Little Cutie?!

Mu Xiaoke’s hair practically stood on end as he whirled around and dashed into his house, too embarrassed to spare Chu Han even one more glance!

To be called “little cutie” — this was a first for Mu Xiaoke, in both his previous life and this one. How could he not feel shy? Besides, he was already at the age where even dogs in their rebellious phase wouldn’t want him. How could someone find him cute?

Sure enough, Chu Han was no ordinary person!

Mu Xiaoke looked up, and his eyes landed on his living room, which looked like a dog’s den. He immediately began tidying up! He couldn’t let Chu Han be scared off by this mess as soon as he walked in! Forgetting everything else, Mu Xiaoke rushed to the sofa, grabbed his scattered clothes and homework, stuffed them into the study, and shut the study door tightly!

Right, he still had to prepare tea and snacks!

In a flurry, Mu Xiaoke rushed to the kitchen, found the tea leaves, and started boiling water. Little did he know, while he was bustling around, Chu Han had already finished tidying himself.

Chu Han stood at Mu Xiaoke’s bedroom door, just about to knock, when he noticed the door was still left wide open. Apparently, Mu Xiaoke had been so careless that he hadn’t even closed it! Chu Han pushed the door open and stepped in. The sound of the water boiling was so loud that it covered the noise of him closing the door.

Chu Han crept over quietly, planning to teach Mu Xiaoke a lesson.

In the kitchen, Mu Xiaoke was boiling water, thinking he should treat Chu Han well since it was his first time as a guest. When he turned around, however, Chu Han was already standing behind him!

He was so startled that his hand shook, nearly dropping the teapot.

Chu Han reached out, took the teapot from him, and said sternly, “Even though it’s just the two of us on this floor, you can’t leave your door open like that. Got it?”

Mu Xiaoke patted his chest, breathing heavily, and nodded in acknowledgment. But he couldn’t let Chu Han hold the teapot forever, so he quickly led Chu Han to the sofa and poured him some tea.

Chu Han took in the decor of Mu Xiaoke’s living room — soft, cozy, clearly designed with care. The sofa, however, looked hastily tidied, with its pillows scattered awkwardly. It was indeed a very “youthful” environment.

The thing that caught Chu Han’s eye the most, though, was Mu Xiaoke’s workspace. When Mu Xiaoke put down the teapot, Chu Han pointed at it, asking, “What’s that?”

Mu Xiaoke quickly pulled out his phone and typed, “My workbench and study desk.”

Chu Han walked over, noticing shelves stacked with storage boxes filled with materials and a U-shaped hairpin that Mu Xiaoke was in the middle of crafting. Chu Han looked at Mu Xiaoke, “You’re making hairpins?”

Mu Xiaoke nodded, feeling a little embarrassed but not ashamed. Hairpin and accessory crafting was an art; boys could do it too.

“It looks great,” Chu Han said, not holding back his praise and without making any unnecessary comments about Mu Xiaoke’s hobby.

Mu Xiaoke beamed. As expected, Chu Han was someone who understood everything.

“But this won’t interfere with your regular studies, right?”

As his temporary homeroom teacher, Chu Han felt it was necessary to ask.

Mu Xiaoke shook his head, typing, “No, I only do this in my free time.”

Chu Han nodded, “Do you have any others?”

Mu Xiaoke quickly took out a few other completed hairpins, standing to the side as though waiting for a teacher to grade his work.

Chu Han examined each one closely under the light, not missing a single detail. This made Mu Xiaoke feel a warm sense of accomplishment — his work was being taken seriously.

“These intricate pieces… are they custom orders?”

Mu Xiaoke shook his head; these were designs he’d created to practice, and he hadn’t found any buyers yet. But he had a plan: he was preparing to promote them on X Station, a platform beloved by young people and a cultural hub for enthusiasts of Hanfu and handmade crafts. He might even attract some new customers.

He shared his plan with Chu Han, who nodded, “What’s your account? Mind if I take a look?”

Mu Xiaoke opened the app and showed him his profile.

“Ke Yan…” Chu Han read the name, momentarily speechless.

Mu Xiaoke quickly explained, “Teacher, don’t misunderstand, I just randomly typed it. Don’t take it seriously.”

Looking at him, Chu Han thought, He’s so innocent, trying to keep others from feeling uncomfortable about his own hurt. How can this kid be so silly?

“Got it, I’ll repost it for you.”

Mu Xiaoke’s eyes crinkled in joy, “Teacher, you’re my first follower!”

Chu Han reached out and ruffled Mu Xiaoke’s hair hard. That soft head really felt good under his hand. Clearing his throat to hide his mischief, he asked seriously, “By the way, what did you need me for? And what’s with the gift boxes by the door?”

Mu Xiaoke quickly repeated what his dad had said, then typed earnestly, “Thank you.” His gaze was sincere, impossible to ignore.

But Chu Han’s smile faded. “Really… Xiaoke, are you not afraid I might have ulterior motives for getting close to you?”

“No, because you’re not that kind of person,” Mu Xiaoke replied with genuine sincerity.

“What kind of person? How would a kid like you know?”

“You’re not the kind of person who bullies the weak,” Mu Xiaoke said, meeting Chu Han’s eyes, unwavering.

Chu Han flicked his forehead, “Focus on making your videos. I’ll head back now. Tell your dad to take back those drinks; helping you is part of my job. There’s no need for extra gifts.”

Mu Xiaoke followed him to the door. Chu Han turned back at the entrance, “And next time, make sure to close your door.”

Mu Xiaoke smiled obediently, “Got it.”

Just then, Mu Xiaoke’s phone rang. It was Luo Jiaming calling.

“Xiaoke! Do you want to come to the comic con? Xiao Yin and I are already here! Come and join us!”

Mu Xiaoke checked the time; he’d arranged for tutoring in the afternoon… and it was math…

Unable to speak, he quickly typed a response.

“Aw, come on, just this once! The con’s close to the school. You live nearby, right? Just take a ride over, and if it’s boring, you can still make it to your class.”

Hesitating, Mu Xiaoke listened as Luo Jiaming continued, “Bring any extra hairpins you have, too! You won’t regret it!”

At that moment, another girl’s voice came through, “Xiaoke! It’s me, Xiao Yin! Come quickly, bring everything you’ve got — there’s a big crowd!”

Gritting his teeth, Mu Xiaoke looked at his hairpins and finally decided, “Alright, I’m on my way!”

About ten minutes later, Mu Xiaoke arrived at the convention center. It was already noon, yet the entrance was packed with people. Before he knew it, a group of cosplayers in school uniforms from a game marched past, chanting dramatic lines with a serious middle-school flair, while tourists crowded around, snapping photos.

It was Mu Xiaoke’s first time seeing such a lively scene, and watching it all unfold made him feel a strange surge of excitement.

“Xiaoke!”

At the red line of the entrance, Luo Jiaming waved him over. Beside her stood a girl dressed in a magnificent Ming-style Hanfu, her hairpin glinting brilliantly in the sunlight. That must be the girl who had ordered a hairpin from him.

Mu Xiaoke hurried over, and Luo Jiaming handed him his entry pass. “Quick, get in here! Xiao Yin’s booth is super crowded!”

Not daring to waste any time, Mu Xiaoke followed them straight to Xiao Yin’s booth.

On their way back, Xiao Yin kept adjusting her hairpin, especially the one Mu Xiaoke had made, which caught his eye. He hadn’t expected it to be such a head-turner.

Back at the booth, a small crowd of ten girls dressed in Hanfu, most high schoolers with a few older girls, surrounded them.

“Lady, you’re finally back!”

They called Xiao Yin “Lady,” and she apologized breathlessly, “Sorry, I went to get someone. Didn’t you want hairpins? He’s here!”

Xiao Yin enthusiastically introduced Mu Xiaoke, which made him feel overwhelmed as a dozen pairs of eyes all focused on him. Her loud introduction even caught the attention of nearby visitors.

“A guy?!”

Mu Xiaoke nodded shyly and pulled out a box from his backpack. Each hairpin was carefully wrapped in foam, and as he opened them, everyone’s eyes lit up.

“!!” They were all amazed. The hairpins glittered even in the dim convention lighting, elegant and noble, just like the golden phoenix in Xiao Yin’s hair.

“Did you make all these? Are any of them spoken for? We want to buy them!”

Mu Xiaoke froze, looking uncertainly at Luo Jiaming and Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin quickly calmed the excited girls down, “Hold on, he can’t talk right now, so he’ll type out his answers. Give him a moment.”

Grateful, Mu Xiaoke gave Xiao Yin a quick smile, and she winked encouragingly, “Xiaoke, take your time, no rush.”

Mu Xiaoke showed them his notes on each hairpin, including materials, inspiration, and pricing.

Luo Jiaming read them out loud, but paused when she reached the price of one particular agate hairpin, “This one costs 1,000?”

The price left some of the girls shocked. “That’s expensive!”

The agate hairpin had a jade handle with a gold wire crane wrapped around it, a black crystal eye, and cloud patterns carved from a soft jade that, while not true white jade, was still pricey. The hairpin’s flowing design had a timeless, antique feel that immediately captivated.

Xiao Yin, who recognized its quality instantly, explained, “Ladies, those who know, know. You can tell from the materials that it wouldn’t be cheap. Xiaoke, the materials alone must’ve cost you seven or eight hundred, right?”

Mu Xiaoke nodded. He knew this price wouldn’t be for everyone, but to achieve that specific look, he couldn’t compromise on materials, which kept the cost high.

Noticing the girls’ enthusiasm wane a bit, he quickly typed, “It’s alright if you don’t want it — I didn’t think too much about this one…”

“I’ll take it! Lady, please sell it to me!”

A clear voice interrupted, and the girl who stepped forward pushed a cosplay prop flute onto the table, eyeing the agate hairpin greedily. “Lady! I absolutely love this one! Please, sell it to me!”

Someone gasped, “Oh my gosh, it’s Luo Sheng! The one who sang Liuli Chen!”