229: Chapter 216 The Beauty Salon Showdown: Transforming Rena into "Invincible Cuteness" Mode

The following afternoon, the IZ*ONE dorm fell into a peculiar state of combat readiness.

Choi Yena was pressed into a chair in the middle of the living room, surrounded by a circle of members with serious expressions. The atmosphere didn't seem like they were doing makeup, but rather as if they were executing a vital mission.

"We must leave the best possible impression on PD Jiang!" Kwon Eunbi said with her hands on her hips, her tone resolute. "We need him to see Yena and immediately think, 'Ah! Yena is so cute, I'd feel bad teasing her!'"

Jang Wonyoung nodded in agreement. "Exactly! Although PD Jiang has... unique ideas, he must have a soft heart, right? When he sees something cute, he should show some mercy?"

As she said this, even she wasn't entirely sure.

But this was the best strategy they could think of—using ultimate beauty and cuteness to soften Jiang Zhiyu's 'devilish heart'!

Sitting in the chair, Choi Yena was being adjusted this way and that by her sisters, looking utterly bewildered. "But... I'm already cute!"

She spoke with total confidence, completely unaware of the gravity of the situation.

"And," she tilted her head, asking innocently, "is someone really going to bully me?"

The air went silent instantly.

The eleven girls looked at each other, their eyes filled with complex emotions—sympathy, worry, helplessness, and a hint of 'how can this child be so naive?'

There is.

Of course there is.

The PD Jiang you're about to meet is the biggest 'dangerous element' of all!

But they couldn't say it directly for fear of scaring Choi Yena.

"Anyway!" An Yujin broke the silence. "Today we're taking you to the salon for a full makeover! We'll guarantee you'll be explosively cute!"

"That's right!" Miyawaki Sakura joined in. "We need the kind of makeup where 'no one would want to say a harsh word to her, only pamper her'!"

Choi Yena blinked. "Well... okay then."

She didn't really understand why her sisters were so nervous, but since everyone was being so enthusiastic, she couldn't really refuse.

Besides... who wouldn't want to become even cuter?

And so, the IZ*ONE sub-unit—Kwon Eunbi, Jang Wonyoung, An Yujin, Miyawaki Sakura, and Kim Chaewon—took Choi Yena and headed off in a grand procession to the salon partnered with their company.

The salon staff were startled to see the group. "Girls, do you have a schedule today?"

"No!" Kwon Eunbi said. "Today is a special mission! Please make our Yena look like the most, most, most adorable version of herself!"

She emphasized 'most' three times.

Though the staff were confused, they enthusiastically accepted the task.

Choi Yena was placed in the makeup chair as the artist began to work. The other members gathered around, chirping in with suggestions:

"The eye makeup should be more innocent! Like a fawn!"

"Apply the blush a bit heavier to make her look lively!"

"Use a dewy lipstick to make her lips look soft and tender!"

"Should we curl her hair? Curls are much cuter!"

The makeup artist was being spun around by the directions, but her professionalism kept her smiling. "Yes, yes, I understand..."

Choi Yena closed her eyes and let them have their way. She could feel the brushes sweeping gently across her face, smell the faint scent of the cosmetics, and hear the constant chatter of her sisters.

In her heart, she actually felt a bit warm.

Even though she didn't know why everyone was so nervous, this feeling of being cared for and looked after was really nice.

The makeup process lasted for a full two hours.

When the makeup artist finished the final step—applying a dewy lip tint—she stepped back and smiled with satisfaction. "All done."

Choi Yena opened her eyes.

She was stunned by her own reflection in the mirror.

It truly was an 'invincibly cute' face.

The eye makeup used pink-toned shadows, with the outer corners slightly downturned to create a sense of innocence. Her lashes were brushed long and curled, fluttering like little fans when she blinked. The blush was applied to the apples of her cheeks, a soft pink like a natural flush after a run. Her lips were a hydrated strawberry color, looking soft and sweet.

Her hair had also been meticulously styled—her long hair was curled into natural waves, with a small bow clip pinned to one side.

Her whole appearance... was like a girl who had stepped out of a manga: sweet, harmless, and making anyone who saw her want to protect her.

"Wow..." Jang Wonyoung covered her mouth. "Yena Unnie... you look so good!"

"A total little princess!" An Yujin exclaimed in awe.

Kwon Eunbi walked a circle around Choi Yena and nodded with satisfaction. "Perfect! This look will definitely make PD Jiang's heart soften!"

Miyawaki Sakura took out her phone. "Come on, let's take a photo for the records! This is a vital part of 'Operation Protect the Duck'!"

"Protect the Duck?" Choi Yena repeated in confusion.

"Ah, it's nothing!" Kim Chaewon quickly smoothed things over. "It just... means protecting the cute Yena!"

Although Choi Yena thought the phrasing was a bit odd, she didn't dwell on it.

She looked at herself in the mirror again; she really was very cute.

But...

"But isn't this a bit too deliberate?" she asked softly. "Will PD Jiang think I'm intentionally acting cute?"

"No!" Kwon Eunbi said decisively. "You are naturally cute; we're just amplifying that cuteness!"

This was phrased very skillfully—affirming Choi Yena's essence while emphasizing the necessity of 'amplification'.

Choi Yena thought about it and accepted the explanation.

After the makeup was done, next came the outfit coordination.

The members rummaged through a pile of clothes and finally selected an outfit—a white knit cardigan over a light pink dress that ended just above the knee, making her legs look long and slender. On her feet were a pair of beige leather shoes paired with white socks.

The entire look was fresh and sweet without losing its sense of fashion.

"Perfect!" Jang Wonyoung clapped. "When PD Jiang sees Yena Unnie like this, he definitely won't have the heart to tease her!"

Choi Yena stood before the full-length mirror, looking at her sweet reflection as if she were going on a date, and a strange feeling suddenly welled up in her heart.

Is this really just for a work meeting?

Why does it feel... like I'm going to see someone special?

But that thought was quickly interrupted by her sisters.

"It's about time!" Kwon Eunbi checked her watch. "Yena, it's time to head out!"

"Remember," An Yujin urged seriously, "if PD Jiang makes any strange requests, you must decline politely! Or send us a signal!"

"A signal?" Choi Yena was lost.

"Like..." Kwon Eunbi thought for a moment. "If you say 'I want to drink juice,' that's low danger; 'I want to go to the restroom' is medium danger; 'I suddenly remembered I have an urgent matter' is high danger!"

Choi Yena was completely confused. "It's that complicated?"

"In short!" Kwon Eunbi grabbed her shoulders. "Trust your intuition! If something feels wrong, find an excuse to leave! We'll be on standby at all times!"

Seeing the worried looks in her sisters' eyes, the strange feeling in Choi Yena's heart grew stronger.

But she still nodded. "Okay, I understand."

Even though she didn't think PD Jiang was a dangerous person at all—in her view, although PD Jiang loved to play pranks, he was a good person and had even prepared delicious barbecue for them!

But since her sisters cared so much about her, she couldn't let their kindness go to waste.

"Then I'm off!" Choi Yena picked up her small bag and waved to her sisters.

"Fighting!" eleven voices cheered for her in unison.

Choi Yena stepped out of the salon and got into the car heading to the restaurant.

Outside, the Seoul dusk was beautiful, with the setting sun dyeing the sky orange-red.

She looked at the scenery outside, feeling a bit nervous but mostly expectant.

A solo plotline!

A dedicated individual variety show line!

This could be a major opportunity in her career!

She had to make the most of it!