Chapter Ninety-One: A Reliable Helper

"Stop dreaming! Do you really think the young master would fancy your daughter? Oh, by the way, young man, how old are you? Do you live here?" Another lady, unable to hold back, stepped in to support Hong Tao and took the opportunity to probe into his background. These were the bits of gossip she could bring home or to her workplace.

"Do I really look that old? I just celebrated my eighth birthday. I'll be starting second grade when school opens. Next time you all come here, you'll have to let my cousin do your hair. I'm just helping her out during summer break. My home is right here in the alley. Even if I leave the shop, I can't leave my house behind. At my cousin's salon, there are only two words: fashionable and quality! If your perm loses its shape within a month, just come find us, we'll redo it for free!" Hong Tao wasn't concerned about revealing any personal information and immediately started advertising for the salon. In these times, advertising as a concept barely existed, nor were there proper channels for it. Every business relied on word of mouth, so reputation was everything.

"Just eight years old! Look at how well this child is raised—already earning money for his parents at eight. My youngest two are both ten, and they still ask me for money in the morning. Honestly, comparing kids is just discouraging."

"Exactly! Not just ten, the boy next door is nineteen and still loafing around, no proper job, just eating his parents' food all day. Let me tell you..." Hong Tao's answer immediately resonated with the women present, and they began exchanging their own stories. Once the conversation started, it wouldn't end for hours. Hong Tao no longer had to worry about them bothering him or feeling impatient with the wait. When their hair was done, they might even sit down to chat a while longer.

"Hong Tao! Hong Tao!" A woman's voice came from behind, and without turning, Hong Tao knew Han Xue had arrived.

"Big Sister Ling, help roll the lady's hair first, we'll cut after the perm!" Hong Tao had already simplified the steps of perming—originally, it was cut, perm, then cut again. For efficiency, he skipped the initial cut.

Han Xue wasn't alone; a girl slightly taller than her followed. She looked about the same age as the aunties, wore her hair in a long braid falling over her chest, dressed simply in cotton shirt and trousers, with a threadbare collar and faded black cloth shoes.

"We got stuck in traffic and came late. This is my sister, Han Yan. She's a quiet girl—don't bully her!" Han Xue pulled her sister forward. Since Hong Tao was shorter, he could see the girl's face even though she kept her head lowered. She resembled Han Xue, though her face was not as round. As Hong Tao came closer, her large eyes glanced up at him, secretly observing.

"With my tiny frame, who could I possibly bully? You should warn your sister not to bully me! Hi there, come on, let's shake hands!" Hong Tao grinned and offered his hand to the girl.

"Shake hands? You just want to take advantage of my sister!" Han Xue batted his hand aside, exposing his little scheme.

"She’s going to learn the trade from me, isn't she? Forget shaking hands, I'll have to teach her hands-on. How is that taking advantage? Don't listen to your sister; her head is full of old-fashioned ideas. We're just a pure master-apprentice relationship." Even after being exposed, Hong Tao was not embarrassed, and offered his hand again. This was the art of repetition—tell a lie enough times and it becomes the truth, even for yourself; only then can others believe it.

"Master, hello!" Hong Tao was expecting Han Xue to swat his hand again, but before she could, Han Yan reached out and shook his hand. Her palm was a little damp and cool.

"Heh, see? Your sister is much more sensible than you. Come, let's go inside. You're just in time—I’ll teach you how to perm hair. Learn well, and you’ll grasp it in two days..." In the heat of summer, holding a cool, soft hand was a delight. Hong Tao had no intention of letting go, nor did he care whether Han Xue or Han Yan minded. He led her into the shop, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand, savoring the delicate skin of a young girl.

"Yan, I have things to do. Tonight, take the bus home yourself. If he bullies you, just pull his ear! Hong Tao, make sure my sister gets lunch. I’m off!" Han Xue called out, then hurried away.

"Do you often do chores at home?" Unfortunately, Hong Tao felt no delicate smoothness with his thumb; instead, her hand was a bit rough.

"...” Han Yan didn’t like to talk, communicating mostly with nods and shakes. This time, she nodded.

"Your sister is ruthless! She enjoys herself outside while you do the chores at home and work to earn her spending money. Haven’t you ever thought of resisting?" Hong Tao guessed that it wasn’t Han Xue forcing her to work, but he needed to say it to learn about their family situation. Han Xue had never spoken about her family, and it was the first time he heard she even had a sister.

"My sister isn't like that! It’s my mother..." Han Yan fell for it, but stopped midway, showing high vigilance. Still, Hong Tao gleaned some information: Han Xue didn’t have an easy time at home, but she and her sister got along well. He knew not to press further now; trust would have to be cultivated slowly, then he could probe indirectly.

Han Yan was a diligent child—so much so that even Hong Tao felt uneasy watching her. She was like a machine, her hands and feet never idle: after rolling hair, she swept the floor, then washed towels, cleaned the windows and doors, and still managed to time hair washes and apply setting lotion for customers. After just an hour of instruction and watching Hong Tao handle one customer, she assisted with the second and managed the third entirely on her own.

There was only one issue: she didn’t like to talk. No matter what you said, she answered with a nod or shake. If pressed, she would lift her face and respond with her expressive eyes—not large, but full of spirit. Hong Tao was the opposite: the more he talked, the faster he worked. While chatting with the lady customers, his expression never changed, as if he wasn't even the one speaking.

In fact, Hong Tao never remembered what he said. He was simply entertaining these women, telling jokes and filler stories, not a word of substance—a professional habit from his previous life.

Han Yan was very curious about this boy—much younger than herself, yet more mature. Whenever Hong Tao had the women laughing, she would lift her eyes to observe him closely, only to meet his gaze each time, and quickly drop her head and eyes to continue her tasks. After a while, she couldn’t help but look up again, only for his gaze to catch hers once more.

"Big Sister Ling, take Han Yan across the street for lunch, order whatever you like—don’t skimp. This is hard work; we need to eat well, not just eat our fill. When you get back, take over for me so I can let my aunt have lunch. Don’t dawdle!" At noon, Hong Tao looked at the waiting customers and realized if he didn’t make time for lunch, he’d miss another meal—these clients never cared whether he and his helpers ate.

"Come on, I’ll take you for soy noodles and meatballs—delicious!" Sister Ling reached for Han Yan’s hand, but the girl avoided her grasp.

"I’m not hungry... I won’t go..." Han Yan uttered her first complete sentence of the day.

"Not hungry? Lying isn’t what good kids do! You have to eat, even if you’re not hungry—it’s the rule. Anyone who breaks it loses pay! Sister Ling, count for me: at least three sesame buns. If she eats one less, tell me and I’ll dock her wages!" Hong Tao leaned over to look at Han Yan’s face hidden against her chest and immediately understood why she was reluctant—she probably had no money.

"I..." Han Yan had never heard of such a rule at work. She bit her lip, wanting to insist she wasn’t hungry, but the words "dock wages" were too frightening. She couldn’t think of a way to respond.

"Come on, let’s eat quickly, then I can take over for his aunt." Sister Ling was straightforward, never overthinking. She didn’t know why Han Yan wasn’t hungry, nor did she care. As for Hong Tao’s threat to dock pay, she assumed he was joking. She grabbed Han Yan’s hand and dragged her out.

"Heh, Han Xue! Your sister is much more sensible than you. With a well-intentioned but powerless boss like me, you should count your blessings! Next! Oh, auntie, your hair has grown beautifully—so shiny and black! This hair is perfect for a perm. Afterward, you won’t need to fuss with it for two months. Don’t mind the five yuan price; if you do the math, you’ll see you’re saving in the end!" Hong Tao watched Han Yan’s retreating figure and licked his lips. A girl like her would be perfect to marry—diligent, sensible, and easy to please—the ideal wife! Sadly, he was still too young, missing out on this opportunity. Who knows which pig will end up with this fine cabbage?

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