My Treat For Today

Her Sixth brother dropped her off later on his Bentley chiding her on the dangers of going around on her skateboard. And even made her save his number asking her to call him if she ever needed him.

So many things happened on one day. Her mind felt numbingly happy. Life had been great ever since she left her house. Her family didn't even bother to call her or check on her and she was happy with that.

Her grandmother seemed to have planned everything for her. And she was very grateful.

Days went by as she adjusted to her new college while also going for her martial arts practice according to a schedule made by her Sixth brother.

One day as she was heading to another class, she got a text message from her Sixth brother.

It said : " Meet me after class today. I'll be waiting for you at the driveway. I need to take you somewhere."

She didn't have time to reply and so, she just sat for her classes until she finally realised what the text meant when she saw him on her last class of that day.

It turned out that it was one of those days when he an made appearance in the college.

As usual there were many fans who wanted to see him. But this time none of them was let in.

He took their class and gave them assignments that had to be mailed within a week.

She had not made any friends yet in the college as she had always kept a low profile and so, she didn't even have plans with anyone that day.

She followed his instructions and waited for him in the driveway. She quickly recognised his Bentley as she had the opportunity to ride in it whenever she had their training.

She didn't know exactly what he did. He taught music once in a while, owned a hotel and also took time out to train her and keep her in shape. Other than this, she was almost clueless about his life.

The Bentley approached and she heard the doors being unlocked.

"Get in."

She got in the front seat and happily left with him. It felt nice to be pampered. Especially when it was done by her Sixth brother. She was getting attached to him even though he was strict when it came to her training.

But unknown to them, a pair of jealous eyes followed them.

The person dialled a number and said, " Is your brother gay? He left with another guy. I'm sure he's selling his body to that guy."

A woman's voice came from the receiver.

" Hmmm... I don't know. But who can tell tell which side he swings. Keep me updated about his movements. I'll meet you in our usual place over the weekend. Bye "

And the woman hung up.

The person grinned evilly and left the college too.

"Sixth brother, where are we going?"

"Somewhere to get rid of your awful hair."

"What?! Why? This is my original hair. You know that I'm not wearing a wig. It's perfect the way it is."

He reached out and ruffled her hair.

"It may be perfect for you. But it's unsightly to my eyes."

"Says the one who sported a Shaolin look when he was younger," she mumbled.

"I'm not that young Shaolin devotee anymore and you're not Harry Potter either."

She was seen through so she kept her mouth shut and sulked.

"Oh, cheer up. I'm not turning you into a Shaolin monk. I'm helping you, trust me. Grandma Jin asked me to."

"Grandma Jin this, grandma Jin that. You always listen to my grandmother only."

" I would have done it even if she hadn't told me," he said sympathetically.

He took her to a fancy building and after leaving his Bentley in the parking lot, they took the elevator and went to the third floor.

It turned out to be a grooming establishment. It was so fancy that Harry felt out of place.

And as they made their way inside the salon all eyes were on them. Zhu Hé received glances of admiration and adoration while Harry was met with looks that said " where did this country buffoon turn up from? he's tainting the other godly person". She felt uncomfortable.

"Don't bother with them. Later, they'll be begging to take you to bed," Zhu Hé laughed evilly.

His laugh made some of the women onlookers beat their hearts frantically.

Zhu Hé met a beautiful woman inside who seemed to be the owner of this place.

They greeted each in a very friendly manner. And the woman even kissed both his cheeks. This surprised Harry.

Oh dang, Sixth Brother already has a girlfriend, she thought sadly.

They turned towards him and Zhu Hé said

"So, this is my junior that I was telling you about. I leave him in your hands."

"Hello, my name is Lulu. Hmm, not bad, not bad. Soft features, good skin, a bit of messy hair and wrong choice of clothes. But we can all fix that," she went on.

"Okay, I'll be back in an hour. Please take care of him in the meantime' and turning to Harry he said, " Harry, I have some matters to deal with but I'll be back in time to see you. Don't try to escape. Or I'll report to Grandma Jin."

He gave a wink and then left.

Suddenly Harry felt like he had been abandoned among a group of predators.

"Relax, I'm not going to eat you," smiled Lulu.

"I'm a friend of Zhu Hé. I don't usually come to work but he challenged me to transform his junior so I accepted it."

"Hello, I am Ren Harry. Just call me Harry. I'll be in your care then."

Harry became a mould of clay in her hands. She took his measurements and ordered her assistants to do her pedicure, manicure and they even washed her hair.

Lulu in the meantime sent out orders to others assistants.

When it came to Harry's hair, she personally took up the scissors.

Only the sound of snipping could be heard over Taylor Swift's song "The Man" in the background.

Harry thought after Lulu cut her hair it was over, but no, it was only just the start. A whole process of masking, dying and what not went into it. It was already more than one hour and there was no sign of Zhu Hé. Harry felt imprisoned. Never had so much effort gone to her appearance.

When it was finally over. Even she was confused if the person looking out of the mirror was her. Lulu had even given her new change of clothes.

Crisp white shirt. Comfortable black jeans. A pair of black leather Chelsea boots. Simple clothes but it looked so different and felt so different on her.

(Harry didn't know that she was wearing designer goods. )

And the best part was that she liked it. Her hair now looked better, tamed but also sophisticated with sings of independence as well.

She always thought looking rough and tough was what it meant to look like a man. But this new look made her look manlier and more cool.

He sat there in front of the mirror waiting for Zhu Hé. She took out her phone and called him.

"Sixth brother, it's already 2 hours where are you now? I'm hungry. Wait till I tell Grandma how you left me to be tortured."

She had cultivated her androgenous voice ever since young and now it came to her naturally. No one would think she was a girl cross dressing as a boy.

And these days gender had become fluid. A man can look a little feminine and a woman can also look a little masculine. The judgement wasn't harsh like in the old days.

As Harry was talking to Zhu Hé on the phone, a man came out well groomed. He was wearing a dinner suit and looked so dashing that the assistants were having difficulty keeping their eyes off him. If Zhu Hé was a Prince Charming. Then this man was more of a dignified and noble prince.

He glanced at the youth that was complaining that he was hungry over the phone.

He thought, " What an attractive youth. Must be some young trainee or model of an entertainment company "

He had an assistant that was following him, who cleared his bills and left together with him.

A few minutes later, Zhu Hé appeared.

He took one look at Harry and gave an appreciative nod.

"This is how my junior ought to look like."

Zhu Hé had been very angry that day when a mere common woman humiliated Harry just based on his looks. Ever since that day, he had been on a mission to improve his junior's appearance. And after having received support from Grandma Jin, he put his plan into action.

Harry was still clueless about his identity but not Zhu Hé. It pained him to see her treated like this because of some circumstances which could not be revealed at the moment.

"Okay, junior. Dinner is on this sixth brother. I'm very satisfied with your new look."

Zhu Hé thanked Lulu for her masterpiece and paid the bills. Harry didn't see the receipt but it came up to an entire year's worth of expenditure for her.

"Sixth brother, I can pay. You know I have my own cards from Grandma"

"Take it as my treat for today."

"Then I'll treat you for dinner. You can't say no."