After washing her hair, Bai Yuyou sat in front of the mirror while Aunt Li stood behind her, blow-drying the young girl's hair. Holding her chin thoughtfully, Aunt Li seemed to be studying how to style it.
"Hmm..."
Ye Shuang, who was nearby, chimed in, "Fugui, even you can't figure it out?"
"Annoying! Who said I can't? It's just that this child's natural beauty is already flawless."
"So?"
"What I mean is, she doesn’t even need much styling—she’s stunning as is." Aunt Li smiled. "A perfect piece of jade loses its essence with every unnecessary carve."
As she spoke, she carefully trimmed away the singed ends of Bai Yuyou’s hair and tidied up the layers.
"Hair of this length and quality is rare these days. It could fetch a good price... Back when I was an apprentice at the salon, I’d always try to lure in people with long hair just to keep their cuttings for resale. Apprentices didn’t earn much back then—just a few hundred..."
"Ohoho, just teasing, dear. You look much better keeping your long hair."
Watching Li Fugui chatter away like an old gossip, Ye Shuang wasn’t fazed. He pulled out a cigarette, but before he could even light it, a slow, singsong voice drifted over.
"Little Shuang-shuang~ No smoking in the shop, okay~~~~~~~"
Ye Shuang’s lips twitched. Through the mirror, he saw both Bai Yuyou and Aunt Li staring at him.
"Fine." He reluctantly put it away.
"You should quit soon, you know," Aunt Li added.
"Easier said than done." Ye Shuang chuckled.
"At least think about others when you smoke. Secondhand smoke is no joke." She gestured toward Bai Yuyou. "Would you really let such a lovely girl breathe in that smell?"
"Got it," Ye Shuang conceded.
Aunt Li returned to styling Bai Yuyou’s hair with delicate precision, mostly refining her natural look—thinning out the bulk slightly and reshaping her heavy bangs to frame her face better.
Half an hour later, Aunt Li set down the scissors and brushed away stray strands with a sponge. "All done."
Ye Shuang glanced over and paused for a few seconds before smiling faintly. "Not bad."
At first glance, Bai Yuyou’s haircut didn’t seem drastically different—same style, just subtly polished. Yet those minor tweaks to the ends and bangs transformed her entire aura.
Her beauty was flawless from every angle, just as Li Fugui had said—like a perfect jade that needed no carving.
"Absolutely gorgeous," Aunt Li couldn’t help but gush.
Bai Yuyou didn’t seem to grasp the concept of beauty, but as she studied her reflection, she sensed something had changed.
"With looks like this, you could easily debut in a talent show." Aunt Li shot Ye Shuang a meaningful look. "That’s your expertise, isn’t it?"
Ye Shuang ignored the hint and replied flatly, "Maybe later. She’s old enough to decide for herself."
"Since when did you turn into such a dad?"
"..."
After the haircut, Ye Shuang asked, "How much? Must be pricey for your personal service."
"Fifty thousand."
"Discount. Five bucks."
"Ugh, fine, five it is." Aunt Li giggled behind her hand, then turned to Bai Yuyou, admiring her like a masterpiece. "Sweetie, what’s your relationship with him?"
Bai Yuyou tilted her head slightly.
"Married."
Ye Shuang nearly choked.
"Oh?" Aunt Li’s eyes gleamed with mischief, as if she’d struck gossip gold.
"We’re not married." Ye Shuang pinched Bai Yuyou’s cheeks and stretched them sideways, worried she’d spin more tall tales.
"But... we sleep together..." Bai Yuyou turned to him. "You said married couples sleep together..."
"Little Shuang-shuang~ Let’s have a chat about this ‘sleeping’ business, hmm?" Aunt Li swooped in, slinging an arm around Ye Shuang with glee. "Ohohoho!"
Ye Shuang massaged his temples.
After leaving the salon, Ye Shuang took Bai Yuyou around the mall to pick up some daily necessities.
Her already striking appearance, now subtly enhanced, drew countless gazes—though the girl herself remained oblivious, quietly holding Ye Shuang’s hand as they walked.
"Everyone’s looking at you," Ye Shuang remarked with a smile.
"Why?"
"Because you’re beautiful." He nudged her gently. "Chin up. Be confident."
The warmth of his hand seemed to embolden her. Bai Yuyou lifted her face, her porcelain features and cool demeanor leaving onlookers spellbound.
"Keeping your head down might protect you, but only by looking up..." Ye Shuang brushed his fingers through her hair,
"...can you see the path ahead."
Bai Yuyou turned, her gaze lingering on his face.
"Why are you staring?"
"How do we become married?" The question caught Ye Shuang off guard. After a pause, he softened.
"When you’re truly independent—when you can face hardships with courage."
"Then we’ll be married?"
"Yeah."
"Will married couples stay together forever?"
"Yes."
But there was more Ye Shuang left unsaid. By then, Bai Yuyou would surely understand what marriage truly meant.
And he could rest easy.
...
Back home, Ye Shuang busied himself cooking dinner, having bought extra ingredients after learning Bai Yuyou’s appetite.
"I’ll help," she offered, trailing behind him.
"You’ve had a long day. Go rest," he said.
Bai Yuyou stood firm, her luminous eyes fixed on him. "Being independent... means becoming married sooner..."
Ye Shuang blinked, then laughed. "Alright, I’ll teach you how to use a knife today."
After demonstrating, he handed her the blade. "Your turn."
Bai Yuyou gripped the knife, raising it high—the glint of steel paired with her deadpan expression looked downright murderous.
"You idiot, that’s not how you hold a knife!"