Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed

Chapter 499



"Alright."

Roseanne gave her neck a little twist, followed by a shake of her head. Surprisingly, the hair clip held fast, not showing any signs of giving up its grip.

"Hey! Your boyfriend's got quite the knack for this, seems even better than mine!" The cheerful vendor complimented.

Owen just smirked.

Roseanne tried to clarify, "He's not my-"

But the vendor didn't let her finish-

"In our hometown, a man brushing a woman's hair symbolizes growing old together, hearts forever entwined. Sadly, these days, men can be such couch potatoes. Not even a simple brush through your hair, too much to ask for them. But your boyfriend here is quite something," the vendor gave Owen a nod of approval, "learns fast and has the patience, willing to get his hands dirty."

Roseanne wanted to explain, "He's not—"

The vendor cut her off, "Sweetie, you got yourself a keeper. Good men are hard to find these days."

Roseanne was defeated. Why won't anyone let her finish?

As they walked on, Owen suddenly asked, "Got it down?" "...What?"

"Doing up hair."

Roseanne was speechless.

How could she have learned without watching?

Owen: "Want me to go over it again?"

"No, no, that's alright." Roseanne quickly waved it off.

It's not like her hair required meticulous styling. A simple clip would do.

"You doubt my skills?"

Roseanne gave a wry smile: "...I doubt my own."

Owen was speechless.

Well, if it's going to end up a disaster either way...

He probably shouldn't even bother.

They meandered down the street until they finally caught up with Madge and Norris. "Mom-"

"Ooh, that hair clip..." Madge noticed

her

pster's hairdo, her eyes

immediately drawn to the drawn to the grey clip.

swno

"Looks pretty good, seems sturdy too. Where'd you buy it?"Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Roseanne pointed back towards the small stand they had visited.

Madge gave her another look: "Did you do this yourself?"

Roseanne: "..."

"I knew it! You've never been good at doing your hair, no matter how much we tried to teach you..."

"..." Mom, please stop.

"Was it the lady selling the clips who did it for you?"

Roseanne hummed in agreement, eager to move past the conversation.

Owen remained silent throughout, standing by with a barely-there smile.

"Owen, what's so funny?" Norris followed his gaze, looking left and right.

Nothing there!

Owen touched his cheek: "Me-laughing?"

"You were just now, not anymore though."

"Maybe..." He paused for a moment, "I just thought of something funny, couldn't help but laugh."

"Heh..." Norris nudged him, "You

know,

me

Sometimes I do that too. thinking about my wife makes chuckle."

Owen's eyes flickered.

Norris added, "By the way, Owen, at

a girlfriend? Is work keeping

as dirage how come you h y to meet girls?" "got

too

busy to meet girls?"

"Want Roseanne's mom to set you up? There are a few new teachers at our school who aren't half bad..."

Cough!

Owen nearly choked. "No, that's alright."

"Why be formal with me?"