Anyone familiar with China had probably heard that "playing hide-and-seek" had taken on a new meaning.
"N-no, I'm fine!"
Hearing Li Bai's voice, Julian E. William sheepishly emerged from the room he had ducked into.
"Your head?"
Before Li Bai could get angry, his gaze fell on the other man's head.
It was completely bald. What had happened to that head of handsome chestnut curls?
He was so young, and already bald. What a shame.
Julian guessed what Li Bai was thinking and quickly defended himself. "I shaved it! I shaved it!"
Li Bai asked, baffled, "Are you abandoning Christianity to convert to Buddhism?"
"Nonsense. I'm absolutely devout. See for yourself."
Julian quickly showed him the solid gold cross hanging around his neck, proving he hadn't abandoned his faith. Then he added, "My hair was too long and a pain to take care of, so I just shaved it off."
Westerners weren't big on buzz cuts, and long hair was fairly common.
"Good call shaving it all off. It looks good, and it feels good, too. Come here and let me feel it."
Li Bai grinned, waiting for Julian to come over so he could enjoy petting the dog's head.
"..."
Julian wasn't stupid. He could tell that Li Bai had come with bad intentions.
He hesitated, then said, "Li Bai, I've made a new discovery."
"Why didn't you tell me over the phone?"
Li Bai had been waiting for him here. The bodyguard downstairs hadn't been wrong; this kid really had been holding something back.
"It's hard to explain over the phone. It's better to talk in person."
Julian grumbled inwardly. Sure enough, Li Bai had an informant close to him. Luckily, he hadn't played dumb; he'd almost gotten himself into trouble.
The two traded barbs and schemes as