Chapter 170: The Little Girl Actually Got Attracted to a Male Model

Ye Pianpian led the group inside, glanced at Lu Beiqin a few times, and said, "I never expected your newlywed husband to be so handsome—even better-looking than my models!"

Shen Chutang raised an eyebrow, a hint of smugness involuntarily coloring her gaze. "He certainly isn't bad-looking."

Ye Pianpian continued her appraisal. "This physique, this height..."

"Hey, hey, hey, wipe that drool!"

"No, what I mean is, he is genuinely born to be a model! I'd love to have him strut down the runway in something I designed. It would look amazing!"

With that, Ye Pianpian immediately turned to Lu Beiqin. "Hello, I'm Tangtang's best friend, Ye Pianpian."

The man nodded. "Lu Beiqin."

Ye Pianpian asked probingly, "Handsome, any interest in joining tonight's fashion show? I have a masterpiece outfit that I've never found the right model for. I wasn't planning to debut it tonight, but if it's you, I think it's worth bringing it back into the spotlight."

Lu Beiqin's tone remained cool and indifferent. "Not interested."

Ye Pianpian, "..."

Alright, rejection delivered with absolute promptness.

Shen Chutang couldn't help chiming in, "Stop giving him a hard time. He doesn't like being in the limelight."

A teasing note entered Ye Pianpian's eyes. "Soft-hearted for him already?"

Shen Chutang blushed slightly. "Not at all."

"Anyway, getting back to business, I designed an outfit specifically for you. You simply have to wear it!"

Shen Chutang looked surprised. "Me?"

Ye Pianpian nodded vigorously. "Yes! This is my first fashion show since returning to China, and it means the world to me. Tangtang, my dearest Tangtang, please help me out. With a breathtaking, peerless face like yours, you are guaranteed to shine brilliantly!"

Shen Chutang rested her chin in her hands. "Let me think about it."

Ye Pianpian immediately seized the moment. "Think about it carefully—backstage is packed with tall, long-legged male models boasting eight-pack abs. You'll get to enjoy a grand visual feast all at once! Besides, since my best friend is closing the show, the pay definitely won't be low. How about it?"

Shen Chutang feigned bashfulness. "Oh, my, between best friends, talking about money hurts feelings so much. It's a deal!"

Lu Beiqin stood nearby, listening to the entire exchange, his eyebrows twitching slightly.

So the little girl was actually tempted by the male models mentioned?

Ye Pianpian pressed on, "Handsome, what about you? Care to walk the runway with Tangtang? I can have you both make an entrance together!"

The moment Lu Beiqin pictured those backstage male models, he nodded. "Alright."

Shen Chutang was somewhat taken aback. She hadn't expected Lu Beiqin to agree so readily.

With the fashion show about to start, Lu Beiqin and Shen Chutang were escorted straight to the inner dressing room.

At that moment, all the models were having their makeup done, and backstage was a hive of activity. Ye Pianpian directly summoned a few makeup artists. "Get them made up. I'm going to grab the clothes. For the lady, use the theme set; for the gentleman, use that extra suit."

Shen Chutang recalled how, back when they were children, Ye Pianpian used to wrap them up in bedsheets, and she never imagined she would actually become a designer as an adult.

Zhao Xiangyu emerged from nearby, wearing a heavily embroidered black traditional garment that lent him an air of solemn grandeur.

With a smile, Zhao Xiangyu said, "I didn't think Pianpian could actually talk you into coming. She kept telling me before how she wanted to rope you in for the runway, though she was afraid you'd turn her down."

Only then did Shen Chutang realize, "And she even told me I could come watch handsome guys with abs, only to find out they're all fully dressed!"

Zhao Xiangyu chuckled and flicked her forehead gently. "You, oh you."

Shen Chutang let out a soft cry. "Ow, that hurts."

Zhao Xiangyu was about to tease her further when Lu Beiqin spoke up coldly from the side, "She said it hurts."

Zhao Xiangyu immediately withdrew his hand. Knowing that this must be the Lu Beiqin Shen Chutang had mentioned, he promptly introduced himself. "Hello, I'm Zhao Xiangyu, a good friend of Tangtang's."

Lu Beiqin nodded in acknowledgment.

Zhao Xiangyu whispered to her quietly, "You have to hand it to him, your man is quite cool."

Shen Chutang looked at Lu Beiqin, thinking that it was already no small feat for him to agree to come and walk the show.

The makeup artist wanted to apply powder to Lu Beiqin, but was rebuffed. "No need."

"Then shall I just apply a base?"

"No need."

"Actually, your facial features are well-defined and your skin tone is healthy, so heavy makeup isn't necessary. Shall I just shape your eyebrows, then?"

"No need."

It was clear that Lu Beiqin detested these procedures altogether.

Looking somewhat troubled, the makeup artist asked, "Then let me style your hair to match the outfit—just a simple tousle."

To this, Lu Beiqin finally gave a reluctant assent.

Shen Chutang was already having her makeup applied. Ye Pianpian had explicitly instructed that it be kept light and elegant; given Shen Chutang's superior natural looks, excessively heavy makeup would only detract from her features.

After a brief hairstyling session, Lu Beiqin was led away to change. When he finally stepped out, Shen Chutang froze for a second.

The outfit Ye Pianpian had prepared for Lu Beiqin consisted of a single open-work outer garment draped over him, through which the man's exposed pectoral muscles and sculpted abdominal definition were clearly visible.

Accustomed as she was to seeing him in immaculate business suits on ordinary days, seeing him dressed like this left Shen Chutang in a slight daze, feeling as though this attire gave Lu Beiqin an undeniably alluring, suggestive edge.