Chapter 149 A Glimpse of Beauty: But the word "beautiful" is too simplistic...
The Zhuzhi Collection Hanfu Experience Hall was decorated in an antique style. Zhu Liushuang and Tian Xingyu were warmly led up to the second floor.
The second floor is divided into a fitting area and an accessories area. As soon as they stepped into the fitting area, the two of them exclaimed in surprise.
"My God, so many clothes! I can't take it all in!"
"This shop doesn't look very big from the outside, but it turns out to be a hidden gem..."
The young woman who helped them choose their clothes was very talkative. She smiled and said, "Many first-time customers have the same exclamation as you. Ladies, we have over 500 Hanfu outfits to choose from. These are Ming dynasty styles, those by the window are Song dynasty styles, and we also have Tang dynasty styles... We have restored styles, fairy-like dresses, and most importantly, everything in our store is authentic..."
"They even have Minghuatang, Hanke Silk Road... so many of them are out of print. The owner is really willing to spend money," Tian Xingyu whispered.
Zhu Liushuang didn't know much about Hanfu, so she was completely confused. But she did understand one thing: this store had a wide variety of Hanfu, and they were quite expensive.
"Which style do you two prefer?" Seeing the two whispering, the shop assistant asked at the right time, "It's cold in winter, so we usually have more customers who choose the Ming style."
Tian Xingyu had the same idea, so she took Zhu Liushuang's hand and said, "We'll also choose the Ming style."
"Then you two can choose for yourselves first, and come find me in the waiting area when you've made your selections. If you're still undecided, I can give you some advice."
"Thank you, thank you for your trouble."
After the shop assistant left, the two walked hand in hand into a dazzling sea of Hanfu. Zhu Liushuang was overwhelmed by the sheer number of Hanfu on display and had no idea which one to choose. Fortunately, Tian Xingyu was very knowledgeable about Hanfu and helped her out as they walked.
After browsing for a while, the two finally decided on the styles they wanted to wear.
Tian Xingyu prefers bright colors, so she chose a light green round-necked shawl and a bright green horse-face skirt. Zhu Liushuang, on the other hand, chose a blue and white outfit. The upper body was a moon-white stand-up collar long gown, with a blue and white gradient printed vest over it, and the lower body was a stone-blue woven silver jacquard horse-face skirt.
After changing her clothes, Zhu Liushuang stood in front of the full-length mirror and was momentarily dazed.
Just then, Tian Xingyu also came out of the fitting room. The two silently looked each other over and then smiled at each other.
"Beautiful!" they exclaimed in unison.
The shop assistants waiting nearby were also full of amazement, praising the two ladies for their excellent taste in clothes: "You two have such great taste! The clothes you chose perfectly suit your personalities. After you go downstairs for your makeup and styling, you'll definitely look stunning in photos tonight..."
The shop assistant was still enthusiastically introducing the design inspiration and fabric craftsmanship of the two sets of Ming-style Hanfu, but Zhu Liushuang's mind had already flown outside. She wanted to go downstairs quickly and show He Ming the clothes she had chosen.
Emerging from the fitting room, the two were led by a shop assistant to the accessories section. Zhu Liushuang and Tian Xingyu shared the same idea: neither wanted to spend too much time on elaborate hairstyles, so they only selected a few simple hair accessories. Zhu Liushuang picked out two light blue velvet flower hairpins, while Tian Xingyu chose a kingfisher feather hair ornament. With their selections complete, all that remained was makeup and styling.
The stairs were paved with wooden planks, making a soft "thump-thump-thump" sound when shoes stepped on them. As they descended, the shop assistant walked in front, followed by Zhu Liushuang and Tian Xingyu.
As she turned the corner, Zhu Liushuang subconsciously glanced at a corner on the first floor, where several long sofas were placed, a place for guests to rest and wait.
The deep green leaves of the Monstera deliciosa blocked half of her view, but she could still catch a glimpse of He Mingjun's handsome profile through the gaps. Two people sat on either side of him; Gu Xufeng and Ye Xingzhi's mouths opened and closed constantly, seemingly engaged in a pleasant conversation. Only he remained silent and aloof, appearing somewhat out of place.
His head was lowered, and the corners of his mouth were habitually pursed into a line.
He's as serious as a little old man! Zhu Liushuang couldn't help but mutter to herself.
"Shuangshuang, call him quickly..." Tian Xingyu nudged her with her elbow.
Zhu Liushuang naturally knew who the "he" she was referring to was, and immediately felt her cheeks burning: "There are so many people down there..."
"Oh dear, you're getting shy again," Tian Xingyu teased. "Isn't Shuangshuang's skin thinner than paper?"
"Ah Yu—" she pretended to be angry, but when she turned her head, she suddenly froze.
The man she had silently called an "old man" in her mind had somehow raised his head, his eyes bright and focused, landing squarely on her.
Their eyes met, and the man's tightly pressed lips melted like ice and snow, slowly spreading into a beautiful arc. His smile was gentle yet bright, rising upwards and reaching the depths of his eyes, shining brightly.
In an instant, his face came alive, completely different from before.
Their gazes locked, and Zhu Liushuang's breath almost froze.
"Thump thump thump, thump thump thump..." One sound after another came from her ears. For a moment, she couldn't tell if it was footsteps or her heart pounding frantically for him.
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With a heart pounding with anxiety, Zhu Liushuang arrived at the dressing room. Just as she sat down, she heard a gasp from the person next to her.
"Little...Little Shuang Sister!"
Who else could it be but Gu Xuting?
Compared to the little girl's surprised expression, Zhu Liushuang appeared quite calm. She tilted her head slightly and smiled at the girl in the mirror, who looked as delicate and rosy as a little bunny: "What a coincidence, Tingting. I ran into your brother outside..."
"If I had known you were coming here, I wouldn't have dragged my brother along... He's so annoying, he has no patience at all!" Gu Xuting pouted and muttered, "Sister Xiaoshuang, did you come alone?"
Zhu Liushuang shook her head and pointed to the seat behind her: "With my best friend."
Upon hearing the voice, Tian Xingyu turned around generously and greeted Gu Xuting: "Hello, little sister. My surname is Tian..."
"Hello, Sister Tian..." Gu Xuting responded obediently. After the other person turned away, she stuck out her tongue and quietly sighed, "Sure enough, good-looking people like to be friends with other good-looking people. Sister Xiaoshuang, your best friend is so pretty too..."
"You look good too," Zhu Liushuang said sincerely. "Pink suits you perfectly, it's so cute and fluffy."
Gu Xuting's makeup was finished; only a hair accessory remained to complete her look. Hearing Zhu Liushuang praise her, she beamed, "I also have a white cloak embroidered with peach blossoms; it's so pretty! I'll put it on when we go out... Sister Xiaoshuang, are you and Sister Tian going to take pictures later? Can I go with you?"
The makeup artist and hairstylist had already arrived and were working together. Zhu Liushuang, worried about taking up Gu Xuting's time, carefully said, "It's possible, but it will take the two of us at least half an hour to do the makeup and hair. Can you wait?"
"It'll only take half an hour, it'll be quick!" Gu Xuting didn't consider her brother at all when making the decision.
Zhu Liushuang silently groaned for Gu Xufeng.
However, as a typical "sister-complex" man, he probably wouldn't show his resentment even if he did. Thinking of this, Zhu Liushuang's sympathy for Gu Xufeng vanished instantly. But... there was one more thing she hadn't had time to tell Gu Xuting.
That is, He Ming and Ye Xingzhi were also outside.
Especially since Ye Xingzhi is a teacher at No. 1 Middle School. If the young girl met him, she wondered if she would be embarrassed. But seeing the excited little expression on her face, Zhu Liushuang ultimately refrained from saying anything beforehand.
Half an hour passed quickly, and the makeup and styling entered the final stages. The makeup artist applied a dusty rose lipstick to Zhu Liushuang, the hairstylist adorned her hair with a velvet flower, and then asked her if she wanted to wear a pair of earrings.
Zhu Liushuang felt that wearing earrings would make her look cumbersome, so she refused.
After sitting for a long time, her neck started to ache, so she turned around a few times before getting up from her seat.
The large vanity mirror reflected her entire figure. Compared to when she had just changed her clothes, she was now fully made up, adding a touch of elegance and classical charm.
"Sister Xiaoshuang, you look just like you stepped out of a painting... You have a kind of 'a solitary bamboo swaying in the snow' feeling of detachment..." Gu Xuting immediately moved closer to her, took her hand, and praised her enthusiastically.
"Wow, high school really is the peak of human intelligence. Tingting can even quote a couple of classical poems to praise someone." Tian Xingyu, who had also finished her makeup, came over and said with a smile, "Then tell me, what do I look like now?"
Suddenly called upon, Gu Xuting blinked, pondered for a moment, and then said, "'Purple Crape Myrtle in Clear Snow Brings Grace,' Sister Tian is as beautiful as the warm sun in early spring..."
"Oh my god, you're praising us to the skies..." Tian Xingyu laughed and asked, "Tingting, you must be very good at Chinese, right?"
Gu Xuting scratched her head and said modestly, "It's just so-so, nothing special..."
The three chatted casually for a few minutes in the dressing room, then walked out together, laughing and talking.
"My brother didn't even come in to urge me... It's like the sun rose in the west! Hey, Sister Shuang, where shall we go for a stroll later?"
"There's a metal flower performance by the lake at 8:30, I wonder if we'll be able to make it..."
"We'll release river lanterns at nine, and the fireworks display is at ten... We're planning to go to Shoushan Temple at midnight to be the first to offer incense..."
"Ah, my mom ordered me to be home by 10:30..."
As they were talking, they unknowingly walked to the rest area. Without them even needing to greet them, the three men stood up and came to meet them.
Zhu Liushuang's gaze fell on He Ming's face, a hint of shyness and barely perceptible anticipation in her eyes. She pinched her fingertips and asked, "How is it?"
Her soft tone of voice stirred a tickle in He Ming's heart.
The man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he carefully circled her body before fixing his gaze on her meticulously made-up face. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like vast autumn waters, and the faint rouge on her cheeks resembled a crabapple blossoming under the moonlight... In fact, the moment she lifted the curtain, his gaze had been fixed on her as if he had lost his soul.
Even though there were other people around her, they were like blurry background figures, turning into light that complemented her in his eyes.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and He Ming restrained himself, taking Zhu Liushuang's hand and pulling her to his side.
Even from close range, he could smell the delicate and refreshing fragrance of winter plum blossoms emanating from her.
"Beautiful—" he whispered in her ear. But the word "beautiful" was too weak; how could it express the amazement and emotion he felt at that moment?
He Ming paused, then gripped her hand tightly and said, word by word, "Like light clouds veiling the moon, like drifting snowflakes in a flowing wind."
Even though he lowered his voice, it couldn't hide the deep, unyielding emotions hidden in his words.
Zhu Liushuang's face flushed red, her heart filled with sweetness. She lowered her head shyly, trying to hide the smile that was slipping from the corner of her eye, lest she be ridiculed by the people around her.
But to those around her, this shy demeanor seemed more like an attempt to cover up her true feelings.
Tian Xingyu and Ye Xingzhi exchanged a look of disbelief and teased, "Wow—another pretentious scholar has arrived, even bringing up 'Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River'... Senior He must have done his homework beforehand!"
After saying that, she patted Gu Xuting's hand and said, "Tingting, you can't lose to him. Think of another poem to praise your sister Xiaoshuang's beauty..."
"Ah Yu!" Zhu Liushuang's ears turned bright red, and she quickly looked up to stop her best friend from "adding fuel to the fire."
"Oh... I get it, I get it!" Tian Xingyu covered her mouth and chuckled.
Everyone present knew about the relationship between He Ming and Zhu Liushuang, except for Gu Xuting, who was completely bewildered. She was still in shock at "Why is Teacher Ye here too?" and was speechless at the sight before her.
After a long pause, she belatedly realized that Zhu Liushuang and He Ming had become a couple.
"Sister Xiaoshuang! You and...Brother He Ming...when did this happen?" Gu Xuting rolled her eyes at Gu Xufeng. "Waaah...Brother, why didn't you tell me!"
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The author's note: A solitary bamboo grows gracefully, standing alone amidst the snow-covered mountains—"Winter Bamboo"
Purple Crape Myrtle and Clear Snow Bring Graceful Light – From "Responding to Master Wang's Early Morning Court Meeting"
She seems like light clouds veiling the moon, drifting like swirling snow in a gentle breeze. —Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River
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