Tony Hu

The two chatted while their hands never stopped, quickly tidying up the bowls, chopsticks, and plates, and taking them to the kitchen stove for Yuhou's wife to wash.

Lanxiang and Lanhua, on the side, picked up the remaining food, neatly arranging it into two dishes and bowls for storage, planning to have it for dinner so they wouldn't need to cook more.

Afterward, Zhao Dongchuan went straight back to his cave dwelling.

He had agreed with Sun Shaoan to set off together in about an hour to Shigejie Street to buy things.

After half a day of work and sweating a bit, Zhao Dongchuan returned and boiled a pot of water. While the water was boiling, he practiced a round of Wuqinxi. Once he finished, the water was ready, so he simply wiped himself down and changed clothes.

He checked his watch; it was almost time, so he walked toward Sun Shaoan's house.

"Shaoan, let's go, time to set off!"

"Coming, coming!" Sun Shaoan quickly tidied his satchel, slung it over his back, and called out in a hurry.

Just like that, Zhao Dongchuan rode his bicycle, with Sun Shaoan on the back, and the two headed towards Shigejie Street.

The weather was already very cold, and both wore thick cotton padded jackets, moving forward in the biting wind. Zhao Dongchuan was a bit better; his physical fitness was strong, so he didn't feel much.

Sun Shaoan's face, however, was red from the cold, and his hands were tucked into his sleeves, rubbing for warmth.

The surrounding yellow earth was frozen as hard as rocks, which made cycling a bit easier.

At this time of year, the mountains were covered in withered branches and fallen leaves, a scene of desolation. Occasionally, flocks of crows flew by, circling over the dry fields on the mountain, searching for tiny specks of food.

The Dongla River had long since frozen over, its surface covered with a layer of yellow earth, making it look dull and gray.

Zhao Dongchuan and Sun Shaoan, riding together, moved like two tiny ants, diligently advancing across the vast and desolate yellow earth plateau.

Once the bicycle got going, its speed was not slow, and before long, the two arrived at Shigejie Street.

Sun Shaoan let go of his hands, jumped off the bike.

"Xiao Zhao, do you want to come with me to the supply and marketing cooperative or look around by yourself?"

"I need to buy some tobacco and alcohol for the wedding, and also some mulberry paper to cover the windows…"

Zhao Dongchuan nodded and said, "Let's go together!"

Then the two went together to the Shigejie Supply and Marketing Cooperative. Sun Shaoan queued up and bought over a dozen bottles of decent bottled liquor, seven or eight cartons of cigarettes, and several stacks of mulberry paper.

He then noticed some newly arrived seasonings and bought some of those too, planning to use them to entertain guests when he got back.

Although Zhao Dongchuan didn't lack supplies at the moment, since he was there, it was a good idea to strategically stock up a bit. So he also bought some tobacco, alcohol, and non-staple foods, putting them into his satchel.

Although these items weren't many, they still cost him over ten yuan, as he hadn't bought any cheap goods.

After buying their things, the two walked out of the supply and marketing cooperative.

"We've bought pretty much everything. Do you want to browse around or go straight back?" Sun Shaoan tidied his satchel and turned to ask Zhao Dongchuan.

"Shaoan, aren't you forgetting something?" Zhao Dongchuan said with a smile.

"What is it?"

"You're about to be a groom! Shouldn't you get a haircut and tidy yourself up?" Zhao Dongchuan raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying.

"Oh, you're right about that, but getting a haircut is too expensive, I'm a bit reluctant!" Sun Shaoan scratched his messy, dog-chewed-like hair, a little embarrassed, and said.

"Come on, I'll go with you, my treat!" Zhao Dongchuan generously patted his chest.

"How can that be? I can't let you pay. You're right, I really should look more presentable. A wedding is only once in a lifetime, so I still need to tidy up!"

As they spoke, the two walked to the only barbershop on Shigejie Street. The barbershop was called "Youth Barbershop," and Hu Delu was the professional barber of Shigangjie, who had given countless people "bowl cuts."

Zhao Dongchuan surveyed the small barbershop. Although the place wasn't big, the tools were quite complete. On the walls were fashionable men's and women's hairstyle model photos, and in the center of the main wall hung a portrait of Chairman Mao.

The two entered the shop and saw the barber, Hu Delu, cutting a man's hair. They waited on the side.

"Almost done, you two, have a seat first!" Master Hu saw the customers arrive and greeted them without stopping his work.

After waiting a short while, Hu Delu finished a "bowl cut," completed the final touches, collected the money, and then spoke to Zhao Dongchuan and Sun Shaoan.

"Which of you two is first?"

"Let Shaoan go first; he's about to be a new son-in-law, so he needs a good makeover!" Zhao Dongchuan said from the side, smiling.

It didn't matter if it was a little earlier or later, so Sun Shaoan didn't fuss and sat directly in the barber's chair.

"Alright, I'll definitely give you a good haircut!" Master Hu said with a chuckle, shaking the white cloth in his hand and tying it around Sun Shaoan's neck.

Then he took out a razor and comb and began to shave Shaoan's hair.

Zhao Dongchuan pulled out a handful of melon seeds from his bag, crossed his legs, and munched on the seeds while watching the birth of a "Shaoan Edition Bowl Cut."

As Hu Delu's razor danced up and down, a fashionable hairstyle was quickly born.

Zhao Dongchuan put away his melon seeds and said with a smile, "Shaoan, this hairstyle really suits you, you look very handsome!"

Hu Delu took out a basin, filled it with clean water, and with soap, washed Sun Shaoan's hair again.

And indeed, after the haircut and a wash, Sun Shaoan looked even more handsome.

Sun Shaoan touched his head and said with a chuckle, "Enough about me, it's your turn~~"

Zhao Dongchuan's hair was also quite long. If he wasn't someone who didn't do farm work and ate public food, he would have long been pointed at and called "improper."

The last time, he had gone to a barbershop in Huangyuan City for a haircut. The master there was an old hand and gave him a middle part, which was gradually becoming popular in the city.

Now, several months had passed, and his hair had grown long. If he didn't cut it soon, he might really be mistaken for a hooligan and arrested.

"Alright, since I'm here, Tony, give me a hairstyle too. Just shave the sides flat, the back flat, and leave a bit on top to trim!" Zhao Dongchuan said with a smile to Hu Delu.

"What 'Tony'? Why 'Tony'? Just sit down!" Hu Delu was confused, wondering.

"Uh........."

"Nothing, Master Hu, let's begin!" Zhao Dongchuan replied with a smile.

According to Zhao Dongchuan's request, Hu Delu began to cut his hair.

Although he didn't understand what kind of hairstyle it was, skill was skill. He could perfectly create a satisfactory effect according to the customer's requirements.

Zhao Dongchuan was very satisfied with the hairstyle he saw in the mirror.

"Mm-hmm, not bad, it has that look. Truly worthy of being the Tony of Shigejie Street!"

Afterward, Zhao Dongchuan also washed his hair, wiping his face, feeling refreshed.

"Comrade, did you come up with this hairstyle yourself? It looks surprisingly good!" Hu Delu asked with a chuckle while tidying his tools.