When My Stylist Has a Case of “Baby Brain” Chapter 2

Nearly everyone in the salon turned to look, pointing and whispering.

“That new girl has no skills at all.”

“No wonder the client’s so angry. How can you go out looking like that…”

My yelling made Kiki flinch, and then she burst into genuine sobs. “I’m… I’m sorry…”

“I was just trying to help, to fix it for you. If you’re not happy, I… I can try to change it again…”

She bowed over and over, crying, huge tears rolling down her cheeks. She looked utterly pathetic.

【Our Kiki is crying her heart out! She already apologized, what more does he want!】

【It’s just a bad haircut, is it that serious? What a petty man!】

【I feel so bad for our baby. It’s not her fault she’s clumsy, she was just trying to get the attention of the guy she likes!】

Just then, a woman getting a perm a few chairs down couldn’t take it anymore.

“Hey! I think that’s enough out of you! A grown man, cornering a young girl like this in public, do you have any shame?”

“She’s been apologizing this whole time, what more do you want? It’s the holidays, show a little grace, will you?”

An older man added, his voice full of patronizing wisdom, “It’s not easy for young people to find work these days. She’s an apprentice, it’s a learning process. You have to give them a chance!”

Someone even started blaming the owner. “Sir, don’t you think this customer has a bit of an attitude problem?”

Suddenly, I was the villain.

The owner was sweating bullets, trying to mediate but not knowing where to start. “Everyone, please calm down, it’s all a misunderstanding…”

I scanned the faces of the people who had spoken up and sneered, “Then why don’t you let her cut your hair next?”

The chattering crowd fell silent, their expressions shifting awkwardly. No one wanted to take that offer.

The owner wiped his brow, about to try another placating tactic.

【High-energy moment ahead! Our baby has a secret weapon!】

【Kiki gets who she wants! Time to teach this guy a lesson!】

【Hehe, Kiki-baby has been secretly livestreaming this whole time~】

Livestreaming?

My eyes darted around the room.

Sure enough, on the bottom shelf of Kiki’s utility cart, a phone was propped up, angled perfectly at me.

“What are you doing?”

I pointed sharply at the phone. “Are you livestreaming? You’re filming me without my permission?!”

A flash of panic crossed Kiki’s eyes, quickly replaced by a wounded expression.

“I’m… I’m sorry, sir, please don’t be angry, it’s all my fault…”

“I was just trying to document my work… I’m sorry…”

She cowered, shrinking back as if in fear. “The… the thing from before… when you touched my hand, I won’t tell anyone…”

“Really, don’t worry, I’m sorry…”

Touched her hand?

My mind went blank.

Everyone else in the salon heard her. Their heads snapped in my direction.

【No wonder she messed up his hair! She was fighting back! A silent protest!】

【Scumbag! Pervert! And he was acting so self-righteous just a minute ago!】

【Call the police! We have to protect our baby!】

【The stream is blowing up! Our Kiki is so brave! You tell them, girl!】

I was stunned. “What are you talking about? When did I ever touch your hand?”

Kiki’s tears flowed even faster. “No! No! You didn’t touch my hand, sir! I was just making it up!”

“I’m sorry! It’s all my fault! Please don’t be angry! Please don’t come near me…”

As she spoke, she backed away, trying to hide behind the owner.

That did it. The salon erupted.

“Aha! So he’s a creep! Gets called out and then tries to threaten a young girl!”

“He was so high and mighty before, turns out he’s the one with a guilty conscience!”

“No wonder the poor girl was shaking so bad she messed up your hair. You probably scared her to death!”

“That’s right! Call the cops! Arrest the pervert!”

The accusations grew louder and more intense. A few of the younger male customers stood up, forming a loose circle around me.

The owner stood between me and the angry mob. “Everyone, calm down! Please! We don’t know the full story…”

“Kiki! What is going on with you! Turn off the stream! Stop talking nonsense!”

“I… I’m not talking nonsense…” Kiki whimpered from behind him, her eyes darting to her phone screen, where the viewer count was skyrocketing.

“Explain yourself!”

I took a sharp step forward. “Turn off the damn stream! Now!”

My movement was like lighting a fuse.

“He’s going to hit her!” someone shouted.

“Stop him!” the woman with the perm screamed.

Two men who were standing close grabbed my arms, one on each side.

“Let go of me!”

The feeling of being treated like a criminal made my vision swim.

“Call the police! Someone call the police!” A man was already fumbling for his phone.

The salon was in chaos.