My Terrible Life in Those Years

Holding the pale gold business card she had tossed to me, still faintly scented, it read "Brilliant GG Company," with the name Shu Mei in the middle, no job title, and only a phone number and address at the bottom. As I walked out of the job market, my mind was still a complete blank.

I don't know what words to use to describe how I feel right now.

Logically speaking, I should be happy that I found a temporary job on my first day at the job market.

But the thought of this fierce career woman going to torment him for a month sent chills down his spine.

Besides, if I work for her for free for a month, will my meager savings last me a month?

She just said that she would pay back all the money she had earned this month, as compensation for her high heels.

I can't not go, I promised her I'd pay her back, and there's no other way to pay her back right now. If I don't go, I'll be constantly thinking about when I can pay her back, which isn't a good thing either.

Gritting my teeth and steeling my heart, I thought, "Fine, I'll go. She's just an old lady. When have I, Jiang Ning, ever been afraid of women? What a ridiculous joke!"

Let's see how far she can push herself!

After putting away the business card, I returned to Xiancun and prepared to get something to eat.

There were plenty of delicious food options along the way, such as noodle soups, rice dishes, and tea restaurants, but as soon as I saw the food prices displayed at the entrance, I quickly glanced at them and left.

I passed some discount clothing stores along the way. The styles were average and the prices were relatively cheap. I thought to myself that I was going to start working officially, so maybe I should dress a little more professionally. But when I thought about the money in my pocket and that IOU, I didn't even feel like trying on clothes.

I went to the small shop downstairs from my apartment, ordered a bowl of noodles for two yuan, and asked for extra soup. I took out two large steamed buns that I had bought for 50 cents at the steamed bun shop in front of me, tore them into pieces and put them in the soup, and started eating them in big mouthfuls.

There were quite a few customers eating in the shop, and they all stared blankly as I pulled one steamed bun after another out of my pocket. It was probably the first time they had ever seen me eat like this.

The principle is actually very simple: there is plenty of hot soup, but eating only steamed buns is too dry, and the shop does not sell steamed buns. Eating the two together avoids wasting ingredients and money.

I learned this from another worker when I was working part-time. He had a much bigger appetite than me; he could eat four big steamed buns with a big bowl of noodle soup!

I don't care about other people's surprise, or even the disdainful looks from some individuals. I live the life that matches my current strength. When my strength doesn't allow it, face is worthless!

The feeling of satisfaction from a full stomach allowed me to temporarily put aside my recent worries. I bought a newspaper, went back to my room to read the news, check on the latest developments in Guangzhou, and see if there were any more suitable jobs I could look for.

As I approached my building, I seemed to see a somewhat familiar figure, with a familiar ponytail swaying as it drifted away into the distance.

Could it be Xian Wanning with the little ponytail? I'm not sure.

Besides, even if it were her, it would be normal. She said she also lives here and sometimes passes by. It's not a common occurrence.

When I opened the door, I ran into the landlady.

"Young man, I'm glad you came back early. Have you found a job?"

She spoke with a thick local accent, and I only understood the word "handsome guy." From what I gathered, she was probably asking me about my job.

I was momentarily stunned, then tentatively replied, "I went to look for a job this morning, and just came back to rest after having lunch."

"Have you found a job yet?" The fat woman had at least twenty keys hanging from her waist. I didn't know why she had so many keys and liked to hang them on her waist.

How heavy is that? What if, I mean, what if, that keychain is so heavy that it pulls her belt off?

But when I saw the bulging, barely contained flesh beneath her belt, clenched tightly by the belt, I realized I was overthinking it!

There's a 99% chance this keychain won't fall off!

I don't think Shu's job is a real job. It's just a one-month opportunity for me to pay off my debts.

So I smiled and asked her in return, "What's up, landlady? Are you going to introduce me to a job?"

To my surprise, she actually replied, "That's right. If you don't have any work right now, I can introduce you to a job."

I was completely stunned. What was going on?

I don't know her well, do I? I've only been renting a place from her for two days, why is she so enthusiastic?

Look at me, I'm good-looking? That's no excuse. Didn't you see she has a daughter or something? Besides, she's a landlady with a bunch of rental properties. Why would she be interested in a penniless outsider?

Just as I was lost in thought, she smiled and continued.

"Don't overthink it. I also want my tenants to be more stable in the long term. Once you make money, you have to give me a month's deposit back! Although there aren't many valuables in the room, that's the rule for rental properties."

I suddenly realized, so that's what happened? The temporary deposit waiver was the result of Xian Wanning's negotiations and her influence.

He eagerly pressed, "Sure, sure! Tell me, what kind of job is it?"

The landlady pointed south and said, "I have a nephew who runs a barbecue stall at the main intersection to the south. He needs someone to help him out. Are you interested?"

Hmm? They actually offer job placement services?

"How do you go to work?"

"There are two shifts, one is the afternoon shift from 3 pm to 8 pm, and the other is the evening shift from 8 pm to 1 am."

I thought about it for a moment. If I were to work for Ms. Shu, I probably wouldn't be able to make it to the middle shift. Her company is seven or eight stops away from here. If I finish get off work at 5:30, I can just make it to the night shift. So, in terms of time, it's feasible.

"How are wages calculated?"

"You can choose monthly or daily pay. For monthly pay, the middle shift pays 800 yuan per month, and the night shift pays 1000 yuan per month. For daily pay, regardless of whether it's middle or night shift, it's 30 yuan per day."

She has to work later at night, and since barbecue stalls definitely get more customers late at night, the pay is higher. She can return the daytime wages to Shu, and save the nighttime wages for living expenses.

I think this is a really great thing!

I did some thinking and realized that the night shift, paid daily, was the most suitable job for me right now.

Although the amount of money isn't much, it's enough to cover my daily meals, transportation costs, and rent.

"What kind of work do you do?"

"They're all simple jobs, no special skills required. It's like taking orders, serving food, and clearing away plates."

That's really simple, it's just running errands.

"When can I start work? I'm interested in the night shift, the daily pay, is that okay with you?"

The landlady clapped her hands readily: "Okay, no problem. I'll take you to the stall around 7:30 tonight and talk to my nephew."

As she turned to leave for another building to inspect, I still felt a little uneasy. How could such a good thing happen to me?

"Landlady? Do you have any daughters?"

The landlady was overjoyed; her laughter almost shook the ground.

"Hey handsome, I have a girl, but I can't introduce her to you!" he laughed, then rolled away like a tank.

Something about her last sentence felt off to me. But I couldn't quite put my finger on it, so I decided to just rest and get ready for my night shift!