Chapter 6

Qi Tang is not the kind of person who insists on making things difficult for others. Moreover, he is capable of taking care of himself; getting up, going out, and taking a taxi are just a few simple steps that can lead him directly home

"Why should I leave?" Qi Tang said with a feigned seriousness, "Is this your shop?"

It has been a long time since she last sat in the passenger seat of Qitang's car

Ye Zhao Jue carries an entire winter within her

The young people streamed out in succession, dressed in the most fashionable attire of the moment, carrying expensive bags. Each of them wore a uniform expression of impassiveness, each one looking so stern as if they were about to step onto the runway for a fashion show at any moment

Ye Zhaojuo wanted to say something more, but under the dual effects of alcohol and fatigue, her tongue had become tangled, making everything she attempted to say sound like a rolled r sound, akin to a child who has just learned to speak, mumbling incoherently without being able to express anything clearly

Lending money to a good friend holds a significance in life that is second only to major events such as marriage, funerals, and other significant life changes; a slight misstep can result in both financial and personal loss

Ye Zhao Jue keenly sensed this slight movement: "What do you want to say?"

However, a strange force held her down in her seat, rendering her unable to move

Let it be this time

Ye Zhao felt a surge of anger and, disinterested in continuing the fight, could only gesture towards Qi Tang.

Compared to the orderly daytime, the night indeed has a greater ability to evoke the subtle restlessness, the discontent, and the wild spirits that lie deep within the human heart

She did not agree immediately, but instead signaled to Ye Zhaoju to wait a moment, as she needed to check her account

It seems that I have come at an inopportune time ? '' She smiled, a smile filled with provocation and mockery

Then, she raised her hand and, in front of Xu Wanlai, decisively slapped Min Lang across the face

After unpacking all the packages, she looked around the entire studio and revealed a proud smile

One should not concern oneself with matters beyond one's position; Ye Zhao Jue is also aware of this principle

She actually knows without looking that Qi Tang is someone who can definitely deliver on what he says

After searching for a long time, he finally found the key at the bottom of the eco-friendly bag

In many matters, Ye Zhao's understanding of him is still superficial; she does not realize that the calmer he appears, the worse the situation is likely to end.

This is not the same thing. She knew that a few sentences could not clarify the matter and just wanted to extricate herself from the situation as soon as possible. "Can I find a time to explain it to you another day?"

Bing, a female friend who can be considered to have married into a wealthy family, but the family has strict rules, so she is probably unable to go out at this hour

Uh... are you not going to answer? As his former assistant, Ye Zhao felt a lingering habit from the past, wondering, "Will this delay work matters?"

Only three days remain, and the overwhelming excitement and anticipation have nowhere to be released. They intertwine to form a tremendous force, trembling as it beats within her chest

But now ... ... it's so awkward, perhaps it's better not to look for Qingyu.

I have finished ordering, take a look and see if there is anything you would like to eat. Qi Tang pushed the menu in front of Ye Zhao Jue

Ye Zhao Jue quickly shook his head: "That's enough, I'll think of a way for the rest myself, at worst I can borrow some from home. According to the profit margin provided by the brand owner, I should be able to pay you back this amount within this year"

Recently, Yi has been fervently pursued by a young architectural engineer. He is relatively easy to get along with, but he often likes to talk about matters related to his work, which gives him a somewhat bookish demeanor. Considering this, it might be a bit of a downer, so perhaps it is better to let it go.

Qiao Chu stood up, ran his fingers through his hair, adjusted his clothes, and glanced at the broken glass on the floor

Roughly speaking, there was no other way; she could only muster her courage and approach Qiao Chu with a bold face

Qitang truly found it hard to believe that an adult could possess only a single key, so rudimentary that it lacked even a decent keychain

Thus, she straightforwardly emphasized the central idea, with no grievances or hidden truths that were difficult to express; it was very simple, I just do not want to trouble you anymore

So, who should she turn to for help? As she picked at her fingernails, she mentally went through everyone she knew.

Qi Tang looked at the rosy-cheeked Ye Zhao Jue with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Just a little alcohol had stripped away her usual pretentious stubbornness, making her appear much more endearing.

Ye Zhao felt secretly that even if the most... She was picking at her fingernails while mentally going through everyone she knew.

Regarding that night, her last lingering impression was of a dry palm gently caressing her cheek, followed by a fleeting warmth that lightly touched her cracked lips, only to vanish immediately.

"Clothes are not as good as new, and people are not as good as old friends." On the way to Baihuai, Xu Wanlai recalled this old saying, and thought to herself that old sayings always carry their inherited wisdom

The surge of emotions burst forth, and she extended her hand to knock heavily on the door, her knuckles striking forcefully against the wooden panel, producing a hollow yet intense sound

She felt a vague excitement, everything was ready, just waiting for the day of the grand opening to present it all perfectly before the public

After racking my brains and searching all around, Ye Zhaojue has gained a new understanding of his life: first, I have very few friends. Second, I know very few wealthy people

Ye Zhao remembered that snowy night, as she trudged through the snow, the biting cold wind filled her elegant dress, and from her fingertips to her toes, there was not a single part of her body that was not cold

Ye Zhao Jue, in a state of confusion, felt a hand holding a warm, damp towel to wipe her face

This is the place where she will fight with all her might in the coming years, the kingdom where she will showcase her ambitions, and everything will begin here, her splendid future

She does not remember how she started drinking, nor does she recall whether the first pot of wine on the table was ordered by Qi Tang or by herself. What she can remember is that she drank one cup after another, one pot after another, consuming little food while drinking a considerable amount of wine

Ye Zhao felt inwardly that even if Qiao Chu ultimately lent no money, this friendship would still be worth it

At this moment, a small object was taken out from the bag

Ye Zhao Jue held the glass cup, feeling embarrassed and keeping his head lowered

That kind of wine is truly delicious, carrying a hint of plum fragrance. Upon first sip, it is reminiscent of syrup, with a slight sweetness.

After much consideration, it seems that apart from Min Lang, this free-spirited individual, there are no more suitable candidates.

The ledger is filled with entries: rent, transfer fees, renovations, equipment, ingredients... Each item represents an expense, and no aspect can be overlooked

The prosperous yet superficial youth flourishes everywhere here

"Are you coaxing the child?" Qi Tang elongated the last syllable, "There's no time like the present; I'll wait for you to get off work."

Qiao Chu showed no sign of evasion, nor did he insincerely offer one or two excuses to placate her. This seriousness alone is already a gift that surpasses monetary value

Upon reaching the entrance at 2106, Qi Tang reached into Ye Zhao Jue's bag to find the keys. He frowned slightly; this was not even a proper bag, but rather a high-end eco-friendly tote. Inside, there was a clattering sound, indicating a variety of items packed within: a wallet, a cardholder, a pencil case, an accounting book, tissues, lip balm, hand cream, a small mirror... Such a capacious collection. A diverse assortment of items was packed within: a wallet, a cardholder, a pencil case, an accounting book, tissues, lip balm, hand cream, a small mirror... Such a capacious collection.

The one with high foot traffic has rental and transfer fees that are indeed exorbitant, but the cheaper one, upon a slight consideration, she realizes that it would be difficult to even break even

It is too easy to give up; all it takes is to let go and tell oneself, "I am done with this."

Qi Tang curled his lips and said: "Do you want to eat feces? The flavor is too strong"

She secretly thought to herself, after all, she owed him a small favor

Sleep is a smooth, bottomless black hole; she surrenders her entire being to it, sliding into its depths, falling all the way down

She cannot recall when it started, but she has also tried to light a cigarette during particularly exhausting or oppressive moments, as if in the act of inhaling and exhaling, she could temporarily alleviate some of her gloom

However, for some people, giving up is truly difficult, especially when it carries the new hopes you have for life. At this moment, can you easily let go?

Qi Tang was wearing a red sweater, which had a small eagle on the chest. He had just gotten a haircut not long ago, and overall he appeared to be several years younger than usual. He said nonchalantly, "On the way."

You have your self-esteem, and I have mine. When you are upholding your self-esteem, can you not take a moment to consider my thoughts?

Let's go eat skewers! Qi Tang did not engage in conversation with her, but enthusiastically made the decision on the itinerary, saying, I know a Sichuan restaurant that is open until six or seven in the morning

She had considered that Qi Tang might know about this matter; she just did not expect that he would find out so quickly, quickly enough that she had not yet devised a grand and justifiable reason to explain why she had not asked for his help

He was somewhat surprised; the passion women have for designer handbags is simply insane. Ye Zhao Jue was on the verge of not being able to afford meals, yet she still spent money on a bag? He picked up the paper bag, wanting to see the style and assess her taste.

Suddenly, everything around fell silent

She was locked in her home, going back and forth with a calculator to do the math. Only after finishing did she realize that after deducting the franchise fee and the basic living expenses, relying solely on her meager savings to open a store was indeed too much of a stretch

Jia is a friend of hers in the media circle, who had previously promised to conduct an exclusive interview with her before the opening. However, judging from the recent updates on the other party's WeChat Moments, it seems that Jia is still working overtime

This is not broken glass; it is clearly her self-esteem

As she was speaking, Qi Tang's phone rang, and she immediately fell silent

The little tenderness that Qi Tang had just nurtured quickly ran out, "Ye Zhao Jue, just shut up."

After racking my brains and searching all around, Ye Zhaojue has gained a new understanding of his life: first, I have very few friends. Second, I know very few wealthy people.

She must find someone to share with, and she took out her phone to start browsing through her contacts

Having just paid the franchise fee to the brand owner, Ye Zhaoju was immediately arranged to go to the headquarters to learn operational techniques

When it comes to being unreasonable, Ye Zhao Jue knows that he and Qi Tang have never been on the same level. In this moment, confronting him head-on is not a solution; he can only soften his approach to disarm the other party: "Your presence here makes me feel quite awkward."

Indeed, it is difficult to have it both ways in the affairs of the world

Xu Wan's good mood vanished the moment she saw Qiao Chu

He threw Ye Zhao Jue onto the bed in the bedroom, originally intending to leave, but suddenly, as if compelled by some unseen force, he sat down on the sofa

After a few glasses of wine, she became light-headed, her explosive temper dissipated, and she was left with a vague sense of sadness that was hard to articulate. If one were to assign a reason for this sadness, it would likely be that she was simply very tired

Qi Tang stared at her in astonishment; this was the first time in his life that he had seen someone cry from being too sleepy

However, even so, she still cannot go back to rest

Qi Tang has consistently refrained from displaying any obvious emotions

Qi Tang glanced at his phone with a hint of indifference and directly pressed the power button, saying: "You may continue."

A chill crept up Xu Wanlai's spine, and due to her extreme shock, she found herself at a loss as to how to proceed.

What she did not tell Qiao Chu was that she was very touched, not because of the money, but because of her attitude

I hope to do my utmost to make your life a little easier, why don't you understand

But in the next moment, an inexplicable anger surged to her forehead, why should I leave

In this smile, there are five parts bitterness, three parts envy, one part clarity, and one part lack of guile

Ye Zhao Jue secretly glanced at the store manager, confirming that she had not seen him. He turned around, maintaining a cold expression, and lowered his voice: "You should leave quickly"

Why do you always deliberately keep your distance from me

These are some small items that she asked her friends abroad to send to the studio to add color, including vintage storage boxes, uniquely shaped lighting fixtures, and decorative pieces

From Qi Tang's expression, it is evident that he is determined to receive a clear response regarding the questions raised earlier

This is not a trivial matter, whether to have Chinese or Western food for dinner, whether to buy the dress in black or red, whether to choose strawberry or sweet orange flavor for the gum, whether to drink coffee or tea

But now ... it is so awkward, perhaps it is better not to seek Qingyu anymore

Ye Zhao Jue held the glass cup, feeling embarrassed and keeping his head lowered

She wants to say, "I understand, but I cannot accept."

In the past, she would not have to go through such trouble to think about whom to choose as her creditor; apart from Shao Qingyu, she could not possibly consider anyone else.

This is a significant disaster in her life

He has never mentioned it, but whenever he sees her display a similar expression, he always feels an inexplicable sense of guilt. In contrast to her tumultuous life, he feels guilty for his own smooth journey.

Is it Qitang? She wants to ask, but the drowsiness is profound, and she cannot open her mouth

... ...

Ah... it's nothing. After a moment of consideration, Qiao Chu decided to conceal the original statement.

Finally, she stretched and slipped back into the store through the back door

"Don't go!" Ye Zhao was so furious that he was about to go mad, "Are you deaf?"

Roughly speaking, there was no other way; she could only muster her courage and approach Qiao Chu with a bold face

If you are asked to speak, then speak. The implication is that even if it is a work-related matter, what does it have to do with you

The entire lobby was filled to capacity, with both men and women displaying an air of high spirits. Just as someone called out, "Waiter, bring the menu," another person immediately responded, "Add a seat over here."

Qi Tang retracted his teasing and changed to another expression: "What is there to be embarrassed about? Did you not say that you would treat me to a meal once you found a job?"

She paused, knowing that at this moment she had only two choices: either to give up or to seek help

It is Qiao Chu who should leave

The main store is located in a bustling area that is perpetually congested, where even a distance of a few hundred meters can take twenty to thirty minutes by car. As one of the most fashionable districts in City S, it attracts an astonishingly large flow of customers even during the daytime on weekdays

"Are you even human? Huh?" Ye Zhao felt dizzy as she looked at Qi Tang, thinking what a shameless beast in human clothing he was. "Look at me, am I not miserable enough? No job, no money, no boyfriend, utterly defeated... I just want to go home and get some sleep, yet you still force me to accompany you for a late-night snack. Do you even consider yourself human?"

The more she drank, the more aggrieved she became; with a pout, her speech began to carry a hint of sobbing.

Ye Zhao Jue was unwilling to give up

"Utterly inhumane..." she said, before leaning over the table.

There are three hours left until the end of work, and she buries her head in the sand like an ostrich, hiding for as long as she can.

At the time of day when daylight transitions to night, the neon lights illuminate early. She leans against a sturdy sycamore tree by the roadside, wearing a slightly bored expression as she observes the diverse passersby.

Ye Zhaoju mentioned a number, which is not particularly alarming, but for Qiao Chu, whose economic situation has significantly declined, it is not an easy matter either

She wants to say, "The self-esteem we are talking about is fundamentally not the same thing."

I want to eat a fart with the book! Ye Zhao Jue's anger had not subsided, and he was even inclined to overturn the table

This is not a trivial matter, whether to have Chinese or Western food for dinner, whether to buy the dress in black or red, whether to choose strawberry or sweet orange flavor for the gum, whether to drink coffee or tea

She is unsure of the right measure; should I turn around immediately and not disturb them

Ye Zhao Jue carried the tray and walked to the guest according to the seat number. Upon seeing Qi Tang, she momentarily lost control of her volume and was shot a fierce glare by the manager

"Go die!" Ye Zhao Jue rolled his eyes fiercely, his eyeballs almost disappearing, "How could I possibly know someone like you."

Because, for a girl, "it's really too exhausting!"

She felt a bit stifled and let out a soft sigh. She had been busy all day, learning to make rice balls while also supporting the business in the shop. During the day, it wasn't so noticeable, but at this hour, fatigue seeped out from her bones and blood like insects breaking through the earth at the onset of spring.

A key

Qiao Chu smiled apologetically, and suddenly a glimmer of inspiration flashed in his eyes, but he abruptly halted.

Ye Zhaoju, who is nearly the same age as them, is dressed in the uniform provided by the store, wearing an apron emblazoned with the logo of Rice Ball Grill. He tirelessly shuttles between the workspace and the customers, so busy that he has no time to catch his breath

She did not agree immediately, but instead signaled to Ye Zhaoju to wait a moment, as she needed to check her account

Qiao Chu did not show the slightest intention of evasion, nor did he insincerely seek one or two excuses to placate her. This seriousness alone is already a gift that surpasses monetary value

And this meaningful and precious smile was completely captured in the eyes of Qi Tang, who was stuck on the road

Upon hearing Ye Zhao Jue's intention, Qiao Chu was somewhat surprised, yet he did not hesitate: "How much do you need? I need to see if I have enough."

Filled with rage and dragging her exhausted body, Ye Zhao felt like a hostage as she was taken by Qi Tang to this Sichuan restaurant. Upon entering, she realized just how many people in the city were unwilling to go to bed early at night

As she got out of the taxi and walked towards No. 79, her steps were light, and she was as happy as if she had returned to the years when she was still in school.

I am starving, he completely ignored her words and just went on to talk about something else, "The two rice balls have already been digested, come with me to get something to eat."

For Ye Zhao Jue, who is far removed from the bizarre nightlife, this is a dimension she rarely steps into

Ye Zhao Jue was carried back to the apartment by Qi Tang. Although she felt dazed, her consciousness was not blurred. When her head rested on Qi Tang's shoulder, she was still mumbling indistinctly, "I don't need your help, I can walk by myself"

Lending money to a good friend holds a significance in life that is second only to marriage, funerals, and weddings; a slight misstep may result in the loss of both money and friendship

How did you come here

The night breeze tousled her hair a bit, and her makeup was slightly smudged, but the moment she thought of meeting Min Lang, she felt that these trivial details were utterly unimportant

On the surface, it is about learning, but it actually carries the implication of free labor behind the scenes

In the midst of the chaos, a glass cup crashed to the ground, shattering into countless fragments, carving millions of delicate cracks into this originally tranquil and peaceful night

It was already late at night, and Xu Wan was alone in the newly arranged studio, unpacking packages.

Ye Zhao Jue could tell that the voice indeed came from Qi Tang. She wanted to respond to him, "Because we originally exist at both ends of this distance"

In the past, she would not have to go through such trouble to think about whom to choose as her creditor; apart from Shao Qingyu, she could not possibly consider anyone else.

"Yes, I am deaf." Qi Tang pressed the accelerator, completely ignoring Ye Zhao Jue's hysteria, and drove straight towards the destination

In the corner of the sofa, there is a rather inconspicuous dark red bag. Although it is not eye-catching, Qi Tang recognized the brand at a glance

Min Lang looked up and was completely stunned. His first instinctive action was to push Qiao Chu away.

This was his first genuine entry into Ye Zhao Jue's private domain. Although there had been a brief improvement in the cleanliness of the house under his arrangement, after some time, the effect was no longer noticeable.

"Why is there not a trace of life on these people's faces?" This sentence emerged in her mind, and she smiled gently.

Qi Tang added, "I mainly want to ask you, why are you willing to seek help from Qiao Chu, but not willing to seek help from me"

At the moment her mind went blank, the store manager's call of "Xiao Ye" saved her, and she hurriedly dashed back to the workroom without looking back

She saw Qiao Chu leaning against Min Lang's shoulder, with Min Lang holding a laptop, seemingly watching some movie. The two were giggling and chatting about something unknown. After they finished laughing, Min Lang even patted Qiao Chu on the head

In order to find a suitable storefront, Ye Zhao Jue almost ran all over City S, leaving early and returning late, even more diligently than when he was at work. His legs became slimmer, and he lost a few kilograms.

She knows that she can actually leave

What she did not tell Qiao Chu was that she was very touched, not because of the money, but because of her attitude

I think, "Qitang handed the menu to the waiter, turned around, and smiled at her with an innocent expression, "this must be what we Chinese often refer to as fate."

It will be a long time before she realizes that this is her first kiss with Qi Tang

I just wanted to save some time for you to sleep. Whether it was because he was full or for some other reason, Qi Tang finally began to speak to her in a relatively friendly tone, "Rest assured, I will take you home and then leave, I won't take advantage of you"

Finally, she found herself caught between the two stores, unsure of how to make a choice

She composed herself and tried to pick up the thread of her unfinished words, but she realized that even without this sudden phone call, what she wanted to say had already been said.

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Zhao Jue felt as if he had been struck by lightning, damn it! Qiao Chu, you betrayed me!

After closing, Ye Zhao Jue changed back into her own clothes and bid farewell to her colleagues. One of the young women gestured with her eyes towards the outside, saying, "Someone is waiting for you."

He stared for a few minutes, and soon, he understood everything

Recalling that night, she let out a sigh, so soft it was barely audible

Since there is no way to avoid it, Ye Zhao decided to throw herself into it headfirst, "You have taken care of me too much, in every little detail, I do not want to trouble you any further

At the time when she could take a brief rest, she would sneak out through the back door of the shop to catch her breath

I am not going, I am exhausted!" Upon hearing that he could not go home to rest, Ye Zhao felt completely overwhelmed, "You go eat by yourself, I want to go home to take a shower and sleep, I have to work tomorrow!"

An infinitely long minute

After a while, Qiao Chu closed the computer and mentioned a figure that was slightly less than the number Ye Zhao Jue had stated. She appeared troubled and said, "If it were in the past, this amount of money would not have been a big deal even if given to you for free. Alas, times have truly changed."

Ye Zhaojuo mentioned a number, which is not particularly alarming, but for Qiao Chu, whose economic situation has significantly declined, it is not an easy matter either

The last string in her mind, named reason, has snapped, and her speech is utterly devoid of logic

Opening a store is easy to get excited about, but when it comes to actually managing it, Ye Zhaojue finally understands why Min Lang insisted on staying close to Xu Wanlai when she was selecting a location for the studio

Upon hearing Ye Zhao Jue's intention, Qiao Chu was somewhat surprised, yet he did not hesitate: "How much do you need? I need to see if I have enough."

As she was about to break the calculator from pressing it so much, the final conclusion drawn was: even if the east wall is completely torn down, it cannot make up for the west wall.