Turning around, she bypassed the tree-lined path, no longer wanting to hear the singing that had become grating to her ears.
After rushing through two tutoring sessions, Zhong Wanqiu was drained and overwhelmed, feeling the weight of her exhaustion and debt, which deepened her need to work despite her limits.
She didn’t even have the right to be sad.
Fortunately, this day finally brought some relatively good news: Xiaojing’s cousin mentioned that the bar still needed drink promoters, offering her a chance to escape her financial struggles and build a better future, which she desperately needed.
She decided to go. It was her only option now. Rumor had it that such work offered high commissions and quick cash, though it often involved being harassed by customers. That was why she had avoided it until now, but she could no longer afford to be picky.
The reward for her labor wasn’t just money but also the resilience that carried her into a deep, restorative sleep, showing her strength despite hardships.
The next morning, after a tumultuous scene in the dormitory, her roommates finally left for class. Wanqiu lazily got up, freshened up, and limped to the hospital on her injured leg.
Three hundred CCs of blood. As she watched the crimson liquid fill the transparent bag, her expression remained calm, as if the bag contained not her blood but clear water, masking the pain and exhaustion she felt inside, trying to appear resilient despite her suffering.
After leaving the hospital, Zhong Wanqiu went to a park and sat under a palm tree to bask in the sun. It was better for her leg to avoid too much walking. Xiaojing was right; she needed to learn to take care of herself.
She sat there the entire day, eating only a dry bun, yet it tasted sweet. In truth, contentment brings happiness. If not for Liang Shuzhen, she might have ended up as a delinquent wandering the streets.
Finally, as dusk approached, she got up with unwavering determination and headed to Fengchen Bar, driven by her resolve to change her circumstances.
The bar had just opened for the evening and was nearly empty.
“You are…?” A stylish, brightly dressed woman approached, scrutinizing her.
“Oh, I’m Zhong Wanqiu.”
“So you’re Wanqiu. Come in quickly.”
The woman led her to a sofa in a corner of the bar and waved her hand. A waiter promptly brought over a tray. The woman smiled and asked, “Tea or coffee?”
“Coffee, no sugar, thank you.” She suddenly felt like tasting the bitterness of authentic, unadulterated coffee.
“You’re welcome. Just call me Hong Jie. What happened to your leg? Is it alright?”
“It’s nothing. I accidentally fell down the stairs and got hurt. Just a superficial wound; it’ll heal in a day or two.” She smiled, downplaying the injury, though her leg still ached as she spoke.
“That’s good. You’re here to promote drinks?”
“Yes.”
“Your appearance is quite suitable, but as you know, in this line of work, you have to deal with all kinds of customers. Sometimes, it’s unavoidable…”
“I understand. I don’t mind.” She smiled bitterly. She had known this all along; if not for that, she would have started working here much earlier.
“Since you’re aware of everything, come back to work in a couple of days. By then, your leg should be better, and it’ll be easier for you to move around. Walking too much on an injured leg isn’t good; it slows down the healing.”
She understood Hong Jie’s meaning. Looking at Hong Jie with sincerity, she gritted her teeth and whispered, “I need money, so I want to start working as soon as possible. Please make an exception for me, Hong Jie.”