Chapter 8

8

“two over by Ocean, one Mai Xiaowen, one Red Wolf!”

“Hey hey, Nameless ulting for the flank! I’m watching the healer’s back… sht, he’s on the balcony! My armor’s broken, I’m Healing Up! Cover me!”

The elevator doors opened on the basement level, and the noisy clamor from the Second Team’s training room was immediately audible from afar. Exiting the elevator didn’t require passing through the training room; a quick turn led straight to the garage door.

Pushing the door open, a wave of humid heat hit them instantly, threatening to plaster clothes to skin within seconds. Luckily, the underground garage had no direct sun, otherwise, they’d be drenched in sweat instantly.

Qingbao led the way, with Bai Wei half a step behind him, looking down at his phone.

The community was divided into high-rise and villa-style residences, with each villa having three private parking spaces. Just over a meter outside the garage door, a black business van was parked. To the left was a black Maybach. The three walked out and continued forward. Passing the third parking space, Yan Xiu glanced over a moment longer.

Was that… a Lamborghini or Ferrari? He wasn’t great at recognizing luxury car badges, nor did he have a driver’s license. But this white sports car was too flashy to ignore.

“By the way, Show, did you end up playing more games with Brother Shan?” Qingbao slowed his pace, walking beside Yan Xiu.

Yan Xiu: “Brother Shan? Played a few times. Brother Cai called me over, think it was a few days ago.”

Qin Baotian lamented: “Ah, Brother Shan called me twice, but I was in Riyadh for the tournament and couldn’t make it. He hasn’t called me again these past few days.”

Yan Xiu: “Brother Shan might still think you’re in Saudi for the tournament. He’s been playing with Brother Cai recently and also called in a few famous big streamers, like WoodenFish, Frost, that kind.”

As the two chatted, they walked faster and faster, leaving the third person falling behind.

Going up from the garage exit and then out of the community gate, Qin Baotian said: “We’ll be at Zhang Wei’s Barber in a bit.”

Bai Wei: “I’m going to the supermarket across the street.”

Yan Xiu paused and glanced back at him. Bai Wei didn’t elaborate, stepping between Yan Xiu and Qin Baotian with his long strides, the two naturally parting to make way.

It happened to be a red light. Under the dazzling, brilliant August sun, Bai Wei stopped before the crosswalk. He wore a light gray-and-white plaid short-sleeved shirt with black trousers. His silhouette from the back was tall, slender, and long-limbed. His white hair was messily swept back, and when he turned his head to check for oncoming traffic, a sharp, defined jawline was faintly visible.

Qin Baotian noticed Yan Xiu hadn’t moved: “What’s up? We’re not crossing, go this way.”

Yan Xiu abruptly withdrew his gaze, softly murmuring an “Mm,” and followed Qin Baotian to the right.

Just as Huarong had said, Zhang Wei’s Barber was on the commercial strip just outside the community gate, a little over fifty meters away.

The summer heat meant not much business; only a male college student from the nearby university district was getting a haircut.

Qin Baotian was very familiar with Zhang Wei, directly pushing open the door: “Old Zhang, two cuts. When are you free?”

Zhang Wei was a dark-skinned, muscular man. Despite “Old Zhang,” he looked thirty-two, maybe thirty-three at most. Zhang Wei noticed Yan Xiu entering behind and asked: “Haven’t seen this handsome guy before. From your team? Be free in a bit, just five minutes. This one’s almost done.”

“Holy crap! Q-God Qing?!!” The college guy let out a yelp and nearly sprang from his chair before Zhang Wei firmly pressed him back down.

Zhang Wei: “Your hair’s not done yet.”

Qin Baotian seemed used to this, grinning: “You watch DFL matches too?”

The college student getting his haircut became incoherent with excitement: “Oh yeah, I watch, yeah, watch everything really… I mean, I ONLY watch OLG matches! Die-hard OLG fan! God Qing, can you give me an autograph?”

Qin Baotian: “Got a pen and paper?”

Zhang Wei: “Still in the counter drawer.”

Qin Baotian, familiar with the place, grabbed pen and paper from the shop’s drawer, signed “Qingbao,” and tore it off to hand to the college guy.

The college guy was so thrilled his face flushed completely red, opening a chatterbox: “I heard from friends that the OLG club is nearby, and people have run into Tao Shi here getting haircuts. I’ve come for haircuts several times, but I never expected to meet you… I really super like OLG, super like God D! God D is too fucking cool, your guys’ Saudi Cup Game 2, God D’s 1v3 was too fucking awesome!!”

Qin Baotian found a spot to sit down heavily and chatted idly with the rabid male fan for a few moments.

The male fan noticed: “God Qing, is this an OLG newbie?” He looked towards Yan Xiu.

Yan Xiu had been sitting on the sofa. Suddenly hearing himself mentioned, he nodded: “Hello.”

Qin Baotian laughed: “Nothing like that.”

The college guy was a bit confused, but still quietly asked Yan Xiu: “Can I get your autograph too?”

Yan Xiu joining OLG hadn’t been fully finalized yet, and it wasn’t announced officially, so of course, it couldn’t be casually mentioned. He hadn’t expected to still be asked for an autograph. Before Yan Xiu could react, Qingbao already handed him the pen and paper: “Just sign it, it’s fine.”

Yan Xiu took the pen and paper and signed a few English letters: “Show,” handing it to the male fan.

Zhang Wei whisked off the barber’s cape: “Alright, done.”

After the college guy paid and left, glancing back every few steps, Zhang Wei finally asked: “So what styles are we going for today? Who’s first?”

Qin Baotian remembered: “Show, you still have to go back to Suzhou, right? You go first. Once you’re done, head straight to the train station, get home early. I’ll go after.”

Yan Xiu: “Okay.”

Zhang Wei held his comb in one hand and professional scissors in the other: “What style are you thinking?”

Yan Xiu truly had zero reference for hairstyles. From childhood, either his family casually buzzed his hair short, or school teachers forced him to shave it into a student cut. He was pondering, not yet speaking, when Qin Baotian read his hesitation.

“Don’t you even think about cutting some ugly style here. Even the handsomest face can’t waste itself like that. If you buzz it off, Sister Hua will really end me.” Qin Baotian handed his phone over. “Classic is the handsomest. Just follow this. Tapered Fringe Cut, guaranteed handsome.”

The phone screen showed a Xiaohongshu page. The search bar flashed “Handsome Guy Hairstyles”; the top-left of the page featured a black-haired, fair-skinned, pretty-boy-type handsome guy, with the caption underneath reading “Tapered Fringe Cut.”

Qin Baotian let out a lecherous “heh heh” laugh: “Later, cut mine like this too.”

Yan Xiu had just sat down in the swivel chair. Hearing this, he asked, puzzled: “God Qing, didn’t you say you wanted a buzz cut? ‘A buzz cut is the ultimate test of a true handsome man’?”

Qin Baotian waggled his finger: “My handsomeness is unquestionable. Let’s give others a chance to test their handsomeness.”

…

“Ding-a-ling—”

The wind chimes on the glass shop door jingled. A wave of heat surged into the shop from outside.

Yan Xiu’s head was firmly wrapped by the barber’s cape. He managed to angle his vision just enough to see a fleeting white flash reflected in the mirror.

“What brings you here, WhiteDog… Brother Bai!” Qin Baotian’s tone was fawning.

Bai Wei had never gotten a cut at Zhang Wei’s. The Young Master didn’t get his hair cut where common folk did. But the shop was so small, a quick glance found the person in the middle swivel chair, cloaked in a white cape.

The owner’s broad, muscular build blocked the view, so nothing could really be seen.

Bai Wei fished a can of cola from his plastic bag and tossed it to his teammate.

Qin Baotian caught it, flattered and surprised: “What’s this, Brother Bai?”

A scoff came from Bai Wei’s nose: “Blind? Cola, Coca Cola.”

Qin Baotian was moved to tears: “God D, you actually bought me a cola! But today’s not even my birthday!”

“Get lost.”

Yan Xiu listened to the commotion behind him, glanced towards the mirror. The reflection only showed him and Zhang Wei. Zhang Wei was too beefy—his hulking, ripped physique took up most of the mirror’s surface. It was hard to imagine what a Tony hairstylist needed such a bodybuilder’s figure for.

“Thud—”

A can of cola landed on the counter before the mirror.

Yan Xiu paused slightly; Bai Wei was already walking over.

Bai Wei held the plastic bag in his left hand, two fingers of his right pinching the cola can. The chilled metal exterior of the can was beaded with condensation, the tips of his fingers also shimmering with a translucent watery sheen.

“Want one?”

Yan Xiu was momentarily dazzled by the diamond stud in his earlobe: “…Thanks, God D.”

Having delivered the cola, Bai Wei walked to the sofa and sat down, looking down at his phone.

Zhang Wei wielded his professional scissors with swift, decisive snips, ending with a few final clicks. He nodded with satisfaction: “Alright, looks great! Done. How is it, handsome? Satisfied?”

Everyone in the shop looked over.

In the mirror, the young man’s hair that had previously obscured his eyes was now cleaned up. His neck was no longer encumbered. He looked entirely fresh and slender.

Yan Xiu was quite satisfied and asked: “How much?”

Qin Baotian: “I’ll just pay it all together, pocket change.” He walked over and circled Yan Xiu a few times, his eyes lighting up. Frantically, he urged: “Old Zhang, quick, give me this same cut! So handsome!”

After the haircut, it was already 6 PM. Yan Xiu, carrying his backpack, planned to head to the train station. He took out his phone to search for the nearest subway station. Qin Baotian, sitting in the swivel chair, shouted over: “Did you get a ride?” Huarong had told him to bring Show for a haircut; he had to take proper care of him.

Yan Xiu: “I’ll take the subway.”

Qin Baotian asked, puzzled: “Why the subway? Hongqiao Station is so close from here, a cab’s only forty-something yuan.”

That black premium car…

Zhang Wei chimed in: “You mean the premium ride-hailing. Our regular taxis are just over ten bucks.”

Yan Xiu frowned slightly, not saying anything.

Zhang Wei added: “But at this time, the subway really is more convenient. Peak evening rush hour—you’d be stuck in traffic for ages.”

Yan Xiu’s tight lips relaxed. He asked: “Excuse me, which way is the subway?”

Zhang Wei: “Turn right out the door, walk about a hundred-something meters, then turn down the small path, keep going forward and you’re there.”

“Faster to cut through the community. I’ll take you.” A gentle male voice sounded.

Yan Xiu paused. Bai Wei had already stood up from the sofa. He’d been quietly sitting on the sofa playing on his phone the whole time, not joining the conversation. Then, suddenly, he was part of it.

Yan Xiu silently watched him, slightly unresponsive.

Bai Wei’s eyes lingered on his freshly cut hair for a few seconds. He lifted his plastic bag, one hand sliding into his pocket, and was just about to speak when Yan Xiu’s phone screen lit up.

Yan Xiu immediately said: “No need, no need. My signal was just bad—had no internet. My GPS is working now, I can go on my own… God D.”

Bai Wei halted his step.

The map displayed on the GPS was simple. Whether taking the main road outside the community, as the shop owner suggested, or cutting through the community, both were very easy. The difference wasn’t much.

Yan Xiu said his goodbyes to Qin Baotian and Bai Wei, then left the barber shop.

He had only walked a few paces when the crisp jingling of wind chimes sounded behind him.

“Don’t forget your cola.”

Yan Xiu turned back.

The blazing summer evening sun was still scorching. A sky full of pink and purple flaming clouds gently scattered their light, dyeing the eye-catching white hair into softer hues.

Bai Wei stood on the steps. He twisted his wrist, and the forgotten iced cola can arced through the air towards Yan Xiu.

Yan Xiu immediately caught the cola thrown from the air. Instinctively, he looked towards the person who threw it. After a moment, he turned and walked towards the subway.

“Click-“

The faint press of a lighter from behind him. Yan Xiu’s steps faltered for just an instant.

Soon, the young man’s slender figure vanished around the street corner.

~

“So skinny…”

Retracting his watching gaze, Bai Wei murmured thoughtfully. He held a lit cigarette between two fingers, white smoke rising. He looked up at the brilliant summer sunset clouds.

Inside the barber shop, Qin Baotian’s ear-piercing shriek tore through: “WHAT THE HECK IS THIS! Did you cut it the same as Show’s?! Old Zhang, how can you just mess up a cut?! It didn’t look like this when you cut Show’s hair!”

Zhang Wei gave an awkward laugh, not daring to make a sound.

Bai Wei finished his cigarette, pushed the door open, and returned to the shop. He looked his teammate up and down. A hint of a cold smirk tugged at his lips. He opened his venerable mouth: “Dong Shi imitates the beauty’s frown.”

“What’s that mean?” Qin Baotian didn’t catch it, and likely wouldn’t understand either.

Bai Wei swapped it for a simpler phrasing: “The quality of the result depends on the face. Understand?”

This time, Qin Baotian understood clearly: “You mother—!”