"Welcome, dear friends and family, to our engagement party!"
Huhai, a private beach at a bustling corner of the Bund, was lit up and vibrant with activity.
The host's voice echoed.
The night was gently falling, and the engagement party was already underway.
There were more servers than guests today, bustling about serving drinks and food.
Xu Musen and An Nuannuan were waiting in their respective dressing rooms to make their grand entrance.
For such formal occasions, a touch of makeup was necessary. Besides, Xu Musen looked great naturally, with taut skin free of any adolescent acne scars or pockmarks.
Although his skin wasn't too fair, it had a healthy wheatish glow. With groomed eyebrows, he indeed resembled a hero from the martial arts world - handsome and elegant, with a touch of rugged charm.
The beautician working on Xu Musen felt that her pace was unusually slow today; she kept sneaking glances at him.
Not only was he handsome, but also well-built. As she shaped his eyebrows, she glimpsed the curve of his collarbone through his shirt's neckline - such sculpted pecs!
She couldn't help but think to herself, "How can such a handsome guy be getting married so young?"
The makeup that usually took her half an hour ended up taking an hour, leaving Xu Musen a bit stiff and sore from sitting.
He had to admire those women who managed to wake up at six every morning to put on makeup before work at nine.
No wonder the women on the internet get so angry when they're stood up after putting on elaborate makeup - it's no easy feat.
Xu Musen noticed the beautician's gaze lingering on him and asked.
"Oh… yes, it's done."
The beautician blushed, thankfully hidden behind her mask, else she might have drooled.
Xu Musen stood up and took a look at himself in the mirror. He had never worn makeup before, but the subtle enhancements to his eyebrows and jawline gave him a more refined, noble appearance.
Behind him, the beautician snapped a quick photo with her phone and posted it to a group chat with her fellow makeup artists.
Not Awake Zhang: "Ahhh! The guy I did makeup for today is too handsome, like a prince straight out of a comic!"
No Cilantro: "Wow! He's really handsome. Tell us, did you get any closer to him?"
Not Awake Zhang: "I have professional ethics, okay! But… I did pinch his cheek a little…"
No Cilantro: "Ah! How could you hog him all to yourself? That's shameless!"
Not Awake Zhang: "It's a pity he's here for an engagement party, doesn't even look older than us. I wonder what kind of girl landed such a catch. If it were me, I'd definitely try to win him over. We're not bad-looking either."
No Cilantro: "That's because you wear makeup all the time. If anyone's pursuing him, it should be me. Do you think your figure is better than mine?"
Not Awake Zhang: "Hah! You only got me by half a cup size. Dream on!"
As they continued their lively debate, the third person in their chat chimed in.
No Change Until 20 Pounds Less: "Quit your dreaming. I just finished doing makeup for the fiancée, and the two of you together wouldn't stand a chance."
No Cilantro: "Hey, that's a bit harsh."
Not Awake Zhang: "Yeah, we're beautiful and well-built. How could we not stand a chance?"
The chat fell silent for a moment.
No Change Until 20 Pounds Less then posted a photo in the group.
The photo showed a girl in a pure white wedding dress, sitting before a makeup mirror. Her skin was whiter than fresh-fallen snow.
Her impeccable features and stunning looks would make any other girl envious. The heavens seemed to have granted her all the beauty: picturesque brows, a delicate nose, and lips like plump cherries glazed with honey.
She sat there quietly, a radiant happiness apparent on her face, her blush revealing the anticipation of seeing her beloved. Her heart was ready to beat faster with joy.
In that moment, the word "beauty" was given tangible form.
The chat was silent for a while.
Not Awake Zhang touched her cheek, acknowledging that though she was pretty with makeup, she paled in comparison to the girl in the photo - even one eyelash of hers was more beautiful.
No Cilantro also looked down at her own chest, then at the girl in the photo. Despite the conservative wedding dress covering her collarbone, the curves were undeniable. Even if she and her friends combined, they might just barely compete.
No Change Until 20 Pounds Less: "So, do you still want to try?"
Not Awake Zhang: "..."
Xu Musen stood on the second floor, looking down at the lively crowd in the hall. Though the guests were few, it didn't dampen the festive mood.
His grandparents, Professor Liang, and An Nannan were sitting together.