Ten Years of Yearning. My Love, Let Me Protect You.

"Alright! We don't have much time, so let's get to work!" Kesi told the other three girls and turned serious in the blink of an eye.

"Umm, Miss Kesi. Can't you not stare at me like that?!" Luo Lixi looked up at Kesi with bafflement. 

Kesi did not reply to her question and, instead, turned the rotatable leather chair towards her to scrutinize Luo Lixi with a sharp, penetrating gaze. 

Luo Lixi's eyelashes trembled but she composed herself and tried to calm down. Then, she reflexively leaned backwards after she was given a few, intense gazes by Kesi while the other girls stood in the back, without making any noises. Luo Lixi felt that the gaze somewhat resembled her grandfather whenever he had to make a grave decision in any matter. 

"Don't move." Kesi leaned towards her.

"You… Why haven't you started yet?! Also, looking at me like that?" Luo Lixi frowned and stared at Kesi's serious face in confusion. 

"Mhm. You have fair and palish skin and exquisite features. Your foundation is pretty good, just that you are considered skinny. If you want to be a beauty, you should gain more weight." Pinching Luo Lixi flushed cheek, Kesi evaluated her. 

"…" 

Luo Lixi tugged at her lips speechlessly and she cursed aloud in her mind space endlessly. 'Why do you have to comment on my appearance?! Do you know how much food I am forced to eat every day?!' 

"Hmm. I will give you an amazing hairstyle first." 

"Alright." She obediently nodded.

Luo Lixi saw one of the girls went to one of the corners of the room. While getting her hair washed by the young girl, Luo Lixi felt very comfortable and had the urge to fall asleep. The young girl skillfully applied some unknown shampoo and massaged her scalp.

"You, go and trim her nails. Don't make them too small. Give her that series of shiny, golden manicures. And turn the nails red." At Kesi's remark, another girl got to work.

"Sister Kesi, this…" After the girl took off the bracelet of Luo Lixi, she saw Luo Lixi cut a mark on the wrist and turned at Kesi. During the photo shoot, if it was exposed, the photos wouldn't look good.

Luo Lixi thought she would be asked by Kesi about it but the latter just told the young girl to put a black bracelet of black pearls around the wrist so that it would match with the dress colour.

When Luo Lixi heard, she sighed in relief. She really didn't want to lie if she was asked earlier. It was a relief that nobody paid any attention to it afterwards. 

"Miss Lixi, do you want to remain in this dress or should I prepare other dresses like skirts or gowns?!" Kesi glanced at Luo Lixi's dress and found it quite suitable. But for the couple's theme, it would be best if she wore red or white dresses.

"I think this is good enough."

"Later, I will give you a golden-red shawl. I will also help you during the shoot."

"Thanks." Luo Lixi replied sincerely while her eyes were closed.

Luo Lixi felt as though her body were no longer hers. From head to toe and face to nails, they were all being taken care of by the four women. She was silent and looked around them.

At last, her hairs were curled and placed on the left side of her chest. A black, shiny belt was put around her waist so that her chest and hips could be complemented. 

After two hours, Kesi stared at the finishing product in satisfaction. Luo Lixi had to put on six-inch-long high heels.

"Miss Lixi, kindly look at the mirror." Currently, Luo Lixi was standing and one girl was helping her to wear the heels. At Kesi's remark, Luo Lixi turned at the mirror and was stunned at what she saw.

For a moment, everything made her feel as if she were in a dream.

The woman in the mirror had fiery red lipsticks on her luscious lips, light golden reddish eyeshadow around her eyes. A black shawl was put around her shoulder and she supported the two ends of it with her arms.

At this moment, some footsteps came from outside. Sheng Ruming had come with Clara. 

As both of their eyes met, they smiled.

"How am I looking?"

"Beautiful…" 

Sheng Ruming walked beside her and seized up from head to toe. Then, he nodded.

Both Clara and Kesi were glad when they saw it. 

Luo Lixi also saw that Sheng Ruming appeared different. His hairs were combed backwards, unlike before when he had a messy hairstyle. 'Now, he looks perfect.'

"It is getting late. Why don't we proceed to the second floor?" As Clara said, Luo Lixi gave Sheng Ruming her left hand and told him.

"Help me later when we walk up the stairs. I am wearing heels. I am used to this." The others didn't have any clue as to what she was speaking because she talked in Chinese. 

As Sheng Ruming remained silent, Luo Lixi's face started to crease but then he abruptly dragged her towards him. Thus, when he directly picked her up and started to carry her outside, all the others were dumbfounded.

"Ruming!" Luo Lixi shouted out and immediately wrapped her hands around his neck. The others all came out one by one. She glared at him as they claimed up the stairs. Only after they had reached the second floor did he place her down.

"Cough! Let's get started." As Clara said this from behind, Luo Lixi didn't scold him anymore. After they had entered the apartment, Sheng Ruming went towards a basket and brought it towards her.

Then, Sheng Ruming took out a banquet of roses and handed her. As Luo Lixi looked up in curiosity, she heard him saying, "You will hold them later."

Luo Lixi slowly took hold of the flowers and inhaled the fragrance of them. Those were fresh. She inspected the fresh rose bouquet closely and noticed they were arranged in a unique shape.

The petals on each rose were vibrant in colour and free from wilting or brown edges, both of which indicate that the roses are older.

Afterwards, the photoshoot finally began.

Click~ click~

Click~ click~

They posed in various poses. Luo Lixi felt like she learned something new today. Also, she was asked to put many expressions during the shoot.

Sheng Ruming liked the pose in which he wrapped one hand around her waist while the other hand was intertwined with her left hand. Luo Lixi placed her other hand on his upper chest. Then they were told to look at each other in love and it was done in a single shoot, unlike the other times when they had to be told more than once to put on the correct expressions.

"Done~" Clara told them after she had taken several photos. Only then, Luo Lixi heaved a sigh. 'Finally!'

 After two long hours, the photoshoot had ended. Luo Lixi felt all her energy got drained out during this time. Then, she changed her heels and wore her flat shoes.

After Sheng Ruming talked with them for five minutes, they bade farewell and walked out of the building. Clara told them that she would deliver the photos tomorrow morning.

After they had sat in the car, Sheng Ruming turned at her. Luo Lixi had already put the seatbelt around herself even before Sheng Ruming could utter something. Then she took the roses from her lap and turned at him.

"Are you happy now?" Luo Lixi asked as one corner of her lips tugged upwards.

"Hmm. I think." Sheng Ruming stared at her for a second then he turned on all the lights of the car, as well as he took out his phone from his pants' pocket. 

"Lixi, look at me." Sheng Ruming took several of her pictures in a single shot. Then he went forward and planted a kiss on her cheek, also taking evidence of this on his phone. Also, he locked their lips and took some pictures of the kissing scene.

"Now it's good." Only after he thought it was enough, did he retreat.

"You…" Luo Lixi shook her head when she saw him checking his phone. Also, the way he had kissed her earlier, she was sure that her lipstick on her lips was ruined. 

As expected, when she turned the rearview mirror towards her face, she saw this scene. While sulking, she took a tissue from her purse and wiped the stain. But then she heard him mutter in a serious yet low tone.

"You better not think of running away from me anymore. Or else, I will spread these photos in the media." 

"..."

Luo Lixi turned at him and said in all seriousness, "Now, I really want to run away from you. Can I?"

"Not even your thoughts!" Sheng Ruming flicked on her forehead and spat out the words. 

"Ruming, it hurts." Luo Lixi massaged the center of her forehead as she complained. "Why do you even think that I will run away? If I have to go, I will just call my grandpa directly and tell him to take me from here…" Sheng Ruming's hand froze on the steering wheel when he heard that. Then, without making any noise, he started the car. 

Luo Lixi thought he would surely retort her words yet he remained silent which made her a little amused so she couldn't help but laugh out.

'That man can't even get up from bed. How could he even take you from me?...'

If Luo Lixi could have heard his inner thoughts, her smile would have wiped out in a single second...