SFTD -Chapter 307 Weakness All Over

Seeing that the hairstylist had already finished the haircut, Zhou Hai didn’t move anymore. At this point, saying anything wouldn’t change a thing. After blowing off the stray clippings, the stylist removed the protective cape from Zhou Hai’s body.

“Sir, your haircut is done. Would you like to wash it again?”

Zhou Hai waved his hand and stood up, reaching toward the counter in front of him. His black-framed glasses were nowhere to be found. A sudden suspicion rose in his mind—was the little girl playing a prank on him?

She should know he couldn’t function without his glasses.

He turned back toward the hairstylist.

“Did you see my sister?”

The stylist pointed toward the entrance. “Your sister went—”

Before he could finish, the glass revolving door at the entrance was pushed open. The little girl came running in, bouncing with excitement, and threw herself onto Zhou Hai, laughing nonstop.

“Zhou Zhou, this hairstyle is so cool! Oh my god!”

“You look way too handsome!”

“Going out like this is definitely going to attract a bunch of fangirls!”

Her enthusiastic barrage of words made Zhou Hai swallow back what he was about to say. But when he looked at his reflection in the mirror, everything was still blurry, and he immediately remembered his glasses again.

“Where are my glasses?”

The little girl quickly pulled out a glasses case from behind her and handed it to him.

Zhou Hai opened it, felt for the glasses, and put them on.

Only then did he realize in the mirror that his glasses had been replaced. Although still black-framed, the shape was no longer sharp-edged and rectangular, but closer to a circle. The inner color had also changed to light blue. It wasn’t particularly mature or steady-looking, but it was still acceptable and not too strange.

Just as Zhou Hai was about to praise her, his gaze moved upward—and he finally saw his hair.

His brain seemed to freeze for a moment.

It felt like his hair had been cut off along with his intelligence. For a second, he didn’t even know what to say.

The little girl tugged at his shirt near his waist.

“Zhou Zhou, what’s wrong?”

Zhou Hai was still staring at his hair.

It was really short now. Only the middle was slightly longer, while both sides were shaved down to visible stubble. There was even an X-shaped mark on one of the side fades.

Seeing that Zhou Hai wasn’t speaking, the little girl immediately realized she might have gone too far and looked guilty.

“Zhou Zhou… you don’t like the hairstyle?”

“I think it suits you pretty well. It looks clean and fresh. Your previous long hair really didn’t suit you—it was suppressing your intelligence.”

Zhou Hai pressed his lips together but said nothing. He reached for his wallet.

“Let me pay. How much is it?”

The stylist waved his hand.

“Your sister already paid. Welcome again next time.”

Hearing that last sentence, Zhou Hai paused again.

The little girl followed him out of the salon. Standing on the street, she suddenly remembered they were supposed to meet Aunt Lu and quickly checked her phone.

Seeing that Zhou Hai hadn’t gotten angry, she became a little uneasy instead.

“Zhou Zhou… are you really not angry?”

“I just wanted you to feel a bit refreshed. I didn’t mean to cause trouble.”

Zhou Hai looked at her helplessly and smiled.

“I’m not angry. It’s just… this hairstyle is a bit too trendy. I’m afraid people might think this forensic doctor isn’t reliable. It’s a bit too distinctive—I can’t quite carry it.”

“Alright, don’t worry. Let’s go find Aunt Lu.”

They were about to head toward the entrance of Taidong Pedestrian Street when, just as they turned, a figure flashed by on a distant road.

Zhou Hai immediately froze and instinctively wanted to chase.

But before he could move, a car blocked his view.

By the time the car passed, the figure was gone.

The little girl followed his gaze but only saw congested traffic and no one.

Confused, she grabbed his arm.

“Zhou Zhou, what did you see?”

Zhou Hai smiled faintly.

With this new hairstyle and glasses, the smile looked a little less distant.

“Nothing. I think I saw… an acquaintance. Never mind, let’s go.”

Just then, shouts came from a distance.

“Haizi—!”

They turned toward the voice and saw Aunt Lu standing not far away, carrying large shopping bags, waving enthusiastically.

The corner of Zhou Hai’s mouth twitched slightly.

This decision might have been too hasty.

With decades of life experience, Aunt Lu’s “survival shopping skills” were clearly not exaggerated. Her shopping ability shocked even him—just an hour of haircut time, and she seemed to have bought out an entire store.

The little girl widened her eyes in excitement, grabbing Zhou Hai’s arm.

“Zhou Zhou, I need to learn from Aunt Lu! So many things in just one hour—she’s like a speed champion! I love it!”

“……”

Zhou Hai was speechless.

He could only bite the bullet and walk over, taking over a dozen shopping bags from Aunt Lu.

“Your speed is…”

Aunt Lu proudly displayed her “trophies.”

“Fast, right? There are gifts for you in here. Hurry and put them in the car. The two of us are going to wait at that lingerie shop ahead—Queen’s Underwear Store. Be quick~”

Zhou Hai smiled helplessly.

---

Next day

Zhou Hai woke up, washed up, and went downstairs toward the kitchen.

Today he had to meet Bureau Chief Liu and submit the report he had finished writing late last night. If counties and cities wanted to improve their case-solving rates, training for trace evidence, forensic analysis, and medical examiner personnel had to be pushed forward urgently.

As he reached the kitchen door, something blocked his way.

He rotated his sore arms and stiff neck, sighing deeply as he looked at the obstacle.

“Move. I’m feeling very uncomfortable right now. Don’t push my limits.”

Pork Knuckle seemed to understand him, snorted, and shifted aside, reluctantly waddling toward the dining room while still glancing back at him from time to time.

At that moment, the kitchen door opened.

Father Lu walked out holding a black clay pot, smiling warmly.

“You’re up! Come, have some soup. I made sea cucumber and barley porridge to nourish you. Seeing your mother-in-law’s smile last night, I knew you must be exhausted.”

“Spending time shopping with them is really draining, isn’t it?”

Zhou Hai nodded.

“I used to go shopping with Xixi… but I’ve never felt like this before. I didn’t expect Aunt Lu’s level to be so much higher than Xixi’s.”

Father Lu laughed heartily.

At the mention of Xixi, Zhou Hai’s lips curved slightly too. The memory of her playful, clingy behavior appeared vividly in his mind. Thinking of her now no longer brought sharp pain—only a gentle warmth and longing.

Father Lu glanced at him, understanding without needing to ask.

“Hurry up and drink. Otherwise your arms will hurt all day.”

“Alright.”

The aroma of the porridge drew Zhou Hai in completely. It felt warm and healing. He sat down at the table, where steamed dumplings and four side dishes were already prepared, making him hungry at a glance.

He took the bowl from Father Lu.

“You should eat too.”

“I’m not in a hurry. I’ll wait for your mother-in-law and the little girl. We’re going to Southeast University this afternoon. Eat quickly—I’m going for a walk.”

Zhou Hai didn’t insist.

Father Lu soon left with Pork Knuckle.

As Zhou Hai sat at the table, he almost hallucinated Lu Xi appearing opposite him, filling his bowl, smiling softly at him.

He quickly began eating.

The warm porridge soothed his stomach. It felt as if even the taste carried a trace of Xixi’s presence.