Chapter 44 : Xiao Ran
Chapter 44: Xiao Ran
At nine-thirty in the evening, the cool breeze carried just the right touch of comfort.
Bai Lengci walked across the old overpass connecting the apartment district with the commercial street.
Below the overpass, the traffic on Jiefang West Road was still busy, the taillights stretching into long red trails of light.
After walking down the overpass and refusing to exchange contacts with a boy, she turned onto the relatively quiet Jiefang West Road.
Very soon, a bar with a deep-blue neon sign appeared in front of her.
At the entrance, several men and women were smoking and chatting idly.
“Xiaobai, you’re here.”
A woman in a fitted black suit dress leaned against the wall by the door, checking her phone. When she saw Bai Lengci, she smiled and greeted her.
She was Xiao Jian, Twilight’s marketing manager, and Zhou Zheng’s subordinate.
She took fairly good care of Bai Lengci, occasionally slipping her a piece of chocolate or a lollipop as a little snack.
Although Bai Lengci never ate them.
“Mm.”
Bai Lengci stopped and gave her a slight nod.
“Have you eaten? I just got an extra sandwich here, want it?”
Xiao Jian pulled out a triangular sandwich wrapped in transparent packaging from her handbag.
Bai Lengci shook her head.
“I’ve eaten. Thank you.”
“Oh, alright. It looks pretty busy today too, Brother Zhou was just mentioning you.”
Xiao Jian put away the sandwich, then gave Bai Lengci another look up and down, clicking her tongue twice.
“Ah, your face really never gets old to look at.”
Bai Lengci had long since become immune to this level of compliment, simply standing there quietly.
Xiao Jian casually chatted about some store gossip—like which regular had brought a new female companion again, or how the kitchen had cut too much fruit today.
For the most part, Bai Lengci only listened, occasionally replying with a soft “Mm.”
After a few minutes of chatter, Bai Lengci raised her hand and glanced at her phone.
“I should get ready.”
She said.
“Alright, go on then. Good luck!”
Xiao Jian smiled and waved at her.
Bai Lengci gave a nod, then pushed open the bar’s soundproof door.
Inside was a short corridor leading to the main hall and the staff area.
She did not head toward the lively main hall but went straight to the stairway in the corner and walked upstairs.
The second floor housed offices and the staff changing area, relatively quiet.
Just as she stepped onto the second floor, she saw Zhou Zheng leaning against the white wall by the changing room door, holding a cigarette that was nearly burnt out. He seemed to be waiting for her.
“Brother Zheng.”
Bai Lengci greeted.
At her voice, Zhou Zheng lifted his head. When he saw it was her, he immediately put out the cigarette and a smile spread across his face.
“Xiaobai, you’re here. Perfect timing, I have good news for you.”
Bai Lengci stopped in front of him.
She could already guess what the so-called good news was.
“You’ve been performing really well these days. The customers’ feedback has been great, and more and more orders are specifically asking for your cocktails.
I’ve spoken to Madam several times, put in a lot of good words for you, and Madam finally agreed—she’s willing to let you become a full-time employee and sign an official contract!
The pay will definitely be better, plus commission and bonuses. How about it?”
As expected.
Bai Lengci lifted her eyes and looked at Zhou Zheng, her tone sincere.
“Brother Zheng, thank you and Madam for your kindness.
But I’m just a senior high school student. I only took a part-time job to earn a bit of living expenses.
I don’t have that much time, and I never planned to do this long term.”
Zhou Zheng’s smile froze for a moment.
“What’s wrong with being a student? Students can work part-time too! We can adjust the schedule. Look, the 7 p.m. to midnight shift works perfectly, doesn’t it?
It won’t affect your classes during the day.
And being full-time means stability, higher income, much better than working odd jobs like this.
Once you get into university, if you want, you can even keep working. Isn’t that great?”
Bai Lengci shook her head.
“Brother Zheng, this isn’t about money. I really only need this job temporarily. Once… once this period passes, I may stop altogether.”
Zhou Zheng still wanted to persuade her.
“Xiaobai, won’t you reconsider? This is a rare opportunity. You know how hard it is to find work these days. Twilight has a good environment, good benefits, and—”
“Xiaobai! Why are you still upstairs dragging your feet?”
A slightly anxious male voice called from downstairs—it was another bartender, Ah Ken.
“The outside bar is about to explode! Everyone’s asking for you! Hurry down and save me!”
Bai Lengci responded softly.
“Coming.”
She turned back to Zhou Zheng.
“Brother Zheng, let’s talk about this later. I need to work now.”
Seeing how cold and distant she was, Zhou Zheng knew it was useless to push further. He could only helplessly wave his hand.
“Alright, alright, go ahead. But… think it over carefully, really…”
“Mm.”
Bai Lengci answered vaguely, then pushed open the changing room door and went inside.
Zhou Zheng stared at the closed door, sighed, shook his head, and turned to head downstairs as well.
The changing room was quiet, with only her inside.
Bai Lengci quickly changed into Twilight’s standard bartender uniform.
After fixing her appearance, she pushed open the changing room door and walked toward the staircase leading to the bar downstairs.
As soon as she descended, the noisy voices, lazy jazz music, and mixed scents of alcohol came rushing at her.
The bar counter area was indeed crowded with people.
Her gaze habitually swept across the crowd.
And then.
She saw Xiao Ran, sitting elegantly at the bar, as cold and dazzling as a wash of moonlight.