“OEIIII!!!! Zhen Qing, give me some money!!!” Zheng Hui, Zhen Qing’s father, was banging on her door repeatedly. “I know you are back. I know you have the money!!!” Zheng Hui shouted through the roof, and Zhen Qing tried her best to hide in her room.
“Please, Zhen Qing! Please, my daughter, I need the money or the debt collectors will come and find me.” Zheng Hui finally ceased his banging and slid his back along the door as if he was really desperate this time round.
“I gave you money two weeks ago!! GO AWAY!” Zhen Qing could not handle the pressure her father was giving her and retorted back. She was thankful that she bought a new lock and installed it in time before her father noticed it. Else, her door would have been broken minutes ago.
“Lies! I know that you have a new job right now! I can see that you are happier than before! Not only that, you don’t have any ingredients stocked anymore! Are you doing what I asked you to do? Which establishment are you working at?!” Zheng Hui questioned Zhen Qing as he banged on the door once again before taking a big sip from his liquor bottle.
“Tell me. I shall inform them about our plight and ask for an advance payment.” Zheng Hui’s speech started to slur. “All you have to do is to work hard for me. Work hard and repay your debt of sins to me….”
“I AM NOT WORKING AT THAT KIND OF DEROGATORY PLACES!” Zhen Qing shouted back before she hid under her blankets.
“THEN WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU GETTING YOUR MONEY FROM?!” Zheng Hui used his leg to kick the door. It was apparent that the old lock on the door disintegrated from the kick. It was also not the first one, to suffer such fate.
“Why you… HOW DARE YOU INSTALL A NEW LOCK? Are you filled with distrust towards your very own father?! Your father that brought you into this life? Who has been sheltering you in this place? Running away from the Yakuzas?! For covering for YOUR MISTAKES that CAUSED your mother’s death?!” Zheng Hui got so mad that he kicked the door with even more force and it visibly trembled under his strength.
“It’s not my fault…It’s really not my fault…” Zhen Qing teared as she curled into a ball and suffered under the noise until her father decided to stagger back to the living room.
“Do not think this is the end…” Zheng Hui tapped a few buttons on his phone before he sent a message to his debtor before he eventually fell asleep drunk on the sofa in front of the TV.
“This can’t go on…I really cannot stay here any longer…Do you think he can help me?” Zhen Qing thoughts were in a mess as she cuddled with a broken penguin plushie that was given by her mother when she was little. It was the last memento she had of her and a constant reminder of her old life. It was also one of the few things she managed to take with her. She cried miserably until her body was not able to take it any longer and made her rest.
—————
“What?! You want to resign from the job?” Qiu Yue’s superior Shao Wai was stunned early in the morning when Qiu Yue placed the letter of resignation on his table. Qiu Yue was determined to a cause and nodded her head firmly.
Shao Wai knew that expression in her eyes from the few years of working with her. He took off his glasses and rubbed his temples. “Why are you quitting? Which company poached you? How much are they offering?”
“There isn’t any company that came to poach me. It is of my own volition that I wished to resign. I would like to pursue my dream with a friend of mine.” Qiu Yue told Shao Wai frankly seeing how they both were rather familiar with each other’s attitude.
“You do know that the new multinational project that we have recently managed to acquire was mostly because they were inspired by your pitch? They wanted you to be the overall in charge of this project since they realize how talented you are and they are sure that you will get the job done well. What am I going to tell the director when you are leaving us in a lurch?” Shao Wai tried to coerce her into a guilt trap, hoping that would make her stay.
“Besides, Qiu Yue, I can guarantee you that your promotion will be secured by the end of the year and the track to my seat, heck! The director’s seat is not far from now! In just a few more years, you will definitely have that. Also, are you forfeiting that 13th month performance bonus you have worked so hard for? In a month or so, are you sure you are making the right decision and won’t regret it?” Shao Wai continued to try and hook her but he did not know that Qiu Yue was unfazed by his allure of fake promises.
“Sir, no one is indispensable in a company. You can always find someone better to take over as the project head.” Qiu Yue said it so bluntly that it made Shao Wai fumble with his words.
“Are you sure? You will lose every progress you have made till now. The only thing you have is experience which is worth nothing more than peanuts in this dog eat dog world.” Shao Wai now tried to threaten her, but Qiu Yue was adamant.
“I understand.” Qiu Yue did not say much. She had imagined that after working so long together, her superior would have been more understanding. Guess he was using her just like everyone else in the public ministry. “Lazy assholes, always wanting other people to do their work while they hog on all the glory. I am not a stupid woman who will allow you to manipulate me any longer.” Qiu Yue thought to herself as she remained ignorant of Shao Wai’s grumblings.
“Fine, if you are this adamant. It will be your loss. I will pass this to the Human Resource Department later in the afternoon.” Shao Wai believed perhaps he could delay the resignation for at least a week or two by saying he had forgotten about it. During that time, Qiu Yue might possibly change her mind.
“It’s okay, Sir. I have already sent them my notice in advance. This is simply a courtesy letter to inform you. I will be leaving by the end of the month. Please pardon my intrusion.” Qiu Yue said before she started to leave his office.
“Wait. Qiu Yue.” Shao Wai stood up trying to stop her.
“At least, one last dinner before you go? My treat.” Shao Wai asked politely but the look on his face. It’s one that Qiu Yue could not stand.
“Get away from me, you creepy cheating husband.” Qiu Yue thought to herself but she forced a smile out. “It’s fine. I do not need that. Please pardon me. I have some work to clear before I leave the ministry.”
__________
Jin took a power nap for an hour, resting on the couch in one of the Auditoriums. He did not know it would be this comfortable to lie down on it.
“The System does pamper my customers…” Jin walked up to the Bar Island to get a cup of water before he saw Zhen Qing, who came earlier than usual into the Shop Instance.
Jin immediately realized that Zhen Qing was not her usual self, in fact, she looked more tired than usual. Not only that, she was carrying a piece of mini luggage with her as she immediately bowed in front of Jin. The beak of some sort of bird-like plushie could be seen sticking out from the luggage.
“Boss Jin…I apologise for requesting something that I refused previously. But can I ask you for a favour?” Her eyes were red with tears on the verge of dripping.
