Translator: AlfredoPoutineSoup Editor: DesTheSloth
The Old Town.
Luo Qiu, who hadn’t come back here for a period, got up earlier this morning and arrived at this place.
There were fewer people than usual coming to Old Chen’s bun house.
The Old Chen couple wasn’t here and the tea here seemed to be cooler than before.
When Luo Qiu arrived, Chen Youjiu was kneading dough at the operation floor alone. A newly-hired aunt was serving customers.
Luo Qiu sat back at his preferred seat. Chen Youjiu paused as he finished twisting a dough and wiped away the sweat. He found Luo Qiu after he had sat there for approximately a quarter hour.
Chen Youjiu who had inherited the bun house smiled and walked out holding a small teapot. A white towel hanged on his neck, which was quite similar to Old Chen’s appearance.
Chen Youjiu greeted him and sat down. From taciturnity at the beginning to a torrent of words gradually, he was talking about the things that happened after Old Chen passed away.
“It’s quite miraculous.” Chen Youjiu shook his head, sighing, “The doctor said my parents left very quietly, like dying a natural death. I thought that evening I came back for dinner with my wife and kid, my father might have the feeling that he was about to go away, so he took out those documents and gave them to give me.”
Speaking of this, Chen Youjiu had a special sense of sadness.
At this time, the new aunt took a basket of steamed buns. Luo Qiu grabbed one, breaking it apart. The fresh minced meat emitted a good aroma that whets one’s appetite, white flour gave out a sense of satiation after being steamed.
“The bun is still here.”
Luo Qiu took a bite, “And the taste too.”
Chen Youjiu belonged to one of the honest men. At this moment, he smiled while saying, “Yeah, my father attracted some regular customers of his generation throughout his whole life of hard work. And next, I will have my own as well.”
Chen Youjiu looked at the merry hall, which was not as noisy as before, but at least it still had half occupied. Having a smile that contained satisfaction, he said happily, “Recently, my kid said that he wants to learn to make buns.”
It was good to pass it from one generation to another.
“Brother Chen, I want two baskets of buns.” Luo Qiu smiled, “I’m buying it to treat others.”
Chen Youjiu laughed, “No problem! I’m sure you’ll be satisfied with the abundant stuffings!”
…
Holding a bag of hot buns, it’d take him at least more than one hour to go to a hotel from the old town.
Hot air of the buns was still preserved because Boss Luo gave up using all transportation to get there.
The room was extremely tidy, even the quilt had been folded up in a square and was put in the middle of the bed.
This room hadn’t been checked out but the grey-white sack and the bamboo pole disappeared. Of course, the aunt wasn’t there either.
Luo Qiu could imagine where she was.
…
…
The car went out of through the gate of the estate.
Fang Jiping took a glance at the rearview mirror while driving. He found an old woman sitting at the parterre outside of the estate. She was massaging her own legs.
Looking at the car had totally diverged the lane, Fang Ruchang who was at his side knitted his brows. “Jiping, pay attention when you’re driving.”
Fang Jiping turned around, drove it back unwittingly to the normal lane.
“What are you thinking about?” Fang Ruchang asked curiously.
Fang Jiping slowed down his speech, “Nothing, just thought of the concert…Well, I can play better in two bars.”
Fang Ruchang didn’t suspect him. Nodding his head and closing his eyes, he sat quietly on the front passenger seat.
After the car left, the aunt stood up with the help of the bamboo pole. She had poor eyesight, but at least she could see the position of the security booth.
The aunt got close to it. The security guard opened the door and walked out. He could not bear to talk to such a poor old woman with a tough attitude, “Aunt, why are you here? If you are not a resident here, you are not allowed to go in.”
She shook her head, “Brother, are you hiring someone?”
The guard was stunned… This was a quite boring job, so he answered with extreme patience, “Aunt, you want a job? What kind of job do you think you’ll find?”
“I can weed and clean the floor.” The aunt said in a kindly manner, “I don’t need accommodation. What I need is just some food.”
The guard shook his head, “Sorry, aunt, I’m not in charge of human resources… but I think you’re too old and would be inconvenient to be hired.”
“Brother, please give me a hand, I really need a job now, please.”
Watching the aunt knelt down the ground and begged him, the young guard felt touched and awkward.
“Can you stand up first… Ah, I can ask my leader. I’m sure they are hiring some cleaners, but I don’t know if you’ll be hired. Because you look really…”
“I know! I just need three meals…no, two… one is OK too! I don’t want nothing else.”
She might be really hungry.
The young security guard couldn’t help sighing inwardly. He looked back at this high-level estate. The residents here dressed nicely, but for the people outside, it was not always the same as them.
What a society it was… F*ck the society.
“Manager, I’m Little Wang, the security guard…Yeah… I have a person who came from the village. Security? No no, cleaning worker…Yes, yes…”
He was willing to help her if he could. The security guard in the sentry box looked at the aunt outside. Neither of them was easy to get food for life.
…
“Three meals daily without accommodation. And you said you don’t need wages. In addition, we don’t sign contracts. So if there are some problems like injury or something else, we’re not responsible. You should consider it well.”
“OK, OK!” The aunt nodded promptly.
Too much money was useless. Those with deep pockets also ate three meals a day, the same went to common people.
She was aware that she didn’t have much time.
What she wanted, was just a far but ‘nearby’ place for her to see her son secretly and knew he was happy or sad, that was enough.
…
…
Ms. Servant Girl that was sitting soundlessly with both hands overlapped on her legs. She turned her head around suddenly.
A streak of black smoke slipped in from the door before a hoarse voice that sounded like an old witch, “Black Soul No.18 greets Ms. You Ye.”
“I’ve asked you to watch Ms. Ren, why did you leave without permission?” The servant girl showed her displeasure.
Black Soul No.18 hurried to explain, “That’s because last night, when I followed Ms. Ren…”
Black Soul No. 18 told You Ye all the news he heard in the room, “…that’s what I’ve heard. That Mr. Ye Yan seems to have a close relationship with the new master, and Ms. Ren and that Officer Ma showed anxiety. I’m worried that there will be some trouble later on, so I came back to report all those to you as soon as possible.”
“I see.” You Ye nodded, watching Black Soul No.18 expressionlessly, “Go back now, I’ll deal with this issue.”
Black Soul No. 18 definitely dared not stay longer. It turned into black smoke and left the club.
You Ye glimpsed at the wall clock, standing up.
It was still a little early to cook lunch for Master, so she intended to go out.
