Chapter 36

As the night grew increasingly hazy, the lights, stars, and moonlight mingled with the glow trailing from the distant ships. Listening to the waves of the sea layer upon layer, accompanied by the gentle breeze, the scene was truly intoxicating.

The residents of Sakura Snow Apartments had initially not found the place to be as good as they had heard, thinking the rumors were somewhat exaggerated and purely hyped. However, once they immersed themselves in the environment, they truly discovered that it lived up to its reputation.

The polished wooden tables and chairs were solid, without a single flaw. The surrounding fences were absolutely smooth, with no tiny bumps. The utensils in hand had a substantial feel, and the delicious food stimulated the taste buds, leaving a lasting impression. Everything that seemed simple was actually meticulously crafted, perfectly embodying the concept of understated luxury.

What they did not know was that setting up such a dining terrace by the sea had undergone strict testing and regulation of light, wind speed, sound, water patterns, perspective, and various weather conditions to create the most comfortable natural environment for customers to enjoy. The best service was not entirely on the surface; behind the customers' comfort and enjoyment were the meticulous efforts of dedicated service, making every customer feel that they got their money's worth.

"Having a meal here is truly a pleasure! It's a pity Xiaqiu isn't here," Li Mingcheng said, sipping his wine with a contented look on his face.

Qin Yue smiled and helped the little flower cat-like Tong Feifei, who was eating, wipe her mouth with a napkin. He then looked at Liu Yanzhi and said, "Sister Yanzhi, didn't you say you had some good news to announce when you got off work?"

Liu Yanzhi was a bit disappointed. Although the conditions here were good, sitting here to dine could not help her catch the rich husband she desired. She thought it would have been better to mingle with more people. However, hearing Qin Yue's words, her mood improved. She clapped her hands and smiled at everyone, "I almost forgot amidst all the events. I have some good news to share: I've changed jobs!"

Li Mingcheng immediately flattered her, "You must have found a better company."

Liu Yanzhi nodded solemnly, "That's right! I have passed the strict assessment of a top 100 company in the country and have become an employee of Minghua Group. I will start work tomorrow. Everyone, congratulate me!"

Lin Zixian almost choked to death upon hearing this and quickly joined everyone in raising their glasses to congratulate her.

Qin Yue teased, "I've heard that the executives of large companies are usually very wealthy. Sister Yanzhi, you're one step closer to catching a rich husband."

"Great minds think alike!" Liu Yanzhi gave a thumbs up.

Li Mingcheng, however, said with a hint of jealousy, "That's not necessarily true. Most of the executives in large companies are quite old. They like to keep mistresses and concubines. There are few good men among them. In my opinion, it's better to find a potential stock."

"You can't expect a dog to give birth to an elephant," Liu Yanzhi said with a look of disdain. "I start my first day at Minghua Group tomorrow, and I don't want to be late. Remember to drive me there!"

Li Mingcheng reluctantly agreed, and Lin Zixian felt a bit uncomfortable watching these two bicker.

Tong Feifei, who was gnawing on a shrimp claw, suddenly looked up and asked innocently, "Aunt Yanzhi! Will you get a raise at the big company?"

Everyone was amused by her question, and Liu Yanzhi happily replied, "Of course, otherwise who would put in the effort to join a big company?"

Lin Zixian, however, couldn't laugh. Looking at Tong Feifei, he felt a deep sigh. At such a young age, she was already concerned about raises, showing how her difficult life had made her understand the importance of money at an early age, which was rather cruel for a child.

Tong Feifei turned to look at Tong Yunan and said hopefully, "Aunt Yanzhi! Can you introduce my mom to a job at the big company?"

Everyone's smiles faded, and they looked at Tong Yunan awkwardly. Lin Zixian was slightly taken aback, not knowing what to say.

Tong Yunan moved her daughter's plate and said with a smile, "What do you know, little one? Finish your food."

Tong Feifei pushed the plate away and pouted, "If Mom could work at a big company, she could earn a high salary and buy me toys and clothes. The kids at kindergarten wouldn't laugh at me, wouldn't refuse to play with me, and wouldn't bully me."

The atmosphere became awkward, and Tong Yunan's eyes welled up. She said softly, "Tomorrow, Mom will take you to buy toys and clothes. Now, be a good girl and listen."

Tong Feifei pushed the plate away again and lowered her head, "Mom, I'm sorry." She slid off the chair, "I'm full. I want to go play on the beach."

Tong Yunan quickly held her, wiped her mouth and hands, and carried her down the terrace stairs. The two of them laughed and chased each other on the beach.

After watching for a while, the group turned their attention back. Lin Zixian lit a cigarette and leaned on the chair, asking, "What's the story with these two?"

Liu Yanzhi shook her head and said, "Sigh! Sister Yunan's parents are both teachers. In college, she met a rich classmate and thought they would be together forever. However, his parents thought they were not a good match and did not agree to their relationship. By then, Sister Yunan was already pregnant and had no choice. Later, the man found a new love and left her. By then, Sister Yunan's belly was already very big, and it was dangerous to terminate the pregnancy. Her parents were furious and kicked her out of the house... Sister Yunan gave birth out of wedlock and did not finish college. She has been struggling alone ever since."

"Actually, with Sister Yunan's looks, finding a good job would not be difficult. But men are not good. They all have ulterior motives when they hire her. Once, a man's wife mistook Sister Yunan for a mistress and had her beaten. Since then, Sister Yunan has not dared to wear nice clothes, fearing that her looks would cause more trouble. She has been struggling alone."

Li Mingcheng sighed and interjected, "I wanted to help her and get her a job at my supermarket, but she refused."

Liu Yanzhi slapped the table and pointed at him, "You have the nerve to say that! If you really wanted to help, you wouldn't have said you would fire two employees to make room for her and expect her to do the work of two people. You would pay her the salary of two people. Sister Yunan didn't want to live by others' whims. Do you think she would accept your 'help'? You're so stingy, and you even want me to marry you. Stay away from me!"

Her outburst left Li Mingcheng speechless, and he closed his mouth awkwardly.

Lin Zixian stood by the terrace railing, hands in his pockets, and watched the two women on the beach. He smiled faintly, "Good people will always be rewarded. After the hardships, things will get better. They will be happy in the future."

Everyone verbally agreed with him, but in their hearts, they mostly shook their heads. Some things are easy to say, but reality is harsh.

After a satisfying meal, they sat on the terrace, enjoying the sea breeze, and started asking each other about their ages. It turned out that Lin Zixian, the "uncle," was the oldest, though he looked handsome and suave, he was already thirty.

Next was Li Mingcheng, who was eager to marry Liu Yanzhi, at twenty-nine. Then came Tong Yunan, a twenty-eight-year-old mother with a child. Liu Yanzhi was twenty-seven, which was not young for an unmarried woman, so she was eager to find a rich husband while she was still young. Following were Xiaqiu and Qin Yue, both twenty-six, one in sales and the other a white-collar worker. The ages decreased, and Zhang Beibei was the youngest at twenty-three.

Qin Yue suddenly looked at Lin Zixian and smiled, "Brother Xian, what do you do?"

She always felt that Lin Zixian's relaxed smile and his air of confidence in the face of adversity were hard to describe.

Her question was also what everyone else was curious about. They knew what everyone else did, but no one knew what Lin Zixian did.

Lin Zixian leaned against the railing and shrugged, "I'm just a lazy person, not much different from an unemployed loafer."

Li Mingcheng, hearing this, felt more confident. He sat up straight and said seriously, "Lin Zixian, jobs are hard to find these days. I just lost a mover at my supermarket. Why don't you come work for me? It's better than doing nothing and eating away your savings."

Lin Zixian looked at him speechlessly, wanting to ask how much he would pay him per month. He said, "I'm used to being lazy. I appreciate your offer, but I'll continue to be a loafer. After all, my name is Lin Zixian!"

When Tong Yunan returned with her sleeping daughter, everyone started to leave.

After seeing everyone off to the parking lot, Lin Zixian, who couldn't fit in a car, went to the front desk to settle the bill and used the membership card Meng Zidan had given him to get a discount. The front desk attendant confirmed and said weakly, "Sir, after removing the change, you need to pay one million!"

"Oh!" Lin Zixian, who had no concept of money, handed over his credit card. Suddenly, he widened his eyes, "Wait! How much? One million? I didn't hear that right!"

It wasn't that he couldn't afford it. He had seen a lot and traveled the world, and the cost of dining in the Ivory Coast, no matter how expensive, shouldn't amount to one million for the food he had. This was too outrageous. They were treating him like a naive fool and overcharging him.

"Sir, it is one million!" The attendant seemed embarrassed saying this.

Lin Zixian's face darkened. No matter how rich he was, he wouldn't spend money like this. He said sternly, "Call your general manager. I..."

"Is there a problem? Trying to eat without paying? You ate and now you don't want to pay?" Meng Zidan walked out from the corner, expressionless.

Lin Zixian rolled his eyes and said, "President Meng, I suspect there's an issue with the bill. You should verify it."

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