18: I will never meet a muse like you again in my life.

Arriving at the luxuriously decorated, top-tier private styling room, Tony carefully lifted Lei Jun's silver hair to examine it, then said with great distress.

"A reckless waste of God's gifts!"

"What a reckless waste!"

"How could you be so negligent in maintaining such naturally beautiful hair?"

"Look at these ends; they're already a bit dry!"

Lei Jun replied casually, "Laziness."

That single word instantly ignited Tony's desire to teach. He held up his orchid fingers and began to lecture her seriously.

"Lazy?"

"NO! NO! NO!"

"For a lady, especially a beautiful lady like you, hair is your second face!"

"It's your battle armor!"

"It's your banner!"

"Exquisite maintenance is the most basic form of self-love!"

"It relates to..."

He spoke incessantly for a full five minutes about the importance and techniques of hair care.

Listening to him, Lei Jun felt there might be some truth to it, so she interrupted, "Then recommend a few of the best hair care products."

Hearing this, Tony was overjoyed.

The commission on selling high-end products was very substantial.

He immediately pinched his orchid fingers with delight and promised, "Don't worry~ I'll definitely use the best, most top-tier products in the world for you!"

"I guarantee your hair will shine like silk!"

As a member of the fashion circle, he had already scanned Lei Jun's necklace, watch, and bag. He knew their value clearly and had no doubt about this client's purchasing power.

Next, Tony personally set to work, washing Lei Jun's hair, treating it, and massaging her scalp.

Every step was extremely meticulous and professional. This work, which was usually handled by assistants, he did today willingly and even with a sense of reverence.

Then, he began to meticulously design a style for Lei Jun.

Trimming, perming, dyeing, treating... several hours later, it was finally finished.

Tony looked at Lei Jun in the mirror and was completely stunned, his eyes soon becoming moist.

The girl in the mirror, whose beauty was already striking, now radiated a breathtaking brilliance under the enhancement of the new hairstyle.

The new hairstyle perfectly complemented her face shape and temperament, highlighting the uniqueness of her silver hair while adding a touch of effortless, charming grace.

Tony gazed at Lei Jun in the mirror with obsession, as if he were admiring a peerless work of art.

Suddenly remembering something, he turned abruptly and carefully took a picture frame out of a locked boutique cabinet nearby.

"Look at this..."

He handed the frame to Lei Jun, his tone carrying a trace of his former pride.

"This is the red carpet look I did for the international film queen Lilian last year. Because of this, I won the Stylist of the Year Award at the Asia Fashion Gala..."

The actress in the photo had exquisite makeup, and her hair was a complex combination of braids and waves; it was indeed gorgeous and eye-catching.

However, Tony's gaze quickly returned to Lei Jun in the mirror. He almost impatiently placed the frame face-down on the table, his tone becoming excited.

"But compared to you now!"

"That... that's simply garbage!"

"Stiff!"

"Uninspired!"

"Soulless!"

There wasn't a trace of nostalgia for his award-winning work in his voice, only astonishment.

"You really can't blame my skill level for fluctuating!"

"It's just that your natural foundation... is too good!"

"This silver hair is a gift from heaven. Your face shape, features, temperament... they don't need any redundant design to be piled on."

"It only needs the most refined strokes to highlight its own radiance."

"Any award placed before this look of yours would seem dull and lackluster!"

He grew more excited as he spoke, his eyes moistening again.

"Too... too perfect!"

"This... this is definitely the unsurpassable peak of my career!"

"I beg you!"

"Let me take a photo as a memento, okay?"

"Just one!"

"I swear on my professional reputation that it won't be used commercially!"

"Only as my private art collection!"

"I'm really afraid... that I won't be able to meet another Muse like you for the rest of my life, and I'll never be able to create a work like this again!"

"Please!"

Lei Jun looked at herself in the mirror and was also very satisfied with the new look.

She tilted her head slightly and gave a gentle nod to Tony, who was standing behind her, so nervous he was almost holding his breath.

"You may."

Hearing Lei Jun's casual yet heavenly "You may," Tony felt as if he had been struck by a massive current of happiness and froze for a moment.

Then, he completely lost control and cried out, "Oh—My—God!!!"

He jumped up from where he stood, completely forgetting the elegant demeanor he usually maintained with care. He felt like a child who had just received a favorite toy.

Stamping his feet several times in excitement and covering his face with his hands, his eyes turned completely red, and his voice carried a violent tremor and unbelievable ecstasy.

"*Sob, sob, sob...*"

"You... you agreed!"

"You really agreed!"

"Thank you! Thank you!"

"Thank you so much!"

"You're truly an angel!"

He hurriedly lowered his hands, seemingly afraid that Lei Jun would change her mind, and scrambled to find his professional camera on the workbench.

Because he was so excited, his fingers weren't working properly, and he almost dropped the camera.

He hugged the camera tightly to his chest, gave another deep bow to Lei Jun, and promised incoherently.

"Don't worry!"

"Just one!"

"An absolutely perfect one!"

"I'll find the best angle, the best light!"

"This will definitely be the greatest work of my life!"

"No!"

"It's art!"

"It's eternal art!"

Lei Jun watched Tony's exaggerated, almost unhinged reaction.

She could understand why someone who loved art and was fanatical about it would behave this way.

Before long, Tony had finished taking the photo.

He stared at the camera, so excited he was incoherent, gesticulating wildly.

"Perfect, it's too perfect!"

"I'm going to print it out on the best photo paper, put it in the most exquisite frame, and hang it in the most prominent spot in my living room!"

Seeing him like this, Lei Jun shook her head and smiled.

Do people who do art always have such dramatic emotional ups and downs?

However, she had to admit that Tony's craftsmanship was indeed impeccable. She was very satisfied with the new hairstyle, and even the photo he took was good.

So, she also asked Tony to develop a copy for her.

Looking at the photo in her hand, Lei Jun was in a good mood and took out her card, prepared to pay.

However, Tony took a step forward and urgently stopped her.

"Don't, Ms. Lei. I must pay for today's bill; please, you must give me this opportunity!"

Lei Jun frowned slightly. What she lacked least now was money, and she didn't want to owe this kind of favor.

"There's no need. I'll pay what is due."

Tony, however, pressed his palms together and pleaded sincerely.

"I beg you, please let me show my appreciation!"

"You allowed me to complete a dream-like work today, which is priceless to me!"

"I just want to do something for you, really!"

But Lei Jun was firm. She didn't like haggling over such matters and simply swiped her card to complete the payment.

Tony was incredibly disappointed and let out a long, regretful sigh.

However, he quickly pulled himself together again.