Bai Su's family shop wasn't far from the library—just a few hundred meters. The siblings arrived quickly.

They looked up to see that extraordinary woman's hair salon right ahead.

It was only 2008. Few had futuristic aesthetics from another timeline. Other shop signs still hung garish celebrity photos, with flashy multicolored fonts.

Or they were plain steel plates bearing names in plastic letters.

All looked utterly vulgar—downright tacky.

But Sister Yu's shop was pure and unpretentious.

Fresh green bamboo formed the base. Fake bamboo leaves topped it. Delicate white flowers outlined the name: Worry-Shaving Retreat.

The whole storefront used bamboo sections, looking elegantly simple.

Su Su recalled the Buddhist phrase "countless strands of worldly worries." Seeing the name, she smiled. Sister Yu was truly a wit.

"Shave worries, shave worries"—wasn't it about cutting those strands away?

Beside her, Bai Su stood frozen, muttering "shave worries" under his breath, utterly clueless.

Su Su giggled, grabbed Bai Su's hand, and pushed open the bamboo door amid his startled "Hey, wait!"

The AC hummed loudly inside. A cool fake bamboo leaf swayed slightly on the ceiling. The salon was empty, filled with quiet chill. The AC and rustling leaves sounded extra loud.

"Probably no one's out in this heat?" Bai Su thought.

But AC was a blessing—hardworking Bai Su sighed in relief.

Settling down, he felt sweat on his forehead. He turned to Su Su: "Got tissues in your bag?"

Su Su nodded, opened her cloth crossbody bag: "How many?"

"Just a few. Wiping sweat—I'm drenched. But the AC's a lifesaver."

Obediently, Su Su handed him tissues: "Here."

Satisfied, she hopped to a bamboo chair, scanned the room, and shouted: "Sister Yu, are you here?"

Bai Su wiped sweat, tossed the tissue into the bamboo bin, and watched his energetic sister. He wondered if he was getting old.

Su Su had skipped and run the whole way, barely sweating. Only a thin sheen glistened on her forehead and nose. He was exhausted like a dead dog, soaked in stink.

Comparing people really made you furious.

Still...

Bai Su frowned: "Keep it down. Don't disturb others."

Though Su Su seemed close to Sister Yu, shouting was rude.

Su Su playfully stuck out her tongue but fell silent.

Suddenly, a cool voice came from the back: "Su Su? Wait—I'm coming."

The voice was crisp and melodic, like pearls on jade, yet softly resonant.

Both Bai Su and Su Su silently praised—what a beautiful voice!

Su Su chirped back: "Got it! Brother and I will sit and enjoy the AC."

"Brother?" Sister Yu asked. "Bai Su's here too?"

Hearing his name, Bai Su's heart lurched. He blurted: "Ah... Sister Yu, good morning!"

Awkward silence swallowed him instantly.

Damn it—why such a dumbass mistake? It was noon!

A soft snicker came from the back room. Sister Yu teased: "Good morning? Xiao Su, did studying fry your brain? It's noon."

Before she finished, Su Su burst out laughing beside him.

Bai Su's face flushed red. He stiffened, whispering: "Shut up!"

Su Su just glanced at him and laughed harder.

His face burned deeper red.

Then, a slender hand like fine porcelain rolled up the bamboo curtain behind the counter.

The hand was smooth as Hetian jade, pale as young scallions, with long fingers—too bony.

The curtain rose, revealing glossy black hair like satin. An old green jade, carved like bamboo, tied it in a soft bun.

Below was a small face equally charming in pout or smile.

Faint misty-rain eyebrows, narrow shallow eyes, warm pupils, a straight petite nose, thin blade-like lips—Sister Yu looked nothing like the stereotypical Jiangnan beauty.

Yet she was more beautiful, with a unique grace.

"Long time no see," Sister Yu said, eyes crinkling with laughter. "Su Su... and Xiao Su."

Xiao Su seethed, wanting to flip the table.