Chapter 13

When Yan Qing was an undergraduate, she joined a part-time job WeChat group to save money for tuition and living expenses. She stayed in the group for a long time and eventually got to know the group owner.

Since starting graduate school, she has received a monthly stipend, plus occasional wages for helping her supervisor with projects, so her financial situation is not so dire. She has applied for fewer part-time jobs and has also muted group messages.

That day, the group admin, whom she hadn't contacted in a long time, suddenly messaged her privately, mentioning the opening of a high-end private club in S City and asking if she would be willing to work part-time as a hostess for a day. Yan Qing wasn't very interested, but the group admin kept persuading her: "Bodhi Realm is comparable to top-tier clubs, and it's one of the best in S City. The boss has high standards for the premises; he won't hire anyone who isn't beautiful and has a great figure! Of course, with high standards comes high pay. You only need to stand for three hours from 5 pm to 8 pm, nodding to the guests who come to dine and guiding them, and you can earn two thousand yuan."

Yan Qing was tempted.

She had always wanted to get Qiao Yi a monitor. Qiao Yi couldn't work; his only pleasure was writing online novels. He would type for hours every day on his over ten-year-old laptop, often until his eyes were bloodshot. Yan Qing had been planning for a long time that if she connected an external monitor to that old laptop, Qiao Yi's eyes would be much better off. However, the monitor had been sitting in her shopping cart for over a year, and although the price had dropped from a thousand to eight hundred, she still couldn't afford it.

In the end, Yan Qing accepted the group leader's invitation.

On the opening day of Bodhi Realm, Yan Qing brought high heels and a makeup bag to Tan Chen Mansion for her class. When she came out to get water during the break, she happened to see Wu Yanying and Secretary Gao chatting and laughing as they entered the house with bags and packages.

Secretary Gao unloaded six or seven shopping bags onto the sofa, shook her aching arms, and said with a smile, "Look how good our CEO Chen is to you, buying so many things, all from good brands."

Wu Yanying pulled a silk scarf from one of the Louis Vuitton bags, unfolded it to admire it, and smiled sweetly. She wrapped the scarf around Secretary Gao's neck: "This is for you."

Secretary Gao hurriedly dodged to the side: "No, that won't do. It's a luxury item, and it was bought for you by President Shen. I can't accept it."

Wu Yanying tied the two ends of the scarf around Secretary Gao's chest, making a bow, and then hugged Secretary Gao's neck affectionately, saying, "I want you to accept it. Only luxury goods are worthy of Sister Gao. Besides, I don't care about this scarf. There will be more in the future."

Secretary Gao beamed from ear to ear, saying, "That sweet talk is irresistible, no wonder everyone loves her!"

After class, Yan Qing rushed and finally arrived at Bodhi Realm before five o'clock to report for duty. She had already applied some light makeup on the subway, but the female manager in charge of etiquette shook her head when she saw it: "No, no, too plain! Mido, come and touch up her makeup!"

The girl named Mido, one of the greeters, came running over with her makeup bag in hand when she heard the commotion. She pinched Yan Qing's chin and examined her closely: "The eyebrows aren't dark enough, and the lips aren't red enough. It has to be like this, and like this, and like this—" She used various tools on Yan Qing's face, "All done!"

Yan Qing looked at her heavily made-up self in the mirror and almost couldn't recognize herself.

After touching up their makeup and changing clothes, the eight hostesses took their positions. The female manager clapped her hands: "Cheer up! Chest out, head held high, stomach in, buttocks lifted! Show your best self! When the guests arrive, listen to my name and then take them to the corresponding private rooms."

Around 6:30, guests arrived at the secluded private room that Yan Qing was in charge of.

The guests were none other than Shen Hanyang and his entourage.

Cheng Jiaming jumped for joy, admiring Yan Qing intently: "Teacher, you're so beautiful!" Secretary Gao and Wu Yanying, however, kept their distance from the waitress with restraint. Yan Qing didn't mind and calmly led them into the private room.

Cheng Jiaming said, "Teacher, let's have dinner together."

Yan Qing pinched his little face: "Jiaming, be good. Teacher has something to do. I'll keep you company next time." After saying that, she left the private room amidst Cheng Jiaming's reluctant gaze.

Back at the reception area, Yan Qing secretly stretched her ankles; the high heels didn't fit properly, and they were rubbing her heels painfully.

A short while later, Cheng Jiaming ran out, holding a piece of pastry and offering it to Yan Qing's lips: "Teacher, try this, it's especially delicious!"

Yan Qing looked around, bent down to look Cheng Jiaming in the eye, and whispered, "Thank you, Jiaming, but I'm working, and I can't eat while I'm working."

Cheng Jiaming insisted: "Just one bite!"

"Jiaming, be good, teachers get their pay docked if they eat!"

The interaction between the two caught the attention of the female manager, who recognized Cheng Jiaming with her sharp eyes.

"Do you know this child?" the female manager asked Yan Qing.

Cheng Jiaming answered quickly: "This is my sister!"

The female manager looked at Yan Qing in surprise, then at Cheng Jiaming.

"I want my sister to have dinner with me, could you please not deduct money from her pay?"

The female manager seemed to understand: "Of course! Xiao Yan, you too, you didn't even mention this relationship!" She smiled broadly as she escorted Cheng Jiaming and Yan Qing back to their private room, selectively ignoring Yan Qing's explanations along the way.

When Yan Qing entered the private room, everyone except Shen Hanyang was taken aback.

Cheng Jiaming said to Shen Hanyang, "I don't want Teacher Yan to work, I want her to have dinner with us."

Shen Hanyang nodded slightly to the female manager: "Is this convenient?"

The female manager readily agreed, "Convenient, convenient. I'll find someone else to cover Ms. Yan's work. Mr. Shen, you two can continue your conversation." With that, she tactfully withdrew.

"Teacher, sit next to me." Cheng Jiaming pulled Yan Qing to sit down next to him and turned the table to bring his favorite dishes to Yan Qing's front.

Secretary Gao said, "Look how much Jiaming cares about you; he never forgets you, no matter the occasion."

Yan Qing remained silent.

"How long will Teacher Yan be staying here?" Secretary Gao asked.

"Just for today, a temporary part-time job."

“That’s how it should be,” Secretary Gao nodded. “Otherwise, it would be strange if word got out that Jiaming’s teacher works as a waiter in a restaurant.”

The waiter brought over four steaks, and Cheng Jiaming exclaimed, "Add another one!" He then gave his own steak to Yan Qing.

Yan Qing declined, saying, "Jiaming, you should eat. Teacher should go back to work."

Cheng Jiaming shoved the knife and fork into Yan Qing's hand: "Teacher, eat."

Secretary Gao said lazily, "The child has already asked you to stay, so don't spoil his fun. Eat up, it won't taste good if it gets cold."

Yan Qing looked at Shen Hanyang, but he happened to receive a phone call. He didn't notice Yan Qing's gaze and went out with his phone.

Yan Qing had little appetite and didn't want to stay at the table for long, so she held her knife and fork in her hand without moving.

Secretary Gao said with a half-smile, "Teacher Yan isn't used to using knives and forks?"

Yan Qing replied, "I haven't used it much."

"Don't like Western food?"

"expensive."

Secretary Gao gave a faint smile: "Have you tried the baguette from Lian Western Restaurant? How was it?"

Yan Qing said, "It tastes quite good soaked in vegetable porridge."

Secretary Gao opened her mouth in surprise: "Baguettes are meant to be spread with cheese and filled with salmon, how can you eat them soaked in porridge?"

Yan Qing said, "It's been sitting for too long and it's a bit hard. Soak it in the porridge to soften it."

Secretary Gao adjusted his glasses: "Teacher Yan, please don't misunderstand. We ordered too much food at the time, and no one touched that baguette. It wasn't leftovers that we packed for you."

"Understood." Yan Qing smiled.

Wu Yanying listened to their conversation with her eyes lowered, her slender hands skillfully manipulating the knife and fork, elegantly cutting off a small piece of steak and gracefully putting it into her mouth. Secretary Gao spun the table, serving food to Cheng Jiaming and then to Wu Yanying. Yan Qing, the only outsider present, felt extremely uncomfortable. She secretly took out her phone and sent a message to Gu Feimeng for help: "Call me quickly."

No one responded.

She sent Qiao Yi the same message again: "Call me quickly."

Still no response.

Secretary Gao finally noticed Yan Qing, who had been left standing to the side. She pointed with her chopsticks at a strangely shaped dish on the table and asked Yan Qing, "Have you ever had white truffles?"

Yan Qing said, "I haven't eaten any of the dishes on the table."

Secretary Gao laughed, "It's not that serious, I've had beef before." She looked at a cold beef dish.

Yan Qing said, "I've never eaten anything so exquisite."

Secretary Gao said, "This is Poma beef, it's true that it's not regular beef."

Just as Yan Qing had given up on calling for help and was starting to think of excuses to escape, her phone finally rang. It was Zhuge Xiaoxiang calling.

Yan Qing answered the phone quickly: "I'll be there right away, just a moment!" After hanging up, she stood up impatiently: "Sorry, I have something to do, you guys enjoy your meal."

Secretary Gao looked displeased: "I specially ordered an extra steak for you, and you're just leaving like this?"

"Please eat it for me."

How am I supposed to eat your food?

Yan Qing had already reached the door of the private room. Turning around, she mimicked Secretary Gao's tone and said, "It hasn't been touched. It's not leftovers!"

Shen Hanyang was making a phone call at the corner of the corridor when Yan Qing's figure rushed past him. She didn't notice him lurking in the shadows, but her words clearly reached his ears: "You have no idea how happy I was to receive your call! This family is suffocating!"

Zhuge Xiaoxiang and Yan Qing arranged to meet at a Japanese restaurant not far from L University.

Yan Qing arrived first, and ten minutes later, Zhuge came in carrying two bags, one large and one small.

"Sorry, there was some traffic on my way from the company. Have you been waiting long?"

"I just arrived too."

Have you ordered yet?

"I don't know what to order, so please, senior, do it."

Zhuge Xiaoxiang didn't stand on ceremony. She scanned the QR code to order a few dishes, showed them to Yan Qing, and then submitted the order.

Zhuge handed two bags to Yan Qing: "I went to Hong Kong on a business trip last week and brought back some small things to give to my junior schoolmate."

"A gift for me?" Yan Qing was quite surprised. Upon taking it, she saw a set of Lego Disney castle bricks, a Disney headband, and a Minnie Mouse headband with beaded flowers and a veil.

Zhuge laughed and said, "The little girl who came with us insisted on going to Disneyland, so I joined in the fun. She chose the Lego bricks and headband, saying that kids like them. I remembered that we have a little one here, so I brought one for our little one too."

Yan Qing was slightly taken aback. She already knew that Lego was expensive, and she had just recently seen the prices at the Disney gift shop.

“It’s too expensive,” she said.

"It's just a little toy for the junior high school girl, it doesn't cost much, don't feel bad, just accept it."

Yan Qing said, "Why do you always call me 'junior sister'? I'm not that much younger than you."

Zhuge lowered his head to brew tea: "Really? That's even better. Hmm, that's good."

Once all the dishes were served, Zhuge picked up his chopsticks and said, "Are you hungry? Start eating, we're family, don't be shy." He then picked up a piece of roasted chicken and started eating.

Yan Qing noticed a dish of small yellow beans among the many dishes, which looked like some kind of pickled vegetable she had eaten back in her hometown. She picked up a small piece with her chopsticks, but the beans were sticky and formed countless thin strands that she couldn't break. After struggling for a while, she finally managed to get the sticky substance off the plate. She looked at Zhuge Xiaoxiang embarrassedly and said, "Sorry."

Zhuge Xiaoxiang picked up a small, delicate spoon and handed it to Yan Qing, then picked one up for herself: "I'll teach you. Use the small spoon to scoop up the natto, then use chopsticks to roll it up like this—" She circled the chopsticks around the spoon a few times, and the scattering sticky strands were neatly rolled up on the spoon. "Done."

Following Zhuge Xiaoxiang's technique, Yan Qing successfully scooped up a spoonful of natto.

"I haven't been to many foreign restaurants, and I even made a fool of myself today because I didn't know how to use a knife and fork."

"So what? The first time I ate natto, my mouth was full of silk, like a spider. It's normal for us Chinese to not understand all the fancy things about Western food, Japanese food, and so on."

Yan Qing smiled and lowered her head to eat the rice mixed with natto. The taste was unique, even a little strange, but she quite liked it.

Zhuge Xiaoxiang suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, you said on the phone, who was suffocating?"

Yan Qing hesitated for a moment, then said weakly, "Actually, there's something I haven't told you yet, senior. I'm teaching math at the Shen family's place."

Zhuge laughed: "So they invited a junior from junior high school. That's good, it proves that the junior from junior high school is very outstanding."

Yan Qing sighed: "There are just too many rules."

"Don't make yourself suffer. If you're really unhappy with what you're doing, you can just quit." Zhuge handed her a pudding. "Your happiness is more important than anything else."

Yan Qing wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but she saw something different in Zhuge Jintian's eyes.