Chapter 23 ☆ Selling hair (Part 2)

The old master looked up and saw a girl in a sky-blue skirt standing not far away. He immediately cheered, not because of Cheng Yaoyao’s appearance, but because of her hair. “Would you like to sell your hair? I’ll pay five Yuan for that braid!”

Cheng Yaoyao had braided her hair into a centipede braid today, tied with a sky-blue headband, and let it hang down on her shoulders. Her long, thick black hair gleamed with a moist luster in the sun, free from split ends or dryness, shimmering like silk.

Most people of this era are malnourished, with dry, sparse, or dull hair. It is rare to see long hair like Cheng Yaoyao’s.

“Five Yuan!” Everyone gasped and stared at Cheng Yaoyao’s hair enviously.

This is remarkable. Cheng Yaoyao’s hair is not the only thing that is beautiful. Her entire appearance is like a work of nature, flawless from head to toe. She stands out in her sky-blue dress, with skin as white as ice and sweat on her forehead glistening crystal clear, making her the center of attention.

Han Yin immediately pushed Cheng Yaoyao, urging, “It’s only five Yuan! Yaoyao, what are you waiting for?”

Cheng Yaoyao touched the ends of her hair, surprised. “Is my hair really that valuable?”

The old master continued to gaze at Cheng Yaoyao’s braids. “Little girl, may I touch your braids?”

Considering he was nearly 70 years old, it seemed unlikely he would be physically reprimanded for his request.

Cheng Yaoyao smiled and replied, “I won’t sell it.”

The old master looked at Cheng Yaoyao’s hair regretfully. “I’ll pay you 7 yuan. I promise to have it grow longer until it reaches your shoulders. What do you think?”

Han Yin pushed Cheng Yaoyao desperately, but Cheng Yaoyao smiled and said, “Stop talking. I won’t sell it.”

Cheng Yaoyao had been dressed like a princess since birth and had never had short hair.

Han Yin whispered with jealousy, “You’re being foolish. It’s only 7 yuan! Hair grows back after cutting, so why not sell it? I could help you negotiate the price—maybe even raise it to 8 yuan!”

Cheng Yaoyao remained firm. Just look at Liu Minxia’s hair after it was cut—the ends were raised, looking like a quail’s rear. Cheng Yaoyao would rather spend extra time boiling water to wash her hair every night than part with it. This was her last stand.

Han Yin gritted her teeth and said, “If you won’t sell it, I will!”

Han Yin’s long braid was also thick and dense. After several attempts with the scissors, the master craftsman finally managed to cut it off.

The braid was weighed: “1.38 yuan.”

Han Yin skillfully bargained with the master and eventually received 1.5 yuan. Liu Minxia got 80 cents.

The old master trimmed the ends of Han Yin’s hair, and Cheng Yaoyao gave her advice. The result was a trim that gave Han Yin’s hair a bit of the feel of a later-days bun.

Now, among the four of them, only Cheng Yaoyao had long hair; the other three had short hair. Han Yin shook her head. “Don’t tell me, my head really does feel a lot lighter after cutting the braids.”

Zhang Xiaofeng smiled and said, “I really envy you guys. If I had known earlier, I would have grown my hair long and sold it for 80 yuan.”

Having dawdled for quite some time without having breakfast, they were all hungry. They decided to go to a restaurant and then visit the supply and marketing cooperative after eating.

Han Yin proudly declared, “This 1.50 yuan is like a bonus today. I’m going to eat out!”

With Han Yin earning extra money, Cheng Yaoyao being well-off, and Zhang Xiaofeng having saved a lot, there was no problem with the money for eating out.

As they walked towards the restaurant together, Han Yin suddenly turned around and stared at Liu Minxia, who was following behind. “Are you eating out too? Did you bring your food coupons?”

“I—I forgot to bring them…” Liu Minxia clutched her one yuan tightly and stammered.

Han Yin snorted and laughed. “How can you eat at a restaurant without your food coupons? Be careful not to get caught eating and drinking without paying.”

Liu Minxia looked at Cheng Yaoyao for help. Cheng Yaoyao resisted the urge to roll her eyes and turned away. Even Zhang Xiaofeng avoided her gaze.

Everyone knew Liu Minxia’s family was poor and that she had to send money home every month. In these times, food stamps are crucial. Lending to others is one thing, but lending to Liu Minxia? It’s like throwing meat buns at a dog. Zhang Xiaofeng was a good person, but not a fool.

Liu Minxia used to eat at Cheng Yaoyao’s table, but now Cheng Yaoyao ignored her, and Han Yin exposed her situation. Liu Minxia’s face turned red as she stammered, “I—I’m not very hungry… I won’t go to the restaurant.”

Cheng Yaoyao and Zhang Xiaofeng remained silent. Han Yin taunted, “Okay, then, the three of us will go ahead.”

The three of them walked away together. Cheng Yaoyao didn’t even look back. Surrounded by Zhang Xiaofeng and Han Yin, they left while chatting and laughing.

Han Yin said to Cheng Yaoyao, “Finally, she didn’t come this time. She used to cling to you like a dog-skin plaster, shamelessly eating with you. I’ve disliked her for a long time. I wanted to remind you, but I was afraid you’d be angry.”

Cheng Yaoyao laughed dryly. Han Yin’s words were quite tactful.

Several girls from the city had gathered in this remote southern village due to the special times. Out of sympathy or other reasons, their initial feelings were quite positive.

However, Cheng Yaoyao was arrogant and domineering, unfamiliar with the ways of the world. Liu Minxia served her dutifully, displaying a pitiful demeanor about her lack of food, which led Cheng Yaoyao to think Han Yin was bullying her friend. 

With Cheng Nuonuo adding fuel to the fire, Cheng Yaoyao gradually became estranged from Han Yin and Zhang Xiaofeng, feeling they were bullying her friend. As a result, she only had Liu Minxia as her follower and was increasingly isolated.

Cheng Yaoyao touched her nose and said, “I understand now. I won’t be foolish again in the future.”

The three of them went to the only state-owned restaurant in town.

The restaurant was housed in a row of wooden buildings facing the street, with high eaves, thick pillars, and tall, deep facades. It had once been a prosperous commercial area before the founding of the People’s Republic of China, but now all has been converted into public-private partnerships.

The restaurant was on the second floor. After climbing a narrow wooden staircase, you would be greeted by a bright and open space. The second floor was very spacious, with plenty of daylight coming in through the balcony. The area had a protruding roof at the connection, surrounded by wooden railings.

Cheng Yaoyao chose a table facing the street, which had the best lighting. “Let’s sit there,” she said.

After ordering the food, Cheng Yaoyao settled by the railing, resting her hand on it and looking out. From this high vantage point, she could see the entire ancient city. One could imagine the dandy young men of old times leaning on the railing and spending money carefreely.

With the Dragon Boat Festival^[1]also known as Duanwu Festival (端午节), is a traditional Chinese festival that typically occurs on the 5th day of the 5th month of the Chinese lunar calendar. approaching, the city was quite lively. Several groups of acquaintances had come to the restaurant, including Shen Yan and his group of male educated youth. Cheng Nuonuo was seated at their table, right next to Shen Yan.

Cheng Yaoyao, being such a dazzling beauty, drew a lot of attention. Many diners stopped eating and secretly looked at her. Even Shen Yan’s table noticed. The male educated youth looked a bit embarrassed and kept their heads down, not daring to greet Cheng Yaoyao.

Cheng Yaoyao and her companions naturally ignored them. Han Yin leaned in and said with a smile, “I bet it’s Shen Yan’s treat again. These people are soft-hearted.”

Cheng Yaoyao’s lips curled into a smile. “If he wants to be a fool, let him be.”

Zhang Xiaofeng changed the subject. “Stop stirring things up. Come with me to get the food.”

State-owned restaurants don’t serve food to tables, so Zhang Xiaofeng and Han Yin got up to fetch it from the counter.

Cheng Yaoyao leaned lazily on the railing. Since no one was calling her, everyone assumed that this young lady needed to be served.

While Cheng Yaoyao looked down, not caring if she became someone else’s scenery, she eventually spotted a familiar figure.