Manly Man

Yuchen stood before the building, his gaze flitting between the structure and his cellphone, ensuring he was in the right place.

Perusing the signage on the building, which indicated it was a salon, Yuchen's brow furrowed in confusion.

He couldn't help but wonder why Elena had summoned him to a salon, Then, it struck him – today was the day. They will publicly unveil their relationship tonight.

Although Yuchen remained perplexed about the purpose of this salon rendezvous, he surmised that Elena must be inside and decided to proceed indoors.

As soon as he entered, the receptionist began to inquire if he needed assistance, yet his attention was quickly drawn to Elena, seated gracefully on one of the salon's chairs. He bypassed the receptionist and made a beeline for her.

"Hey babe," Yuchen called out, his approach catching Elena by surprise as she was engrossed in conversation with a makeup artist, her eyes closed to accommodate the application.

Even though this wasn't the first time Yuchen had called her babe, because the man had called her that before during their lunch at her office, Elena still found herself caught off guard by the casual intimacy/

"Oh, you're here," Elena remarked, her eyes still shut due to the ongoing makeup session.

"You look so beautiful," Yuchen smoothly complimented, standing behind Elena as he caught sight of her reflection in the mirror.

Elena couldn't help but feel slightly disconcerted by Yuchen's unexpected flattery. She had to give him credit – he played his role as her boyfriend exceptionally well. In fact, perhaps a bit too well.

How could he not feel the least bit awkward, especially considering they hadn't seen each other for twelve days?

"He probably honed this skill during his stint as a male escort. No room for awkwardness there," Elena mused, recollecting Yuchen's former profession.

Blushing faintly at his praise, Elena was left with an expression that betrayed her bashfulness. She should be professional!

"By the way, who is he?" the makeup artist inquired, her tone tinged with curiosity as she periodically stole glances at Yuchen.

Having worked with Elena for a considerable time, she was accustomed to their sessions, either at the salon or at Elena's preferred location. This, however, marked the first instance where a man accompanied Elena.

"Ah. He is my boyfriend," Elena replied, a trace of shyness coloring her tone, enhanced by the intentional blush she donned – a facial expression she had meticulously rehearsed to appear utterly convincing.

"Ohh~ He's quite the handsome catch," the makeup artist whispered teasingly, her comment accompanied by a knowing grin. The revelation that this strikingly handsome man was Elena's significant other seemed to amuse her.

Elena felt a quiet satisfaction at the comment. While the praise was directed at Yuchen's looks, it was still a testament to the success of their ruse. Her fake relationship was gaining the credibility she had aimed for.

Meanwhile, Yuchen offered a modest smile in response, his eyes momentarily scanning the surroundings as he pondered his role in this salon visit. Being a weekday and the late afternoon, the salon had a relatively sparse clientele, affording Yuchen the opportunity to nod and exchange polite smiles with the few customers who happened to cast curious glances their way..

It was now clear to Yuchen why Elena had orchestrated this rendezvous. She intended to showcase their relationship to the public gaze, a prelude to the grander unveiling at the upcoming event tonight.

"Oh, by the way, could you arrange for one of your staff to do my boyfriend's makeup? We have an event to attend tonight, and I want to enhance his handsome features," Elena said, opening her eyes now that it was possible.

Yuchen, who looked like a lost child as he didn't know what to do, immediately turned his head towards Elena when he heard her request.

"Eh? Me too?" Yuchen's surprise was palpable. "I'm fine," he hurriedly added, addressing the salon staff who had approached him, indicating an empty chair.

As a man who used to sweat in a restaurant kitchen or when doing his other job and still managed to maintain his good looks, Yuchen found the prospect of makeup unnecessary.

"Babe," Elena interjected, her tone sweet yet carrying a meaningful undertone.

To be honest, she was a bit surprised because it was the first time Yuchen had rejected her words. Usually the man looks so obedient and follows everything she says.

"I understand you're already incredibly handsome, but I simply want you to look impeccable, alright?" Elena's tone was still gentle but held an undeniable resolve.

Yuchen remained silent, his expression reflecting his reluctance.

How could he, a manly man who doesn't hesitate to shoot someone and do other illegal things, have to wear makeup that is usually worn by women?

Yuchen knew that some men wore them, but he didn't fall into that category of men, especially after seeing Elena's face, now wearing eyelashes that looked so curled.

Seeing Yuchen's hesitation, Elena's puzzled expression deepened.

"What's the matter?" she asked.

"That…" Yuchen still looked concerned, he really didn't want his handsome face to be decorated like Elena's current face.

"I mean, what exactly are you envisioning for my makeup? My face is fine. I'm handsome," Yuchen finally said shamelessly.

He doesn't need any makeup at all!

Elena really wanted to roll her eyes at how shameless he was, but she managed to restrain it.

"Just a light touch, to accentuate your natural charm. Humor me this once, and if you truly can't stand it, you're free to voice your protest," Elena's tone held a firmer resolve now, though she wasn't issuing an order.

Reluctantly, Yuchen relented, settling into one of the available chairs.

While he still couldn't shake his internal unease about the situation, he decided to acquiesce in the end.

***

Yuchen stared at his reflection in the mirror and couldn't help but admire how handsome he actually looked.

Right now he is in Elena's boutique and has worn the suit that Elena has chosen for him to wear.

But as his eyes met his own reflection, astonishment rendered him momentarily speechless.

Though he had initially harbored skepticism about the makeup, he couldn't deny that the end result was quite astounding.

His face no longer exhibited the usual signs of fatigue; his hair was meticulously styled, exuding both neatness and flair. Complementing it all was the white suit, tailored to perfection and fitting his form like a second skin.

He had always been aware of his good looks, but now it seemed as if his appeal had been magnified manifold.

"I knew it would suit you." Elena's voice interrupted his musings, prompting him to turn around.

As he opened his mouth to convey his agreement, his words evaporated upon encountering Elena's appearance.

"Wow…" Yuchen found himself awestruck, his mouth agape, captivated by Elena's elegance. He knew that Elena just now looked so pretty after her make-up, but the baby pink dress with its bare shoulders elevated her allure to an entirely new level.

Unable to tear his eyes away, Yuchen struggled to form coherent thoughts. Elena, in that moment, was simply breathtaking.

"You look absolutely beautiful," he offered, the words leaving him without restraint. For someone who had mastered the art of feigning compliments, this instance bore a weight of sincerity, evident even to Elena.

Yuchen absolutely couldn't take his eyes off Elena. She really is so beautiful!

Elena's cheeks took on a faint flush as she observed Yuchen's current reaction. She was well aware that Yuchen excelled at his role as her make-believe boyfriend, particularly when it came to showering her with compliments.

The man was so unabashed when he threw out a compliment, that usually felt like rehearsed lines, almost insincere in their spontaneity. But this time, Elena could feel the sincerity from Yuchen's praise.

"Ah... Why does he have to look at me like that with those striking looks?" thought Elena, a flush creeping up her cheeks.

That's really cheating! Now her heart can't be helped but to betray her to play a wild rhythm in response!