Yan Luan shook her head, her face stunning no matter how you looked at her. "That's not the reason. I heard everything just now. Actually, coming here to work was a temporary choice for me. It's too far from my home. Going back and forth sometimes costs a lot in travel expenses. Also, my house has a curfew, and I have to be back before midnight."
Wen Cheng nodded. Yan Luan felt familiar to him. Although he seemed aloof, he had a kind heart. If he did something, he would explain it clearly because he didn't want to disappoint others.
Looking at Yan Luan like this, Wen Cheng suddenly felt a sense of kinship.
Because he did the same thing when he was in college. In order to save money for living expenses, he would always find many part-time jobs in the evenings and on weekends. He not only had to time each job perfectly, but also had to consider the dormitory access control. His college years were spent in this busy schedule.
Wen Cheng could tell that Yan Luan looked young, probably only seventeen or eighteen years old, still carrying a bit of the naivety and immaturity that only teenagers have.
Are you also working part-time while studying?
Yan Luan was taken aback, a bitter smile flashing across her face, but she didn't show it much, just smiled calmly, "My grades weren't good, I didn't finish high school before I started working, just a regular worker."
Wen Cheng didn't seem like someone who wanted to work here willingly at all, but as a stranger, it was wrong of him to pry into someone's past.
Wen Cheng, suppressing her heartache, asked, "Where do you live? If it's nearby, I can introduce you to a job."
Yan Luan stared in disbelief at the boy who looked to be about the same age as him. There were definitely many wealthy people who came to the resort, and he had been scolded by the manager many times. However, Wen Cheng was the first person who was willing to stand up and help him.
"I... I live near the medical university." Having experienced so many changes, Yan Luan shouldn't be so easily trusting of others, but seeing Wen Cheng's sincere face, he inexplicably felt willing to believe her.
The medical university—Wen Cheng's eyes lit up. Wasn't that very close to the company?
Wen Qi's right eyelid twitched ominously.
"That's quite close to my company. How much is your salary here?" Wen Cheng needed to give a reasonable price based on the salary here, otherwise Yan Luan would definitely not be willing to go.
"Um, full-time employees earn six thousand a month, but I'm a temporary worker, so I earn four thousand a month," Yan Luan answered honestly.
"Would you mind being a security guard? Not the kind that requires patrolling, but the kind where you sit in the gatehouse and open the gate!" Wen Cheng's eyes sparkled.
Wen Qi curled his fingers, swallowing back the words of complaint he had been about to say.
What, you're quite proud of yourself, aren't you?
Yan Luan shook his head. This job looked easy, but the pay...
“Okay, we happen to be short of a security guard. It’s 8,000 a month, including social insurance and housing fund. Of course, if you don’t want social insurance and housing fund, you can get it in cash. You’ll get 12,000 a month after taxes.” Wen Cheng quoted a price with her eyes closed.
Ten thousand? Yan Luan's eyes lit up when he heard that. That was almost a month and a half's salary for him.
"Then, working hours?"
"You can get off work from nine to five, and then go to work elsewhere after you get off work. By the way, do you have a driver's license?"
Yan Luan nodded, "I'll take the exam when I turn eighteen in my second year of high school."
Wen Cheng nodded in a serious tone, "That's good. Our security department happens to have an electric car. You can drive it home or to work, which will be convenient."
Yan Luan's eyes widened in surprise. "But... your company's security guards are paid such good benefits?"
"That's right!" Wen Cheng proudly puffed out her little chest. "Because our company boss is a really good person, he never skimps on employee benefits!" Wen Cheng never missed an opportunity to flatter Wen Qi.
Wen Qi raised the corners of his mouth.
Yan Luan was always one to repay a debt of gratitude, and he would repay even the smallest kindness tenfold. He took a step back and bowed deeply to Wen Cheng, who was so startled that she quickly went to help him up.
"Don't be like that, I'm just introducing you to someone."
Yan Luan isn't stupid. Why would a stranger be so eager to introduce him to a job? Even relatives he'd known for decades wouldn't.
"Thank you." Yan Luan's words of thanks were choked with emotion.
Wen Cheng felt increasingly sorry for him, after all, he had also come from such an environment. Fortunately, the orphanage's aid came before his car accident, otherwise he wouldn't be able to live so carefree now. At the same time, he also understood that a small act of kindness could save a person's life.
Wen Cheng also exchanged contact information with Yan Luan so that she could inform him about his upcoming job.
Yan Luan's profile picture wasn't the typical silly, chuunibyou image typical of his age; instead, it was a photo of a five-year-old girl. The girl in the photo had a sweet smile, and her two front teeth, which were in the process of falling out, made her look especially adorable.
Wen Cheng glanced at him a couple more times, keeping her guesses to herself, and watched Yan Luan wave to them on a somewhat rusty bicycle, then disappear down the slope like a white dove, leaving a simple trail.
Wen Cheng paused for a moment, then followed Wen Qi up the mountain, not forgetting to boast along the way, "Brother Qi, wasn't I handsome just now?"
Wen Qi looked over and said, "If you could call me with this much confidence when you're arguing with your brother, I'd praise you for being cool."
Wen Cheng immediately wilted. How could he dare to fight against the protagonist? Although he was now aligned with Brother Qi, he felt it was unnecessary.
"I think we're getting along pretty well now, and I don't mind at all."
At this moment, Wen Qi couldn't wait to pry open Wen Cheng's head to see what he was thinking. This wasn't how one became indifferent to worldly affairs.
"You are aiding and abetting evil."
Wen Cheng was so surprised that she kept exclaiming, "Brother Qi, when did I become Daji in your heart?!"
Wen Qi chuckled, "There's no need to flatter yourself like that. With your level, you're at best a husky."
......
Wen Qi knew that Wen Cheng had her own concerns, especially since her parents had trusted Wen Yunyi in the past and were heartbroken, so they didn't care. He didn't deny that possibility, but Wen Yunyi's repeated provocations made it impossible for him to remain calm.
He never used his own pain as leverage to threaten others.
“Wen Cheng, you may have been willful before, but you haven’t really wronged anyone. None of the children your parents raised for over twenty years are their biological children, except for you. So, when you come back, you don’t need to have any thoughts of usurping someone else’s place. Wen Yunyi doesn’t understand now, but I don’t want you to give in like that. In the end, if you make even a simple mistake, he will stand on the side of the victim and condemn you, and you will naturally become the perpetrator.”
Wen Cheng was taken aback by Wen Qi's gaze.
Yes, Qi Ge would sometimes remind him to be more assertive, but he had never seriously analyzed things for him like today. He used to think it didn't matter, but after Wen Qi's analysis, it took on a different meaning.
Yes, he read the book from Wen Yunyi's perspective before, and felt that some of the original owner's actions were too much, but he did not consider the issues of principle.
If he were truly the original owner of this body and had been brought back, he should have been enjoying his parents' doting love. However, this wasn't the case. His parents subconsciously favored Wen Yunyi, and when Wen Yunyi made mistakes, they would attribute them all to him. Even when all this happened, Wen Yunyi still believed that he was the most pitiful one.
If he were Wen Yunyi, he would feel somewhat uncomfortable and ashamed. He might feel awkward at first, but the fact that his parents didn't send him away was already a very good thing. Instead of being moved, he was indirectly fighting against the original owner of this body.
Watching Wen Cheng's eyes shift from confusion to clarity, Wen Qi snorted, "Have you figured it out yet?"
Wen Cheng nodded.
"It's not that I'm telling you to go after Wen Yunyi now that you've figured it out. It's just that if he keeps picking fights with you and playing truth or dare, you can refuse. You don't need to be afraid of anything. Wen Cheng, I can say that as long as you don't do anything stupid and end up in this house, we'll provide you with food and lodging. Nobody will kick you out. Wen Cheng, you have to believe me."
As Wen Qi walked, he turned his head to look at Wen Cheng, his eyes full of reliability. Wen Cheng pursed her lips, and finally, unable to resist, grabbed Wen Qi's arm and rubbed against him frantically.
......
It was half an hour later when the two of them reached the top of the mountain. Wen Cheng stood there like a puppy, panting heavily with her knees bent. Her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat, and she felt like she could faint.
"Brother Qi, if I faint, will you carry me back?" Wen Cheng asked pitifully.
"hehe."
Two "hehe"s completely shattered Wen Cheng's dream.
However, the two of them can still rest in the pavilion for a while, watch the sunset in the distance, and feel the gentle breeze around them, which calms down Wen Cheng's restlessness and makes her feel more relaxed.
Wen Cheng had never tried mountain climbing before. She was already exhausted after work and didn't have time to think about such things.
“I used to be just like Yan Luan,” Wen Cheng said, looking at the sunset in the distance, mentioning her past to Wen Qi for the first time.
This drew Wen Qi's sidelong glance.
Author's Note:
Thank you for your support, my darlings!
Chapter 47 needs to be memorized!
Wen Cheng knew that mentioning her past to Wen Qi would be very risky and expose her secret, but in this situation, Wen Cheng really wanted to find someone to confide in. Recalling the original owner's past, Wen Cheng also gave a general account of her life.
"The summer I turned eighteen, the subsidies from the government had almost stopped, but I needed to have living expenses. Even though I could apply for scholarships and student loans in college, it still wasn't enough. So I started doing all sorts of part-time jobs during the summer. My biggest fear every day was missing the bus. Sometimes when I had to work overtime, I had no choice but to take a taxi. I would even look for someone to share the ride with so I could save a few dollars."
Wen Cheng spoke casually, but only he knew how much bitterness was behind his words.
Wen Qi lowered his eyes and finally understood why Wen Cheng would rather be a security guard. He had been too tired before, so now his ideal was stability. It was like he had been drifting on the sea for too long and finally found a rich island. He didn't want a prestigious position. He just wanted to be a carefree islander.
Wen Cheng gazed at the setting sun in the distance. Sweat dampened the hair on his forehead, but he still looked so calm and enjoyed the tranquility.
Wen Qi withdrew his gaze.
Fine, let him be a good-for-nothing. It's not like I can't afford to support him. Just living a peaceful life like this is all I ask of Wen Cheng.
"Don't worry, those days will never happen again," this was the assurance Wen Qi could give Wen Cheng.
Wen Cheng felt a warmth in his heart, but he wasn't one to get sentimental all the time. He chuckled and said, "Of course, because I have Brother Qi!"
Wen Qi was very pleased with the way Wen Cheng trusted him.
Wen Cheng was met with a long-awaited pat on the head, which she greatly appreciated. After enjoying the beautiful sunset with Brother Qi, she headed home.
No,
When the sun was halfway down, Wen Cheng, clutching her stomach, shyly told Wen Qi that she was hungry.
Wen Qi sneered, guessing that when Wen Cheng used to work, she probably spent half of her salary on supporting her own stomach. After all, while others only have one stomach, Wen Cheng must have eaten two.
After sitting for more than ten minutes, Wen Cheng's legs were still a little weak when she stood up again. This was the result of not exercising for a long time. Wen Qi walked briskly ahead, while Wen Cheng followed behind half-dead.
Moreover, he discovered that going downhill was actually more difficult than going uphill, because his legs felt weak, and every step was a challenge to his thighs.
It's sour and painful.
When Wen Qi looked back after walking a long way, Wen Cheng had already left him far behind and was walking at a speed that was slower than that of an octogenarian.
This is crispy.
Wen Qi sighed silently, resignedly turned around and walked away.
"Brother Qi," Wen Cheng stood two steps above Wen Qi, just at eye level. Many people didn't dare to meet Wen Qi's gaze because his aura was overwhelming. But Wen Cheng was different. He had the guts from the beginning, and now he was becoming more and more unrestrained. He looked at him sincerely with his dog-like eyes, not forgetting to release some electric currents as appropriate, and his tone was more or less coquettish.
"Premature aging of bodily functions?" Wen Qi asked, his hands in his pockets.
Wen Cheng replied angrily, "Brother Qi, don't ask questions that could lead to misunderstandings! I'm still very young, my legs are just sore!"
Wen Qi looked at Wen Cheng's short legs with disdain, and realized that his younger brother's physical abilities were definitely below average in today's society. Wen Cheng's ideals could be a little lacking, but his body couldn't be ruined along with them.
“It will take at least half an hour to get down the mountain. Wen Cheng, I can carry you down so you can suffer less.” Wen Qi was unusually agreeable.
Wen Cheng's eyes widened like light bulbs as she listened, and then suddenly lit up.
"But the condition is that you must get up and run with me every morning from now on,"
Wen Cheng nodded in complete agreement. A wise man doesn't suffer in the present moment; his plan was to cheat when the day actually came! He was truly as clever as ever.
Wen Qi, being the kind of person he was, certainly understood Wen Cheng's little scheme. He smiled subtly, turned his back, and bent slightly at the waist.