It was your first date—with him. Not just any man, but Jiyan, the renowned general whose name commanded respect across the lands. The very idea of going on a date with someone of his stature had already made your nerves buzz, but nothing could have prepared you for what greeted you when he arrived.

Jiyan wasn’t dressed in his usual battle-worn armor or commanding military uniform. No, tonight he was dressed in a perfectly tailored formal suit. The clean lines accentuated his broad shoulders and tall frame, and the soft fabric of his shirt brought a sense of warmth to his otherwise commanding presence. But what nearly made your heart stop wasn’t the suit—it was his hair.

Your eyes widened. Did he cut his hair?!

Gone was the familiar long, tied-back style you’d grown so accustomed to. Instead, his hair was neatly styled, shorter, and framing his face in a way that made him look younger—softer. For a moment, panic surged through you. Had he actually cut it? Did he think a drastic change like this was necessary for your first date? What had possessed him?

“You’re staring,” Jiyan said, his deep voice tinged with quiet amusement. His lips curved into a small, rare smile as he caught your wide-eyed expression.

“I... I just—” you stammered, pointing vaguely at his hair. “Did you—did you cut your hair?”

He raised an eyebrow, his expression teasing. “No. I thought something different would suit the occasion, so I styled it. Do you dislike it?”

As the evening went on, you couldn’t help but steal glances at him. This side of Jiyan—relaxed, refined, and just a little playful—was one you hadn’t seen before. And though you loved the steadfast general he was, tonight you felt like you were glimpsing the man beneath the title, the one who had chosen you to spend his rare, precious moments with.