Chapter 44
"Feels like Xiaohuan might quit his job soon."
Saturday night, Southern District—inside the Nursery Rhyme pub.
Tian Li, who had come in for his part-time shift, changed into his bartender uniform. While moving tables and chairs, he suddenly said this to his girlfriend, Guan Rong, who was also working there.
"Eh? Why do you say that?"
"The place I rent is pretty close to Xiaohuan's house. Remember how I left halfway through yesterday to grab the group report from home?"
"Mhm. And then?"
"On the way back, I saw Xiaohuan bringing an older woman and his elder sister to his place. I heard him call the woman 'Aunt,' and she looked like she was loaded."
Only then did Guan Rong remember something and said,
"Oh, right. Xiaohuan didn’t come to work yesterday either. But how do you know she’s rich?"
"The car! The car! You know I know a thing or two about cars. The one they came in was a Zhulong III from the Longqi series—Starshine Black. Even the base model costs over a million yuan."
(*) Note: Zhulong III and Longqi are fictional luxury car brands; "Starshine Black" likely refers to a premium paint finish.
Guan Rong didn’t know much about cars—she could only recognize a few well-known logos.
But after hearing the price, she still instinctively covered her mouth and gasped.
"Ah! But wasn’t Xiaohuan raised in the Southern District? He’s never mentioned any rich relatives."
"Who knows? Maybe they came from the hometown in Longguo."
(*) Note: Longguo is a fictional or stylized name for a Chinese-speaking country.
"Eh, that's nice and all. But still, it's not a sure thing that Xiaohuan will quit."
"If I had money, I wouldn't be working part-time either, okay? Working is for making money. What—do you think it's for life experience?"
Tian Li finished arranging the tables and chairs and sighed.
"Besides, Xiaohuan’s already super busy. He’s the Student Council President, gets great grades, manages council stuff, studies, and still works part-time just to get by. Watching him makes me tired. If he could afford to rest, why would he keep working?"
"True that."
After sighing a couple more times, Tian Li and Guan Rong returned to their tasks—he moved more tables while she wiped down the dust.
Just as Guan Rong was heading back inside to rinse her cloth, she turned her head and suddenly spotted Tong Tingting leaning against the shop entrance, lighting a cigarette.
"Sis Tong? When did you get here?!"
"Just now."
"Oh, oh! I’ll go wash the cloth."
"Okay."
Tong Tingting glanced at Guan Rong with a thoughtful expression, though her eyes were still clouded with gloom.
Her long legs, clad in blue jeans, swung slightly, reflecting the unrest in her mood.
Tian Li returned to his station behind the bar, but Tong Tingting didn’t go inside. Instead, she sat on one of the chairs placed outside.
She pulled out her phone and checked the time—it was about when Yan Huan usually arrived for his weekend shift.
Then she opened Plane and entered the chat with Yan Huan.
(*) Note: "Plane" appears to be a fictional or stylized messaging app.
The chat was still frozen on the “speechless” emoji he had sent earlier.
Would the next message be a resignation?
"Sis Tong, I don’t want to do this anymore. Bye~"
Probably something like that.
Well, it’d be fine if that guy left.
Then no one would bother her anymore—about smoking, drinking, waking up, sleeping, and all that nonsense.
To be free and unrestrained—isn’t that the dream?
Tong Tingting grabbed an ashtray, stubbed out her cigarette, and quickly lit another one.
But instead of calming her, the smoke only made her more restless—like it was fueling her anxiety.
*Tsk.*
Tong Tingting bit her lip as she stared out at the gradually bustling street.
People passed by in groups of twos and threes, and for some reason, it irritated her.
*Ding dong~*
Just then, her phone buzzed on the table.
The ringtone was unique—not a generic notification sound.
It was a message on Plane!
Tong Tingting blinked but hesitated to flip the phone over.
Was it Yan Huan?
It was already this late, and he still hadn’t shown up.
Was he going to ask for leave again?
But yesterday, he hadn’t come either—and he didn’t request leave on Plane. Instead, he brought a rich Aunt over to visit his house.
Yesterday, she thought maybe he’d gotten mad because she hadn’t been very gentle in their chat.
He was just concerned about her schedule—he’d asked, and she had brushed him off.
If someone never receives any warmth or kindness, no matter how much they care, they’ll probably grow cold too, right?
In truth, Tong Tingting hadn’t even realized that she was already being as gentle to Yan Huan as she could be.
That was just her personality—she didn’t know how to express affection directly. You had to see it in the small things.
So maybe... this message wasn’t a resignation at all?
Maybe it was—
"Feels like Xiaohuan might quit his job soon."
Tian Li’s words echoed in her ears like thunder, making the hand holding the phone tighten even more.
"Sis Tong, I don’t want to do this anymore. Bye~"
Would it really be those exact words if she flipped it over?
And then she’d message him back.
Something pathetic like, "Why?"
And he’d probably reply with a red exclamation mark:
[Yan Huan has enabled friend verification. You are not yet his friend. Please send a friend request first.]
!!
Tong Tingting’s mouth opened slightly, and the lit cigarette slipped from her fingers onto the table.
Her previously dull eyes widened a bit as she stared at the burning cigarette.
It felt like what was burning wasn’t the tobacco—but herself.
After a brief silence, she picked up the cigarette and pressed it firmly into the ashtray, extinguishing it.
'Whatever!'
'Let the heavens rain, let the girl marry.'
(*) Note: A Chinese idiom implying letting things unfold naturally, beyond one’s control.
'It’s just a message on Plane. I’ve roamed the streets for years—would I really panic over a high schooler quitting?'
'Though he really was good-looking, gentle, treated her well, lively, easy on the eyes... he even made her feel younger, healthier, more alive.'
'But he’s just a high school student. I don’t care at all!'
Thinking this, Tong Tingting instinctively leaned back in her chair, trying to put as much distance between her and the phone as possible.
Then, she carefully lifted the phone case just a bit, revealing the edge of the screen, peeking at it sideways.
Like a gambler playing Golden Flower, checking her cards—
(*) Note: Golden Flower is a traditional Chinese poker-style betting game.
What kind of hand was it?
What message had Yan Huan sent?
At that moment, both possibilities carried the same weight.
'Well then—let the gamble begin!!'
Tong Tingting gritted her teeth and pressed the lock screen button to unlock the phone.
Then, she looked—
Li Xiumei (Mom): "I told you to find a partner! When are you going to give me something real?! Are you trying to drive your father and me to death?!"
Tong Tingting froze slightly at the message.
Then her expression darkened, and a vein popped on her forehead.
She picked up her phone and opened her mom’s chat window.
This time, she didn’t bother typing. She just held down the voice message button.
Taking a deep breath, she prepared to unleash the full force of her hometown dialect.
"Wǒ diū léi—"
(*) Note: A regional expletive in Chinese, often used to express frustration or anger.
"Sis Tong?"
Just as she was about to explode, a calm male voice interrupted her.
Her 'spellcasting' was cut short. Trembling, she looked up.
A handsome boy holding a bottle of probiotic drink stood there, looking at her.
He was dressed casually in a white cotton long-sleeve shirt that made his shoulders look even broader. His slightly long hair, a result of not getting it cut recently, gave him a refined look.
It was Yan Huan—he had shown up for his part-time job.
"You're arguing with your mom again?"
"Ah, um, no, I—"
Tong Tingting froze, her hand instinctively loosening as she unconsciously released the voice button.
As a result, a ten-second-long voice message was sent.
But by then, Tong Tingting's attention was entirely focused on Yan Huan—she didn't even notice the message had gone through.
Frustrated, she set her phone down and scratched the back of her head, her eyes drifting toward the ashtray.
Just as Yan Huan had said, all that talk about quitting smoking and drinking was total nonsense.
"Something came up at home yesterday. I forgot to ask for leave, Sis Tong."
Tong Tingting opened her mouth, seemingly ready to say or ask something, but in the end, no words came out.
"...It's fine. Go get changed."
That was her only response.
'Not even going to mention docking his pay?'
Yan Huan raised an eyebrow in surprise.
But since the boss didn’t bring it up, he certainly wouldn’t either—only an idiot wouldn’t take advantage of a lucky break.
He nodded and turned to head inside and change clothes.
Behind him, Tong Tingting watched with a blank, half-conscious stare.
She was confused.
'If what Tian Li said is true and Yan Huan really has a rich aunt, why is he still working here?'
He didn’t look like someone being financially supported.
'Could Tian Li have misunderstood?'
At that thought, a faint light flickered in her previously dull eyes.
'What a headache.'
'A lost high school boy, working hard to support himself—only someone as generous and beautiful as me could help him~'
"Yo, Xiaohuan, you still working today?"
"Why do you ask, Bro Li?"
Inside the store, Guan Rong chuckled softly.
"Yesterday, A-Li saw your aunt come by. Said the car she drove was super fancy."
"Right? A Zhulong III! Even though I’m a die-hard combustion engine fan and not into electric cars, I’ve seen the reviews—that thing’s top tier. I wasn’t seeing things yesterday, right?"
(*) Zhulong III: A fictional high-end electric vehicle, implying luxury and wealth.
'Tian Li, you definitely saw wrong.'
Tong Tingting followed Yan Huan into the store, her deadpan expression revealing her certainty.
But Yan Huan just smiled lightly and said to Tian Li,
"So, Bro Li, you were there yesterday? I didn’t even see you. You didn’t say hi either."
"Eh?"
Tong Tingting blinked.
"Ah, I was just passing by... kinda far from you guys. You both went upstairs right after getting out of the car. No chance to say hi, okay?"
Yan Huan didn’t respond and headed off to change.
Tian Li had wanted to ask when Yan Huan planned to quit, but then he noticed Tong Tingting walking in with a blank expression.
"..."
His survival instincts kicked in—now was definitely not the time to bring it up.
Tian Li gave a sheepish laugh as Tong Tingting walked up to him.
Gesturing, she said,
"Give me that bottle of Highland Queen I didn’t finish."
Highland Queen—a brand of whiskey.
"Got it, Sis Tong."
Tian Li skillfully handed her a glass with ice and the bottle.
Holding both, Tong Tingting took her usual seat in the back corner near the rear door.
*Gulp gulp gulp~*
The liquor colored the ice cubes. She didn’t pour much—there’s a big difference between savoring and getting drunk.
Taking a sip, she propped up her chin and looked around the bar.
She watched as Yan Huan came out in new clothes and customers gradually trickled in.
Honestly, Tian Li’s bartending skills were more of a hobbyist’s—decent, but not professional.
Tong Tingting, on the other hand, was quite good at mixing drinks, though she rarely did it herself.
The bar’s success came down to two main reasons:
First, its street-facing location brought in steady foot traffic—much more than those hidden in alleys.
Second, the decor was elegant—a classy and quiet bar that stood out in the southern district’s rough surroundings.
If you wanted to enjoy a quiet drink, this was the best spot in the area.
The first reason was thanks to Tong Tingting—she bought the place herself.
As for the second, her nickname “little idea machine after drinking” made it obvious: that credit went to Yan Huan.
Originally, she had planned to run the place with bare-wall minimalism.
But Yan Huan, who had just been hired, convinced her to spend a bit more on renovations.
Yes, Yan Huan was the first employee hired by Tong Tingting. Tian Li and Guan Rong came later.
You could say everything about “Nursery Rhyme” was built step by step through discussions between them.
(*) Nursery Rhyme: The name of the bar.
Their relationship was casual, and Tong Tingting paid him well.
He worked twenty-eight hours a week. While others were paid hourly, she gave him a monthly salary.
Two hundred a day—if he reached 28 hours, he earned 1,400. Plus, there were bonuses and red envelopes on holidays. As Yan Huan often said, Tong Tingting was very generous with him.
'Still, even with all that generosity, the guy must be exhausted.'
Sipping her whiskey, Tong Tingting watched Yan Huan’s back as he worked.
'Well, even though just looking at him is good for my health—might even extend my life—'
'Keeping him around just for that feels way too selfish.'
She poured another glass and let out a heavy sigh.
'I do have some savings... maybe I could imitate his aunt and just give him money.'
'But under what title?'
'His aunt is family—what am I?'
'That would basically make me a sugar mommy, right?'
(*) Sugar mommy: A woman who financially supports a younger partner, often in exchange for companionship.
Although Tong Tingting didn’t think it was a terrible idea, she knew it would likely feel humiliating to Yan Huan.
'Like stripping away his right to work hard just because I have money—'
'That would be far too cruel.'
*Ding dong~*
Just then, her phone on the table chimed.
It was a message from Plane.
(*) Plane: Possibly a family group chat or slang for a messaging app—context unclear.
She picked it up—it was another message from her mom.
"Yo, doing something big in secret, huh? Who was that talking just now? His voice was nice. Sounds like a young guy. When did you start dating?"
Tong Tingting typed with one hand, her expression blank.
"Pff, stop spreading rumors. I’m not dating him."
"You think I’m stupid? The way you talk to us and the way you talk to him is totally different—got two faces or what?"
"Maybe you're just too annoying?"
"Yeah, yeah, we’re annoying. Honestly, we should’ve had barbecued pork instead of giving birth to you!"
(*) Barbecued pork: A humorous Chinese insult implying someone is ungrateful or a burden.
Pff.
Tong Tingting couldn’t be bothered to reply. She just poured herself another drink.
But Comrade Li Xiumei sent another message.
"You’ve been independent since you were little, running off to study in Linmen. Our family doesn’t have much money, so we can’t help much.
"We’re not trying to force you into marriage, but every time we video call, you don’t look well. So we worry.
"Are you making soup for yourself over there? Eating properly?
"Plane tickets to Linmen are so expensive, we barely see you for years. We just hope someone else can take care of you.
"If that boy from earlier is suitable, treat him sincerely. Don’t take out your bad temper on him, okay? Be real, got it?"
Tong Tingting didn’t reply. Her silence came from the same place as many who’ve learned emotional restraint.
'I don’t know what to say.'
But this time, she truly didn’t know what to say to her mother.
'If my parents found out I was involved with the underworld in Linmen, they’d be too scared to sleep for three days straight.'
"Okay."
Sending that simple reply, Tong Tingting downed another glass, then picked up the bottle again to pour another.
But her hand was gently stopped by another reaching out.
*tap*
Even without raising her lifeless eyes, it was obvious—not many people could stop her like that.
"Sis Tong, I've always known your talk about quitting smoking and drinking was just talk, but… are things getting more serious?"
Tong Tingting propped up her chin and turned to look at Yan Huan beside her.
"Mm-hmm?"
"Sis Tong, I’ve told you before—the more you drink because you're frustrated over your parents pressuring you to get married, the more they’ll push."
Tong Tingting looked at Yan Huan, paused, then said nothing.
Instead, she pointed across and said softly,
"Sit down. I have something to tell you."
Yan Huan blinked, glanced in the direction she pointed, and said,
"The shop’s still busy."
"It’s fine. Sit."
After a brief pause, Yan Huan decided to sit across from her.
"So, what is it?"
"What Tian Li said—is it true?"
"It's true."
There was nothing worth hiding. She didn’t need to play dumb or act helpless.
Tong Tingting poured another glass of liquor, but didn’t drink. She just held it in her palm and asked,
"You’ve lived in the southern district for years. How come your aunt never came to find you until now?"
"It’s a bit complicated, just—"
"Be careful not to get your kidney stolen~"
Without looking at him, Tong Tingting suddenly dropped that out-of-nowhere comment while sipping her drink.
Yan Huan broke into a cold sweat.
"No way, she’s really rich. Why would she—"
"The richer they are, the more suspicious, right? Eyeing your top-tier organs, sweet-talking you, then trapping a high-quality student like you with no background just to harvest parts for their own kid."
*...*
"By the time the anesthesia wears off and you wake up, you’ll be missing a kidney, lying on an operating table, crying in regret. Tsk tsk. Yan Huan, don’t get duped~"
"What kind of movie plot is that?"
"Movies are all based on real life, you know. Common sense."
*...*
Yan Huan looked at Tong Tingting, who wasn’t even looking at him—just drinking and muttering to herself—and found himself speechless.
But somehow, it felt like—
He stroked his chin and muttered,
"Hiss… if that’s the case, it is kind of worrying."
"Right?"
"Then tell me, Sis Tong, what should I do? I’m still young and inexperienced. I’ll listen to you."
"Ah, I’ve got an idea."
At that, Tong Tingting’s eyes lit up. She even raised a finger as she turned to him.
But what she saw was Yan Huan’s expressionless face, as if he had seen right through her.
*...*
*...*
The two locked eyes, and Tong Tingting’s bright expression froze instantly.
'Crap, he saw right through me!'
"Go on, Sis Tong, what’s the idea? I’m listening."
Yan Huan smiled warmly, waiting for her response.
Under his unwavering gaze, a cold sweat unknowingly formed on Tong Tingting’s forehead.
Her eyes darted away as she brushed him off with a guilty tone.
"I-I forgot."
*...*
Yan Huan sighed, then looked at her and smiled as he asked,
"Sis Tong, don’t tell me… you can’t bear to see me leave?"
"Absolutely not."
Instant reply.
But her gloomy gaze still didn’t meet his. She just held her glass and stared toward the entrance.
'Mm, that’s totally a yes.'
"Whether you do or don’t, I don’t plan to quit just yet."
*!*
Tong Tingting’s posture didn’t change, but her eyes shifted toward Yan Huan.
Taking a sip, she said nonchalantly,
"Heh?"
"Aunt Ye will give me living expenses later, but I’ve been here a long time. During the hard times, it was you, Sis Tong, who supported me. I’ve grown attached to this place. Leaving now feels heartless. Besides, it’s just a few steps from my house."
"Heh."
Same sound, slightly different tone.
Probably meant: 'Keep talking.'
"But Sis Tong, I probably won’t be able to come five days a week anymore. I’ll drop by when I can. It wasn’t too tiring before, but freeing up time to do my own thing is better. So you might want to hire someone else to help out."
"Heh."
That meant: 'Got it.'
Tong Tingting bit the rim of her glass. Her head, which had been turned toward the entrance, slowly turned back to face Yan Huan.
'Grown attached?'
'It’s just a crappy pub. What’s there to get attached to?'
'If there’s any attachment—'
'Hiss… could it be this guy actually likes me?'
Tong Tingting blinked and began scrutinizing Yan Huan’s handsome features.
In that moment, all her earlier turmoil and her mother’s words on the plane flooded back at once.
That push made her open her mouth and unexpectedly ask,
"What did you mean earlier—about being attached to this place?"
The faint scent of alcohol on her breath swirled inside the glass, forming a mist on the inner wall.
Through the glass, the boy sitting across looked hazy.
That was probably how Yan Huan appeared in her eyes right now.
"Oh, I meant I’ve got feelings for Nursery Rhyme—the pub. What else could I mean?"
*...*
Tong Tingting was briefly stunned, then put down the glass.
As the mist cleared, she saw Yan Huan smiling warmly at her.
"Hah?"
"See, Sis Tong? Without me, this pub would've folded. If I leave, I bet you’ll be hanging a 'For Lease' sign in no time."
*...*
"I’ve worked here for over a year, and it’s so close to home. I pass by every day when shopping. If it shuts down, even if you’re fine, I’ll feel bad."
*...*
Tong Tingting’s previously evasive eyes turned lifeless, then sharpened into a glare.
She took a sip and set down her glass, smiling sweetly.
At the same time, her right hand slipped into her jacket.
"Mm-hmm. And? Anything else you’d like to add?"
Seeing this, Yan Huan stood up and said casually,
"Also, I’m taking tomorrow off. Going to the game expo in Linmen with classmates. Might eat out, so I probably won’t be back."
*...*
Tong Tingting had already pulled out her stun baton, while Yan Huan glanced calmly around the shop.
"There are more customers now. I’d better go help out, Sis Tong."
Yan Huan turned and walked off, while Tong Tingting remained seated, still staring at his back.
Her lips trembled slightly. Then, she suddenly opened her mouth and said,
"Wait a minute."
Yan Huan didn’t turn around. He asked helplessly,
"What is it now, Sis Tong?"
"From now on... your pay stays the same."
Yan Huan was a bit surprised and quickly turned his head, only to see Tong Tingting pouring wine with her head lowered.
Her red bangs hung down, covering her eyes. Yan Huan couldn’t see her expression—only her rosy, tempting lips.
"Alright, Sis Tong."
After a moment of silence, Yan Huan gave a slight smile and replied.
The young man turned and went back to work, leaving Tong Tingting sitting there alone, her cheeks tinged with a hidden blush.
*...*
'Maybe it’s just the alcohol...'
Highland Queen, whiskey~
(*) Highland Queen is a brand of Scotch whisky.
[End of this chapter]