After tidying up the kitchen, Liu Ming'an dried his hands, lifted the curtain, and stepped out to see Jiang Ning sitting on the edge of the bed. Her soft, flowing hair cascaded down her back as she combed through it with her fingers.
Hearing the noise, Jiang Ning turned around and asked, "Do you have scissors?"
Liu Ming'an rummaged through the cupboard and handed her the scissors his mother used for tailoring, puzzled about what she needed them for. To his surprise, Jiang Ning took the scissors and was about to cut off a handful of her hair from the side of her face.
Liu Ming'an's heart skipped a beat, and his hand reacted faster than his brain, grabbing Jiang Ning's scissor-wielding hand. "Jiang Ning!"
She stopped and looked at him emotionlessly, "What?"
As she spoke, she effortlessly broke free from his grasp.
"Why would you cut your hair all of a sudden?" Liu Ming'an asked, bewildered.
"It's too long; it gets in the way."
"Just braid it, how can it be in the way?"
"I don't know how."
Jiang Ning said offhandedly. Liu Ming'an's suggestion to braid her hair, like the Third Great Aunt who used cloth strips and wooden pins to keep her hair up, indeed made sense for ease of movement without interference.
However, Jiang Ning, a modern woman with waist-length hair, lacked the skills to style it elaborately and had no hair ties or clips; her long hair was nothing but a hassle.
As Jiang Ning raised the scissors again, Liu Ming'an quickly said, "I can do it."
Holding the scissors, Jiang Ning quietly watched him.
"Jiang Ning, one's hair and skin are inherited from one's parents; cutting it off casually isn't quite proper. Besides, your hair is so black, shiny, and smooth—many women would envy such beautiful hair. It would be a pity to cut it off..."
Nonsense! Jiang Ning looked at the scholar trying to persuade her and interrupted his lengthy discourse, "You just said, you can?"
Liu Ming'an nodded, somewhat awkwardly, "If you don't mind, I can help you."
Jiang Ning didn't care whether her hair was long or short, but Liu Ming'an's nervous demeanor suggested that in this era, a woman with short hair might be considered outrageous. Better to avoid trouble if possible, and since Liu Ming'an was willing to help, why not let him?
She put the scissors aside and turned her back to him, "Please do."
Liu Ming'an breathed a sigh of relief, took out a wooden comb and a hair tie from the box, and stood behind Jiang Ning, ready to comb her hair.
However, as Liu Ming'an reached out to lift her hair, Jiang Ning instinctively tensed up, like a bow drawn tight, ready to spring.
People who live on the edge never expose their backs to others.
Liu Ming'an noticed her sudden change, and for a moment, Jiang Ning felt to him like an unsheathed sword, her cold edge sending a shiver through his heart.
"What's wrong?" Liu Ming'an couldn't help asking.
Jiang Ning breathed out quietly, slowly relaxing, and replied, "It's nothing."
Guessing she might not be used to being so close to someone, Liu Ming'an stepped back slightly, then picked up the comb and ran it from her scalp to the ends of her hair. After smoothing her hair, he skillfully wove the hair tie through her locks with the hands of a calligrapher.
Jiang Ning initially thought that coiling her hair would be a hassle, and was prepared to let Liu Ming'an fiddle with it for half an hour. However, after only two to three minutes, Liu Ming'an's voice came from above her head: "It's done."
So quickly?
Jiang Ning wondered inwardly, instinctively reaching up to touch her own head.
At this point, Liu Ming'an took a mirror out of the box, holding it up so she could clearly see herself.
Looking at her reflection, this was the second time Jiang Ning had looked at herself since her rebirth. Her face was exactly the same as before her death. Her burn marks had healed due to the medicinal springs, leaving her skin fair and clear without a scar. However, her overall appearance was younger, about sixteen or seventeen years old.
The loose hair on the side of her face had been gathered by Liu Ming'an and tied back, combed into a small bun, with the remaining hair cascading down to her waist. Her hair did not obstruct her sight nor hinder her movement, yet it portrayed an exquisite image of classic beauty.
Jiang Ning was very satisfied, she moved her gaze from the mirror and looked into Liu Ming'an's eyes, saying seriously, "It looks very good. Thank you."
Liu Ming'an packed away the scissors, comb, and mirror, offering a slight smile, "It's nothing. I often helped my mother comb her hair in the past. I will help you from now on. You don't need to think about cutting your hair anymore."
Jiang Ning responded with a soft hum. Then, as if sensing something, turned to look out the window. A young girl was carrying a basket and walking in their direction. Judging by her trajectory, she seemed to be coming for Liu Ming'an.
The girl happened to glance in Jiang Ning's direction. Jiang Ning reacted swiftly, immediately moving to the other side, out of her sightline.
"Jiang Ning?" Liu Ming'an asked, puzzled by her sudden change in movement.
Jiang Ning's glance directed him to look outside. After seeing He Yiyi standing outside the yard, Liu Ming'an understood.
"She has come to look for you, hasn't she? Don’t let her see me," Jiang Ning said in a lowered voice.
Liu Ming'an nodded, opened the door, and went out, leaving Jiang Ning inside the house.
"Ming'an brother!" He Yiyi's youthful voice rang out, her joy being easily discerned.
"Yiyi, are you looking for me? What's the matter?" Liu Ming'an's soothing voice followed.
Jiang Ning subtly peeped from the edge of the window while staying concealed, observing the situation outside.
"My mother asked me to find you to write a letter, tell elder brother to come home on the fifteenth of this month, and on the way back, to buy some wine, meat, and sweet pastries," answered He Yiyi.
"Is it because someone is visiting your home?" Liu Ming'an casually asked.
Seeing He Yiyi laughed, her eyes squinting with joy, she replied, "A matchmaker has brought a marriage proposal for my brother from someone in Peach Blossom Village. On the sixteenth, their family will come to meet ours."
"I see, congratulations!"
While they were talking, the two walked to the entrance, located just a few steps away from Jiang Ning.
Liu Ming'an stopped in his tracks, looking at He Yiyi and said, "Yiyi, I won't invite you inside. You can wait here, and I will bring the letter out once it's finished."
He Yiyi was slightly taken aback, the smile on her face faded a bit, "Is it because of that poor girl?"
Liu Ming'an hummed in agreement, not saying much more. Merely stating, "It will be fine soon," he pushed the door open, entered the room, and carefully closed it behind him, preventing He Yiyi from glimpsing the situation inside.
Inside the room, Jiang Ning leaned against the wall, quietly watching him. Liu Ming'an smiled at her, moved to the other side to collect brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone, and laid them out on the table. He then lifted a small jar to fetch a bottle of clear water from the kitchen before starting to prepare for writing a letter.
Witnessing Liu Ming'an's actions, Jiang Ning thought for a moment, walked over, and sat down next to him. She took over the bottle in his hand, poured some water into the ink stone, then serenely picked up the ink stick and started to grind ink.
Liu Ming'an watched Jiang Ning with surprise in his eyes. Her movements were steady and unhurried, her demeanor poised and adept, indicating she was not a novice.
How many girls from ordinary families knew how to grind ink? Jiang Ning's articulate manner further suggested she had been educated. What could her background be? And about her injury? Could someone possibly recover that quickly?
...
Liu Ming'an found himself entranced as he watched the thick, dark ink seep out from under the inkstick in Jiang Ning's hand.
Jiang Ning noticed his gaze, looked up at him with indifferent eyes, unsure of why he was dawdling. After a while, Liu Ming'an was still staring blankly at the ink, so Jiang Ning had no choice but to tap her finger on the table.
"Knock! Knock!"
The sound snapped Liu Ming'an back to reality. Jiang Ning's eyes, clear and emotionless, gazed at him. Her lips, red as cherries, parted slightly as she gently reminded him, "There's still someone waiting outside."
Liu Ming'an offered an embarrassed smile, sat down on the stool, dipped his brush in the ink, and began to write on the paper.