269: Chapter 269 Head Held High

The financial war outside was in full swing. The battlefield was not limited to Chuncheng; it had already spread to major first-tier cities across the country. Wherever the Huo Corporation had a presence, the flames of war followed.

However, Zhao Xiaoshuai delegated these trivial matters to professionals to handle; he was merely an unpretentious, walking wallet.

Right now, he had more pressing matters to attend to.

"Even though your birthday isn't until tomorrow, we don't have to be so strict with the timing, do we?"

"Mhm, I'm not that rigid! I've perfectly fulfilled my promise to my dad."

"You'll be an adult tomorrow. Time really flies."

"Does it? I feel like it's been so slow. All these years and I'm still not an adult yet. Every day is nothing but studying and doing practice problems."

Although Chu Xinyi had many little side activities in private—like being a hacker on the foreign web or DIYing a few pieces of intelligent machinery—there was no need to mention these to her brother-in-law.

"I still remember when I first met you, you were only this tall."

Zhao Xiaoshuai smiled and gestured to the level of his waist.

When he first met Chu Xinyi, she was still a sixth-grade elementary student. She was timid and shrinking, and clearly somewhat malnourished.

"People grow up!"

"Mhm, you certainly have grown 'up'."

They say a girl changes eighteen times by the time she's a woman, but Zhao Xiaoshuai, who had personally participated in seven years of Chu Xinyi's life, could still clearly remember how she looked at every stage.

Elementary school, middle school, high school.

She had transformed from a malnourished little brat into a well-nourished, slender, and peerless beauty.

She had grown in every aspect.

Once, Zhao Xiaoshuai could lift her high with one hand; now, one hand was no longer enough to hold her.

"Brother-in-law, where are we going now?"

"First, I'm taking you to get a haircut. You can finally say goodbye to that strange long-fringe hairstyle."

Arriving at the most famous hair salon in the city, Zhao Xiaoshuai had, of course, already booked the best stylist in advance.

A very fashionable and rather attractive woman came forward to greet them.

"Oh my, dear brother, you've finally arrived. Is this the young lady who needs a haircut?"

"Yes, give her a good cut, but don't take off too much."

Just for his Sister-in-law's hairstyle, Zhao Xiaoshuai had offered a reward of a hundred thousand, demanding that they strive for perfection and research the best styling plan.

No blow-drying, no perming, no dyeing; it had to be entirely handcrafted, and the use of electric devices was forbidden.

It couldn't be too over-styled; it had to be natural and elegant. It couldn't be too pretentious; it had to be fresh and innocent.

It couldn't be too simple or uninspired either; it had to complement her features perfectly.

...

Despite the long list of requirements, under the incentive of the astronomical reward, the chief creative director, Zuo Xinyue, accepted the task with full confidence.

She was also very curious about what kind of person deserved such a spectacle and could make this President Zhao put in so much effort.

Seeing that the main subject was a young girl with a weird hairstyle whose face she couldn't see clearly, she welcomed her in with curiosity.

Once the outer coat was removed, Zuo Xinyue realized she had misjudged. This was no 'little' girl; she was quite 'big'.

After briefly handling Chu Xinyi's hair and pinning back the sides with clips, even Zuo Xinyue, a woman herself, couldn't help but be slightly dazed.

What a beautiful face!

Clean and pure, exquisite and natural, every feature was a masterpiece of nature, and together they were just right.

Her high level of professional training allowed Zuo Xinyue to quickly snap out of it. "Your hair quality is excellent, and your head shape is perfect; you can pull off any hairstyle. Do you have any thoughts or requirements?"

"Um... no."

This was the most difficult type of client.

On the positive side, it meant the barber could play freely without constraints.

But on the negative side, no matter how it was cut, it might not satisfy them.

Not to mention the big boss who had spent a hundred thousand was 'watching like a hawk' from the side; just finding a hairstyle to match this face was incredibly difficult.

Zuo Xinyue took a deep breath, feeling like she was walking on thin ice!

Betting on her professional dignity, she cut the first lock of beautiful hair.

Chu Xinyi didn't have that much internal drama; she just sat up straight and relaxed. "Brother-in-law, what are the arrangements for later?"

"I'll take you to buy a few evening gowns. We're having a birthday party for you at home tonight. Your father and your sisters will all be there to celebrate."

Chu Xinyi naturally knew that her biological elder sister probably wasn't included, so she didn't tactlessly ask about it.

"My dad is coming too? He's willing to leave those few acres of crappy land of his?"

"I told him there are places to farm in the city too. I finally managed to persuade him. Anyway, our garden is large; we can set aside an acre or two for him to farm for fun."

Zuo Xinyue silently swallowed. She thought to herself that he truly lived up to his reputation as the rumored richest man in Chuncheng; his home must be truly massive.

"Hahaha, you really know how to find a way! It's clear my dad doesn't need to farm for money anymore, but he always says things like, 'I've farmed my whole life, I can't stop now.'"

The Sister-in-law mimicked her father's tone vividly. Zhao Xiaoshuai smiled knowingly; having known Father Chu for seven years, everyone was as close as family.

A phone call came in. It was mostly Huo Zhengdong wanting to sue for peace again. Zhao Xiaoshuai brushed him off with a few casual words.

Over there, Chu Xinyi's hairstyle transformation was nearing its end.

This so-called styling director did indeed have some skills. She perfectly followed Zhao Xiaoshuai's requirements. Although she hadn't made many cuts, the feeling was definitely there.

"Is there anything else you're dissatisfied with? I can fine-tune it for you."

In just a short while, Zuo Xinyue felt a bit exhausted; the pressure was simply too great.

The greatest difficulty this time was the employer's demand for a fresh and natural look without over-decoration, which meant more than half of her skills couldn't be used.

But now, admiring her own work, she understood the employer's painstaking efforts. A girl like this really wasn't suited for too much carving; just bringing out her inherent beauty was enough.

Chu Xinyi's hairstyle had basically never changed since she was a child. Although she had some awareness of her own beauty, it wasn't much.

She felt like she might be a bit prettier, but she wasn't sure by how much.

So she gave a sweet smile and looked at Zhao Xiaoshuai. "Brother-in-law, what do you think?"

In the past, although Chu Xinyi would show her true face to those close to her, it was only by pinning back her long fringe.

A hairstyle's contribution to a person's look might not be decisive, but it was definitely of paramount importance.

If a bald nun could still be stunningly beautiful, she must have a divine face. But if a divine face was paired with a suitable hairstyle, then it would surely make any man fall and even move the heart of a Buddha.

Zhao Xiaoshuai had never seen his Sister-in-law like this. In the time it took to take a phone call, Zuo Xinyue had casually made the final adjustments and styled the hair, and his Sister-in-law had completely changed.

Thus, he was already staring in a daze.

"Brother-in-law? Brother-in-law! I'm talking to you. Don't just stare at me; give me some feedback."

"You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, without exception."

"What's that? What kind of feedback is that? Hmph, I shouldn't have asked you."

Although Chu Xinyi turned away in feigned anger, her slightly reddened ears betrayed her feelings.

"Let's leave it at that. Thank you, Miss. Sorry for the trouble~"