What If I Ended Up Marrying My Enemy? - Chapter 48
Chapter 48: Admiring Love
With that mood, the makeup artist led the man into a room that had been arranged in advance and let Yu Zhixue sit down. She then went to re-disinfect her tools.
Though image was important, it was just an interview—there was no need to go all out like for a red carpet event. A light touch-up would do.
She squeezed a bit of foundation onto her hand but paused as she looked at Yu Zhixue’s face, suddenly unsure.
Yu Zhixue, unfamiliar with makeup and misinterpreting her hesitation, asked, “Should I close my eyes now?”
The makeup artist waved her hand. “Not yet.”
Yu Zhixue tilted his head slightly, confused about the delay. After examining him again, she finally decided to apply a light base. Her touch was gentle, her movements practiced and efficient.
As she worked, she tried to make small talk.
“You seemed a bit distracted earlier. Were you thinking about going to him?”
Yu Zhixue softly replied, “Mm.”
If possible, he did want to be with Yu Wenxuan—not for any particular reason, just because being near him felt safe.
“Almost done,” she said as she continued. “You’ve got great skin, so just a bit of makeup is enough. Probably even quicker than Mr. Yu.”
Once the base was on, she skipped blush and eyeshadow entirely. She only slightly defined his brows and, after some hesitation, added a subtle stroke of eyeliner at the corner of his eye.
The only thing left was lipstick. But before that, she decided to fix his hair.
If it were a regular guy, she would’ve just tousled it a bit and added some product. But Yu Zhixue had long hair, so it needed styling—hair was part of the look, after all.
When he saw her reaching for his hair, Yu Zhixue grabbed the ends himself and said,
“Sorry, I’m not really comfortable with others touching my hair.”
The makeup artist awkwardly withdrew her hand, unsure what to do. But sending him out like that? It felt unprofessional.
Just then, someone knocked on the door. She called out, “Come in,” and the door opened.
Yu Wenxuan had already finished getting ready. He leaned casually against the doorframe and asked,
“Sorry to interrupt—are you almost done?”
His makeup was simple too. After finishing, he had come straight over, bringing his own makeup artist along.
For the interview, he’d specifically chosen to wear glasses. His makeup artist, seeing how refined and composed he looked with them, had whimsically added a delicate chain to the frames.
Yu Zhixue stared at the sparkling chain hanging beside his face. His hand itched to reach out and tug on it.
“Just need to finish his hair and add a bit of lip color,” said the makeup artist.
Yu Wenxuan, seeing Yu Zhixue holding onto his hair, immediately understood the situation.
He walked over with a slight smile, gently reached out, and pulled the hair from Yu Zhixue’s grasp, easily undoing the hair tie.
Makeup artist: “???”
Didn’t he say he didn’t like anyone touching his hair?
“What kind of hairstyle do you want?” Yu Wenxuan asked casually, gathering the long strands and draping them over the back of the chair.
He was clearly offering to do it himself. The makeup artist was skeptical—most guys lacked the patience and skill, and braiding required both.
Still, not wanting to offend him, she showed him a photo on her phone. She considered enlarging it or finding a tutorial, but Yu Wenxuan only glanced at it and got to work.
Ten minutes later, a braid even more beautiful than the one in the photo was complete.
Yu Wenxuan draped the finished braid over Yu Zhixue’s shoulder.
“Take a look?”
Yu Zhixue glanced in the mirror, then turned and gave him a light pat on the head, clearly pleased.
For a moment, the makeup artist wanted to ask if he had worked in styling before—but considering his background, that seemed unlikely.
Since Yu Wenxuan had done the braid, she impulsively dipped a cotton swab in lipstick and, trembling slightly, asked,
“Mr. Yu, do you want to apply the lip color too…?”
When she saw him take the swab, she quickly retreated and huddled with a colleague.
Yu Zhixue remained seated, watching as Yu Wenxuan leaned in closer and closer.
“Don’t move,” Yu Wenxuan said softly. He didn’t dare touch his face, afraid to mess up the makeup. “Let me see.”
Yu Zhixue obediently stayed still.
The subtle eyeliner at the corner of his eyes made his gaze even more vivid—his eyes were stunning.
Yu Wenxuan gently lifted his chin with the swab.
“Open your mouth.”
Yu Zhixue parted his lips slightly, exhaling a soft breath. From Yu Wenxuan’s angle, he could see the faintest glimpse of tongue.
He bent closer and carefully applied the lipstick. His movements were delicate, attentive—anyone
Yu Wenxuan bent closer and carefully applied the lipstick. His movements were delicate, attentive—anyone watching could clearly see how deeply he cherished him.
The two makeup artists held their breath, exchanged glances, and slowly came to a realization.
Wasn’t this a bit too intimate…?
Yu Wenxuan finally finished. He snapped the swab in half and tossed it into the bin, then leaned back to take another look.
That little bit of color made Yu Zhixue’s entire face light up, giving him a rare, dazzling charm.
Yu Wenxuan nudged him lightly with his nose and teased,
“Such a pretty baby… whose is he?”
Yu Zhixue didn’t respond. He simply narrowed his eyes and leaned forward to give Yu Wenxuan a quick kiss on the lips. A trace of lipstick was now left on Yu Wenxuan’s mouth too.
Makeup artists: Stunned. Speechless. Mind blown.
…
This interview didn’t only feature the two of them—other guests had gone before, one by one. Only they appeared together, as the finale.
Backstage, they sat close together, chatting or playing with each other’s fingers, so intimately and effortlessly that no one could cut in.
People passing by couldn’t help sneaking glances, and everyone who saw them was dumbfounded.
One makeup artist, still dazed, whispered to others:
“Did you know? Yu Wenxuan and Yu Zhixue are a couple! A couple! I’m dying from how cute they are.”
When others looked at her in disbelief, she said,
“Go see for yourselves. They’re backstage. One look and you’ll get it.”
And once people looked, they couldn’t stop.
Yu Wenxuan noticed, but didn’t mind. After a while, staff came to bring them to the set.
In the passage leading to the stage, Yu Wenxuan suddenly asked,
“Nervous?”
Yu Zhixue gave a rare smile.
“Not at all. You’re here—what would I be nervous about?”
At the last step, Yu Wenxuan reached back with his hand. Yu Zhixue took it, and they walked out together.
Every guest before them had entered alone. Suddenly, two came out—and they were the most famous ones. Instantly, backstage data spiked.
“Yu CEO! Please let me win the VR gaming set, I beg you!”
“I’m wishing for a spot in Yu’s latest medical trials. Amen.”
“Okay now this is just a wish-granting livestream? Then I’m in too. I’ll take either. I’m open to all blessings.”
“These two won everything—not just careers, but looks. Look at that cold beauty and that refined devil. My eyes are blessed.”
Some were busy wishing, others admiring their faces. When the two sat down, a comment finally asked:
“Did I hallucinate or were they holding hands just now…?”
They had let go upon sitting down—holding hands while answering interview questions would seem inappropriate—so it couldn’t be confirmed.
The initial questions were standard: personal insights, future company plans, business-related projects.
Yu Wenxuan was asked first. Having done countless interviews, he handled it smoothly, flawlessly.
While Yu Zhixue answered, Yu Wenxuan absentmindedly played with a strand of his hair.
Whether Yu Zhixue didn’t notice or simply didn’t care, he let him be.
It was obvious. People noticed.
“Yu Wenxuan is playing with his hair?! I know this wording sounds off, but it’s the only thing I can think of.”
“Isn’t Yu Zhixue known for disliking others touching his hair? I swear I read that from a credible source. Maybe he hasn’t realized.”
“But I saw him glance at Yu Wenxuan’s hand. He noticed. He just didn’t stop him. Also, don’t you guys think Yu Wenxuan’s gesture is…”
“So natural, right? Like, instinctive. He probably didn’t even realize he was doing it. What kind of relationship leads to that habit?”
Finally, the segment of random audience questions began.
Only three would be selected, and the first one flashed across the screen:
“Yu Wenxuan, when are you going to take your hand off his hair?!”
“…Um.” The host was momentarily speechless. Most of the other questions she’d seen were serious—she didn’t expect this one to get picked.
Yu Wenxuan finally realized where his hand was. He smiled slowly. With the glasses chain, he looked even more elegant.
“He didn’t tell me to stop,” he said lightly.
The “he” was, of course, unmistakable.
Yu Wenxuan twirled another strand of hair and asked,
“Should I stop?”
Yu Zhixue replied,
“No.”
“Excuse me, someone here is provoking the viewers—who’s in charge?! Also, since when is Zhixue so agreeable?”
“Zhixue has always been soft with Yu Wenxuan, okay?”
“He’s basically our in-law now. What’s wrong with a little pampering? You haven’t seen Yu Wenxuan’s heart-melting side. Lights cigarette.”
“??? Wait what? I’m lost.”
“It means they’re a couple. Married, actually. For years. We just found out their companies are in-laws now. Thought it was an April Fool’s joke.”
That question set the tone. The rest were equally unserious, and the whole interview spiraled off-course.
Second question:
“Please describe your partner, and briefly talk about your love story!”
“That’s two questions,” Yu Wenxuan said, looking at the screen. “I’ll only answer the first.”
He paused thoughtfully.
“He’s capable, independent, strong and persistent—sometimes to the point where it hurts to watch.”
Then he turned and looked deeply at Yu Zhixue.
“And… incredibly adorable.”
That statement confirmed it once and for all: Yu Zhixue was his spouse.
When it was Yu Zhixue’s turn, he said,
“He’s sensitive to others’ feelings, gentle, accommodating, and very caring.”
“One calls the other cute, the other says he’s gentle? Come on. You two only act like this with each other!”
“They just shattered everyone’s public perception—again. I know we’ve said this before but: they are both hopelessly in love.”
Third question:
“What would you like to say to your younger self—or to each other’s younger selves?”
“That’s a lot,” Yu Wenxuan smiled softly. “Take care of yourself, eat well, don’t bottle up your pain.”
“But most of all,” he added,
“I’m sorry.”
The host couldn’t help but ask,
“Why? Did something happen?”
Yu Wenxuan:
“We met before. But I forgot.”
“I thought I was the one secretly in love, that he didn’t feel the same. But actually, his feelings started even earlier.”
He paused. “That was my fault.”
Yu Zhixue gently reached out and patted his hand, as if comforting him.
“Wait… this is a mutual pining, missed-connection arc? Eight years of secret love, three years of marriage. I’m crying.”
“What about Yu Zhixue? Surely not just a ‘I forgive you, it’s fine’ type reply.”
The room fell silent. Yu Zhixue didn’t speak for a long time. Everyone, including Yu Wenxuan, waited expectantly.
Finally, after a pause, Yu Zhixue smiled faintly and softly said:
“I thought about it for a long time. And in the end, there’s only one thing I want to say—whether to your younger self or to you now.”
He had planned to say this when Yu Wenxuan recognized him in college, but fate had other plans. And so, it was delayed until now.
“I love you. I always have.”
From youth to now, these past nine years had been a quiet, enduring admiration.