I Deduce the Female Lead Likes Me [Transmigration into a book] - Chapter 2: Makeup
It’s time to properly recall “Snow and Wind’s Gift to Me.”
This was a modern urban mystery novel. The female lead, named Song Muxue, first appeared as a lawyer and, as the plot developed, was promoted to prosecutor. When she was seventeen, her parents died in a car accident, leaving Song Muxue to face her college entrance exam alone. Song Muxue had a resilient personality; under such circumstances, she still managed to get into National University.
Song Muxue’s parents were truly the best people in the world. They opened a private orphanage and adopted many orphans. The male lead, Zheng Fenglin, was one of them, adopted at the age of three with no clues about his birth parents. Because of this connection, the male and female leads could be considered childhood sweethearts. After Zheng Fenglin became an adult, he attended police academy and became a criminal police officer. He worked with Song Muxue to solve many cases. The two were a well-matched and tacit pair, able to give each other the greatest trust and support in times of crisis.
And Kou Shuang? She was an out-and-out vicious supporting female character, both stupid and evil, good for nothing but a pretty face. Because she secretly liked Zheng Fenglin, she repeatedly tripped up the male and female leads and created misunderstandings, but she never succeeded.
The novel began with Song Muxue’s return from studying abroad, and based on Kou Shuang’s estimation, she should be around twenty-four or twenty-five.
But looking at the current situation, “physical exam,” “department party”… could she have transmigrated before the book’s timeline?
So, this is… a prequel to “Snow and Wind’s Gift to Me”?
Kou Shuang carefully recalled; the book didn’t describe Kou Shuang much. She could only remember that she was the daughter of Song Muxue’s parents’ best friend, pampered since childhood, willful and spoiled. Fortunately, she was good at painting and managed to get into National University with art bonus points. During college, she worked as an illustrator for a top magazine and, after graduation, joined a famous art gallery.
These simple pieces of information were only noticed by Kou Shuang because she paid special attention—due to having the same name.
In terms of life experience, Kou Shuang could be considered a goddess, and her demeanor was graceful and poised. But when it came to relationships, she was obstinate and willful, insisting on pursuing Zheng Fenglin, who was already taken, and completely turned herself into a vicious female supporting character.
Kou Shuang’s own conditions were not as good as “Kou Shuang” in the book. Sometimes, because of the name, she would feel injustice for the character: Why did you have to like Zheng Fenglin? Wouldn’t it be better to love someone else?
A moment later, she quickly understood: This is a novel after all, the author needed a female supporting character to highlight the female lead, and Kou Shuang herself couldn’t control it.
But now, “Kou Shuang” could decide for herself.
Kou Shuang perked up, determined to do what this identity should do.
Actually, deep down, Kou Shuang didn’t believe in transmigration. Either she was living in a dream, or the “Song Muxue” and “Kou Deqin” who appeared before her were conspiring to deceive her, just like in “The Truman Show.”
—But what was there about her that was worth deceiving?
Kou Shuang pushed her doubts to the back of her mind and smiled gently and kindly at Song Muxue, saying: “Thank you for bringing me to the hospital… oh no, the infirmary. Sorry, I was a bit unclear just now, my head still hurts.”
Kou Shuang’s tone was very calm. Then she saw Song Muxue narrow her eyes, looking somewhat confused.
Kou Shuang looked at her even more sincerely and said: “Also, I don’t dislike you. I was just… led astray by something.”
By Zheng Fenglin.
Song Muxue looked at Kou Shuang with an unreadable expression, then remained silent for a while before saying: “Mm… Thank you.”
Thank you for what? Kou Shuang was a bit surprised. From Kou Deqin and Song Muxue’s reactions, she knew how much of a jerk “Kou Shuang” usually was to Song Muxue. A jerk changing for the better, and the victim actually thanks her?
Kou Shuang hadn’t even reacted yet when Song Muxue asked her: “Many ‘male gods’ from the law department will be attending the social event. If you feel up to it, do you want to go together?”
Kou Shuang found Song Muxue’s way of speaking very interesting. She never imagined the word “male god” would come out of Song Muxue’s mouth; it didn’t quite match her cool, jade-like voice. She thought for a while, then nodded and said: “Okay.”
••••
The so-called department party was actually a social event between the art and law departments. College students, impatient with loneliness, needed ways to meet people of the opposite s3x, and such activities were constantly emerging.
Kou Shuang had just fainted, and Song Muxue, out of consideration for Kou Deqin, wanted to take good care of her and didn’t feel comfortable leaving her alone.
After asking Kou Shuang for her opinion, she took Kou Shuang backstage—she was the host of this party.
Kou Shuang sat in the crowded, narrow backstage area, watching Song Muxue rush around, and suddenly had a thought: Song Muxue is truly a goddess. Even when she runs, she has such grace, not rushed or flustered at all.
But then again, even if Song Muxue and Kou Deqin were putting on an act for her, it wouldn’t be easy to find so many extras… Could she really have transmigrated?
Kou Shuang quietly sat in a corner backstage, “growing mushrooms” (meaning sitting idly), her presence strikingly out of place, more like a painting.
If this truly was a novel world, it would explain why there were so many handsome men and beautiful women. Although those who could go on stage at a social event would definitely be relatively better looking, the average attractiveness score of these people could rival the young male and female stars Kou Shuang saw in the entertainment industry. It was truly drool-worthy.
Of course, Song Muxue, as the female lead, naturally had the most outstanding appearance and aura.
However, Kou Shuang couldn’t see herself. She didn’t know that her own face, which was considered “delicate” or “passable” in her original world, had been subtly enhanced by some mysterious force here, making her so stunning she could “drown fish and make geese fall” (a Chinese idiom for extreme beauty) and stand out from the crowd.
The Art Department Goddess.
So naturally, someone came to strike up a conversation. “Hello, are you Song Muxue’s friend?”
Kou Shuang was startled awake from her daze, her large eyes blinking, with a hint of bewilderment. “What?… Ah, yes, yes.”
The boy in front of her was quite handsome and smiled very gently. He said to Kou Shuang: “I’m Lu Renjia, the chief director of this party. May I ask your name?”
Kou Shuang thought she was affecting other people’s work and quickly stood up, saying: “I’m sorry, am I bothering you? I’ll go out and find a seat right away.”
Lu Renjia smiled and said: “No, no, I wanted to ask, we’re short a few makeup artists here. If you’re free, could you help us out? I’ll buy you milk tea afterward.”
Lu Renjia’s smile looked very refreshing, and with the overall attractiveness bonus from the novel world… Kou Shuang felt a little dazed. Her brain hadn’t even processed it, and she blurted out: “Okay.”
Lu Renjia happily clapped his hands and said: “That’s great! I knew a beautiful young lady like you would definitely be skilled and kind-hearted! milk tea on me after you’re done!”
Kou Shuang blushed a little from the compliments and asked: “Who else hasn’t had their makeup done? Do you have extra makeup tools?”
“We have tools. Most people haven’t had makeup done. Let’s start with Song Muxue; she’s about to go on stage,” Lu Renjia’s smile was bright and sunny.
“…”
Kou Shuang never expected that the person she was entrusted with would be Song Muxue. She carried her makeup bag to Song Muxue, who was already sitting obediently.
Song Muxue wore a long, flowing red dress that fit her perfectly, accentuating her slender and graceful figure. Her skin was snow-white, and against the red, it appeared even more flawless. Standing in front of Song Muxue, Kou Shuang felt many subtle glances, all directed at Song Muxue.
Song Muxue sat on a stool, looking up at Kou Shuang, her eyes wide open. When Kou Shuang walked over, her head’s shadow covered the other’s face.
The stage lights shone directly into Song Muxue’s eyes. Perhaps she felt a little uncomfortable, so she blinked. Her long eyelashes fluttered on her face like little fans.
Kou Shuang said: “Turn around. I’m blocking you, and the backlight isn’t good for your eyes.”
Song Muxue obligingly turned halfway, and Kou Shuang followed her.
When Kou Shuang took out the primer, Song Muxue said: “Are there any other makeup artists?”
Her tone clearly indicated distrust.
Kou Shuang just smiled and said: “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely make you look beautiful.” She wasn’t sure if the original “Kou Shuang” knew how to do makeup, but she was an old hand at it.
You wouldn’t know it without a closer look, but upon closer inspection, Song Muxue’s skin was truly good, and very fair. She already looked beautiful just sitting there after applying only toner and lotion. Even if Kou Shuang had ulterior motives and messed around, it probably wouldn’t hide the other’s beautiful face.
Kou Shuang meticulously applied makeup to Song Muxue.
Primer, eyeliner, lipstick, eyeshadow.
When applying eyeliner, she warned Song Muxue beforehand: “I’m going to apply eyeliner now. Don’t be scared, my hand is very steady. Don’t blink, and I won’t hurt you, don’t worry.”
Song Muxue looked up without moving and said softly: “You wouldn’t hurt my eyes just for Zheng Fenglin. I trust you.”
Kou Shuang had just pulled open Song Muxue’s eyelid. Hearing this, she paused, holding the eyeliner pen, and asked: “Was I really that mean to you before?”
She told Song Muxue not to blink, and Song Muxue truly didn’t blink. After waiting for a long time, the eyeliner pen still hadn’t come down, so Song Muxue’s eyes moved, turning to stare at Kou Shuang’s eyes.
Song Muxue’s eyes seemed to have a built-in filter, looking restrained and cold, with very faint emotions. But Kou Shuang’s eyes were very watery, revealing all her thoughts.
As their eyes met, the atmosphere changed. Kou Shuang felt an inexplicable panic. She released her hand and stepped back, saying: “You’ve kept your eyes open for too long, it must be uncomfortable.”
Song Muxue blinked and rubbed her eyes, saying: “It wasn’t very bad, a normal reaction. I don’t know what you misunderstood, but I didn’t say bad things about you in front of Zheng Fenglin.”
The other person spoke so clearly that Kou Shuang felt a bit awkward. Her throat dry, she said: “I didn’t like Zheng Fenglin… I don’t like him now. Okay, let’s continue with the eyeliner, open your eyes wide.”
Kou Shuang discovered for the first time that doing makeup was such an intimate thing… Her palm covered Song Muxue’s face, and her fingertips could feel nothing but softness. And Song Muxue completely trusted her. Even though the eyeliner pen was quite sharp for the eyes, she still kept her eyes wide open without blinking.
It was as if she was looking at herself, and yet not.
To draw carefully, Kou Shuang leaned very close, so close their breaths were practically mingling.
Her hand was on Song Muxue’s cheek, but she couldn’t feel her breathing.
Song Muxue held her breath… Kou Shuang realized this and thought: Actually, Song Muxue is probably a little scared, right?
Finally, she finished. Kou Shuang stepped back, letting out a big sigh of relief, and said: “Done.”
Only then did she realize that she herself had also been holding her breath… It was just makeup, was she afraid of something too?
Kou Shuang only gave Song Muxue a slight lift at the corner of her eyes and a subtle arch to her brows. Aside from the vibrant lipstick color, everything else was very light. But Song Muxue had a good base, and with appropriate fine-tuning, the improvement was obvious. Even ordinary incandescent light produced a soft-focus effect.
Kou Shuang felt very satisfied. She gave a big smile and held the mirror up to Song Muxue, saying: “Take a look at the effect, is it okay? I’m very happy with it, anyway.”
Just then, Lu Renjia called out from nearby: “Kou Shuang, after Song Muxue is done, come do this one, the lead singer for the first act. Thanks for your hard work!”
Lu Renjia really didn’t treat her like an outsider…
But for the sake of his good-looking smile, Kou Shuang accepted it. She quickly packed up her makeup bag, intending to carry it to the next table.
At this moment, Song Muxue behind her said: “Don’t get too close to Lu Renjia. He… isn’t very good…”