Hongbin Tower.
The carved wooden door to the Listening to the Waves Pavilion stood ajar. Wang Xiaoliang pushed it open and immediately spotted Zhou Qiang sitting by the window.
Dressed in a simple white T-shirt, Zhou Qiang held a purple clay teapot and leisurely rinsed the teacups. An exquisite tea set sat on the table before him, while water bubbled and steamed on the stove beside it.
Wang Xiaoliang pulled out the chair opposite him and sat down. He saw no sign of the "drinking companion" Zhou Qiang had mentioned.
He had a bellyful of grievances and anger to pour out, but when the words reached his lips, he did not know where to begin.
Looking at the rather guileless smile on Zhou Qiang's face, Wang Xiaoliang felt his nose sting and actually had an urge to cry.
He was like a child who had suffered a terrible injustice outside and run home to his parents, all his strength and pretense crumbling in an instant, wanting nothing more than to throw himself into their arms and bawl.
He hated that feeling.
He was a grown man.
Zhou Qiang slid a freshly brewed cup of hot tea toward him. The tea was clear and golden, its fragrance wafting up.
Wang Xiaoliang did not know how to begin.
Zhou Qiang seemed to know why he had come today.
"Can you tell me what you've gained from your time at the supermarket?"
Gained?
Wang Xiaoliang froze for a moment.
I work myself to the bone every day. How long has it been since I updated my video account? My livestream audience has dropped by more than half, and my income has shrunk noticeably along with it.
What kind of gain is that?
"Nothing." Wang Xiaoliang sounded a little glum. He lifted his teacup