112. Haircut 【15/99】
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From Li Na, Lin Nan learned that if he unlocked three to five more spells, he’d completely transform into a woman.
But before that transformation, his body would definitely undergo more feminine changes.
And at that point, Lilith might also resurrect and take over his body.
Lin Nan remembered her warnings about that Orochimaru-like character, Lilith.
Why not just go for surgery? What if he couldn’t figure this out?
He gloomily packed his meal from the cafeteria, sat down, took a couple of bites, and then stared blankly into space, rummaging through his memories for unlockable spells.
Possibly due to lowering his shame threshold significantly, last time Lin Nan thought the remaining spells were absolutely unthinkable, but now, a quick glance showed a few that were somewhat acceptable.
First was the flying spell. Seeing the requirement to jump from a height again made Lin Nan realize bungee jumping might actually be a good unlocking method.
Some of the more embarrassing unlock conditions, after wearing that humiliating school swimsuit, didn’t seem so shameful anymore.
“Chen Yao, is there anywhere around here to bungee jump?” Lin Nan shouted over to Chen Yao, who was still brazenly defying civilization.
Chen Yao turned his head, those bloodshot eyes staring back like a monster from a zombie flick.
Lin Nan was a bit startled by his bloodshot gaze and said, “Don’t drop dead in the dorm, or I’ll have to find somewhere else to live!”
“Aren’t you afraid of heights? What the hell are you talking about bungee jumping for?” Chen Yao dismissed Lin Nan’s concern and went back to his computer.
Right, I’m terrified of heights.
Lin Nan buried his face in his hands. That last Ferris wheel ride had him nearly in tears—bungee jumping would probably scare him into cardiac arrest.
But the spells that required embarrassing methods were just too difficult to commit to.
At the moment, it was just Lin Nan and Chen Yao in the dorm. Tu Junhui and Xiong Da had left right after class for a classmate’s birthday party, likely hitting the internet cafe for an all-nighter later on.
Chen Yao was supposed to go too, but when his classmate saw Chen Yao’s state, he chicken out, frightened he might d*e at the birthday party, turning a fabulous celebration into a funeral.
Yet, Chen Yao had no plans to sleep either and insisted on finishing this game of Civilization.
Lin Nan, wheeling his chair over, plopped down beside Chen Yao and curiously asked, “Aren’t you planning to find a girlfriend? Weren’t you shouting back in high school about finding a sister-in-law once we got to college?”
“That’s your sister-in-law, not a sister!” Chen Yao shot him a glance and then said solemnly, “That was back when I was tired of LOL, you know? Once I got to college, I found single-player games are pretty fun. Girls are accessible anytime, but once you graduate, there’s no time for games anymore.”
“Fair point! I feel the same!”
Lin Nan thought it was no wonder they could be best buds; they shared similar views on dating.
“You might end up looking for a boyfriend in the future.”
Lin Nan’s smile froze.
But Chen Yao seriously turned to him, eyebrow raised, “The problem is, I think you’re not ready for that idea yet.”
“Kind of…”
He lowered his head, hesitantly saying, “When it comes to yuri…”
“You might be overthinking it. Girls probably find yuri as disgusting as we find two guys together.”
That was true.
Suddenly, Lin Nan realized he had asked about Chen Yao’s love life, and now it was Chen Yao questioning him?
“Then just stay single forever?” He hesitated.
“You might regret it when you’re in your fifties or sixties. Watching families and kids while you’re all alone.”
That was indeed sound logic, and given Lin Nan’s solo living situation since childhood, he absolutely hated loneliness. Last National Day, staying alone in the dorm had him sleepless, paranoid, and feeling like a nervous wreck, lacking any sense of security.
Short term, he could handle it, but long-term? He might end up thinking he was the target of some conspiracy.
He leaned back in the chair, staring at the mottled ceiling, feeling utterly hopeless.
If he used magic to become a girl, there was a chance Lilith would be resurrected, though the magical principles behind that remained a mystery. If he went the surgical route, his family would end up over a hundred thousand in debt. Plus, becoming a girl would bring on the pressure of finding a boyfriend, getting married, and even discomforting thoughts about kids.
Lin Nan was in a bind but couldn’t keep living in this half-man, half-woman status, especially since society wouldn’t accept it.
Imagine a beautiful girl going to a job interview, and then her ID shows she’s a guy? Yeah, she’d likely get rejected on the spot!
In his current state, even if he shaved his head, he’d look more like a nun than a monk.
“Forget it, one step at a time.” He was never one to plan for the future anyway.
He stood up, extended his hand to Chen Yao, “Give me the member card for the barber shop at school. I’m going to get a haircut.”
“Are you really planning to cut your hair short?” Chen Yao asked in surprise. “I’ll go with you; I need a cut too.”
Since local barber shops usually charged over thirty, and as guys, they needed haircuts at least once a month, the whole dorm had pooled together for a card that offered an 20% discount.
Chen Yao paused his game, stood up, and handed Lin Nan his sun-protective jacket that he had carelessly tossed on the table, then slipped on his flip-flops and headed out first.
Chen Yao sported a short cut, practically buzzed along the sides. Lin Nan always thought this style made his square jaw look too rigid. Thankfully, he had decent features, so he just looked like an ex-soldier or security guard on the street, not someone fresh out of prison.
Not exactly the look of a student, though.
Who even has that hairstyle as a student anymore?
Once they reached the barber shop on campus, luck was on their side—there were two open seats.
“Haircut.” Chen Yao had been coming here for a year and was somewhat friendly with the stylist. “Same as usual, just level it out.”
“Just a little trim for me,” Lin Nan said to the stylist behind him, feeling a little shy. He didn’t want to be as carefree as Chen Yao; otherwise, he’d probably end up with hair too short to look good.
“Okay.”
Lin Nan was eagerly anticipating his hair getting shorter, hoping to recover some of his masculine appearance, or at the very least, not look so feminine.
But as she snipped away, Lin Nan grew increasingly puzzled.
Wasn’t it the usual practice to buzz the back of the head and around the ears first? Why was this stylist just using scissors and a comb to snip away, having barely shortened his bangs while the rest looked the same as before?
“All done, darling. You should come in once a month for a trim; otherwise, your bangs will get too long and lose their charm. And this conditioner is on sale for fifty-one a bottle—an essential for long hair. Want to grab one?”
“???”
I’m a dude, d*mn it!
——————
Overslept, my bad.
