Chapter Seven: Everyone Wears a Dog Collar!

Chapter Seven: Everyone Wears a Dog Collar!

"Tang Zhong, let go!"
"Release Aken!"
Bai Su and Hepburn cried out in unison, fearing Tang Zhong might snap Aken’s neck in a fit of rage.

In their eyes, anyone released from prison was capable of anything.

But Tang Zhong didn't loosen his grip. Instead, he hoisted Aken’s slender frame in front of him. "Remember three things. First, don’t call me ‘Sweetheart’. Call me Tang Zhong."
"Second, keep your hands to yourself."
"Third—if you ever say you want to kiss me again, I’ll break your neck."

With a snap, Tang Zhong released him, and Aken landed hard on the floor.

Bai Su hurried over to help Aken up, anxiously asking, "Aken, are you alright? Does it hurt? Are you injured? Check yourself—does anything feel wrong?"

Hepburn also fussed over Aken, tugging his arm from the other side. "Aken, you scared me half to death just now. I thought he’d really snap your neck—did you see how fierce he is? Yesterday he even used a big rat to frighten me and Echo. None of us like him, but Aunt Bai insists we live together. Now you understand our misery, don’t you? Every day feels endless, gloomy, and miserable."

Bai Su could only sigh. Hepburn didn’t have many faults, but she had two: she was a chatterbox and a clown. If only she and Echo could balance each other out.

Aken’s delicate, flower-like face twisted in pain as he rubbed his backside. Clearly, Tang Zhong’s grip hadn’t harmed him, but the fall had been a shock.

"Oh, my poor little bottom! I think it’s broken into pieces," Aken moaned.

Then he glanced at Tang Zhong, his face once again full of coquettish charm, giggling, "But I like men like this. Dominant, direct, strong—look at those muscles!"

He reached out, intending to touch Tang Zhong’s chest, but at Tang Zhong’s glare, he quickly withdrew his hand.

"Tang Zhong," Bai Su urged, her tone pleading.

Aken was their company’s top stylist, known in the industry as “The Magician.” He normally only worked with the very top stars. Because of Tang Xin’s situation, the boss had dispatched him to handle the Butterfly Group’s image in secret. If Tang Zhong angered him enough to quit, where would they ever find another stylist this good?

"It’s fine, really. I don’t blame him." Aken clutched his chest. "A real man! I like that."

Bai Su and Hepburn exchanged helpless glances. Did he have a masochistic streak? Was Tang Zhong’s roughness filling some inner void?

The thought sent chills down their spines.

Aken turned to Bai Su. "Leave him to me. Come upstairs in an hour to check the results."

With that, he slung his bag over his back and headed up the stairs. Bai Su nudged Tang Zhong, who had no choice but to follow the flamboyant man upstairs.

Hepburn watched them go, her big round eyes full of curiosity. "Aunt Bai, you don’t think they’ll, uh, do something up there?"

Bai Su tapped her on the forehead. "Even if Aken wants to, he wouldn’t succeed. But if Tang Zhong wanted to do anything to Aken, it would be a sure thing."

"Aunt Bai, you’re so naughty," Hepburn giggled.

"You’re the naughty one," Bai Su scolded, laughing. "Without a bit of fun, what’s the point of life?"

The two women burst into peals of laughter.

An hour later, Aken appeared at the top of the stairs, waving them up.

"Aken, did it work?" Bai Su called excitedly.

"Come up and inspect the goods," Aken replied, smug.

"Let’s go," Bai Su said.

"I’m coming too," Hepburn paused her game of Plants vs. Zombies, jumping up from the sofa.

"I’m not going," Lin Huiyin said, eyes glued to a magazine.

Bai Su pulled her up. "Echo, come take a look. He’s your teammate—you don’t want any problems in future performances, right? See if anything needs changing, and speak up now rather than later."

Lin Huiyin considered refusing, but realized finding an excuse meant more talking, so she followed them upstairs.

Aken stood at the styling room door, grinning. "Dearest sisters, the moment of magic has arrived—ta-da!"

As he sang his own fanfare, he flung open the door.

The three women’s eyes widened in astonishment.

A heartthrob!

An absolute heartthrob.

Black fitted leather pants, tall black boots, a white tight T-shirt under a loose batwing pullover, and a black scarf draped casually around his neck—intended to disguise Tang Zhong’s “runway-flat” chest.

Tang Zhong’s unruly hair had been expertly trimmed into choppy layers. His brows were fine and arched, his skin fair and pink, and his face—already a little feminine—now looked like a true prince out of legend.

"So handsome!" Hepburn exclaimed dramatically.

A glimmer flickered in Echo’s eyes before she looked down, lost in thought.

Bai Su’s face lit up, then quickly grew worried. She approached Tang Zhong, studying him, then turned to Aken. "Aken, isn’t this too masculine? We’re supposed to be a girl group."

"Oh, Su Su, I knew you’d say that," Aken replied with a sweet smile. "At first, I thought the same—we should play down Tang Zhong’s masculinity to better fit the Butterfly Group’s image as a girl group. But after cutting his hair, I changed my mind."

"What’s wrong with a girl group having a touch of strength? When the artist department first created these three butterflies, I was there—Tang Xin is the leader, the Black Butterfly, symbolizing courage. Echo sings the high notes, the White Butterfly, symbolizing confidence. Hepburn is the Flower Butterfly, symbolizing love. We tried to make Tang Xin androgynous, but it didn’t work—she’s too much of a woman, very, very feminine."

Aken stroked Tang Zhong’s shoulder. Tang Zhong tensed but endured the contact—this much was acceptable.

"Tang Zhong is different. He’s a man—a real man. Androgyny suits him perfectly—look at his expression, his physique, his face. Is there anyone better for this role? If I were a woman, I’d fall for him. If I were a man, I’d fall for her. He could attract anyone."

"I get what you mean," Bai Su nodded. "But won’t this make it easier for people to see through him?"

"See through? Not at all." Aken rolled his eyes. "This is precisely to disguise any possible flaws. If we present him as a woman, people will notice every detail—voice, walk, eating habits, even how he drinks. But if we set this ‘masculine’ image from the start, any inconsistencies will seem natural, or people will think we did it on purpose. Isn’t that right, Su Su?"

"But, Tang Xin—"

"I know, I know," Aken interrupted. "You’re worried that ‘Sweetheart’ looked different before, right? But who says artists can’t change their style?"

Seeing Bai Su still hesitant, Aken took her hand. "Su Su, trust me. Trust my professionalism. I have a feeling—they’re going to be huge. Outrageously popular."

Bai Su gritted her teeth. "Alright. We’ll do it your way."

She turned to Tang Zhong. "Tang Zhong, what do you think? If you have any suggestions, let us know."

Tang Zhong had been admiring himself in the mirror, turning left, right, and spinning to check his back.

He liked what he saw from every angle.

"No complaints," Tang Zhong grinned. He’d only hesitated before because he was afraid they’d make him wear skirts, lingerie, or use feminine products. Since that never came up, he was relieved. "I always knew I was good-looking, but I never realized I could look this good."

“…”

"His neck," Hepburn pointed out. "Adam’s apple."

"Right," Aken purred, pulling a black silk scarf from his bag. "This will hide it perfectly."

"Looks like a dog collar," Hepburn giggled.

Tang Zhong muttered, "If only I wear it, people will be suspicious. But if all three of us wear one, they’ll just think it’s a new style for the Butterfly Group."

"Exactly!" Aken nodded vigorously. "Our Sweetheart—no, Tang Zhong—is so clever. I have a white one for Echo, and a plaid one for Hepburn. The three of you together, no one will suspect a thing. It’ll be your group’s signature look. And these colors match your butterfly personas perfectly!"

Hepburn’s eyes widened, her mouth opening and closing in disbelief.

Did this mean they all had to wear those dog collars with him?