Saturday, at the milk tea shop.
Every weekend, Xiao Chen spent most of the day helping at the shop. Wearing his staff uniform, he skillfully packed cups of milk tea one after another.
Just as he was about to leave, a BMW 5 Series stopped by the roadside.
The car door opened, and Xiao Yan stepped out, dressed in a sharp, capable outfit. She called out, “Xiao Chen.”
Xiao Chen, who had been busy working, looked up. When he saw her, his brows tightened slightly. “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you.” Xiao Yan walked forward and glanced at the milk tea shop. “You’ve been working part-time here all this time?”
“Yes. So what?” Xiao Chen asked calmly.
“If you were having difficulties, why didn’t you tell me?” Xiao Yan frowned and spoke in a lecturing tone. “Have you thought about what people would say if word got out? How would it reflect on the Xiao family?”
“Oh? So the biological son of the Xiao family working in a milk tea shop would embarrass the Xiao family?” Xiao Chen let out a cold laugh.
“Wouldn’t it?” Xiao Yan’s frown deepened.
“I don’t think so. There’s nothing shameful about earning a living with your own hands. Besides, I have nothing to do with your Xiao family anymore.” Xiao Chen continued working as he spoke.
“If you’ve made enough of a scene, come back with me.” Xiao Yan’s expression turned serious. “Apologize to Dad, Mom, and your younger brother. They’ll accept you again.”
At first, she had been grateful to Xiao Chen for reminding her and helping resolve a major crisis in the Xiao Group’s planning. But hearing his stiff and blunt tone now made her irritated.
“Heh. Xiao Yan, I really misjudged you. I thought you might have at least a little conscience compared to them.” Xiao Chen smiled faintly. “But now I see you’re exactly the same as them.”
“Xiao Chen, that’s enough. I’ve already spoken to Dad. As long as you lower your head, he’ll forgive you.” Xiao Yan frowned.
“If you admit your mistake and come home, you won’t need to work in a milk tea shop anymore.”
“Is this pity? Or charity?” Xiao Chen stopped what he was doing. “Go home? Is there even a place for me there?”
“I’ve been here for six months. Aside from tuition, I haven’t spent a single cent from the Xiao family.”
“Xiao Ming’s monthly allowance starts at 30,000 yuan. His clothes and shoes are all designer brands.”
“I’m also a high school student. Have you ever given me even 1 yuan? Or do you think I don’t need living expenses?”
“It’s not that. I…” Xiao Yan opened her mouth to explain, but suddenly didn’t know what to say.
Yes. When they brought Xiao Chen back home, they had only given him a place to stay. They forgot he was a student who needed money to live and eat.
No wonder he worked here on weekends. No wonder he felt resentment. This really… wasn’t entirely his fault.
“Xiao Chen, maybe we didn’t think everything through before, but that’s all in the past.” Xiao Yan steadied her emotions. “Come home now. Apologize to the family. I…”
“Why should I apologize to them? What relationship do we even have?”
“You can think I’m putting on a show for you, but from today onward, don’t interfere with my life. I don’t want to see anyone from the Xiao family again.”
“Xiao Chen.” Xiao Yan’s chest tightened with anger. “We are your family. You shouldn’t be this hostile toward me.”
“Family? I wouldn’t dare claim that. I’m just a jinx, right? They must have drilled that into you plenty when we were kids.”
Xiao Yan finally lost her temper. At the company, she was someone whose word was final. When had she ever lowered herself like this only to be pushed back?
She looked toward the milk tea shop and called out, “Who is the manager?”
“I am. What’s the matter?” The manager hurried out.
“You’re hiring a student to work here. Is that appropriate?” Xiao Yan pointed at Xiao Chen. “If this continues, I’ll report you to the labor authorities for employing students.”
The manager froze.
“First, I’m already an adult, not a child laborer. It’s legal.” Xiao Chen spoke calmly. “Second, if you’re trying to force me into a dead end so I’ll go back and beg you…”
He took off his uniform and placed it on the table. “There’s no need. Even if I end up begging on the streets, I will never step foot into your Xiao family again.”
“Xiao Chen, you’re really ungrateful.” Xiao Yan growled, genuinely furious now. “They gave birth to you. Are you really going to cut things off this completely?”
“Yes. They gave birth to me, so I calculated it clearly. I owe them 300,000 yuan.” Xiao Chen nodded.
“You’re not here to demand money now, are you? Fine. Give me 1 month. After 1 month, I’ll return the 300,000 yuan.”
“Good. Good. That’s what you said. 1 month, 300,000 yuan.” Xiao Yan laughed in anger. A high school student reduced to part-time work in a milk tea shop, claiming he could earn 300,000 yuan in a month?
“Yes. That’s what I said. 1 week, 300,000 yuan.” Xiao Chen corrected calmly. “But before that, don’t come bother me again.”
Xiao Yan stormed into her car and drove off.
The manager stuck his head out and handed Xiao Chen 600 yuan. “Xiao Chen, that woman doesn’t look easy to deal with. Our milk tea shop runs on thin margins. If we get fined, we can’t afford it. Here’s your remaining wages. I’ve settled them all. I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine, Manager. I’m already very grateful to you.” Xiao Chen accepted the money with a smile.
He had planned to finish this weekend and resign anyway. This saved him the trouble.
“You’re in your final year of high school. Focus on your studies. If you run into difficulties, just come to me.” The manager smiled.
“Manager, there are 10 cups of milk tea that need to be delivered urgently to Jingyan Decoration on the twelfth floor of the Huaguang Building across the street,” a staff member said while picking up the packaged drinks.
“The shop’s too busy right now.” The manager looked at Xiao Chen helplessly.
“It’s fine. I’ll go.” Xiao Chen understood. He smiled, took the milk tea, crossed the street, and ran toward the office building.
While cutting through Starbucks as a shortcut, a girl stood up and called out in surprise, “Xiao Chen?”
“Song Ziyan?” Xiao Chen stopped. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m waiting for someone. Xiao Chen, are you working?” Song Ziyan blinked her bright, watery eyes.
“Yes. Delivering to the twelfth floor here.” Xiao Chen lifted the milk tea in his hand.
“You promised to tutor me.” Song Ziyan smiled lightly.
“I completely forgot about that. Tomorrow. I’m free tomorrow.” Xiao Chen tapped his forehead.
“Here, add me on WeChat. Contact me then. Don’t stand me up.” Song Ziyan took out her phone.
“Okay.” Xiao Chen quickly added her, then hurried off to complete the delivery.
Song Ziyan watched his back, stamping her foot lightly in frustration. She had planned to invite him to dinner, but before she could gather the courage, he had already run off.
Twelfth floor, Jingyan Decoration.
Jingyan was one of the top three renovation companies in Jiangcheng. Its design concepts were advanced, specializing in luxury villas and high-end residences.
Under its name were several gold-tier designers, each charging over 1 million yuan per project.
After arriving, Xiao Chen carefully handed out the milk tea to everyone.
As he was about to leave, an angry voice came from the VIP room nearby.
“I came to Jingyan and paid over 1 million yuan in design fees. You’ve switched three designers and revised the drafts six times.”
“Not a single one satisfied me. Are you sure your designers are really gold-tier designers?”
Another voice, filled with apology, responded, “Mr. Song, we have truly put a lot of effort into designing your 3,000-square-meter villa in the Nanshan District.”
“But Teacher Bai Wei is already our best designer. You’re still not satisfied?”
“Nanshan villa? 3,000 square meters?”
A memory from his previous life suddenly surfaced in Xiao Chen’s mind, a news report flashing across his thoughts.