Chapter 21: Sister Tong, Life is Life

Chapter 21: Sister Tong, Life is Life

Spencer was dragged away by the security guard, cursing under her breath, while Yan Huan didn’t pay any attention to her and instead felt that the air around him got a little smarter once she left.

So, he was getting ready to grab some stuff from the gym with Sakuraguchi Kyoko, while also pondering over that Modifier situation.

Just like the memories formed after being hypnotized, his recollections of being stuck in the Equipment Room with Sakuraguchi changed into a coherent image that couldn’t detect any anomalies without Resistance.

It seemed like the Vice President, Sakuraguchi, was experiencing the same thing.

The setting sun appeared to be more sympathetic to the girl as it quietly adjusted its angle, bathing Sakuraguchi Kyoko in the shadow cast by the tall Teaching Building.

Meanwhile, Yan Huan stood in the evening light, his features slightly blurred.

Walking side by side with Yan Huan, Sakuraguchi Kyoko looked completely normal, casually tossing her black hair back, and suddenly asked, “Did that girl over there say anything to the President?”

Yan Huan was jolted out of his thoughts and turned to look at her, “Why do you ask?”

“That girl took a picture of us for no reason, and her personality looks annoying. I just have a feeling she won’t delete the photo easily.”

“No, I startled her, and she obediently deleted it. But I don’t think I’ve seen her around school before; I have no impression of her at all.”

Yan Huan smiled slightly, not wanting to drag Sakuraguchi into the Modifier issue, so he lied.

Huh?

Being blackmailed with a photo by that blonde girl, and now pretending everything is fine in front of Sakuraguchi…

Why does this déjà vu feel stronger and stronger?!

Yan Huan blinked as the thought struck him.

“She must be a transfer student.”

Seeing that Yan Huan’s expression was casual, Sakuraguchi Kyoko responded half-heartedly, but inside, she was filled with greater confusion.

If there was nothing strange about that girl, then how did she break through her Barrier?

Did the Barrier glitch?

This almost extinguished the spark she had almost ignited with the President (that Sakuraguchi thought).

It looks like I need to study this Ability of mine more carefully, and I definitely can’t mess up like today again.

Fortunately, the memory modification effect it described had no inconsistencies; she had been locked up for half an hour, and the President hadn’t noticed anything weird at all.

Both of them secretly hit upon the same thought.

In the Equipment Room of the gym, Yan Huan took out his backpack and clothes, while Sakuraguchi Kyoko only had a cloth bag with her things.

“The changing room is probably closed. Are you going back to the Office to change, President?”

Sakuraguchi Kyoko walked over with her bag, and Yan Huan glanced at the time on his phone. After thinking for a moment, he said, “No need, I’ll head back early; it’s just about time to catch the school bus outside.”

“Okay, President.”

Sakuraguchi tilted her head, filled with doubt.

Usually, on Mondays, the President would go to the Mahjong Club to play, and then take the bus home later. Why is she…

She did know Yan Huan’s habits like the back of her hand but couldn’t articulate why.

But it’s fine; not going to the Mahjong Club means the President doesn’t have to mix with that bunch of shady women.

They have a Mahjong machine, yet whenever playing with the President, they still do it by hand—what a so-called “machine only has two, and the President isn’t an official member of the club and can’t use it.”

Can’t use, huh?

They take forever just to shuffle the tiles. If you didn’t know better, you might think they were doing laundry!

Having observed it once, Sakuraguchi was quite critical of the Mahjong Club, thinking bad clubs that harm students should be resolutely terminated.

“Well, I’ll take my leave first, President. I’m going back to the office.”

“Okay, see you tomorrow, Sakuraguchi.”

“See you tomorrow, President.”

After bidding farewell to Sakuraguchi Kyoko, Yan Huan hurriedly ran outside, checking the time on his phone.

He was heading to Sister Tong’s tavern this evening.

Originally, today wasn’t his work shift, but since he didn’t show up over the weekend, the 400 lost felt quite painful for him.

So he planned to make up for the missed shifts on Monday and Tuesday.

Working seven consecutive days at night was Yan Huan’s resolve to save the world.

Yan Huan quickly caught the bus to the South District. The air conditioning inside was refreshing, and the students who had just finished class were laughing and joking, though there were noticeably fewer passengers than in the morning.

At Far Moon Academy, after an elective class in the afternoon, school is dismissed. Some students stick around for club activities, but more get picked up by their parents for tutoring or various hobby classes.

At this moment, he couldn’t see Ya Qiao Mu on the bus; he was one of those heading to a tutoring class in the afternoon.

Linyi Gate followed a Newman-style education system, where university admissions were primarily dependent on applications.

Though there are standardized tests, they didn’t carry the decisive weight as in the past life’s gaokao.

Beyond excellent academic performance, relevant study experiences, and a recommendation from reputable figures were crucial for applying to higher education institutions.

It seemed to stray from the high-pressure testing environment, yet it was equally grueling, involving parents in a fierce contest of strategies.

The South District bus was the most crowded in the afternoon; why?

Because most students from the South District couldn’t afford expensive tutoring classes or interest courses, they had to return home.

Even if they could attend, it was hard to believe how many belts their parents had to tighten to afford it.

Hmm, Yan Huan was worse off than those heading home to rest; he, as a counter-modifier traveler, had to work part-time to earn a living.

He suddenly recalled a meme from his past life, featuring the Joker and Harley Quinn.

After a long day battling Batman, the Joker still needed to go grocery shopping and make dinner; after all, not everyone is as rich as Bruce Wayne.jpg

Aunt Ye, oh Aunt Ye, if it weren’t for Ye Shiyu knocking on my door at midnight, I wouldn’t want to leave you at all!

Yan Huan shook his head, put on his Bluetooth earphones, and prepared to listen to music.

Beside him on the empty seat, a fluffy black cat had settled down gracefully without him noticing.

It was Meow-chan.

Well, at least Yan Huan now had a little cat.

It seemed she appeared just to hear Yan Huan talk about the Modifier’s situation, but Yan Huan directly picked up the plump Meow-chan.

“Meow~”

Looking at the wide-eyed Meow-chan in his arms, he declared, “Meow-chan, let me pet you.”

“Meow?”

In the South District, a few blocks away from Yan Huan’s rented place, a quaint European-style tavern had just opened its doors.

The tavern hung a sign displaying its name:

“Children’s Song”

Outside, a beautiful woman with red hair tied back was moving tables and chairs from inside the tavern.

She wore a black denim jacket over a white top tucked into her long jeans, exuding an effortless charm.

After moving a few tables, she leaned against one of them to take a breather.

A lighter spun skillfully on her left fingers as she tilted her head back, with her red bangs dangling slightly to cover one of her eyes.

About twenty-seven or eight years old, her delicate face wore a “living well is fine, death would be okay” vibe.

She rubbed the metallic earring on her earlobe, subconsciously wanting to call that guy to help, but then suddenly remembered he doesn’t work on Mondays.

After a weekend without seeing him, she felt confused.

The other staff wouldn’t arrive for a bit, but that guy was the only one brave enough to show up this early; he could help her move the tables and chairs.

“Hmm.”

Maybe it was better he wasn’t here.

With a downcast gaze, she lowered her head, cradling a cigarette in her right hand.

“Click—”

The sound of the lighter sparked, igniting a flame.

Just as she was about to light the cigarette, a hand unexpectedly reached from the side, pulling the cigarette from her mouth.

The woman looked at him with eyes that seemed to have suffered life’s abuse, eyebrows raised in surprise.

Turning to see a handsome teenager in sportswear twisting the cigarette between his fingers with a smile, he said, “Sister Tong, are you swearing on your life? Didn’t you say you quit? Sneaking a puff while I’m not around?”

The woman in front of him was Yan Huan’s boss, Tong Yingying, whom he usually called Sister Tong.

She was an “adult” who had become rather mundane.

“Serious? Do you really believe what adults say?”

Caught smoking red-handed by Yan Huan, Tong Yingying remained unfazed, her tone tinged with disdain.

Closing the lid of the lighter, she turned to the boy she hadn’t seen for a weekend.

Tong Yingying crossed her long legs and asked, “Why are you here right after class on a Monday? What’s with that get-up? Cosplaying as an athlete?”

“I just got out of class and came here without changing clothes.”

“Why the rush?”

“I wanted to come see you, Sister Tong.”

“Ha, I think you’re here to make up for the wages you lost over the weekend.”

Yan Huan blinked, smiling, “I really did come to see you; you’re more precious than pearls. Believe me, Sister Tong.”

Tong Yingying didn’t expose Yan Huan’s act. She stood up and walked towards the unlit tavern interior, saying, “Go change clothes in the changing room first, then help me set up the tables and chairs.”

This is clearly implying he was scheduled to work.

Yan Huan looked at the cigarette that Tong Yingying had been smoking and quickly had a realization as he followed her into the tavern, “Wait, Sister Tong, it’s not even five yet.”

Watching her walk behind the bar without any enthusiasm, she expertly grabbed glasses and ice cubes.

Without even glancing at him, Tong Yingying’s fingers began dancing along the rows of bottles on the shelf, as if selecting her choice.

Then, her fingers stopped on a bottle with a broken seal.

It was a bottle of fruity whiskey, Allen’s ten-year.

“Not in a good mood today. Besides, I just woke up; perfect for a pick-me-up.”

While pouring the drink, she surprisingly explained to Yan Huan.

“Pick-me-up, my foot.”

Yan Huan threw away the cigarette that Tong Yingying had touched and approached the bar, asking, “But if you’re in a bad mood… why? Tell me about it?”

“Why should I tell you?”

“Just to cheer me up.”

“Your wages are docked by 200.”

Tong Yingying ignored him, coldly dismissing his inquiry, which almost made Yan Huan lose his smile.

“I’m sorry, Sister Tong.”

“Idiot, don’t you know your salary hasn’t been paid this month? Learning to show off in front of me, huh?”

Just joking around, really.

Having worked here for almost a year, Yan Huan was quite familiar with Tong Yingying. Not to mention, she had very little pretense aside from some bad habits and she was generous with money.

Arguing like this was quite common between them.

“However, Sister Tong, based on my experience, it’s best to voice out the things that make you unhappy.”

“Ha, based on my experience, telling someone about your sorrows just prepares them to stab you with a knife later.”

As she poured the drink, she picked up the glass and lightly shook it, watching the round ice cubes dance and spin like crystal balls in the whiskey.

Tong Yingying scolded, “Go on, shoo! Adult matters, kids… no, don’t fuss around here.”

She took a sip of the whiskey, exhaling a deep sigh, dismissively waving her hand at Yan Huan while ordering, “Hurry and change clothes, get ready for work. You skipped three days over the weekend; making me, the boss, run around like crazy. This week, heh, I will squeeze you dry.”

“Come on, Sister Tong, life is life too!”

Yan Huan raised a white flag in surrender.

Simultaneously, he silently flipped Tong Yingying the bird in his mind, as well as using the nickname he had secretly given her when they first met.

That nickname was: “South District Yu Qian.”

What does it mean?

Smoking, drinking, and perming, she excels at everything.

Although she had slightly adjusted her lifestyle habits and basically stopped smoking and perming, her love for alcohol was impossible to shake off.

Yan Huan suspected Tong Yingying opened this tavern just so she could drink in a legitimate way.

As he watched his boss start enjoying her drink, Yan Huan ignored her and went inside the tavern to change.

White shirt, black pants, brown waistcoat.

Just as Yan Huan was changing in the locker room, he heard a male and female voice from outside, “Sister Tong, good afternoon.”

“Sister Tong, are you drinking a bit too early today!”

“Yeah, not in a good mood. Just figured I’d drink a bit.”

After Yan Huan finished changing, he walked out to find a couple sitting at the bar, chatting with Tong Yingying as she twirled a glass in her hand.

They were both students from the South District Community College; the guy’s name was Tian Li, and the girl was Guan Rong.

They both worked here and were a couple.

The girl had a lovely singing voice and was the tavern’s resident performer.

The guy was a bartender who mixed drinks that patrons loved, but Tong Yingying rarely drank his cocktails.

She usually prepared her drinks herself, fully self-sufficient.

Tong Yingying could mix many drinks herself; if she wasn’t lazy, she wouldn’t even need to spend money hiring others.

After a bit of casual chat, work needed to be done.

Yan Huan quickly set up tables and chairs, while Tian Li and Guan Rong changed clothes, tidying up the bar and generally cleaning.

Only Tong Yingying was at the bar, drink in hand, lounging in a corner like a hands-off manager.

Yan Huan kept passing back and forth, and he noticed that Tong Yingying was unusually drinking more than usual, her phone in one hand, tapping away at something.

At first, Yan Huan could afford to be a bit carefree about Tong Yingying; after all, her early drinking today was indeed unusual.

But as night fell, and the business picked up, more guests arrived, increasing the demand for caramel pudding, and she finally calmed down.

In the kitchen, he stirred the egg mixture until it was nearly smoking, no one could say he wasn’t skilled.

It was tiring, but it wasn’t without its perks.

At least, didn’t he make the best pudding he ever had for Sakuraguchi Kyoko and Ye Shiyu?

The nights in the South District were indeed restless, with the city’s bright neon lights mingling with car honks and restaurant smoke, making the area both lively and chaotic.

At this moment, no matter whether it’s a man or a woman, walking down the small alleys between buildings alone would usually trigger a hidden plot.

Fortunately, Linyi Gate didn’t support carrying guns, so one wouldn’t have to worry about walking down the street and getting pressed against by some hard object.

And then, while losing their wallet and phone, they’d have to answer questions like “Do you like Uncle’s big pistol?”

“Once, I wandered aimlessly onward.”

Guan Rong strummed her guitar and sang, crafting a serene atmosphere in the tavern.

As for Tong Yingying, she had disappeared into the tavern without him noticing.

Only in the corridor leading to the restroom, she stumbled slightly, pale-faced, leaning against the wall as she headed towards the restroom.

She had drunk a bit too much.

Opening the restroom door, which was the only one available, she appeared flushed—whether from alcohol or the bright phone screen in her hand.

A wave of nausea surged inside her, and she struggled to keep from toppling over the toilet, seemingly about to vomit.

In that moment, her phone slipped from her grip, displaying the chat window and messages above.

Li Xiumei (Mom):

“.”

“I don’t care. I already made an appointment with someone; you’d better hurry back and meet him. He’s quite a handsome lad; it’s rare he came for a blind date with you. Stop being picky!”

“I won’t go. If you want to go, then you go!”

“Oh dear, you’re almost thirty and acting like this. Look at you, if you don’t get married, I really want to bash my head against the wall at home; just hurry and come back!”

“Why should I meet someone so much older? What a load of garbage! If you want to matchmake, go matchmake yourself!”

“Age isn’t that big of a deal; the better the conditions are a little old, the more caring they’ll be.”

“I want someone with better conditions? Am I broke? I’d rather find someone ten years younger, call me ‘big sister,’ strong and useful, who would care for me? Get lost, I’ve said I’m not going to matchmake!”

“How can you talk to your mother like that?”

“Fine, whatever.”

“.”

After a certain period of inactivity, the phone automatically dimmed, locking the screen and plunging the subsequent messages into darkness.

Tong Yingying, meanwhile, still covering her mouth, began gagging.

In fact, there were still hundreds of messages underneath, not just from her mother’s chat, but others urging her to meet as well.

Tong Yingying wished she could block each and every one and never see them again.

“Gulp, gulp.”

Just as she was retching, a snake-like tattoo emerged from her clothing, seemingly responding to her emotional shifts, slithering its way up her arm.

Then, that snake tattoo began crawling all the way out from her fingertips to the floor.

It was a small, pure white creature resembling a cobra.

It flicked its tongue, eyeing the woman before it, radiating a hint of satisfaction.

[Among the options, you’re the only one capable of hosting my power.]

[Woman, do you want to become the protagonist of this world? Do you wish to satisfy your filthy desires? Do you want to have everything you long for?]

A voice echoed in her ears, making Tong Yingying freeze momentarily.

[Become my host and let me share my power of sensation with you.]

[Whether it be pleasure, pain, or any sensation at all, anything!]

[If you use me, I can fulfill all your wishes.]

[Don’t be afraid or doubtful; I will assist you.]

Tong Yingying lifted her head, staring at the ephemeral being beside her that resembled a snake, unsure if the voice in her mind came from it.

The opaque white creature flicked its tongue, with some electric current coursing through its form at all times.

Tong Yingying opened her mouth, muttering, “I must be drunk; I’m just seeing things, haha! If I’m really drunk, then even a snake is the last thing I’d want to see.”

The illusionary white snake suddenly felt an ominous premonition as it watched Tong Yingying’s clenched fist gradually tighten.

[Hiss!]

It instinctively turned to flee, but Tong Yingying, now on the edge of fury, stood up, glowering as she delivered a kick.

“Get lost and die already!”

“Boom!”

With that terrifying kick, the phantom white snake genuinely vanished without a trace, just like an illusion.