"As for that face of yours, one that could overthrow kingdoms and capture hearts wherever you go…"
He drew out his tone, his fingertip tracing her delicate cheek with a suggestive touch. "It's simple—just dress up a bit and slightly alter your appearance. Problem solved!"
"I guarantee no one will recognize you!"
"Just think of it as… going incognito to observe the common people?"
This suggestion caused Bibi Dong's heart to stir.
To shed the identity of the Supreme Pontiff and walk under the sun like an ordinary person… this thought was like forbidden fruit, filled with danger and allure.
She couldn't remember the last time she had walked through the streets purely for pleasure without any burdens.
Over the years, she had either been confined within the heavily guarded halls of the Supreme Pontiff's Palace or constantly on the move, strategizing, each step walking a tightrope of power and struggle.
Deep inside, that longing for simplicity and warmth, stirred by Dai Chengfeng, began to quietly sprout.
She truly felt weary—not physically, but from the weight of years of pressure deep within her soul.
Perhaps… perhaps she really could indulge just this once?
But as soon as the thought surfaced, it was quickly suppressed by her deeply ingrained sense of responsibility and cautiousness formed over the years.
She shook her head, her voice regaining its firmness, even tinged with self-mockery:
"Such wild ideas."
"There may not be many in Spirit Hall City who recognize my face, but they do exist."
"If anyone discovers the Supreme Pontiff acting so frivolously, where would my dignity stand? Where would the Spirit Hall's reputation be?"
The more she spoke, the more absurd the idea seemed. She turned to get out of bed, pretending to prepare herself. "Enough of this nonsense, attend to me while I change."
However, Dai Chengfeng grabbed her wrist firmly but gently, refusing to let her go.
His playful expression vanished, replaced by an unusually serious look, even tinged with pity.
"Dong'er," he used this rare, more intimate term of endearment, his voice low and tender. "Just one day."
"Forget about the burden on your shoulders, forget about being the 'Supreme Pontiff.'"
"Just be yourself for one day, just be my Dong'er, okay?"
"I'll handle everything. I promise, no one will recognize you."
"Trust me, alright?"
Hearing that word "Dong'er," Bibi Dong's struggling movements stopped. She stared at Dai Chengfeng, stunned.
The bedchamber fell silent again, only the sound of their heartbeats and breathing audible.
Bibi Dong's inner conflict raged on.
The alarm bells of reason were ringing furiously, warning her of the risks and impropriety of such an act.
But the tide of emotion surged forward…
Time passed slowly.
In the end, Bibi Dong sighed almost imperceptibly, the sigh filled with resignation and a hint of relief she didn't even realize.
She averted her gaze, avoiding his eyes, her voice barely above a whisper, heavy with helplessness and a subtle trace of anticipation:
"You… you are truly my destined troublemaker… Fine, I'll indulge you this once."
"But if anything goes wrong…"
"It won't!"
Dai Chengfeng pulled Bibi Dong back into his arms, planting a firm kiss on her forehead, making a solemn promise.
"If anything happens, I'll offer my head!"
"Smooth talker."
Bibi Dong glared at him reproachfully, but the corners of her lips couldn't help but curve upward in the slightest smile.
After giving her consent, a strange, long-forgotten lightness began to spread through her heart.
Having made the decision, Dai Chengfeng immediately became enthusiastic about planning.
First, he had Bibi Dong summon her trusted maid, using the excuse that she was feeling unwell and needed a day of rest, postponing all official duties and appointments.
The maid, unsuspecting, respectfully took the order and left.
Next came the most crucial step—disguise.
Dai Chengfeng was clearly prepared, taking out several bottles, jars, and some peculiar materials from his storage device.
He seated Bibi Dong in front of the vanity, standing behind her, rubbing his hands together, ready to get to work.
"Close your eyes, relax, leave it to me." Dai Chengfeng placed his hands on Bibi Dong's slightly stiff shoulders, speaking softly.
Bibi Dong looked at her own familiar face in the mirror, still feeling uneasy.
But at this point, she had no choice but to trust this "rebellious disciple" who always managed to create miracles.
She closed her eyes as instructed, feeling the cool cream gently applied to her forehead, cheeks, nose, and chin.
Surprisingly, Dai Chengfeng's technique was both skillful and gentle.
His fingertips carried warm soul power, spreading and smoothing the specially made, colorless, odorless disguise ointment evenly across her face.
Bibi Dong could feel the ointment subtly changing the texture and contours of her skin.
At times, he gently pressed with his fingertips to adjust the fine lines of her cheekbones; other times, he carefully refined the shape of her eyes and brow bones with specially made tools.
Throughout the process, Dai Chengfeng remained intensely focused, his soft breaths brushing against her hair.
Though her eyes were closed, Bibi Dong could imagine his serious expression, her unease gradually replaced by a sense of novelty and anticipation.
She could even sense that he wasn't merely concealing her features but engaging in a meticulous "reshaping."
"Alright, you can open your eyes now, but don't rush to look."
After what seemed like an eternity, Dai Chengfeng's voice rang out, filled with satisfaction after completing his work.
He picked up a small mirror, showing Bibi Dong her profile instead of letting her face the large copper mirror on the vanity.
"Get used to the side view first, to avoid scaring yourself."
Bibi Dong slowly opened her eyes, looking at the small mirror from the side.
The reflection showed a face that was both familiar and unfamiliar.
It was still beautiful, but the aggressive, distinctive, and awe-inspiring presence of Supreme Pontiff Bibi Dong was gone.
Her eyebrows were softer, less sharp; the outer corners of her eyes were cleverly modified, elongated slightly, reducing the depth and intensity of her violet eyes, adding a touch of gentleness.
Her nose no longer seemed as straight and imposing, and the lines of her cheeks were more rounded.
The entire bone structure of her face seemed to have undergone subtle changes. Though still beautiful, the overall impression was different…
Less noble and aloof, more elegant and refined, resembling a young noblewoman sheltered in seclusion or a quiet female soul master of modest cultivation.
This was almost her youthful self!
"This…"
Instinctively, Bibi Dong reached out to touch her face, but Dai Chengfeng gently stopped her.
"Don't touch, the effects haven't fully set yet."
"How is it? Can you still recognize yourself?" Dai Chengfeng asked proudly.
After all, makeup techniques were considered one of the four great mysteries of women in his previous life—how could this world in Douluo Continent compare?
Bibi Dong examined herself in the small mirror, left and right, utterly astonished.
This disguise technique was nothing short of miraculous, far beyond ordinary means.
Had she not seen and experienced it herself, she would never have believed that the gentle, even somewhat timid woman in the mirror was her current self.
"My younger self?"
"Well, after all these years, they probably don't remember anyway. Even if they do, they'll just think there's a resemblance…"
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