Chapter 43

Not only was Ji Xiaonian’s face richly covered in makeup products, but the application that was poorly distributed made her cheeks appear as red as a monkey’s butt.

Besides, her natural soft and supple lips were smeared with a blood-red color that looked as if she was wounded.

This was Bai Yan’s first encounter with a girl that looked uglier after applying makeup and it was horrendous.

Laughter escaped his mouth. “Did someone upset you? Why did you make yourself look horrible?”

Ji Xiaonian felt her heart being shredded into pieces when Bai Yan ridiculed her. She pouted and her brows furrowed even more as tears welled up in her eyes. “I… I just want to make myself prettier so that other people will think I deserve to be with you when we stand side by side.”

She sobbed as she lowered her head because she had lost confidence to look him in the eyes. “But I still look hideous no matter how much I try. If I go out with you looking like this, other people will mock your standards because you found yourself such a horrible-looking girlfriend.”

With her back turned against him, tears streamed down her face.

She would not have realized her unattractiveness if it was not for Yu Shengjie.

There was no chance Bai Yan would be interested in her if she looked so horrendous!

“…”

Bai Yan studied the strange little girl in front of him. Speechless at the ridiculous situation, he wiped the perspiration on his forehead with the back of his hand.

He retreated a couple of steps backward and sat down on her bed. He looked at her slim figure and said patiently, “I’ll give you two minutes to remove everything on your face.”

His reputation would be damaged if she was to go out with him looking like that.

Why did she put on makeup? She looked perfectly beautiful with her natural looks.

Moreover, he was used to seeing her pretty face that had never been tainted by makeup. He would feel queasy if she suddenly did otherwise.

This was because he did not want to be bombarded by the taste of cosmetics when they kissed.

Slowly, Ji Xiaonian turned around and looked at the indifferent man that was sitting on the bed. “Brother Yan, is it really that bad?” she asked, pouting.

Bai Yan put on a blank face and replied in a quiet voice, “I’ll not behave nicely if you apply that nonsense on your face again. Clean it up immediately.”

“Do you mean that you don’t like it when I apply makeup?”

“…”

He glared at her silently.

Ji Xiaonian understood that his silence usually meant yes.

Hence, she nodded quickly and replied, “Alright, I’ll clean it up right away and promise to never use it again.”

She dashed to the bathroom at full speed as her voice trailed off.

Bai Yan remained seated quietly as he looked at her receding figure. Sometimes, he thought that Xiaonian was innocent and adorable but sometimes she could be overly naïve.

Or was it silliness?

Uh-huh, he agreed that she was rather silly.

Just like a little fool.

However, that was not too bad either. He did not want to go home to a scheming wife after a long day of plotting against one another in the business world.

A tiny bit of silliness would not be too much of a trouble.

Soon, Ji Xiaonian removed her makeup thoroughly and stood in front of Bai Yan with her natural looks. Her big rounded eyes twinkled when she inquired, “Brother Yan, do I look equally hideous without makeup?”

Bai Yan threw a glance at her, rose to his feet, and turned to leave the room. “I’m used to it.”

Ji Xiaonian was slightly confused but she quickly put on a dress she picked at random and chased after the man.

Bai Yan had already left through the main door by the time she arrived downstairs, so she ran after him without giving it much consideration. Suddenly, a voice from the kitchen called out to her. “Niannian, I made you breakfast, have some before you leave!”

Ji Xiaonian slowed down her pace. She turned around to notice Yu Shengjie standing by the kitchen door in an apron with a spatula in his hand.

She was anxious to catch up with Bai Yan hence she waved dismissively at Yu Shengjie without hesitation. “It’s alright, I need to leave now. Enjoy your breakfast.”

Her receding figure disappeared as soon as her voice trailed off. Yu Shengjie who was left behind in the kitchen, alone, felt a sense of emptiness in his heart.

He would not have risen early to prepare breakfast for her if he knew this was going to happen!

‘Yu Shengjie, it doesn’t matter if you’re incapable of holding up the family business, but now it seems like you can’t even keep your girl around!’

He felt a tightness in the chest when his girl left to go on a date with another man.

It was difficult to accept.

What could he have done though?

How could he love her when he had nothing to his name?

With his head hung low in disappointment, he walked towards the dining table and stuffed his mouth full with the food he had prepared for the little girl.

…

Ji Xiaonian rushed out through the door and was delighted to keep up with Bai Yan’s pace.

However, as soon as she plunged into the passenger’s seat, she suddenly realized that there was another person in the car.

Someone that she would hate to see.

Turned out, Fang Miaoling was in the back seat.

She turned around to look at the other girl with surprise.

Fang Miaoling returned the gaze. However, in a completely different attitude than before, she greeted Ji Xiaonian with a smile. “Morning, Xiaonian.”

The color drained from Ji Xiaonian’s face and she shifted her attention to Bai Yan who was sitting in the driver’s seat. She could not believe it. Were they not going out on a date? Why did he bring Fang Miaoling along?

Displeased, she lowered her voice to question Bai Yan, “Isn’t it only going to be the two of us?”

Bai Yan rolled his eyes and replied to her question with a gentle reminder, “Fasten your seat belt.”

Ji Xiaonian fastened the seat belt reluctantly while glaring at Bai Yan. She was hoping for him to give her an explanation but there was nothing. He ignored her and focused his eyes on the road.

She was feeling disheartened when Fang Miaoling leaned forward from the back seat to speak to her, “Xiaonian, Brother Yan said that he’s bringing the two of us for strawberry picking. Strawberries are my favorite, what about you? Do you like them?”

Ji Xiaonian turned around to glance at Fang Miaoling. She only felt the tightening feeling in her chest grow upon seeing the latter’s sweet smile that resembled a blooming flower.

Was she so petty-minded that she could not accept Fang Miaoling?

Ji Xiaonian did not have an answer, but she knew that Fang Miaoling’s presence made her feel strange on the inside.

“Not really!” she replied coldly.

As she readjusted herself in the seat, she felt her heart sink.

Fang Miaoling persisted. “Xiaonian, it was my fault to treat you unkindly in the past. I’m sorry and I hope you’ll forgive me. We’re going to be neighbors soon, but I still can’t adapt to the new environment well so please show me around.”

“It’s no big deal,” Ji Xiaonian replied absentmindedly.

Fang Miaoling continued speaking, “Xiaonian, I heard from Uncle and Auntie that you’re living with your elder brother. Please come over to the Bai Residence if you get bored in the future.”

Ji Xiaonian remained silent.

As well as Bai Yan who was behind the wheel.

Again, Fang Miaoling said, “Although I’m also an orphan and I’ve survived the ordeal of loneliness, I’m considered fortunate to have Big Brother Bai, Uncle, and Auntie. Xiaonian, if you don’t mind, don’t forget to hang out with me in the Bai Residence more often.”

“…”

Ji Xiaonian could not help but feel that the other girl was intentionally boasting to her!