Zhao Ziqiang thought of many ways to argue back with Qian Wang, but when he saw the sincere and innocent look on his face, he just couldn’t say anything.

Qian Wang noticed Zhao Ziqiang’s frozen, confused expression. He felt a bit down, but then suddenly brightened up as if he had an idea.

“Um… can I invite you to go somewhere with me?”

Seeing that Zhao Ziqiang didn’t respond, he quickly added,
“Please! Even if it’s just as friends.”

After changing out of his sweat-soaked shirt and putting on a pair of shorts, Zhao Ziqiang reluctantly followed Qian Wang downstairs.

It wasn’t the usual small off-road vehicle; Qian Wang was heading toward a completely ordinary bicycle. Zhao Ziqiang frowned and stopped in his tracks. Considering that just a few days ago, Qian Wang had sold off all his real estate, and now even his car was gone, Zhao couldn’t help but feel confused. Without thinking, he blurted out:

“Hey, you didn’t blow all your money on gambling, did you?”

Qian Wang looked a bit embarrassed but quickly clarified,
“How could I? I just… that’s why I need you to come with me now.”

Zhao Ziqiang reluctantly sat on the back of the bike. This was different from riding Sun Wan Jue’s bike. No matter how well a kid grows, they’re still a bit thin. But having a grown man like Qian Wang on this small bike looked quite odd, and adding Zhao, who wasn’t exactly thin, made it even weirder. His desire to get off and go home grew stronger.

However, the distance wasn’t actually that far. After counting silently with his eyes closed for a few minutes, the bike came to a stop.

“I told you, if you had said it was this close, we could have walked here. Riding a bike in this hot weather…”

While saying this, he tugged at the hem of his clothes. When he looked up, the rest of his words got swallowed. What met his eyes was a large, brightly colored sign with the words:

“Zhao Ziqiang’s Little Delights Restaurant”

“…”

Zhao Ziqiang was so angry that he couldn’t even utter a word and slowly turning around to glance at Qian Wang, who seemed quite pleased with himself.

After a long silence, he calmed down and coldly asked.

“What do you mean by this? Are you messing with me?”

Qian Wang looked surprised for a moment, then slowly started to laugh, pulling Zhao Ziqiang’s arm as they walked up the steps.

He looked at the large glass window and seriously began reading the advertisement:

“Now hiring.”

The shop is specifically hiring an assistant manager, with the following requirements: male, aged between 26 and 28.

Conditions: Must know how to cook. Candidates who can serve as both the assistant manager and a specialized chef are welcome to interview..”

Qian Wang turned around, his voice starting to sound a bit nervous.

“Uh… the basic salary is 2000, with food and lodging provided. Manager: Qian Wang. So, Mr. Zhao, may I ask if you’re willing to be hired?”

Zhao Ziqiang looked at the overly familiar person in front of him with a complicated expression. From the moment Qian Wang started reading, he had already figured out what was going on. He could have easily guessed, even with his toes, that this trick was either suggested by someone else or learned from some cheesy Korean drama.

But this kind of trick really made it hard to get angry. All he felt was a mix of wanting to laugh and helplessness.

“Did you really dare to use such an unbelievably stupid plot? So, you’ve been busy with this for over a month, huh?”

He tilted his body and peeked into the shop, where several men and women were already craning their necks to look.

Qian Wang hadn’t expected Zhao Ziqiang to be moved or anything. He had originally planned to take it slow. But when Zhao said that with such an indifferent expression, it truly caught him off guard.

Seeing Qian Wang’s eyes shifting, clearly at a loss, Zhao Ziqiang suddenly felt his mood lift. Thinking back to that time, the sadness had been because someone had thrown his heartfelt feelings to the ground.

Now, if the other person wanted to change for the better, he couldn’t just be hardhearted and make things worse. Besides, he had been looking for a job in the first place. It would be foolish to pass up such an easy opportunity right in front of him.

So, he said,

“Alright, I’m willing to take the job.”

Hearing this, Qian Wang finally relaxed a bit, quickly stepping aside to let Zhao Ziqiang into the shop.

As soon as they entered, the two men and four women at the door stood up straight, greeting in unison:

“Welcome, Assistant Manager.”

Then came a round of applause. Zhao Ziqiang stopped in his tracks, instantly feeling embarrassed.

He glanced sideways at the manager, who was still smiling and admiring his proud achievement, and he couldn’t help but feel annoyed, wanting to roll his eyes.

After exchanging a few polite words and subtly hinting for everyone to go about their own business, Zhao Ziqiang pulled Qian Wang into a corner, ignoring the occasional curious glances from the others.

“I’ll make it clear first,” Zhao said. “I’m accepting your invitation as an official employee. From now on, we’re work partners. Let’s work well together.”

Saying this, Zhao Ziqiang naturally extended his right hand. This time, it was Qian Wang who felt frustrated. How come he felt that the powerful move he made hadn’t had the desired effect?

But he didn’t have time to dwell on it. After all, they were close now, and there was plenty of time ahead. So, with a serious expression, he shook Zhao Ziqiang’s hand.

As soon as Qian Wang felt the warmth of Zhao Ziqiang’s hand, Zhao quickly withdrew it and casually turned around, scanning the surroundings while asking:

“Now, can the manager introduce me to my work colleagues, work environment, tasks, and the benefits and salary?”

Qian Wang awkwardly pulled back his hand that had been raised in mid-air and followed up with an explanation.

The waitstaff had all been carefully selected by him, based on Zhao Ziqiang’s usual approachable personality during the interviews. The shop hadn’t officially opened yet, and the chef hadn’t started working either. All the preparations, from stocking up on essential supplies to managing everything, had kept him extremely busy and mentally exhausted.

He really wanted to say to Zhao Ziqiang, just like in the dramas on TV:

“Just eat my food, stay in my place, your only job is to fall in love with me!”

But he quickly realized that such thoughts were better left as a private joke. If he actually said it out loud, it would mean his brain had really gone haywire.

Zhao Ziqiang saw the person suddenly break into a strange laugh for no reason, and he honestly couldn’t even muster the energy to roll his eyes. It was both frustrating and funny at the same time.

But teasing with words didn’t take much effort.

“You’ve changed quite a bit,” Zhao said with a smirk. “I bet that little bit of brainpower you have is being emptied at the speed of light.”

After saying that, Zhao Ziqiang didn’t wait for Qian Wang to respond. He walked into the kitchen and glanced at the stairs leading to the second floor.

“Is the second floor part of the restaurant?”

Qian Wang, unbothered by the teasing, quickly followed with a cheerful smile, looking as friendly as ever.

“No, it’s the staff dorms.”

Zhao Ziqiang furrowed his brow as he looked at the staff in the front hall.

“Is this all the space there is?”

Qian Wang paused for a moment, then, without thinking, replied:

“Well, it’s not small for just the two of us, right?”

Zhao Ziqiang stumbled slightly as he stepped upstairs.

“Just the two of us?”

“Mm, yeah, it includes both of our meals and lodging.”

Zhao Ziqiang didn’t respond. Whether he was petty or opportunistic, deep down, he was still somewhat pleased by the arrangement. He glanced around at the decor upstairs—it was actually just a brand-new two-bedroom apartment, with a fully equipped bathroom and kitchen.

Qian Wang eagerly followed, pushing open the two adjacent bedrooms.

“Everything’s the same. You can sleep in this room. It’s quiet and has good lighting.”

Zhao Ziqiang didn’t respond, just watching Qian Wang before suddenly laughing out loud.

“Let’s just go back to how things were before, alright? The way you’re talking recently, I’m not quite used to it. Setting aside our relationship, I don’t like seeing you all hesitant like this, no matter who you’re dealing with.”

Qian Wang lowered his gaze and smiled faintly. He couldn’t explain himself. He really wanted to say that he’s only like this with Zhao Ziqiang, that he’s not pretending. This time, he’s truly changed, wanting to treat him well, and he means it from the bottom of his heart. But when he met Zhao Ziqiang’s gentle, seemingly knowing gaze, he felt that there was no need to say anything at all.

Those things that were once ruined by impulse and bitterness could only be slowly repaired with actions and time. Now, he finally understood this truth. When it comes to matters of the heart, they can’t be rushed or forced.

So, he simply smiled and said,
“Got it.”

Zhao Ziqiang, unable to tolerate it any longer, didn’t want to continue with such personal topics in this atmosphere. He put his smile back on and walked over to the window in the living room, looking down.

“When do we start? When do I move?”

Qian Wang had originally thought Zhao Ziqiang would be in a bad mood. However, seeing him ask casually as if it’s nothing, Qian Wang realized that Zhao Ziqiang had no objections to moving in together. Actually, it was more like moving into the “staff dormitory.”

Qian Wang figured Zhao Ziqiang must have understood his intentions, so he didn’t bother hiding his eagerness and quickly responded:

“The sooner, the better. We can do it today.”

Zhao Ziqiang gave him a look, half-smiling, and said, “Got it.” Then, he stood up and headed downstairs.

Qian Wang saw that Zhao Ziqiang was about to leave and wanted to say, “Let me give you a ride,” but then realized he only had a bicycle and couldn’t offer much help. It would be better to let him go back on his own, so he followed him and, when they reached the store’s entrance, called out:

“When you’re ready to move, give me a call. I’ll arrange a car for you.”

Only then did Zhao Ziqiang remember something. He frowned and, looking displeased, said:

“Boss, did you forget? Your phone number’s been deactivated after you disappeared for a month. Who should I call?”

Qian Wang quickly added,

“I’ll call you instead.”

Zhao Ziqiang didn’t respond to him. With his hands in his pockets, he dragged his slippers and was about to leave. After a moment, he turned around and asked awkwardly:

“Umm, the shop’s sign… I mean, can it be changed? You just did it as a formality, right? Doesn’t it sound strange to you?”

Qian Wang’s expression grew somber, as if in quiet regret.

“I think it sounds fine, and no, there’s no changing it.”