After washing her hair, Bai Yuyou sat in front of the mirror. At this moment, Aunt Li stood behind her. After using a hairdryer to dry the girl's hair, Aunt Li cupped her chin with one hand, seemingly pondering how to style it.
"Um..."
Ye Shuang, standing beside them, spoke up, "Fu Gui, even you can't handle this?"
"You pest! Who said I can't? It's just that this child has innately perfect conditions."
"So?"
"It means she's already stunning without much styling. A flawless jade stone—every carving is a waste," Aunt Li said with a smile. As she spoke, she used scissors to trim off some burnt strands from Bai Yuyou's hair and began refining the ends.
"I haven't seen hair of this length and quality in ages—it could fetch a high price... When I was an apprentice at the salon, I always tried to lure long-haired customers in just to keep their hair for selling. Back then, my apprentice salary was only a few hundred..."
"Oh, I'm just teasing you, dear. Long hair suits you beautifully."
Seeing Aunt Li chatter away like an old acquaintance with Bai Yuyou, Ye Shuang was unfazed. He took out a cigarette, but before he
could light it, a soft voice drifted over:
"Xiao Shuangshuang, smoking is prohibited in the shop~~~~~~~"
Ye Shuang's mouth twitched. Through the mirror across the room, he saw both Bai Yuyou and Aunt Li staring at him.
"Fine," Ye Shuang sighed, putting the cigarette away. Aunt Li
continued, "Aren't you thinking of quitting soon?"
"It's not easy," Ye Shuang smiled faintly.
"You should consider others when smoking—secondhand smoke is highly harmful." Aunt Li pointed at Bai Yuyou. "Would you really let such a cute girl smell cigarette smoke on you?"
Ye Shuang could only reply, "Got it."
Aunt Li then focused on styling Bai Yuyou's hair, working gently to refine her original cut—simply thinning it out and shaping her thick bangs to better frame her face. About half an hour later, Aunt Li set down the scissors and used a sponge to brush away stray hairs. "Done."
Ye Shuang glanced over and froze slightly. After a moment, he smiled faintly. "Not bad."
Bai Yuyou in the mirror looked almost the same as before, but the subtle trims to her ends and bangs had transformed her entire aura. Her beauty was flawless from every angle, just as Aunt Li had
said—a perfect jade stone, where any carving would be a loss.
"Stunning," Aunt Li couldn't help but praise.
Bai Yuyou seemed unsure of what "stunning" meant. She stared at her reflection, sensing something was different yet unclear what.
"We should contact an agency and get her into a talent show with these looks," Aunt Li said, shooting a glance at Ye Shuang. "Isn't that your expertise?"
Ye Shuang ignored the look and said slowly, "We'll see. She's old enough to choose for herself."
"Why are you acting like her father?"
"..."
After helping Bai Yuyue fix her hair, Ye Shuang looked at Aunt Li and asked, "How much? It's going to cost quite a bit to have you personally do it, right?"
"50,000."
"Discount it to 5 yuan."
"You rascal, fine—5 yuan," Aunt Li giggled behind her hand. She turned to Bai Yuyou, eyeing her like a work of art. "Dear, what's your relationship with him?"
Bai Yuyou tilted her head at the question.
"Husband and wife."
Ye Shuang choked instantly.
"Oh?" Aunt Li narrowed her eyes, intrigued by the gossip.
"We're not husband and wife." Ye Shuang stood behind Bai Yuyou, pinching her cheeks playfully to stop her from speaking further.
"But... we sleep together... You said husbands and wives sleep together..."
"Xiao Shuangshuang, come—tell me more," Aunt Li leaned in, draping an arm over Ye Shuang with sudden interest. "Let's chat about this 'sleeping together,' hehehe."
Ye Shuang massaged his throbbing temple.
After leaving the salon, Ye Shuang took Bai Yuyou to the mall, buying some daily necessities. Her already striking appearance, enhanced by the subtle styling, drew countless stares, but the girl remained unaware, quietly holding Ye Shuang's hand as the
walked.
"Everyone's looking at you," Ye Shuang smiled at the scene.
"Why?"
"Because you're beautiful. Here, hold your head up—be confident."
The warmth from his hand seemed to encourage her. Bai Yuyou slowly lifted her face, and her pale, elegant features left many onlookers speechless.
"Looking down can protect you, but only by raising your head..." Ye Shuang gently stroked her hair, "can you see the path ahead."
Bai Yuyou turned to stare fixedly at Ye Shuang's face.
"Why keep looking at me?"
"How can we become husband and wife?" The question stunned Ye Shuang, but he soon smiled softly.
"When you can truly stand on your own, face challenges, and muster the courage."
"Then we'll be husband and wife?"
"Mn." Ye Shuang nodded.
"Will husbands and wives live together forever?"
"Yes."
He didn't add that by then, Bai Yuyou might understand the true meaning of marriage—and only then could he rest assured.
...
Back home, Ye Shuang started cooking. Knowing Bai Yuyou's appetite, he'd bought extra ingredients that night.
"I... want to help," Bai Yuyou followed him in.
"You had a long day at class—go rest," Ye Shuang said.
But she stayed, gazing at him with those beautiful eyes.
"Independence... means becoming husband and wife sooner..."
Ye Shuang paused, then laughed. "Alright, I'll teach you to use a knife today."
After demonstrating, he handed her the knife. "Go ahead, try."
Bai Yuyou took the blade and raised it high, its sharp edge gleaming. Paired with her expressionless face, she could've been mistaken for a murderer mid-crime.
"You idiot—who uses a knife like that?!"