on properly.
Because he was not wearing pants, he felt extremely awkward. The slit on the side of the skirt made him feel like he might as well have chosen the clothes Song Shuya brought. When he pulled back the curtain and stepped out, before he could even process the strange sensation, he was pulled to the vanity by the manager to have hair extensions fitted.
“Little brother, is there a hairstyle you like? Pinned up, or with a lock of hair left in front?” the manager asked, her hands resting on his shoulders as she looked at him in the mirror.
Yun Deng knew absolutely nothing about this. Asking a top-tier gay man a question like this was truly out of his league. He stammered for a moment, genuinely not knowing how to answer.
In the end, Song Shuya made the decision for him, choosing a “New Chinese Style” look that was currently trending online, which would visually hide his Adam’s apple.
The manager was very skilled; in no time, she had pinned up his hair and inserted a matching hairpin. Once the hair was done, the makeup began.
Yun Deng felt despairing enough watching his hair be transformed, but the realization that he had to wear makeup was the breaking point. He immediately protested. The manager did not force him, stopping as soon as she saw he was uncomfortable.
However, Song Shuya felt something was missing. She picked up a makeup brush and pressed Yun Deng’s head down with one hand. “Do not move. Big sister is going to give you some eyeliner and a卧蠶 (aegyo-sal).”
Yun Deng did not dare move, letting Song Shuya do as she pleased with his face. Seeing this, the manager teased, “Shuya, your cousin is so obedient.”
“My cousin is someone else. He is a friend, but he is basically like a brother,” Song Shuya said as she carefully applied eyeshadow.
Yun Deng had to open his eyes, then close them, then look up; the process was agonizing, arguably more painful than death. Song Shuya’s makeup skills were top-tier, and she soon finished a light, natural look that complemented his face shape. Finally, after a coating of setting spray and lipstick, Yun Deng was set free.
Looking at his transformed self in the mirror, he almost stumbled back in shock. Even his own mother would not recognize him like this. The manager and Song Shuya stood by, admiring him with satisfied looks and marveling at their own craftsmanship.
“Let us go. Xia Shisheng and the others will be here in half an hour.” Song Shuya grabbed her bag and pulled Yun Deng toward the door.
“Wait, hold on.” Yun Deng felt incredibly awkward, but he also felt like something was missing. His gaze swept downward, and he realized what was wrong. He pulled Song Shuya back and gestured toward his chest with both hands. “What about this? I do not have these.”
Song Shuya finally remembered that part. In her rush, she had completely forgotten. With time running out, she could not think of a quick solution and said anxiously, “What else can we do? Grow them, fast!”
“How am I supposed to grow them? How is that even possible?” Yun Deng gestured at his chest, speaking in disbelief.
Fifteen minutes later, a beautiful figure appeared outside the entrance of the open-air glass restaurant by the Night Bridge. Ye Shuxue stepped out of the car first and stood by the entrance, waiting for Lin Yanxu to park the car.
The glass restaurant was very crowded tonight; a long queue had formed outside, and even parking spaces were hard to find. A minute or two later, Ye Shuxue finally saw Lin Yanxu and grabbed his arm affectionately. “Brother, let us go in quickly. The seafood here is delicious.”
Lin Yanxu stiffened slightly at the address “Brother” but quickly composed himself. It reminded him of someone else. He gently patted Ye Shuxue’s arm to signal her to let go, then quickened his pace to put some distance between them.
“Let us go.”
Left with no choice, Ye Shuxue followed him. She did not understand why her childhood friend was acting so cold toward her today, appearing completely disinterested. Watching Lin Yanxu’s departing back, she silently clenched her fists, then relaxed them and hurried to catch up.
“Brother, wait for me!”
Just as the two of them entered, several other young people arrived at the entrance. Xia Shisheng walked into the shop with his hands in his pockets, barely masking his impatience. It was supposed to be a date for two, but his girlfriend had taken it upon herself to bring two of her best friends along.
Tonight’s date was meant to be a breakup dinner, but with outsiders interrupting, his plan was being interfered with. Taking advantage of his girlfriend’s group being distracted, he cast a subtle glance toward a green belt ten meters away.
Upon making eye contact with the new and upgraded Yun Deng, he almost could not hold back a laugh. His gloomy mood instantly vanished. Behind the greenery, Yun Deng saw Xia Shisheng’s expression and realized he was being laughed at, making him instantly annoyed.
As soon as he moved, he felt incredibly uncomfortable. Song Shuya reached out and squeezed the two bulges on Yun Deng’s chest. The moment she touched them, he slapped her hand away.
“Do not touch them! What if they break?”
“Fine, fine.” Song Shuya suppressed her laughter and withdrew her hand.
Before leaving, they had been in such a rush that they had to go downstairs and spend six yuan on two steamed buns to use as fillers. Now, they did not look too fake.
Yun Deng felt that he would likely never forget tonight for the rest of his life. He had intended to back out halfway through, but Xia Shisheng had transferred a massive sum of 6,666 yuan to his bank account. He even threw in a bottle of Moutai produced in the year of Yun Deng’s birth.
For the sake of the money, he was now fully committed.
After a short wait, the two of them walked onto the third floor of the glass restaurant together. The moonlight was perfect tonight, and the terrace offered the best view. Beside them was the bustling riverside night scene, with an artificial river flowing around the capital’s TV and radio tower.
Since Xia Shisheng’s girlfriend had met Song Shuya before, Song Shuya did not go up to the third floor this time, opting for a reserved seat on the second floor instead.
Yun Deng walked up to the third floor alone, waiting for Xia Shisheng’s instructions. As soon as he sat down, a waiter approached to ask if he wanted to order. Yun Deng flipped through the menu and randomly ordered a few dishes that looked good in the pictures, then fixed his gaze on Xia Shisheng.
The two began communicating with their eyes across the room. Xia Shisheng took one look at Yun Deng and immediately lowered his head, pressing a hand to his forehead. Yun Deng thought Xia Shisheng was being bizarre. Immediately after, he received a message on his phone.
min: “You idiot, I did not even recognize you like this. I am dying of laughter, hahaha.”
min: “You are actually quite beautiful. If only you were really a girl.”
min: “When the time comes, act well. Aim to be as disgusting as possible.”
Yun Deng saw these two messages and immediately typed a reply, wishing he could punch the idiot through the screen.
Mianmian Yu: “You idiot, stay away from me.”
Mianmian Yu: “I only like the Lin Yanxu type.”
Mianmian Yu: “[Orange cat disdain.jpg]”