Leaving My An, I went to a nearby barber in the market instead of heading home right away. Remember what Ban said, "My workers must be clean and organized. So take this money and have a haircut before showing up tomorrow."
I walked into the shop and the left and right walls were just mirrors. Looking at myself, I realized that since I came to South City seven years ago, I have never had a haircut. Holding my very long hair that was neatly tied by Ly Giai. If it wasn't for her who combed and tied my hair every morning, it would be dry, messy, and dirty. She urged me for a haircut too, but I declined again and again, feeling uncomfortable giving up the hair that had been with me for years.
Even now, standing inside the barbershop, I was thinking of just heading out.
"Young man, I haven't seen someone with such long hair before. Are you hair for a cut?" A middle-aged man greeted me.
"Hello," I replied. I just got a job, and the boss wants me to look clean and organized, but this hair has been with me for so long…"
"I see," the man nodded and squinted his eyes as he walked in circles around me. "If you feel uncomfortable having it too short, I can trim it down and give you a long hairstyle."
I thought and agreed. "Please do that for me."
…
Next, I went to a clothing shop. This was what Ban said. "My workers can't look like they are homeless." He said and gave me another bag of coins.
"But I will wear a uniform like the others. Why do I need new clothes?"
"What would happen if a business partner of mine sees one of my workers coming to work with rags? That will hurt my reputation," he explained. "Take this money and buy new clothes."
I went to a clothing shop and asked one of the workers to pick clothes for me. When I handed them the coins for payment, they asked, "Is that from Boss Ban?"
I was surprised. "Yes. How do you know?"
The worker pointed at the printing on the bag and said, "He owns this shop, and this design on the bag is only used when we are giving money to a worker. I give that you are a new employee?"
"Yes, I was just accepted today. He is telling me to buy new clothes before working tomorrow."
The worker looked at my appearance again and smiled. "You need new clothes. We have a rule to lower the price by one-fourth for fellow Boss Ban's workers. So this money can buy you four sets of clothes."
…
I ended up only buying two sets, thinking I wouldn't need up to four. I was about to head out of the market, but the sight of a butcher shop caught my eye. I heard Ban's voice again. "Tomorrow will be hell for you," he said, handing me the third bag. "Feed yourself and have a good sleep. Be here at 6 am tomorrow."
I squinted my eyes and checked, "Are you sure you are running a business and not a charity?"
Ban heard it and laughed. "What's the fun in making money when my workers are miserable? My way of business is not the same as others."
Standing at the butcher shop, I opened the third bag and counted. "And that makes the total ten silver coins. That's a roundabout way to give back our month's rent."
After buying some meat and other ingredients for the day, I headed home with a handful of food and clothes.
I came home and was preparing dinner until the door opened. A certain hum could be heard as someone was entering. I felt the footstep as they came to the kitchen.
*something dropped*
I turned around, and saw Si was standing there with his eyes and mouth open wide.
"Ah! Sorry Mister. Wrong house!" he bowed, picked up the school bag he dropped, and ran out of the house quickly. I giggled and found his running so cute.
I stopped preparing, washed my hands, and stood there waiting for what I expected.
A short while later, Si stormed back into the house. "I wasn't wrong, this is my house! Who the hell are you?!" he yelled with his feet spreading wide, a hand on his hip with the other pointing at me.
I couldn't control myself anymore and laughed, "Ph! Ha Ha Ha!"
"What… What are you laughing at? Who are you and why are you in my house?" he questioned.
"Si, this isn't only your house." I had a hard time talking and laughing at the same time. "Also. Don't try acting tough. That's too funny ha ha!"
"You… you know my name?" he was confused.
"Yeah," I was able to stop laughing. "Look at me. Who am I?"
Si squinted his eyes and observed me, he even walked around me to assess.
"You are… a parent of my friend in school?" was his answer.
I almost fell. This little bastard didn't even recognize me. I couldn't help but flick his head. "All my food was wasted on you. Look at me again."
"Ouch!" he rubbed his forehead while analyzing me again. His eyes then went wide. "You are… Do?`" That was the moment I had been waiting for.
"There you go. Not an absolute idiot," I teased.
"You don't look like a creep anymore!" Si excitedly jumped.
I stumbled. This kid somehow always has a comeback.
"What's all the sound? Is there something fun?" Ly Giai also came back.
"Ly Giai!" Si ignored me and ran to her. "Look! There's a stranger in the house! He's a creep! Kick him out!" he told her.
This kid, now even pretending not to know me, but I must say, his acting was good. He teared up like he was genuinely scared.
Ly Giai saw me and told him. "Don't be scared. That is just Do after a haircut," she gently replied.
Immediately, Si changed his expression and jumped back. "You noticed right away?" I was surprised as well. She only glanced at me.
"Of course. How could I not notice with just a haircut?" she said while looking at me. I looked at her too, and my heart melted, and my face was red hot.
Si squinted his eyes. He looked at me, then Ly Giai, then me again. "I… I forgot my pen at school. I'll be back," he said and sprinted out.
Ly Giai and I looked at each other and laughed. He is such a kid.