Chapter Ten: The Haircut

Zhou Miao understood everything now. The reason Li Feifei had become the person she was—a rebellious, eccentric figure—was entirely because she could not resolve the conflict between her parents. So, instead, she created problems for herself, shifting their attention away from their own issues.

“Did your method work?” Zhou Miao continued to ask.

Li Feifei shrugged. “They sent me to this reality show, didn’t they? What do you think?”

They laughed together, knowing full well that no parent would send their child on television to air their dirty laundry unless they truly had no other option.

“It used to be them arguing and treating me like I was invisible. Now, they chase after me every day, and I treat them like they’re invisible,” Li Feifei said.

“But your method is only good for buying a little time—you can’t drag it out forever. Two people who aren’t right for each other only hurt themselves by staying together. Have you thought about what comes next?” Zhou Miao asked.

Li Feifei shook her head. “I know I can’t stall for much longer, but I don’t want to see them divorce. Even if I can delay it for just one more day, it’s worth it.”

“Do you know which day has the highest number of divorces in the year?” Zhou Miao suddenly posed an apparently unrelated question.

Before Li Feifei could reply, he continued, “It’s right after the college entrance exams.”

“Many couples have long lost all affection for each other, but they pretend to be loving for the sake of their children’s exams. As soon as the exams are over, they go straight to get their divorce papers.”

“You don’t want your parents to divorce, but have you considered how painful it is for them to force themselves to stay together?”

Li Feifei fell silent, her fists clenched tightly.

“Do you think a house propped up by pillars, leaking on all sides, is stronger than tearing it down and rebuilding it from scratch?”

“You came up with this way to delay things, which means you’re a smart girl. I believe you can understand this truth—it’s just a matter of whether you’re willing to face it.”

“Instead of acting out to gain their sympathy, why not show them just how clever and independent their daughter really is?”

Zhou Miao’s legs were starting to go numb from crouching. He stood up and stretched. “Even though I hate having to play the fool on this show and want to leave as soon as possible, I won’t force you to make a decision. After all, it’s your family’s business.”

With that, Zhou Miao turned and walked away, leaving Li Feifei staring blankly at the water, lost in thought.

Behind the monitor, the director wiped his face and asked with confusion, “Is that kid really only sixteen? How does he talk so eloquently?”

The assistant director gave a wry smile. “Compared to him, when I was sixteen I was a fool. Didn’t know anything, just dreamed all day about sneaking into the arcade.”

While they reminisced about their lost youth, Li Feifei moved suddenly on the screen. The director quickly called for someone to follow her and film.

Li Feifei made her way along the country lane to the village barber shop, where the owner, an elderly man in his sixties or seventies, gave her a glance.

“Want a haircut?”

“Yes.”

“Lie down first, I’ll wash your hair.”

After washing, Li Feifei sat in front of the mirror. The barber draped a long cloth over her. “How do you want it cut?”

“Cut it short, and dye it black.”

As the scissors snipped quietly, colorful strands of hair drifted down. Staring at herself in the mirror, Li Feifei couldn’t help but let tears slip down her cheeks.

The old man was flustered. “Why are you crying? Is it ugly? Don’t worry, I’m not done yet. It’ll look good when I finish.”

“It’s fine, keep going,” Li Feifei sniffled.

The old man continued, though his movements grew gentler. This girl clearly had something weighing on her heart.

Over an hour later, Li Feifei, now sporting a neat ear-length bob dyed black, strode briskly out of the barber shop. The farther she walked, the firmer her gaze became.

At Grandpa Lin’s house, Wang Jiang was helping bag the sun-dried wheat when he suddenly froze. He nudged Zhou Miao. “Brother Miao, look, is that Li Feifei?”

Zhou Miao looked closely. Wow! With her hair dyed black and cut short, Li Feifei looked so much more approachable than before.

“Hey beauty, you’re in the wrong place. This is the reality show crew—‘Idol Producer’ is next door,” Zhou Miao joked.

Li Feifei glared at him, grabbed an empty sack, and knelt to help Grandpa bag the wheat.

Zhou Miao glanced at the director, who nodded slightly as a sign that the task was accomplished. Zhou Miao felt as if a great weight had been lifted.

Suddenly bursting with energy, he snatched the shovel from Grandpa’s hands. “Let me do it, Grandpa, take a break.”

Li Feifei and Wang Jiang looked at him, each with their own expression. They all realized that the day of parting was near.

That evening, as if sensing Zhou Miao’s imminent departure, Grandpa prepared a table full of dishes. The atmosphere at dinner was especially warm. Zhou Miao threw an arm around Wang Jiang’s shoulders and said, “If you two ever have time, come find me in Suzhou. I’ll always be there for you.”

“Why do we have to find you? Can’t you come to the northeast and visit me?” Li Feifei teased.

“Heh, I’ll definitely visit if I get the chance. If you find yourself a boyfriend, I’ll vet him for you. Anyone uglier than me is out of the question!” Zhou Miao laughed.

Li Feifei rolled her eyes at him with a smile, but Wang Jiang’s mood was low. “We just got close, and now you’re leaving. What am I going to do without you?”

“Why are you acting like a girl? Don’t tell me you can’t stand to see me go?”

“No, I’m just worried—all the hard work will fall on me once you’re gone.”

Zhou Miao was infuriated by Wang Jiang’s words and pinched his side, making him cry out for mercy.

Grandpa watched the scene, laughing cheerfully. If only Xiao Nan were here too.

After dinner, the three walked along the river to digest their meal. Suddenly, Wang Jiang asked, “Brother Miao, if you really become a famous singer, will you still remember us?”

Walking ahead, Zhou Miao turned and smiled. “I’m definitely going to be a star. As for whether I’ll remember you, that depends on how you behave. If you send me local specialties every year, maybe I’ll remember. If you send nothing, I definitely won’t!”

“Send you specialties? You’re dreaming!” Wang Jiang laughed and cursed.

Li Feifei was quiet for a moment, then suddenly asked, “Zhou Miao, when are you leaving?”

“I asked the director—tomorrow morning.”

The mood instantly grew heavy.

“Before you go, sing us a song. Didn’t you say you write your own music? Sing one of your own,” Li Feifei said earnestly.

Wang Jiang looked at him with anticipation. Zhou Miao scratched his head and smiled. “Alright, wait here and don’t wander off. I’ll go get my guitar—I’ll be right back.”

There was a song Zhou Miao thought was perfect for this moment.