Chapter 10: When You Stare Into the Abyss

“Let’s begin…”

Lin Ci sat quietly in the chair, facing an oversized vanity mirror.

Shen Xiyan stood behind her, holding a hairdryer in one hand and gently cupping her hair with the other.

Her hair was silky smooth, carrying the light, fresh scent of shampoo.

Lin Ci sat with her legs neatly together, her hands resting obediently on her lower abdomen. Her wide eyes nervously stared at Shen Xiyan’s reflection in the mirror.

She had just showered. Her skin smelled nice, and her face was refreshingly clean—not even a trace of oil.

Perfect.

Any girl knows: washing your hair just for a boy means something.

Hair doesn’t even have nerves, and yet, as Shen Xiyan held her strands in his hands, Lin Ci felt a strange tingling warmth spread through her chest.

It was oddly satisfying. Soothing. Like her entire body was gently sighing with comfort, her brain releasing wave after wave of happiness.

“Your hair’s actually really soft…”

“Does it feel nice to touch?”

“It’s… not bad.”

Shen Xiyan discreetly lifted a lock of her hair to his nose and took a small sniff—only to get caught by Lin Ci turning around and shooting him a suspicious look.

“It smells good. I was just confirming. I’ll buy a bottle for Wenwen too.”

Lin Ci pouted. “If you like it, just say so. It’s not like it’s your first time sniffing it.”

She had specifically chosen that shampoo because she knew he’d like the scent.

She swore—hand on heart—it wasn’t for any other reason.

Still, if you’re going to ask someone to dry your hair, you might as well make it pleasant for them, right?

Shen Xiyan gave an awkward smile.

Was I always this creepy?

He couldn’t remember.

So he straightened up and replied with exaggerated righteousness: “If I did that, you might think I’m some kind of pervert.”

“…It’d be nice if you were~~” Lin Ci mumbled, fidgeting where she sat, her legs tucked under her.

“What did you say?”

“I said hurry up and dry it!”

Girls mature faster than boys—it’s just how it is.

The ideas you had while single never hold up once you fall for someone.

And so, extremes take root. A girl might seem cool and rational when she’s single, but the moment she catches feelings, it’s like her entire personality changes—suddenly she’s soft, delicate, like flowing water.

Sneaking a boy into your room at night like this—For Lin Ci, who was experiencing everything for the first time—The thrill hit harder than anything she’d ever felt during her years of being a well-behaved, innocent girl.

Shen Xiyan turned on the hairdryer. The warm whirring sound filled the room.

He tested the heat with his palm, adjusted it, and then gently ran his fingers through her hair, occasionally glancing up at her reflection.

And every time he looked…

He found Lin Ci was looking at him too.

Their eyes met—just for a second.

Shen Xiyan wanted to keep looking, but Lin Ci quickly glanced away again.

…Why was that so damn cute?

“Xiyan, are you really choosing science track?”

“Yeah.”

“Then let’s hand in the report together tomorrow. If our names are on the same one, there’s a better chance we’ll be in the same class!”

“Is that actually a thing?”

“Well, pretend it is!”

“…Alright.”

The whole “I’m doing liberal arts” line he’d told Qin Sheng earlier?

Just a decoy.

Knowing her personality, she’d have filled in liberal arts without hesitation. By the time she realized he’d switched to science… it’d be too late.

“Oh, and don’t tell my dad about tonight.”

“What do you mean?” Shen Xiyan looked confused.

“I mean… the switching tracks thing. He already doesn’t like you. When he asked, I told him you were doing liberal arts. If he finds out you randomly changed, he’ll definitely start questioning things again.”

“…Got it.”

Lin Ci’s dad really didn’t seem to like him.

No father would like a boy constantly hanging around his daughter—especially one from a modest background.

Still, when Auntie fell ill, he had sent money through Lin Ci.

That kindness… Shen Xiyan had never forgotten.

And once he started working, he returned even more.

Lin Ci cautiously studied his face. “You’re not mad, right?”

“Nope. If I had such a pretty daughter, I’d be mad too!”

“…P-Pretty?”

“Isn’t it true? Why doesn’t your dad like me? It’s because he’s worried we’ll start dating early. If I were ugly, would he care? That’s basically a compliment! Even your dad thinks we’re a perfect match—smart boy, pretty girl!”

“There’s no such thing!”

Lin Ci’s skin was already fair and delicate. When she puffed out her cheeks, it gave her a translucent, doll-like glow.

Shen Xiyan couldn’t help himself—he reached out and poked her cheek.

Lin Ci froze. Her eyes widened. Her face turned visibly pink.

Embarrassed. Outraged. Flustered.

“Shen Xiyan!!”

“…Sorry. Couldn’t resist.”

Her entire face turned as red as a tomato.

And the worst part? He apologized so fast and earnestly, she didn’t even know how to stay mad.

Should she be angry? That felt petty.

Should she let it go? What happened to a girl’s dignity?

So she spoke with a voice full of pouty grievance, like she’d just been wronged.

“…Then you let me poke you back?”

Shen Xiyan “sincerely” offered: “Want to poke me back?”

“Who wants to poke you!”

Lin Ci huffed and turned away, pretending to ignore him.

“It really was a reflex,” he said sheepishly, scratching his head.

Which only annoyed her more!

She wasn’t a child. Why was he patting her head?

She felt like she should be angry—but her body betrayed her.

His coaxing worked too well.

Like scratching under a kitten’s chin—her anger melted into shy enjoyment, leaving her flustered and… helpless.

“…Well… next time… at least ask first.”

“There’s gonna be a next time?”

“You’re so annoying!”

Lin Ci looked at him, suddenly lifted a finger, and lightly flicked the back of it against his lips.

“There! Now we’re even.”

Her face was burning red.

Shen Xiyan: (…)

As her hair dried, the strands fluttered gently in the warm air—soft as waves, smooth like silk.

Lin Ci closed her eyes, relaxed and content like a little cat.

But then—her ears twitched.

She heard the faint sound of a door opening. Her heart skipped a beat.

Dad?!

Oh no.

He didn’t know Shen Xiyan had been climbing through her window at night. If he saw this—

They were doomed.

“Oh no! My dad’s coming!”

“Then I’ll leave!”

“There’s no time—hide!”

“HIDE WHERE?!”

Shen Xiyan panicked, looking around frantically.

Under the bed?

“This is a tatami mat! There are drawers underneath!”

“Then the closet!”

“Too small!”

“Then what?!”

Lin Ci was freaking out—and so was Shen Xiyan.

Getting caught in her room at night?

He’d be lucky if her dad didn’t literally kill him on the spot.

“…Under the desk!”

“…This desk? The one right in front of the door?!”

“JUST GET IN!”

Lin Ci shoved Shen Xiyan under the desk, yanked her skirt over him like a curtain, and scooted the chair in front.

Suddenly, the world was filled with the scent of her shampoo.

The first thing he noticed: softness. Her calves were smooth, her bones felt delicate—like they were made of silk.

Then came the faint, natural fragrance. She never wore perfume, but she smelled maddeningly good.

And from this angle, he could clearly see her—

Wait.

Where were her… panties?

At that moment, one particular line of poetry flashed in Shen Xiyan’s mind:

“When you gaze into the abyss, the abyss gazes back.”

Second thought: So it’s true. She really doesn’t grow any hair…