It was impossible to ask Shan Yu these questions directly. He could only hope that Shan Yu would make eye contact with him, at least giving him some instructions. What was he supposed to do?!
But Shan Yu seemed to be escaping, swiftly wheeling himself into the elevator as if on the wind, then, with his back to the door, used the tip of his crutch to press the control panel. The elevator doors closed, and it began to ascend.
He could even hit that accurately?
Chen Jian was stunned for a moment. Was he that good?
But he quickly came back to his senses. The boss had abandoned the manager here and run off.
To give himself some breathing room, Chen Jian quickly pointed to the restaurant and said to the dreadlocked girl, “Could you wait for me over there for a bit? I’ll be right over as soon as I’m done with what I’m doing.”
“Okay,” the dreadlocked girl was very cooperative and turned to walk towards the restaurant.
It was only then that Chen Jian noticed several chains around her waist, adorned with bells, jingling all the way as she walked.
“Manager?” Zhao Fangfang, who was mopping, quickly walked over, looking at Chen Jian with some surprise. “You’re the manager now?”
“…Mm,” Chen Jian lowered his voice.
Zhao-jie, I beg you, please don’t announce my new manager status to this extent in front of an applicant.
“That’s great!” Zhao Fangfang excitedly slapped him on the arm. “Chen Jian, you’ve made it!”
“Zhao-jie,” Chen Jian quickly took two steps back towards the bar, trying to avoid the dreadlocked girl as much as possible. “You…”
“Zhao-jie, Zhao-jie,” San Bing raised his index finger behind the bar and whispered, “Don’t show weakness, there’s an outsider.”
“Oh!” Zhao Fangfang finally reacted.
“I already heard,” the dreadlocked girl said, sitting on a chair in the restaurant.
Chen Jian was a little speechless. He placed the milk teas he was holding on the bar and whispered, “Milk teas from the old town. Put them in the fridge. Anyone who wants one can take it.”
“Thank you, Manager,” San Bing said with a smile.
Chen Jian walked to the elevator door. As he pressed the button, he could see the dreadlocked girl peeking her head out towards them from the corner of his eye.
The elevator stopped on the third floor, so he turned and went up the stairs, jogging all the way to the fourth floor.
But Shan Yu wasn’t in the office.
The elevator had stopped on the third floor earlier.
Chen Jian sighed. Both his brain and eyes were useless.
He ran back down to the third floor and saw someone in the gym. He walked in and turned on the lights.
Shan Yu was sitting in front of the cable machine, his hands pulling the overhead bar. His posture was standard, but…
“What are you doing, Boss Shan?” Chen Jian asked.
“Hanging myself,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian was silent, truly unable to find appropriate words to say.
“Weren’t you doing an interview? Why are you here?” Shan Yu asked.
“What interview am I doing?” Chen Jian walked to his side. “You didn’t tell me anything. How am I supposed to interview?”
“Tell you what?” Shan Yu stood up, releasing the bar, and looked at him.
“Our hiring standards, education, work experience, and salaries for different positions,” Chen Jian said. “I don’t know anything…”
“Don’t you know everything already?” Shan Yu said. “Education, work experience, salaries.”
“So, what education, what work experience do we need? And salary, is it two thousand?” Chen Jian asked.
Shan Yu chuckled: “Just look at the people in this shop, don’t you have a good idea yet?”
Chen Jian took a breath: “Alright, I get it.”
“Go ahead, manager, you’ll be fine,” Shan Yu said.
“One last confirmation,” Chen Jian said.
“Hm?” Shan Yu looked at him.
“The girl downstairs right now,” Chen Jian said. “Her image, if we hire her, does it need to change? Or will she just stand at the front desk like that?”
“Don’t be prejudiced,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian couldn’t quite grasp the meaning of that sentence for a moment.
“Do you know what my first impression of you was?” Shan Yu asked.
“…A drowned rat?” Chen Jian recalled.
Shan Yu looked at him, a suppressed smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
“No?” Chen Jian said.
“Your brain, sometimes,” Shan Yu said, “don’t set the bar too high for your subordinates either.”
When Chen Jian returned to the first floor, he still wasn’t very confident. Besides holding a notebook for show, his mind was still a blur.
But Shan Yu’s last words had given him some backing.
“Give them a chance. Those who are willing to work hard will naturally seize it,” Shan Yu said. “If they don’t do well, then fire them. You’re an employer, not a father. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself when hiring someone.”
Hu Pan, the dreadlocked girl, was sitting in a booth in the restaurant. When she saw him approach, she raised the milk tea in her hand and said, “Thank you, Manager Chen.”
“…You’re welcome,” Chen Jian glanced towards the bar.
“San Bing gave it to me, said there was an extra cup,” Hu Pan said.
You mean the one bought per head? That cup was San Bing’s boss’s.
“Mm,” Chen Jian nodded, seeing a cigarette butt in the ashtray on the table.
Quite relaxed, isn’t she?
He put the notebook on the table, pushed the ashtray aside, and sat across from Hu Pan: “We haven’t officially opened yet, and many things are still being prepared, so today’s interview will be more informal.”
“Mm,” Hu Pan nodded.
“What’s your name?” Chen Jian opened the notebook.
“Hu Pan, as in the ‘Pan’ of lakeside or riverside,” Hu Pan said. “You can call me Panpan.”
Chen Jian nodded, writing her name in the notebook: “Nineteen, right?”
“Yes, vocational high school education,” Hu Pan said.
“Studied nursing. Previously worked as a cashier at a supermarket in the city. Can use common office software. The position I hope for is front desk. I worked as a hotel front desk during summer vacation, so I know the basic job responsibilities. If not, waitress is also fine. I’ve also done many other jobs, telemarketing, street dance instructor, nail salon, delivered takeout. My salary requirements aren’t high, but I need a place to stay.”
Chen Jian stopped writing, looked up at her, and she had covered everything he wanted to ask.
And the complexity of Hu Pan’s work history was comparable to his own.
“Front desk salary is two thousand two hundred, with a one-month probation period at one thousand eight hundred. We have staff dormitories and meals,” Chen Jian said.
“I can accept that,” Hu Pan said.
Chen Jian looked at her, and just as he was about to speak, she added, “If you have requirements for my appearance, I can also appropriately… tone it down. When I was a cashier…”
Hu Pan pointed to her face: “It wasn’t this makeup.”
But it was this hairstyle?
“No such requirement for now. No smoking during working hours,” Chen Jian said. “Also, I’ll need to make a copy of your ID card for our records.”
Hu Pan paused for a moment before speaking: “Is it absolutely necessary?”
Are you a fugitive?
We only take those who have completed their sentences here.
“Yes, it’s needed. We won’t keep your ID card, just make a copy,” Chen Jian said.
Hu Pan seemed to make a decision, pausing for another two seconds, then lowered her head and reached inside her T-shirt collar.
Chen Jian quickly averted his gaze.
“Here,” Hu Pan took out her ID card from her collar and handed it over. “Only you will see it, right?”
“The boss will see it too,” Chen Jian took the ID card.
“Mm,” Hu Pan nodded.
Chen Jian got up to make a copy at the front desk, and incidentally glanced at the information on the ID card. Hu Pan was so concerned about others seeing her ID, perhaps she was underage.
The age was correct, and although the photo didn’t have heavy black eyeliner, it was clearly her. However, the name wasn’t Hu Pan.
Hu Pandi.
Chen Jian was stunned. What era was this? A nineteen-year-old girl actually had such a straightforward and unbelievably direct name.
After copying, he returned the ID card to Hu Pan: “I have a question.”
“Mm,” Hu Pan responded.
“How did you know we were hiring here?” Chen Jian asked.
“My elementary school classmate works at the accessory store up ahead,” Hu Pan said. “She told me that it’s hard for the haunted house to hire people, and they probably haven’t hired enough yet, so I came over.”
…Even if the B&B’s name was changed, it would probably be difficult to completely dissociate it from being a haunted house.
“I’m not afraid of dead people,” Hu Pan said. “Nor am I afraid of ghosts.”
“Did you ride that bicycle here?” Chen Jian asked again.
“Yes,” Hu Pan nodded. “Someone else put a private lock on it, I broke the lock and rode it over. I… don’t have any money left, so I couldn’t take a shuttle bus or anything.”
“Where’s your luggage?” Chen Jian asked. “I’ll take you to the staff dormitory first.”
“Okay,” Hu Pan got up and ran to the sofa she had been sitting on, picking up a palm-sized small backpack. “All my things are in here.”
Whether this luggage was placed or not was beside the point, so Chen Jian took her on a tour starting from the first floor, then the second floor, then the third, and finally the fourth.
The office door was closed. Perhaps because he heard voices, and to ensure the manager took full responsibility, the boss who never closed his door had closed it.
“That room on the third floor,” Hu Pan asked, “will it be open to the public in the future?”
“If it’s fully booked, yes. If not, we’ll arrange other rooms,” Chen Jian said.
“Maybe some brave ones will want to stay in that room,” Hu Pan said.
“It’s fine to stay there, that room has already been cleaned,” Chen Jian said.
“Have you had exorcisms performed?” Hu Pan asked.
You’re not going to tell me you can perform rituals too, are you?
“We didn’t do any of that,” Chen Jian said.
“Oh,” Hu Pan smiled, and walked into the staff dormitory.
“This room is for girls. The door can be locked from the inside. I’ll have Zhao-jie give you the key later,” Chen Jian said. “You can rest for a bit. The guests have already checked out…”
“No problem, I’ll put my things down and then come downstairs.”
After settling Hu Pan, Chen Jian turned and went through the corridor to the office, knocking on the door.
“Come in,” Shan Yu said from inside.
Chen Jian pushed the door open and walked in.
“Qian Yu is like a pervert,” Shan Yu was lying on the sofa. “The office needs to be on the same floor as the staff dormitory, a perverted capitalist act.”
“The interview’s done, she’ll start working soon,” Chen Jian placed the ID card copy on the table. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“What?” Shan Yu sat up.
“This girl says her name is Hu Pan, as in the ‘Pan’ of lakeside or riverside…” Chen Jian said.
“Can you write it?” Shan Yu asked.
Chen Jian glanced at him: “I went to high school, we should be the same.”
“Oh,” Shan Yu chuckled.
“But her ID card says Hu Pandi,” Chen Jian said. “She probably doesn’t want to use that name.”
“No problem, I don’t even know what San Bing’s real name is,” Shan Yu said.
“San Bing’s real name is Chen Jiali,” Chen Jian said.
“Sounds like a place name,” Shan Yu thought for a moment. “Wang Family Village, Zhao Family Hamlet…”
“Just call him San Bing,” Chen Jian sighed.
“Go get busy,” Shan Yu said. “Don’t call me for dinner, I have a headache and want to sleep for a bit.”
“Headache?” Chen Jian looked at him. “Was the lamb noodle soup not fresh?”
“One interview really drained all your brainpower, Manager,” Shan Yu said.
“…Did you catch a cold? Why a sudden headache?” Chen Jian, having never experienced a headache in twenty years, couldn’t fully empathize. “Do you need any medicine?”
“Took a painkiller, a good sleep will fix it,” Shan Yu said.
“Mm,” Chen Jian responded, preparing to go downstairs.
“We’ll have a meeting tomorrow morning. Please notify everyone,” Shan Yu said. “Besides those currently in the shop, anyone from Chen Erhu’s side who needs to be arranged to work here within three months must attend.”
“Okay,” Chen Jian was about to turn, then stopped again. “What’s the meeting about? Do I need to speak?”
“You’ve learned,” Shan Yu smiled, picking up a piece of paper from the side table and handing it over. “It’s mostly these contents. Read it beforehand to get a feel for it.”
Chen Jian lowered his head and glanced at the paper. It contained Shan Yu’s handwritten meeting agenda, probably about work divisions, some new shop rules, and so on.
There was also an opening date.
“Opening next week?” Chen Jian asked.
“Mm,” Shan Yu nodded.
He said “next week,” but today was already Thursday.
Chen Jian quickly calculated the time in his head. He had already contacted people to clean up the garden, but they couldn’t arrive until tomorrow afternoon. He also had to go and pick up the additional flowers and plants himself, so he’d go in the morning… And the renovation of the exterior and walls, and that small path at the entrance…
“Oh, right,” Shan Yu lay back on the sofa, propping his arm under his head, his fingers tracing circles in the air near his temple. “Manager Chen, get your brain working, plan it out well, and just tell me the result.”
“It’s impossible to finish in two days,” Chen Jian stated the result.
Shan Yu made a ‘tsk’ sound: “I never said we were opening on Monday.”
“Also, you said Zhenxi would change its name. What will it be called?” Chen Jian asked.
“I’ve already thought of it. I’ll announce it at the meeting tomorrow. You just need to applaud and approve it,” Shan Yu said.
And a new sign would be needed.
“Alright,” Chen Jian turned to leave. “I’ll start working on it. I’ll let you know about any expenses…”
“In two hours, I want two hours of sleep,” Shan Yu said. “Give me a rough estimate, and I’ll advance you the funds.”
“Okay, boss,” Chen Jian said.
As Shan Yu lay back on the sofa, Chen Jian noticed that his complexion was indeed not good, indicating the headache was quite severe.
Chen Jian glanced at the empty coffee table and quickly asked, “Do you need anything else? Cola, orange juice, plain water?”
“I need you to close the door and get out,” Shan Yu said, his arm covering his eyes.
Chen Jian quietly closed the door, holding the paper and reading it as he went downstairs.
Shan Yu’s handwriting was beautiful, with many connected strokes, yet each character was recognizable.
Of course, it was also possible he had tried to learn some messy style but hadn’t quite mastered it.
Although this meeting agenda didn’t have many words, it was actually quite detailed. Besides the general content, it also specified who would say what, but the basic process was all laid out. Following it would lead to a very smooth meeting, the first meeting for this group of people haphazardly assembled for the B&B.
When Chen Jian returned to the first floor, Hu Pan was already standing behind the front desk, looking at the computer. Zhao Fangfang was in the kitchen preparing dinner. San Bing and Chen Erhu were chatting by the courtyard gate, each propping themselves up.
This “black shop” looked as if it had been operating for three days already.
He walked into the courtyard, intending to take a few photos and estimate how many more flowers and plants were needed.
Chen Erhu saw him come out and immediately tilted his head towards him: “Chen Jian, come here.”
Chen Jian walked over.
Chen Erhu said in a low, solemn voice, “The boss from inside just came by and was asking about the opening.”
“That’s normal, isn’t it?” Chen Jian said.
“Not normal,” Chen Erhu clicked his tongue a few times. “Mainly his attitude. He even asked if the boss was in. I said the boss was out on business.”
“…Mm,” Chen Jian nodded. “Still, Boss Chen reacted quickly.”
“It’s always right to be careful,” Chen Erhu said. “You haven’t forgotten that these few B&Bs actually fought before, have you?”
That was two years ago. Several B&Bs fought over who owned the small intersection where the paths met. In the end, the town management committee built a pavilion there.
“They’re all damn petty,” San Bing said.
“It’ll be hard work for you two to keep a close eye on things these next couple of days,” Chen Jian honestly didn’t think anything big would happen, considering a boss from a thug’s perspective… but he still went along with what they said.
But the next day he realized that a thug’s sensitivity could sometimes be reliable.
People who become bosses aren’t necessarily high-class. After all, Qian Yu, the owner of Zhenxi, wasn’t a good person, and Shan Yu, in the eyes of outsiders, wasn’t a benevolent type either.
Early in the morning, Chen Jian was disinfecting Shan Yu’s leg in his room. The man had slept in the office until midnight yesterday and seemed quite uncomfortable. Chen Jian hadn’t dared to wake him, but unexpectedly, his head was still aching today.
“Do you want to go to the hospital and get it checked? Lest it be something…” Chen Jian didn’t finish his sentence.
“Yes, a terminal illness,” Shan Yu said. “I have two months left to live. I’ve come here to make my last contribution, spend my last bit of money, and save the unruly people of the small town.”
Chen Jian sighed.
“Boss Shan!” Zhao Fangfang’s shouts and some chaotic footsteps suddenly came from the corridor.
Then Zhao Fangfang, without even knocking, slammed open the door to Shan Yu’s room. Chen Jian jumped in surprise and instinctively reached out to protect Shan Yu’s left leg, fearing she might crash into the benevolent boss’s crutches if she couldn’t stop herself.
“Outside! Something happened outside! Outside! The door! The door!” Zhao Fangfang seemed very frightened, unable to speak coherently.
“The courtyard gate and walls have been splattered with blood,” Hu Pan followed behind her, standing outside the door. “The entire stretch is covered. Chen Erhu and San Bing are standing guard outside. There are onlookers trying to come over and take pictures.”
“Yes!” Zhao Fangfang said. “It’s too scary!”
