She slung a small bag over her shoulder, pushed her sunglasses up her nose, and looked in shock at Ye Shiyu standing before her in a vintage Hepburn-style black strap dress, mumbling,

"I can't believe you'd actually wear a dress like that?"

Ye Shiyu usually dressed quite plainly, relying on her delicate looks and tall stature.

Today, she unexpectedly wore something that, in Bai Yi's opinion, had a pretty good sense of style...

It was like the sun had risen in the west.

"Hmm..."

Ye Shiyu nodded and said softly,

"Recently I have been wanting to pick out some cosmetics and accessories. I don't really understand this stuff, so I thought I'd ask for your advice..."

"Cosmetics?"

Bai Yi glanced at the bare-faced Ye Shiyu in front of her, secretly feeling puzzled.

This girl was indeed the type who didn't know how to do her makeup or dress herself, even though she could certainly be called naturally beautiful.

Her skin condition and color were excellent, allowing her to turn heads even without makeup.

But today, why did she suddenly get this idea?

"..."

Seeing Bai Yi's confusion, Ye Shiyu tilted her head slightly and said blandly,

"In the whole school, when it comes to fashion and style, no one is better than you, so I thought of asking for your help."

Hearing such praise, Bai Yi instinctively lifted her chin slightly, puffing herself up proudly and boasting,

"Humph, of course, no one in the whole school can surpass me in fashion!"

"...Yeah, yeah."

Bai Yi patted her chest and said,

"Alright, leave it to me. Come, I'll take you to a few brands I know well for a little tour to figure out your style!"

"Okay."

Ye Shiyu only nodded expressionlessly, letting Bai Yi lead the way while she simply followed behind.

...

...

"...How is it?"

Shortly afterwards, in a chain beauty store, Ye Shiyu's long eyelashes fluttered slightly. As she opened her eyes and glanced at herself in the mirror, she turned to look at Bai Yi beside her.

Bai Yi's mouth was slightly stiff as she stared at Ye Shiyu, swallowing nervously.

Just because, after putting on makeup...

Indeed, she had some beauty.

Ye Shiyu's original almond-shaped eyes were already very pretty, so Bai Yi only added a bit of enhancing eyeshadow and liner.

With some foundation and a touch of highlighter, her already fair and cool temperament was elevated to something ethereal.

But just then, she added a perfectly balanced red lip tint.

This dispelled her doll-like, aloof rigidity, adding a hint of human warmth...

Objectively speaking, she looked quite beautiful.

But...

"...It's alright."

Bai Yi stared in shock for a long time before pretending to speak nonchalantly.

"Really?"

Ye Shiyu wasn't disappointed or thrilled, just turned back to the mirror to examine her reflection, finding the person inside strangely unfamiliar, unlike her previous self.

It felt like Kayako wearing a flowered headdress or Sadako in a Lolita dress.

"Miss, you look really beautiful～"

"See, even an unedited photo would look amazing..."

But a few store clerks nearby, who knew nothing of her past, sincerely laughed and complimented her.

As Ye Shiyu blinked at their praises, she gained a bit of confidence and suddenly thought:

Xiao Huan... would probably find me beautiful too, right?

Then, maybe he wouldn't see me as just a sister, but...

as a girl that could make his heart flutter?

"...Okay, get me a new set of this, and wrap it up for me."

Ye Shiyu pursed her red lips and spoke softly.

"Alrighty, let's go do that～"

Bai Yi glared at the clueless clerks, watching Ye Shiyu with increasing concern.

Previously, Ye Shiyu had been scary in a different way, often trying to hypnotize their mutual younger brother.

But she had never been terrifying like this!

Because Bai Yi keenly observed that Ye Shiyu's aura had changed subtly.

She no longer exuded an aggressive and intense pressure.

Rather...

She seemed peaceful, with a unique charm.

It was as if she had truly changed for the better!

This made Bai Yi feel even more on edge, breaking into a slight sweat on her forehead,

"...Ye Shiyu, what's gotten into you lately? Why the sudden interest in learning makeup?"

She feigned a concerned tone to ask, turning Ye Shiyu to unexpectedly feel a bit embarrassed,

"Just...decided to learn out of the blue."

Who would believe that!

Bai Yi bit into her polished nails, growing increasingly wary.

If this girl had stayed the same, she wouldn't have been worried.

After all, Yan Huan's heart belonged to her. This girl had no chance aside from using hypnosis.

Isn't it obvious?

As long as Yan Huan found out about her true nature, he'd probably have to flee Linmen overnight.

But if...

she had really changed for the better?!

Become someone quiet, beautiful, and normal like a lady?

That would be disastrous!

With Ye Lan helping her along with Yan Huan, she had advantages in both family background and connections!

Plus, Bai Yi had recently been in a cold war with Yan Huan, putting her position of power in jeopardy...

"..."

With these thoughts, Bai Yi's eyes turned sly under her sunglasses, a sly idea forming in her mind.