Hu Tong Episode 23 Recap
> Hu Tong Recap
Government officials convened a meeting to address the issues at the night market, a direct result of an article written by Sun Xiaomin. A leader at the meeting acknowledged that the problems, including insufficient care for self-employed individuals and unsatisfactory sanitary conditions, were real issues at the Xidan night market.
Various department heads quickly pledged to rectify the situation, and the leader urged them to engage in face-to-face discussions with self-employed individuals like Sun Xiaomin to create a more humane rectification plan that genuinely serves the people. Lin Weidong and Sun Xiaomin’s hair salon officially opened its doors, welcoming a continuous stream of customers. The salon was so busy that Sun Xiaomin had to personally assist in washing hair, much to Lin Weidong’s concern for her hands.
Sun Xiaomin suggested they hire another master barber, not only to accommodate more customers but also to temper Ahua’s increasingly arrogant demeanor towards clients. Lin Weidong approached Ahua about the idea, explaining it would reduce his workload and not affect his income, but Ahua firmly refused.
Realizing Ahua's stubbornness, Sun Xiaomin decided she needed to go to Guangzhou herself to find a new barber, emphasizing that she wanted to assess not just their skills but also their character, to avoid hiring someone with an attitude similar to Ahua’s. Lin Weidong, seeing her determination, agreed to her trip and urged her to be safe. In Guangzhou, Sun Xiaomin met with Xiaoli, who took her to various hair salons.
During a visit, Sun Xiaomin had her hair styled by a barber named Awen. She was impressed by his careful and enthusiastic service. Awen shared that he had been in the industry for over three years, having learned from a Hong Kong master after high school. Sun Xiaomin then invited Awen to morning tea, where she offered him a position at her hair salon in Beijing. Awen revealed he knew Ahua, who was already working there.
Sun Xiaomin explained that their salon had good business but only one barber, leading to long waits for customers. Awen was curious about Beijing, and Sun Xiaomin encouraged him, stating that while Beijing might not be as prosperous as Guangzhou yet, it was an emerging market, and his talent was needed there. Inspired by her words, Awen gladly accepted the offer to work in Beijing. Upon their return to Beijing, Lin Weidong warmly welcomed Awen.
Awen greeted Ahua, who responded with a cold indifference. Sun Xiaomin invited both Awen and Ahua to dinner that evening, but Ahua protested, making it clear he did not approve of Awen's hiring. Sun Xiaomin stood her ground, declaring that Awen would stay and Ahua could choose to remain or find work elsewhere. Faced with her resolve, Ahua reluctantly conceded. Awen's exceptional skills and amiable attitude quickly attracted more customers, causing the salon's business to soar.
Lin Weidong was thrilled, noting that the salon's income had doubled since Awen's arrival. While observing Ahua's grumpiness, Lin Weidong mused that Ahua likely stayed because Xinmei Hair Salon was a leading establishment in Beijing, but also recognized that a "survival of the fittest" mentality meant Ahua would be eliminated if he didn't adapt. Meanwhile, night market vendors, including Tu Liuzi, approached Sun Xiaomin, inviting her to a late-night snack.
They expressed their distress, explaining that since she left, the night market had descended into chaos with price wars and unruly competition. They lauded her as the "town demon stone" and "neighborhood committee director" of the night market, imploring her to return and restore order. After discussing the matter with Lin Weidong, Sun Xiaomin confessed her desire to help her former colleagues.
She initially proposed working at the salon during the day and the night market at night, but Lin Weidong worried she would overwork herself. Juanzi, who was present, then suggested a solution: she would manage the hair salon, allowing Sun Xiaomin and Suo Lanqi to return to their stalls at the night market. Everyone agreed to this arrangement. During this time, Chunhua had been busy weaving various small crafts at home.
When she showed them to Gangzi, he was initially dismayed, believing she had wasted materials by not following the provided samples, which he considered "ugly." Fearing financial penalties from the factory, Gangzi reluctantly took Chunhua's creations to the factory director to apologize. To his surprise, the factory director was greatly impressed by Chunhua's innovative designs, and the sales manager believed they would sell exceptionally well. The director instructed the sales team to take the items to Gongmei Company for evaluation.
The leaders at Gongmei Company were full of praise for Chunhua’s work and immediately placed a large order. Recognizing Chunhua's talent as a family craft passed down from her grandfather in Shaanxi, the factory decided to hire her with a preferential salary, tasking her with teaching the factory workers how to weave colored products and encouraging her to continue innovating.
Overjoyed, Gangzi and Chunhua were celebrated with a lavish dinner cooked by Gui Shu, who commended Chunhua's unique skills and predicted a bright future for the couple. Back at the hair salon, customers continued to specifically request Awen for their hairstyles, often waiting in line. Ahua, eager to take a customer, persuaded a woman to let him perm her hair with a big wave, assuring her it would be quick as she had a dance that night.
However, the next day, the customer returned, her hair a wild mess, resembling a "chicken coop." She confronted Ahua, demanding a refund, but he refused, unhelpfully suggesting she pay more to have it redone. Awen calmly stepped in, explaining to the upset customer that big wave perms require specific aftercare products like hair wax and mousse to maintain their shape, and without them, the hair would naturally collapse after sleeping.
He then offered to fix her hair, expertly styling it and patiently explaining daily maintenance tips. Satisfied, the customer left, thanking Awen. Lin Weidong and Juanzi, who had witnessed the entire exchange, were impressed by Awen's professionalism, while Ahua, still sullen, simply dismissed the incident. The Industrial and Commercial Office announced a meeting to expand the individual association and re-elect a president.
Six-Eyes and Suo Lanqi urged Sun Xiaomin to contend for the position, reminding her of her respected role as the "Director of the Night Market Neighborhood Committee." Although initially feeling too young and inexperienced, Sun Xiaomin agreed to fight for the position, seeing it as an opportunity to bridge the gap between vendors and the government and do practical good for her community. Tian Zao also encouraged her to run.
Inspired, Sun Xiaomin asked Tian Zao about her own journey joining the neighborhood committee. Sun Tie recounted Tian Zao's history, describing how she, an orphan who couldn't read, became a director through the Party's training, dedicated to serving ordinary people wholeheartedly. Deeply moved and inspired by her mother's story of selflessness and commitment to the community, Sun Xiaomin decided to apply for Party membership, having already written her application. Sun Tie was visibly emotional with pride.
However, Lin Weidong strongly disagreed with Sun Xiaomin running for president, fearing she would be overwhelmed balancing the hair salon, the night market, and this new, thankless role. He cautioned that the position would entail relaying instructions from superiors while dealing with less ideologically conscious subordinates, and reflecting their problems upwards, potentially leaving her "caught between two fires."
Sun Xiaomin acknowledged his concerns but stated that her mother's words had profoundly inspired her: that life isn't just about personal well-being, but about striving for collective prosperity, which ultimately strengthens the nation. She believed that if everyone cultivated a selfless heart, a better society would naturally emerge. Recognizing Sun Xiaomin's unwavering determination, Lin Weidong eventually conceded, promising to support her. Meanwhile, Juanzi, overwhelmed by managing the increasingly busy hair salon, came to the night market looking for Suo Lanqi.
She mentioned that Lin Weidong had been absent from the salon for days, frequently "socializing" or playing mahjong with night market bosses. Worried, Sun Xiaomin tried to page Lin Weidong. When he called her back, he vaguely claimed to be talking business with some bosses and abruptly told her to go home.
He then quickly returned to his mahjong game, where his friends teased him about how deferential he seemed to Sun Xiaomin, to which he simply replied that they "respect each other."
