“You don’t have to get involved in this, Boss Shan,” Sanbing said, extending a hand to stop Shan Yu before turning to the shop owner’s wife. “What do you mean by coming to our shop?”
“I’m looking for someone. If I don’t come here, where else would I go?” the owner’s wife said.
That wasn’t wrong.
“Let’s talk outside,” Hu Pan said, walking up to the owner’s wife before heading out.
The owner’s wife glanced at Shan Yu, then got up and followed.
Sanbing wanted to follow them, but Shan Yu kept looking at him, so he had no choice but to walk over. “Boss Shan.”
“What’s going on?” Shan Yu asked.
“This whole thing…” Sanbing hesitated, then squatted down beside him and whispered, “It’s just… Manager Chen, when he was a kid, right after his family’s house was mortgaged to someone else, he had nowhere to stay, so he secretly slept in the coffin that Xiao Dou’er’s Grandpa had prepared for himself.”
Shan Yu stared at him, speechless for several seconds.
“A lot of people in the village know about this, but they only talk about it behind his back and rarely mention it to his face. I only heard it from my grandpa, who said Chen Jian had it rough,” Sanbing said with a frown. “Lili must have heard it from the owner’s wife and used it to curse at Chen Jian just now. That’s why Chen Jian smashed her display case.”
“He had nowhere to stay? Didn’t his dad take care of him?” Shan Yu asked.
“I think his dad didn’t know at the time. I never asked for the details,” Sanbing said. “Chen Jian himself never talks about it, so it’s not my place to ask.”
Shan Yu said nothing.
“I’ll go talk to the owner’s wife first… I’m afraid Panpan won’t be able to win an argument against her,” Sanbing said, pointing outside.
“A single sentence from Panpan can leave you speechless for three days,” Shan Yu said, standing up. “Where do you get the confidence to help her?”
Hu Pan stood by the courtyard gate with her arms crossed. The owner’s wife leaned against the nearby wall. Both had stern faces, seemingly at a stalemate.
“Boss Shan, I’m not an unreasonable person,” the owner’s wife said, a little displeased to see Shan Yu come out. “I’m not here to cause trouble for your B&B. You don’t need to stand up for them.”
“Then why are you standing up for Lili!” Sanbing said.
“She ran her mouth, I’m not standing up for her. I’m here because the glass in my shop was smashed by you people!” the owner’s wife glared at Sanbing.
“They weren’t the ones who smashed the glass,” Shan Yu said, walking over and sitting down on a decorative rock.
“Fine, then what about Chen Jian?” the owner’s wife asked Sanbing. “His temper is way too big…”
“I don’t know. He’s the manager. How would a security guard like me know where he goes?” Sanbing said.
“Chen Jian won’t be paying for your glass either,” Shan Yu said.
“Why not!” the owner’s wife exclaimed. “I’m not even going to talk about him coming over and hitting someone. Anyway, these young people are restless all day long, but if you break something, you should still pay for it, right?”
“Whoever caused the trouble pays for it,” Shan Yu said simply.
“How much money does she have to pay!” the owner’s wife said.
“So you’re just looking for someone who has money and can afford to pay,” Shan Yu said.
“Let’s not mix things up. I’ve already fired her for the trouble she caused,” the owner’s wife said. “But this glass…”
“You’ve already deducted the cost of the glass from her salary, haven’t you?” Shan Yu said. “So you’re planning to come here and ask for another payment.”
“That’s not what I mean,” the owner’s wife said, getting a little flustered. “So you’re going to stand up for Chen Jian now, is that it? You really are considerate of your employees.”
“Chen Jian isn’t here,” Shan Yu said, looking down and brushing some dust off his pants. “As for you, you can either go back and wait—he has his own way of handling things, which I don’t know—but if you insist on staying here, I’ll tell you how I’ll handle it.”
“What do you want to do!” The owner’s wife stared at him.
“I’ll have a coffin delivered to your shop,” Shan Yu said.
“What did you say?” The owner’s wife was shocked. She slapped the wall with her hand and stopped leaning against it. “What do you mean by that!”
“It’s just a coffin!” Hu Pan said. “What’s with the big temper!”
“Wait for Chen Jian, or wait for the coffin?” Shan Yu stood up.
“I can’t win an argument with you,” the owner’s wife said, subconsciously taking a step back. She then looked at Hu Pan. “I’ve already fired Lili. Don’t you all come looking for her at my place again!”
Hu Pan stood with her arms crossed and said nothing.
After the owner’s wife left, Hu Pan finally uncrossed her arms, wiped her eyes, and looked at Shan Yu. “Boss Shan, I was reckless about this…”
“It’s not your fault,” Shan Yu said.
Shan Yu knew when they set out that Hu Pan had gone to find Lili looking for a fight, and a fight would have broken out even with Chen Jian there. For a teenage girl struggling to make it on her own, being fierce enough when encountering trouble was how you made people wary of you. Though unsafe, it was often the simplest and most effective method.
“Let’s not wait for Chen Jian either,” Sanbing said, pacing back and forth beside them. “Let’s just send the coffin over.”
Shan Yu said nothing, just glanced at him.
“Do you think Chen Jian would let Boss Shan do that?” Hu Pan said. “Did you mix your brain with rice and eat it?”
“…Damn,” Sanbing said.
“Let Manager Chen decide for himself how to handle it,” Hu Pan said.
“Then what about that Lili?” Sanbing asked.
“Don’t mind her cursing me out so harshly,” Hu Pan sneered. “She has it worse than me. She grew up eating at a hundred different homes, and now she’s lost her job. That’s enough to keep her angry until next year.”
“What if your family really does come looking for you?” Sanbing asked again.
“This old lady ain’t afraid of shit,” Hu Pan said.
“Alright then,” Sanbing said, pulling his motorcycle keys from his pocket. “I’ll head to the barbecue place. Chen Jian went there alone. I’ll go see if he needs any help.”
“I’ll go,” Shan Yu said, holding out his hand to Sanbing. “Lend me the bike.”
“Again…” Sanbing looked at him and placed the keys in his hand. “Can you even ride with that hand? Can you twist the throttle?”
“I can,” Shan Yu said.
“Can I come with you?” Sanbing asked, chasing after him.
“You go to your post,” Shan Yu said, turning to get on Sanbing’s motorcycle.
“I was originally going to find him after things were settled here,” Sanbing said. “Even though he said he didn’t need help, I already said I would, so it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t go.”
“The bike getting there is enough,” Shan Yu said, patting the front of the bike. “I’ll be your proof. You really couldn’t help it. If you go, the boss will count it as you skipping work.”
“Then I’m leaving, Uncle,” Chen Jian said, getting on his motorcycle. “I’ll notify you all immediately if anything else comes up.”
“Alright, alright, no need to make a special trip. A phone call is fine.”
Chen Jian nodded, started the bike, and drove out of the barbecue area.
The talks with these few families went quite smoothly. Just as Shan Yu had said, as soon as they finished talking with those families, the ones here immediately found out and felt they had gotten the short end of the stick. If Chen Jian hadn’t taken the initiative to come over, it probably wouldn’t have been so easy to talk once they came looking for him.
As he was about to make a turn on the small road, he looked up and saw a motorcycle parked on the side of the road ahead.
It was Sanbing’s bike.
Sanbing’s bike was very easy to recognize. Both wheel hubs were specially painted red and could be identified from a distance.
But from the posture and the length of the legs of the person straddling the bike, he knew it wasn’t Sanbing.
It was Shan Yu.
Chen Jian stopped his bike in front of him in surprise and got off. “How did you ride a bike with your hand like that?”
“I just can’t straighten it. Turning is no problem,” Shan Yu said.
“What are you doing here?” Chen Jian asked.
“Supervising,” Shan Yu said.
“The talks are done. They went pretty smoothly,” Chen Jian said, then paused. “You’re not here for this, are you?”
Shan Yu didn’t speak, just looked at him.
“Is it about the incident at the accessory shop?” Chen Jian asked.
Shan Yu sighed softly.
“Is it about… the coffin?” Chen Jian asked again.
“The owner’s wife came to the shop looking for you guys,” Shan Yu said. “I just sent her away.”
Chen Jian frowned.
“Want to go on a date?” Shan Yu asked.
Chen Jian looked at him. “What?”
“I asked,” Shan Yu said.
“Where to?” Chen Jian asked.
On such a cold day, without having eaten breakfast, the two of them leaned against a pile of branches someone had stacked by the woods on the riverbank, having a date while basking in the sun.
“This setting is a bit miserable,” Shan Yu said.
“Are you cold?” Chen Jian asked.
“Not when I’m in the sun,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian held his hand. It was fine, still warm for now.
“Did the owner’s wife come over wanting compensation for the glass?” Chen Jian asked.
“Yeah,” Shan Yu nodded. “How do you want to handle this?”
“Compensate my ass,” Chen Jian said, then thought for a moment and added, a little worried, “She didn’t give you any trouble, did she?”
“You mean to ask if I gave her any trouble, right?” Shan Yu clicked his tongue.
Chen Jian smiled but didn’t speak.
“I was thinking of giving her trouble,” Shan Yu said. “I didn’t want to get involved at first, but she spoke about it so casually. It didn’t sit right with me.”
“This matter… to many people, it’s indeed just something to talk about after a meal, just a casual remark,” Chen Jian said softly. “I actually… hope it’s like that.”
Shan Yu was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at him. “What do you mean?”
“The more casually it’s said, the less they’ll care. The less they care, the more it will fade,” Chen Jian said. “Only by fading more and more can it finally be forgotten by everyone, and no one will ever bring it up again.”
“I thought you might not want to blow things up,” Shan Yu said, “but I didn’t think it would be from this angle.”
“It’s been a long time,” Chen Jian smiled. “I’m not that little kid anymore.”
“You’re really…” Shan Yu squeezed his hand.
“I don’t really care about this matter, I just can’t stand it when someone suddenly pokes me with it,” Chen Jian also squeezed his hand back, gently kneading it. “Whether it’s pity or poking at me, sometimes it feels the same to me…”
“Hmm?” Shan Yu was a little confused.
“A child with no one to care for him, that’s what they all think,” Chen Jian said, leaning his head back. “You thought so too, right? Where’s my dad? Why didn’t he take care of me?”
“…Yes,” Shan Yu nodded.
“My dad was in the city at that time. After the house was mortgaged, it was agreed that I could stay for another month,” Chen Jian said. “He was going to get some money to rent a place. But I only stayed for half a month. The people said there wasn’t enough space, so I left.”
“You didn’t tell your dad, did you?” Shan Yu asked.
“No, he was almost going crazy at that time,” Chen Jian said. “I was also afraid someone in the village would tell him, so I secretly found a place to live.”
“What were you thinking, sleeping in a coffin?” Shan Yu raised his arm and wrapped it around his shoulder.
“It was winter then. At first, I just hid in that empty house, but there was no heating,” Chen Jian’s voice was very low. “I felt it was warmer in that coffin… I didn’t sleep there for many days before Xiao Dou’er’s Grandma found me. After that, I lived at their place.”
“What about the family that took your house?” Shan Yu asked. “Are they still living there?”
“They moved away long ago,” Chen Jian said. “The house is abandoned. It collapsed the year before last.”
Shan Yu didn’t speak, just tightened his arm.
“It’s all in the past,” Chen Jian said. “Let’s just let it pass.”
“Yeah,” Shan Yu sighed softly.
“I’m hungry,” Chen Jian said with his eyes closed.
“I’m hungry too,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian rested his head on Shan Yu’s arm with his eyes closed. The sunlight spread across his face, his eyes filled with shimmering golden light, and he felt a comfortable sense of dizziness. Although he said he was hungry, he had no intention of moving.
“Should we go get something to eat, or go back to the shop to eat?” Shan Yu asked.
“Let’s go back and eat. Sister Zhao must have made breakfast,” Chen Jian said.
After saying this, neither of them moved.
“How about you open your mouth first,” Shan Yu said.
“Hmm?” Chen Jian turned his head and squinted at him.
“Drink some wind to tide you over first,” Shan Yu said.
Chen Jian laughed.
“Shall we go?” Shan Yu asked.
“Yeah,” Chen Jian replied, leaning over to kiss him on the lips.
Just as he was about to turn his head away, Shan Yu’s finger tapped on his face, and he kissed him back.
The sunlight seemed to suddenly explode, bright and warm, and even the wind seemed to be blocked out by the vast golden light.
When they returned to the Great Hermit, Chen Erhu was at the front desk checking in a newly arrived guest. Hu Pan and Sanbing were in the restaurant eating a meal that was either breakfast or lunch.
“Have you two eaten?” Hu Pan waved. “It’s wontons today.”
“Want some?” Chen Jian asked Shan Yu.
“Yes,” Shan Yu nodded.
“Tell Sister Zhao she doesn’t need to cook for lunch. Let’s order in,” Chen Jian said, sitting down at the table. He served a bowl of wontons for Shan Yu from the pot, then served one for himself. “Is it getting crowded today?”
“Yes,” Hu Pan said, drinking her soup. “Someone is coming for a waitress interview at noon, Manager.”
“Okay,” Chen Jian replied. “Is it just one person? Is there anyone for housekeeping?”
“Just one person,” Hu Pan said. “That’s not bad. A few days ago, someone posted a recruitment notice in the group for a B&B on the mountain, and no one has gone yet. At least we’re still in the small town.”
Chen Jian sighed. It was the end of the year, and it was hard to hire people. This place was also quite remote. It would be much easier to hire in the old town.
“What time is it scheduled?” he asked.
“One o’clock. Aren’t you going to practice driving in the afternoon? It’s right after the interview,” Hu Pan said.
“Practicing driving so frequently?” Shan Yu, who had already finished a bowl of wontons in a flash, looked at him and asked.
“The instructor is afraid I’ll be slow in getting my license and the job of driving for the boss will fall through,” Chen Jian said. “He wants me to finish the test within two months.”
Shan Yu went back to his office after finishing his wontons.
While Chen Jian was checking the check-in situation at the front desk, he received a message from him.
[Fa Dan Ke Chen]: Should I take you?
[Chen Yuluoyan]: If you’re busy, you don’t have to.
[Fa Dan Ke Chen]: ?
[Chen Yuluoyan]: Take me.
Only after sending the message did Chen Jian notice that Shan Yu had changed his profile picture again, to a solo photo of Chen Jian on the viewing platform.
Chen Jian was truly impressed. The boss had nothing better to do all day than to play with changing profile pictures.
“Did you two go to deliver a coffin?” Sanbing asked, leaning against the front desk.
“What the hell?” Chen Jian was stunned.
“Boss Shan said he was going to send a coffin to the accessory shop,” Sanbing said.
“What the hell?” Chen Jian repeated in shock.
“See, this is how rumors start,” Hu Pan also came over and said in a low voice. “What he said was, let the owner’s wife choose whether Chen Jian handles it himself or he handles it. If he handles it, he’ll send a coffin over.”
That wasn’t much different.
“Shan Yu is a man of his word,” Chen Erhu said with great composure.
For a moment, Chen Jian was at a loss for words.
He was shocked by Shan Yu’s crazy state.
But at the same time, there was a scalding, trembling sense of satisfaction.
He couldn’t describe it.
It was just very shaky.
A hand covered in sparkling beads suddenly appeared in front of the few of them, tapping twice on the front desk.
The few people who were whispering were startled and raised their heads at the same time.
A woman in sunglasses with bright red lipstick stood next to the front desk. The huge earrings on her earlobes were very eye-catching, and she was wearing a short, fluffy coat.
“Hello, may I ask if you have a reservation?” Chen Erhu, conditioned by his professional training, reflexively asked immediately.
“I’m here for an interview. I arrived early,” the woman in sunglasses replied.
“An interview?” Chen Jian was stunned.
No matter how you looked at her, this person seemed to be here on vacation.
“Are you Sun Nana?” Even the avant-garde Hu Pan couldn’t help but ask.
“Yes, I am Sun Nana,” Sun Nana said. “My English name is Nana.”
“Is there a difference?” Sanbing asked.
“The difference is that Nana is English,” Sun Nana said.
“…Oh,” Sanbing was very confused.
“Who’s interviewing me?” Sun Nana took off her sunglasses.
“The manager,” the three of them pointed to Chen Jian at the same time.
“Where do we talk?” Sun Nana asked, holding her sunglasses and looking around.
“The coffee shop, I guess,” Chen Jian said, exchanging a look with the others and walking towards the coffee shop.
“Want some coffee?” Hu Pan followed. She had taken the morning off and didn’t have to work. It was obvious she wanted to come over and eavesdrop.
“Sure, a cappuccino, thank you,” Sun Nana said.
“We don’t have that,” Hu Pan said. “Only latte.”
“That’s fine too,” Sun Nana said, not minding. She walked into the coffee shop, sat down, and nodded at Chen Jian. “Manager, please sit.”
“…Yeah,” Chen Jian sat down. To save time, he didn’t dawdle and went straight to the point. “What position are you interviewing for?”
“Waitress,” Sun Nana said.
“Do you have any relevant work experience?” Chen Jian asked.
“A little,” Sun Nana said.
What kind of “a little”?
Chen Jian looked at her. “Is it in a hotel or…”
“No experience,” Sun Nana changed her tune. Before Chen Jian could speak, she added, “But I learn very quickly.”
Although they were only hiring a short-term waitress, Sun Nana’s state really didn’t seem like she could do the job. Chen Jian hesitated for a moment, planning to tactfully refuse her.
“How about this, there are other people to be interviewed after you,” Chen Jian said. “We will notify you of the interview result after all the interviews are finished today.”
“Okay,” Sun Nana got up very briskly, walked to the front desk, and waved at Chen Erhu. “Handsome, get me a standard room.”
Chen Erhu and Sanbing, who were still at the front desk, suddenly turned their heads to look at Chen Jian’s side.
Chen Jian also looked at them and spread his hands.
“What do we do?” Hu Pan came over.
“I… don’t know,” Chen Jian said. “Are there any more people?”
“Just this one!” Hu Pan said. “The only one! Why don’t you ask Boss Shan?”
“…Alright,” Chen Jian stood up and walked towards the elevator.
“Nana,” Hu Pan called out from behind him. “Your coffee.”
“Thank you, I’ll be right over,” Sun Nana turned around and smiled.
Chen Jian quickly slipped into the elevator, feeling as if the Great Hermit was under some kind of evil spell when it came to hiring people.
