After switching departments, Lu Wanning and Chen Yin had far fewer opportunities to see each other, but they remained very close and often made plans to have lunch together.
However, the relationships between the various teams in the company were complex, so they avoided being too blatant with their interactions in public.
On her way back to her desk, Lu Wanning deliberately took a detour, “casually” passing by Chen Yin’s workstation.
Chen Yin remained composed on the surface, but secretly slid something over to her with a stealthy wink.
It was a hair salon coupon?
Once Lu Wanning sat down, she received a message from Chen Yin: “I got some coupons when I opened a membership at the salon. If you give them to a new customer, you get a free hair dye. I guess it’s some kind of customer acquisition tactic; go ahead and use it.”
It had been a long time since Lu Wanning last dyed her hair, and a significant stretch of black roots had grown in.
She looked in the mirror. Her hair now transitioned from black at the top to chestnut brown at the ends. It didn’t look bad, but she had a bit of a perfectionist streak and really wanted to get it touched up.
Both women pretended to be working diligently, sitting upright and formal, while actually slacking off and chatting via text.
Chen Yin: “Don’t worry, their skill is pretty good. It’s not one of those unlicensed hole-in-the-wall shops.”
Lu Wanning: “I’ve only ever heard of free haircuts; this is the first time I’ve seen a free dye. How much did you top up?”
Chen Yin typed back guiltily: “Thirty thousand.”
Lu Wanning replied with a simple, shallow question mark: “?”
As far as she knew, that was nearly two months’ salary for Chen Yin.
Chen Yin: “Aiya, don’t you know that one should make the most of life’s pleasures? Money is meant to be spent!”
Lu Wanning: “But your ‘pleasures’ are way too expensive. Respect and blessings.”
Chen Yin: “Expensive, yes, but the Tony teacher there is truly skilled. Did you see my new perm? Isn’t it exquisite!”
Lu Wanning asked blankly, “Where did you perm it?”
Chen Yin: “It’s a high-end texture perm! You didn’t notice?”
Lu Wanning: “I thought you just woke up with messy hair.”
Chen Yin: “…”
Chen Yin: ” Be careful on your way home; this sister is going to beat you into a crushed lemon!
Lu Wanning: “Regardless, thank you to my generous benefactor for the gift of a free hair dye ”
She wanted to tease her a bit more, but catching sight of Xu Zhen walking over in her peripheral vision, her fingers froze, and she quickly used a shortcut key to switch screens.
However, as if Xu Zhen knew exactly what was happening, she tapped Lu Wanning’s desk as she passed and said indifferently, “Chat less during work hours.”
Do all managers come with X-ray vision? She clearly didn’t see anything.
Work wasn’t too heavy that day, so Lu Wanning didn’t stay late. Having nothing special to do after work, she decided that since the opportunity was there, she might as well go to the salon Chen Yin had mentioned.
She had expected the shop to be the type that relied on aggressive sales pitches otherwise, how could they trick Chen Yin into spending so much? But upon arriving, she found it completely different from her imagination.
It was a newly opened shop with a minimalist interior. The black-and-white contrast was unique and provided a strong visual impact.
“Hello, are you using an experience coupon?” The shampoo assistant at the door greeted Lu Wanning. She was politely professional without being overly enthusiastic. “This way, please. Do you have a preferred stylist?”
“No, anyone is fine.”
“What kind of hairstyle would you like?”
Lu Wanning twirled a lock of hair and studied herself in the mirror. “A bit shorter.” She gestured to a spot just below her ears. “Around here.”
The assistant let out a small “oh” of surprise. “Would you consider letting it grow a bit more?”
“Short hair is easier.”
“You find long hair too troublesome to maintain?”
“Yes.”
The assistant continued to chatter about her professional opinion. Because her tone was kind, it wasn’t annoying to listen to. “It also depends on the vibe you want. Short hair is sharper; the current length is more gentle versatile enough to be both aggressive and defensive, and easy to leave down or tie up.”
“Like this,” she added, showing a photo of a model from a magazine. “It’s especially suited for autumn.”
Lu Wanning couldn’t help but look closer.
She had to admit the assistant’s aesthetic was quite accurate; the model’s features did bear some resemblance to her own.
Even so, her answer remained firm. “Just cut it short, and touch up the roots.”
The assistant stopped persuading and obediently led Lu Wanning to the washing station. However, while rinsing, she asked curiously, “Why do you like short hair?”
“…”
“Do you like a cool style?”
“Not really.” She had no strong preference; anything was fine.
“Then, simply for ease of maintenance?”
“Partly.”
The other reason was that in the past, Lu Wanning didn’t seem to have much of a say. When she was with the Han family, whether her hair was long or short, or how it was tied, was not for her to decide; it was entirely up to another person.
When she first became Miss Han’s “toy,” she had weakly protested, “It’s my own hair, why can’t I decide?”
Facing Lu Wanning’s dissatisfaction, Han Yao listened quietly, then produced the paper both parties had signed.
“You agreed,” Miss Han said in a tone that was innocent and dreamy, as if telling a fairy tale, tinged with a hint of confusion. “What you wear, how long your hair is you have to listen to me. Otherwise, how can you be a toy?”
Lu Wanning was momentarily speechless. “But… but…” She touched her head, sounding troubled. “But my hair is too thick; it’s really stuffy and hot, and it’s inconvenient to wash.”
“Keep it to here.”
Han Yao’s hand landed on her shoulder.
Then it slowly drifted to the side of her neck. Her cool fingertip rested against the pulsing carotid artery, tapping lightly against the skin in time with the heartbeat, before finally sliding up to her cheek.
Lu Wanning felt her face or rather, every inch of skin Han Yao had touched burn with embarrassment. She probably looked redder than an apple. Fortunately, there was no mirror here, so she didn’t have to face her own awkward expression.
Han Yao gazed at the flustered figure avoiding her eyes and broke into a soft smile, leaving her no room to refuse:
“If you keep it to here, you’ll be very beautiful.”
For some reason, Lu Wanning felt her face grow even hotter. She turned her head away awkwardly. “Why do you keep touching my face?”
“Can’t I touch my toy?”
Forget it, I can’t win an argument with her.
Lu Wanning puffed out her cheeks, deciding in her heart to treat it like playing house. She would just yield to Han Yao and not stoop to her level.
Unfortunately, she hadn’t realized back then that this wasn’t playing house. Every word Han Yao spoke was meant in earnest.
In any case, she was in control now.
Stray hairs fluttered around, so Lu Wanning kept her eyes closed.
The Tony teacher quickly finished her bangs and asked with a hint of regret, “Really cutting it short? No regrets, okay?”
“Yes.”
Then, with a few snips, several locks of hair fell, returning her hair to a clean, refreshing length that was easy to manage.
Her phone vibrated, but Lu Wanning kept her eyes closed.
After about twenty more minutes, the Tony teacher removed the cape and brushed away the fallen hair. “Finished. Are you satisfied?”
“Yes.” Lu Wanning studied herself in the mirror. “It’s very good, thank you.”
Her phone seemed to have received a message, but it went straight to the spam folder. Assuming it was some scam text, she didn’t open it.
Before long, the phone automatically cleared it.
…
[Message from unknown contact]
[“You seem determined to make me angry.”]