I instinctively retorted, "Nonsense!"
Grandma looked confused. "Xingzai, what did Ke Ran mean by that?"
I quickly put on a wronged look, on the verge of tears. "Grandma, Ke Ran actually said that Rong Bo is... a pervert who likes women to beat, scold, and abuse him!"
Grandma kicked out immediately. Ke Ran let out a pained cry, "Ouch!"
Ah.
It felt so good.
I tried my best to defend Rong Bo. "Rong Bo just loves me so much that he always indulges and tolerates me. His deep affection is actually regarded as perversion? Idol, you're being too much..."
Grandma comforted me. "Calm down, Xingzai. Don't listen to Ke Ran's nonsense. He just loves joking around and is never serious. Don't take it to heart! Now I don't care who's genuine or not. As long as Xingzai likes it, it's fine! From now on, Grandma will never oppose your relationship again. Xingzai, love boldly. Grandma will protect you!"
Ke Ran poured cold water on us. "Once Grandma gets the 15% shares, Rong Bo will divorce his wife. What will you use to protect Xingzai then?"
Grandma said, "I've already thought it through! If Rong Bo dares to do anything to let Xingzai down after marriage, this 15% of the equity will be transferred to Ke Ran!"
Ke Ran said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Grandma said, "You naughty boy! Are you looking forward to your brother and sister - in - law getting divorced?!"
Me: …
Thank goodness.
This additional condition doesn't have much of an impact.
I just feel a bit sorry for Grandma. The old lady seems to truly believe that I'm deeply in love with Rong Bo.
Ke Ran answered a phone call and said casually, "I have to walk the red carpet in half an hour. Grandma, Xingzai, excuse me."
Me: "What?!"
You have to walk the red carpet tonight, but you've been sitting here calmly eating, chatting, and procrastinating until now?!
Grandma said, "I'll send a driver to take you."
Ke Ran raised his eyebrows. "My agent will be here in five minutes. I can just change clothes in the RV then. There's still time. It's just..."
I naturally knew he had delayed an important matter. "There's no time for makeup."
Grandma looked at Ke Ran. "So you have such an important job tonight? Grandma really shouldn't have called you! You're so irresponsible!"
Ke Ran hugged Grandma affectionately. "Although your favorite is Rong Bo, you're the most important woman in my heart. When you said there was something important, of course I had to drop all my work and come back. I just didn't expect..."
Then he looked at me meaningfully.
Okay.
It's my fault.
I lowered my head and rummaged through my bag to find the only makeup tools I had - a cushion, a box of eyebrow powder, and a lipstick.
Grandma said, "Does that mean..."
Me: "Xingzai will give Grandma a live broadcast of a five - minute male god makeup tutorial."
Grandma was so excited that she started spinning in place.
Ke Ran said, "No need. I'm naturally good - looking."
Me: "No matter how perfect your natural face is, it can't withstand the harsh lighting on the red carpet. Please put aside our grudges for now. Trust my professionalism and respect the award you're going to receive tonight."
I rolled up my sleeves and got to work!
First, I used the cushion to prime and conceal Ke Ran's face, brightening his skin tone. It took one minute.
I opened the eyebrow powder, dipped in the light - colored powder, and used the inside of my palm instead of a makeup brush to apply contour powder on both sides of Ke Ran's cheeks and the bridge of his nose to make his facial features more defined. It took one minute.
I used the dark part of the eyebrow powder to quickly draw his eyebrow shape and line his eyes. It took one minute.
I dipped in both the light and dark colors of the eyebrow powder, mixed them on the base of my thumb to get a medium - tone dark brown, and used my fingertips as an eyeshadow brush to quickly apply eyeshadow on Ke Ran's eye sockets. When he opened his eyes, his eyes were deep and bright like stars. It took one minute.
I twisted open the lipstick, blended it on the base of my thumb with my ring finger, chose the lightest shade, and pressed it on Ke Ran's lips. I was a bit distracted for half a minute, and finally, it took one minute.
Five minutes ago, he was a natural - looking handsome guy. Five minutes later, he was a top - level heartthrob.
When the agent came and saw Ke Ran's makeup, she was so happy that she almost cried. "Hurry up and get in the car! Hurry up!"
The group of us got in the car in seconds and left at a speed comparable to that of firefighters.
I let out a sigh of relief and turned around to put away the cushion, eyebrow powder, and lipstick on the table.
I saw Grandma standing there with tears in her eyes, looking at me in awe. "Xingzai is really amazing!"
I said modestly, "It's just my old profession. I'm just showing off."
After I got back, I browsed the web and saw the newly released red - carpet photos. Ke Ran, without a doubt, outshone everyone.
The background of the red carpet tonight was black, and the lighting was really bad. Almost all the stars' looks were greatly diminished. Only Ke Ran withstood the harsh lighting. Against the dull and yellowish skin of other stars, Ke Ran's seemingly natural skin was extremely eye - catching. His facial features were delicate and charming, outshining all the others. Even the female stars were overshadowed by his perfect state.
The fans were all calling for giving the makeup artist tonight a big bonus.
I was secretly happy for myself. This was a sense of accomplishment, a skill I had honed over more than a decade.
Late at night, I received a text message: [Thank you, Xingzai. You're always the best. — Ke Ran]
I smiled. He even knew the phrase "yyds". Come to think of it, Ke Ran was probably the same age as me. He looked quite mature, but he was only 22 years old.
I added him as a WeChat friend, and he accepted.
When I looked at his Moments, I saw very personal posts. I couldn't help but sigh at his boldness.
I hinted to him: [I'm so honored to be able to see my idol's Moments.]
Ke Ran: [You should be honored.]
Me: …
Ke Ran: [This is a WeChat account exclusive for family members.]
Me: !!!
So.
Ke Ran regarded me as family!
He had accepted me?
This was quite a significant progress...
I quickly replied: [Thank you for accepting me.]
Ke Ran: [Good night, sister - in - law.]
Me: [Good night, brother - in - law.]
I put down my phone and thought in the dark for a long time. Suddenly, I felt a bit regretful.
At first, I just wanted to fight against the pressure of getting married. Now, the situation was completely out of control. I didn't want to be a liar, deceiving all those who truly cared about me just for a million dollars.
I thought it was daytime on Rong Bo's side. Contacting him at this time shouldn't be a bother.
I sent him a WeChat message: [Can I quit now?]
A few minutes later.
Rong Bo: [A billion dollars.]