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Translator's note: The name of Zhao Hao's ability, "It's Midnight", comes from "It's High Noon." "It's High Noon" is a quote by the character McCree when executing his ultimate ability in the video game Overwatch.
"What do you mean? That was a Specter! So it didn't count!" Zhao Hao instinctively argued, then suddenly paused, his face lighting up with joy. "Xiu! You're amazing. I knew you would come to save me! Xiu, I'm so…"
"Stop! Don't say stupid things."
Then, with a rumbling noise, the trees pinning Zhao Hao were flung away one by one. Due to the cover of the night, Zhao Hao didn't see how Fang Xiu cleared the trees, thinking he used his hands. In reality, Fang Xiu used his new 'hair.'
Soon, Zhao Hao was rescued, but one of his legs was twisted unnaturally, clearly broken.
"Your leg is broken, you shouldn't move. Just wait here; I've already contacted the bureau. They'll send someone soon."
Zhao Hao, wincing in pain, finally said, "Xiu, did you take care of that silver-haired witch?"
"Mmhm, she's dead."
Zhao Hao looked at him admiringly. "Impressive, dude! Even my 'It's Midnight' abilities couldn't handle her, but you took care of her so easily."
"You call your power 'It's Midnight'?"
"Yeah! Sounds cool, right?"
Fang Xiu didn't respond but thought it was less impressive than the Magic Mike transformation.
He briefly explained the situation to Zhao Hao, then returned the way he came to find Shen Lingxue and Liu Shuai. With a forceful nudge at each—powered by a little jolt of pain— he successfully woke them up.
Shen Lingxue had several broken ribs, and Liu Shuai had lost some blood, but their conditions weren't serious.
After a brief explanation, Fang Xiu took them to meet Zhao Hao. They started a fire and waited for the rescue team from the bureau. However, the moment the fire was lit, Zhao Hao and Liu Shuai froze, staring at Shen Lingxue in shock.
Shen Lingxue frowned in displeasure. "Why are you both staring at me? It's just some mud."
She didn't realize the gravity of the situation, thinking they were staring because she was covered in mud from falling into a pit. She knew well how some men liked to see women looking disheveled.
"It's not the mud, it's your hair," Liu Shuai said, staring at Shen Lingxue's cropped hair.
"Hair?" Shen Lingxue grew even more displeased.
'My hair's definitely a mess with all the mud, which makes me look unattractive, but why does he have to point it out?'
Just as she was about to get angry, a cool mountain breeze blew at them.
Shen Lingxue felt an unusual chill on her scalp, causing her to pause and instinctively reach up to touch her head. To her shock, she felt nothing where her once smooth, long hair used to be.
Panicked, she quickly checked her head, finding her once soft hair now felt rough, like a man's short crop.
She hastily took out a mirror and froze completely at the sight. The mirror slipped from her grasp, shattering as it hit the ground, just like the breaking of Shen Lingxue's heart.
It was silent for a moment, then two. Suddenly, an ear-piercing scream shattered the calm.
"My hair! Where is my hair? "
Shen Lingxue, seemingly forgetting her broken ribs, jumped up. Her face was smeared with mud, but her rage was unmistakable. Her eyes reddened with intense anger, as if she was on the verge of bursting into tears from frustration.
Calmly, Fang Xiu replied, "The hair Specter ate it."
Her initial confusion quickly turned into renewed shouting. She seemed to vent her anger, upset that Fang Xiu had earlier said the hair Specter was dealt with 'perfectly.'
Liu Shuai and Zhao Hao watched in stunned silence as Shen Lingxue raged like a furious tiger. The two were too scared to utter a word.
Then, unexpectedly, Shen Lingxue ran off without a word. The two men exchanged looks of confusion.
After a while, Liu Shuai asked, "Do you think she's so upset about her hair that she might do something drastic?"
Zhao Hao was shocked. "No way, it's just hair. It can grow back. Is that really something to lose your life over?"
Liu Shuai shook his head. "You don't understand the importance of hair to a woman. I once saw a girl crying outside a hair salon because the stylist cut her long hair too short, turning it into a bob. She cried there all afternoon. In the end, the salon owner didn't charge her and even fitted her with extensions."
"That serious? Should we check on her, just in case she's really distressed?"
"You're right, we should. They say a woman is most vulnerable when she's at her weakest. It could be an opportunity to offer comfort."
Hearing this, Zhao Hao felt a surge of motivation, but unfortunately, his broken leg made it impossible for him to act on it.
Zhao Hao bit his lip and said, "Handsome, can you help me over there?"
Liu Shuai rolled his eyes sarcastically. "Oh, now I'm 'handsome'? Dream on!" He then floated toward the direction Shen Lingxue had gone, leaving Zhao Hao in frustration, unable to follow.
Soon after, from the nearby woods, there came several agonizing screams. Not long after, the chubby figure appeared beside the fire. He looked even worse for wear, with a swollen face and seemingly even rounder than before.
"Ow, it hurts! I was just trying to comfort her, and she hit me?"
Zhao Hao, trying to suppress his laughter, asked, "How exactly did you comfort her?"
"I was just being my usual. I said, 'Lingxue, even without hair, you're pretty. I've seen many with hair on the streets who aren't as good-looking as you without it. Besides, what's wrong with no hair? It even saves you the hassle of washing it every day.'"
Hearing this, Zhao Hao gave him a stunned thumbs-up. "Brilliant! You totally deserved the smack."
Liu Shuai was baffled. "Why? Was it something I said?"
"Of course, dumbass! I might not have had a girlfriend, but I know when comforting someone, you shouldn't keep reminding them of what hurts them. Just think, how many times did you mention Shen Lingxue's lack of hair in your 'comforting' words?"
After a brief count, Liu Shuai's already pale face from blood loss turned even paler. "It's over. I've ruined my chances completely."
Seeing him dejected, Zhao Hao suddenly perked up, reveling in his misfortune.