Chapter 82 - New Hairstyle

When Shangguan Ning reached the end of the pile of papers, she finally put them down. She made a log of Jing Yichen’s time spent out of office. She also made a log of his phone calls with her.

That was to say, when he had made the call to her, he was still in Africa without that woman.

Time passes quickly when one has a job to do. Hours ticked by. At the end of the exercise, Ning realised that Jing Yichen was in Africa for most of his time away. He must’ve been in America for less than half a day, counting travel time to get there from Africa.

She knew that he hadn’t even been able to get enough rest during that time. Everyone envied Jing Yichen and his position in the hierarchy, but no one was aware of how hard he worked or how much effort he had to put in, everyday.

Not even his own wife.

Shangguan Ning ran her fingers over Jing Yichen’s notes. His handwriting.

Soon, it was time to leave for home.

Shangguan Ning put away all the documents, and added a post it at the page from where she intended to continue tomorrow. She pulled out her car and drove home.

She still couldn’t get over Tang Yun. Despite having such a hectic time abroad, Jing Yichen still made time to fetch Tang Yun from America. How could he do this to Ning?

Suddenly, a salon caught Shangguan Ning’s eye, whilst driving. The board outside it read, ‘what he loved was an extraordinary you!’

The tall and handsome hairdresser’s eyes sparkled at the sight of her. He greeted her proficiently, “Beauty, what hairstyle do you want? Cutting or perming?”

Shangguan Ning stared at her reflection in the mirror, at the hairdresser’s store. She looked at her long hair, the hair she had lovingly nurtured for many years.

She said lightly, “A haircut please.”

An hour later, she walked out of the store, and looked nothing short of outstanding.

Shangguan Ning went back to her car and ran her fingers through her bob cut styled hair. She felt weird. She was so used to her long lustrous locks. She had always had long hair since she was little. She had never cut her hair short.

She had thought that she would feel sad, having gotten rid of her long hair. Strangely though, she felt liberated and relaxed. She was glad that she had had the courage to make this change. The hair touched the nape of her neck and accentuated her delicate facial features.

Shangguan Ning was about drive home when she received a call stating that the apartment she bought earlier, had just run into some problems.

The resident living below her apartment complained that water was leaking out of her ceiling , and she suspected that it could be because the water pipe in Shangguan Ning’s flat may have exploded.

Shangguan Ning had not yet lived in the apartment after she had bought it. She realised that she had to go and rectify the problem right away. The water pipes needed to be checked urgently.

When she got there, the repairmen confirmed that there was no issue with the water connection in her house. The pipes were all fine except for an apparent water track on one of the walls.

The repairmen said positively, “It is not your water pipe, it should be your neighbors’.”

Shangguan Ning was relieved.

She was about to leave after she had tidied up the apartment, when someone walked in unexpectedly. In the absence of much else to defend herself, Shangguan Ning picked up a mop. She was startled at the sight of the guest. “What are you doing here?”

It was Jing Yichen. The moment he saw Shangguan Ning , he was startled too and fumbled for words.

Her long hair had made way for a sharp bob, that went all the way up until her neck. It curled up a bit at the bottom, highlighting her exquisite chin. Her hair had been dyed dark brown and sparkled like silk, in the sunlight.

“Why did you cut your hair?” asked Jing Yichen curiously. Initially, he was upset that she had let go of her crowning glory but this haircut made her look so fresh.

He stretched out his hands to touch her beautiful hair, but she turned away from him.

“Who says I can’t have a hair cut, whenever I choose to? Is it illegal? Or is it that it bothers you because you have a fetish for long hair?” Shangguan Ning said, in annoyance.

“What fetish? Jing Yichen asked.

But he suddenly realized what he was going to say after being stimulated by her.

“You are getting bolder every day. How dare you leave home? Come home with me, now. Just because you have a new hairstyle, and a new attitude to compliment it, don’t think you can go around town, doing as you please. Your hairstyle doesn’t matter to me. Even if you were to go bald, IEven if you are completely bald with no hair left, you are still my woman, and you are still living with me!”

Shangguan Ning didn’t expect this reaction out of him. She didn’t think that he would profess his love for her. His words brought down her defences.

“Your woman? Just because I spent a few nights with you, I become your woman? I have been with you only for a few months. Maybe you’ll find someone new and replace me too. Honestly, I just think I should live here. This is my home. I’m sure you don’t need me, now that there are other people basking in your attention.”

She kept mentioning “long hair” and finally the smart Jing Yichen realized the point.

He immediately asked, “What long hair girls? You cut your hair for this? You think that I married you because of your long black hair?”

He pulled out his phone and made a call, speaking discreetly.

Shangguan Ning ignored him, and turned around to walk into the bathroom with the mop.

Thirty minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Shangguan Ning answered and found Tiger there. He bowed and handed her a small docket.

She looked at Jing Yichen with scepticism. He said to her, “Take it. It’s for you.”

She took the docket and opened it. In it, she found the ownership papers and the Property Certificate of their home in Landscape Compound. This was the home that she and Jing Yichen lived in currently. She was aghast at what she saw. The house had been transferred to her name. Only hers. Jing Yichen wasn’t even the joint owner.

Shangguan Ning stared at this man in front of her. She never intended to leave their home, but Jing Yichen had misunderstood. She was already upset with him and wanted to irk him, so she had continued to play along , just to see what he had to say. But things had suddenly turned serious.

Wasn’t he worried that she would sell the apartment and leave after she got the ownership? She wondered how had he managed to transfer the ownership and get all these formalities done, at this late hour of the day. The Real Estate Bureau would’ve already shut for the day, a few hours ago.

Jing Yichen was leaning against the door and said calmly, “Alright, the apartment is yours now. It is your home. You can allow anyone in and drive anyone out. One thing is for sure though.. those with long, black hair will definitely not be allowed in.They must all get out.”

Ning smiled finally. Jing Yichen seized and the moment and asked,”Are we done arguing now? Can we go home please? Your home? Will you allow me in? ”

“Well, since the apartment is mine now, we can go home.” Shangguan Ning patted the Certificate and walked out one step faster.