Courtyard House: Become Stronger Through Blind Dates

"Young man, would you like a haircut?" the experienced barber asked as he brushed the stray hairs off the chair.

"Give me a haircut, something neat and presentable." He Yuzhu sat down in the chair.

The master craftsman picked up the apron, gave it a quick shake, and then tied it on for him.

He examined He Yuzhu's original hairstyle and asked, "Would you like to cut your hair shorter, or...?"

He Yuzhu gritted his teeth and said, "Master, could you please shave my sideburns bald and cut the hair on top short, so it stands up, the more energetic the better!"

As he spoke, he gestured with his hand to make an outline resembling a spiky hairstyle from later times.

The old craftsman's hands, holding the comb and scissors, froze in mid-air as he looked at He Yuzhu with a surprised expression.

He thought he'd misheard: "Shaving the sides? Standing on top? Young man, are you...are you sure? This hairstyle...is quite unusual!"

These days, the most common men's hairstyles are buzz cuts, side cuts, or simply shaved heads.

Shaved sides and short hair on top – this style was considered a bit too unconventional by experienced hairdressers.

"Yes, yes!" He Yuzhu nodded vigorously. "Just cut it the way I said, and I'll pay you as usual!"

Seeing his resolute attitude, the old master stopped trying to persuade him, but still looked at He Yuzhu with a strange gaze.

He picked up the scraper, hesitated for a moment, and then began to scrape.

He Yuzhu watched as his sideburns quickly turned shiny in the mirror, and felt a strange little excitement in his heart.

After shaving both sides, the stylist picked up scissors and carefully trimmed and thinned the hair on top, trying to achieve the effect He Yuzhu wanted.

Throughout the haircut, He Yuzhu could clearly feel the stylist pausing to watch for a while after making a few cuts.

After everything was finished, the master craftsman picked up a small round mirror and placed it behind He Yuzhu's head so that he could see the effect from behind.

"Alright, young comrade, how about this?"

He Yuzhu looked at the mirror with anticipation.

With just one glance, the expectation on his face froze instantly, then crumbled little by little, and finally turned completely black, like the bottom of a pot.

The person in the mirror... does look more energetic, but this "energy" is not the same as that "energy"!

His originally honest and simple face, paired with his current hairstyle, has completely changed his temperament!

He used to look older, but he had a kind and honest appearance. Now he looks like someone who has just been released from prison.

The hairstyle amplifies the rebellious air about him, even adding a touch of fierceness.

"This...this is me?" He Yuzhu's lips twitched, and he almost fainted.

Ideal is full, the reality is very skinny.

The spirited young man he imagined didn't appear; instead, a gangster from a courtyard house emerged.

Seeing his stiff expression, the experienced mechanic felt a little uneasy and asked in a low voice, "Um... young man, how about... I fix it for you again?"

He Yuzhu suppressed his frustration and waved his hand, "No need, master, that's fine... How much?"

"One thousand... never mind, give me five hundred!" the old master craftsman said.

He Yuzhu silently paid a thousand yuan, sporting his new hairstyle, and fled the barbershop as if escaping.

Standing at the street corner, a cold wind blew, making his scalp feel chilly; he felt like crying.

"Oh well, a haircut only makes you look ugly for a few days. It'll probably be fine once it grows out a bit more..." He Yuzhu comforted herself, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Out of sight, out of mind. As long as I don't look in the mirror, it's others who are disgusting!"

Thinking about it this way, he immediately felt much better.

Now that I've already cut my hair, I have to take a bath too.

He remembered there was an old-fashioned bathhouse nearby, and followed his memory to find it.

After paying the fee, receiving the badge and towel, I lifted the heavy cotton curtain and found an empty spot to put my clean clothes away.

He stripped naked, grabbed a towel and toiletries, and rushed into the bathtub.

The pool was filled with mist, and many naked men were soaking in it.

The moment the scalding hot water enveloped his body, he almost groaned in pleasure.

Of all the days he'd been here, this moment was the most comfortable he'd ever felt.

He closed his eyes, leaned against the pool, and enjoyed this rare moment of relaxation.

He Yuzhu only found a bath attendant after soaking until his whole body was red and his muscles and bones felt weak. The attendant cleaned away all the accumulated grime that had been there for who knows how long.

After changing into the clean clothes he had brought, He Yuzhu felt several pounds lighter as he walked out of the bathhouse.

As dusk fell, lights were turned on in every household in the courtyard.

As soon as He Yuzhu entered the front yard, he bumped into Yan Bugui, who was about to go out to get water.

Yan Bugui was holding an enamel basin when he looked up and saw He Yuzhu's new look.

He was stunned for a moment, staring at He Yuzhu, his mouth opening and closing, before finally letting out a gasp: "Zhu...Zhuzi?! You...you...your hair...how...how did you get such a...haircut?!"

Seeing Yan Bugui's ghost-like expression, He Yuzhu's slight unease instantly vanished.

He deliberately touched his hair and grinned, "Teacher Yan, what's wrong? Don't you recognize me? Haha, do I look especially energetic after getting a new hairstyle?"

Looking at He Yuzhu's smile and hairstyle, Yan Bugui felt a chill run down his spine.

His lips twitched violently. Remembering the two scallions He Yuzhu had given him a few days ago, he swallowed back the comment that was about to come out of his mouth.

He forced a smile that looked more like a grimace, and nodded reluctantly, saying, "Yes...yes, I'm...quite a bit more energetic..."

After saying that, as if afraid that He Yuzhu would discuss the hairstyle issue with him again, he stopped pouring water, turned around and went back into his own house, slamming the door shut.

He Yuzhu watched Yan Bugui's hasty retreat, then touched his head and finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"Looks like it worked well~" He was in a great mood, humming a little tune, and strolled back to his home in the central courtyard.

Well, as long as I'm not embarrassed, it's others who are embarrassed.

Back home, He Yuzhu rubbed his rumbling stomach and realized he hadn't eaten dinner yet.

Taking a bath is relaxing, but it also takes a lot of energy.

He heated up the leftovers from lunch and started eating.

The house next door, belonging to Yi Zhonghai~

Yi Zhonghai peered out the window, watching He Yuzhu finish heating up the dishes and return to the house before sitting back down.

His wife asked, "Old Yi, Dongxu is going on a blind date tomorrow, should we...?"

Yi Zhonghai thought for a moment and said, "Just like before, you go and buy half a pound of meat first thing tomorrow morning. If Dongxu likes it, you deliver the meat to him; if Dongxu doesn't like it, we'll marinate the meat ourselves and eat it slowly."

"Okay..." His wife happily agreed, based on past experience, the meat would probably be eaten by their own family.