Chapter 22: A Haircut that Changes Destiny
In the early morning, Chen Fangzhou rubbed his hands and jumped up and down, preparing to leap onto his little electric scooter and speed off. The person was small, and the scooter was small—when this XS combo made an appearance, the whole world seemed to shrink a bit. Until a sleek, black sedan boldly barged in.
The car window rolled down, revealing Qi Lian’s face. “Hey, come here. I need to talk to you.”
A burst of warm air flowed out of the car window, and Mr. Chen, frozen and feeling like a dog in the cold, instantly developed a strong sense of resentment towards the wealthy. He angrily abandoned his little scooter and, with impressive agility, jumped into the warm sedan without a word.
Sighing with relief, Chen Fangzhou settled into the warmth of the car, twisting and turning his body as he struck a pose with a flourish, crossing his legs and speaking in an affected tone. “Driver Qi, you’re late today. I’ll have to dock your wages.”
Qi Lian looked at him with a half-smile, the word “idiot” clearly visible on his expression.
Chen Fangzhou quickly changed his tone. “Sir, have pity on me. I’m freezing to death. If you don’t buy my matches, at least give me a lift. In my next life, I’ll work like a slave for you.”
Qi Lian: “I still have to go to work soon. Get out.”
Chen Fangzhou: “Ah, my heavens, I’m deaf! I can’t hear you!”
In the end, Qi Lian couldn’t force him out, so he grumbled and pressed the gas pedal, turning the car away.
Chen Fangzhou sprawled out on the back seat and stretched his limbs. “Not to mention, what difference does it make whether you’re in that crappy class or not?”
“Find something to do,” Qi Lian said. “So my old lady doesn’t nag me all day.”
Chen Fangzhou, excited by the news, rubbed his hands as if he had been injected with chicken blood[mfn]打了鸡血一样 (dǎ le jī xuè yī yàng): This idiom literally means “as if injected with chicken blood”. It’s used to describe someone who is suddenly filled with excitement or energy.[/mfn], and leered with a smirk. “Auntie hasn’t been around to visit our business for a long time. I really miss her.”
“Planning to scam some more money from her?” Qi Lian swatted him away with one hand. He then softened his tone slightly. “By the way, how’s that girl I sent to you last time?”
Chen Fangzhou clung to Qi Lian’s driver’s seat from the back. “I’ve been meaning to ask. Who is that girl to you?”
Qi Lian’s gaze remained fixed on the road, unmoving. “A relative.”
Chen Fangzhou: “Come on, what poor relative do you have in your family? Be honest!”
Qi Lian: “A long-lost relative.”
Chen Fangzhou didn’t believe it, humming a tune with a mocking expression and crossing his arms over his chest.
Qi Lian: “I’m asking you, how is she?”
“Quite good,” Chen Fangzhou said. “She has quite a personality, though she’s a bit fanciful—sometimes I feel like she’s like a rich girl who doesn’t know the sufferings of the world, and comes to visit the working people incognito.”
Qi Lian glanced at Chen Fangzhou in the rearview mirror, thinking that this guy actually had a good eye for people.
Qi Lian: “You’re right, her…her situation is a bit complicated, her family has fallen into poverty, I can’t say more, anyway, I don’t ask her to achieve much, just don’t let her feel depressed, please help me take care of her.”
Chen Fangzhou said meaningfully, “Brother Qi Lian, the stories of great people often start with ‘one day, they couldn’t take it anymore.’ You’re worrying too much.”
At the same time, Jiang Xiaoyuan, who shared the same beginning as great people, was feeling “disheartened” in the store. She had followed Chen Fangzhou’s advice—since she was already in deep, she might as well learn as much as she could.
Chen Fangzhou had told her that when she didn’t know where to start, she should start from scratch and gradually improve. Jiang Xiaoyuan found that, indeed, distilling essence from the basics, Chen Fangzhou’s advice actually had some merit.
She had never paid attention to what her colleagues were doing before, but now she was observing intensely, finding it overwhelming.
Since that day, Jiang Xiaoyuan became like a sponge, constantly overturning her previous understanding, taking extensive notes, and frequently seeking guidance from the “shameless ancestor[mfn]“Shameless ancestor” (没脸的祖师爷): A term used to describe someone with no sense of shame, possibly a mentor or influential figure.[/mfn],” making the most of her twenty-four hours a day.
The busyness made her temporarily forget her internal worries and debts. She was determined to succeed, and soon the day of the assessment came in a flash.
Jiang Xiaoyuan nervously mixed with the people waiting for the assessment, and her heart was almost broken by it pounding.
She had worked so hard, more than she ever had in her life, to the point where she was scared—what if all her effort still wasn’t enough? Wouldn’t that prove that she was doomed to achieve nothing after losing the protection of her parents?
If she had to face such a reality, what motivation would she have left for the rest of her life?
The hairstylist interns and the interns applying for stylist positions were grouped together, with similar requirements for the written test but slightly different practical tests. Chen Fangzhou had prepared two boxes for drawing lots—whatever was drawn was what would be tested. Jiang Xiaoyuan was in front of Xiao K, who looked as pale as newly plastered wall, her legs trembling uncontrollably.
Jiang Xiaoyuan thought disdainfully: “This is all you’ve got.”
Then she realized she was trembling too.
Chen Fangzhou, usually easygoing in the shop, appeared especially cold and ruthless that day. Sitting on a swivel chair with a blank expression, he threw questions one after another, barely giving anyone time to think. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Xiao K was understandably nervous, stumbling over her words, while Manager Chen’s cruel gaze and notes on the assessment book were merciless.
Jiang Xiaoyuan silently answered Boss Chen’s questions in her mind while studying Xiao K’s almost tearful face.
She thought she deserved it, but also felt a little sad.
The practical test was even more terrifying. Xiao K had barely completed half of her task when Chen Fangzhou’s face turned as dark as a rag. Before she could adjust her mindset, Chen Fangzhou spoke. “Alright, switch to the next one. You’ll have to retake the test next time.”
Xiao K, embarrassed and at a loss, glanced at Helen, who gave her a look that said “Don’t embarrass yourself, get off.”
Little K somehow mustered up the courage to weakly resist Boss Chen, who held the power of life and death: “I have been an intern for two years…”
Chen Fangzhou: “You know that yourself? And after two years as an intern, you’re still like this? Do you even have the face to speak? You can’t even compare to the new arrivals. Jiang Xiaoyuan, come over here!”
Suddenly called out, Jiang Xiaoyuan’s neck stiffened. She felt two resentful glares from Xiao K piercing her front and back. At that moment, Jiang Xiaoyuan suddenly stopped feeling nervous. The enemy’s hostility gave her an unparalleled sense of power. It was as if she was empowered, and she confidently stepped forward.
Chen Fangzhou: “Draw lots—everyone else, be quiet.”
The whispers subsided. Jiang Xiaoyuan drew a question slip and stood a few steps away from Xiao K, mentally reviewing what she had studied.
Jiang Xiaoyuan is not good at memorizing books. She has always forgotten what she read since she was a child, but she has a special liking for pictures. When she was a child, she could even fall asleep while reading a fairy tale, but if it was a cartoon, she would not only finish reading it with full concentration, but also be able to retell it to others a week later.
Thanks to those sketches that were redrawn many times, although the learning process consumed a lot of her time, she remembered every note on the drawings clearly. Plus, she was a bit competitive and wanted to show Xiao K that she was capable, making her answers during the Q&A session especially fluent.
Chen Fangzhou set the question book aside and looked at Xiao K: “Did you hear that?”
If there were a mold for Xiao K’s face, the product could be used as a ghost face mask. Jiang Xiaoyuan pretended to glance at her nonchalantly, feeling extremely satisfied.
Before she could fully enjoy her victory, Xiao K suddenly said, “It’s impossible. She definitely cheated.”
Jiang Xiaoyuan: “…”
This annoying little chubby girl was really just a young girl, maybe eighteen or nineteen or early twenties, not yet worldly, spending her time watching variety shows and foolishly laughing. She was outraged and spoke without thinking, directly accusing their boss.
Jiang Xiaoyuan suddenly felt that quarreling with such a young girl in the past was rather childish.
Helen, seeing that Xiao K was about to lose control, stepped forward to restrain her. “That’s enough!”
Xiao K, completely missing the seriousness of Helen’s expression, flushed with anger and pointed at Jiang Xiaoyuan. “Sister, Why are you pulling me away? She definitely cheated. Look at her, always ignoring everyone, not doing her job properly, just following the boss around to flatter him. If you have the guts, let me draw another slip and test her again.”
Chen Fangzhou, who had been the target of the little boss’s ire, looked over. Helen felt utterly defeated.
Chen Fangzhou twirled the scissors in his hand and slapped them into his palm. “Alright, let her draw another slip.”
Helen was infuriated: “Are you serious? Is this amusing?”
Xiao K angrily shook her hand away, picked up the lottery box, lifted it up like a willow tree, shook it vigorously, grabbed a question lottery from it, and handed it to Chen Fangzhou with a choked breath: “This is it!”
Chen Fangzhou didn’t even look at her, opened the test book, and asked the questions according to the slip without a hint of breathlessness.
Jiang Xiaoyuan was delighted to perform once more. She had been the center of attention, but never under the scrutiny of “How come she knows everything? Impressive.” Although she felt somewhat childish, every time she answered a question, she glanced at Xiao K, her satisfaction nearly bursting beyond the horizon.
After ten questions, Chen Fangzhou closed the question book, shifted his legs, and looked at Xiao K. “Was there any cheating this time?”
Xiao K looked like she was about to bite her lips off, while Helen, unable to tolerate it any longer, pinched her arm and dragged her away. Chen Fangzhou gave Jiang Xiaoyuan a nod, his deep brown hair glinting under his small hat.
Jiang Xiaoyuan quickly reined in her pride, knowing she wasn’t strong in practical skills.
Chen Fangzhou said, “Go give Lily a number 4 curl[mfn]“Number 4 curl” (4号卷发): A specific curling style, likely referring to a standard or popular curl type in hairstyling.[/mfn].”
Jiang Xiaoyuan’s eyes widened.
Curling hair was the first style Jiang Xiaoyuan had mastered, and it happened to be her favorite. One day, while the shop was closed, she had even styled her own hair as a way to comfort herself after days without the chance to show off—this was the only way she could indulge in vanity, and it was free.
Boss Chenlet her have her turn.
Chen Fangzhou: “What are you looking at? Can’t do it?”
Jiang Xiaoyuan: “I can!”
She had never found this little guy so handsome.
Lily, selected as the model, reluctantly stepped forward, letting Jiang Xiaoyuan take her to the shampoo station and sacrificing her precious hair like a hero.
Lily sat in the chair, grumbling, “I’ll cut my hair in two days to avoid having it ruined every time you have an assessment.”
Jiang Xiaoyuan, fuming internally, took the hairdryer without a word.
Lily was like a fish at the mercy of others. She handed her head to Jiang Xiaoyuan half-dead, refused to look up at the mirror, and kept playing with her mobile phone until Jiang Xiaoyuan threw the comb in front of the dressing table with a slight sound.
Jiang Xiaoyuan, like a hidden master, finished with a dramatic flourish. “All done.”
Lily looked up with little enthusiasm and was astonished.
The style Jiang Xiaoyuan created, though slightly different from the standard number 4 curl, was both refined and natural. Of course, this was her favorite style she had practiced on herself. Before she worked on anyone else, she nearly turned the “shameless ancestor” into a balding mess. How could she be careless?
Strictly speaking, after working hard day and night these days, Jiang Xiaoyuan is the only one who is really proficient in this hairstyle. The others are just rote and ordinary.
The curls were artfully arranged, blooming like flowers on the model’s back and shoulders, covering the necessary parts of the face, and only revealing a sharp chin… perfectly illustrating how a hairstyle can change one’s fate.
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