The Self-Cultivation of a Reborn Massage Therapist

Chapter 30 76.1
The mornings in Fatou Street are a vibrant tapestry of life, each frame brimming with the warmth of everyday life and the flavor of human connection. Here, there is no coldness of skyscrapers, only the warmth of everyday human warmth.

Of course, only warm-hearted people can feel this warmth.

In front of the steaming bun shop, the steamers are stacked high. Amidst the swirling white steam, the proprietress skillfully lifts the lid, revealing plump buns with shiny white skin and neatly pinched pleats.

The chubby receptionist bought five at first, then thought for a moment and added two more, along with an extra cup of soy milk and two steamed buns. She then left amidst the proprietress's compliment that she had "lost weight."

"Ring ring—" The milkman's bicycle bell rang from afar, the milk bottles clinking together with a crisp sound, as he sped past the plump receptionist. Under the old locust tree next to the small square, several old men sat around a stone table, engrossed in a fierce battle between Chu and Han. Several birdcages were placed nearby, and the thrushes inside occasionally let out a few melodious calls.

What a harmonious morning! If it weren't for that brat Zhao Xiaochui causing trouble, the chubby receptionist would have been enjoying delicious steamed buns and experiencing the authentic charm of old Beijing.

Handing steamed buns and soy milk to the dozing child in the corner, the chubby receptionist opened the massage parlor door, looked at the empty shop, and sighed deeply.

What could have been resolved with a simple phone call turned into a problem stemming from the guy's argument that "ordinary people shouldn't enjoy special privileges, otherwise it can easily lead to negative changes in their mindset."

Screw you, you're no good.

You brat, go ahead and do it. But if you dare interfere with my business, you'll be sorry.

He was thinking the harshest words, but he picked up the phone and gave a few instructions after the call connected.

The chubby receptionist didn't directly help with Zhao Xiaochui's matter; she simply said that through this phone call, the people from Zhao Xiaochui's hometown stationed in Beijing would no longer come forward.

How can adults remain indifferent when their children are wronged?

It's just that the commotion was a bit too big.

Chemical Road heads west, passing through the Fourth Ring Road, the Third Ring Road, and the Second Ring Road, and leads directly to the Beijing Sports Bureau Training Center.

The training center was bustling with activity.

Zhao Xiaochui shrank back in the crowd, looking timidly at the people around him.

These familiar elderly men and women used to be kind and gentle to me, always asking about my well-being.

At this moment, their fists were clenched, veins bulging, and they shouted loudly in waves:

"Give me justice."

"Pay back the money!"

The person who shouted "Down with..." was immediately covered up by someone else.

When public opinion turned against them, the local police station's superiors immediately dispatched a man in a white shirt to stand with the street official on the perimeter, staring dumbfounded at the scene before him:
Retired elderly men and women, girls leaving KTV, and unattractive men and women working at massage parlors.

Well, apart from the girls at KTV, they can't afford to mess with anyone else.

After understanding the situation, the two officials breathed a sigh of relief, gave a few words of instruction to the training bureau official who had run over drenched in sweat, and then went to the side to maintain order.

"Everyone, please quiet down," the person in charge said, looking at the crowd and mentally considering several possible responses. "Can the person involved come out and speak?"

“I’m the sister of the person involved. Tell me what’s wrong,” said Sister Qian, a member of the chubby receptionist group.

The tone was authentic Beijing dialect, with an unspoken implication. The training bureau director was all too familiar with this kind of voice, and his attitude immediately changed:

"Ma'am, the person you're looking for has gone abroad for surgery. You have a contract dispute, so why don't you call her? It's not right for you to come here and cause trouble."

Sister Qian sneered: "Is this person your employee? Was the contract signed here? Was your company's legal counsel present when it was signed?"

"..." The person in charge didn't speak, looking at her with a resentful gaze: We're all in the system, why are you being so serious with me, lady?
He didn't dare say it aloud, ran to the side to make two phone calls, and then returned to the crowd.

"how much is it?"

A gap appeared in the crowd, revealing Zhao Xiaochui, who was trying his best to act like a quail.

"76 yuan 1."

"What?" The person in charge stared at Zhao Xiaochui with his mouth agape, asking uncertainly, "How much?"

"76.1!" Zhao Xiaochui was very certain, and took out the detailed bill printed from the bus company and handed it to the person in charge.

"76 is the commuting fee, which is reimbursed according to the contract." "What's 1 cents?"

"Compensation for emotional distress."

"What losses?"

Sister Qian sneered from the side: "You look young, don't you use the internet?"

"The footage from the competition that day has been dug up, and your athlete has become an internet celebrity, but netizens are cyberbullying my little hammer, saying that he is not skilled enough and that he hindered the other's victory!"

"The 1 cents is just to prove that we are not being unreasonable. Your partner must also clarify the rumors online within 12 hours!"

Otherwise, we won't be making a scene here tomorrow, we'll be at the General Administration of Sport!

“Isn’t her father a leader in the General Administration? I want to see if he will bear any leadership responsibility when the time comes.”

"I will respond to your request immediately." The person in charge transferred the money to Zhao Xiaochui's phone and added a note. Because there were police officers recording the scene, he did not ask for an agreement to be signed. He just wanted to get rid of this group of people as soon as possible.

"Remember, 12 hours."

With a wave of her hand, Sister Qian sent a huge crowd surging toward the bus stop.

The street officials standing nearby were exasperated and quickly called the No. 41 bus terminal to call a taxi.

Seeing Zhao Xiaochui at the very end, the person in charge couldn't help but say, "Young man, do you know you've ruined the futures of several people?"

Many members of Li Ying's team were originally going to join the General Administration of Sport, but because they didn't win a championship, the opportunity was taken by the young team from the Shanghai team.

Zhao Xiaochui didn't react because he didn't understand the meaning of those words at all.

But Sister Qian, one of the chubby receptionist sisters, was furious:
Where were you when they ruined this child's future?

Under the horrified gaze of the person in charge, Sister Qian picked up the phone, explained the emergency to the unknown person, then put down the phone, pointed at him with a cold smile, and said, "You will pay the price for your loose tongue!"

…………

"Sister, what should an ordinary person do if they encounter this kind of situation?"

On the No. 41 chartered bus, Zhao Xiaochui couldn't help but ask.

Sister Qian looked at him in surprise: "We're just ordinary people. Who's the special person in our car?"

"Aren't you one?" Zhao Xiaochui said, both amused and exasperated. "I'm not stupid."

Sister Qian sighed, "We can definitely get the commuting expenses back, and we can also get tens of thousands more in compensation for emotional distress. As for an apology, unless..."

"Unless what?"

“That girl has an older brother, and her brother has a child. If you keep an eye on that child when he goes to and from school, you should be able to get an online apology within a few days.”

That's a really vicious trick.

"..."

"Or you could sneak into the General Administration, break onto the roof of her father's office building, threaten to jump, and hold out until the police, firefighters, and reporters arrive. You could probably get an apology and clarification video on the spot."

"..."

These days, is it really that high for ordinary people to get justice?
"Or find a good lawyer..."

"Sis, forget it. I have no money and no time. Let them be."

Bus No. 41 leisurely carried the group to its final stop. Before 10 o'clock, Zhao Xiaochui and his colleagues entered the massage parlor and began their day's work.

Outside the door is Jinchan West Road, where the morning rush hour has ended. The fresh scent of grass and trees, still damp with morning dew, is mixed with the unique woody aroma of old locust trees. Occasionally, the fragrance of jasmine tea wafts by, where elderly people leisurely drink tea at the entrance, waiting for the massage parlor to open.

(End of this chapter)