"This guy always does the same thing."
It was lunchtime, and many people flooded into the canteen. Teammates sat down next to them with their trays.
"Hey, did you hear? Coach Fang is leaving. They're sending a new head coach for this training camp..."
"Go? Where to? Hasn't he been leading the team for quite a while now?"
"Hey, what do you know? He left precisely because he led the team for a long time but couldn't achieve any results. Besides, he should retire."
Coach Fang was her mentor, and now that he was leaving, Xie Shi'an held her chopsticks but didn't touch the food in front of her. It seemed that she was in a bad mood today, and that was one of the reasons.
Qiao Yuchu put a piece of braised pork into her bowl.
"Shi'an, let's eat. We have training this afternoon."
After the afternoon training session ended, Coach Fang called the person over.
"Shi'an, come to my office in a bit."
When Xie Shi'an returned to the dormitory, took a shower, and went over, Coach Fang was sitting at his desk, wearing reading glasses and organizing documents.
He handed Xie Shi'an a form.
"This year, the national youth team has one recommendation spot in our provincial team, and I'd like you to give it a try."
Xie Shi'an looked at it but didn't take it.
"Coach, you know I play doubles..."
"What, can't the national youth team play doubles?" Coach Fang took off his reading glasses and looked at her earnestly.
"With your abilities, you shouldn't be here anymore. How old are you this year? You'll be an adult soon! An athlete's prime is very short, don't waste your time here!"
Xie Shi'an was silent for a while. When he raised his head, his voice was very soft, but his gaze remained firm.
She didn't call her coach, she called her teacher.
"Teacher Fang, I want to stay and participate in this training camp, and win the championship with Qiao Yuchu."
If you calculate the time, the national competition will start in less than ten days after the three-month training camp ends.
Coach Fang couldn't do anything with her; she'd always been like this since she was little, stubborn and headstrong. He could only sigh and take the form back.
“Shi’an, as you know, I’m about to retire. I don’t want to see you wasting your time here year after year. Like your grandfather, I want to see you win championships, but not just a national championship. Do you understand?”
As Coach Fang finished speaking, tears welled up in his eyes.
Mentioning his grandfather, Xie Shi'an felt a pang of pain in his heart.
She bit her lip, lowered her head, and bowed deeply to the person.
"I know, thank you, Teacher Fang. I promise you, the national competition is just the beginning, and I will achieve even more honors."
"Alright, you can go now. I'll pack my things."
Someone was already waiting for her outside the corridor.
Upon seeing her come out, Qiao Yuchu went to greet her.
"How was it? I didn't yell at you, did I?"
The coach's office is not a good place; people usually come here to get scolded.
"No, Coach Fang isn't leaving. He asked me to help him pack his things and say goodbye."
Coach Fang was leaving, and Qiao Yuchu knew she was upset, so she put her arm around her shoulder and shook her gently.
"Alright, don't be upset. Coach Fang may have retired, but he's still in Jiangcheng. We can go visit him together during our vacation. Besides, after the training camp, we'll be competing in the national tournament. Let's work hard, win a championship, and make him happy!"
A hint of a smile appeared in Xie Shi'an's eyes.
"Okay, but I'm a little hungry now."
Qiao Yuchu grabbed her and ran.
"Let's go, let's eat, let's eat."
***
Despite the setbacks she encountered last week while looking for a part-time job, Jian Changnian was not discouraged. Instead, after talking with Yan Xinyuan, she regained her confidence.
She needs to resolve the immediate predicament first. In any case, even if it's just a hobby, she won't give up badminton.
With that thought in mind, as soon as the bell rang on Friday, Jian Changnian picked up her backpack and headed straight out of the campus to continue her job search.
Someone was already waiting for her outside the school gate.
From a distance, Zhou Mu waved to her.
"Always remember, here."
Jian Changnian jogged through the crowd.
Why are you here?
Zhou Mubai glanced at her: "I came to find you to go home together, but when I got to your school gate I realized you probably weren't going back this week."
Jian Changnian smiled and walked alongside her with her backpack.
"Hmm, I need to go out and look for a part-time job."
"Still haven't found it?"
Jian Changnian shook her head: "No, it's not that they think I'm too young, it's just that they only hire full-time employees."
Zhou Mu really couldn't help her with finding a job; he could only worry about it together with her.
Do you have any money left?
"Yes, I'll keep looking. I haven't been to the eastern part of the city yet. Jiangcheng is such a big city, I'm sure I can find a job."
"Oh, right, this is for you," Zhou Mu said, as if suddenly remembering something, handing her the bag he was carrying.
"These are all snacks I bought too much of. If I bring them home and my mom sees them, she'll scold me again. Can you help me get rid of them?"
Without waiting for her to refuse, he stuffed it directly into her hand.
"I'm leaving now, or I'll miss my train."
"Hey—" Jian Changnian looked down and saw that the plastic bag was full of biscuits, instant noodles and the like.
A warmth filled her heart, but her stomach growled; she hadn't eaten much this week in order to save money.
Jian Changnian looked up to thank the person, but Zhou Mu had already disappeared in a flash.
***
"Hello, are you hiring at your shop? I'm open to doing anything..."
Before Jian Changnian could finish speaking, he was pushed out.
"Go away, can't you see I'm busy?!"
She tried several companies, but the only one that treated her relatively well was one that gave up on her after hearing that she was still in school.
"I'm sorry, our store only hires full-time employees."
Jian Changnian sighed, pushed open the shop door and walked out, as dusk slowly descended upon the city.
As she walked, she looked at the shops on both sides of the street, when she was suddenly bumped into.
She hadn't eaten properly for the past few days and felt weak. When someone bumped into her, her head buzzed and everything went black.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Fortunately, someone helped her up, preventing her from falling to the ground.
Jian Changnian snapped out of her daze and forced a smile.
"No...it's nothing."
"It's good that you're alright, it's good that you're alright. I couldn't bear the responsibility if anything had happened..."
The man muttered to himself, and without a word of apology, he let go and continued handing out flyers.
"Come on, come on, take a look! This newly opened KTV is offering 20% off all drinks and beverages. Enjoy four hours of karaoke for just 288 yuan."
Jian Changnian picked up a colorful flyer that had fallen to the ground. The brightly colored title read "Yuanqi KTV Grand Opening Special Offers," and most of the page featured information about drink discounts. Only at the very bottom was a circled area that read "Hiring Supervisors, Team Leaders, Waiters/Waitresses, and Dishwashers," with no age or gender restrictions and generous compensation.
She glanced at the address; it wasn't far. She decided to try her luck again.
Chapter 9 Fighting
"Manager, there's someone here looking for a part-time job. They said they only hire full-time employees and they won't leave. What do you think..."
The KTV manager came out of the private room, glanced up and down, saw that it was an ordinary-looking girl, and didn't pay any attention to her.
"Why do you have to come to me for such a small thing? Just send him away."
The supervisor understood and gestured for two waiters to come forward and pull the person away. Before they could make a move, Jian Changnian boldly took a step forward.
In the brightly lit, deafeningly loud corridor, she raised her voice: "I'll do anything, please, give me a chance!"
The girl's voice was very childish, but her eyes were exceptionally firm. A quick glance revealed her fair skin, bright eyes, and rather pretty appearance.
The manager was taken aback: "We have to work the night shift here..."
Jian Changnian nodded vigorously: "I can stay up all night!"
"You have to drink with the guests."
"I can't drink it, but I can learn."
The manager slightly curled his lips: "Interesting. How old are you?"
Jian Changnian paused slightly and said, "Seventeen."
"What's your name?"
Jian Changnian smiled with relief.
"Jian Changnian".
"Okay, give her a uniform, she can work with you for now." The manager pointed to the foreman.