In matters of daily life, Jiang Ci knew she couldn't compete with Zhou Mingli, who had a wealth of experience. Whatever he said went, and Jiang Ci only needed to nod in agreement.
After dinner, Jiang Ci bathed the two children and came out to see Zhou Mingli sitting in front of the basin, rubbing the clothes she had taken off.
He was clearly someone who was used to hand-washing clothes, and he knew to focus on scrubbing the areas that were easy to get dirty, leaving no spot untouched.
Despite having injuries, this person doesn't seem to mind doing housework at all.
Jiang Ci had never seen Zhou Mingli like this before, especially since they were already divorced. Her eyelids twitched slightly, and she raised her voice, saying, "I can wash my own clothes. You don't need to wash mine too."
Zhou Mingli turned to look at her. The two children had also finished bathing and were standing cleanly on either side of Jiang Ci, wearing sandals, like her bodyguards.
The setting sun cast an orange-yellow glow, and large swaths of fiery clouds piled up, bringing warmth and making even the sweltering summer feel milder.
He said, "You don't know how to do these things? Next time you change your clothes, we'll wash them together, and I'll teach you how."
Jiang Ci: Thank you.
Zhou Mingli hung the washed clothes on the clothesline. Among the clothes he washed were Jiang Ci's, his two children's, and his own. The clothes, big and small, swayed in the wind, adding a lively touch to the dilapidated house.
Zhou Mingli changed the hot water, moved a small stool over, and said to Jiang Ci, "Come here."
Jiang Ci sat on a small stool, bent over, and the nerve endings in her hair transmitted the sensation of Zhou Mingli touching her hair to her scalp and brain.
"There's only a little bit left to wash your hair, it's not very good, we'll buy better stuff tomorrow," Zhou Mingli's magnetic voice rang in Jiang Ci's ear.
"It's good enough to have something to wash my hair with. I'd like to get something better, but I don't know where to buy it."
Jiang Ci closed her eyes, letting Zhou Mingli gently gather her messy hair together.
The Zhou family didn't have a mirror, and Jiang Ci felt extremely disgusted with her reflection in the water every time she washed her face. She wasn't clean at all; her hair was messy, her skin was sallow, and she looked emaciated and malnourished.
Fortunately, the original owner still had some foundation; upon closer inspection, one could see from her sallow skin that her bone structure was good. Jiang Ci comforted herself, thinking that with some rest, she could still look good.
Having seen Jiang Ci in such a disheveled and pathetic state before, Zhou Mingli decided to give up and ignore it all.
Zhou Mingli removed her gauze, glanced at the scabbed back of her head, and, seemingly lost in thought, moved even more gently.
It has to be said that Jiang Ci is really rough around the edges; her hair is quite tangled. Even if Zhou Mingli doesn't want to use force, he still manages to tug at it, causing Jiang Ci to gasp for breath.
"I'll be gentler," Zhou Mingli said softly.
Jiang Ci frowned slightly and said to Zhou Mingli, "Go to Sister-in-law Yu's house and borrow a pair of scissors."
The Zhou family didn't even have a pair of scissors.
Zhou Mingli listened to Jiang Ci and nodded. After getting up, he added, "Don't wash yourself. Wait for me to come back."
"I know, go ahead."
When Zhou Lao Er came to borrow scissors, Sister-in-law Yu immediately became wary and looked at Zhou Mingli with hostility. "What do you want to borrow scissors for? Let me tell you, I won't lend you anything that could hurt someone."
Zhou Mingli was helpless and had no choice but to explain in a low voice, "I borrowed it to get a haircut."
Sister-in-law Yu was still not quite convinced. Her eyes darted around, and finally she turned around and went home, carrying a cloth bag. She said, "I'll go back with you and see for myself. I definitely won't let you have these scissors."
As long as she was willing to let them use it, Zhou Mingli didn't say anything even though he was being wary, and went home with Sister-in-law Yu.
The Zhou family didn't have a courtyard; you could see right through it. Jiang Ci, who had just taken a bath, was sitting on a small stool with a twig in her hand, drawing something on the ground.
"Jiang Ci! Do you need to borrow some scissors?" Aunt Yu's voice was loud; Jiang Ci heard her call even before she got close.
She put down the branch she was holding and stood up. "Yes, didn't Zhou Mingli tell you?"
Sister-in-law Yu glanced at Zhou Mingli and said in a low voice, "I wouldn't dare lend your man the scissors. What if he takes them home and stabs you?"
Zhou Lao Er was a notorious good-for-nothing and shameless scoundrel in the village. He was the kind of person who would hold a grudge and seek revenge. If you angered him, he would really stab you twice!
Sister-in-law Yu didn't trust him and didn't dare to provoke Zhou Lao Er easily, so she could only whisper to Jiang Ci to tell her to be more careful.
Jiang Ci felt helpless and told Sister-in-law Yu what she had been whispering to the older women earlier.
She pointed to Zhou Mingli, who was covered in injuries and bandaged, and said, "Look at his injuries. This is evidence that he was beaten. This afternoon I went to work, and the two children stayed at home with him without any problems."
Sister-in-law Yu was skeptical, but Jiang Ci looked completely at ease. This was their family's life, so Sister-in-law Yu didn't say much, only asking, "Are you borrowing the scissors to make clothes?"
"No... Look at my hair, it's all tangled and I can't comb it. I just want to cut it off so it'll be easier to manage."
Jiang Ci's hair was rough and frizzy, like withered grass. Sister-in-law Yu understood after seeing it.
She exclaimed, "What's the big deal? I'll cut it for you!"
Jiang Ci was somewhat surprised. Sister-in-law Yu said with a serious face, "What? You don't believe in my skills? I learned to cut hair from my father. If it weren't for the tight policies these past few years, I wouldn't be staying at home."
"Oh, no, it's my fault for troubling you. I feel bad for causing you so much trouble before." Jiang Ci laughed. "I didn't expect you to have this skill. You're really lucky to have it."
Jiang Ci sat down confidently and said, "You cut it, I trust you."
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