Chapter 8: Masked Handsome Guy
"Sure. Then I'll choose the location?" Zhang Yang replied to the girl while chatting with his mother for a few moments.
Originally, he hadn't taken this matter too seriously. Conversations that ended halfway like this usually just faded away without further contact. He had never been someone who wasted energy on such things.
But this time, since it was introduced by his mother, he had to show some respect.
With the mindset of simply meeting and treating it as making a friend, Zhang Yang agreed.
"Alright. Then I'll wait for your message tomorrow." The other side replied.
After a few simple exchanges, neither of them continued chatting, as if both understood that this meeting was basically just going through the motions.
That night, Zhang Yang selected a [A prestigious Chinese restaurant rating system in China, similar to the Michelin Guide, highlighting high-quality fine dining restaurants.] restaurant in advance. Since tomorrow was the weekend, he also reserved a table early.
The restaurant was located on the Bund and was famous for its scenic views.
Naturally, the per-person cost wouldn't be low.
If it was just about making a friend, Zhang Yang certainly wouldn't hesitate to spend one or two thousand.
Early the next morning, the sky was bright.
After his morning exercise, Zhang Yang unusually did not prepare breakfast himself. Instead, he walked to a well-known old restaurant in the Shanghai for breakfast.
Long-term dietary control could slow metabolism, so about every ten days he arranged a cheat meal day to boost his metabolism and release the appetite he had suppressed for ten days.
On cheat meal day, anything he wanted to eat or try could be enjoyed all at once.
Objectively speaking, although cheat meals slowed down the pace of weight loss, they helped maintain long-term consistency and relieve emotional pressure. Overall, the benefits outweighed the drawbacks.
"I've been controlling my diet for so long, it feels like my stomach has shrunk." Zhang Yang rubbed his slightly full stomach and smiled helplessly. He had originally planned to go all out today, but after just one round of soup dumplings, he was already full.
In the past, this would have only been an appetizer.
The breakfast shop was bustling with noise and extremely lively. If he missed today, he would have to wait another ten days. But Zhang Yang truly couldn't continue-he was already full.
He forced himself to drink another bowl of soy milk before finally leaving reluctantly.
After breakfast came the main focus of the day.
Change hairstyle, remove glasses.
The first stop-start by changing the head.
A hairstyle definitely couldn't be handled carelessly. It didn't need to be outstanding, but it absolutely couldn't go wrong. Zhang Yang simply opened Dianping and searched for a styling salon nearby with the highest average price and plenty of reviews.
He didn't know which one was more professional, but if they dared to charge such high prices, they must have some real skills.
The styling salon had a black-and-gold interior. It didn't look like a place for haircuts but rather like a luxury goods boutique. As soon as Zhang Yang walked in, a beautiful receptionist greeted him.
"Do you have a stylist you're familiar with?" the girl asked.
Zhang Yang glanced at the list of stylists in the store. The director at the top was actually named Tony. Below it was a long list of qualifications that looked quite professional.
As for the price, it started at 1500, which matched the title of director.
"Then arrange Tony for me." Zhang Yang pointed.
A moment later, inside an independent VIP room, a trendy and fashionable stylist sat face-to-face with Zhang Yang.
"What hairstyle do you think suits my face?" Zhang Yang asked while looking into the floor-to-ceiling mirror.
"Based on your temperament, I think you should lean toward a light mature style. I strongly recommend a [https://www.pinterest.com/ideas/side-part-7-3/943353137887/]." Tony made his judgment decisively.
"Something like [A Hong Kong actor, comedian, and television host known for his humorous and expressive performance style. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wong_Cho-lam]'s style? Then let's do it." Zhang Yang chose to trust the professional.
As if receiving a signal, Tony immediately got to work.
Zhang Yang sat in front of the mirror watching as Tony permed his hair and carefully trimmed it. The 3–7 slick back style was quite demanding-both on the person and on the hairstylist. If done poorly, it could easily turn out badly.
Fortunately, Zhang Yang's hair was long enough and his hairline was just right. And the stylist charging 1500 really was quite professional.
There was no chance of failure.
"What do you think?" Tony spun the chair around confidently, showing off his work.
Zhang Yang looked at himself in the mirror. Aside from not being as handsome as Wong Cho-lam, everything above his forehead almost perfectly replicated the classic Hong Kong-style side-part slick back. He nodded with satisfaction.
After switching to the 3–7 slick back, his temperament immediately improved a lot-more mature and stylish. Most importantly, the task was completed and the reward had arrived.
"Where's the restroom?" Zhang Yang got up and went to the restroom.
The first task-changing hairstyle-was completed. Three experience points were obtained, and the top-tier hair quality reward was also received.
Inside the restroom, Zhang Yang claimed his top-tier hair quality.
Instantly, he saw in the mirror that his hair became incredibly jet-black, thick, and silky, with an indescribable sense of luxury. Looking closely, not a single split or curled strand could be found.
The 3–7 slick back hairstyle had already been successful, but now with top-tier hair quality, his hairstyle could practically be considered the ultimate version of the Hong Kong-style slick back.
Just looking at the hairstyle alone, even Wong Cho-lam would have to admit defeat.
When Zhang Yang walked out of the restroom, both stylists and customers in the shop turned their heads.
"My god, that hair looks amazing!"
"Which stylist did that?!"
"The cut is so successful!"
"It's just a pity he's not that handsome. Such good hair wasted."
Zhang Yang walked straight out of the shop.
Inside, Tony stared blankly at Zhang Yang's departing figure when suddenly a customer appeared in front of him.
"Sir, can you cut my hair like that one just now?"
"Of course, no problem!" Tony nodded quickly after coming back to his senses. "This way please!"
~~~~~
Not far from the styling salon was an optical store. Zhang Yang didn't waste time and went straight in to choose a pair of contact lenses.
Since he didn't need to wear them long-term anyway, he might as well finish the task first.
After putting on the contact lenses and retiring the black-framed glasses he had worn for so long, the pleasant system notification sounded again.
"Another 3 experience points!" Zhang Yang smiled lightly and claimed the eye optimization reward.
In an instant, his vision became blurry-even though he was still wearing contact lenses.
"I get it. My eyesight improved, so the contact lenses are making things blurry instead."
After removing the contact lenses, his vision suddenly became incredibly bright and clear. It was the first time he had ever seen the world this clearly through his own eyes.
So this was the effect of eye optimization?
Zhang Yang once again felt amazed by the system's ability.
Nearby, the female clerk at the optical store stared at Zhang Yang blankly and murmured, "Putting on contact lenses changed him this much?"
"What changed?" Zhang Yang casually took a mirror and looked.
The moment he looked, he froze for a second.
The reflection in the mirror was still him, but upon closer inspection, his eyes were bright and full of life, and his eye shape was flawless. If he wore a mask…
For someone who had never been considered handsome, he suddenly felt a bit eager.
After paying, he walked into a bustling fast-fashion store. Inside were all kinds of trendy items, accessories, and small gadgets.
"I'll take this." He picked up a pack of ten black masks.
A moment later, a figure walked out of the fast-fashion store.
Jet-black, luxurious hair and bright eyes that attracted attention even with a mask covering half his face.
"Seems like it actually works." Zhang Yang murmured to himself.
Just now, he had walked past a few girls and clearly felt some of them looking at him more than once. It really wasn't his imagination-he had always been very self-aware.
Passing by a shop mirror, Zhang Yang slowed his steps and looked at his reflection.
Did I really change that much?
Inside the shop, several girls shopping for clothes whispered among themselves.
After all, with such jet-black stylish hair and such bright eyes…
Well… even with a mask on, the person underneath must be handsome, right?
After admiring his transformation, Zhang Yang felt he shouldn't immerse himself in this illusion. A little appreciation was just curiosity, but becoming obsessed with it would be foolish.
So after thinking about it, he casually removed the mask and returned to reality.
Behind him, several girls felt their fantasy shatter.
"What the heck, he looks completely different after taking off the mask."
"So he's just a masked handsome guy after all."