Chapter 300: Su Ya's Ambition

If there's anything that makes Li Xian most uncomfortable about this era, apart from the fact that most of the time he encounters toilets without flushes and must deal with life's necessities in stinky outhouses or squat toilets, it would be the women's makeup.

In this period, women's makeup styles are mainly influenced by Western and Hong Kong-Taiwan trends. They often feature fiery red lips, smoky eyeshadow, and thick eyebrows. Once applied, the features become especially pronounced.

However, such makeup is generally used in movies or TV shows to enhance lighting effects and is not suitable for everyday life.

In simpler terms, heavy makeup like this can be frightening if applied poorly and too gaudy if done well. It's mostly suited for women in their thirties or forties, and definitely not for younger girls under thirty.

When combined with the current trend of fine wavy curls, it's practically a visual punishment.

Seeing Su Ya's face painted in such colorful hues, Li Xian took several deep breaths before he managed to compose himself.

"What's this about?"

Seeing Su Ya flustered and unsure of what to do, he scowled, "Why are you putting all this stuff on your face? Wash it off!"

Su Ya probably realized that the colorful makeup on her face wasn't very flattering. Upon hearing Li Xian's words, she nodded slightly and was about to go to the outer room to clean up.

"Hey, why are you interfering so much?" Seeing Li Xian's fierce expression, Wang Zhiya spoke up, pulling Su Ya away and directing her anger towards Li Xian. "We're just having fun with makeup, and you're not even supposed to see it. Why are you so worked up?"

Li Xian was taken aback by her words.

Thinking about it, he had indeed given Su Ya an order to wash off her makeup in a rather commanding tone, which might seem a bit old-fashioned and domineering.

But the problem was, Li Xian didn't consider himself to be a typical male chauvinist. He had no issues with girls, or someone he liked, wearing makeup.

Noticing Su Ya's lowered head and the look of grievance on her face, he realized that his reaction had been somewhat excessive.

"Su Ya told me she had never worn makeup before, so I wanted to give it a try. What's the big deal? Why are you making a fuss?" While he was silent, Wang Zhiya snorted and muttered.

Li Xian was stunned.

In his memory, Su Ya had indeed never worn makeup. Over the time he had known her, the only thing he had seen her use was some moisturizing cream during the dry spring and autumn seasons.

Seeing that he had scolded Su Ya on her first attempt at makeup, and looking at her now, grabbing the edge of her clothes and glancing at him like a child who had done something wrong, Li Xian felt a pang of guilt.

He set Li Lingling on a stool and walked over to Su Ya. He held her hand, pulled her in front of him, and tilted her chin up.

The foundation on her face was still in powder form, and it seemed Wang Zhiya was not skilled at makeup. She had treated it like cooking, just adding ingredients without much thought about the result.

Seeing the uneven foundation that was flaking off, Li Xian couldn't help but chuckle.

Su Ya didn't mind being scolded, but when she saw Li Xian laughing at her, she pouted and turned away—clearly upset.

"Alright, alright, alright,"

Li Xian held back his laughter, took Su Ya to the outer room, filled a basin with clean water, and added some hot water from a thermos. He handed it to Su Ya.

Looking at her large eyes under the smoky makeup, Li Xian patted the girl's head. "Wash it off. I'll do your makeup again."

Su Ya's eyes widened.

She pointed at Li Xian and then quickly tapped her own head.

Li Xian understood the gesture—You can do it?

Behind them, Wang Zhiya, standing on the threshold, laughed when she heard Li Xian say he would redo the makeup. "What does a big man like you know about makeup?"

Li Xian ignored her and handed Su Ya some soap.

After Su Ya washed her face, Li Xian shook his head.

Sigh,

With his main character aura and incredible luck, he found a girl with a peak natural beauty who didn't need any makeup. Now he had to do her makeup himself.

What a situation!

Looking at Su Ya's face, which was as fresh as a lotus, Li Xian shook his head and took the powder puff and eyebrow pencil from Wang Zhiya.

Half an hour later.

Looking at the mirror, where Su Ya's face, though barely made up, appeared exceptionally well-defined and delicate, she gaped in astonishment.

Beside her, Wang Zhiya and Li Lingling also stared wide-eyed.

"Y-you," Wang Zhiya looked at Li Xian, somewhat at a loss for words. "What kind of makeup is this? No, no… how does a man like you know how to do makeup?"

Li Xian sighed.

He glanced at Li Lingling, who had stars in her eyes.

The kid doesn't have a mother, which is a long story. His cousin, twenty years later, would become a makeup artist in a photo studio. Every time he was home on vacation, he would be drafted as a living test subject for new makeup styles.

Although Li Xian had never dressed as a woman, he had been a makeup expert since high school, and almost every vacation, he had to apply makeup at least once.

Having seen and experienced enough, he gradually mastered the skill.

Although the outdated makeup products in front of him were not ideal, Li Xian managed to create a set of retro, light makeup. At least his skills were not out of date.

Patting the stunned Su Ya, Li Xian smiled. "Does it look good?"

Su Ya nodded vigorously, her face filled with joy, giving a thumbs-up and shaking it enthusiastically.

Seeing the girl's excited reaction, Li Xian leaned in close to her ear. "Actually… I still prefer you without makeup."

Feeling the tickling sensation in her ear, Su Ya felt a wave of warmth in her heart.

Noticing the time was getting late, Li Xian yawned.

He waved at Wang Zhiya, who was still asking how to apply this makeup. "You."

"What?" Wang Zhiya was startled by his sudden gesture. "What's with the fuss?"

Li Xian glanced at Su Ya, who was still enjoying her light makeup, and smiled at Wang Zhiya. "Go sleep in my room."

Click!

Wang Zhiya's compact fell to the ground, scattering the powder everywhere.

On the other side, Su Ya was also taken aback. Her expression was a bit complex.

"I-I-I…" Wang Zhiya panicked. "Don't be a pervert! I'm telling you, even though this is your home, but… but… your dad will be back soon!"

Seeing the panicked look on this silly girl's face, Li Xian smiled coldly. "Don't misunderstand. I need to talk to Su Ya about something tonight. You're in the way here."

Hmm?

Wang Zhiya was stunned.

Realizing that Li Xian's real intention was not to do anything to her, she didn't feel the relief she expected. Instead, she was filled with anger!

"Beast!"

Suddenly enraged without knowing why, Wang Zhiya grabbed Li Xian's collar and, in the next moment, pushed him out of the room.

Bang!

Seeing the door slammed shut with force, Li Xian took a deep breath.

"If you don't get serious tomorrow, you'd better leave!"

His loud shout startled the neighboring dogs.

In the dark night, the sound of barking filled the air.

...

That night, in the warm bed, Wang Zhiya tossed and turned. Unable to sleep, she decided to turn on the light.

Seeing Su Ya, who was lying quietly on the bed with her eyes wide open, Wang Zhiya pulled the blanket over herself and crawled over like a caterpillar.

"Tell me, Su Ya. What kind of person is Li Xian, really?"

Upon being asked this question, Su Ya's face immediately flushed. After thinking for a moment, she picked up the small notebook and the blunt pencil from her bedside.

After a while, Wang Zhiya looked at the note, which read, "Not proper, but very kind," and pouted.

However, her eyes lit up as she pounced on Su Ya. "Confess honestly, are you interested in him?"

Su Ya was tickled by Wang Zhiya's actions and laughed as she covered herself with the blanket, leaving only her head exposed, but she didn't answer.

Thinking about the cool kiss from beneath the noodle mountain and all the little moments over the past year, she wanted to nod. But the words of Aunt Du from that day seemed like a thorn, piercing her heart.

Seeing Su Ya's silence, Wang Zhiya cupped her cheeks with her hands. "I'm just really curious about him. How can someone so young… know so much? He's good at business and can even do makeup. Do you know, when he was making toilet paper, I thought he'd be in big trouble, but now…"

On the other side of the bed, Su Ya seemed not to be listening to Wang Zhiya's rambling. After a while, when Wang Zhiya had worn herself out talking, Su Ya picked up the small notebook and pencil again.

"Zhiya, do you think my voice can be cured?"

Half-asleep, Wang Zhiya looked

 at the question on the notebook and furrowed her brows. Having lived with Su Ya for a few days, she knew about Su Ya's condition—her muteness was due to a serious illness acquired later in life. She thought for a moment and replied, "It should be possible. You could try going to Harbin or Beijing. With advances in medicine, there should be a solution."

Hearing this answer, Su Ya's face slowly showed determination.

Harbin, Beijing.

As Wang Zhiya beside her had already started to snore softly, Su Ya wrote these two places down firmly in her notebook.