Chapter 80

However, what surprised everyone next was Bak.

After the ten-person dining table was set with six dishes and two soups, Zhou Xiaoli was clearly a bit excited and suggested having some wine, which she and her mother had made at home. Ba Dacheng immediately liked this girl even more and nodded vigorously.

But when everyone had poured some wine, even the two sisters hesitantly sipped a bit from the bottom of Liu Shufen's glass, and they all laughed and raised their glasses together, Bak announced, "I plan to quit my job at the car wash tomorrow."

Zhou Xiaoli, who had just downed half a glass of plum wine, was almost choked, her face still flushed. "What?" Her thick eyebrows almost turned into sharp daggers!

Liu Shufen and Ba Dacheng, who understood their son better, held back the girl who was about to jump up. "He's like this, he's like this. He once had a barbecue stand that could earn ten to twenty thousand a month, but he gave it away. He has his own plans and ideas."

Zhou Xiaoli was really choked. "What?!" Her eyes darted to the two sisters, wondering why she hadn't heard about this in the past few days.

The older sister didn't react much to the potential sister-in-law, and was busy serving Bak. Xiao Zhao, the younger sister, said with a twirl of her eyes, "You never asked."

Ba Dacheng didn't join in the conversation, as he was more of a man of few words. He just kept refilling everyone's glasses with the small bottle of plum wine, especially for the girl who seemed to have a bit of a temper... he poured a little less.

Bak, dissatisfied with his mother's interruption, said, "Let's talk about the important things later. We're discussing something serious now."

Liu Shufen responded half-heartedly, "Okay, okay, go ahead..." and then recommended her dishes to Du Wenhui, "Old sister, my cooking isn't as delicate as yours, but it's still edible."

Zhou Xiaoli's mother, who was calmer than her daughter, sat on the other side and held her daughter's other hand. "Let's listen to Xiao Ba. I think he's a very independent young man."

The "Black Beauty" was almost fuming, still not having sorted out the events of the day. "Okay! Go ahead..." She had already started to consider herself part of the family.

Bak continued, "Xiao Zhou and I have a special connection. Without her, I wouldn't have been so lucky to buy this house. She thought of me in my most critical moment, and now, with such a connection, she can help me guide the two sisters. So, we help each other and treat each other like family. She criticized me this afternoon, saying I need to have a plan. I've been thinking about it. My previous skills were too basic, so I plan to learn interior design."

Zhou Xiaoli was surprised for the third time. "What?"

Bak repeated, "As you said, I can't just be a car washer for the rest of my life, right? I can't even drive a car."

Zhou Xiaoli finally swallowed the wine and her surprise, and asked hurriedly, "That's not the point... can't you work and study at the same time?" She had a subconscious sense of life's uncertainties, and not working was considered abnormal.

Bak sat down and waved his hand. "I thought about it that way at first, but after enrolling in the training course, I realized it's not as simple as just drawing on a computer. There's a lot to learn, and I'm very interested. Instead of doing two things half-heartedly, I'd rather focus all my energy on it and try to get a foothold in a short time."

Zhou Xiaoli, being a quick-tempered person, got up and drank the little bit of plum wine left in her glass, then asked the two sisters sitting next to Bak to move. "I need to talk to your brother, okay?"

The older sister refused, but Xiao Zhao, the younger sister, got up and sat next to her sister, whispering to her. Liu Shufen, who had been running back and forth these past few days, hadn't had much chance to sit down and chat with the Zhou family. She sat close to Du Wenhui and talked about her son.

This left Ba Dacheng alone, but he didn't feel uncomfortable. He watched everyone whispering and enjoyed his wine and food.

Zhou Xiaoli lowered her voice. "Did you just decide this? Did I say something too harsh?"

Bak poured her more wine. "No, I've been thinking about it for a few days. You're so proactive and ambitious, and I can't just stay stagnant. People think my manager sister is interested in a poor boy, but what do they say in your department?"

Zhou Xiaoli couldn't help but laugh. "You're talking nonsense! Do you really like this?"

Bak replied casually, "Didn't I tell you before? I've always liked it. I've treated you to so many bowls of beef noodles, and it was you who introduced me to this path."

Zhou Xiaoli put the chopsticks in her mouth and thought for half a minute, her voice even softer. "Then... do you have enough money? I still have some..."

Bak quickly stopped her. "I saved some from buying the house, about ten thousand left." His plan was simple: in two or three months, after learning from the training course, his funds would be ready, and he could start something with a better foundation. At the very least, he could open a car wash, which wouldn't be too difficult.

Zhou Xiaoli looked at him, her eyes filled with many emotions. Bak's unpredictable nature really made her nervous.

Then Xiao Zhao spoke up for her. "When you go to study, when will you come to see us? If you don't come, we'll move back!" The younger sister was more straightforward, and Xiao Yi nodded, indicating she had asked the same question.

Bak was proud. "You won't have to squeeze at home. Dad will sleep inside, and I'll sleep outside. It's so comfortable. Sister Xiaoli bought me a motorcycle, so I can come over often, maybe every day, since it's not far."

Zhou Xiaoli, rarely speechless, picked up a piece of beef and put it in Bak's bowl. Bak ate it, and she picked up another piece, doing this several times without saying a word. Bak finally realized, "When I have time... I'll often come to the shop to have beef noodles with you. It's not far."

It wasn't far at all. The art college was on the outskirts of the city, and the car wash and the new house were in the same commercial area, only about five or six kilometers away, and not on any major roads. It took Bak only ten minutes to ride his motorcycle.

Zhou Xiaoli tapped her chopsticks on the edge of Bak's bowl, her eyes clearly saying, "If you don't keep your word, just wait and see!"

Bak smiled, understanding her. He actually enjoyed this strong-willed side of her, as it helped pull him out of his previous passive state.

The next day, Bak rode his motorcycle to the car wash and worked for half a day. When he resigned at noon, the boss wasn't too surprised. "You were never meant to stay in this small place. Come back and visit often..."

It wasn't a tearful farewell. The other car wash workers understood Bak. "Did the manager sister put pressure on you?"

"It's not easy. It seems finding a girlfriend is simpler. Ambitious women really put a lot of pressure."

Bak laughed and cursed a few times, then saw Zhou Xiaoli standing outside the real estate agency with a large plastic bag, waving at him. Bak curiously leaned in, and the girl took out a brand new, stylish canvas military bag. "Consider it a gift for your studies. Use it as a school bag. It cost over two hundred, so don't break it. I saw those motorcycle riders and art students carrying backpacks like this." Her own briefcase was a cheap one she bought from a street vendor, but she was willing to spend on Bak.

Bak, like a happy elementary school student, put the backpack on and felt it. "Yeah! It's great. I feel confident I can do well!"

Zhou Xiaoli also smiled, but there was something indescribable in her eyes.

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