awkward potato:
This is just my take on why they opt out the hairpin. Because Xiangliu is poor, he might not be able to afford a lavish item. Hence why he ties his hair in a simple knot w/o any accessories. I love his initial styling tho, but the heavy bangs might be difficult to work with so they decided to settle with the dragon whisker bangs we see now 🥰 No matter what, Xiangliu will forever look like an expensive man in my eyes~ 😍
Now I think about it, you right! His first styling was gorgeous but he looks more like some aristocrat with it))) but XL is general who live in military camp, and he already has his gorgeous ice mask 🔥