A Trimmed Mane

A few minutes later, inside Rush's room, Rush spoke to Xiao Feng with a hint of irritation, "You can say I'm your bodyguard, but I'm not your nanny. You expect me to cut your hair too? That really upsets me."

Xiao Feng's expression was cold and detached. "I'm already unhappy. I don't want to keep my hair anymore. If you won't cut it for me, I'll find someone else."

Rush gazed at Xiao Feng's sorrowful face, feeling a twinge of sympathy. After all, Rush was somewhat aware of the pain between Ivy and Xiao Feng. Such heartache would break anyone. He sighed, "Alright, for the sake of our brotherhood, I'll help you this once. But remember—only this once."

Xiao Feng grabbed a stool and sat down. "Go ahead..." He handed the scissors to Rush.

Taking the scissors, Rush warned, "If I mess this up, don't blame me."

"I know. Just get on with it..."

Half an hour later, Xiao Feng smiled softly as he stared into the mirror at his freshly cropped hair. "Not bad. It feels good. Cutting off all that hair seems like cutting away a lot of troubles. Truly refreshing. Alright, I'm heading out. Kelly's coming over soon, bringing some fine liquor. Want to join me for a drink?"

Rush shook his head. "Why would I go when Kelly's here? I won't intrude on your private time. How about another day? I'll make sure to drink with you properly then."

Unexpectedly, Xiao Feng replied, "I'm just being polite, letting you have your space. If you really showed up, I'd definitely turn you down... Heh. I'm off." With that, he ran his fingers through his short hair and left Rush's room.

Watching Xiao Feng's lone figure retreat, Rush's expression turned indifferent as he muttered, "Little bastard..."

With his new haircut, Xiao Feng appeared neat and spirited. Clad in an expensive suit, his hands casually tucked into his pockets as he strode through the barracks, drawing countless gazes. Yet no one dared to mock or whisper about him, for beneath his lightly furrowed brows, his black eyes were shadowed by an indelible sorrow.

Everyone knew why Xiao Feng was so troubled— the pain of losing a beloved. Those who haven't experienced it simply cannot understand.

Hours later, a heavily armed helicopter slowly descended into the X Corps camp. From the pilot's seat stepped Kelly, sporting ultra-cool sunglasses and carrying a basket. Her golden hair, cropped at the ears, framed her face, and her pilot uniform lent her a wild, alluring charm. Chewing gum with a flavor long forgotten by most, she surveyed the soldiers around her.

Kelly's arrival instantly captured every eye.

Even Baibai, who was lying outside Alice's room, lifted his head and let out two soft whimpers.

Smiling in response to their gazes, Kelly activated her comm link to Xiao Feng: "Handsome, I've arrived. Which room are you in?"

Xiao Feng emerged from his room, watching the helicopter's rotor blades slowly cease spinning. "Look to your ten o'clock."

Turning, Kelly spotted Xiao Feng's short hair and paused in surprise. "What happened to your hair...?"

Xiao Feng replied via comm, "How does it look? Pretty handsome, right?"

Kelly shook her head, switched off the comm, and walked straight toward him. The basket she carried held several bottles of whiskey, their vintage dates astonishing. Such whiskey, if sold in today's world, would fetch an extraordinary price.

The sunset bathed Kelly in a warm glow, a gentle warmth that Xiao Feng found deeply comforting. Especially after losing someone so dear, the sight of Kelly brought him a solace only he could truly comprehend.

When the soldiers witnessed Kelly, radiant and confident, embrace Xiao Feng tightly, they were stunned. None had expected this mysterious woman to share such an intimate bond with him.

Xiao Feng, clutching Kelly, felt a surge of emotion threatening to spill into tears. Her slender frame and the softness pressing against his chest brought him great comfort. He held her as if refusing to ever let go.

Kelly, embraced so tightly, asked no questions about his reasons. The genuine closeness rekindled her joy after so many days apart, and the strength in his muscles beneath her hands made her heart swell.

Holding him firmly by the waist, Kelly asked, "Xiao Feng, why did you cut your hair?"

Tears welled in Xiao Feng's eyes as he clung to her. "I cut it to forget many things... to be myself again. You know, losing someone you love is a pain that's hard to bear."

Hearing his words, Kelly chose not to pry further. After all, this young man she held was the one she never wanted to lose. No matter what had happened or would happen, she no longer cared. Patting his back gently, she said, "Enough, don't make a fool of yourself. No matter what you've been through, I'll always stand by you, Xiao Feng. Remember, you are the first man I've ever loved—and the last. As long as you don't leave me, I will be by your side forever."

Feeling Kelly's warmth, Xiao Feng's eyes glistened with tears. "I'm truly, truly grateful to have met you. Though we've been through so much, your embrace today makes me feel as if I'm in heaven."

Kelly's eyes moistened as well. "Stop it—you're going to make me cry."