Ying'er and Greater Lord Rukkhadevata returned from outside.
"Boss, we've settled things with Scent of Spring."
"How did it go?"
"The kiln will start processing tonight, and the first batch of samples should be ready by Monday, the day after tomorrow."
"That's fast."
"Well, the number of cups we need this time isn't as large as last time."
"True."
"We also roughly discussed the price with Scent of Spring. Given our previous large order, they're willing to offer us the most favorable rate."
"How much?"
"10 Mora."
"!?"
"That's practically cost price, isn't it?"
"Pretty much."
"Impressive, Ying'er."
"It's not all my credit. Xia Ci helped too."
"Right, my cousin is amazing."
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata chuckled softly, placing the pile of items she had bought on the table nearby.
Ying'er continued, "Boss, since our shop already has a partnership with Scent of Spring, we don't need to sign a preliminary contract this time. Once they deliver the samples and we're satisfied, they'll sign a new commercial contract with you."
"That's great. You've worked hard."
"Not at all!"
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata rummaged through the pile of miscellaneous items on the table and pulled out a small silver pair of scissors and a wooden comb. "Cousin, I bought the tools."
"You're really going to cut it, huh…"
"Of course!"
"Do you know how to cut hair?"
"I do! Come here."
"Alright."
Xia Zhi sighed helplessly and walked over to her.
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata dragged out a chair and laid a few sheets of paper on the floor and over him to make it easier to clean up the fallen hair later.
She patted the back of the chair. "Cousin, sit down."
Xia Zhi sat down. He recalled that in the glimpses he'd seen of her fate, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata had never cut anyone's hair before.
"Be gentle."
"Don't worry! I'm really good at this!"
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata combed through his hair, which was still slightly damp from his recent shower—perfect for cutting.
The girls, who had been playing mahjong, gathered around, curious to watch the spectacle.
"Cousin, aren't you going to ask what kind of hairstyle I want?"
"No need. A skilled hairstylist will tailor the perfect look for their customer."
"…"
Strands of hair fell from his forehead as Xia Zhi silently watched from his God's-eye view. To his surprise, the scene had a certain aesthetic appeal.
The goddess really could cut hair! And her movements looked quite practiced!
When had she learned this?
He had already stolen all her skills before, and none of them were related to hairdressing.
Unless…
A lightbulb went off in Xia Zhi's head, and he suddenly called out, "Ying'er."
"Yes? Boss, what is it?"
"Where did you all go earlier?"
"We went to Scent of Spring first. After settling the business, we strolled back along the street."
"Where did my cousin buy the scissors and comb?"
"From a barbershop on the side of the road. The old master there is really skilled. After buying the tools, Xia Ci even dragged me to watch for a while."
"So that's it…"
She must have learned the skill on the spot!
With her [Innate Wisdom], she could pick up anything incredibly fast.
"What's 'so that's it'?"
"Nothing."
Xia Zhi shook his head inwardly, then selected his cousin, who was still cutting his hair.
"Use [Skill Steal] on the target?"
"Yes."
"[Skill Steal] successful. Learned [Basic Haircutting] from the target."
As the new skill settled into his mind, Xia Zhi instantly gained a wealth of knowledge about haircutting.
Now, when he looked at his cousin cutting his hair through his God's-eye view, it felt different.
He was no longer an outsider looking in but an insider evaluating another insider.
What had seemed like beautiful, fluid movements now felt… just average.
Before long, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata put away the scissors and comb, circled Xia Zhi once, and nodded in satisfaction. "All done."
Xia Zhi responded flatly, "Oh."
"It looks really good."
"Come on, I'm blind. I can't see it."
"You don't believe me? Ask everyone else!"
"I think… it's alright."
"See?"
"I think… now that it's shorter, the boss looks a bit more spirited."
"Exactly!"
Xia Zhi paused for a moment, then reluctantly conceded. "Alright, thanks, cousin."
"No need to thank me! When your hair grows out again, I'll cut it for you!"
Greater Lord Rukkhadevata helped him remove the papers from his body and blew away some stray strands of hair.
"Cousin, go take another shower. Some hair might have fallen down your collar. It'll itch."
"Alright."
"Does anyone else want a haircut?"
"No thanks! I'm growing mine out!"
"Me too!"
Seeing everyone decline her offer, Greater Lord Rukkhadevata regretfully put away the small scissors and comb.
Shenhe had already brought him a fresh set of clothes.
The two of them headed toward the bathhouse at the back.
Once inside, Xia Zhi asked softly, "Shenhe, do you think my hair looks good now?"
Shenhe glanced at him and replied quietly, "It's alright."
"Be honest."
"I am being honest."
"It's not as charming as before."
"I like it."
"You really do? Want to touch it?"
"Sure."
Shenhe reached out and gently ran her fingers through his hair, a faint smile flickering in her cool eyes.
This version of the boss was quite endearing.
"How is it?"
"A bit prickly."
"That's normal right after a haircut."
Shenhe withdrew her hand and suddenly said, "Boss, want some candy?"
"Candy? Sure, eating candy while soaking in the bath sounds nice."
"Not that kind of candy."
"Huh?"
Shenhe stood on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to his.
It was a new flavor.
Strawberry.
Xia Zhi savored it for a moment. Not bad.
"When did you sneak some candy?"
"When I went to get your clothes."
"Eating too much in one day isn't good. You might get tired of it."
"I won't get tired of it."
Shenhe looked at him, her expression serious.
"Never."
So cute.
He really couldn't help it.
Xia Zhi couldn't resist kissing her again, then chuckled and headed into the bathhouse to shower.
Shenhe gently pursed her moistened lips and waited quietly outside the bathhouse for a moment before knocking on the door.
"Boss."
"Yeah?"
"Give me the clothes you changed out of. They've got hair on them. I'll wash them."
"Alright, come in and get them."
Shenhe pushed the bathhouse door open gently and stepped inside.
The room was filled with steam, and through the haze, she could vaguely make out the familiar, firm lines of the boss's waist.
Shenhe glanced at him, picked up the clothes from the side, and walked out, closing the door softly behind her.
A moment later, Xia Zhi heard the sound of vigorous scrubbing from outside.
Next time, when the shop is empty, I'll have to try Shenhe's back-scrubbing skills.
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