My skill tree increases every day.

Chapter 117 Take off these cumbersome things

From the perspective of appearance compatibility, Ruan Yunxian is quite suitable to be a Takanashi Rikka.

Her figure and temperament are quite fitting; she's lively, energetic, petite, and adorable. The only difference might be that Ruan Yunxian doesn't have the same chuunibyou (middle school syndrome) as Rikka Takanashi.

Ruan Yunxian seemed a little reserved when posing and reciting her lines.

However, this can be completely compensated for by cosplay costumes.

Don't be fooled by the fact that this outfit is almost like a typical Japanese school uniform. The one that Ruan Yunxian prepared is impeccable in terms of color, style, material, and even weaving craftsmanship.

Clearly, this isn't some cheap item randomly cobbled together online; the effect when worn is naturally quite good.

But Lin Yu always felt that something was still missing.

"How is it?" Ruan Yunxian looked at Lin Yu, her big eyes, adorned with colored contact lenses, filled with anticipation.

Lin Yu seemed to realize something and stepped forward to cup Ruan Yunxian's small face in his hands.

Influenced by memories of things he hadn't yet experienced, Lin Yu was now acting impulsively.

"Waaah."

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name 12199.99]

Ruan Yunxian was startled by Lin Yu's sudden action, but quickly calmed down.

Senior, what are you going to do?

Lin Yu moved even closer, and Ruan Yunxian shyly closed her eyes.

"Don't close your eyes, open them."

Ruan Yunxian: !

Learn to grow up to be good or bad! And you expect me to watch over you?!

Ruan Yunxian opened her eyes shyly, but still subconsciously looked away, not daring to look into Lin Yu's eyes.

"I see."

He finally figured out the reason.

It's not a matter of some mystical issue like Ruan Yunxian having a different kind of chuunibyou temperament; rather, it's that her makeup and styling are a bit lacking.

Lin Yu cupped Ruan Yunxian's face in his hands, examining it carefully inch by inch.

Memories of makeup application surfaced in his mind, like an open manual, with examples corresponding to Ruan Yunxian's face one by one. Every detail told Lin Yu where the problem lay.

Ruan Yunxian's makeup was quite good. It was much better than Su Wanqing, who spent an hour working on her face but perfectly hid her best features.

But she is not a professional makeup artist after all. Some details cannot be made up for by practicing techniques, but are a matter of experience and aesthetics.

Her current makeup is fine for everyday wear, but it's not suitable for cosplay.

"Senior?"

What Ruan Yunxian had hoped for did not happen; Lin Yu had already released his hands from holding her face.

"I know where the problem lies." Lin Yu clapped his hands and said confidently, "Your thinking is wrong."

"A thought process?"

Ruan Yunxian didn't understand what Lin Yu was saying, and she didn't even quite understand what had just happened.

Why did it end so abruptly?

What I want—is it?

"Your approach to makeup is wrong; this isn't the way to do cosplay."

"How could that be? I diligently followed the online tutorials!"

Ruan Yunxian was somewhat surprised. She thought she had learned very well, but how could Lin Yu have gotten even the most basic ideas wrong?

"You've indeed learned it quite well, but that's not the mindset for cosplay makeup and styling," Lin Yu explained. "If you're just doing your usual makeup, then it's not a problem."

"However, there are still some differences to be aware of when cosplaying."

There is a natural barrier between anime characters and real people.

Even the most naturally beautiful cosplayers need good makeup and styling to make them look closer to the anime characters.

Especially for everyday characters like these, appropriate makeup is needed to break down the barriers between the two dimensions and blend anime characters with real people.

Otherwise, no matter how carefully you coordinate your outfits, it will still look like you're wearing the same thing as someone else.

To achieve a more appealing and cute look, many anime characters undergo facial structure and contouring modifications.

In fact, the facial proportions of most anime characters are closer to those of human infants or cats.

After all, what normal human being has eyes that take up a third of their face?

However, in actual makeup application, you can't just blindly pursue making your eyes bigger, otherwise it will look very strange.

"But when you're cosplaying, do you think it's more important to be accurate or to look good?"

"Restore—?"

Ruan Yunxian answered somewhat uncertainly. She had always thought that cosplay was just about wearing pretty dresses like anime characters and going out with a wig.

Didn't I know there were so many intricacies involved?

Actually, Lin Yu didn't know how everyone else did cosplay; he just subjectively thought it should be like this.

"But now you're only focused on looking pretty. You're just like you in a JK uniform now."

"Senior, what you're saying makes some sense—"

"Then—what should I do?"

"change."

Ruan Yunxian hesitated for a moment: "Now? But I don't know how to do it."

"I'll do it."

"Is senior coming?" Ruan Yunxian asked with wide eyes, but she quickly realized what was going on.

If Lin Yu didn't understand, would he have been able to say so much just now?

It's really hard to say whether Lin Yu actually understands cosplay; what he just said was entirely his subjective assumption.

But he really knows how to do makeup.

Lin Yu pretended to put on a stern face: "Ahem, what's wrong? Don't you believe me?"

Ruan Yunxian waved her hands repeatedly, "Of course I believe in my senior!"

"I believe everything my senior says! Even if he turned me into Sadako, I'd still go out like this!"

"So you don't believe me." Lin Yu smiled and tapped Ruan Yunxian's forehead. "Then I'll really have to show you what I'm capable of."

Ruan Yunxian touched her forehead where Lin Yu had gently tapped her, her eyes shining.

"Senior, I was just joking. Don't actually turn into Sadako!"

Lin Yu didn't answer, but turned around and glanced at the unusually complete collection of cosmetics on the dressing table.

Foundation, concealer, eyeshadow palette, eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, contour, highlighter, lip gloss —

They have a complete selection of items, and they're all high-quality products.

"Is there anything else you need, senior? If there's anything else you need, I'll have room service bring it over." Ruan Yunxian swiveled her chair over to Lin Yu's side.

Lin Yu glanced at her.

That's enough.

"oops!"

To retaliate against Ruan Yunxian's earlier distrust, Lin Yu played a little joke on her.

Amid Ruan Yunxian's exclamation, Lin Yu reached out and pushed the swivel chair Ruan Yunxian was sitting in, shoving her in front of the large vanity mirror in the suite.

"Senior, you scared me!" Ruan Yunxian gripped the chair with one hand, gently patting her chest, still somewhat shaken.

Lin Yu's sudden push of the chair really startled her.

Just kidding. All done, let's begin.

Ruan Yunxian sat up straight, her hands on her knees.

"Okay, let's take this cumbersome thing off first."