CHAPTER 79: CHAPTER 75: THE KEY STEP TO COUNTERATTACK (LONG CHAPTER)

The next morning, Han Lie, sporting a refreshingly short buzz cut, huffed and puffed on the running track, playing the role of a wind-chasing youth.

By the time Xi Luting showed up at the running track, dressed to the nines and sporting a sassy high ponytail, she immediately spotted that round little head.

Xi Luting was a bit stunned, and also wanted to laugh.

"Seriously, your head... You disappeared for three or four days. Did you end up doing a stint in a detention center?"

"With that sharp tongue of yours, can’t you use it for something productive?"

Han Lie laughed in spite of himself. "I’ll give you a chance to rephrase: does it look good or not?"

"Sooo dumb! Hmph! Telling you off *is* productive!"

Xi Luting covered her mouth, giggling, then proactively pulled Han Lie back a bit. "Slow down! Come on, tell Sis, what on earth happened?"

She got into character quickly.

From her very first expression upon seeing him, she launched an all-out offensive on Han Lie.

"Don’t even get me started!"

Brother Lie sighed, a pained and exasperated expression on his face.

"Yesterday, on my way back, I passed by that hair salon outside our school—the one with the big storefront. It wasn’t so much like a detention center; instead, the moment I walked in, it felt like I’d entered a ’duck shop’...

"As soon as I walked in, a little... attendant greeted me, ’Welcome, VIP guest, party of one!’

"Then he immediately handed me a number plate.

"He was certainly enthusiastic, but there was just something off about the whole vibe.

"I didn’t think much of it at the time and casually said, ’Get me a Tony to sort out my hair.’

"Then the little ’duck’ asked me, ’Handsome, what price range of Tony are you looking for?’"

"PFFT!"

Xi Luting suddenly burst out laughing, swaying and bumping into Han Lie.

Brother Lie reached out to steady her, feeling as if he were holding a piece of ice.

Cool to the touch, and it felt so good...

Xi Luting wrenched herself free from the scoundrel’s grasp and plopped down on the grass in the middle of the sports field, not daring to run anymore.

"Hold on... Are you sure you went to a hair salon and not some other kind of establishment? What kind of hair salon greets you as ’VIP guest, party of one’ and hands out number plates?"

Han Lie was startled, scrutinizing her from head to toe with suspicion.

"You’re the one acting weird!"

Xi Luting’s beautiful eyes sparkled. "You’re even weirder! Fess up, did you go do something naughty yesterday?"

Han Lie glared back at her. "You fess up! Have you worked in a bathhouse before?"

Xi Luting’s defenses completely crumbled. "BWAHAHAHA... Stop making me laugh... Aren’t you usually so aloof?"

Han Lie retorted sarcastically, "You’re usually quite aloof too. What’s with you today?"

Xi Luting was laughing so hard she was almost in tears.

"I, I... The moment I see your head, and then hear you ranting, I just can’t help but laugh..."

Han Lie stroked his own head; it felt amazingly good, but his image was definitely a bit different from usual.

But surely not to the extent of looking like a ’duck,’ right?

Xi Luting finally managed to stifle her laughter and quickly waved her hand. "You continue. I’m good now."

What in the world does ’I’m good now’ and ’you continue’ even mean?!

Han Lie hurriedly recited Buddhist scriptures in his mind, not daring to let his thoughts wander further.

He took a couple of deep breaths and vividly resumed his story.

"I had to get it straight! ’You have quite a few Tonys here? What are their price ranges?’

"The young fellow told me, ’We have Tony Vkii, a senior hairstylist for 68 yuan; Tony Holly, a hair director for 158 yuan; and Tony Gerrey, the salon manager, for 298 yuan. Handsome, which price range are you interested in?’"

"BWAHAHAHAHAHA..."

Xi Luting clutched Han Lie’s arm tightly with her left hand, her right hand slapping the grass, laughing as if she’d die.

Han Lie ignored her and pressed on.

"I figured, even though the names were a bit out there, you get what you pay for. So, I went for the most expensive one.

"Then the young lad told me to go to the second floor.

"As I was heading up, the young lad suddenly bellowed at the top of his lungs, ’VIP guest on the second floor, requesting Master Gerrey! Staff, prepare for arrival!’

"’VIP guest, please proceed with care. Wishing you success every step of the way!’

"The melodramatic, booming announcement sent a shiver down my spine.

At that moment, I thought to myself: This is bad! There must be some kind of extraordinary service upstairs..."

"Stop! BWAHAHAHA... Quick, stop... BWAHAHAHAHAHA..."

Xi Luting suddenly flopped onto the grass, then rolled onto her side, pounding the ground, convulsed with laughter.

Brother Lie’s feelings were quite complicated.

It always comes down to you, Little Cucumber!

You instantly got a joke that not even all men would understand...

While Xi Luting was curled up, laughing herself breathless, Han Lie quietly appraised her physique from behind.

Truth be told, when she lay on her side, her curves were quite beautiful.

That slender waist dipped dramatically inward.

Then, at her hips, it swelled out like a mountain peak.

Her little derriere wasn’t very perky yet, but the potential was already evident.

Just a few more pounds of flesh, and she’d be an absolute stunner.

Moreover, her skin was exceptionally good. The sliver of her waist that was exposed was delicate, fair, and smooth, making one instinctively want to reach out and touch it.

Don’t get me wrong, just to use my hand to measure how slim it is~~~

Perhaps all beautiful women are sensitive to gazes laden with special intent. Han Lie had only been looking for a few moments when Xi Luting suddenly stopped laughing.

She gently tugged at her top, nimbly flipped over to a sitting position, and adjusted her hair.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes held a soft, languid look.

It seemed to be a result of her laughter, but perhaps not entirely.

Those who get it, get it. For those who don’t, no explanation is necessary...

She glanced sideways at him and asked, "So then? The 298 yuan manager Tony gave you this?"

Han Lie composed himself and continued his yarn.

"It had nothing to do with the salon manager."