Before coming here, Gao Qian had already met with the editor-in-chief of a well-known fashion magazine.
This was the urgent matter she had mentioned in her message.
A Job Offer from a Fashion Magazine
It all started with a university cultural festival.
University A had invited the editor-in-chief as a guest lecturer, and next to the lecture hall was a photography exhibition showcasing student works.
Among the exhibited portraits, one particular photo stood out.
It was of a young man sitting inside a small shop on an old street.
The editor-in-chief was instantly drawn to the subject’s face and temperament.
Determined to find the mysterious person, they followed the trail and eventually tracked down Gao Qian.
They proposed a collaboration.
The magazine was a leading fashion publication in China—
A rare opportunity at this stage in Chen Bai’s career.
Normally, anyone would jump at the chance.
But this was the same person who had once rejected a job offer…
…because he was busy playing games.
Gao Qian still vividly remembered how unmotivated he had been.
So before coming here, she had already mentally prepared herself for a flat-out rejection.
However—
After meeting him today, she felt that this time might be different.
A Sudden Change of Heart
Before introducing the shooting concept, she casually mentioned:
“The magazine is offering a five-figure payment.”
The person sitting opposite her immediately looked up.
“I’ll take it.”
His voice was clear and decisive—like someone about to pledge allegiance to a cause.
Gao Qian was stunned.
Just like that, they had reached an agreement.
She then continued explaining the shooting plan.
- Theme color: Pink
- Location: Magazine’s own studio
- Scheduled date: Mid-month
- Stylist & makeup artist: Yet to be finalized, but quality guaranteed
Then, she added:
“They also prefer if you change your hair color.”
She took a sip of her coffee and left the decision to him.
Chen Bai ran a hand through his hair.
“Pink?”
Gao Qian nodded.
He lowered his head, thinking seriously.
Gao Qian didn’t interrupt, waiting for his final answer.
Then, he suddenly looked up again.
His expression was serious, and he asked:
“Excuse me, do I have to pay for the hair dye?”
Gao Qian: “No.”
Chen Bai’s entire posture relaxed.
His expression brightened instantly, and he grinned.
“As long as I don’t have to pay, anything is fine.”
Gao Qian: “……?”
So that’s what he had been thinking about this whole time.
Chen Bai had never cared about hair color.
As a seasoned worker, he understood one thing—
If the money is right, nothing else matters.
Thus, the decision was made.
An Unexpected Lottery Win
After discussing a few more details, Gao Qian had other work to handle.
Chen Bai was supposed to return to his locksmithing business.
However, on his way back, he picked up a flyer at the mall.
Since he had just spent money at a coffee shop, he was given a free entry into a mall lottery draw.
His luck with lotteries had always been as bad as his bank balance.
But this time—
He actually won something.
It was a discount voucher.
For a hot pot restaurant.
A meal for two.
This was a significant event in Chen Bai’s life.
A free meal was not to be wasted.
A Dinner Invitation for the Good Neighbor
That evening, as his good neighbor returned home from work, Chen Bai greeted him with a plate of sweet red bean paste buns.
Then, he patted Xu Sinian’s shoulder and said solemnly:
“I won a discount voucher for a hot pot restaurant. A meal for two.”
Xu Sinian glanced at the hand on his shoulder and said simply:
“I’ll be free on Saturday.”
Good neighbors are truly kind!
Chen Bai had already scheduled his free hair dye appointment on Saturday morning.
So, he arranged for hot pot in the afternoon.
The lifetime’s worth of luck he had spent on this voucher was not wasted.
In an exceptionally good mood, he even gave Xu Sinian two extra buns and wished him a good night’s sleep.
Late-Night Streaming & Sleep Struggles
Since Saturday’s dinner might run late, Chen Bai extended his live stream by 30 minutes each night to make up for it.
The viewers didn’t know why but were thrilled.
They even started competing with him:
“Let’s see who lasts longer—Erbai or us!”
The consequence of prolonged live streaming was clear.
By Saturday morning, getting up was torture.
With great difficulty, he dragged himself out of bed.
Still half-asleep, he blindly washed up, his mind in a primitive, uncivilized state.
Luckily, as he got dressed, his brain finally rebooted.
Just as he was about to put on a cheap T-shirt from the supermarket, he paused.
He had to go out today.
He switched to a white hoodie, stuffed his phone and discount voucher into his pocket, and headed out.
The Hair Transformation Begins
The salon was in the city center.
Since he wasn’t paying, Chen Bai asked no questions and just followed navigation.
The place was much fancier than expected.
Not only was Tony (the stylist) there, but several people had gathered to discuss his hair transformation.
His warm hoodie and the soft salon chair were too comfortable.
With his chronic sleep deprivation, he struggled to stay awake.
In the end—
He gave up.
He closed his eyes and slept through the entire morning and noon.
Occasionally, he woke up, cooperated with the professionals, and then went right back to sleep.
When he finally woke up for good, the hair dryer was buzzing nearby.
The Grand Reveal
The warm air blew gently, ruffling his newly styled hair.
Chen Bai half-opened his eyes, his vision blurry.
In the mirror, he could vaguely see two colors—
Pink. And white.
The hair dryer stopped.
Someone laughed above him.
“Are you finally awake?”
Chen Bai blinked.
Then, he realized something.
The pink-and-white thing in the mirror…
Was him.
He closed his eyes, then opened them again.
His vision cleared.
He looked straight into the mirror.
His First Impression?
“…Looks the same as usual.”
But while he saw no difference, his agent and the stylists had already pulled out their phones to take pictures.
Not understanding why, Chen Bai cooperated and posed with a peace sign.
His agent put down her phone.
“Put your hand down.”
Chen Bai obediently lowered his hand.
Then, he checked his phone.
It was already past noon.
His good neighbor had messaged him half an hour ago.
“Where’s your workplace? When are you off? I’ll drive over.”
Chen Bai lowered his head and replied to the message.
A Leisurely Afternoon
Gao Qian asked him, “Do you have any plans this afternoon?”
Chen Bai looked up and smiled:
“I’m going out with a friend for dinner.”
Without missing a beat, his agent snapped another photo, nodded in satisfaction, and put away her phone.
For someone juggling multiple jobs a day, free time was precious.
Gao Qian left the studio as soon as they finished.
The restaurant was near a shopping mall, which was within walking distance.
Since it was so close, Chen Bai didn’t ask his good neighbor to pick him up.
Instead, he chose to walk there slowly by himself.
Unexpected Attention on the Streets
It was a beautiful Saturday, the weather perfect, and the streets busier than usual.
Along the way, Chen Bai noticed something.
People were staring at him.
He thought for a moment.
Then came to a logical conclusion—
His white hoodie was too eye-catching in the sun.
So he switched to walking under the trees.
A Familiar Car & A Sudden Call
His phone buzzed.
A new message popped up.
His good neighbor had arrived.
But Chen Bai didn’t see the familiar car.
He stood still, looked around, then lowered his head and dialed a number.
“Buzz—”
A black car stopped under the shade of a roadside tree.
Inside, Xu Sinian glanced at his phone screen, then answered the call.
The moment the call connected, a clear voice rang out.
The person on the other end was walking while talking, his breathing slightly unsteady.
Xu Sinian listened silently as he unbuckled his seatbelt, lowered his hat brim, and opened the car door.
“I don’t see you— wait, okay, I see you.”
“Don’t move. I’ll come find you.”
Xu Sinian turned slightly and asked, “Where are you?”
Pink-Haired Erbai Appears!
For a moment, the phone went silent.
Only the wind and car horns could be heard.
Then—
“Here!”
The voice wasn’t coming from the phone.
It came from nearby, clear and bright, ringing directly in his ears.
Xu Sinian turned his head toward the direction of the voice.
A figure was running down the stairs of the overpass.
The sunlight was blindingly bright.
His lightly tousled pink hair brushed against his eyebrows.
The strings of his white hoodie lifted slightly in the wind.
He looked spirited and full of life.
The shadows of the trees swayed.
Xu Sinian’s dark pupils flickered slightly.
A Near Collision
Pink-haired Erbai took the stairs in two or three strides.
He was moving so fast that he almost tripped.
But he didn’t fall.
Instead, he ran straight towards the car.
The wind carried his momentum forward.
He was so close now that Xu Sinian could almost feel the air shift.
As Chen Bai got closer and closer—
When he was less than half a meter away—
Xu Sinian reflexively stretched out his hand.
Then—
Just before they collided—
Chen Bai stopped.
A Perfectly Timed Stop
Brakes applied successfully.
The self-control was impressive.
The braking system was flawless.
“…”
Xu Sinian slowly lowered his raised hand.
Chen Bai took a deep breath, wiped off imaginary sweat, and grinned.
“That was a close call.”
Author’s Note:
That was a close call…
You almost found yourself a boyfriend.
