Wei Xing suddenly remembered. Wait—I should tell Mrs. Zhao the news.
Ruo Mei nodded, waving her hand as if to say go on, then.
Wei Xing dialed quickly, and the call connected almost at once.
Mrs. Zhao's sharp voice came through. "Well? What happened? Is it confirmed?"
Wei Xing hesitated only a moment. "Yes… it's Zhou Yu."
On the other end, the furious edge in Mrs. Zhao's tone melted away in an instant. Her voice softened, almost pleased. "I knew it. I knew you could do it."
Wei Xing, already used to these sudden shifts in mood, let out a small chuckle under her breath.
Mrs. Zhao continued, her voice now gentle. "Good. Then do your work well."
Wei Xing bit her lip. "Mrs. Zhao… what should I do next? I mean, what do I need to prepare or get ready for?"
There was a brief pause. Then Mrs. Zhao replied, calm and vague, "For now, it's not certain."
Wei Xing asked carefully, "Then… what should I do?"
Mrs. Zhao's voice dropped into something steadier, almost secretive. "Nothing for now. Just observe him. Don't let your identity slip—better to hide yourself well."
Wei Xing frowned. "Then it's going to take a long time… isn't it?"
"About six months," Mrs. Zhao said matter-of-factly. "But I have faith in you. If you complete this task, I'll transfer you to the division you've been asking for. And not just that—you'll finally be made a regular employee."
Wei Xing lowered her gaze. I know… She's always like this—promising with one hand, scolding with the other.
Mrs. Zhao continued, her tone sharpening with importance. "This is confidential. A special assignment. And of course—you'll be paid for it. Ah, I almost forgot—the boss asked me to give you fifty thousand as a bonus for taking this on. Are you happy now?"
(Who doesn't like money?) Wei Xing thought to herself, her lips twitching.
Out loud she simply said, "Hmm… okay, ma'am. I'll report to you if there's anything unusual."
"Good. Do well. Fighting!" Mrs. Zhao encouraged, before abruptly hanging up.
Just then, Wei Xing's phone chimed with another notification. She glanced at the screen.
¥50,000 credited to your account.
Her eyes widened. "Woah… now this feels good," she muttered, a grin spreading across her face. She walked back toward Ruo Mei, her steps light and almost proud.
"Hm-hmm." Wei Xing cleared her throat, making a deliberate sound.
Ruo Mei looked up suspiciously. "What happened?"
With an exaggerated smile, Wei Xing announced, "Didn't I say I'd invest in you? Well, guess what… I can do it now!"
Ruo Mei blinked. "What do you mean… did you suddenly win the lottery?"
Wei Xing winked mischievously. "Not a lottery. Bonus money."
Ruo Mei gasped. "From Mrs. Zhao?" Then, narrowing her eyes, she teased, "Wei Wei, is this why you said earlier she's kind?"
Wei Xing burst into laughter. "Of course!"
"How much?" Ruo Mei leaned closer, curious.
"Fifty thousand yuan."
"What—really?!" Ruo Mei jumped in shock, then shook her head dramatically. "You're unbelievable." She immediately started teasing Wei Xing, pretending to bow like she was in front of a wealthy boss.
"Alright, stop it already," Wei Xing waved her hand, though she was laughing too. "Just use it to expand this café."
Ruo Mei's eyes softened, and she nodded.
"Anyway," Wei Xing clapped her hands, "let's go shopping. I don't have any decent clothes for tomorrow."
Ruo Mei tilted her head, thinking. "Clothes, yes… but you should probably change your phone too. If someone sees that new thing, they'll definitely suspect you."
Wei Xing sighed. "True… I think I have a spare one in my backpack. But clothes first. Let's go."
The two set off to the mall.
Inside, Wei Xing tried on dress after dress, posing in front of the mirror with hopeful eyes, only for Ruo Mei to shake her head every time.
"I told you, it has to be simple," Ruo Mei insisted. She took matters into her own hands, picking out jeans, trousers, and a few modest tops. She even added skirts to the pile.
"I don't want to wear skirts!" Wei Xing protested, her face scrunched up.
"Don't worry," Ruo Mei assured with a grin, "they'll look good on you."
Wei Xing tried to refuse, but eventually gave in, sulking as she put one on. Ruo Mei clapped her hands in satisfaction. "See? Perfect. Just take two skirts, some shorts, and we're done."
"Fine, fine…" Wei Xing muttered, defeated.
After they finished shopping, Ruo Mei suddenly crossed her arms. "Now, about your hairstyle…"
Wei Xing froze. "What? What do you want to do?" Her voice cracked with panic.
Ruo Mei's lips curled into a mischievous smile.
Wei Xing's eyes widened. "No. No, no… don't tell me it's what I think—"
"It's just hair," Ruo Mei said cheerfully. "It'll grow back."
"Even so, I don't want to!" Wei Xing shook her head frantically.
But Ruo Mei had already grabbed her arm, dragging her toward the beauty salon. Wei Xing struggled, whining the whole way, until Ruo Mei whispered, "What if he really remembers you?"
That silenced her. Wei Xing quickly pressed her lips shut, letting Ruo Mei lead her like a prisoner to her fate.
They arrived at the salon, the bright lights gleaming off mirrors and scissors.
At the counter, Ruo Mei leaned toward the stylist and whispered instructions in secret.
Wei Xing narrowed her eyes suspiciously at her friend. "Ruo Ruo… what are you plotting?"
Ruo Mei only gave her a mysterious smile, then pulled out her phone and started snapping photos. "Don't worry. I'll keep these safe as blackmail material."
"Ruo Ruo!" Wei Xing groaned, covering her face with her hands.
The stylist began working, scissors snipping rhythmically. Wei Xing squeezed her eyes shut, heart pounding. She had loved her long hair—how could she let it go like this?
Finally, she dared to open her eyes.
Her reflection in the mirror startled her. Her once long, flowing hair now stopped neatly at her shoulders, styled into a grunge-inspired cut with soft fringe brushing her forehead. Her heart sank—but at the same time, she couldn't deny the girl in the mirror looked… sharper. Stronger. Almost like someone ready to face a new world.
Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
Before she could even complain, Ruo Mei let out a loud cheer. "I knew it! You look amazing in this hairstyle!"
Wei Xing gave her a slanted, wounded look.
Ruo Mei immediately shrank back, flashing an awkward smile. "N-no, seriously! You're so cute—like a different person. Look!"
Wei Xing sighed, but the corner of her lips softened. "…Alright. I'll accept it."
The two left the salon, laughing and bickering, before stopping at a restaurant for steaming hotpot. By the time they finally returned home, exhaustion weighed on them both. They collapsed into bed and drifted into sleep.
The next morning, at 7 a.m., Wei Xing's alarm rang loudly.
"Wake up, wake up, wake up—"
She smacked the button to silence it. As her hand brushed against her head, she froze. Her hair felt light—shorter. In panic, she bolted upright before remembering: Ah… right. Yesterday.
With a sigh, she let it go and prepared herself for the day. She freshened up, slipped into a neat, simple outfit, and set breakfast on the table.
"Ruo Ruo, is this okay?" Wei Xing asked, turning for her friend's approval.
Ruo Mei shook her head dramatically. "No, no, no. Something's missing."
"What now?" Wei Xing groaned.
"Makeup," Ruo Mei declared.
Before Wei Xing could argue, Ruo Mei was already working on her face. A touch of foundation, a little eyeliner, a hint of blush—subtle, natural, yet transforming. At the end, Ruo Mei placed a pair of round glasses gently on Wei Xing's nose.
She leaned back to admire her work. "Perfect. Now no one will recognize you."
"…Maybe this could work," she whispered.