Section 1

Naruto: A box

Cheng Cheng: Because the circle is small, like-minded individuals naturally appreciate each other

Chatting here instead reminded Cheng Cheng that she really needed to find some money to fill her stomach... After all, she would soon have to pay next month's rent, utilities, and internet fees, not to mention food...

The girl was unable to think clearly

I will report to you diligently

The girl gazed at her, and Cheng Cheng looked back.

Sipping tonic water, I took a moment to clear my mind after five days of relentless translation that had consumed a great deal of mental energy. With the bar still quiet, my gaze drifted to the empty dance floor as I found myself lost in thought

Today, she is not wearing overalls; instead, she has donned a short-sleeved shirt dress from top to bottom, cinched at the waist with a narrow deep blue leather strap as a belt. On her feet are white canvas shoes, and she carries a backpack. The girl next to her, a female classmate, is slightly more beautiful; perhaps she is one of the eight from that day, to be honest, Cheng Cheng can no longer remember clearly

"Let's go to the booth." Cheng Cheng left the bar and took them to their old spot—the booth at the corner with the worst line of sight

Cabbage: You actually managed to guess it? [smiley face]

The apartment that Cheng Cheng rents is a two-bedroom unit, equipped with a kitchen and a bathroom, but lacking a living room. One of the bedrooms is occupied by a young couple who have just graduated from university, while she shares her room with a roommate

Without waiting for Baicai's response, she proactively jumped to the next topic

Bok Choy: I regret it quite a bit. That night when I returned to the dormitory, I reflected on it and realized that asking for your phone number was too impulsive. ... Moreover, in front of so many of your friends, thank you ... for supporting me.

She returned early this time. As she walked down the stairs, the girl selling tickets was putting up posters for tonight. The glass door of the bar was open, and "I Truly Love You" by Beyond was playing over the speakers. She had come here once by chance years ago, and it was because she heard "I Like You" that she developed a fondness for this place, eventually becoming a regular.

Almost instantaneous response: How much is needed

Bok Choy: I do not wish to disturb you, I simply want to be friends with you

There is also nothing ... ... it's just that whenever I encounter you, I always want to apologize

"I will pay today," the girl said immediately

Bok Choy: Then why don't you go to the bar anymore

It is not yet July, and the temperature has already soared to 35 degrees

The text message indicating the arrival of funds was like an alarm, reminding her that she could no longer be despondent and needed to get to work

The bar was still empty of patrons, and Haku had just ordered a plate of stir-fried rice noodles, sitting at the bar engrossed in eating. Upon seeing Chengcheng appear, he immediately smiled and patted the small swivel chair beside him: "Not bad, managing to look all disheveled in those overalls, coming here on time every week."

She logged onto MSN, found that person, and sent a message

During the past month of poverty and despair, she truly spent enough nights sleeping in a fast-food restaurant. After swaying for less than three seconds, she still decided to throw herself into Haku's embrace

At this point, she had only two dollars and eighty cents left of her entire fortune

What comes next? There should be no further developments.

Cheng Cheng was too lazy to refute.

Cheng Cheng: Hmm

Miyi County

I am sorry, that is not what I meant

She texted a group of young women she knew in Beijing, asking the elites from various industries to recommend part-time jobs. Without exception, everyone who received the message first mocked her, doubting that she was joking. It was only after she repeatedly assured them that she was genuinely in need of money that they began to send dozens of part-time job listings to Chengcheng's email.

She turned on the computer, picked up the phone to order takeout, and after finishing her personal hygiene, returned to find that QQ had already logged in automatically

Where to go tonight? The typhoon shelter? McDonald's? An all-night fast food restaurant to stay overnight? Or Haku's bar?

Haku thought she was upset, so he stopped joking. He bent down to take tonic water from the counter and poured it into a cup for her: "I sent you a message, but you didn't reply?"

The city is unemployed, wandering aimlessly at home every day

Bok Choy: I tend to be a bit chatty... I'm not usually like this. It's rare to see you online, and I'm worried that if we don't connect now, it might be a long time before we do again. If you see my message, there's no need to reply with so many words; if you're busy with work, just a simple emoji will suffice

Due to not working, she has had no income for the past two months, and all her savings amount to the three thousand yuan she brought from home. After paying the rent and utilities for three months, she has a little over one thousand left. She has squandered at the bar four times, leaving her with thirteen yuan and eight cents

Bok choy: secretly indulging in a feast

Cheng Cheng: Do you go to the bar every week? Aren't you afraid anymore

Bok Choy: I invite you to come this week, I will treat you to drinks at www.hetushucomcom

Someone has been waiting for you for a month, so you should at least open a bottle priced at 680, right? Haku joked with her

Upon considering this, Cheng Cheng lost the desire to continue chatting and hastily sent a "See you" to the overalls before going offline

No need, she has never required anyone to invite her here. Feel free to drink, she is wealthy Haku finished explaining and left immediately

"What are you apologizing for again?" Cheng Cheng laughed again, "You really enjoy apologizing to others, don't you?"

As "I Truly Love You" draws to a close, the accompaniment fades. The establishment has not officially opened, the lights are dim, and the bar area is quite dark, yet even in such lighting, she can discern the laughter and surprise in those eyes

Cheng Cheng: You speak.

The other party: I have already borrowed money from overseas, let's make it 5000, so that I won't find you starving on the streets when I graduate and return to the country. If it's not enough, we can discuss it again. Give me your account number, so my mother can transfer it to you.

In addition, everyone there is very friendly, smiling at each other regardless of whether they are acquainted or not. They can drink and chat casually, and once introduced, the whole place is filled with good friends.

The other party responds almost instantly

After all, in Chengcheng's imagination, this girl in overalls was just there to enjoy the spectacle, and there would be no further interaction. So why does she go to the bar every week? It is indeed strange

Cheng Cheng: I have no money to buy wine

The class group and friend group that I have been part of since childhood have both muted notifications, and the only lively chat is in Haku's bar group. At 1 PM, those who should be working are working, and those who should be attending classes are attending classes, with only two people spamming the chat. They probably just met new friends at the bar last week, chatting joyfully about everything under the sun, from the duck necks of Wuhan to the hot pot ingredients from Sichuan.

Bok choy: Later, I was no longer afraid and felt that the people there were particularly nice

Cheng Cheng was amused and wanted to laugh

Someone is knocking at the door

River

"Did you not say that you have no money to buy wine?" the girl asked softly, "How about I secretly give you the money, and you can pay the bill?"

Cheng Cheng rested his left arm on the bar, his head nestled in the crook of his arm, listening to the music in the venue

The account has been sent over

Haku was not at all polite with her, directly opening a bottle priced at 680, and a bucket of ice was also brought over

"You came? I thought you wouldn't show up," the girl exclaimed as she joyfully ran to the bar. "You were offline that day, and then for the next two days, I left you messages, but I didn't see you reply. Have you really been offline all this time?"

Cheng Cheng was sweating excessively, so he went to the balcony to enjoy the breeze for a while, then washed his face. Upon returning, he stared at that window for a long time, reminiscing about what had happened a month ago. At that time, Cheng Cheng was considering that the young girl was shy, surrounded by more than ten onlookers, including her classmates... He felt that he had to provide her with a way out to ease the situation. Therefore, he took the girl's phone, dialed a series of numbers, and when he returned the phone to her, he quietly said, "It's fake, no need to call."

"The overalls have arrived," Haku said softly as he fastened the disposable lunch box.

The wine is still affordable

Cheng Cheng: I was just having a meal

Bok choy: Is it because you are too busy with work? Is that why you haven't had time to eat?

Cheng Cheng poured half a cup of wine, moistening his throat: "What is your name?"

"This is not it, this is the name□□, it looks fine, but it sounds too unpleasant when pronounced," the girl said, feeling conflicted, "I haven't decided yet, Haku keeps calling meーー"

There is a limit to joking around. Cheng Cheng sat down on the swivel chair

Cabbage: Yes, it's completely insufficient. The dormitory has only two meals a week.

Cheng Cheng thought for a moment and asked her: "Where in Sichuan are you from?"

It is already dark outside the window

This trip lasts for four nights and five days

Someone actually privately messaged her, it was the "cabbage" that was spamming the group just now

I will treat you even if I have no money, bulk liquor is inexpensive. Next time, just come over, we are all people with feelings, disappearing just like that, I thought something had happened to you

Bok choy: It's just past 2 o'clock, have you just eaten?

After Cheng Cheng dealt with the takeout trash, she returned to her computer and began to reply to her messages

Bok Choy: You... you won't block me anymore, right

"It's not about asking for your real name," Cheng Cheng interrupted the girl, "Just any name will do, how should I address you? Cabbage?"

City City: [ Smiley Face ]

"Just kidding," Cheng Cheng asked with a smile, "Did you take it seriously?"

For example, when my classmates and I leave the bar and take a taxi, Haku always remembers the taxi number. Only after we return to the dormitory and send her a message saying that we have arrived safely will she feel at ease

"I am a Beijinger, from the city of Beijing, the city of cities," she said

The room is not large, and the furniture provided by the landlord is standard: an old-fashioned fabric corner sofa, a coffee table, a TV cabinet, a wardrobe, and a bed

The room is too stuffy; even with doors on both sides, there is no through breeze to cool it down

Cabbage: Hmm

In half an hour, 5000 will be credited. For the time being, I have money to sustain my life

"I promised to say goodbye, I will treat you," the girl fumbled to take out her wallet, "while they are all not here—"

Cheng Cheng: No. Haku, they are deceiving you; I am an unemployed drifter

The money has run out, just managed to get by.

Cheng Cheng looked bored and closed the group chat window

suspenders

She made a sound of "mm"

How do you know

Cheng Cheng paused for a few seconds, smiled, and said: "Miyi, hello"

The list of people to borrow money from is being crossed off one by one in my mind, leaving only a friend who is studying far away in the United States

As soon as Haku left, the girl's classmate also found an excuse to "go to the restroom," leaving with a smile that seemed to say "I am doing this for you," and hurried away, leaving only the two of them behind

Just after getting up, in order to save money, she did not turn on the air conditioning on a hot day of 35 degrees Celsius, but instead opened the balcony and the room door. After all, the young couple next door was also at work, and there were no outsiders in the house

Cheng Cheng: Yes, a little.

Cheng Cheng selected several Chinese-to-English translation jobs in the email and began to focus on earning money

Having never asked anyone for help, she searched through the phone numbers in her mobile, running through them one by one in her mind: childhood friends? High school classmates? No, she studied in Shanghai for university and had little contact with those childhood friends and high school classmates in Beijing; asking to borrow money would seem insane. Current roommates? ... No, she had rushed back from Beijing and it was her roommate who took her in; it would be inappropriate to ask for money now. University classmates? It felt a bit embarrassing, and besides, she had not interacted much with them during her studies, so there were no close friends. No, she had rushed back from Beijing and it was her roommate who took her in; it would be inappropriate to ask for money now. University classmates? It felt a bit embarrassing, and besides, she had not interacted much with them during her studies, so there were no close friends.

It is unclear why this tone of speech led Cheng Cheng to guess who this person was

Bok choy: The stir-fried flavor at home is rich. If you want to try it, I can send you some. My mother brings me a box every year at the start of the school year, packed in her own compressed disposable packaging

Cheng Cheng turned around just in time to meet the girl's gaze

City City : 1000

Cheng Cheng: Looking for me

City City : [ Smiley Face ]

After Haku finished rambling, he continued to eat dinner

The city does not take a stance: "Her creativity is limited, and it is obvious without needing to guess"

Bok Choy: I wanted to thank you in person, but you never went to that bar even though I went there every Saturday. Is it because you are too busy with work? Haku said you are a very busy person

The roommate works in a foreign enterprise office with fewer than ten people, from 9 AM to 5 PM every day

Cheng Cheng knew that the Sha County snack delivery had arrived downstairs. He picked up the eleven yuan that had been prepared on the table to pay for it and brought back the lunch. A serving of black-boned chicken soup costs six yuan, and a serving of steamed dumplings costs five yuan

"Why are you called Chengcheng?" the girl asked curiously

Bok choy: This will likely lead to stomach issues

Bok Choy: I am the one from that day...

Naruto: Your school actually allows eating hot pot in the dormitory? We even have to confiscate hair dryers.

By the time she crawled ashore from the ocean of translation, it was Saturday again

She and Haku were seated at a corner, with only two swivel chairs available. If they wanted to chat, the girl could only stand beside her friend the entire time, which appeared quite unfriendly

However, she does not actually know anyone in the group. The friends she met at Haku Bar have all graduated and do not socialize much, even if they are added to the group, they remain silent. The active members in the group are all students, and they are all part of Haku's efforts to bind "clients" and attract business.

Cheng Cheng: Hmm

The city of Shanghai does not have distinct spring and autumn seasons; the transition into summer occurs in just a day or two

Hmm, I haven't been on for a while." Cheng Cheng looked around.

She took a bottle of vinegar from the kitchen and poured it onto the lid of a disposable food container. She devoured the food, finishing the black-boned chicken soup to the last slice of ginger, and only then felt half full. After throwing away the trash, she returned to her desk, where the person in overalls had already sent more than ten messages.

Cabbage: Did you lose the connection

Bok Choy: You have finally come online ~ [smiley face]

One month later

Overalls

The girl seemed to have found a way to name herself: "So, am I from Sichuan? Four Four? Chuan Chuan? ... ... Sounds like串串 ... ... "

City City: Oh? For example?

Bok Choy: Let me leave you a message, I just want to say a few words

Is there any water? My mouth is a bit dry, I forgot to drink water before leaving home. Cheng Cheng changed the subject.

Cheng Cheng also noticed that the girl's eyes were not large. However, they were not unattractive