“Huh? Why on earth would I hire some country bumpkin who doesn’t know anything to be my nanny?” After hearing Gu Chengfei’s suggestion, Jiang Yichi felt like his friend had been kicked in the head by a donkey.
“What do you mean ‘uncle’? He’s only six years older than us!” Gu Chengfei glared at him. “Besides, what’s wrong with coming from the countryside? Brother Xu is honest, a man of few words, hardworking, and a great cook. He perfectly fits your criteria for a nanny.”
“What kind of magic potion did he feed you?” Jiang Yichi asked, puzzled. “If I remember correctly, weren’t you the one calling him a ‘hick’ and a ‘hillbilly’ before?”
“That’s because I didn’t know him back then! Turns out, judging a book by its cover is wrong. Brother Xu’s character is absolutely guaranteed. You should spend some time with him before making a judgment.”
“What is there to get along with? He’s a nutjob.” Jiang Yichi couldn’t be bothered and looked back down to start a round of his game.
“You don’t have a better candidate anyway; trying it won’t hurt.” Gu Chengfei squeezed in next to Jiang Yichi, pestering him. “Give him a one-week trial. I guarantee you’ll fall in love with Brother Xu!”
“Who’s falling in love with who?” Jiang Yihe, coming down from the study, caught the last bit of the sentence and asked in confusion.
“No, I’m just finding a nanny candidate for A-Chi. I think he’ll definitely be satisfied.” Gu Chengfei turned and started selling Xu Qiushi to Jiang Yihe.
“If he’s really as good as Xiao Fei says, just give it a try,” Jiang Yihe remarked casually.
“See? Even Big Brother says so.” Given the relationship between the two families, it was only natural for Gu Chengfei to call Jiang Yihe “Big Brother.”
Jiang Yichi didn’t answer. To be honest, he was actually a little curious about someone Gu Chengfei vouched for so strongly.
The two had played together since childhood, meaning they were compatible in certain ways. Though they usually spent their time roasting each other, they were reliable in key moments.
“Just do it as a favor to me. The guy is literally my life-saver.”
“Your life-saver, so I have to be the one to repay the debt?” Jiang Yichi couldn’t help but shoot him a side-eye. He’d never seen a “repayment” method that involved going to the savior’s house every day to mooch for food.
“What life-saver?” Jiang Yihe was lost again.
Gu Chengfei realized he had a loose tongue. He had intended to keep the bar incident from Jiang Yihe, but now he had to come clean.
Jiang Yihe frowned after hearing the story. “Stay away from those kinds of places.”
“Got it,” Gu Chengfei replied obediently.
This was the third time he’d heard that sentence. Both Xu Qiushi and Jiang Yichi had told him the same.
When Jiang Yichi first found out about the bar trouble, once he confirmed Gu Chengfei wasn’t hurt, the mockery followed immediately—implying that he deserved it for not listening to advice.
Xu Qiushi was different. He just told him not to go anymore because they were young and the bar environment wasn’t suitable for “kids” like them. He blamed the environment rather than Gu Chengfei’s behavior, which felt much better to hear.
How could the same advice sound so different coming from two different people?
Gu Chengfei looked at Jiang Yichi and rubbed his chin. “I suddenly feel like introducing Brother Xu to you is a bit like ‘repaying kindness with enmity.'”
“Heh,” Jiang Yichi sneered. “Then repay him yourself.”
“Just a joke, don’t be so petty.” Gu Chengfei hooked his arm around his best friend’s neck and accidentally shook him, causing Jiang Yichi’s game character to die.
Jiang Yichi took a deep breath. “Get out.”
“Young masters, dinner is served,” Uncle Li came over to remind them.
Today was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Gu Chengfei was having a reunion dinner with the Jiang brothers. The table was full of meticulously prepared dishes, focusing on light and healthy flavors.
Gu Chengfei, having grown accustomed to Xu Qiushi’s home-cooked meals lately, found the exquisite delicacies a bit bland.
“What? Not to your taste?” Jiang Yihe had watched Gu Chengfei grow up; he considered him half a brother.
Gu Chengfei shook his head quickly. “No, no, I just ate too many snacks.”
Jiang Yihe: “If you can’t eat, don’t force it. I’ll have Auntie Wu make you a late-night snack later.”
“Thanks, Big Brother,” Gu Chengfei thanked him politely.
Jiang Yichi knew Gu Chengfei hadn’t eaten any snacks. He was surprised that the usually unpicky Gu Chengfei had finally had his palate spoiled by someone. His curiosity regarding Xu Qiushi deepened.
…
During the three-day Mid-Autumn holiday, business on Bar Street was booming. Most bars stayed open until five or six in the morning.
More people meant more accidents.
In the past, the tall bartender A-Heng doubled as security. Since Xu Qiushi arrived, A-Heng’s burden had been lightened significantly. Sometimes, Xu Qiushi just had to stand there with a stern face, and troublemakers would settle down on their own.
Of course, there were always those who drank too much to listen to reason or read the room.
As service industry workers, they couldn’t use violence against customers; they could only try to mediate. Xu Qiushi was caught in the crossfire several times, though thankfully it wasn’t as bad as the first time—no blood was shed.
For guests who truly couldn’t be reasoned with, Xu Qiushi would resort to the most direct method after getting permission from Xun Wenyao: he would lift them up like little chicks, carry them to the entrance, and politely decline their future patronage.
Minimal physical harm, maximum emotional damage.
The high-intensity work combined with the nocturnal schedule left even the physically robust Xu Qiushi looking a bit tired.
Once the holiday ended, Xun Wenyao gave the staff rotating time off to rest, knowing a bigger battle was coming: National Day, with its seven-day golden week.
Xu Qiushi, having contributed the most, was the first to rest. Xu Qiuze and Gu Chengfei waited until his break to visit.
Xu Qiuze brought medicinal oil to rub on Xu Qiushi’s bruises. Gu Chengfei sat aside, watching Xu Qiushi’s lean, muscular frame with envy. Noticing Xu Qiuze’s slightly downcast mood, he suddenly remembered his main goal for today: “Brother Xu, would you be interested in working as a nanny?”
“A nanny?” Xu Qiushi was surprised. He’d heard that city nannies made good money, but would anyone want to hire a big, burly man like him?
Gu Chengfei explained: “The childhood friend I mentioned before has been looking for one. He’s… a bit high-maintenance, so he hasn’t found the right person yet. I saw how skilled you are with housework and wanted to see if you’re interested.”
“I’ve never done it. I don’t really know how,” Xu Qiushi replied. The profession was entirely foreign to him.
“The job is just laundry, cooking, cleaning, and tolerating your future employer’s bad temper. But with your broad shoulders, I think those little issues are nothing to you,” Gu Chengfei spoke eloquently. “The hours are normal—no more flipping day and night like at the bar—and the environment is much safer.”
Before coming, Gu Chengfei had checked in with Xu Qiuze. Xu Qiuze, who had been hesitant after hearing the employer was Jiang Yichi, joined the persuasion efforts immediately after seeing the bruises and swelling on his brother.
“The salary… how much?” Xu Qiushi asked the most important question.
“When he was interviewing others, I think he said 6,000 a month, with living expenses separate. If he’s satisfied with you, he’ll definitely add more. 8,000 is a safe bet,” Gu Chengfei guaranteed, patting his chest. At worst, he’d cover the extra 2,000 himself—he’d make it back by mooching meals at Jiang Yichi’s place later anyway.
Hearing “8,000,” both brothers were stunned. Xu Qiushi’s base salary at the bar was 3,000, reaching 3,500 to 4,000 with overtime. Even a 6,000 salary was much higher than his current income.
Xu Qiushi lowered his gaze, tempted. After thinking it over, he decided to discuss it with Xun Wenyao.
“It really does suit you. Go for it,” Xun Wenyao said supportively. He was already planning to hire part-timers for the National Day rush. If Xu Qiushi left, he’d just hire one more person. “When do you plan to go?”
“After National Day.” Xu Qiushi knew the shop needed all hands during the holidays.
Xun Wenyao smiled, touched by how honest Xu Qiushi was. In this era of labor surplus, finding a part-time waiter was as easy as drinking water.
The new part-timer was Chang Junyuan, a sophomore at Luohai University. Since National Day hadn’t arrived yet, Xun Wenyao had him shadow the other staff.
Xu Qiushi naturally took care of those younger than him, especially a schoolmate of his brother. Under his meticulous guidance, Chang Junyuan quickly adapted and followed him around calling him “Brother Xu” all day.
Xun Wenyao remarked that he was a natural “Big Brother” type. Xu Qiushi recalled that since he was young, groups of “younger brothers” always seemed to gather around him.
“Actually, you don’t have to stay until the end of the holiday. The bar only has so many seats; we won’t be overwhelmed if we’re missing just you,” Xun Wenyao urged, watching Xu Qiushi unable to stay idle.
“They’ll want to go out and play during National Day,” Xu Qiushi said, scrubbing the sink until it gleamed before wiping down the bar.
“How about giving yourself a few days off? You’ve been in Luohai so long and haven’t really gone out to see the sights. You should wander around with A-Ze,” Xun Wenyao said, moving things out of the way for Xu Qiushi to wipe.
“A-Ze is busy too; he’s handing out flyers.” Xu Qiushi actually hoped his brother would go out with classmates, but his brother was grown and had his own ideas.
Xun Wenyao: “…”
“I don’t like shopping,” Xu Qiushi added when he saw Xun Wenyao’s speechless expression.
“You still need to buy a few new outfits. You can’t go to someone’s house wearing your bar uniform, can you?” Even if he did look handsome in it.
Xu Qiushi thought about it seriously. It had been a long time since he bought new clothes. “Brother Wenyao, that ‘online shopping’ you guys mentioned… how do I do it?”
“There’s a special app… wait, your phone can’t download those.” Xun Wenyao remembered Xu Qiushi’s “old man” phone and suppressed the urge to tell him to buy a new one. “Forget it, I’ll buy them for you.”
“No, I’ll have A-Ze do it.” Xu Qiushi didn’t want to trouble him further.
“What? You don’t trust my taste?”
“No…”
“It’s no trouble. Don’t worry, I’ll show you before I order.” Xun Wenyao made the decision for him.
Three days later, Xu Qiushi received a stack of packages. Some were already opened—jackets Xun Wenyao claimed were “too big” for himself. Being too lazy to return them, he stuffed them all onto Xu Qiushi.
“Returning things is a hassle. It’s not the clothes’ fault; I just bought the wrong size. The seller won’t pay for shipping, and the shipping is almost as much as the clothes. Might as well keep them.” Xun Wenyao showed him the “return policy” on his phone; it was just as he said.
“I’ll pay you for them,” Xu Qiushi said, reaching for his wallet.
Xun Wenyao held his hand back. “Come on, you make it look like I’m forcing a sale. It’s just two jackets. I really didn’t buy them specifically for you.”
Xu Qiushi couldn’t win the argument and silently accepted the clothes. He waited until National Day was over, then tucked his overtime pay into his returned employee uniform. By the time Xun Wenyao discovered it, he was already on his way to his new job.
…
Golden Bay was a high-end residential complex built in the last two years. The price—over 100,000 yuan per square meter—was enough to deter most ordinary people.
As the developer, Jiang Yihe had kept several units for himself, one of which had just been transferred to Jiang Yichi.
At the gate, facial recognition and card scanners were installed; strangers couldn’t enter freely.
Xu Qiushi stopped at the gate and said to the security guard, “Hello, I’m looking for Mr. Jiang in Building 2, Room 1601.”
“Your surname, please?”
“Xu.”
“Oh, Mr. Xu! Mr. Jiang mentioned you were coming. Let me lead the way.”
The guard dutifully brought him to Building 2 and swiped the elevator card for him. “This building is one unit per floor. Turn left when you get out. I won’t go up with you.”
“Alright, thank you.”
The elevator ascended smoothly and quickly, soon letting out a soft ding.
Xu Qiushi stepped out and rang the doorbell.
Faint, unhurried footsteps echoed from inside. Then, the door was pulled open, revealing a vision of bright, brilliant white.