Cooking costs 10 yuan per meal. (Note: If she cooks all three meals a day, a 15% discount may be applied.)
Fortunately, I was smart enough to add a clause later: the payment for cooking included washing the dishes!
The money-grubber looked helpless and sighed, "You learn so fast! Looks like I've missed out on making some money again!"
I broke out in a cold sweat... What kind of girl is this?!
I've never met a girl who's so meticulous about money!
However, her price list was reasonable. I calculated it and found it was much cheaper than hiring a part-time cleaner, so I agreed.
Of course, I also wanted to get back at her, so I deliberately made a malicious request: "How much do you charge for warming my bed each time?"
This time her answer was very simple, just one word:
"Pooh!"
Part 1: In the Jianghu, Not in Control of One's Own Fate, Chapter 33: You Won't Know Until You Read It—The World Is Truly Amazing!
After Amei left, I sat in the room for a while, took out my things, and threw my clothes and such aside, since Amei would take care of it anyway.
I found the ring and held it in my hands, looking at it again and again.
The more I think about what's happened these past few days, the more bizarre it seems. Things are just too coincidental. Good luck and bad luck have come one after another; I haven't had a single day of peace! This is too strange!
Is it really because the ring is still working? Or will it still not work even if I don't wear it?
I suddenly remembered the so-called customer survey form that they gave me when they were selling me the ring. I took it out and looked at it carefully for a while. In fact, it was nothing more than some simple customer survey.
For example, whether you are satisfied with the product.
Are you satisfied with the price?
After wearing it, do you experience any discomfort?
To my surprise, the survey also listed some minor items, such as how much attention was paid to financial fortune, whether it improved attractiveness to the opposite sex, and whether any opportunities arose that would help one's career, etc.
However, the measuring device that I was most interested in was not mentioned.
There is also an email address below, because this survey form needs to be sent via email.
I thought for a while, and since it was still early, I immediately went out and ran to the nearest computer company to buy a laptop. At the same time, I used their scanner to scan a survey form into a file and saved it in the laptop.
After running home, I immediately connected to the internet, filled out the form, added a question below requesting to purchase the product, and then sent the email.
To be honest, I can't actually afford their official products. I just want to find a way to contact them.
After sending the email, I stared at the computer screen for a long time, clearly hoping for an immediate reply. Unfortunately, there was no response. I stared until my eyes ached, but there was still no reaction. Frustrated, I got up and went to the kitchen to find something to eat.
After searching around, I suddenly found a cockroach in the corner of the kitchen. I picked up a slipper and fought it for a long time, chasing it all the way from the kitchen to the bathroom before finally killing it. By then, I was exhausted and panting, feeling a little lost.
I took my slippers, plopped down on the toilet, looking rather serious, and then fell into deep thought.
What am I doing?
This question is a bit too profound, so I'll skip it. So the next question is, what should I do next?
I have to face a reality: I've lost my job.
Whether Huan Ge did it intentionally or unintentionally, I lost my job.
Of course, I still have a lot of money. I have about 30,000 to 40,000 yuan in savings. Besides that, there's the check Huan left me; I've checked it, it's 800,000 yuan. It's not a huge amount, but it's enough to buy an apartment in this city. Living a simple life, just eating and waiting to die, it would allow me to live comfortably for at least ten years without worrying about food and clothing.
Oh, right, I also have the six months' salary that the company paid me after terminating my employment. Apparently, it's already been transferred to my account, so it should be over 20,000 yuan.
Also, I remember that the lottery winnings I got with Yan Di that day are still in my possession; they amount to 200,000 yuan.
If I do the math, I think I'm actually quite wealthy.
I have absolutely no intention of touching the 800,000 yuan that Brother Huan gave me. It's one thing to respect Brother Huan, but I can't bring myself to take his money and live a life of idleness and complacency!
I, Xiao Wu, am not that kind of person.
As for the 200,000 yuan I won... I said it was for Yan Di, whether she wants it or not. I'm a man, and once I say something, I have to give it to her.
So, I still have about 50,000 to 60,000 yuan in my hands, which is my personal savings.
"Not bad, fifty or sixty thousand, enough for me to live a carefree life for a year." I leaned lazily against the toilet, but actually felt a little lost.
I always feel like there's something empty inside, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
I have hands and feet, how could I possibly starve to death?
Thinking about this, I suddenly understood. I took out a cigarette, lit it, and sat on the toilet, puffing away.
After resting for a while, I suddenly had a thought: should I call Yan Di?
We haven't been in touch for a few days. I wonder if this innocent and lovely girl is thinking of me? I've been staying in the hospital these past few days, and my phone has been switched off.
I did not contact anyone, not even Mu Tou A Ze and Qiao Qiao; I did not notify them at all.
When people are down on their luck, they always think of their good friends. This is probably a common human trait.
I called Aze: "I'm in a bad mood, come out and have a drink with me."
There was a panting sound on the other end of the phone. Aze said, "I'm having sex right now, I'm busy."
I called Qiaoqiao again, but the call was cut off before she answered. Half a minute later, I received a text message: "Making love."
I glanced at the sky outside; it was evening, not dark yet… These two guys, busy with this kind of thing in broad daylight…
I dialed Wood's number again, but before the call connected, I realized: Damn, it's Wood! Talking to him is less efficient than talking to myself!
The call connected, but I hung up before he could speak.
I sighed, but finally decided to call Yan Di anyway.
To be honest, I don't really want to go see her right now.
This is probably a common problem for men; when they're down on their luck, they don't want the woman they like to see them like this.
Yan Di answered the phone very quickly.
"Hello...is this Brother Xiao Wu?" Yan Di's voice on the other end of the phone was still so gentle and pleasant, but there was some background noise, as if it was a noisy environment.
"Hmm," I replied, suddenly feeling inexplicably nervous, as if I didn't know what to say. After a moment's hesitation, I asked, "What are you doing?"
"I'm working," Yan Di said softly on the other end. "Brother Xiao Wu, wait a moment, I'll talk to you later."
The call ended abruptly, and I stood there for a minute. Then my phone rang again. It was much quieter on the other end, and Yan Di's voice was clearer: "Brother Xiao Wu, I'm sorry. I was working just now. The company doesn't allow us to make phone calls while working, so I made an excuse to run away."
"Hmm." Before I could say anything, Yan Di's voice on the other end of the phone sounded strange: "Brother Wu, do you... do you not want to see me anymore? I've called you several times these past few days, but your phone is always off... I even went to... the nightclub to look for you, but they said you weren't there..."
“It’s not what you think.” I tried to speak in the gentlest tone possible. “I’ve been busy these past few days, and my phone has been off. As for the nightclub, I no longer work there.”
Yan Di let out an "Ah," seemingly surprised. I didn't want to bring up that topic, so I just asked, "Where do you work now?"
She mentioned a location, a shopping mall in a bustling commercial area of the city. She said it was for a promotion of some cosmetics brand. I laughed, then asked her what time she finished get off work.
Yan Di's tone immediately became lively, and even through the phone, I could almost feel her sunny disposition. Her laughter on the phone was like a silver bell: "Brother Xiao Wu, do you want to ask me out for dinner? I'll be off work in an hour!"
I glanced at my watch, calculated the location, and told her I was coming to find her right away, then hung up the phone.
I put on a coat, and although my arm was still in a sling in front of my chest, I felt much more refreshed. After thinking for a moment, I wrote a note for Amei and then went out.
Half an hour later, I arrived at the shopping mall. Since it wasn't the weekend, there weren't many people in the mall, and I easily spotted Yan Di at the cosmetics counter on the first floor.
I hadn't seen her for a few days, and her hair seemed a little shorter; the ponytail she used to wear was gone, replaced by straight hair, and a cheerful smile graced her rosy face. She was wearing a uniform from a cosmetics brand: a light yellow long-sleeved shirt and a short skirt. Her slender legs were adorned with white high heels.
Perhaps for work purposes, she wore light makeup, which added some color to her originally slightly pale cheeks, and her already small cherry lips looked even more moist and alluring with the addition of light lip gloss.
She was holding a small perfume bottle, apparently trying out the brand's perfume to passersby. Clearly, a woman as strikingly beautiful as her could easily attract attention anywhere. I saw several men deliberately approach her, and then Yan Di would enthusiastically pick up the perfume bottle, spray a little on her wrist, and let the customers smell it.
Although I know that most cosmetics saleswomen use this method to promote perfume, I still feel extremely annoyed when I see many men deliberately rubbing their hands against Yan Di's wrist under the guise of smelling the perfume. Especially when some men, while smelling the perfume, unconsciously display a lecherous look on their faces…
Damn it! How dare they take advantage of Yan Di!
I quickly walked over to Yan Di from behind and gently patted her shoulder. Yan Di was startled, turned around, and saw me. A joyful smile immediately bloomed on her face, but then her gaze lingered on my arm, and her eyes revealed a look that made my heart ache.
"Fifth Brother... what happened to your hand?" She almost instinctively reached out to touch my arm, but pulled her hand back halfway. Looking at me, her voice trembled slightly: "Does it... hurt?"
"It's nothing, I just tripped and fell." I immediately waved my arm, pretending nothing was wrong. But Yan Di wasn't going to be fooled so easily. She immediately turned around and put the perfume bottle on the shelf behind her, then pulled me aside, her little hand already in mine. She looked like she was about to cry at any moment, her face contorted with grief: "What happened to you... Is your hand broken? Where else are you hurt?" After saying that, she held my arm and started to cry.
I panicked and looked around. Luckily, no one seemed to be paying attention, except for a few saleswomen from other brands who were glancing in our direction. I stepped aside in front of Yan Di, blocking their view, and said with a wry smile, "I'm really fine. I just fell and broke a bone, but it's much better now. I have a cast on, and it'll be fully healed in a few days."
Yan Di raised her small face, her eyes looking at me with a deep gaze. She sighed softly and whispered, "Why...why didn't you tell me sooner?"
I chuckled and made up an excuse that I had something to do these past few days, which finally calmed Yan Di down. She sighed, glanced at me, and looked troubled: "Brother Xiao Wu, wait for me a moment, I haven't finished get off work yet, I'll go ask the manager for leave."
"No need!" I immediately grabbed her arm. "You've just started working, why are you taking leave? I'll just wait for you here until you get off work."
"It's okay!" Yan Di finally showed a smug smile: "I've already completed my perfume sales target for today! I don't know why, but even though I'm a newbie, my sales performance is better than others every day."
Looking at this girl, I sighed.
She's so beautiful, I bet a lot of men would be willing to buy her perfume—though most of them are probably just looking to take advantage of her...
Thinking about this made me a little annoyed again. But then I shook my head and dismissed those years.
Yan Di had already skipped off to ask for leave. Her so-called manager was actually just a team leader at the brand's counter, essentially the head of the sales promoters—a rather attractive woman. Yan Di spoke to her for a few moments, and she glanced at me twice, a knowing smile on her face, seemingly asking Yan Di something in a low voice. Yan Di's face flushed slightly, her eyes filled with shyness, and she seemed to nod…
Hmm? It seems like there's a chance! I felt a little smug.
When Yan Di came over, she seemed to be in a hurry, as if she were running away, pulling me towards the mall exit, as if trying to avoid something. Once outside the mall, she seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief. However, the blush on her face hadn't faded.
I teased her on purpose: "Your manager just let you leave early so easily?"
"Hmm..." she nodded.
"I think I saw her ask you something?"
"Ah...no!" Yan Di seemed startled, her face turning even redder as if it were about to bleed. She hurriedly shook her head, but her expression was somewhat awkward: "No, she was just asking casually, it's nothing!"
Then she quickly asked, "Brother Wu, let's go eat. What would you like to eat?"
Hey, that's good. This naive girl has already learned to change the subject after just a few days.
I thought for a moment, and was about to speak, when I suddenly heard a pleasant ringtone coming from Yan Di's pocket. She glanced at me, then quickly pulled out a small, compact phone with cartoon stickers on it—clearly, a very cheap one.
"Hello? Hmm? Ah... I see... But I... Oh... Okay... Hmm, hmm..." As she answered the phone, her expression gradually darkened, and there was a hint of helplessness in her eyes.
A few minutes later, she hung up the phone, glanced at me somewhat awkwardly, her eyes filled with helplessness and guilt: "Brother Xiao Wu... I'm sorry..." Her tone was pleading: "I'm afraid I can't have dinner with you... A friend of mine called and asked me to do her a favor."
I frowned slightly, and although it was a cliché, I couldn't help but ask in a casual tone, "Oh, what kind of friend?"