Chapter 864 introduces the work week. Originally, Zhou Fang planned to calm down and stop thinking about random things.
However, there was a slight problem with Hai's business, so Bao Xiangxiang called him to come over and handle it.
He immediately took a train back to Hai.
Zhou Fang returned to Haikou and threw herself into her work, keeping herself busy for several days straight.
That evening, a fairly respectable restaurant hosted a banquet for several local associates.
The private room was filled with smoke and clinking glasses. Zhou Fang wore a polite smile, but she was feeling somewhat exhausted from dealing with the situation.
As he listened to the other person's eloquent speech, he glanced up at the door of the private room and saw a familiar figure carrying a tray flash by.
Although she was wearing the hotel's uniform blue blouse and her hair was simply tied back, her profile and figure... were they Qiu He?
Zhou's heart skipped a beat, thinking he was seeing things.
Not long after, the figure reappeared, carrying a steaming bowl of soup, and carefully delivered it to a table next to it.
This time, Zhou Fang saw clearly that it was indeed her.
Her complexion was a little better than when she was in the hospital, but there was obvious fatigue in her eyes and her movements were somewhat unsteady and awkward.
She lowered her head and put down the soup bowl. Just as she was about to turn around, she tripped over something and stumbled. The empty tray in her hand almost slipped, and some soup spilled out of the bowl.
"Hey! Keep an eye on things!" muttered one of the customers at that table.
A man dressed in a cadre's uniform, who looked like a junior manager at the restaurant, strode over from the side, his face grim: "What's going on? So clumsy! You spilled it on the customer, can you afford to pay for it? Do you still want your salary this month?"
Qiuhe's face flushed red instantly. She lowered her head, her fingers gripping the edge of the tray tightly until her knuckles turned white. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. She quickly tidied herself up, turned around, and hurriedly walked towards the kitchen. Her back was thin and stiff.
Zhou Fang felt a tightness in her chest, as if the hand gripping the tray had squeezed her heart.
He shifted his gaze away, continuing to deal with the food on the table, but what he said next made him somewhat disheartened.
It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when the banquet ended. Guests gradually left, and Zhou Fang, feigning to sober up, lingered briefly at the restaurant entrance. Once everyone was out of sight, he turned back and asked a waiter who was tidying the lobby, "Excuse me, was the rather thin woman with the braid over there named Qiu He?"
The waiter glanced at him and nodded: "Yes, are you looking for her? She's probably washing dishes later. I think she's on the evening shift to finish up today."
Zhou Fang thanked him and walked towards the kitchen area.
Before even reaching the dishwashing area, I could hear the sound of rushing water and the clinking of dishes coming from inside.
He stood at the doorway and saw Qiuhe standing with her back to the door, in front of a large basin of hot water, her sleeves rolled up to her elbows, revealing her slender wrists, deftly washing the mountain of dishes.
A small wet patch appeared on the back of her blue blouse, sticking to her body.
"Qiuhe," Zhou Fang called out.
Qiu He's back stiffened, and the plate in her hand almost slipped into the water.
She whirled around, wiping her wet hands on her apron, her face flashing with surprise, panic, and a hint of embarrassment she tried to hide.
"Manager Zhou... Manager Zhou? What brings you here..."
"I just happened to be eating here and saw you."
Zhou Fang walked in, glanced at the greasy, dirty water and the pile of dishes, and asked, "You work here? At school..."
"I don't have classes tonight, so come over and work for a few hours."
Qiuhe lowered her eyes, her voice soft but with a hint of stubbornness, "My mother has been discharged from the hospital and is recuperating at home. She needs nutrition... I want to get your money back as soon as possible..."
“I did say I need the money urgently,” Zhou Fang interrupted her, his brows furrowing slightly.
"You're still in school, and you're out doing this at night? Can your body handle it? I saw everything just now..."
Qiuhe's face paled again. She bit her lip and remained silent.
"Quit your job here."
Zhou Fang softened his tone: "Tuition fees, living expenses, and money for your mother's health treatment—if you're short on funds, I can..."
"No need! Manager Zhou, you've already helped me enough. If I need any more money from you, I'll earn it myself! I will definitely repay you, not a penny less!"
She spoke with absolute certainty, but tears welled up in her eyes and swirled around them.
She quickly turned her face away, wiping her eyes hard with the back of her hand, but her shoulders were trembling slightly.
The forced strength and the overwhelming grievances beneath created a heartbreaking contrast.
Looking at her thin, trembling shoulders and her hands, which were red from being soaked in dishwater, Zhou Fang felt a dull ache turn into real, unbearable pain.
He knew this girl had a strong sense of pride and wouldn't accept more charity for no reason, but given the current situation...
He sighed, didn't mention money again, and only said, "It's too late. It's not safe for a female student to walk alone at night. I'll take you back to school after you get off work."
Qiuhe, with her back to him, shook her head and said in a muffled voice, "For use."
Zhou Fang paused for a moment.
"Finish this job today, and don't come tomorrow. If you ruin your health, how will you study? Who will take care of your mother?"
His voice was loud, yet it possessed a power that allowed for no argument: "Listen to me."
Qiuhe's back remained stiff, and she didn't argue further, but her shoulders trembled even more violently, and suppressed sobs escaped her lips.
Zhou Fang didn't say anything more, turned around and walked out. He lit a cigarette at a street corner far from the restaurant and waited silently.
The seaside night in early spring was still chilly. Zhou Fang looked at the dim yellow light at the back door of the restaurant, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
He knew he should interfere more, but seeing a young man striving upwards yet struggling, especially one he had once helped, trapped in such exhaustion and distress, he could only remain completely indifferent.
There are methods to offering help.
Perhaps, there's another way for her to accept it.
Zhou Fang ultimately couldn't bring herself to do it.
He privately contacted Bao Xiangxiang and mentioned Qiuhe's situation, only saying that she was a college student from a poor family but with excellent academic performance, hardworking, good-looking, and knew some basic foreign languages. He asked if the Jasmine Clothing store needed part-time sales staff and offered to lend a hand when busy.
Bao Xiangxiang recalled the few days she had been delayed by the sea the week before and the occasional feeling of being absent-minded, and guessed seven or eight parts of the truth in her mind.
She glanced at Zhou Fang but didn't point it out. She simply said in a businesslike manner, "Since it was introduced by Manager Zhou, she should be reliable. The store is busy with the seasonal change and new product launches, so we need a quick-witted temporary helper. Let her come and try tomorrow afternoon. She'll be paid by the hour, and there will be an additional commission if sales are good."
Zhou breathed a sigh of relief: "Thanks, Xiangxiang. This girl is strong-willed. If you treat her like a regular part-time worker, you should be strict with her."
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