Chapter Sixty-Nine: Warmth

"Isn't this how it should be? Now that your brother is about to serve the country, all the more reason for me to treat you well, Tongtong. In the future, I’ll be counting on you to support me in my old age!" Jin Yuan joked with a broad grin, just trying to make the child laugh.

"Oh, is that so? Then I’ll have to win more prizes and earn plenty of money!" she replied, joining in the banter.

The three of them climbed into the car and set off for home. No distance could dampen the eagerness to rush back. No matter how long the journey, coming home was always a joy.

Wu Jingzhong hurried to the Jin family right after work. He truly couldn’t get away from his duties today and had missed the chance to pick up his daughter the moment she returned. It was the first time the child had been away for so long, and he was nearly beside himself with longing.

The moment the sound of a car stopping echoed at the door, everyone at home rushed out to greet them.

"Grandpa! Grandma! Dad! Auntie!" Wu Tong leapt from the car, calling out joyfully to each. Frequent calls and video chats could never compare to the feeling of seeing family in person. No matter how advanced technology became, nothing could ever replace the reality of being together.

"At last, you’re home!"

"Are you hungry? Tired? Dinner’s ready, and your room is all tidied up!" At that moment, everyone else faded into the background—Wu Tong was the real treasure.

After a shower, changed into comfortable home clothes, Wu Tong came downstairs holding a pair of scissors, calling out, "Dad, can you trim my hair for me?"

Her time at Jing University had kept her busy, and her hair had grown longer without her noticing. With the weather warming up, she wanted it cut short and thinned out for comfort.

Wu Tong had once loved long hair, nearly waist-length, though her hair had always been rather fine and soft. But over the past six months, with her dedication to morning exercise and the practice of a special breathing technique, her health had flourished. Her hair, too, had grown thick and lustrous, black as silk and finer than anything she’d envied in shampoo commercials.

But as her hair thickened, caring for it became burdensome. Washing and drying it took nearly an hour—far too troublesome.

"Sweetheart, you shouldn’t come down before your hair is dry—you’ll catch cold!" Her grandmother came over with a dry towel, wanting to help rub her hair.

"Grandma, I’m all grown up now. If you keep calling me 'Sweetheart,' I’ll blush so hard I could boil an egg on my face!" Wu Tong couldn’t help but cover her face at the sound of her old, embarrassing nickname. The black marks of childhood seemed always ready to resurface.

"Oh my, Tongtong can still blush! Hahaha—wasn’t that a nickname you invented for yourself when you were little?" Jin Yuan, carrying out a tray of sliced fruit, couldn’t help but burst out laughing at her words. The rest of the family joined in.

"Uncle, you’re not supposed to hit below the belt!" Wu Tong covered her face, wishing her elders would just forget, even for a moment.

She had been the apple of everyone’s eye as a child, speaking early and ruling her grandmother’s house like a little tyrant. Everyone had affectionately called her "Niuniu." Once she learned the word "baby," and heard other kids being called "Baobao," she invented her own nickname, "Sweetheart Niuniu." But her childish speech turned it into "Bao Niuniu," and the name stuck until she reached third grade. With her growing sense of shame, she finally convinced the family to switch to "Tongtong."

"Oh, go on now, can’t you see Tongtong’s embarrassed?" Xu Meifeng laughed and playfully tapped her husband, sending him back to the kitchen for more dishes.

"Tongtong, your hair is so beautiful—it’s a shame to cut it!" Xu Meifeng ran her fingers through Wu Tong’s hair. It was uncolored, unpermed, pure black, and silk-smooth—simply perfect.

She herself had once followed every fashion, dying and perming her hair until it turned rough and dry. Only in the past six months, after practicing the breathing exercises and yoga Wu Tong had taught her, had her hair and complexion improved. Even her husband, Jin Yuan, had become more attentive, afraid she might attract unwanted admirers when she went out. Not that he hadn’t cared before, but now he was noticeably more protective—a woman’s pride, indeed. She and her sisters-in-law had all benefited, sharing tips and experiences, even joining a group with older ladies whose white hair was turning black again.

"No, I’d rather not. Maybe, once I invent a machine that washes hair automatically, I’ll keep it long again!" Wu Tong had made up her mind to cut her hair, even though she’d been spared the trials of the notorious third year of high school.

"Tongtong, why don’t I take you to the hair salon?" Wu Jingzhong was a bit hesitant. His skills were old-fashioned, and with Tongtong about to study in the capital and compete on the world stage, he wasn’t sure his handiwork was up to par. "Which salon is best in town, Meifeng? Which one do you recommend?" Better to ask his in-laws than his wife, whose hair hadn’t changed styles in years.

"Just cut it, Dad. I trust you. Just trim it short and thin it out, like you used to. That’ll be fine!" Wu Tong had full faith in her father. He was quick and meticulous, always eager to learn new things. If something was simple, he’d master it in no time, and with enough practice, he’d do it well. Years ago, his haircutting skills had even helped pay her tuition. She didn’t need anything complicated—her father’s hands were more than enough. "I don’t like strangers messing with my hair," she added, giving him a reason he couldn’t refuse.

"Alright, let me give it a try!" Wu Jingzhong took the scissors and had her sit on a small stool, wrapping her in the cape her grandmother handed him.

As a child, Tongtong had refused to go to the salon, and it was always him who cut her hair at home. She only started going to hairdressers in middle school, and it had been years since his skills were last needed. If he left it a bit long, Tongtong could always have it fixed at a salon later.

"Dad, go ahead and cut boldly—I won’t cry anymore! Just make it shoulder-length, long enough to tie back." If it was too short, she wouldn’t like it; this length was just right and easy to manage. In fact, her simplest method was to snip straight across at shoulder length. But her father couldn’t bear to be so rough with his daughter’s precious hair. He carefully sectioned it, comb in hand, trimming little by little.

"Tongtong, you still don’t want anyone else touching your hair? When you’re out at school or work, you’ll have to take your father with you!" Xu Meifeng teased, giving up on recommending a salon.

"That’s right, Auntie! My brother is off serving the country, and who knows where he’ll end up. I’ll just have to work hard, and when you all retire, I’ll bring you to live with me—you can all dote on me, and make my brother jealous!" Wu Tong enjoyed her father’s care, her chatter undisturbed.

"You little traitor! I rushed all the way back, only to hear you plotting against me? A leaky cotton coat, I can’t count on you for warmth after all!" The voice arrived before the man himself. Jin Xin, wiping sweat from his brow, strode into the living room.

As the saying goes, speak of the devil and he appears. They’d only just mentioned Jin Xin, and he caught them in the act. The whole family burst out laughing.

(End of chapter)