"I get the feeling Xiao Huan might quit soon."
Saturday evening, in Tongyao Tavern in the South District.
Tian Li, who had come in for work and changed into his bartender's uniform, suddenly said this to his girlfriend Guan Rong, who also worked there, as he moved the tables and chairs.
"Huh? Why do you say that?"
"The place I rent is pretty close to Xiao Huan's home. Remember how I took some time off halfway through last night to go home and get our group report?"
"Uh-huh. And?"
"On my way back, I saw Xiao Huan bringing an older relative and his sister over to see his place. I heard him call that relative Auntie. She seemed pretty rich."
Only then did Guan Rong remember something, and she said,
"Oh, right, Xiao Huan didn't come to work yesterday either. But how do you know his aunt is rich?"
"The car! The car! You know I know a fair bit about cars. The one that brought them there was a Longqi Series Zhulong Three, in Starlight Black. Even the base model costs around a million."
Guan Rong didn't know much about cars and things like that. She only recognized a few famous car logos.
But when she heard the price, she still couldn't help covering her mouth and saying in surprise,
"Huh? But didn't Xiao Huan grow up in the South District? I don't think I've ever heard him mention any rich relatives."
"Who knows? Maybe she came looking for him from back home-the Dragon Nation?"
"Wow, that's nice... But we still can't say for sure that Xiao Huan will quit."
"If I had money, I wouldn't work part-time anymore either, okay? People get jobs to make money. What else would it be for, experiencing life?"
Tian Li put the tables and chairs in place one by one, adding with a sigh,
"And isn't Xiao Huan busy enough already? He's the Student Council president, and he gets good grades. He has Student Council work, studying, and a job to keep himself fed. I get tired just watching him. Why would he work if he could rest?"
"True."
After those few remarks, Tian Li and Guan Rong went back to work, one moving tables and chairs and the other dusting.
But just as Guan Rong was about to go back inside to rinse her cloth, she turned and saw Tong Yingying leaning against the entrance, lighting a cigarette. She had no idea when she had gotten there.
"Sister Tong? When did you get here?!"
"Just now."
"Oh, okay. I'm going to rinse this cloth."
"Mm."
Tong Yingying glanced at Guan Rong, a thoughtful expression appearing on her face, though her eyes remained as listless as ever.
Her long legs, clad in blue jeans, shifted now and then, offering a glimpse of her mood.
After setting out the tables and chairs, Tian Li returned to his station behind the bar. Today, however, Tong Yingying didn't sit inside, instead taking one of the chairs set out in front.
She took out her phone and glanced at the time. It was almost when Yan Huan usually came to work on weekends.
Then she opened Plane and her chat with Yan Huan.
Their conversation was still frozen on the "speechless" reaction image he had sent earlier.
Would his next message be his resignation?
"Sister Tong, I'm quitting. See you~"
Something like that, probably.
Well, it would be fine if that guy left.
Then there would be nobody nagging me about smoking, drinking, when I get up, when I go to bed, and all that.
Free to do whatever I want. What's wrong with that?
Tong Yingying brought over an ashtray and stubbed out her cigarette, only to light another almost immediately.
But the burning smoke seemed more like an accelerant, making her so restless inside that she couldn't settle down at all.
"Tch..."
Tong Yingying bit her lip and looked out at the street as it gradually grew livelier.
The people passing by walked together in twos and threes, irritating her.
"Ding-dong~"
Just then, her phone, lying facedown on the table, suddenly chimed.
And it was a special chime, not the usual notification sound.
It was a Plane message!
Tong Yingying froze slightly, but for a moment, she kept her hand on the facedown phone, afraid to turn it over.
It must be Yan Huan, right?
It's already this late, and he still isn't here.
Is he asking for today off too?
But yesterday, that guy hadn't come in or asked for leave on Plane, yet he had privately brought his rich aunt to visit his home.
Yesterday, Tong Yingying had thought he was angry because she was never particularly gentle when chatting with him.
He had only asked because he cared about her daily routine, yet she hadn't had anything nice to say.
If she kept giving him no positive feedback like this, anyone would probably feel disheartened eventually, right?
In truth, even Tong Yingying herself hadn't realized that she was already plenty gentle with Yan Huan.
It was simply in her nature not to show it directly. It could only be glimpsed in little details.
Then was it possible this message wasn't asking for leave at all?
But instead...
"I get the feeling Xiao Huan might quit soon."
Tian Li's words still echoed in her ears, piercing her skull like thunder and making the hand she held over her phone grow even stiffer.
"Sister Tong, I'm quitting. See you~"
Would that be the message waiting when I turn it over?
Then I'd send him another message to ask.
Some clownish remark like "Why?"
And all I'd get would probably be a red exclamation mark:
"Yan Huan has enabled friend verification. You are not yet his/her friend. Please send a friend request first."
!!
Tong Yingying's mouth fell open, and without her noticing, her burning cigarette dropped onto the table.
Her formerly half-dead eyes widened a little as she looked down at the cigarette burning on the tabletop...
Tong Yingying kept feeling that what was burning wasn't rolled tobacco, but herself.
After a moment of silence, she picked up the cigarette and jabbed it into the ashtray, extinguishing it completely.
Whatever!
Rain would fall, and mothers would remarry. Some things couldn't be stopped.
It's just a Plane message. After all my years out in the world, would I really panic over some college student leaving?
Sure, he's very good-looking, very gentle, very kind to me, very lively, very easy on the eyes, and he's even made me a fair bit healthier, younger, and more energetic.
But he's only a college student. I don't care at all!
Despite thinking this, Tong Yingying instinctively leaned farther back against her chair, putting her head as far from the phone on the table as possible.
Then she carefully tilted the facedown phone up a little, exposing a sliver of its screen and peering at it sideways.
Like a gambling addict playing three-card brag, checking her hole cards,
Just what kind of hand was it?
Just what message had Yan Huan sent?
At that moment, the two questions gradually became equivalent!
Then let's gamble!!
Gritting her teeth, Tong Yingying staked everything on one shot and pressed the lock button, unlocking her phone screen!!
Then she looked.
Li Xiumei (Mom): "I told you to find a partner before. When exactly are you going to give me a definite answer?! Are you trying to drive your dad and me to our graves?!"
Looking at the message on her screen, Tong Yingying froze slightly.
Then her expression instantly darkened, veins bulging on her forehead.
She picked up her phone and opened her chat with her mother.
This time, she didn't type, instead pressing and holding the voice-message button.
She drew a deep breath. What was about to leave her mouth was the concentrated essence of her homeland's language!!
"You motherf-"
"Sister Tong?"
Tong Yingying was gritting her teeth, on the verge of turning into a Super Saiyan, only to be interrupted by a sudden male voice.
Her casting abruptly interrupted, she raised her faintly trembling eyes and looked ahead.
There she saw a handsome young man holding a bottle of probiotic drink, looking at her.
His casual white long-sleeved cotton shirt made his shoulders look especially broad. His hair seemed a little longer after not having been cut for a while, but it made him look even more refined.
It was Yan Huan, here for work.
"Are you arguing with your mom again?"
"Ah... um, no, I..."
Tong Yingying froze slightly, her hand instinctively relaxing. She hadn't noticed that she was still holding the voice-message button.
Then a voice message over ten seconds long was sent.
But by then, Yan Huan had captured all of Tong Yingying's attention, and she didn't notice what had happened on Plane.
She put down her phone and scratched the back of her head irritably, her peripheral gaze flitting back and forth over the ashtray.
Just as Yan Huan had said, her talk of quitting smoking and drinking was complete bullshit.
"Something came up at home yesterday, and I forgot to ask you for leave, Sister Tong."
Tong Yingying opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to say something, to ask something, but in the end, she couldn't get it out.
"...It's fine. Go get changed."
That was how she replied.
No mention of docking my pay?
Yan Huan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
But if his boss wasn't bringing it up, neither would he. Only an idiot would pass up a good deal.
He nodded, intending to go straight inside and change.
Behind him, however, Tong Yingying's gaze, now back to its half-dead state, followed Yan Huan the whole way.
She was a little puzzled.
If what Tian Li said was true, and Yan Huan really had such a rich aunt, would he still come to work?
He doesn't look remotely like someone who's received financial support.
Could Tian Li have actually gotten it wrong?!
At that thought, Tong Yingying's murky eyes brightened a little.
It can't be helped.
A lost college boy who has to work hard to earn a living can only be helped by a generous, beautiful boss like me~
"Hey, Xiao Huan, you're still coming to work?"
"Why do you say that, Brother Li?"
Inside the tavern, Guan Rong chuckled.
"Li saw your aunt visiting you yesterday. He said the car she drove was really expensive."
"Right? A Zhulong Three! I'm an internal combustion guy, so I'm not that into electric cars. But I've watched reviews, and that car really is pretty awesome. I didn't see it wrong yesterday, did I?"
You definitely saw it wrong, Tian Li.
Tong Yingying followed Yan Huan into the tavern, that certainty showing in her listless eyes.
Yet at those words, Yan Huan smiled slightly and replied to Tian Li,
"So you were there yesterday, Brother Li. I didn't even see you, and you didn't say hello."
Huh?
Tong Yingying blinked.
"Oh, I was just passing by, pretty far away from you guys. You went straight upstairs after getting out of the car. I didn't even get the chance, okay?"
Yan Huan said nothing more and prepared to go change.
Tian Li had originally wanted to ask when he would quit, but then he saw Tong Yingying walk in expressionlessly.
"..."
His survival instinct told him that he had better not do that right now.
Tian Li gave an awkward smile, while Tong Yingying had already walked up to him.
She curled a finger at him and said,
"Give me that bottle of Highland Queen I haven't finished."
Highland Queen, a whisky.
"Sure thing, Sister Tong."
With practiced familiarity, Tian Li also handed Tong Yingying a glass filled with ice.
Taking them, Tong Yingying returned to her usual corner seat by the back door.
"Glug, glug~"
The liquor tinted the ice as she poured. She didn't pour much; after all, there was a difference between savoring a drink and drinking to get drunk.
She sipped the whisky, propped up her chin, and looked around the tavern.
She watched Yan Huan come out after changing, while the number of customers in the tavern gradually increased.
In truth, when it came down to it, Tian Li had only picked up bartending partway through, and his skills were merely passable.
Tong Yingying, on the other hand, mixed drinks very well, but she generally didn't do it herself.
There were two main reasons the Tavern did good business:
First, it faced the street and had plenty of foot traffic, so naturally it drew more customers than shops in out-of-the-way locations.
Second, its decor had style. It was a high-quality quiet bar, utterly at odds with the surrounding South District aesthetic.
For anyone looking to enjoy a quiet drink, this was the best choice in the South District.
The first point was thanks to Tong Yingying. After all, she had bought the premises.
As for the second, her title of "After-Drinks Idea King" made it clear that the credit mainly belonged to Yan Huan.
When she first planned to open the place, Tong Yingying had fully intended to operate it in a bare shell apartment style.
But Yan Huan, who had successfully applied for a job there, talked her out of it, and she spent a little more on renovations.
Yes, Yan Huan was the first employee Tong Yingying had hired. Tian Li and Guan Rong had both joined later.
It could be said that the current "Tongyao" had been built up bit by bit through discussions between Tong Yingying and Yan Huan.
They were casual with each other, and Tong Yingying really did pay him well.
He worked twenty-eight hours a week. Other people calculated pay by the hour, but Tong Yingying paid him according to a monthly salary standard.
Two hundred a day, fourteen hundred for a full twenty-eight-hour week, with all sorts of holiday cash gifts and bonuses on top.
Just as Yan Huan had always stressed, Tong Yingying really was generous to him.
Still, no matter how generous I am, this kid must actually be pretty tired, right?
Sipping her whisky, Tong Yingying thought this as she watched Yan Huan work with his back to her.
Well, having this guy working here is easy on the eyes and makes me healthier. It might even extend my lifespan.
But making him keep working hard here just because of that seems a little too selfish.
Tong Yingying poured herself another drink and let out a heavy breath.
I have some savings too. Maybe I could follow his aunt's example and just give him money without making him work.
But on what grounds?
She's Yan Huan's relative. Who are you to him?
Besides, wouldn't that just be keeping him?
Although Tong Yingying thought that sounded pretty good too, it would probably be a blatant insult to Yan Huan.
Taking away his right to work hard with a huge pile of money...
That would be too cruel.
"Ding-dong~"
Just then, the phone on the table chimed again.
It was a message on Plane.
She picked it up and looked. Another message from her mother.
"Oh, doing big things on the quiet? Who's that boy talking? He's got quite a nice voice. Sounds pretty young, doesn't he? When did you two get together?"
Speechless, Tong Yingying typed one-handed.
"Damn, don't spread rumors. We're not dating."
"Who are you trying to fool? How do you normally talk to us, and how were you talking to him? Have you got two faces?"
"Isn't that because you're so annoying?"
"Right, we're annoying. Honestly, I'd have been better off giving birth to a piece of char siu than you!"
Damn.
Tong Yingying couldn't be bothered to reply. She just poured herself a drink.
But Comrade Li Xiumei sent another message.
"You've been independent since you were little, going off to Linmen to study on your own. We didn't have much money and couldn't help you much.
"We're not trying to force you to get married. It's just that you look so worn out every time we video call. We're worried about you.
"Are you making yourself soup over there? Are you eating properly?
"Flights to Linmen are too expensive. We hardly get to see you even once in several years, so we want someone who can look after you in our place.
"If that boy just now is a good match, give it a proper try. Don't take that rotten temper of yours out on him. Be sincere, understand?"
Tong Yingying didn't reply again, for the same reason used as an excuse for so much silent treatment.
"I don't know what to say."
But at that moment, she truly didn't know what to say to her mother.
If her parents found out she was involved with organized crime in Linmen, they would probably be too frightened to sleep for three days and nights.
"Okay."
After sending that simple reply, Tong Yingying downed her drink and picked up the bottle beside her to pour another.
But a hand reached out and gently stopped her.
"..."
She didn't need to raise her dull eyes to know. Few people could stop her like this.
"Sister Tong, I've known for ages that your talk about quitting smoking and drinking was bullshit, but aren't you getting worse?"
Propping up her chin, Tong Yingying turned to look at Yan Huan beside her.
"Mm-hmm?"
"Sister Tong, I told you before. The more you drink because you're upset about your parents pushing you to get married, the harder they'll push."
Tong Yingying looked at Yan Huan before her and fell silent for a moment, but didn't respond to that.
Instead, she pointed across the table and said softly,
"Sit. I have something to tell you."
Yan Huan blinked, looked over there, and said,
"There's still work to do."
"It's fine. Sit."
Yan Huan thought for a moment, then sat down opposite Tong Yingying.
"So, what is it?"
"Was what Tian Li said true?"
"Yeah, it was."
There was nothing to hide, and no need to play weak to catch someone off guard.
Tong Yingying poured another drink but didn't drink it. Holding the glass in her palm, she asked Yan Huan,
"You've lived in the South District for so many years. Why didn't that aunt of yours come looking for you all this time, only to suddenly show up now?"
"It's a little complicated. Basically-"
"Careful someone doesn't cut out your kidney~"
Tong Yingying suddenly said this as she drank, without looking at Yan Huan.
That casual remark made sweat bead on Yan Huan's forehead.
"No, she's really rich. Why would she-"
"Isn't that all the more reason for rich people to do it? They spot your high-quality organs, throw you a little treat, then set a trap for a healthy college student with no connections like you to replace their own child's failing organs."
"..."
"Then, when the anesthetic wears off and you slowly wake up, you discover you're missing a kidney. All you can do is lie pitifully on the operating table, too miserable even to cry, regretting it for the rest of your life. Tsk, tsk. Yan Huan, don't get scammed~"
"What movie did you get that plot from?"
"Movie plots come from reality. That's common knowledge, isn't it?"
"..."
Yan Huan looked at Tong Yingying, who wasn't looking at him at all, merely drinking in silence and refuting everything he said. For a moment, he had no words.
Still, why does it feel like...
So he made a show of rubbing his chin and muttered,
"Hmm, if that's the case, it really is a little worrying."
"Right?"
"Then tell me, Sister Tong. What should I do? I'm still young and inexperienced. I'll listen to you."
"Hey, I have an idea."
With that opening handed to her, Tong Yingying finally turned to Yan Huan with a gleam in her eyes, even raising a finger.
Then she saw Yan Huan's expressionless face, as though he had already seen through everything.
"..."
"..."
Their eyes met, and Tong Yingying's bright, sunny, idea-filled expression instantly froze.
Oh no, this kid saw through me!
"Go on, Sister Tong. What's your idea? I'm listening."
Yan Huan smiled at Tong Yingying as he asked.
Under his relentless pressure, a thin layer of nervous sweat involuntarily broke out on Tong Yingying's forehead.
Her eyes darted away, and she gave an extremely guilty, evasive reply.
"I... I forgot."
"..."
Yan Huan sighed, then looked at Tong Yingying and asked with a smile,
"Sister Tong, don't tell me you can't bear to let me leave?"
"Not at all."
An instant answer.
But those gloomy eyes still weren't looking at Yan Huan. She simply held her glass and looked toward the entrance.
Yep, she definitely can't.
"Whether you can or not, I don't have any plans to quit for now."
"!"
Tong Yingying kept her head turned toward the entrance, but her eyes shifted to Yan Huan.
She took a sip and spoke as though she didn't care at all.
"Oh?"
"Aunt Ye will be giving me living expenses from now on, but I've been here so long, and you've always helped me through difficult times, Sister Tong. I'm attached to this place too. Just up and leaving would be too heartless. Besides, it's so close to home, only a few steps away."
"Oh..."
The same sound, but her tone had changed a little.
It probably meant, "Keep going."
"But Sister Tong, I probably won't be able to work the full five days a week anymore. I'll only be able to come when I'm free. It wasn't too tiring before, but having some time to do what I want would obviously be better. So you should probably hire another employee to share the workload."
"Oh."
That meant, "I understand."
Tong Yingying bit the rim of her glass, and the head she had kept turned toward the entrance finally turned back little by little to face Yan Huan.
Attached to this place?
It's just some lousy tavern. What's there to get attached to?
If he's attached to anything...
Wait, does this kid really like me?
Tong Yingying blinked and studied Yan Huan's handsome features.
For a moment, her earlier conflicted feelings and her mother's words on Plane all became a torrent, crashing together.
That force made her part her lips and actually take the initiative to ask,
"What did you mean just now, when you said you were attached to this place?"
Her breath, faintly scented with alcohol, swirled inside the glass, leaving a thin mist against its walls.
Through the glass, the handsome boy sitting opposite her looked so hazy.
Perhaps that was exactly how Yan Huan appeared in Tong Yingying's eyes at that moment.
"Oh, I meant I'm attached to Tongyao, the tavern. What else could it be?"
"..."
Tong Yingying paused slightly and set down her glass.
The mist dispersed, and she looked at Yan Huan's sunny smile.
"Huh?"
"Look, Sister Tong. With your abilities, this tavern would've gone under ages ago without me. If I left, I'd probably see a 'Business for sale' sign hanging outside within a few days."
"..."
"After all, I've worked here for over a year, and it's so close to home. I see it every day when I go downstairs to buy things. Watching it close down would break my heart even if it didn't break yours, Sister Tong."
"..."
Tong Yingying's evasive gaze gradually turned lifeless, then gradually shifted from lifeless to murderous.
She sipped her drink, set down the glass again, and gave him a friendly smile.
At the same time, her right hand had already slipped inside her jacket.
"Mm, and? Anything else you want to say?"
Seeing this, Yan Huan silently stood up and told Tong Yingying,
"One more thing. I need tomorrow off. I'm going to the Game Gathering in Linmen with my classmates tomorrow. We'll probably eat out in the evening, so I won't make it back in time."
"..."
Tong Yingying had already taken out the Stun Baton, while Yan Huan looked into the tavern as though nothing had happened.
"There are more customers now. I'd better hurry over and help, Sister Tong."
Yan Huan turned and left, but Tong Yingying remained seated, still watching his retreating figure.
Her lips trembled slightly, and she suddenly spoke,
"Wait."
Yan Huan did not turn around, merely asking helplessly,
"...What is it now, Sister Tong?"
"From now on... your pay stays the same."
A little surprised, Yan Huan quickly turned around, only to see Tong Yingying pouring a drink with her head lowered.
Her red bangs hung down over her eyes, keeping Yan Huan from making out her expression. All he could see were her rosy, delectable lips.
"...Sure thing, Sister Tong."
After a moment of silence, Yan Huan smiled faintly and replied.
The young man turned to get back to work, leaving Tong Yingying sitting there alone, her cheeks tinged with a flush no one knew about.
"..."
Perhaps it was because she had had a little to drink?
Highland Queen, whisky~
Before you continue