The landlord has multiple personalities and wants everyone to pay him.

Stepping out of the grand gate of Yunduanyuan, one step is like entering a sauna from an air-conditioned room.

The high temperature made the whole city drowsy, and even the security guards who stood like pines at the gates were starting to slack off.

There weren't many people on the street, and waves of heat scorched Ye Shu's face. After walking only a few steps, a small patch of his T-shirt was soaked with sweat, and his throat began to feel parched.

He felt like the sizzling, oily meat in the grill of a kebab rice bowl.

He subconsciously licked his dry lips, his gaze sweeping over the beverage shops on the street.

Iced milk tea, fruit tea, and ice-cold cola... each one is like a fishing rod, designed to lure out the remaining few dozen yuan from his pocket.

Ye Shu smacked his lips; he'd taken the bait.

"Oh well, it's all the same anyway, it's not like I'm short of money for a cup of milk tea."

A sense of "what's the use of trying" welled up inside Ye Shu, and with a determined heart, she walked towards a small, unassuming milk tea shop not far away.

It's not one of those chain brands that have sprung up everywhere. The storefront is decorated in a cozy style and is called "Corner Tea House".

Pushing open the glass door, a wave of cool, sweet-smelling air from the air conditioner instantly enveloped him, clearing his head, which had been throbbing from anxiety and the stuffy heat.

Oh no, I acted impulsively!

After the initial comfort brought by the coolness subsided, reason returned, and Ye Shu immediately regretted it.

Turning around and leaving now? It seems too late.

"Welcome! Handsome, what would you like to drink?"

A gentle female voice rang out.

Ye Shu looked up and saw a girl wearing an apron standing behind the counter. She looked a few years older than him and was smiling at him.

Her smile was so clean that it was impossible to feel any dislike for her. Ye Shu's words, "Can I borrow the restroom?" circled on her lips, but she was too embarrassed to say them.

"Um... let me see."

He steeled himself and walked to the counter, craning his neck to study the price list. Fortunately, the prices weren't outrageous, much more affordable than those trendy shops, and all within his budget.

His gaze lingered on the various dish names, when suddenly a line of small print in the corner caught his attention.

[Summer Special Offer: Emerald Lemon Green - Buy One Get One Free]

Buy one get one free?

For some reason, I suddenly remembered that there was someone at home...

He pointed to the special offer sign and said to the young woman behind the counter with a professional smile:

"This one...this one is fine, the buy-one-get-one-free one, thank you."

"Okay, one cup to drink fresh, and one cup to go, right?"

"Huh? Oh right, pack it up."

After paying, he sat down in a small booth by the window, and the slight regret in his heart was replaced by a sense of satisfaction that he had "made a profit".

Anyway, I bought two cups for the price of one, so it's not a bad deal.

As for whether it's truly not a loss or not, he didn't care, that's how he comforted himself.

While waiting, Ye Shu finally had the leisure to carefully examine the small shop.

The shop is small, but it is very clean. There are many sticky notes on the warm-colored walls, which should be messages from customers.

The air is filled with the faint aroma of tea and milk, and soothing music plays from the speakers, making it a place where you can relax.

Suddenly, Ye Shu's gaze fixed on a small sign in the corner of the counter.

Hiring one store clerk

Salary: 2600/month

[Time: 9:00 - 20:00]

Ye Shu quickly made a mental calculation.

It's close to home, within walking distance, which saves on commuting costs. 2600 a month isn't much, but it's at least a stable income that can solve immediate financial problems. I can also look for a better job while working there.

The downside is that I get off work a bit late, but that's understandable for a bubble tea shop; I've seen people work until midnight before.

As he was pondering this, the young lady behind the counter came over with two freshly made drinks, the cups glistening with tempting droplets of water.

"Handsome, your drink is ready. One to drink now, and one to go."

Ye Shu took the bag; its cool touch solidified his decision. He took a deep breath, pointed a little shyly to the recruitment sign, and asked:

"I saw you're hiring... are you still hiring?"

Upon hearing this, the young lady crossed her arms and leaned against the counter, her gaze sweeping over Ye Shu twice.

"Hey, what's up? You want to give it a try? But I need to make sure first, are you okay with occasionally running the shop by yourself?"

"Huh? Alone?"

Ye Shu was taken aback. This was not what he had expected; he thought she was just an ordinary shop assistant.

"Yes."

The young lady smiled:

"My shop is small, and I'm the only one running it. Sometimes my boyfriend invites me out for dinner or a movie, and I can't always be closed, right? That's why I'm thinking of finding a reliable person to help out. What do you think? Is this a good fit?"

Ye Shu quickly processed the information. Running the shop alone... didn't seem too difficult. Besides, she was in a real crisis, so this was nothing.

"Yes! No problem."

"Okay! You're hired!"

Chen Xing clapped his hands, his smile widening, quite pleased with his decisiveness.

She took out her phone, displayed a QR code, and handed it over:

Let's add each other as friends so we can stay in touch.

Ye Shu quickly took out his phone and scanned the QR code to add the friend. Seeing the "Friend Added" notification, he suddenly remembered...

I've been living in Cloud Garden for several days now, and I still don't even have a way to contact An Suxue... or rather, all of them. This cohabitation relationship is really primitive.

"What's the handsome young man's name? I'll make a note of it."

"Ye Shu, the 'Ye' in 'leaf' and the 'Shu' in 'express'."

"My name is Chen Xing, Xing as in star. Sounds nice, right?"

After noting the name, Chen Xing's finger swiped across the calendar on the screen:

"Hmm... It's Friday today... So why don't you come to work next Monday? That way, it'll be easier to calculate your salary starting from the 1st, saving you the trouble."

"Okay, no problem."

Ye Shu was now filled with excitement at solving the immediate crisis. He picked up the fruit tea on the table and said:

"Well... Sister Chen Xing, I'll be going now. See you Monday."

"Bye-bye, handsome! Be on time Monday!"

Chen Xing leaned against the counter, smiling and waving at him.

Ye Shu, carrying a bag of chilled drinks and the sense of accomplishment from having just found a job, pushed open the door and walked out of the milk tea shop.

So, I've got a job? The salary isn't high, and it's a bit unconventional, but at least I've taken the first step.

Ye Shu, Ye Shu, are you about to have a change of fortune? It seems that the saying "after the worst comes the best" is true. I guess this can be considered a rebound from rock bottom.

He took a deep sip of the lemon tea in his hand, and the refreshing, sweet and sour taste instantly soothed his soul.

A refreshing coolness, a feeling of exhilaration.

Why is it that people are so happy when good things happen? Just thinking that next month's rent and food expenses are covered makes the weather outside seem more pleasant, the glaring sunlight becomes brighter, and even the kittens breathing on him by the roadside become cuter.

Ye Shu hummed a little tune as he walked home. He couldn't wait to tell anyone about it. Even though they had only known each other for a day, he couldn't contain his excitement to share the joy.