bookrandom Chapter 124 Okay, I'll ask around for you.
Chapter 124 Okay, I'll ask around for you.
There was only one elderly barber in the shop, his hair gray, cutting a customer's hair. Seeing the two enter, he immediately greeted them warmly, "Wait a moment, it'll be ready soon."
Wang Ergou looked around, his gaze finally settling on several celebrity photos hanging on the wall. They were cut from newspapers, and although faded, the outlines of their hairstyles were still discernible.
"Which one do you think looks better on me?" Wang Ergou asked Li Xiangyang, pointing to the photo.
Li Xiangyang glanced at the photo, then at Wang Ergou's dark red face: "Don't think too much about it. It's good enough that you got your hair cut neatly."
A little while later, the customer in front of him finished cutting his hair and left. The old hairdresser tidied up his tools and beckoned to Wang Ergou: "Come on, young man, sit here."
Wang Ergou chuckled憨厚ly and plopped down in a chair.
"How do you cut it?" the master craftsman asked.
“Look at that…” Wang Ergou wanted to point to the photo again.
"Shorter and neater is fine," Li Xiangyang said quickly.
The experienced craftsman worked quickly and efficiently; in no time, Wang Ergou's messy hair became neat and tidy.
"Would you like a shave?" the old shaving master asked.
"Shave!" Wang Ergou touched his stubble-covered face. "Can you shave it as smooth as a city person's?"
The experienced craftsman smiled: "That depends on your skin, but I'll try my best."
He took out a bar of soap, lathered it with hot water, and carefully applied it to Wang Ergou's face. Then, he took out a sharp razor and began to trim it meticulously.
"Ouch!" Wang Ergou suddenly cried out.
"Bear with it," the old man said, "your beard is too stiff."
After shaving, Wang Ergou stroked his smooth chin and grinned with satisfaction.
"It's your turn," Wang Ergou said to Li Xiangyang as he stood up.
Li Xiangyang sat down in the chair and said to the master craftsman, "I just want it cut a little shorter."
The experienced craftsman nodded and began trimming with clippers.
"Hey, your hair is great, so black and shiny," the stylist said as he cut. "It's just a bit long, makes it look a little messy."
Li Xiangyang smiled without saying a word. He had been busy hunting lately and hadn't had time to take care of himself.
After they finished cleaning up, Wang Ergou took out his money to pay the bill.
"That'll be one yuan and two jiao in total," the old craftsman said.
Wang Ergou was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting it to be so cheap. In his mind, everything in the city was expensive.
Li Xiangyang smiled, took out some money, and handed it over: "Thank you, sir."
Stepping out of the barbershop, a gust of cold wind blew in his face, and Wang Ergou couldn't help but shrink his neck: "Now I feel so refreshed."
Looking at the transformed Wang Ergou, Li Xiangyang joked, "Looking at him like this, he really does look like a city person now."
Wang Ergou grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth: "Of course, I'm dressed exactly like people in the city."
"Let's go," Li Xiangyang said with a smile, "let's go check out the supply and marketing cooperative."
There were quite a few people at the supply and marketing cooperative, as it was the off-season for farming after the Lunar New Year.
Li Xiangyang stood in front of the counter, carefully examining the goods in the glass case.
This is a counter that specializes in selling things that girls like, with various hair clips, handkerchiefs, and small mirrors neatly arranged inside.
Now that he has money, he naturally wants to choose some nice gifts for Li Xiaoyun.
"Get me this."
Li Xiangyang saw a pretty blue butterfly hair clip and said to the sales clerk.
Wang Ergou, engrossed in watching, said, "These things are really nice. I want a pair too, and not just one color."
"Why did you buy this?" Li Xiangyang asked, amused.
"I'm waiting for your boyfriend to introduce me to someone." Wang Ergou rubbed his hands together sheepishly.
Li Xiangyang then picked out a handkerchief printed with small flowers and a small mirror.
Wang Ergou followed behind, taking whatever Li Xiangyang took, as long as it wasn't the same color, like a little tagalong.
"Comrade Li, you're here to buy something?"
Just as the two finished buying their items and were about to pay, a pleasant female voice rang out.
Li Xiangyang turned around and saw Lin Qiaomei.
Lin Qiaomei glanced at the items on the counter and paused slightly, then asked, "Are you dating someone?"
"Yes." Li Xiangyang nodded.
A barely perceptible hint of regret flashed in Lin Qiaomei's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure and politely said, "Then I wish you happiness."
After saying that, she turned around and went to attend to her own business.
After Lin Qiaomei left, the two paid the money and left the supply and marketing cooperative.
"Xiangyang, you've got a way with the ladies! Did you see that girl just now? She seemed a little disappointed when she heard you had a boyfriend."
Wang Ergou couldn't help but joke.
"Stop talking nonsense." Li Xiangyang lowered his head and tidied up the things he had just bought. "They were just saying hello."
"Come on, I saw it all," Wang Ergou chuckled. "I don't know how you got so fair-skinned. Oh well, I can't be envious. Let's go back. Let's hurry to the educated youth settlement and have your girlfriend introduce me to someone."
As they talked, the two walked toward the donkey cart.
Wang Ergou jumped into the car excitedly, chattering on and on: "Do you think the girl your boyfriend introduced me to will think I'm ugly?"
Li Xiangyang, focused on driving the donkey cart, chuckled upon hearing this, "You're quite well-organized now, aren't you?"
The donkey cart clattered along for more than an hour before finally arriving at the educated youth settlement.
The two got out of the car and had just entered the courtyard when they saw several educated youths sitting under the eaves, basking in the sun.
"Hey, Xiangyang's here," Zhang Hu greeted with a smile. "Where have you been making your fortune?"
“The county town,” Li Xiangyang said with a smile.
"Wow, people with partners are really something else! He even went all the way to town for a haircut. And you look great! Xiaoyun will definitely love it. Go on ahead!"
Seeing Li Xiangyang looking refreshed, Ma Xiuying couldn't help but tease him.
The group of educated youth burst into laughter.
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the educated youth, Li Xiangyang led Wang Ergou to the room and gently knocked on the door.
"Come in," came Li Xiaoyun's voice from inside the house.
Pushing open the door, he saw Li Xiaoyun sitting at the table reading a book. Seeing it was Li Xiangyang, her eyes lit up: "What brings you here?"
"I bought you some things." Li Xiangyang handed her the items and pointed to Wang Ergou, "This is Wang Ergou, my friend. He... wants you to introduce him to someone."
Li Xiaoyun took the things, looked at Wang Ergou, and said with some difficulty, "I'll introduce someone to you? You know how sharp my tongue is, I don't usually get along well with anyone..."
"Xiaoyun, there's no need to guarantee this, just introduce us," Li Xiangyang said. "Wang Ergou feels the same way, right?"
"Yes, yes, yes." Wang Ergou nodded quickly, "Just getting to know each other is fine."
Li Xiaoyun was amused by Wang Ergou's anxious look: "Then tell me, what kind do you like? I saw them outside just now; there are only a few people at this educated youth settlement."
Wang Ergou was immediately troubled, wringing his hands and stammering, "Um... Ma Xiuying is quite nice..."
"Her?" Li Xiaoyun frowned slightly. "She wants to go back to the city."
Wang Ergou's face immediately fell: "Then...then Wang Xiulan?"
“She wants to study accounting.” Li Xiaoyun shook her head directly.
Nothing worked, nothing was going to work either. Wang Ergou stood there with a worried look on his face, not knowing who to talk to.
"Oh dear, are you kidding me? What's with the choice? Just tell me who doesn't want to go back to the city, and if they like me, that's all that matters!"
"That's it? No other requests?" Li Xiaoyun asked.
“What’s there to be picky about?” Wang Ergou picked at his fingers. “Of course, it would be even better if she were thrifty, had a good temper, and didn’t mind my looks…”
“My requirements aren’t high,” Li Xiaoyun smiled.
"I wouldn't dare ask for much," Wang Ergou chuckled憨厚ly. "I'm just a roughneck; I struggle even to read. How could I possibly ask for anything more?"
"You seem like a very honest person," Li Xiaoyun said. "Okay, I'll ask around for you."