"So, why not you?"
After a long while, Gao Qianliu also posed a soul-searching question. Yes, it was an obvious question. This Ruan Mei, who was so perfectly recreated, must have completed her makeup and styling independently. With her skill level, she could easily handle other characters as well.
So, why bother asking her, a makeup artist, to show off her meager skills?
"It was her idea."
Mo Yu said concisely. Spoken in Ruan Mei's voice, it sounded like a cold, direct statement—meaning, it was authoritative and convincing.
Gao Qianliu turned her gaze to Xing Qinglan. She wasn't a makeup artist Xing Qinglan had specifically sought out; they knew each other privately. To be precise, they used to be roommates.
However, Xing Qinglan had moved out since she was a graduate student now.
"I feel bad for him, is that not allowed?"
Facing her old best friend's questioning gaze, Xing Qinglan's face flushed slightly. She turned her head away, not looking at her, and then, as if having made a decision, she shouted directly.
"Oh~"
Gao Qianliu scrutinized Xing Qinglan. After a moment, she let out a long, drawn-out "Oh," with a hint of playfulness in her eyes, sweeping her gaze over Mo Yu a few times.
After that, Gao Qianliu quietly leaned in, whispering into Xing Qinglan's ear, "I never thought you'd like this kind of…"
"What kind of?"
Xing Qinglan was momentarily stunned, then immediately reacted, intending to explain.
"No…"
"It's okay, I like it too! Quickly tell me, how did you hook up with him? Do you mind if I join in…"
Although she had lowered her voice, to the sharp-eared Mo Yu, it was no different from speaking directly into his ear. Besides, there were only the three of them in the makeup room.
"You're joking, right?"
"No, I'm serious."
Gao Qianliu's eyes held a hint of excitement. Hmm, you wouldn't have thought it, but she… actually liked girls! Of course, she wasn't the severe type; one could even say—she liked beautiful people?
"He…"
Xing Qinglan was about to say something, but her words stopped abruptly. She turned her head, looking at Mo Yu with a questioning gaze.
Mo Yu nodded.
And with Mo Yu's permission, Xing Qinglan finally gained confidence.
"He… he's a guy, he's my junior, understand?"
"Huh?"
This time, it was Gao Qianliu's turn to be dumbfounded.
What the hell? You're saying this Ruan Mei, with such a high-quality visual, is actually a boy? No! Sister! Are you lying through your teeth? This figure, this face, and this… The key is, male-to-female makeup usually shows some flaws.
Unless… the post-production and his inherent feminine features are already quite prominent.
Of course, Mo Yu clearly fell into the latter category. Besides that, there was another possible situation—that is—taking medication, a so-called 'medicine girl.'
But—how could Xing Qinglan's junior be a 'medicine girl'?
She definitely knew who Xing Qinglan's junior was, that… guy named Mo Yu, whom she had known before. This person in front of her… "Sister Gao, it's me."
Just as Gao Qianliu was brainstorming, Mo Yu also spoke up at the right time, naturally, using his original voice.
"…"
Clearly, Gao Qianliu's brain had completely crashed.
The key is… this guy, it just doesn't make sense! How… how was this even done? And, to this extent… she… "…"
Looking at Gao Qianliu, Mo Yu didn't know what to say. He now wished he was cosplaying Kafka, able to use the Manipulation Technique to help, but alas, he wasn't, so he could only let her slowly calm down on her own.
However, to be honest, characters like Ruan Mei and Kafka were indeed relatively advantageous for male cross-dressers.
Mo Yu looked at Xing Qinglan, only to see her shrugging her shoulders, a hint of a smile on her face… It took Gao Qianliu a good while to recover, but even then, she still looked at Mo Yu with a hint of disbelief.
"Really?"
"Mhm."
Alright, this time, she completely gave up, but… actually, she hadn't completely given up.
Xing Qinglan leaned over and patted her shoulder, still smiling.
"Don't worry, Qianliu, I'll keep your secret!"
"…"
Gao Qianliu wanted to say something, but in the end, she only opened her mouth and didn't speak. Then, she just waved her hand.
"Come on."
Gao Qianliu began to do Xing Qinglan's makeup, while Mo Yu leaned against the tiled wall nearby, silently watching.
Should he offer comments? Emmmm, setting aside the fact that it didn't fit his character, and… it felt a bit like fanning the flames. He still thought it was better to just wait outside.
However, in fairness, Gao Qianliu's skills were quite good. Besides that, Xing Qinglan had a very good base, and she was indeed very suitable for Herta.
"How is it?"
An hour and a half later, a refreshed Xing Qinglan appeared before Mo Yu, giving him a flirtatious wink.
"You look… about seventy percent like her, it's just…"
Mo Yu looked at Xing Qinglan, narrowing his eyes and smiling.
"Just what?"
Xing Qinglan didn't understand, putting her hands on her hips and asking curiously.
However, Mo Yu didn't answer, only reaching out to pat her head. Even if it was only seventy percent, what did it matter? What was important, after all, was the person in front of him… Following Mo Yu's Ruan Mei going viral on campus, a strange rule-tale began to circulate at Pingjiang University—you might encounter Ruan Mei anywhere, but she might not respond to you.
Therefore, you must study hard. Only by being excellent enough can you question a genius.
Hmm, the latter came from a time when Mo Yu was reading in the library, and a junior plucked up the courage to ask him a question. He naturally didn't refuse, explaining it to her in various ways.
As for the former… during that period, his figure could indeed be seen in many places on campus, after all, he was a student at this school.
And now… "Holy crap! Ruan Mei! Ruan Mei! Teacher Ruan Mei! I'm your fan, can I get an autograph?"
Emmm… In the Anime Club's designated area for Herta, the photographer saw Mo Yu and exclaimed with extreme excitement. How to put it… a two-dimensional photographer, to some extent, is a bit abstract. After all, constantly filming abstract short videos, one can't help but be a little unhinged.
"Mhm, you can."
"Wuwuwu! Thank you, Teacher! Thank you, Teacher!"
Xing Qinglan, seeing this scene, couldn't help but look a bit annoyed.
No! You rascal! Don't you see whose home turf this is?! And—let go of him! He's mine!