Chapter 25
Lin Xiu took Chi Abei to his part-time job, a milk tea shop at the street corner. The manager and owner was Xu Kerui, a young woman who, after two years of work after college, fired her boss and opened her own shop called “Welcome.”
Xu Kerui was a bit of a lookist; she only hired attractive people. Seeing Lin Xiu and Chi Abei, Xu Kerui’s eyes lit up. “Wow, Lin Xiu, where did you find such a handsome younger brother?”
Lin Xiu was about to stop the president of the Looks Matter Association when he heard Chi Abei’s crisp voice from behind him: “Hello, Sister.”
Xu Kerui’s smile reached her ears. “Hello, hello!”
Lin Xiu led Chi Abei to a shady spot under a parasol, then went back to find Xu Kerui staring at Chi Abei with green eyes. He said, “Don’t recruit him, he’s a littleā¦slow.”
Xu Kerui glared at him. “What are you talking about?”
Lin Xiu put on his apron. “I’m not kidding. Everyone at school knows.”
Xu Kerui looked at the boy sitting under the parasol. “He’s got issues and you still bring him out? Are you trafficking children?”
Seeing Lin Xiu silent, Xu Kerui took it as a lie and, when Lin Xiu wasn’t looking, took a cup of milk tea to Chi Abei. “Little brother, want a part-time job? Sister will pay you.”
This was exactly what Lin Xiu feared. He stuck his head out and shouted: “Xu Kerui, don’t hire him!”
Chi Abei, whose pockets were emptier than his face, looked at Lin Xiu hesitantly and whispered, “How much do you get a day?”
Xu Kerui held up two fingers: “Lin Xiu gets 150, I’ll give you 200.”
By the time Lin Xiu looked back, Chi Abei was already wearing the shop’s apron, holding a stack of flyers and standing by the road soliciting customers.
Lin Xiu frowned at Xu Kerui, who shrugged and smiled. “I didn’t force him; he volunteered.”
May Day had just passed, and after several days of dismal business, the milk tea shop, thanks to Chi Abei’s solicitations, actually had a long queue.
Lin Xiu was incredibly busy, but Xu Kerui was still chattering. “Let me borrow this little money-making machine for a couple more days. I’ll give you a raise.”
Lin Xiu: “Don’t even think about it.”
Lin Xiu was busy collecting money while keeping an eye on the little fool to make sure he wasn’t kidnappedāhe had his hands full.
Across the street, a sports car pulled over. The passenger asked, “Brother Zuo, what do you want? I’ll go buy it.”
The person called “Brother Zuo” wasn’t much older, with blue hair. He looked impatient at the long line. “What’s so good about this stuff?”
The passenger paused, fastening his seatbelt again. “Then I won’t have one either.”
Di Zuo’s gaze shifted, a smile suddenly curving his lips. “Get out and buy some milk tea.”
The passenger was stunned. He followed Di Zuo’s gaze. “I don’t want any, Brother Zuo. Let’s go.”
Di Zuo: “I want some now. Go queue.”
Getting out of the car, Di Zuo walked towards Chi Abei.
Chi Abei immediately handed him a flyer. “Brother, want some milk tea? Ours is delicious! Two cups for 80% of the price.”
Di Zuo raised an eyebrow, surprised he wasn’t recognized. Was his blue hair not flashy enough?
He took the flyer. “Two cups for 80%? But I’m only one person.”
Chi Abei said, “You can buy one and give it to your girlfriend. You’re so handsome, you must have a girlfriend.”
Di Zuo was pleased by the compliment. He looked Chi Abei up and down. “Too bad, I don’t have a girlfriend.”
Chi Abei wouldn’t let the opportunity slip. He said, “Boyfriend works too.”
Di Zuo laughed like a foolish emperor. “I don’t have a boyfriend either. What should I do? I’m single. How about I buy you one?”
Chi Abei remained outwardly polite, but inwardly scoffed at this clichĆ© pickup line. “We employees get free milk tea. Why don’t you just buy one?”
Di Zuo said, “But you said two cups for 80% off.”
“Yeah.” Chi Abei looked at him with a “can’t you do math?” expression. “But one cup is cheaper than two.”
Even Chi Abei could tell this guy wasn’t genuinely buying milk tea. He ignored him and went back to handing out flyers.
Di Zuo followed him, and during a lull, he asked, “What’s your name?”
Chi Abei glanced at him. “Are you trying to kidnap me?”
Di Zuo was stunned. “Do I look like a bad guy?”
Chi Abei said sincerely, “You’ve been following me; you look like a kidnapper.”
“…I…I look like a kidnapper?” Di Zuo had never been told this before. He pointed to the sports car. “See that car? It’s mine!”
Chi Abei was getting annoyed. He asked, “Did you buy it with money from kidnapping?”
Di Zuo: “?”
Seeing that this guy wasn’t going away easily, and Chi Abei was thirsty, he pocketed the flyers, put his hands in his apron pockets, and went back to the shop.
Though unsure if he was a bad guy, it was broad daylight. What if he was kidnapped?
Thinking of being kidnapped, Chi Abei remembered crime news reports about human trafficking, and his kidneys started to acheā¦
Lin Xiu saw Chi Abei return and was about to ask if he was hot when he saw the man following him… The face was younger than he remembered, but he recognized him instantly.
Lin Xiu frowned.
The little fool was always getting him into trouble, attracting people he didn’t want to see.
…
Chi Abei leaned against the counter, took a large gulp of juice Lin Xiu had given him, pretending not to see the man following him.
Di Zuo looked at his rosy lips on the straw, suddenly thinking it must be delicious. “What are you drinking? I want one just like it.”
Chi Abei pointed to the long queue. “Okay, go queue.”
The guy with Di Zuo was already in the middle of the queue. But he’d said he was alone, and seeing the line stretching to the street, Di Zuo had a headache. “Can I add you on WeChat?”
Lin Xiu glanced at him. This guy was still trying to hit on people.
Chi Abei was about to say “no” when Lin Xiu said, “He’s a minor.”
Di Zuo looked at Lin Xiu. He’d heard the kid calling him “brother”āblood brother or something else?
He looked at Chi Abei again. “Minors can add WeChat too. Let’s be friends, little beauty.”
“…” Chi Abei twitched his mouth.
What a greasy guy! Calling who a little beauty? I’m your father!
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