Page Seventeen
Conversation
[September 5th, Friday]
Afterwards, Senior Li Jianlian skipped two days of class. I thought something must have happened, but thankfully he finally appeared at school on Friday.
He claimed to be on sick leave, and the school didn’t criticize him either. It seemed that Uncle Lei La hadn’t reported to the school.
That day at noon, Zhao Zhao and I rarely didn’t go to the secret base; instead, we went up to the third floor to bring Senior out of his classroom. We intended to discuss our plans with him, and he didn’t refuse. He carried a lunch box and followed us to the stairs leading to the rooftop, where we sat on the short staircase and had our lunch.
Zhao Zhao and I had bread and juice from the convenience store, while Senior’s boxed meal, though simple, had quite a variety. It looked much better than the dry pineapple buns we had.
Being arrested must have hit Senior pretty hard, right? He looked much healthier than before, with no dark circles or bags under his eyes, and he even looked somewhat handsome.
“The police officer told me everything. Thank you for pleading my case.”
I was stunned, thinking Senior Li Jianlian was referring to Uncle Lei La. If someone called him “big brother,” he would surely be delighted since he had always been puzzled why Far Moon was called “sister” and he was called “uncle.”
“It’s nothing. But don’t you really know that company was a loan shark?”
“I truly didn’t. I just finished an interview that day and hadn’t started working yet. Before I could react, the police stormed in.”
He shook his head and then sighed, “But it’s impossible not to suspect. The pay was too high for part-time work. There must be something wrong, so I took a chance.”
Zhao Zhao quickly finished his bread, folded the wrapper, and tossed it into the trash bin in the hallway. He asked:
“So what are your plans now, Senior? Are you still going to work part-time? I heard you were summoned by the homeroom teacher? Getting disciplined if you continue working…”
“That’s true, but I can’t stop working… No, wait, isn’t this about non-school hours?”
“Cough, cough, I came out to use the restroom.”
“Why did you run up to the third floor to use the restroom in high school?”
I was surprised when I realized he had used the restroom during class, then I remembered Xiao Lei might have overheard something. So I continued, “He was just taking a break… Speaking of which, your family situation won’t allow you to stop working, right?”
He picked at his white rice, chewing as he spoke, “Yes, I can’t stop working. My family doesn’t have enough money, and I need to save for tuition… By the way, did Ling Meng Little Sister tell you about my situation?”
“Don’t be silly, I don’t have a sister.” I waved my hand and removed my large-framed glasses, smiling bitterly, “Whether it’s the bookstore with Tan Linhua or eating stir-fried noodles at Water World, they’re all me. Did that surprise you?”
In response to my question, Senior showed his action. He took a deep breath from his diaphragm, making a “puff” sound through his nose, then blew out some mixed grains of rice and mucus.
Since he was sitting two steps higher than me, after calculating the trajectory, wind force, temperature, and kinetic energy loss, I concluded that if I didn’t move, those grains would land on my head.
At that moment, I felt like Keanu Reeves, dodging bullets like in The Matrix. I watched the rice fly past and stick to the wall of the corridor, but before I could celebrate, I stumbled and fell down the stairs.
Fortunately, Zhao Zhao at the bottom caught me, or I would have gotten some scrapes.
“Fracturing your leg and doing such acrobatics, are you planning to join the Paralympics?”
This guy was still making sarcastic remarks.
Senior also apologized after putting down his lunch box.
“Sorry, sorry, I really didn’t mean it.”
Although he was apologizing, he didn’t feel good himself, with tears welling up in his eyes.
“But your face really shows no male features.”
“That’s why I wear these big glasses to cover up.”
I put the large-framed glasses back on and got to the point.
“Today, I came to ask what you plan to do next. Actually, a senior student who learned about your situation gave you some advice, and I think it’s quite feasible.”
“Senior student?” Li Jianlian was confused. Having studied in a boys’ school for two years, he clearly hadn’t heard this term before.
I explained, “A senior student from a nearby girls’ school. When you were arrested, we were having dinner at a Sichuan restaurant nearby.”
“I really messed up.” He self-deprecatingly said, then asked, “What advice did she give?”
I told him about Sister Fei’s suggestion regarding the university scholarship, but he shook his head before I finished. He said, “This might be difficult.”
Not only his mother, but even he himself denied it, which made me curious.
“Why? Senior, your grades aren’t bad, right? It would be a waste not to continue studying.”
“It’s simple. I can’t guarantee I’ll get the scholarship. Maybe my grades are decent here, but compared to other outstanding students, there’s no absolute certainty.”
Good grades are relative. Facing other prodigies, there’s no 100% chance of getting the scholarship. This isn’t lack of confidence, but a realistic problem.
“What about your own plans?”
“I plan to save enough money before the college entrance exam. Besides four years of tuition, I want to save some for my family.”
This was no easy feat for a high school student who could only do part-time work.
“It’s not easy to earn that much money just by working part-time. Don’t get involved in illegal activities again.”
Zhao Zhao’s words hit a nerve, and Senior looked troubled.
“But I know a place that pays very high wages. I heard the hourly rate might be up to a hundred yuan, and it’s legal… maybe, possibly legal?”
Why does he end with a question? What’s with this uncertain tone?
I responded, “Then where can one find such a lucrative part-time job?”
“In the underground street of Balance Commercial District, there’s a place called ‘Kamehameha’ that serves comics and tea. Have you heard of it?”
It was that legendary comics and tea shop!
It’s quite famous among boys, but the prices are quite high. I didn’t have the courage to spend money there, but Zhao Zhao seemed to be a high-level member of that shop, with access to the inner area… He’s impressive. Born in a village, how did he become a high-level member by working?
Senior didn’t understand.
“Ka—?”
“Kamehameha.”
“What ha?”
“Kamehameha!”
Senior still didn’t get it, and Zhao Zhao scratched his head in frustration.
“Oh, how should I explain? Just think of it as a coffee shop where you can read comics, no, actually drink comics, no, not that either.”
Explaining it was tiring, so I took over:
“Though I haven’t been there, that shop combines a comic bookstore and a coffee shop. Senior, you’ve done many service jobs, right? Working there should suit you.”
Senior put away his lunch box and nodded, “That’s perfect. I have experience working in bookstores and coffee shops.”
“Naive! Sweeter than Tianjin roasted chestnuts!”
Zhao Zhao suddenly stood up, towering over us. His height was quite intimidating.
“Don’t underestimate the job at a comics and tea shop! The boss has been suffering because he can’t find suitable candidates!”
“Ah!” Senior made an indecipherable exclamation.
“First, you need to have a general understanding of all the comics in the store to talk normally with customers. That’s the basic requirement. Second, you need to understand customers’ preferences and heal their wounds in real life.”
“If you know so much and the pay is so good, why don’t you work there yourself?”
A hundred yuan per hour, I’d want to work there too!
“Because—”
He paused, looking at Senior with a strange expression.
“—the part-time job at ‘Kamehameha’ only accepts young, cute girls.”
