Chapter 2.02 It's none of my business
Ho Pui-yu slowed her pace and looked up to observe the tenement buildings built against the hillside around her. The road from the bus stop to the restaurant was all slopes or stairs. She and Ho Chung lived in Hung Hom, an area reclaimed from the sea and basically flat. For her, Hong Kong Island was full of novelties.
Yu Yin's gentle words eased He Peiru's anxiety, giving her the leisure to focus on other things. Although she knew that Wu Yang was located in a bustling area, she couldn't help but sigh at the prices on Hong Kong Island again when she glanced at the restaurant menus on the street.
She clearly felt that she didn't belong here.
After leaving Wuyang, He Zhong finally stopped calling. He Peiru was too lazy to think about what kind of scene she would face when she got home. If He Zhong did anything extreme, she would have a good reason to seek help from the outside world.
Unfortunately, the harm he usually inflicts on her is hardly substantial.
Feng Shiqi sent her a message at this time.
Feng Shiqi: [What's the situation now? Did the interviews at those restaurants go smoothly?]
He Peiru: [I only went to Wuyang. The owner was very nice and offered very generous terms, but I'm still debating whether to go.]
Not long after she typed and sent the message, Feng Shiqi called her directly: "Where are you now?"
She glanced at the street scene outside the window: "We're still on Hong Kong Island. I plan to go back now."
“Okay, let’s continue our phone call.” Feng Shiqi continued the previous topic. “I don’t think there’s any need to overthink it. If the conditions are right, you can make a decision as soon as possible. But why didn’t you check out other restaurants?”
Ho Pui-yu walked back the way she came, and said softly, "It's because I've never felt so out of place in Hong Kong..."
Behind the city's prosperity lie countless scenes that He Peiru could never experience.
Street food stalls and upscale restaurants coexist on the same street; homeless people and white-collar workers in suits mingle here. It's a place that's far above the rest, but more than adequate for those below.
She stopped indulging in pointless lamentations; she knew her only way out was through education, for only through education could she reach a wider world.
He Peiru told Feng Shiqi all the possibilities that Yu Yin had mentioned.
Before she knew it, she had arrived at the bus stop and boarded the bus for her return trip. The steel forest outside the window prevented her from seeing the sea view through the gaps, and the stark contrast between skyscrapers and tenement buildings created a dazzling feeling.
She continued, "I'm worried that if I don't do a good job, I'll let others down."
“I understand what you mean,” Feng Shiqi replied. “But think about it, if the tip is generous, you might be able to cover your book purchase in just one week.”
Thinking of her lack of money, He Peiru suddenly came to her senses and realized that her cowardice and hesitation were insignificant.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Feng Shiqi knew that she must have taken it to heart, and then advised, "Besides, you still need to save for your university tuition. If it's suitable, you can continue to work part-time there."
At this moment, the bus arrived at the tunnel entrance, and He Peiru finally caught a glimpse of a corner of the harbor, bustling yet distant.
She murmured, "You're right, I don't need to think so much."
After hanging up the phone, He Peiru stared blankly at the closed tunnel.
I wonder how much longer she will have to run before she can escape that dark and gloomy home.
She is not yet able to leave this family, nor can she afford to rent a place outside. Moreover, He Zhong is her only relative in this world. She just wants to reduce the chances of arguing with He Zhong or avoid conflicts.
Moreover, even if there were other relatives, He Peiru knew that anyone would choose to cut off contact with their grandfather because of his usual behavior.
She realized reality too early, understanding that it was better to rely on herself than to place her hopes on the outside world.
After getting off the bus, He Peiru had some extra free time, so she stood there, unsure of where to go.
Bus stops are bustling with people, and it's inevitable that you'll run into people you know.
"Peiru!"
He Peiru looked up when she heard the voice and saw that it was her uncle who lived in the same public housing building. She replied, "Hello, Uncle Li."
Knowing He Zhong's character, Uncle Li naturally felt pity for He Peiru and gently reminded her, "Are you getting ready to go home? I saw your grandfather dragging a case of beer upstairs half an hour ago. You'd better..."
She instantly understood what Uncle Li meant, and said with a helpless smile, "Thank you, Uncle Li, but I'll go back later."
Uncle Li nodded: "Sigh, living with him must have been so difficult for you..."
He Peiru gently bit her lip and looked up at the building where her home was located. Although every household was emitting a few points of light, she could only feel a faint sense of belonging.
Moreover, the goodwill that makes up this sentiment usually comes from neighbors like Uncle Li.
She looked away, gestured to Uncle Li, and then walked in the opposite direction.
He Peiru takes a shower at the community public bathroom every day before going home. This saves on water bills and reduces the number of times she leaves her room, minimizing contact with her grandfather.
These infrastructure facilities are what solved her immediate problem.
While taking a shower, He Peiru recalled the conversation she had with Feng Shiqi.
She knew that even though Yu Yin had given her three days to consider, once she had made up her mind, she shouldn't procrastinate.
Only by saving enough money to buy books as early as possible can you have enough funds to consider other things.
Then He Peiru went to the nearby public library, where the free study room, open until 10 p.m., was her safe haven.
After finding a seat, she immediately sent a message to Yu Yin.
He Peiru: [Sister Yin, I've thought it over. I can start working part-time at Wuyang tomorrow.]
Yu Yin: [Okay, come over tomorrow to familiarize yourself with the situation. We'll decide on the specifics then.]
He Peiru: [Okay, thank you, Sister Yin.]
He Peiru finally felt a sense of relief, and she mustered the courage to step out of the self-imposed constraints.
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the next day.
He Peiru told Feng Shiqi about her decision during the break between classes, so that she wouldn't forget about her in her haste to leave school.
Even though Feng Shiqi really wanted to go with He Peiru to see Wuyang, she knew that He Peiru was new to the area and was afraid that her actions would affect Yu Yin's impression of her, so she gave up the idea.
All I could tell her was, "Just go ahead and do your part-time job. My mom said she contacted community volunteers and asked them to keep an eye on your grandpa so he doesn't bother you."
No wonder He Zhong didn't scold her as usual when she got home last night; she found that strange at the time.
He Peiru felt a pang of sadness and pursed her lips, saying, "Once I've saved enough money, I'll definitely treat you and Auntie to a meal. You can't refuse!"
When the bell rang to signal the end of get out of class, He Peiru didn't bother to change her clothes; instead, she boarded the bus across the sea.
She followed the same path she had taken yesterday to the door of Wuyang. With a nervous heart, she pushed open the door. Yu Yin looked up at that moment, saw her, and smiled, "You've come at the right time. I found you a new outfit."
The gentle tone made He Peiru feel like she was bathed in a spring breeze, and she vaguely felt like she was coming home.
She was flattered and her movements became awkward as she took the clothes: "Sister Yin, now..."
"Here." Yu Yin pulled out two pieces of paper from underneath. "Fill out these two forms first. You don't need to fill them out in too much detail. Then go change into this outfit."
He Peiru sat down at the bar. She was asked to fill in basic information, but when it came to the home address section, she subconsciously didn't write it in too much detail.
Perhaps this is resistance from the bottom of one's heart.
At Yu Yin's prompting, she entered the staff changing room. The uniform consisted of a simple shirt, trousers, and an apron.
It feels a bit loose when I put it on, but that was probably taken into account in the design. There's an adjustment area at the back, and overall it fits well.
He Peiru took a deep breath before leaving the dressing room. There were already two or three tables of customers in the restaurant. She found Yu Yin and whispered, "Sister Yin, what do I need to do next?"
Yu Yin called over another employee and introduced her, "This is A Tong. You'll be colleagues from now on."
"Hello, you can just call me Aru."
He Peiru followed Yu Yin closely, carefully taking notes of the work process she described: "After the guests come in, you can either lead them to a seat that suits you, or let them choose where to sit. Then, you serve them lemonade, and when it's time to order, accurately record the guests' needs..."
It sounds similar to working in a tea restaurant, except that the proper manners must not be overlooked.
As they walked outside Wuyang, Yu Yin began assigning her tasks: "Today you'll be in charge of the reception desk. When guests come, lead them in and seat them. Your main task is to familiarize yourself with the menu first."
"OK."
Although it's already summer, the cool air seeps out from under the door, and the refreshing breeze is enough to dispel the heat.
He Peiru looked at the dishes line by line. The names were simple and clear. Even someone like her who had never eaten them before could tell what ingredients were included at a glance.
Clearly, Yu Yin had given her the simplest task today.
Looking at the cars coming and going on the road, He Peiru could only do her best to fulfill her responsibilities.
In the brief moment she was distracted, two sports cars pulled into the empty parking spaces on the side of the road. The conversation between the people inside brought her back to her senses and made her fully alert.
Cui Haonian looked at Gu Zhaoqian, who was leaning against the roadside fence, and asked, "Why did you call me out so early?"
"A new car?" Before he could hear an answer, Cui Haonian's gaze fell on his side, and he simply circled the sports car. "Go straight for the top-of-the-line model? This one is really nice."
Gu Zhaoqian lowered his head and casually replied as if it were none of his business: "Anyway, it's the old man's money, and the cash won't go into my pocket, so let's just go for the top-of-the-line model."
“That’s true, your old man has been paying a lot of attention to outsiders lately.” Cui Haonian raised an eyebrow, walked to the reception desk, turned around and asked, “Since it’s still early, want to grab something to eat?”
He replied, "No, I won't eat."
He Peiru was curious about the man's appearance, but his attention seemed to be completely focused on his phone, and she couldn't see his face at all from his angle.
"Tsk, why are you so difficult?" Cui Haonian turned his head back and gave her an apologetic smile. "We'll come again next time."
He Peiru nodded slightly, watching the two walk into the bar across the street.
A note from the author:
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