EAY Chapter 63

Contradictory

Contradictory

63

At a coffee shop near the school, Qi Ye, having just sat down opposite Senior Zhou, asked, “What do you want to see me about?”

He had added him on social media because of Shi Ran’s job. It seemed like he could delete him after this meeting.

“You’re too hasty, aren’t you? Are you always this quick when chatting with people?” Senior Zhou took a sip of his coffee. “But I do admire your efficiency. Want to order something to drink?”

“No, I’m not here to chat with you,” Qi Ye said, looking displeased.

“Oh, so you’re still angry about what happened last night. Shi Ran seems pretty upset too; he quit his job directly.” Senior Zhou shook his head theatrically. “Too bad. I thought he had good potential. Why don’t you tell him to reconsider? I offer a much higher salary than other places.”

“He’s made up his mind. He won’t go back,” Qi Ye said.

Senior Zhou: “He’s made up his mind, or you don’t want him to go? Qi Ye, you still misunderstand me.”

Qi Ye: “What do you think I misunderstand about you?”

Senior Zhou: “That I’m the kind of senior who likes to make things difficult for the younger students and isn’t serious? But look, if I were really that kind of boring person, you wouldn’t have been able to leave so easily last night, would you?”

Qi Ye: “You’re good at making excuses for yourself.”

Senior Zhou spread his hands. “After all, I really didn’t do anything. I should at least have a chance to explain.”

“But disliking someone doesn’t mean you have to wait until they actually do something,” Qi Ye said. “I don’t want to know what kind of person you are. The disrespect you showed is enough for us to stay away from you.”

Senior Zhou sighed and leaned forward across the table, his hands stretched out. “Do you really dislike me that much?”

Seeing that Qi Ye was unmoved, he sat back. “I’ll be honest with you. I’m a little interested in you.”

Qi Ye hadn’t expected him to say that, but his expression remained unchanged.

Senior Zhou immediately held up his hands again to explain. “I don’t mean to ruin your relationship, and I definitely don’t want to steal you away from Shi Ran. I just want to let you know that if you’re ever bored, you can come to me.”

Qi Ye: “No need.”

He thought this person was really contradicting himself, saying he had no intention of ruining their relationship, but then expressing interest in him, and even suggesting… a casual fling?

“You two probably haven’t been dating long, and your relationship is still in the honeymoon phase. Believe me, you’ll have your boring moments,” Senior Zhou said confidently. “When that time comes, instead of looking for thrills and worrying about safety, it’s better if I give you a choice in advance.”

Qi Ye, unable to listen any longer, stood up. “Is that all you wanted to say?”

Senior Zhou smiled as he watched him. “You’ll come looking for me someday.”

“Goodbye.”

“Okay,” Senior Zhou turned and watched him leave, smiling as he raised his hand. “I’ll be waiting for you.”

As soon as Qi Ye left the coffee shop, he deleted his contact information. He had agreed to meet him because he was worried that he would cause trouble for Shi Ran later. He hadn’t expected to listen to such nonsense; what a waste of time.

–

A few days later, Qi Xue came to their school to have a meal with them, entrusted by Qi Ye, to chat about Shi Ran’s part-time job.

Qi Xue said, “A friend of mine runs an advertising company. It’s small, with only four employees including himself, and they’re short-handed with lots of orders recently. I told him you could work there as an intern. The salary is decent, but the work might be a bit miscellaneous, but I guarantee you’ll learn something. If he always asks you to do things like pouring tea and water, tell your sister, and I’ll stand up for you!”

Shi Ran immediately raised his cup. “Thank you, Sis!”

“It’s nothing, don’t look down on a small company,” Qi Xue said, picking up her cup and clinking it against his.

“How could I look down on it? None of the part-time jobs I’ve found have been related to my major. If it weren’t for your connections, Sis, how would they possibly take me, a student?” Shi Ran said sweetly. “Don’t worry, Sis, I’ll work hard. I’m not afraid of being tired, and I have strength. You can give me any miscellaneous tasks. Being able to see how professionals work up close is definitely more rewarding than being in school.”

“Aww, our Shi Ran is so good with words, you’re making me so happy,” Qi Xue said, smiling. “But Shi Ran, I’m serious. You’re Qi Ye’s first and best friend, so that makes you my brother too. I won’t stand by and watch my brother get taken advantage of. You’re going there to learn experience and build a solid foundation for your future career. If they only ask you to do odd jobs and you don’t learn anything, why bother going there? You might as well learn from me. So remember to tell me if anything happens, don’t waste your time, understand?”

Shi Ran nodded vigorously.

Qi Ye looked at him adoringly from the side, and was suddenly called out by his older sister. “What about this brother here, does he need to accumulate work experience?”

Shi Ran quickly explained for him, “Sis, Qi Ye practices drawing comics in the dormitory every day. I don’t think he needs to rush. Once he starts working, he won’t have as much time to do what he likes.”

“I see, that’s fine too,” Qi Xue said. “Anyway, in my eyes, you two are both amazing kids.”

“I probably don’t count,” Shi Ran scratched the back of his neck a little embarrassedly. “I even stubbornly insisted on not asking for your help before, but in the end—”

“Hey, what’s that? I’ve been through this too, internships and stuff were also introduced by senior students,” Qi Xue said. “But in the end, how well you do and how much you can learn still depends on you.”

Shi Ran: “Yes, thank you, Sis.”

Qi Xue: “Okay, don’t say those two words anymore. I’m happy to help. Oh, you guys aren’t busy later, are you? That company is near your school, how about we go take a look after we eat?”

Shi Ran suddenly became nervous. “Go for an interview today? I don’t feel like I’m ready yet.”

“Don’t be nervous, he knows your situation. He’ll just ask a few questions, and you can also familiarize yourself with the environment,” Qi Xue said.

Shi Ran nodded, half excited and half apprehensive. Qi Ye quietly took his hand under the table.

The company was indeed small, but it looked quite professional. Especially when Shi Ran saw the fingerprint check-in machine at the door, he felt like he was really stepping into the adult world.

Qi Xue was not only familiar with the boss, but also with several employees, mainly because their greetings were very casual. But when the bought snacks were placed on the table, a few people immediately gathered around with playful smiles.

Shi Ran thought about how it was almost the same situation in the dormitory, and his nervousness dissipated by more than half.

Then Qi Xue introduced everyone one by one. The boss was actually in the ranks of snatching snacks. The boss was worthy of being the boss, snatching the most snacks, holding them full in his arms and walking to the office: “Great, we saved on afternoon tea for the customers this afternoon.”

“I admire you for being so stingy,” Qi Xue gestured to Shi Ran, and the group followed him to the office.

Who knew that the boss would put the snacks on his desk and lean against the door, beckoning outside. “The little brother who’s going to work here can come in, others please wait outside.”

Qi Xue: “This face, when he was snatching snacks he called me a fairy sister, now I’ve become ‘others.’ Okay, Shi Ran, you go ahead, Qi Ye and I will wait for you at the door.”

Shi Ran exchanged a look with Qi Ye, suppressed the surge of nervousness, tidied up his clothes and walked in.

Qi Xue thought the office was too small and stuffy, so she followed Qi Ye downstairs to wait. Seeing that Qi Ye looked a little distracted, she clicked her tongue. “Why are you nervous about Shi Ran going for an interview?”