"It seems this task of mine isn’t going to be easy. Oh well, might as well consider it a self-inflicted journey—trekking sixty or seventy kilometers through mountains and rivers just to come here and enjoy the breeze. Oh, and let’s not forget, I’ll probably end up going back with a bellyful of frustration too."
Ren Yuanhao made a show of heading toward the door.
"Wait."
*Heh, so the little lady finally grew a conscience.*
Ren Yuanhao stopped in his tracks, but before he could even feel pleased, he saw the girl fetch something from a dark corner and hand it to him.
"Here. I don’t have money to pay you for coming all this way, so take this as a small compensation."
*Damn, she really does think I’m some kind of gigolo!*
Ren Yuanhao felt another critical hit to his dignity.
"No need. Since you’ve already labeled me as some kind of shady professional, why did you even place the order in the first place? Oh, right—maybe it’s because my appearance doesn’t meet your standards, *young mistress*. Fine, I’ll leave. Happy?"
Of course, Ren Yuanhao didn’t dare leave. He knew all too well how merciless the system’s punishments were for failed missions.
This was called *playing hard to get*.
"No, it’s not that. You look great. It’s just… someone like me—a worthless, ugly freak—could never deserve you."
Ren Yuanhao studied Zhou Lin carefully, feeling as if he were looking into a mirror.
Before the system had transformed him, he, too, had believed himself to be trash. But after the system’s modifications, he’d come to understand a simple truth: confidence and kindness are the light that illuminates the heart. Appearance? That’s just a stepping stone.
Besides, this girl in front of him simply didn’t know how to take care of herself. Wasn’t there a saying among women? *There are no ugly women, only lazy ones.*
Ren Yuanhao laughed heartily and, without another word, grabbed Zhou Lin’s hand and pulled her outside.
"What are you doing?"
"Just come with me. I’m not a kidnapper—what are you afraid of?"
Ren Yuanhao kept his smile bright and sunny, and it was this very smile that slowly melted the frozen parts of Zhou Lin’s heart.
Under the strange stares of passersby, the two soon arrived outside a rundown hair salon.
"Why did you bring me here?"
Zhou Lin had always avoided places like hair salons and beauty parlors. She subconsciously touched her face, where a few pimples had sprouted.
"Little lady, I’m about to work some magic on you. Believe it or not?"
"Magic?"
"Go inside, and you’ll see."
Ren Yuanhao placed his hands on Zhou Lin’s shoulders and half-pushed, half-dragged her into the salon.
"Well, if it isn’t our little college girl! What’s the matter? Heard you dropped out. Planning to follow in your mother’s footsteps, living off welfare and becoming a parasite in the village?"
Zhou Lin hung her head low, not daring to meet the sharp, knife-like gaze of the salon owner. If not for Ren Yuanhao’s firm grip on her shoulders, she would’ve bolted out the door.
*Beep. Detected extreme lack of self-esteem in the employer. Suggest showing off at an appropriate moment to increase satisfaction rating.*
Ren Yuanhao grinned. *Showing off? That’s something I’ve gotten pretty damn good at!*
"Boss, that’s no way to talk. I’m here to take my girlfriend back to school."
Zhou Lin’s heart skipped a beat. She was about to protest when Ren Yuanhao pulled her even closer—so close she nearly stumbled into his arms. The move was downright domineering.
"You—!"
"Shh. Don’t say anything. Besides, I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?"
Ren Yuanhao’s whisper, soft as a mosquito’s hum, brushed against her ear, making her face flush crimson.
He affectionately ruffled Zhou Lin’s hair while casually tossing his Ferrari keys onto the salon counter.
The salon owner, being the snob she was, instantly recognized the prancing horse emblem. The moment she heard Ren Yuanhao claim to be Zhou Lin’s boyfriend, her expression flipped like a switch. Her eyes narrowed into slits as she fawned over Zhou Lin, grabbing her hands with exaggerated enthusiasm.
"Oh, our Zhou Lin is so lucky! Come in, come in!"
Ren Yuanhao deliberately furrowed his brows and glanced at his Rolex. "We’re in a bit of a hurry, boss. Got a project investment meeting to attend back at school. Give my girlfriend a stylish, mature look—something with ‘queen energy.’ Spare no expense."
"Of course, of course! Right away!"
……
A short while later, under Ren Yuanhao’s relentless yet doting pressure, Zhou Lin underwent a complete "transformation."
Her complexion brightened, making her glow with vitality. Her hair was tied into a sleek ponytail, and her almond-shaped eyes sparkled with life. It was truly the ugly duckling’s stunning metamorphosis.
Staring at her reflection, Zhou Lin could hardly believe it. The forehead and cheeks once hidden behind her bangs were now fully visible—delicate as a porcelain doll’s.
"Miss Zhou’s natural beauty is astounding! If I hadn’t done the styling myself, I’d never believe it’s the same person," the salon owner gushed, her voice dripping with envy.
"My girlfriend here has always been stunning. She just never bothered to dress up."
Zhou Lin’s mood lifted slightly, but then she remembered she had no money. Her shoulders tensed, and she grew visibly uneasy.
Ren Yuanhao, of course, had come prepared. He was no longer the penniless loser he used to be.
After paying without hesitation, Zhou Lin led Ren Yuanhao through the village’s narrow alleys under the curious gazes of the locals. She didn’t speak until they reached a serene spot nestled between mountains and water.
"This place is lovely. Reminds me of my hometown."
Ren Yuanhao wasn’t just being polite. His own hometown was in an even more remote mountain village. Come to think of it, he hadn’t been back in over two years.
The mountain breeze swept up the cliffs, refreshing and cool, dispelling the summer heat.
Zhou Lin stared at the swirling currents, lost in thought, her emotions turbulent.
Just then, willow catkins drifted down like scattered snowflakes, adding a touch of poetic beauty to the scene.
"Kid, I’m not great with big speeches, but one thing I know for sure: when hatred and insecurity cloud your vision, even the most beautiful things turn ugly. I don’t know why you left school or what happened there, but you can’t run forever. Sooner or later, you’ll have to face it."
After their conversation, Ren Yuanhao had a rough understanding of the girl’s struggles. Her insecurities ran deep—whether from the villagers’ prejudice against her family, her appearance, or their financial struggles.
Or maybe it was all of the above.
"Do you have friends?" Zhou Lin asked quietly after a long silence.
*Friends.* The word felt too extravagant for someone like him.
After a pause, he opted for a white lie.
"Of course. I’ve got friends all over the country."
"Really? There’s a kind of person in this world—the type who’s clearly lonely but pretends everything’s fine, like they’re not lonely at all. Doesn’t it get exhausting?"