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Xu Zhiqiao, her face downcast, was led out of the car.
The shopping bags were tossed onto the windshield, and Zhou Cong spoke indifferently, “I’ve been abroad recently. These are gifts.”
Xu Zhiqiao hesitated, “No need…”
“Xu Zhiqiao.” The man suddenly called her name.
“……”
Zhou Cong’s brows were sharp, like a sword unsheathed, his eyes sharp with an edge, “I don’t want us to always argue over this.”
Xu Zhiqiao turned her face away, looking out the window.
A rustling sound filled the air as the gift bags were tossed onto the foot mats, and then Zhou Cong’s hand gently cupped her face, pulling it back to face him.
Their eyes met.
Zhou Cong’s eyes were dark, murmuring, “How can you be so ungrateful?”
She could argue with Ji Huailuo, but why not with him?
Just because he liked her and wanted to be in a relationship with her?
“You replied to my messages,” Xu Zhiqiao couldn’t help but argue, “I haven’t been avoiding you…”
What more did he want from her?
Zhou Cong sneered lightly, “Not enough.”
Greedily so.
After seeing her fooling around with Ji Huailuo, he wasn’t satisfied with the situation where he sent her messages, and she replied as expected.
Zhou Cong wanted her to be the one to take initiative.
He wanted her to be open with him.
He would always agree.
As long as she was willing to soften a bit with him.
Xu Zhiqiao was taken to a private clubhouse.
The clubhouse was secluded, nestled amidst bamboo groves, with green shadows casting a hazy glow.
Two attendants in matching uniforms greeted them, “Young Master Zhou, what style would you like today?”
“My sister,” Zhou Cong said expressionlessly, “Get her something suitable.”
“Understood, please enjoy some tea inside…”
“No need, I’ll watch while you work.”
“…Alright.”
The clubhouse was large, with a membership-based reservation system. Each member had their own stylist and private styling room, ensuring high privacy to protect the guests’ confidentiality.
The spacious room was surrounded by mirrors on all sides, with an array of hair dyes and tools, creating a dizzying effect upon first glance.
Xu Zhiqiao quietly sat in the chair while the stylist tested the softness and hardness of her hair.
“Little sister, do you have any ideas on what you want?”
Xu Zhiqiao said, “Cut it shorter.”
Zhou Cong, hands casually in his pockets, tilted his head, looking down at her, “No bangs, add some curls…”
“You said you’d let them handle it,” Xu Zhiqiao looked up, “So, go away.”
“……”
The stylist didn’t dare to speak.
He had served Young Master Zhou for four or five years, and had seen him bring friends here, but never had he seen Zhou Cong offer any opinions, much less argue with him.
Zhou Cong cleared his throat, placed his palm on the table, bent forward slightly, and said patiently, “The last time you went there and messed around, didn’t you want to look more mature? Don’t you think it’s better that I help you out with some suggestions?”
Xu Zhiqiao’s face remained stony, “Just go away.”
“……” Zhou Cong chuckled lightly, indulgently pinching her baby-soft face, “I’ll just stand here, promise not to speak, alright?”
With that, Zhou Cong gave a glance, and the stylist, clearing his throat, nervously repeated his suggestions according to Zhou Cong’s idea.
Xu Zhiqiao’s forehead was smooth and full, and the look was quite appealing. However, Xu Shu had always thought she was too young to style her in any particular way.
Xu Zhiqiao’s hair reached her shoulders. The stylist gave her hair a layered cut and curled it French-style, then applied a layer of natural plant-based dye, giving her hair a subtle warm chestnut hue.
Without bangs, her face was fully exposed, and her bright eyes and sharp chin made her look quite attractive. It seemed like if she grew a little older, she’d start turning heads.
Her soft, voluminous curls framed her small face, and Zhou Cong suddenly felt some regret. He should have styled her more like Xu Shu had.
At least then no one would be staring.
Xu Zhiqiao gazed at herself in the mirror, admiring the slight loss of her youthful innocence, feeling very satisfied, “Thank you. How much is it?”
“……” The stylist struggled, “Uh, um…”
How was he supposed to say this?
Could they even charge for this?
Zhou Cong answered indifferently, “Two hundred.”
The stylist froze, “…?”
Even adding a zero wouldn’t cover it.
Xu Zhiqiao pulled out her phone, asking, “Can I bring my friends here next time? Do I need to make an appointment?”
The stylist’s eyes darted around, receiving a signal, and stammered, “Ah, of course, that would be very welcome.”
Xu Zhiqiao paid for the service.
The stylist was nearly trembling with anxiety.
With her new hairstyle, Xu Zhiqiao’s mood brightened. As she walked, her waves of curls bounced with every step, and she couldn’t resist stopping to smell the scent in her hair.
Zhou Cong chuckled, his shoulders shaking with laughter, “Let’s grab a meal.”
He’d been watching her get styled for so long, and hadn’t touched his phone once.
It was dinner time, and Xu Zhiqiao really wanted to escape, but when her eyes met Zhou Cong’s, she swallowed her words.
She had to keep him dangling.
Keep him hanging.
Neither accepting nor rejecting.
If she always rejected him, he’d get upset and make things difficult for her.
Xu Zhiqiao was silent for a second, then said, “Big Brother, let me treat you to a meal.”
“……” Zhou Cong raised an eyebrow, “A hotpot?”
“……”
Seeing her hesitate, Zhou Cong smiled and naturally tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, “I’ll treat you. You’re happy with your new hairstyle, so let me celebrate it with you. How’s that?”
Xu Zhiqiao asked, “What are we eating?”
Zhou Cong thought for a moment, “Western food?”
“I don’t like it.”
“Japanese?”
“Parasites and nuclear radiation.”
“…Barbecue?”
“It’ll make my hair smell.”
“……” Zhou Cong placed his hands on his hips, squinting at her, “Thai food?”
Xu Zhiqiao sneered, “Tastes like shit…”
Zhou Cong laughed in frustration, “Just tell me, what do you want to eat?”
Xu Zhiqiao replied, “Hotpot.”
“……”
If she wanted him dead, she could just say it.
“Fine,” Zhou Cong relented, “Let’s go for hotpot.”
Xu Zhiqiao said, “Oh, actually, I don’t want it anymore.”
Zhou Cong, his tongue running over his lips, responded with a teasing tone, “You’re playing with me, huh?”
Xu Zhiqiao raised her head, “I’m always this petty and dramatic.”
“……” Zhou Cong smirked, understanding her meaning, and casually remarked, “Well, you better put some effort into it. Acting dramatic won’t really faze me.”
Xu Zhiqiao stiffened, huffed loudly, and stomped toward the exit.
Meanwhile, Xu Zhiqiao posted a photo of her new hairstyle on her social media, the first post in a month. It was clear she was very pleased with it.
Soon after, her post received several likes, from old classmates from Jindong University to her current roommates, and even Ji Huailuo.
He even commented: [Your Zhou Cong’s taste is so bold, trust him, it’s definitely right.]
Xu Zhiqiao turned her head, expressionless, “My brother says you’re bold.”
“……” Zhou Cong’s eyelid twitched, “You two aren’t just cursing me at home, you’re doing it on your phones too?”
Xu Zhiqiao responded, “I’m cursing you in person.”
With that, she watched Zhou Cong’s smile deepen, his jawline curving upward as he chuckled softly.
Xu Zhiqiao muttered under her breath, “Pervert.”
“Mm,” Zhou Cong’s voice, still laced with laughter, “I’m a bold pervert.”
“……”