Many workers nearby noticed what was happening. No one stepped in to help. Some even hoped that Cao Yang would beat the supervisor up.
Cao Yang was incredibly strong—if he really used all his strength, the supervisor's neck might snap in his hands.
"Don't be impulsive!" Li Yan rushed over. She wasn't defending the supervisor; she was afraid Cao Yang would accidentally kill him and cause huge trouble.
Fortunately, Cao Yang still listened to her. He threw the supervisor heavily onto the ground, leaving the man dizzy and disoriented.
…
As expected, he was fired again.
Carrying his luggage, Cao Yang sat on the lawn in front of the factory, lost in thought.
Am I really such an unlikeable person? Why does the supervisor keep picking on me?
He didn't understand. He worked hard, didn't slack off, didn't cause trouble—why was he being targeted?
He felt confused. He had only been here a few days and had already been fired twice. And both times, he wasn't the one who caused the trouble.
When the shift ended, Li Yan also came out with her luggage.
"Sister Yan, why are you leaving too?" Cao Yang asked. "Did they fire you as well?"
"Of course!" Li Yan snapped unhappily.
"Why?"
"You still have the nerve to ask?" Li Yan glared at him. "Everyone knows we came together. You beat up the supervisor—how could he let me stay? You dragged me down!"
In truth, Li Yan had resigned on her own. She knew she was partly the reason Cao Yang got targeted, but she would never admit that. She wanted Cao Yang to feel guilty—that'll teach you for trying to control me like you're my parent.
Sure enough, Cao Yang lowered his head, embarrassed. "The supervisor went too far… I just couldn't hold back."
"If you can't hold back, you still have to hold back! Who works outside without swallowing some anger?" Li Yan tossed her luggage on the grass and sat down, looking furious.
Cao Yang lowered his head even further like a child who had done something wrong.
Li Yan turned her head away—she was trying hard not to laugh.
After about ten minutes, she finally spoke again. "So what do we do now? No jobs, no place to sleep, and barely any money."
"I don't know…" Cao Yang mumbled.
Li Yan said, "I'll give you two choices. One, I go work at Nightingale Club. Two, you pay for a rental room and cover our meals."
"I don't have money!"
"Then I'm going to Nightingale."
"But I don't want you to go…"
"What the hell? You think I want to go? I have to survive! And why do you keep trying to control me? We're just neighbors. My job is none of your business. You nag more than my mom!"
She paused for two seconds… then suddenly gasped dramatically.
"Wait—don't tell me you like me? That's why you don't want me working there?"
"No! Don't flatter yourself. I'm just worried someone might bully you in a place like that!"
"I worked there for years before you showed up, and no one bullied me. But you show up, and I'll suddenly get bullied?"Though she said that, her heart warmed a little at the concern.
"Let's go." She picked up her luggage and walked ahead. Cao Yang followed behind.
They arrived at a small inn. A red sign outside listed cheap rental rooms.
These "small inns" weren't actually small—over a hundred rooms—but the rooms were tiny, cheap, and poorly equipped.
Most guests were young workers from nearby factories. The place was basically their hookup spot.
Some rooms were also rented long-term to employees from nearby salons, diners, or convenience stores.
Basically: cheap but barebones.
Li Yan paid 200 yuan for a room. It used to be a dorm for restaurant waitresses and still had a bunk bed—perfect for saving money.
"You sleep on top. I'll take the bottom." Li Yan began unpacking.
"Isn't it bad for us to stay in the same room?" Cao Yang scratched his head, embarrassed.
"I'm not embarrassed—why are you? It's not like we've never slept in the same room before!"
"That was because there was no choice… maybe I should rent my own room?"
"Sure. Go ahead—if you have money. No one's stopping you."
At the mention of money, Cao Yang went silent and climbed to the top bunk.
Li Yan took out her phone and made a call."Hello, Manager Xu? It's Li Yan—the girl who applied three days ago."
"Yes, yes… my brother offended you. He's young and new to the world. Please don't take it to heart…"
"I just want to ask if you still need people. I'd like to work there."
"What? Starting tonight? Yes, yes, I'll come soon!"
She hung up and rummaged through her bag for clothes.
"You're really going?" Cao Yang asked from the top bunk, looking troubled.
"What else can I do? Starve?"
Li Yan pulled out underwear. "Close your eyes."
"…Why?"
"I'm changing clothes! Are you blind?"
"Oh."
After he shut his eyes, Li Yan unzipped her dress, revealing her fair back. She quickly changed into a new outfit.
"Okay, open your eyes."
As soon as he looked down, her used underwear hit him in the face.
"What was that for?!"
"Wash it for me."
"You want me, a grown man, to wash your underwear?"
"If you don't, no allowance."
In the bathroom, Cao Yang first soaked his own clothes. Then he picked up Li Yan's dress and underwear, examining them for a moment—lace edges…
Still warm from her body.
He sniffed.
…milk fragrance.
"Hang it by the window when you're done," Li Yan said while putting on makeup, unaware of his actions.
She finished, handed him ten yuan.
Then she went to Nightingale Club, found Manager Xu—the same woman from last time—who greeted her kindly and assigned a supervisor to help her change into her uniform.
A skinny guy nearby licked his lips as he watched Li Yan leave."Boss, she's got a good figure. Would be a waste as just a waitress."
Manager Xu smiled. "A waste? Hardly. It's only a matter of time. Out of ten hostesses here, eight started as waitresses. After long enough, when they see others making big money, they'll volunteer."
"And if she doesn't volunteer?"
"Heh…"
…
After Li Yan left, Cao Yang headed downstairs, ate some stir-fried rice noodles, then wandered around.
At a convenience store, he saw a group gathered around gambling machines. Curiosity won; he squeezed in.
Five or six people surrounded one machine, even the "Old Ghost Apple" bet was taken.
Cao Yang watched a few rounds—nothing but losses. It should pay out soon, he thought.
He put in a one-yuan coin.
Seeing a newcomer, the others glanced at him but said nothing.
He planned to bet on Double Stars, but someone had already placed a 50 bet. He ignored them and tapped the Double Star button ten times.
"I'll place ten too."