"You mean-"
Chen Zhenzhen pointed at herself. "You're planning to practice on me?"
"To be precise, it's for publicity." Zhang Zhaomu spoke excitedly. "Think about it. If I can turn even you into a beauty, how many people would come looking for me after hearing about it?"
Chen Zhenzhen's eyes instantly widened in anger. "What do you mean, even me?"
"You make it sound like I'm not pretty. I'm already a beauty, okay?"
"Pfft." Zhang Zhaomu turned away and covered his mouth.
"Zhang Zaowan! What kind of image do you have of me?"
"Now that's a question." Zhang Zhaomu thought for a moment. "Well, you look human enough?"
To be honest, Chen Zhenzhen's features were quite delicate, but Zhang Zhaomu was far too used to her unkempt, carefree appearance every day. He simply couldn't see her as a member of the opposite sex.
It was like couples who had been married for many years. No matter how good-looking their partner was, it was hard to feel that same sense of amazement again. Their brains would automatically associate that face with the dull routine of everyday life.
But from the perspective of his [Refined] persona, Zhang Zhaomu quickly came up with quite a few makeover plans. For instance, her hairstyle had to go immediately. Her hair was clearly in good condition, thick and black, yet it had become a drawback, taking on a disastrous helmet-like shape.
If she switched to livelier twin tails or a bun and thinned out her bangs so they didn't cover so much of her forehead, the effect would be much better.
The same went for her clothes. Chen Zhenzhen's features were rather youthful, and her big eyes looked very cute, making her suited to a sweet style. Her oversized T-shirt and cargo pants completely ruined the look. Even if she didn't wear something as slightly extravagant as Lolita fashion, her everyday outfits should at least be softer and fluffier, with a more girlish feel.
"Do you have any skirts at home? A pleated A-line miniskirt or a high-waisted OP dress, preferably in light, warm colors."
With makeover plans circling in his head, Zhang Zhaomu couldn't help asking.
Chen Zhenzhen almost failed to follow his sudden change of subject. She said irritably, "What's all this nonsense? Where did you learn those terms? I can't understand a word of it."
"I do have skirts, but I bought them in middle school. I outgrew them ages ago."
After she and Zhang Zhaomu became close friends in middle school, her style of dress had been led completely astray.
"Looks like we'll have to buy some new ones, then." Zhang Zhaomu muttered, "I can do the makeover plan for free, but you'll have to pay for the clothes yourself."
Chen Zhenzhen couldn't resist going over and landing two punches on him. "In your dreams! I never agreed to let you give me a makeover."
She tugged at the hem of her shirt. "I think I'm fine just the way I am."
Rubbing his shoulder, Zhang Zhaomu paid no attention to Chen Zhenzhen's resistance and continued, "Don't worry, it won't cost much. I'll help you pick out an outfit on Taobao later and send you the link. It should arrive tomorrow."
"As for your hair, that's easy enough. Just come to my place and I'll give it a cut. It's a shame the school doesn't allow dyed hair. Otherwise, with your complexion, you could pull off those more dramatic light colors."
"Makeup and styling... forget that. It's a little too flashy, and it's not suitable for someone your age."
"Hey, I said I haven't agreed yet! What are you going on about all by yourself?" Chen Zhenzhen stared at him in disbelief. "And what's this about you cutting my hair? If you dare mess it up, I'll totally kill you!"
"Don't worry, I cut my own hair too." Zhang Zhaomu punched his palm. "Then it's happily decided. Chen Zhen, starting tomorrow, you'll have a whole new look. You can look forward to it."
"I look forward to your XX!" Chen Zhenzhen swore viciously, but Zhang Zhaomu had already turned back to face the computer screen.
After he had been away from the keyboard for a few minutes, the base had started smoking. Several teammates were hiding in the fountain, and the text in the chat box was scrolling up at a furious pace.
Even under the perverse moderation system, those texts and letters accurately struck all manner of the Zhang family's blood relatives, making Zhang Zhaomu's eyebrows shoot up.
Leaving aside the fact that I went AFK, we had a huge advantage and they pushed all the way to our base in just a few minutes. Aren't you guys trash too?!
Keyboard, come to me! It's time for a thoroughly satisfying battle to defend my mother's honor!
"Let's go."
Another match ended, and Zhang Zhaomu checked the time. "Time to get off."
"It's not even twelve-thirty yet." Chen Zhenzhen still hadn't had enough. "One more game. If we cut it close, we should make it back to school just in time."
"No." Zhang Zhaomu shook his head. "I've been in the internet café too long, and I smell. I need to go home and take care of it."
Chen Zhenzhen: "?"
"Seriously, what are you being so fussy about?"
Zhang Zhaomu felt somewhat helpless.
He wanted to play another game too, but he really couldn't stand it anymore.
Especially during the last game, his mind had kept drifting to how he absolutely couldn't go back to class smelling of smoke and instant noodles. He couldn't concentrate, and his performance had been even worse than Chen Zhenzhen's.
He couldn't explain the persona issue to Chen Zhenzhen either, so he could only make up an excuse. "It's the first day of school, after all, and I'm the class monitor. I have to maintain my image."
"You make it sound like someone would go out of their way to smell you and check whether you stink... wait!" Chen Zhenzhen narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Could there really be someone?"
"Where did that come from?" Zhang Zhaomu tapped her on the head. "Don't you know everyone I know?"
"That was before." Chen Zhenzhen slapped his hand away. "You've been assigned to a new class now, haven't you? I didn't look closely just now, but there seemed to be quite a few beauties in your class."
"There are." Zhang Zhaomu stood up. "That's why there's a market for my makeover plan."
"Come with me to our classroom for a quick look around later, so everyone gets an impression of you. Then, once your makeover is done tomorrow, you can show yourself again. The publicity will be off the charts!"
"I'm not going."
"I'll buy you a meal."
"Three meals!"
"You're trying to make me bleed money, huh? Fine. Do you want braised beef flavor or pickled chili flavor?"
"Zhang Zaowan, do you have to be so stingy?! Who treats someone to instant noodles when they say they'll buy them a meal?!"
"I'm a little short of funds..."
"Don't you think your plan can make money? If it really does, treat me then! But you can't fob me off with instant noodles!"
"No problem. At the very least, it'll be Liu's Noodle Shop, with an egg added!"
The two joked and tussled all the way to Zhang Zhaomu's rented place. Chen Zhenzhen already knew the place like the back of her hand, having often come to call for him from downstairs.
After he took out his key and opened the door, Chen Zhenzhen was the first to duck inside. Then she stopped. "Did we go to the wrong floor? This isn't your place."
"Unless the key in my hand is a master key, this should be my place," Zhang Zhaomu said leisurely.
"Did you hire a cleaning lady?"
"Do I look like a cleaning lady to you?" Zhang Zhaomu said, at a loss for words. "Chen Zhen, even though the way you're making such a fuss gives me quite a sense of accomplishment, you'd better get used to how outstanding I am."
"Sorry." Chen Zhenzhen's face was expressionless.
"I probably won't ever get used to your utterly baseless narcissism in this lifetime."