The journey was noisy, the sound of the girls chatting with Han Zhan and Little Bai mingling with the hum of the engine. When they finally parked in front of a hair salon, Lian and i’s expressions shifted from contentnt to suspicion. They were like dogs that had been promised a trip to the park, only to find themselves at the veterinarian’s clinic.
Xiang Yu quickly exited the car and opened the back door, but was t with imdiate resistance. "Master, my strength cos from my hair, I can’t cut it," Lian protested, clutching her long locks.
i added, her voice trembling, "I am afraid of scissors. I have a phobia."
Xiang Yu, "..."
Han Zhan leaned against the car seat, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. Han Xin, on the other hand, watched on thinking that Xiang Yu was like a single father. Little Bai, sitting quietly, looked on with sympathy.
"Stop struggling," Xiang Yu commanded his tone firm but not unkind. "Your hair looks ssy. You can’t go to school like that."
The ntion of school was like a trigger. Lian and i’s eyes widened in horror. They had never been to school and despised the idea. In a desperate bid for freedom, they tried to escape, but Xiang Yu was quicker. With a swift, practised motion, he hoisted both girls onto his shoulders like sacks of potatoes and carried them to the salon.
Everyone, "..."
"Are you sure he just saved them. It looks like he has done this before," said Han Xin looking Xiang Yu through the rear view mirror.
Han Zhan watched them disappear around the corner, shaking his head with a chuckle. "If I didn’t know any better, I would think they are really his kids."
After a mont of silence, Han Zhan turned to Little Bai, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Do you want so iced coffee? It’s on ."
Little Bai hesitated, but Han Zhan’s tone made it clear that it wasn’t a suggestion. "Okay," he agreed softly.
Han Zhan then called out to his cousin, "Cousin, do you want so?"
Han Xin shook his head. "No."
"Alright," Han Zhan said, leading Little Bai away. "Let’s go."
Han Xin watched them leave, contemplating whether to stay in the car or go to the hair salon. For so reason he felt an inexplicable urge to go inside. He couldn’t fathom why he suddenly wanted to follow Xiang Yu. It wasn’t as if he didn’t have work to do; even he was beginning to think he had so sort of illness. He pulled out his cell phone and made a quick call, issuing instructions in a low, urgent tone. He would have to find soone else to complete the task that he ant for Xiang Yu.
anwhile, Xiang Yu stood at the reception desk, looking as if he had just wrestled a bull. The receptionist, who had witnessed quite a spectacle monts ago, watched with a bemused smile. Xiang Yu had struggled to carry Lian and i, who now stood obediently by his side. Their hair looked like it had been through a wind tunnel, and Xiang Yu’s dishevelled appearance only added to the chaotic scene.
"They hate haircuts," the receptionist remarked, her eyes twinkling with amusent. She could see that the girls’ hair was clean but severely damaged, with split ends aplenty.
"Yes they do... promises were made to get them to agree," Xiang Yu admitted, his voice tinged with resignation.
"Promises you are going to keep," i chid in, her tone both playful and insistent.
Xiang Yu gritted his teeth and asked, "Is there a free ti slot?"
The receptionist glanced at her monitor. "Let check," she said, but Xiang Yu interrupted.
"Not for a haircut," he clarified, holding up his hands to show his nails. The receptionist’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
"Oh," she said softly, and Lian grinned mischievously.
"He will be taking pink polish with Hello Kitty designs, please," Lian announced. The receptionist’s smile froze, but Xiang Yu nodded in confirmation.
"Okay, we can squeeze you in during your appointnt. You may enter through this way," she said, gesturing towards the salon area.
Xiang Yu nodded and took Lian and i by the hands, wary that they might bolt and he would have to chase them around. Who could bla the twins for hating haircuts? The last significant cut they had was when they were five, and since then, it had only been minor trims. They loved their long hair, and Xiang Yu knew this was going to be a challenge, akin to pulling teeth.
A lady with a sweet smile beckoned them over to take a seat. Lian and i climbed into the chairs, ready for their haircuts, while Xiang Yu settled in for his unexpected manicure.
The hairdresser asked i, "What are we doing to your hair today?"
i held up her fingers, indicating a tiny amount. "Please cut this much."
The hairdresser’s eyes travelled up i’s hair shaft, noting the damage. Her teeth itched at the sight. Xiang Yu, whose nails were being filed nearby, interjected, "Cut more. It should be decent for school."
Lian’s hairdresser asked her what cut she wanted. Lian pointed to a picture of a half-shaved haircut with pink highlights. Xiang Yu quickly said, "Hey, no. It’s for school. You have to look decent."
As he spoke, Han Xin walked in and sat beside him. Xiang Yu was taken aback. "What are you doing here?"
Han Xin unbuttoned his suit and settled in. "I was bored."
Han Xin’s commanding presence drew the attention of the ladies in the salon but Xiang Yu felt eyes on him for so reason. He glanced around and noticed an older man shampooing a client’s hair while smiling at him. Confused, Xiang Yu nodded politely. The older man’s eyes brightened, but when he t Han Xin’s gaze, he quickly looked away, almost spraying water into the client’s eyes. The client exclaid, and the man apologized profusely.
Xiang Yu stared at his fingers, now being brushed with a base coat. He was about to ask Han Xin if he was really going to sit there when a friendly woman next to him asked, "My daughter is that one. Which one is yours?"
Xiang Yu pointed at Lian and i. The woman looked surprised. Xiang Yu understood her reaction; he was too young to have kids that old. "Adopted," he explained.
The woman was impressed. "Aww, you and your wife must be kind-hearted people."
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