Heart Flutter

Chapter 47

Tang Yan said, “Good morning, Aunt Ji…”

Wearing simple, clean cotton slippers and draped in a long knitted cardigan, Ji Yuqing walked over and asked casually, “Last night, it was Peiwen who brought me home, right?”

Tang Yan nodded. “That sister said Aunt Ji had too much to drink…”

Ji Yuqing gave a faint, embarrassed smile. “I know—I shouldn’t have let you see me like that. It must have ruined the image you had of me. But last night really was an emergency. One of our company’s major clients suddenly changed their flight, so the meeting originally scheduled for Monday was moved to last night.”

Tang Yan nodded in partial understanding as she fried eggs in the pan.

“I didn’t do anything rude last night, did I?” Ji Yuqing asked tentatively.

Tang Yan flinched, her body going stiff for a moment. She avoided meeting Ji Yuqing’s gaze and quickly acted nonchalant to hide the truth. “You went straight to sleep once you got home last night, Aunt Ji.”

“Oh…” Ji Yuqing drew out the word. Even though Yanyan said that, she still guessed that it must have been Tang Yan who had helped remove her makeup, wash her face, and wash her feet. After all, Peiwen had been by her side for a long time and knew her habits—she wouldn’t have touched her so directly.

By nature, Ji Yuqing rarely liked anyone touching her body without her knowledge. It was an unspoken rule of hers. Yanyan had broken that rule unintentionally more than once, yet Ji Yuqing did not feel any dislike or resentment.

Perhaps it was because Tang Yan was just a child, innocent at heart, that Ji Yuqing chose to be especially understanding.

Without saying more, Ji Yuqing went to the toaster and toasted a few slices of bread. Tang Yan sensed Aunt Ji standing just behind her, which made her tense up and lose focus. It seemed Aunt Ji truly did not remember the events of the previous night, and Tang Yan felt a faint sense of disappointment.

After frying the eggs and pairing them with the toast that Ji Yuqing had prepared, their simple breakfast was ready. Just as Ji Yuqing sat down, Tang Yan suddenly dashed off somewhere. Somewhat puzzled, Ji Yuqing waited. Before long, the young girl ran back with a jar of honey in her hand, still breathing a bit heavily. She handed Ji Yuqing a cup of honey water and said, “Last time I drank too much, Aunt Ji did this for me too.”

Startled, Ji Yuqing was clearly amazed at how quickly this child had learned and how considerate she was. She accepted the cup with a smile. “Thank you, Yanyan. Sit down and eat. As compensation for last night, I have a reward for you today.”

Tang Yan pulled out a chair and sat down, curiosity getting the better of her. “What… reward?”

Resting her chin on her hand, Ji Yuqing looked at her and suddenly smiled kindly. In a gentle voice, she said, “Our Yanyan has grown into a young lady. You need to learn how to dress yourself up. In a bit, I’ll take you to a few counters to get a set of cosmetics, and then buy you a few outfits for this season.”

Upon hearing this, Tang Yan instinctively waved both hands as though she wanted to escape. “No, no, Aunt Ji… I really don’t know how to do makeup. It’d be too embarrassing…”

“It’s fine if you don’t know yet. I can teach you little by little,” Ji Yuqing said. Suddenly, she reached out and gently stroked Tang Yan’s cheek. Caught off guard by the unexpected touch, Tang Yan flinched, feeling her body temperature spike.

Withdrawing her hand, Ji Yuqing smiled at her. “You’ll look even prettier with makeup, Yanyan.”

Tang Yan blushed and fiddled with the tablecloth under the table. “Do you really think so, Aunt Ji?”

“Of course I do,” Ji Yuqing answered firmly.

In the past, Tang Yan would have thought makeup would never become part of her life. She simply had no interest in it. But after hearing Aunt Ji’s words, she suddenly wanted to give it a try—not for any other reason, but because Aunt Ji said she liked it and that it was pretty.

Tang Yan wanted to show her most beautiful side to Aunt Ji; nothing else was enough of a reason.

After they finished breakfast, Ji Yuqing said to wait while she tidied herself up in her room. Tang Yan nodded obediently and took the chance to slip back into her own room.

Inside, she picked up the small mirror and examined her reflection. Her eyebrows were a bit untamed, she had natural double eyelids, and her nose, although not tall, was just the right shape. She wasn’t unattractive, but her mouth… Tang Yan brushed her fingers across her lips. With them pressed together and no smile, she seemed distant, almost rejecting the world. Overall, she did not have a gentle or cute look—there was a certain cool detachment in her features.

Did Aunt Ji really think she looked good like this?

Meanwhile, in her own room, Ji Yuqing changed into a floral maxi dress, slipped on a beige knit cardigan, and chose a pair of khaki flats. Her long hair fell loosely behind her shoulders in a slight wave. Her makeup was fresh and subtle, free of any heavy or oily look. A muted pink lipstick brightened her lips, giving her that consistent, gentle, serene style. The floral dress added a youthful, vibrant touch.

Tang Yan adored every one of her outfits. Even when Aunt Ji wore no makeup at all, Tang Yan saw her as breathtakingly beautiful.

In particular, Tang Yan could not stop focusing on those soft, gentle lips. She swallowed hard and bit her own lip, itching to steal another kiss.

Naturally, Ji Yuqing had no idea what truly went on in the mind of the seemingly calm and obedient young girl at her side. Slinging her bag over her shoulder, she took Tang Yan and left the house.

Even though it was the weekend and Tang Yan had to return to her school dorm that evening, that still left them with an entire day to spend together.

They set out at a time when traffic was not too bad. Ji Yuqing’s destination was a well-known large shopping mall lined with upscale brand counters—a veritable shopping paradise.

Outdoor parking spaces were almost all taken, so without hesitation, Ji Yuqing drove into the underground parking garage. After parking, she and Tang Yan took the elevator upstairs.

Tang Yan had seldom visited such places, and this first trip left her feeling anxious. Aunt Ji walked ahead with her head held high, brimming with confidence. Tang Yan hoped that one day she, too, would carry herself that way.

They approached a store whose name Tang Yan did not notice—she only remembered it started with the letter D. A sales associate came over to ask what they needed.

Wrapping an arm around Tang Yan’s shoulders, Ji Yuqing said, “I’d like to buy this young lady some cosmetics.”

The sales associate immediately launched into an introduction. Ji Yuqing mostly paid little attention, and then asked, “Is there something suitable for her age?”

The associate paused, then turned to Tang Yan. “Miss, how old are you this year?”

Having someone older than her address her so politely made Tang Yan feel a bit awkward. “Eighteen, turning nineteen by nominal age.”

Among the foundations the associate introduced, Ji Yuqing picked out one small bottle that cost more than five hundred yuan. Tang Yan thought it was far too expensive. She tugged on Aunt Ji’s sleeve, whispering, “This is too pricey. Let’s not buy it.”

Yet Ji Yuqing spoke with calm conviction. “Yanyan, do you know what the most important part of a makeup set is?”

Tang Yan had no idea, so she shook her head, confused.

“It’s having a good base foundation, because it goes directly on your skin,” said Ji Yuqing. While Tang Yan was still baffled, she turned to the associate. “I’ll take this one.”

They went on to pick up more items. Tang Yan no longer dared calculate how much they were spending. Each time, Aunt Ji managed to convince her—Aunt Ji was always right.

At checkout, Ji Yuqing suddenly had an idea: she asked the sales associate to apply some makeup on Tang Yan as a test. Feeling too shy, Tang Yan repeatedly waved her hand in refusal. Seeing her reluctance, Ji Yuqing folded her arms and looked a bit disappointed. “I’ve never seen Yanyan with makeup before—what a pity.”

“I’ll do it!” Tang Yan blurted, changing her mind so quickly that she surprised even herself.

She sat enthusiastically in the chair while the associate brought out a trial set of makeup. However, Ji Yuqing intervened. “Let’s use ours instead.” They had no idea how many people had used the store’s products, brushes, or sponges, and Ji Yuqing didn’t want them on Yanyan’s face.

It ended with Ji Yuqing personally applying Tang Yan’s makeup with the new products she had just bought. Tang Yan’s nerves went through the roof.

Because they sat face to face, Tang Yan’s eyes kept drifting to Aunt Ji. Her entire body felt tense. Before applying makeup, Ji Yuqing gave her face a full moisturizing treatment. As that smooth, creamy lotion was massaged into her skin, Tang Yan could clearly see Aunt Ji’s slender, fair fingers gliding over her face. The sensation was indescribably comforting, and her throat tightened as she swallowed instinctively.

“What’s wrong? Relax; there’s no need to be so tense,” Ji Yuqing teased.

But Tang Yan could not just shut off the reactions of her body.

Trying to calm herself, she stopped looking into Aunt Ji’s eyes and shifted her gaze elsewhere—like the nearby shelves, the color of the floor, or the legs of the stool.

She had no idea how much time passed before she suddenly realized that Aunt Ji was already drawing her eyebrows.

Ji Yuqing and the sales associate chatted about which eyebrow shape suited Tang Yan, which shape looked best. Tang Yan felt like a doll in a display case, motionless and under observation.

When her brows were done, Tang Yan noticed the slight lift of Aunt Ji’s own eyebrows and the satisfaction on her face.

They had bought two lipsticks at once: one was a nude shade, which Aunt Ji said would be suitable for everyday wear at school so it would not look too conspicuous or leave her lips colorless. The other was Dior 999, a vibrant red, perfect for going out or meeting friends.

When Tang Yan’s makeup was finally complete, Ji Yuqing put the cap back on the lipstick, smiled in satisfaction, and gave her unreserved praise: “Our Yanyan looks so beautiful.”