Chapter 14: What Kind of Hairstyle Do You Like?

“Hmph… Don’t really want to go home, huh? I’ll save you a bed.”

What a weird way to put it… It feels like I’m being lured home by some shady uncle on the street.

I trailed slowly behind Gu Fan, who was carrying his backpack, walking with an easy, confident stride.

Gu Fan had seriously asked for my opinion, and only after confirming that I didn’t mind did he continue to invite me over to his place.

If I were just visiting Gu Fan’s house like usual, I wouldn’t feel this awkward—but sleeping over at Gu Fan’s place… this would be a first.

Would a reserved girl choose to say no?

I didn’t know.

Right now, I just wanted to follow my own feelings.

I hoped we could get closer.

I wanted to respond to the trust Gu Fan was showing me.

After all, being willing to let a girl sleep over at his place—didn’t that mean he valued me?

Maybe Gu Fan was still bound by the ties of being childhood friends, but even so, I wasn’t going to give up on this connection.

This was a gift my younger self left for me.

I followed Gu Fan up the stairs and stopped outside his front door.

He took out the key and opened the door.

I took a deep breath before stepping in and taking off my shoes.

And then… we ran right into his mom.

“Mom? Why are you home?”

Gu Fan clearly didn’t expect her to be there and jumped a little from the surprise.

“Hmph, I’ve got the day off today. Told you that yesterday.”

“Oh, I forgot.”

“Eh? My boy’s all grown up now, huh? Doesn’t even listen to his mom anymore?”

Gu Fan’s mom joked lightly, then with a fruit tray in her hands, she stepped quickly over to me.

“Um… H-hello, I’m Shen Zhi Nian. I’m… Gu Fan’s classmate.”

I stammered as I spoke, forcing myself to raise my head and meet her eyes.

I had originally wanted to say I was Gu Fan’s childhood friend, but I was afraid she’d misunderstand—or worse, dislike me and kick me out of the house—so I left myself a way out.

Guess I’m getting more timid as I grow up…

“Just a classmate?”

“Ah, um…”

Gu Fan’s mom narrowed her eyes sharply, and the curve at the corner of her eyes looked a little like Gu Fan’s.

I swallowed nervously, not sure how to respond.

She stared at me for a moment, glanced at the ears on top of my head, and suddenly nodded in realization.

“Oh, now I remember.”

“Uh? Remember what?”

“The cute little cat girl who always clung to our Gu Fan, mumbling confusedly whenever she got flustered, never dared look people in the eye, and never bothered to brush her hair… that’s you, right?”

“……”

She got me completely right—yet it didn’t feel good at all.

Because it meant I hadn’t changed one bit. I was still a useless wreck.

I tucked the strands of hair hanging beside my face behind my ears, lowering my head in shame as I realized how sloppily I presented myself as a girl.

“Alright, alright. You go do your thing. I’ll give Zhi Nian a tour of the house.”

Surprisingly, Gu Fan’s attitude toward his mother was particularly curt, as if he were annoyed by her presence.

The younger Gu Fan would’ve still tried to cheer up and respond to his energetic mom, but now…

I glanced sideways at his expression—his brows were already furrowed in irritation.

“Ayy~ Make sure you catch up properly with your little childhood sweetheart. I’ll go prepare lunch and call you when it’s ready.”

His mom’s mischievous smile and teasing tone only made Gu Fan more resistant.

“Yeah, yeah, got it.”

He brushed her off and tugged me straight into his bedroom. I followed along without protest.

Gu Fan’s way of interacting with his mom… really was a bit unusual.

But compared to my own family, this kind of dynamic actually felt quite warm.

As soon as I stepped into his room, I stopped in my tracks, stunned.

“Whoa…”

“What? Is my room dirty?”

Gu Fan stomped on the floor and touched the nearby wall with his palm.

“No dust. I clean regularly, you know.”

“Yeah, I can tell. It’s really clean—it feels peaceful, too.”

Just like I said, Gu Fan’s room was spotless, in a way that didn’t seem typical for a teenage boy.

It was the kind of clean that made you understand what “sparkling and neat” truly meant.

There were no overbearing decorations, but it wasn’t overly plain either.

The walls were papered in soft blue and white, and the ceiling had gentle wave patterns, like ocean swells.

Just looking around made my eyes feel refreshed.

If I had to describe it in one sentence… I’d say this entire room radiated signs of careful upkeep by its owner.

It had been completely transformed into a space imbued with Gu Fan’s unique personality.

At Gu Fan’s gesture, I sat down at the edge of his bed.

It was a little firm, but surprisingly comfortable.

It felt so nice being here…

Even more relaxing than being in my own room.

Maybe that was Gu Fan’s charm?

He stepped into the living room and came back with a glass of water.

After handing it to me, he casually sat down beside me.

“Sorry about earlier. I didn’t think my mom would be home today. That’s just how she is—super chatty. Don’t take it too seriously.”

“Mm, it’s okay. Auntie was actually really welcoming.”

Our alone time may have been interrupted, but getting on his mom’s good side wasn’t a loss.

There’s still a long way to go in the future—if I can lay the groundwork now, it’ll be easier to invite Gu Fan out later.

I held the cup and sipped slowly.

There was a faint sweetness to the water, almost like it had orange powder mixed in.

It had been a while since I experienced the particular kind of refinement in Gu Fan’s home—everything here felt thoughtfully curated, filled with subtle warmth and charm.

Unconsciously, I started comparing myself to Gu Fan.

Whether it was his home environment or how he carried himself… I was completely outclassed.

I brushed away the strands of hair that had slipped down again and sighed quietly in frustration.

I was such a mess I couldn’t even tie a ponytail properly.

I always just let my hair hang loose, and after a bit of running or a gust of wind, it turned into a tangled, ghost-like disaster.

Even I couldn’t stand myself.

“Zhi Nian…”

Gu Fan’s voice called softly from beside me, floating gently into my heart and plucking at its strings.

I flinched slightly and turned my head to look at him.

“Y-Yeah? I’m here. Did you need something?!”

“Heh… no need to be so stiff. It’s just the two of us here.”

That’s exactly why I am stiff! If I were with a total stranger, I wouldn’t even care.

But with you, I keep worrying about how I come off!

I wanted to scream that out loud, but I was afraid my pent-up frustration would scare him off. So I held it in—again.

“Well… it’s not really anything serious.”

Gu Fan stood up, circled around to face me, and looked at me directly.

I widened my eyes, nerves tightening, waiting for what he was about to say.

“I just… wanted to try tying your hair.”

Tie… my hair?

“Uh—Gu Fan, do you even know how to tie hair?”

“Hmm… I’m not exactly an expert, but if you don’t mind, can I give it a try?”

Gu Fan said with a soft hum.

“Y-Yes, of course.”

I nodded rapidly.

The drawer of his bedside table was neatly organized, filled with little accessories.

Gu Fan opened it like he’d done it a hundred times, smoothly picking out a hair tie before climbing onto the bed and shifting behind me on one knee.

I swallowed nervously and lowered my head, offering him the back of my head without any resistance.

“Zhi Nian, what kind of hairstyle do you like?”

He asked gently,