Chapter 5: Monstrosity

Without waiting for Jim to finish speaking, Jian Heng immediately explained, "This is the one I chose myself. Miss Mary recommended some good rabbits, but I prefer this one."

A few years ago, individuals of Asian descent like Jian Heng would not have been able to occupy this area; they would only be responsible for the fringes and corners.

Taking the rabbit cage from Mary's hands, Jianheng carried it in his hand and followed Mary back to the foyer

The sauce must be made with care, the last time the sauce..." The woman glanced at Jian Heng and continued speaking

If it were a usual day, Jian Heng would typically wash up and go to sleep, but today Jian Heng is not interested in going to bed so early; the excitement from the space has not yet worn off.

You should choose a pet that is easier to care for. Benny is suffering from multiple ailments and may not have much time left. Right now, euthanasia might be the most suitable option for him, Jim said solemnly

At the moment Jian Heng discovered it, this creature was perched on the windowsill, crunching away at the cactus that Jian Heng had planted, the extra-large variety, originally with a stem height of nearly 30 centimeters

At this point, Jian Heng had no choice but to start looking for the rabbit, and it did not take much effort. He quickly found the rabbit on the kitchen windowsill, but this rabbit no longer looked like it was about to die. Not only had its previous dying appearance vanished, but it also seemed as if it were about to ascend to the heavens!

After listening to the woman, Jian Heng repeated it once more, and then asked, "Is this acceptable?"

However, with the benefits of the Chinese economy, more Chinese nationals are visiting New York. More importantly, as their pockets have become fuller, they are able to spend money. They are dining more frequently in high-end restaurants, which has made Jianheng, who speaks Chinese, quite popular. If you don't believe it, just look at other Asian individuals, such as the Vietnamese and Malaysian waitstaff in the restaurants, who are still lingering in the corners and have not received the same treatment as Jianheng.

Jian Heng knew that this rabbit was definitely not easy to raise. Seeing Jim seriously suggest that he change to another rabbit, his fondness for Jim increased just a little. He smiled and said, "I must have a special connection with this rabbit!"

... ...

This table has caused more commotion than ten other tables combined. Fortunately, this couple was relatively generous with their tips, so Jian Heng did not feel inclined to dwell on it. The waitstaff rely on this livelihood; if they were to be overly critical, they would find it difficult to continue in this line of work

The only thing that is not cute is that the spines are too hard, akin to steel thorns. Not to mention people, even the silly cat from the neighbor's house wouldn't dare to extend its paw to touch this cactus, as it hurts terribly.

It should be 7 o'clock

Upon arriving at the restaurant and changing into the appropriate attire, I handed over my duties to the server in front of me. Jian Heng almost walked into the restaurant right on time, noticing that the gaze of the female supervisor in her forties in the lobby was as sharp as a knife.

Jian Henggang stood still, and a young black man dressed in a similar waiter uniform approached him, whispering, "Table 12, your regular customer is back again"

When I left, the rabbit was in the cage, and now the rabbit has no idea where it has run off to, leaving only an empty cage! It did not exit through the cage door; it is evident that the fine wire mesh at one corner of the cage was gnawed through by the rabbit.

Jim's suggestion is truly for Jianheng's benefit. He genuinely wishes to befriend Jianheng, without the convolutions that his father has. His desire to be friends with Jianheng stems from his admiration for Jianheng's unique temperament. Jim has encountered many people who are slippery as an eel, cunning as a fox, honest and straightforward, and diligent in their work. However, it is the first time he has met someone like Jianheng, who is almost willing to give up all his savings to save a friend. Such a person is not easily found among people of any nationality.

What time is it

Upon hearing Jian Heng's words, Jim found himself at a loss, shrugged his shoulders, and ceased his persuasion

Jian Heng maintained a smile on his face while taking notes. In fact, he could easily articulate the preferences of this couple, word for word, without missing a beat. However, it seemed as if they were deliberately trying to annoy Jian Heng, as they insisted on repeating themselves every time they came, as if they wanted to see him standing before them with a humble expression.

Just as Jian Heng was momentarily distracted, the white man seated in position had already noticed Jian Heng's arrival. He extended his hand and lightly snapped his fingers, signaling Jian Heng to come over

Jian Heng brought the order for two people to the kitchen and simultaneously said to the chef's assistant: "Table 12, regular customer"

Fortunately, throughout the entire process, Jian Heng maintained a smile, constantly using an Ah Q-style mental suggestion to remind himself: after all, the one who is truly exhausted is the chef; he is merely carrying the plates a couple of times.

Having tidied up her attire slightly and wearing a smile on her face, Jian Heng approached the table of the white couple who made her feel quite uncomfortable, with a gentle smile.

Hearing Jim's question, Jian Heng almost wanted to slap himself in the face. He was just following the Chinese custom of being polite, but Jim, that silly foreigner, took it seriously. However, once the words were out, he couldn't take them back, so Jian Heng could only say: "How about next Tuesday evening? I don't have work that day, if you have time."

As soon as Jim heard about having two drinks, he immediately asked, "When?"

Upon hearing about the old customers, Jian Heng couldn't help but feel a tightening in his chest, as these old customers were not exactly pleasant individuals. Jian Heng's colleague was referring to a Caucasian couple who insisted on sitting in the area he served every time they came to dine, almost indicating that they wanted him to serve them.

"Okay! What location?" The speed at which Jim pointed is truly remarkable

How may I assist you?

The young white man with the flyer glanced at the items listed on the sheet, then upon hearing Jian Heng's words, muttered a curse under his breath. He then turned to Jian Heng and asked, "Are the troublesome couple here?"

I got a pet, I'm heading back! Thank you very much, let's have a couple of drinks together when we have time!" Jian Heng completed the formalities, carrying the cage and walking to the door with Jim, and only then did he bid a polite farewell to Jim.

Jian Heng is at a loss for words

Jian Heng is preparing to employ the strategy of procrastination; it is not a day off, and as a wealthy second-generation heir, you surely do not have time for this

He had been busy from 6:30 until after 9:00, and it was only then that Jian Heng finished work

The man spoke while pointing at the menu: "Steak, medium rare..."

In Jianheng's heart, a flock of alpacas flew by, and he helplessly said: "Empty Cabin Bar"

Anyone who has served plates in American restaurants knows that American waitstaff do not earn a fixed salary; their primary source of income is tips. In high-end restaurants like the one where Jian Heng works, the tips accumulated each day are quite substantial. Of course, in the same type of restaurant, the tips can vary significantly depending on the area. After working for a while, every server comes to understand which sections of the restaurant are the lucrative zones and which ones are merely sufficient for basic needs.

While asking, Jim took out his phone and began to mark his schedule on the mobile calendar

However, it seems that the rabbit is not afraid of thorns now, crunching away at both the thorns and the skin, seemingly enjoying itself immensely

What on earth?

When his gaze fell upon the rabbit cage in Jian Heng's hands, he immediately frowned: "Why did you choose Benny? It is about to be euthanized, isn't it? Mary, pick a rabbit for Jian that is easy to care for..."

Carrying the rabbit cage back home, Jian Heng hurriedly fed the rabbit a cup of "crystal ball" water from the full yield. After waiting for more than a minute without seeing any effect, he checked his watch and realized it was already nearly six o'clock in the evening, the time for him to start work. Thus, Jian Heng had no choice but to quickly change his clothes and ride his bicycle to the restaurant where he worked.

After talking for nearly three minutes, the man finally put down the menu and glanced at the woman sitting opposite him

As soon as the dishes were ready, Jian Heng immediately began serving. With each dish served, the couple started to complain. It was either the appetizer's flavor was incorrect or the soup's temperature was not suitable. First, the man changed the appetizer, and then the woman changed the soup. The most outrageous part was the main course, the steak, which was changed twice, and it was only after the third attempt that they finally settled. All in all, it took nearly half an hour of back and forth.

This is a cactus covered in steel spines. This variety is particularly easy to care for, requiring almost no effort to keep alive. It is said that it can survive for several years solely on the moisture in the air, and there are no animals in New York that feed on this type of cactus. This is just how resilient this cactus is.

Upon recalling the space, Jian Heng immediately thought of the rabbit he had just brought back, standing up and walking towards the rabbit cage

Seeing Jian Heng come out, Jim immediately shifted his gaze from Fanny and asked, "Jian, have you made your choice?"

Thus, the two individuals confirmed the time and place for their next meeting through their back-and-forth conversation, and only then did they part ways

The woman said, "Go ahead, call me if you need anything"

After walking in the hall for a full three hours, as soon as Jian Heng returned home, he was so exhausted that he half-lay, half-sat on the sofa

Seeing Jian Heng nod slightly, this person cursed again with a "fuck"

Although he had already begun to harbor ill feelings towards their ancestors, Jian Heng's tone remained so calm and natural, as if he bore no resentment whatsoever

Jim does not understand that this is called loyalty among Chinese people! He also does not realize that Jian Heng does not extend this loyalty to everyone; those who are worthy of such treatment can be counted on one hand.