Chapter 53: Life
“I just met a really pretty sister. She’s also from our school and works here part-time.”
Su Yu felt a sense of relief when An Zhi walked out of the mall with her purchases. He was always worried… that the girl would have some strange accident. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be An Zhi.
“Yeah, it’s good to make more friends. At least you won’t be wandering around alone on a weekend.” Su Yu took the things from An Zhi’s hand and led her outside.
“Su Yu!”
An Zhi was not happy. She punched Su Yu on the shoulder with her small fist. “Don’t mention it. It’s so annoying. Don’t you know how to talk to girls?”
The punch on his shoulder didn’t hurt. Su Yu just laughed and didn’t say anything more. After all, even a cute little white rabbit would bite if cornered.
The girl was really cute, probably so innocent and romantic with everyone. A naive little white rabbit, coveted by many. Many people would like such a girl at first glance.
Su Yu had only ever loved Xia Qian Ge. His entire world was filled with her. He had been telling himself that his life should start anew, like a memory card that had been wiped clean. Perhaps he should start storing some new things in it.
Make some new friends, find a pretty girl to pursue, and find his own path for the future.
After all, he had to live this life again, and there was still a long time left. Thinking about it, he felt… it was so long.
But even now… he wasn’t sure if his heart could still accommodate anyone else. He couldn’t figure it out, couldn’t understand. He knew he was living in a daze, but… he would just let it be for now.
…
The bleak autumn wind painted the entire campus of Qingchuan University a golden yellow. In the distance, there were shouts of people playing ball. On the campus paths, he could occasionally see seniors holding books, reciting softly. There were also couples whispering to each other…
The environment of Qingchuan University was indeed much better than many similar institutions. Sometimes, at certain times, it looked like a painting from afar.
Su Yu walked slowly, carrying his things. The cold wind messed up his hair, even blocking his vision. He thought it was time to get his bangs trimmed, while looking at An Zhi, who was bouncing ahead.
“Alright, you can take your things up.” They arrived at the girls’ dormitory. Su Yu handed the cake and the doormat to An Zhi.
“Oh, okay. Wait for me, I’ll cut the cake and bring a piece down for you.”
“Okay, thank you.”
“No problem, no problem. I should be thanking you.” An Zhi shook her head and took the beautifully packaged mug from her bag and gave it to Su Yu. “This is for you. It’s very cute. It’s not expensive, but please cherish it. Oh, and next time, remember to be more tactful when you talk to girls.”
“Haha.” Su Yu licked his lips and smiled, not saying anything.
“Wait for me for five minutes, I’ll be quick.”
An Zhi bounced upstairs with her things, seemingly worried about making Su Yu wait for too long. A few strands of messy hair escaped from her hair tie, swaying like a cowlick, looking innocent and cute.
The girl was always smiling. Her silly demeanor became cute on her. Perhaps because she was pretty, no one was cruel enough to want to destroy this cuteness. Most people she met would smile at her, making the girl naively think that the world should be this way, so… beautiful.
…
“Hey… you, the new one. After you’re done here, go wipe that shelf over there. Be quick about it.”
A middle-aged woman sat on a discarded cardboard box, her legs crossed, commanding the new part-timers in the store.
The woman’s face was as sharp as a awl, making her look shrewish. She was cracking melon seeds, occasionally spitting the shells onto the freshly swept floor.
“Not that I’m complaining, but you university students are really slow at work. If the store wasn’t short on staff, I would have told the manager not to hire you people who have never worked before.”
A few of the part-time students showed their displeasure. They were just here to earn some pocket money, not because they were desperate. But the shrewish woman’s attitude, with the young people’s pride, was a bit too much to bear.
“She’s just a long-term worker, acting like she’s some big shot. Why is she so arrogant? It’s not like she’s the one paying us.”
“Exactly, it’s almost time to get off work. This old woman is so disgusting.”
“Forget it, let’s just pretend we didn’t hear her. Let’s see what she can do to us.”
The three of them were from the university next to Qingchuan University. They gathered together and complained for a long time, but one of them, a girl with long, wavy hair and heavy makeup, persuaded the other two boys not to confront her.
“Get a move on, all of you. What are you discussing over there? You’ve only been working for a few days and you’re already thinking about slacking off.” The woman, seeing that the students weren’t moving, felt a bit embarrassed and shouted, her voice sharp and shrill.
“You really think I can’t control you? Do you know that the personnel manager is a relative of mine? Do you believe I can have you all…”
Before the woman could finish speaking, she saw another girl walk out of the restroom with a bucket and a cloth. She had only been trying to scare them, but if they really made her lose face, she would definitely go to her relative and complain. This was a university town, and there was no shortage of students looking for part-time work.
The girl wore a white mask and had her hair in a ponytail, suitable for working. She neatly rinsed the cloth and began to wipe the shelves. She worked quickly and efficiently, leaving the shelves spotless.
With someone taking the lead, they couldn’t pretend to be deaf and dumb anymore. They reluctantly took their tools and began to wipe the shelves, their movements clumsy and rough, the shelves creaking as they were pushed, venting their frustration. It was… already past closing time.
The three of them sloppily wiped the shelves, just getting them wet, and then put away their things, ready to leave. The girl with the heavy makeup walked up to Xia Qian Ge, her hands in her pockets, her expression hostile.
She kicked Xia Qian Ge’s bucket, splashing water everywhere. “Hey, what’s your name?”
“Xia Qian Ge…” Xia Qian Ge still had one last shelf to wipe. She kept her head down and wiped it diligently.
“Zhang Lin.” The girl introduced herself. She lifted her chin, the two large iron hoops on her ears a bit dazzling. “Let me ask you, who are you to that old woman? Do you like to meddle in other people’s business?”
“I don’t know her.” Xia Qian Ge glanced at the girl, her pupils dark, without fear or anger. “I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do.”
“Hah, so tough. Well then, let’s do this together. I’ll stay here with you since you like to do manual labor so much. I’ll take good care of you.”
Zhang Lin spat and left with the two boys. Xia Qian Ge still kept her head down and wiped the shelf in front of her.
…
“Your salary for today has been transferred to you. Please check it.”
“Okay, thank you, manager.”
Xia Qian Ge glanced at the payment record, nodded, and left the mall.
It was almost evening by the time she got off work. The sunset lingered in the corner of the sky, its color growing more and more vibrant, as if turning into blood.
The commercial street was even more bustling at night than during the day. The dazzling neon lights blurred the pedestrians’ vision. The evening wind blew the car exhaust everywhere, but their faces were still filled with smiles. This was a lively and bustling place. There was no smell of alcohol… but everyone seemed to be drunk.
Xia Qian Ge stood at the crowded bus stop, covering her mouth with her hand, her brows furrowed. She looked down at her phone and made a call. The moment the call connected, her furrowed brows relaxed, and her tone softened.
“Hello, Mom. Did you receive the money I just transferred to you?”
“Yes, I did. You’ve worked hard, my daughter. I’ve been a bit tight on money these days, otherwise I wouldn’t have come to you again. Cough cough…”
“Mom, why are you still coughing? Didn’t I give you money last week to buy some cough medicine?”
“It’s nothing. It’s always like this when the weather gets cold. The medicine is too expensive, and your father is still doing business. What if he needs money?”
“But you’re divorced…” Xia Qian Ge suddenly stopped, not finishing her sentence. Her voice became gentle again. “It’s okay, Mom. I can earn more money. You should buy some good food for yourself. The train ticket is too expensive, so I won’t be coming back for National Day. I’ll definitely come back to see you during winter break.”
“Good, good. You have to work hard, Qian Ge. When you’re successful, maybe your father will come back. Cough…”
“Mom, you should hang up now. Remember to get some rest.”
“Cough cough… okay.”
Xia Qian Ge looked down at the disconnected phone in her hand. The evening wind blew her loose hair to her lips. She didn’t notice, staring blankly at her phone for a long time. The bus she was supposed to take passed by the bus stop. It was the last bus of the evening rush hour. The next one wouldn’t come for a long time. Everyone rushed to get on, and the crowded bus stop suddenly became deserted.
Her phone buzzed, another message came in.
“Sister, sister, are you off work? Which floor do you live on? I have a cake here. I won it in a competition with a friend today. My roommates are coming back late, and I might not be able to finish the cake. I saved a piece for you.”
Xia Qian Ge silently looked at the girl’s message. The girl had even sent a cute cat head emoji. They had just met for the first time today, and she was already so enthusiastically offering her cake?
So naive. But why did it make her feel a little…
Disgusted.
