"This haircut's on the house! You helped me discover a perfect work of art—carving a raw stone into a diamond. It made me so happy. I run this shop, so when I say free, it's free!"

Wait, no! I can't be that kind of person. I shouldn't accept this! So I'll...

"Ms. Melinda Liang, I truly appreciate your kindness. But my teacher taught me never to take unearned rewards. I must decline. I'm sorry!"

"Since you insist, I won't push it. Your integrity is truly admirable! You're clearly a model student. If everyone were like you, Shangsha City would be a perfect communist society!"

Nani?! I was just politely refusing! Why no script follow? Standard routine: I refuse, you insist it's mandatory, I refuse again, you say it's your wish, then I accept. But you gave up after one refusal! Like punching cotton!

Why act so high and mighty? I shouldn't have played by the rules with her! That money could've bought so much food!

But it's done. Regret won't help. I have to accept this unscientific outcome.

Now, I need acting skills. Even if I hate it, showing it is rude. Enter Oscar-winning actor Xia Chuan Yuan!

"Haha, Ms. Melinda Liang, thank you! It's my duty. As a top Shangsha citizen, I contribute to society's progress. Refusing was right—I can't accept unearned kindness. It wouldn't be fair. So, how much do I owe?"

My heart feels carved with a knife! It's bleeding!

Me and my last stubbornness—I clenched my fists and refused to let go!!!

Snap out of it. Back to reality.

I snapped back. Years of acting kept my face perfectly normal, no cracks. Seeing no change in Melinda Liang's expression, I knew my performance was flawless.

"Since Yuan-kun insists, free would be too sudden. Alright, follow me. Bring the tablet—we'll settle at the front desk."

Wahhhhhh!!!

My wallet's about to bleed dry!!!

Melinda Liang turned toward the front desk. I followed her step by step, my steps faltering. Her figure reminded me of Zhu Ziqing's essay "The Back Figure."

That line: "I saw him in a black cloth cap and robe, stumbling to the railway track. Leaning down was easy, but climbing the platform strained him—hands gripping the edge, legs pulling up, his stout body tilting left. Seeing his back, my tears flowed quickly."

That last sentence matched my mood perfectly! If I hadn't held back, my tears would've streamed down too!

Melinda Liang took the tablet—the bill—swiped a card on it, and tucked it away. Probably an ID card.

None of that mattered. When she handed me the bill, regret hit hard. Why refuse her kindness? Why not just accept? I wanted to slap myself.

"Here, Yuan-kun. Total is 800 yuan. Since you refused free, I gave 50% off. You'll accept this, right?"

Holy crap! Even discounted, it's so expensive! I wish you'd repeated "This haircut's completely free!" Why not say it again!

...

I don't remember leaving. Dazed and confused, I stumbled out of Kamiya Beauty Center, walked dazedly down the street, ignored the starry-eyed stares, and dazedly reached home.

Hours had passed since I left. It was around 11 PM—late for a good student, early for night owls.

Of course, I'm a model student raised with strong morals. Nightlife isn't for me. I'm just someone who loves night drives!

With my handsome face, I dazedly entered home, wondering: What's wrong with me today?

I wasted so much money! I paid for He Minling's meal—it should've been her treat. And why get a haircut at such an expensive place? No, not a barbershop—a beauty center that includes haircuts!

Now, with this perfect face, I'm not used to being handsome! How should a handsome guy live?

Google it? Or ruin my face—slash it with a knife?

Pah! Why think crookedly? No self-harm! I should be confident! Like that anime queen's quote: "I am the most handsome; everyone will forgive me!"

Alright, grab my phone. Open browser, search bar: "How should a handsome guy live?" Hit enter. Search begins!

Damn it! Why all results about "life as a gay man"; "I'm handsome, so I like men"; "My partner is so handsome, I adore him."

Does being handsome mean becoming gay? No wonder they say "a flower on cow dung"—handsome guys all turn gay! No! I only like cute girls! I don't want to be gay!

If heaven's gift of handsomeness means being gay, I'd rather be ordinary!

Wait, it must be envy. Ordinary people write this to mock handsome guys. That's it!

Perfectly resolved. But...

At my doorstep, my excitement vanished. I suddenly remembered—I still have a pile of troubles at home! Past 11:30 PM, and my problems are unsolved...