Chapter 76: The Wild Man’s Transformation

Chapter 76: Chapter 76: The Wild Man’s Transformation

When Fu Cheng walked out of the bathroom wearing new clothes, Fu Xiaoxiao and the others looked up, and all three were stunned.

The previously scruffy, unkempt man had shed his wild attire for new clothes, losing some wildness and gaining some sleekness. With broad shoulders and a narrow waist, the fitted clothes made him appear even more well-built.

Fu Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but marvel—it’s true what they say, clothes make the man.

A mere bath and change of clothes, and it was like he had transformed into another person.

The hair that once covered his face was now tied back, vaguely revealing his pronounced brow ridges and deep-set eyes, adding a touch of mystery and wild charm.

His beard, however, was like the wild grass growing rampant on the plains, spreading wantonly across his cheeks, chin, and around his lips, forming a thick and lush "beard jungle."

Upon closer inspection of his bronze skin, one would find that it was covered with fine lines and coarse textures, traces left by long exposure to the sun and the erosion from wind, rain, and harsh environments.

Fu Xiaoxiao looked at Lin Qiu, who beckoned Fu Cheng over. "Come over and sit down, your hair’s still wet!"

Upon hearing Lin Qiu’s call, Fu Cheng’s tall frame walked over to her without hesitation and sat down on the stool in front of her.

The height was just right for Lin Qiu; she took a towel and dried his hair, then took out the blade Fu Xiaoxiao had given her. "Shall I shave it?"

"Yes." Fu Cheng nodded, closed his eyes, encouraging Lin Qiu to do as she pleased.

Fu Xiaoxiao and Lin Xue sat curiously watching; Lin Qiu was unfamiliar with the task, and soon left a cut on Fu Cheng’s face.

"Ah!" Lin Qiu felt extremely guilty seeing the cut.

"It’s nothing, you continue shaving." Fu Cheng acted as if nothing had happened, urging her to continue, not at all concerned about the minor cut.

With Fu Cheng’s encouragement, Lin Qiu was more cautious despite her inexperience, making mistakes occasionally, but Fu Cheng didn’t blame her and even complimented her for shaving better than him.

"You shave better than I do."

Lin Qiu, who knew Fu Cheng the best, seemed to remember something and, no longer afraid, continued to shave off the rest of his beard.

Once Lin Qiu had finished shaving his entire face, Fu Cheng’s face had numerous small cuts.

Yet it didn’t diminish the surprise of Fu Xiaoxiao and Lin Xue who were munching on sunflower seeds.

His face seemed sculpted by nature’s magical hands, with every line exuding wild power.

His eyes, deeply set in their sockets like cold stars in the night sky, were profound and chilling, making one afraid to look directly at them. His nose was high and straight, and his lips were thick and firm. Without the beard, his broad chin and rugged features emitted a wild and unruly aura.

"Wow, his looks aren’t inferior to Lu Feng’s!" Fu Xiaoxiao admired him with another glance. If Lu Feng was the righteous officer, then Fu Cheng was the wild and untamed bandit leader.

Though both were domineering men, their temperaments were completely different.

One was cold, the other was hot.

"Wow, if he gets his hair cut, he’ll surely captivate a crowd!" Lin Xue also nodded in agreement. "Sis, why don’t you help him cut his hair short too!"

"Cut it!" Fu Cheng looked at Lin Qiu, seeing her staring at his face, a pleased smile curled on his lips, signaling her to continue, enjoying her exerting authority over him.

"Then... I’ll really cut it." Lin Qiu, who had cut Liu Qiang’s hair before, was inexperienced with shaving but was much more confident with haircuts.

Fu Xiaoxiao and Lin Xue laughed as they continued munching on sunflower seeds, watching Fu Cheng’s hair go from face-covering length to a buzz cut.

"My sister still needs to practice this skill." Lin Xue commented candidly.

"I second that." Fu Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement, but she thought more about the man’s prickly nature, even his hair was spiky.

"Feels better." Fu Cheng glared at Fu Xiaoxiao and Lin Xue, then softened his gaze as he turned to Lin Qiu, rubbing his head, feeling much more comfortable without the burden of long hair.

It was her merit.

"Tsk tsk tsk." Fu Xiaoxiao and Lin Xue, innocently glared at, cast a disdainful glance at Fu Cheng.

Whenever they commented on Lin Qiu, they would get scowled at—this man was truly unabashedly biased.

Having someone is truly amazing!

Pfft.

Who’s envious?

Fu Xiaoxiao checked the time, it was already midday, patted her leg and stood up, inviting Lin Qiu and her sister to stay for lunch.

"Why don’t you stay, and join us for a meal."

"Wouldn’t it be too much trouble?" Lin Qiu and Lin Xue asked, embarrassed.

"Don’t be troublesome, if you keep saying that I’ll get angry. You guys sit here for a bit, I’ll go pick some vegetables." Fu Xiaoxiao glared at the two and headed toward the backyard.

"Xiaoxiao, I’ll go with you." Lin Xue laughed as she went up to link arms with Fu Xiaoxiao, accompanying her to the backyard to pick vegetables.

She didn’t want to watch that pair getting all lovey-dovey in the yard.

Hmph, bullying her for being single.

"Has Xiao Lu not contacted you these past few days?" Fu Xiaoxiao asked casually as she walked to the backyard with Lin Xue.

"Mr. Wang? Why would he come looking for me?" Lin Xue blinked, not understanding why Wang Lu would seek her out?

Fu Xiaoxiao tutted to herself, that brat was interested but took no action—it’s been so many days, and he still hadn’t asked her out.

"Oh, guess why?" Fu Xiaoxiao chuckled, picking some beans and eggplants.

"Do you think Mr. Wang dislikes me?" Lin Xue sighed, helping Fu Xiaoxiao pick beans.

"Why would you say that? How could he dislike you?" Fu Xiaoxiao was momentarily surprised and asked back.

"Last time I wanted to bring him some pastries my sister made as a thank you, but as soon as he saw me, he turned and walked away. Later, a few times when I saw him, he didn’t even turn his head and just left." Lin Xue felt frustrated, Lin Qiu only said Wang Lu was probably busy, but she could clearly sense him avoiding her.

The problem was she had no idea what she did to upset him, causing him to avoid her like this.

"I’ll ask him for you next time." Fu Xiaoxiao secretly thought of timid Wang Lu, but reassured her on the surface.

"Okay. If I’ve done something wrong, let him tell me. I just want to thank him for what he did for us that day..." Lin Xue earnestly told Fu Xiaoxiao.

"You haven’t done anything wrong; you must be fine." Fu Xiaoxiao chuckled, pulling her out of the small vegetable garden and going home.

Returning home with the freshly picked vegetables, Lin Qiu was teaching Fu Cheng basic knowledge, while Lin Xue followed Fu Xiaoxiao into the kitchen, and Lu Chen brought his small stool to sit by the stove.

"Mom, I’ll help you stoke the fire." Lu Chen offered proactively.

"Okay, thank you, Xiao Chen." Fu Xiaoxiao didn’t refuse and smiled in agreement.

"He’s so young, yet you’re letting him stoke the fire? Aren’t you afraid he’ll get hurt?" It was Lin Xue’s first time seeing such a young child stoking the fire, surprised that Fu Xiaoxiao agreed, and she asked curiously in a low voice.

"Don’t be fooled by how young our Lu Chen is; he’s my little helper! Usually, when his brother is around, his brother helps me stoke the fire. Now that his brother is at school, he helps me, and he’s quite capable." Fu Xiaoxiao praised Lu Chen generously, and Lu Chen patted his chest.

"Aunt Lin Xue, just you watch, I’m the best little helper for Mama."