35 Preparation (II)

The next day quickly came. In different areas, four teenagers were dressing themselves up.

In a certain room, a girl was applying lipstick in front of the mirror. But she was not satisfied. She got a wipe and erased her earlier handiwork. She chose another lipstick with a lighter shade. She applied it and checked the effect. She furrowed her brows, unsatisfied. Getting another wipe, she erased it again.

It took her five more minutes to finally settle into a simple lip balm. Next was her hair. She took a cute ribbon and tied her hair. After tying it in a ponytail, she turned around. Not satisfied, she took a pink hair pin with a heart design on it. 

An annoying friend gave it to her. In fact, everything, such as the makeup kit, the cute ribbons, pins, and headbands were all from that girl. 

She was looking for a less girlish hair pin when a knock sounded on her door.

"Young Miss, Mr. Zhou Linfeng is waiting downstairs," the maid said respectfully.

Crash. Clang. Clutter.

The tin containing the hair pins scattered to the ground. Xiong Zhi panicked a bit. She was still not prepared. She has not done anything stylish to her hair yet. And she barely put make up on. She did not even know if her dress was suitable for the occasion. She felt clumsy today and she had many things she did not know what to do.

The maid heard the commotion inside the room. She suddenly felt worried.

"Young Miss Zhi? Are you okay? Do you want me to come in?" 

Her Young Miss was not planning to commit suicide or anything, right? The Young Miss was usually quiet and refined. Recently, she seemed out of sorts. She worried if the girl had met something worrying. Well, no one could blame the maid as no one really knew what their Young Miss was thinking about.

"Young Miss? Young Miss, shall I come in?"

Xiong Zhi's eyes lit up.

"Please come in!" Maybe the maid could help her!

In past lifetime, the maids were the ones who took care of her hair and make-up whenever she went outside. So even though was twenty three inside, she did not know how to doll herself up. Not to mention, she never really cared much about her appearance. But now, she wanted to doll herself up for someone. 

Song Xuantin gave her tips. She must be simple but beautiful today to catch Linfeng's attention. Because of today's event, she panicked and did not think clearly. She forgot she still had maids.

The maid entered the room. It was the same maid whom she first met after her rebirth.

(A/n: remember her? When Xiong Zhi asked the year? That's her.)

"Can you help with my face? A-and also my hair," Xiong Zhi said seriously, but her cheeks were faintly flushed.

In both lifetimes, it would be her first date with Linfeng. So she must look her best.

The maid was startled. She looked around the room. 

Clothes on the bed. Disorganized make-up kit on the dressing table. Hair pins scattered on the ground. 

Then she looked at her Young Miss. The youthful light blue summer dress hugged her slim waist and flowed down freely on her shapely buttocks, stopping right on her knees, showing her smooth and slender white legs. On her fair feet were a pair of dark blue doll shoes with ribbons. Her thin white coat was a bit gauzy, the slightly transparent cloth covering her smooth rounded shoulders.

The lively shades of blue and white made her fair skin appear even whiter. Her eyes also looked brighter, and her black hair looked glossier.

For the first time, the girl in front of her wore vibrantly colored clothes filled with youthfulness, decreasing the air of coldness and indifference around the girl. Today, her Young Miss looked very refreshing and comfortable, with the air of spring. Her current appearance suited her age very well.

"C-can you help me?" Xiong Zhi's words brought out the maid from her daze. She quickly stood in attention.

But again she felt surprised once more.

Her Young Miss looked slightly flushed and fidgeting. She went to pick up the pins then tried one on. Then she tried on a headband, took it off, and tried another one again. 

The cold and dignified marble statue was nowhere to be found. In front of her was a blooming maiden in spring who was excitedly dolling herself up for a date.

'Eh.....'

'Eh?!!!!'

To confirm her guess, the maid asked Xiong Zhi.

"Young miss. Do you have a date today?"

Xiong Zhi dropped the headband she was holding. She paused, looked at the maid, and nodded quietly.

The maid's eyes brightened up in gratification. She seemed to see their family's well-cared little cabbage finally bloom amidst snow.

"Kyaaahhhhh! Young Miss! You are a lady now! I can't believe that there is a man who can move our Young Miss's heart! Don't worry, this experienced maid has gone to many dates before. Let me help you with your make up." After the maid squealed, she walked excitedly to Xiong Zhi.

She applied very lightly a hint of pinkish blush on her cheeks, just enough to make it look natural yet alluring. The lip tint made her lips look moist and plump like red jelly. As her Young Miss's lashes were already thick and long, so the maid simply curled her lashes to enhance the beautiful frame of her eyes, making her eyes seem more hypnotizing. She applied very little makeup, because she knew that her Young Miss's natural beauty was her best asset. 

Then she proceeded to her hair.

"Young Miss, your hair is very smooth. Long and naturally straight. I think it's better to let it flow freely down your back. From what I know, men like girls with long hair, especially if it's smooth and silky like yours. If you put it down, your date might be tempted to touch it," the maid said while combing Xiong Zhi's hair. 

When the maid mentioned something about men liking long hair, her mind wandered to a scene in the past.

...

One cold night in the balcony, Linfeng stood up and walked towards her. He wore plain white long sleeves and cotton white pajama pants. She was captivated by the music he played earlier and was led to this place. A cold breeze passed and her long hair was swept sideways, following the wind. She hugged her body for warmth. She was only wearing a thin nightgown under her robe.

A large pair of warm hands extended and put the lock of her hair that was obstructing her vision behind her ear. She waited for him to let go but he did not. His hand remained behind her ear, staring at her. His hand then moved down, combing through her long black hair. His hand stopped at the tips and then brought the locks to his lips. She was shocked for a moment and did not move. Seeing him kissing her hair, her heart began to race. She put her hand onto her chest to calm it. Her eyes stared at his handsome face that was close to hers.

"Zhi'er has the most beautiful hair in the world. I can't help but admire it," Linfeng said, his lips still touching her hair.

That time, she could not sleep. Until morning came, the beautiful scene never left her mind.

....

Xiong Zhi smiled at the memory. Thinking of that scene, she was sure that that was the day that she started seeing Linfeng in a different light. She did not know what love was before. That time, she still had not realized what she was feeling. 

But now she was sure. She had already fallen for Linfeng since that time.

"Finished! Let me see how beautiful you are!"

Xiong Zhi stood up and looked at her reflection. Simple yet elegant. Her make-up was light but it enhanced her features. The maid was right. With her black hair down, she looked more alluring. A larger part of her hair was swept to one side of her face and was tucked behind her ear. 

She was like pure little elf, chaste and innocent, feminine and charming.

She thanked the maid and took her printed blue purse. Ten minutes had already passed since Linfeng came.

Going downstairs, her heart was beating fast. She was excited but a little nervous. She tried to calm herself until her heart slowed down a little. However, when she saw the figure waiting for her downstairs, her heart began to beat faster again. She saw him look up at her. 

While walking closer to him, she took in his handsome casual appearance. The blush on her cheeks became more evident.

Linfeng was wearing a plain dark blue polo shirt, the sleeves reaching to his elbows. His polo shirt was slightly opened and inside was a white V-neck shirt that fitted his body well. His black jeans hugged his hips and outlined his long lean legs. He slipped into casual white sneakers. His hair looked more casual this time, with a few pitch black locks drooping on his forehead. 

All in all, Linfeng looked young and handsome.

Meanwhile, Linfeng stared at Xiong Zhi blankly. His gaze traveled over her body, entranced. After a minute passed standing still in front of each other, the maid accompanying Xiong Zhi coughed loudly. This woke Linfeng up from his daze. 

He felt a bit embarrassed. He offered his arm to Xiong Zhi. Xiong Zhi accepted it with grace and said.

"You look dashing, Linfeng . It suits you," Xiong Zhi said sincerely, a small smile curving on her lips.

Linfeng glanced at her face and looked away, feeling embarrassed again. His ears began to redden. 

He forgot his manners. He cleared his throat.

"Young Miss, your dress suits you very well, too. You look beautiful," he unconsciously said the last sentence in a softened voice.

He knew well of the etiquette when escorting ladies, and having attended various banquets as his training with his father and the elders, he naturally knew how to politely praise a lady. What he said earlier was the usual lines out of etiquette when complimenting a lady. However, even if they were the same words, saying these words to his Young Miss right now, it felt vastly different. 

As if it was his first time saying it to a lady. 

He was...embarrassed? He did not want to think of the word shy.

He stole another glance at the beautiful and charming girl beside him. Feeling the warmth on his arm, his heart slowly sped up.

The pair walked towards the car with gracefulness. One was nervous and excited while the other was confused.