Chapter 001: A Difficult Day

The soft spring rain fell gently as Yan Xin, dressed neatly and efficiently, arrived at the downtown Thai restaurant where she had been working for over a month. The job wasnt demanding but had high standards, especially from the female manager who, for some reason, was always particularly critical of Yan Xin. However, to support her mother who suffered from mental illness and to maintain her own livelihood, she had to keep earning money here.

Time passed, neither quickly nor slowly, and after more than an hour, Yan Xin was cleaning the last private room. She found it odd that the door to the last room was closed. She paused, opened the door, and in an instant, the half bucket of water she was carrying spilled onto the floor. She looked on in panic at the disheveled man and woman before her鈥攈er boss and the manager. No wonder Aunt Wu had asked her to clean up here. She quickly picked up the empty bucket and turned to leave, intending to pretend she hadnt seen anything.

"Yan Xin, stop right there!" the managers voice called out from the room, filled with anger.

Although it wasnt her fault, Yan Xin returned to the door of the private room with her head down, "M-Manager, is there something you need?"

The manager approached Yan Xin, lowering her voice, "What did you just see?"

Yan Xin kept her head down and whispered, "Manager, I didnt see anything."

The manager grabbed Yan Xins chin, threateningly, "Good, Im glad youre smart. Now leave, and keep your mouth shut, or else youll regret it."

Yan Xin was displeased by the managers actions, but she needed this job desperately because of her current predicament.

Seeing Yan Xins silence and the defiant look in her eyes, the manager flicked her hand and said, "What? Not satisfied? Fine, you can leave Manhattan now."

Yan Xin didnt know what had come over her that day; she was so easily provoked by the manager. She retorted, "Y-you, youre being too much. Ive already pretended I didnt see anything."

The manager sneered after hearing Yan Xins words, "You, a stutterer, I took you in out of pity. You dont show gratitude, and you dare to talk back to me? Get out!"

Yan Xin stared at the manager again, thinking of her rent and her mother. She swallowed her pride, lowered her head, and pleaded, "Manager, Im sorry! I was impulsive just now, please dont mind me."

The manager snorted coldly, "Its too late. Manhattan has plenty of staff, and we dont need someone like you. Go to Sister Zhou and settle your wages for the half-month, then quietly leave Manhattan."

Yan Xins bucket fell to the ground again. She grabbed the managers hand, crying and pleading, "Manager, I really need this job. Please forgive me, dont fire me! Please!"

The manager, expressionless, shook off Yan Xins hand, "I said, its too late."

With that, the manager slammed the door of the private room, leaving Yan Xin outside.

"Who gave you the authority to fire Manhattans employees?" the man, the boss of Manhattan, asked nonchalantly after the manager closed the door.

The manager sashayed towards the man sitting on the sofa, saying as she walked, "What? Are you upset that I fired someone unimportant?"

The man extinguished his cigarette, crossed his legs, and sneered, "Women shouldnt be spoiled; they get out of hand. Alright, our affair ends here."

"Youre saying that youre breaking up with me over a minor employee!" The managers face turned angry, her eyes glistening as she watched the handsome man walk past her. She clenched her fists, her face full of resentment, "Youll regret this."

"Do as you please!" The man left without looking back.

Yan Xin collected her half-months wages from Accountant Sister Zhou and silently left Manhattan. She was unemployed again; this was the twentieth job she had lost.

Back at her rented room, Yan Xin couldnt hold back any longer and sobbed on her bed; tomorrow, she would have to look for a new job.

"Knock knock knock!"

There was a heavy knock on the door. Who could it be? Couldnt she even cry in peace? Yan Xin wiped her tears, got up, and went to open the door.

"Aunt Liu, is there something you need?"

Aunt Liu, who was also Yan Xins landlord, had obviously come for the rent.

Aunt Liu walked straight into the room, scrutinizing it and said with a smile, "Youve decorated the place quite nicely. Ive found a new tenant, and youll have to move out in two days!"

Yan Xin was surprised. Although Aunt Liu had come to ask for rent every now and then over the past six months, she had never asked her to move out before. This was really sudden. She quickly said, "But, Aunt Liu, youre asking me to move out so suddenly and only giving me two days. Where am I supposed to go? I have nowhere to go. Can you give me a few more days so I can figure out how to pay you the rent, please?"

Aunt Liu shook her head and sighed, "Yan Xin, its not that Im rushing you, but I really have no choice. You havent paid rent for six months, and I need to support my sons college education. Even if you pay me now, its too late. Ive already promised the new tenant, and theyve given me a deposit. I cant go back on my word!"

Yan Xin anxiously asked, "But, Aunt Liu, how can you do this? Where am I supposed to find a place to live in two days?"

"Thats not my concern. You seem like a nice girl, well-dressed in nice brand clothes. You dont seem poor at all. Maybe you had a fight with your family and ran away. Oh, you kids are really not making it easy for your parents."

Seeing that the landlord was determined, Yan Xin knew she would have to find another place. She went to Aunt Liu and said, "Then, Aunt Liu, can you give me a few more days to find a place before I move out? I really dont know where to go right now."

Aunt Liu, seeing Yan Xins sincere expression, sighed again, "Alright, Ill give you two more days. If you cant pay the back rent by then, just write me an IOU. Thats as much as I can do to help."

"Thank you, thank you, Aunt Liu!" Yan Xin said gratefully.

As soon as Aunt Liu left, Yan Xin wearily closed the door and sat down on the edge of the bed. Now she couldnt even cry; she had to find a way to solve her immediate problems. She had been dealing with such issues for the past two years, and she was determined to get through this as well.