Chapter 94: Part-Time Jobs

H University’s military training was not scheduled right at the beginning of the school year but rather set for the next semester. Therefore, Feng Yi officially started his studies after the school year began.

The academic workload was heavy, with at least six classes each day. Some classes were standalone sessions, while others were double sessions. Although they were majoring in computer science, they initially focused on theory and foundational knowledge, with professors learning alongside them.

In addition to computer-related subjects, they also had courses in advanced mathematics, English, and more.

Feng Yi was accustomed to waking up early, rising at 5 a.m. He would sit up and read his books in the low light of the dormitory. Since the room had little natural light at this hour, he used a flashlight to illuminate his textbooks.

While some roommates, like Qiao Ming, were used to waking up late—around 6 a.m.—others, like Lu Haijun next to Feng Yi, also woke up early.

The dormitory was quiet, and most people were still asleep. Feng Yi’s early-morning routine may disturb others, but Lu Haijun, who was contemplating what to do, observed Feng Yi using his flashlight to study.

Lu Haijun admired him immensely. After the school year began, he learned that Feng Yi had the highest entrance exam score in their class. Due to this, even the class advisor wanted Feng Yi to be the class monitor, but Feng Yi declined, stating a desire to focus on studying.

Now, seeing Feng Yi study so diligently, Lu Haijun was inspired.

Being a good student, Feng Yi studied even before the official military training commenced. He was often found with his flashlight, deeply immersed in his books.

Lu Haijun decided he wouldn’t lag behind. His father gave him a flashlight, and he took out his English book, joining Feng Yi in the study session.

They continued studying until 6 a.m., after which Feng Yi got out of bed to freshen up. Lu Haijun quickly followed suit.

With their morning routines completed quietly, Feng Yi left the dormitory with his English book, and Lu Haijun tagged along. The two went to the playground, jogging while reciting English lessons.

English was Lu Haijun’s weak subject. Born in the countryside, he had learned a little English before high school but started putting serious effort into it during high school. Nevertheless, he still struggled with the language, especially with understanding the English content in their textbooks.

He thought Feng Yi might be in the same situation, studying so diligently to overcome these challenges.

As they jogged, Lu Haijun couldn’t understand the English words Feng Yi recited, but it might have been because they were running and the words weren’t clear.

Both Feng Yi and Lu Haijun were physically fit. After around 40 minutes of jogging and doing some exercises on the playground, it was 7 a.m., the perfect time to go to the cafeteria for breakfast.

Feng Yi enjoyed the school cafeteria; the food there was both affordable and good. There were also some very cheap options for students with limited budgets.

For instance, in the morning, they offered fried rice with leftover rice from the previous day. It had minimal eggs and oil, but you could get a large portion for just one cent, making it a very cost-effective choice.

Feng Yi spent one cent on the fried rice and another cent on a braised egg.

For three cents, you can buy a large meat bun, and with just fifty cents, you can eat to satisfaction with decent nutrition.

Due to Lu Haijun’s limited funds, he spends twenty cents to buy two servings of egg-fried rice, then eats with a spoon.

During breakfast, they continue learning English together.

Feng Yi notices Lu Haijun mispronouncing a word and promptly corrects him. Curious, Lu Haijun asks, “Feng Yi, are you good at English?”

“It should be decent,” replies Feng Yi, attributing his proficiency to his acquaintance with Jiang Liyun, who excels in English.

Especially in speaking, his skills surpass even his high school teacher’s.

Lu Haijun, pointing at a word, asks Feng Yi its pronunciation and meaning. Feng Yi answers promptly.

Impressed, Lu Haijun asks, “Feng Yi, I heard you, like me, are from a rural background.”

“Yes,” Feng Yi confirms.

“How is your English so good? My junior high school didn’t teach English, and in high school, I couldn’t catch up,” wonders Lu Haijun.

Feng Yi explains, “I self-learned English with a radio.”

“A radio… You must be well-off at home,” envies Lu Haijun.

“No, my family isn’t wealthy. The radio I use belongs to my girlfriend, who accompanied me when school started,” reveals Feng Yi.

Lu Haijun looks surprised.

Feng Yi grins. “Isn’t she beautiful?”

“Beautiful,” admires Lu Haijun, astonished that Feng Yi, with good grades and looks, already has a girlfriend.

Feng Yi offers, “If you want to learn English, I can lend you the radio. In the morning, you can find a place with electricity and study along with the radio.”

“I’d rather not. I’m afraid I might break the radio, and I can’t afford to compensate if it’s damaged.”

“It’s not that easy to break,” reassures Feng Yi, then asks, “By the way, do you want to earn money?”

“How can I earn money?” inquires Lu Haijun.

Feng Yi suggests, “I work at a hamburger joint. It gets busy on weekends and needs extra help. If you’re willing, you can work on weekends from 9:30 in the morning until 7:30 in the evening, a total of ten hours, earning ten yuan a day, including two meals.”

Charles’ hamburger joint has been open for a month now, and the initial busy period has subsided. Jiang Liyun has decided to divide the staff into two shifts to avoid overworking them.

Despite working overtime every day, Jiang Liyun is concerned about the employees’ well-being, even if they are willing to work extra hours. However, weekends are still busy, and everyone has to put in extra hours.

Although the restaurant is adequately staffed, Jiang Liyun noticed during her last visit to the school that Lu Haijun comes from a humble background. She mentioned to Feng Yi that Lu Haijun could work part-time at the restaurant on weekends, providing him with additional income. If they have enough staff, they can also organise activities, such as giving balloons to children who come to the restaurant.

Lu Haijun is astonished upon hearing Feng Yi’s words, “Ten yuan a day? So much?”

“Yes, but there’s quite a bit of work to do,” Feng Yi explains.

“I don’t mind, even if there’s a lot of work!” Lu Haijun immediately agrees.

Ten yuan a day means he could earn eighty yuan by working eight days in a month. That’s a significant amount, and he wouldn’t even spend one yuan on food for the entire day!

Feng Yi advises, “You can work on weekends. There’s a bus at 8:00 in the morning and another at 8:00 in the evening. I’ll give you a route map later.”

“Are you going too? Can I go with you?” Lu Haijun asks.

Feng Yi replies, “My significant other rented a house in Shanghai, and I’ll go there on Friday night.”

Lu Haijun becomes even more envious.

Not only does Feng Yi have a significant other, but they even live together!

After breakfast, Feng Yi and Lu Haijun return to their dormitory.

At this time, some roommates gradually leave for breakfast while they organise the things they need for classes and head to the classroom early to review the textbooks.

Their classes start at 8:00, and the four morning sessions are usually fully scheduled, often with two classes back-to-back, requiring a change of classrooms in between.

After classes, they can go to the cafeteria for lunch.

Feng Yi typically chooses one meat dish and one vegetarian dish, plus one cent worth of rice, totalling seven cents. Lu Haijun spends two cents, eating a one-cent vegetable dish and another cent of rice.

The leftover porridge and pickled vegetables from the morning, placed in a corner by the cafeteria, are free for students to eat. Lu Haijun usually has another bowl of porridge.

Initially, Lu Haijun was a bit puzzled about Feng Yi’s financial situation. Why could he afford to wear nice clothes and eat meat every meal despite coming from a modest background? However, once he learned about Feng Yi’s part-time job at Charles’ hamburger joint, earning ten yuan a day, it all made sense.

Feng Yi had been working there during the summer vacation for over a month, potentially earning four to five hundred yuan. With additional weekend work, he could easily afford a comfortable lifestyle.

When he earns money, Lu Haijun also plans to enjoy some delicious food, like braised pork!

After lunch, they head to the library.

Lu Haijun struggles to keep up with the coursework, studying mainly from the textbooks at the library and occasionally looking up related materials. Feng Yi, on the other hand, does more than just studying the textbooks; he reads other books as well.

Jiang Liyun always emphasises the benefits of reading, something Feng Yi didn’t have time for before but plans to do more of in the future.

In the afternoon, they continue attending classes or studying in the classroom or library if there’s no class.

H University has evening self-study sessions from 7:00 to 9:00, where students study in their respective classrooms. After the evening self-study, they return to the dormitory, do a quick wash-up, and go to sleep.

Feng Yi’s life is very disciplined.

While H University has various clubs, and some students are enthusiastic about participating in weekend club activities, Feng Yi chooses not to join. He’s not completely disinterested, but joining a club would take away the time he spends working at the hamburger joint on weekends.

One week passes in the blink of an eye.

On Friday night, Feng Yi packs up his belongings and leaves the school.

Lu Haijun, on the other hand, is curious about what will happen next.

Lu Haijun only realises in the evening that Feng Yi is not around and can’t help but ask him, “Where is Feng Yi?”

Throughout the week, Qiao Ming has not spoken to Feng Yi, but he has been observing him closely. Seeing Feng Yi busy studying every day, Qiao Ming feels that Feng Yi is pretending.

They worked hard to get into college, thinking they could relax a bit and have some fun. However, Feng Yi continues to work hard, just like in high school. Qiao Ming suspects it’s all for show, trying to impress others.

“He went back because someone from Feng Yi’s family rented a house here,” Lu Haijun replies.

Feng Yi actually went to visit his significant other, but Lu Haijun refrains from mentioning that.

Qiao Ming finds it somewhat unbelievable: “After finally getting into college and escaping constant nagging from family, he actually went back.”

Several people who hang out with Qiao Ming express their opinions: “Yeah, what’s so good about being at home?”

“My mum keeps nagging me.”

“I don’t want to go back either.”

Lu Haijun listens to their comments, feeling a bit silent.

Coming to study here wasn’t easy for him, and he doesn’t know when he’ll be able to go back. If he wants to go home for the Chinese New Year, he doesn’t even have the money for the ticket.

The gap between people is indeed significant.

Feng Yi is unaware that there are people at the school thinking about him.

On Friday afternoon, with only two classes left, he doesn’t have dinner at school and cycles back to the restaurant early.

During the weekdays, Charles’ hamburger joint is not as busy, but it still does reasonably well. When Feng Yi arrives, it’s dinner time, and there’s even a queue in the restaurant.

Many of the diners are young couples on dates. The environment at Charles’ hamburger joint is quite nice, and couples often buy a double meal set, allowing them to eat on the second floor while chatting for a long time.

Upon entering the restaurant, Feng Yi overhears a couple in line discussing what to order: “Let’s get the combo with two chicken wraps. The price is the same as a burger, but there’s more chicken inside.”

“Sure, I love chicken wraps. They taste especially good.”

The couple decides on a ten-yuan combo, which includes two chicken wraps, a pair of fried chicken wings, and two colas. As they spend over ten yuan, they also get a complimentary boneless chicken strip—a promotion that Jiang Liyun has not cancelled.

Jiang Liyun, at the cashier, sees Feng Yi and smiles, “Feng Yi, you’re here? You haven’t had dinner yet, right? We’ve already eaten. How about you have something from the restaurant?”

Because she wasn’t sure when Feng Yi would return, she didn’t order dinner for him.

Feeling a bit hungry, Feng Yi responds, “Sister Liyun, give me a burger and a chicken wrap, both with a spicy flavour.”

“Okay, I’ll make it for you.” Jiang Liyun places an order and goes to the kitchen to prepare it.

Estimating Feng Yi’s appetite, she orders two burgers and a chicken wrap. While making them, she adds plenty of lettuce and tomatoes to the burgers and extra lettuce and tomatoes to the chicken wrap.

When Feng Yi enters the kitchen, he sees the specially prepared combo by Jiang Liyun.

Just looking at it shows it’s quite nutritious!

Feng Yi doesn’t mind eating lettuce; he picks up the burger and starts eating, also mentioning the incidents at school in the past few days, including Lu Haijun.

“If he’s willing to come and work part-time, that would be great. You can guide him when the time comes,” Jiang Liyun suggests.

Feng Yi nods in agreement.

The next day, Feng Yi comes to the restaurant early to help out, managing the kitchen as usual.

At 9:00, Lu Haijun arrives.

He woke up early today, fearing he might miss the bus. He waited at the bus stop half an hour in advance and, upon boarding the bus, hesitated but eventually inserted a coin into the fare box with a heavy heart.

Following Feng Yi’s route map, he gets off at the station and continues walking, searching for “Charles’ Hamburger Joint.”

Finding the place isn’t difficult, but it looks high-end, making him hesitant to approach.

It’s a beautiful European-style building, both outside and luxuriously decorated inside, a style he has never seen before.

Such a store is something he usually avoids, never daring to get close. Now, he has to go inside?

Charles’ hamburger joint is bustling, even though it’s not mealtime yet. The restaurant has a small children’s playground with air conditioning, attracting parents to bring their kids here. While the children play, the parents inevitably end up buying some food and drinks.

Observing the well-dressed customers, Lu Haijun hesitates before entering the store. Jiang Liyun, at the cashier, spots him right away and says, “Haijun, my classmate!”

Lu Haijun also sees Jiang Liyun, recalling that she is Feng Yi’s significant other. “Hello…”

“Feng Yi is inside; you can go in.” Jiang Liyun opens the employee entrance door, allowing Lu Haijun to enter.

In the kitchen, Feng Yi is busy moving supplies when Lu Haijun arrives.

Initially, Lu Haijun felt a bit uncomfortable about working at Charles’ hamburger joint. However, seeing Feng Yi work so earnestly, any unease he had quickly disappeared.

Feng Yi has better grades and looks more handsome than him, yet they both work here. Why should he feel uncomfortable?

Earning ten yuan for a day’s work, including meals, is a great deal!

Approaching Feng Yi, Lu Haijun asks, “Feng Yi, what should I do?”

Feng Yi replies, “First, let me take you to change into the employee uniform. Then, you can take a look at the ‘Employee Code of Conduct’ and follow me in the work.”

Jiang Liyun designed employee uniforms for Charles’ hamburger joint that can be worn by both men and women. She made four spare sets based on Feng Yi’s height, and now Feng Yi can provide two sets to Lu Haijun, saying, “Here are two sets for you. You can rotate them. Also, here’s the ‘Employee Code of Conduct,’ take a look.”

Lu Haijun changes into the uniform and earnestly reads the “Employee Code of Conduct.”

The rules outlined in the document are straightforward, covering store regulations such as not eating kitchen items, wearing gloves when preparing food, and wearing masks in the kitchen.

These rules are easy to follow.

By this time, it’s already 9:30. Feng Yi asks Lu Haijun to help transport semi-finished ingredients into the kitchen and arrange the finished dishes according to customer orders.

These tasks are not difficult, and Lu Haijun, having passed the university entrance exam, quickly gets the hang of them.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Lu Haijun asks, “Do I only need to do these tasks?”

Doing such easy work and earning ten yuan for a day?

He realises that some people from his village working in factories can only earn seventy to eighty yuan a month.

“Just do this. If others need help, you can assist them. Everyone’s tasks are quite simple,” Feng Yi says.

“What about you?” Lu Haijun inquires.

Feng Yi smiles and says, “I’m going outside to give balloons to the kids.”

Jiang Liyun purchased an air pump and some balloons with plastic sticks, instructing Feng Yi to stay near the cashier and inflate the balloons. If the kids want one, he can give it to them.

People who want balloons have likely already consumed them in the store. The consumption in their restaurant is not low, and balloons are not expensive, making it a win-win situation for the customers and the business.

A tall and handsome young man, wearing a colourful hat, happily gives balloons to the children. After handing each one, he also shares a cheerful wish: “Little one, may everything go smoothly and always be happy.”

“Little girl, best wishes for your studies.”

“Little boy, here’s a balloon for you. May you grow up tall and handsome.”

…

At this time, toys are scarce for the children, making balloons quite exciting for them. The children are delighted, and their parents are equally happy hearing the wishes. Even a young girl playfully asks for a balloon, saying, “Handsome guy, give me a balloon!”

Upon hearing this, Feng Yi instinctively glances towards Jiang Liyun, not far away.

Seeing this scene, Jiang Liyun, who is not currently at the cashier, laughs and says, “Give the pretty girl one too.”

Feng Yi handed a balloon to the young girl, but she felt a bit frustrated.

A young girl approached him, and Jiang Liyun didn’t seem bothered at all. The girl was delighted and asked Feng Yi, “Hey handsome, what’s your name?”

Feng Yi replied, “I’m called Charles.”

The girl smiled and, feeling a bit embarrassed, didn’t ask any further.

Jiang Liyun also found the situation amusing.

During this time, people weren’t as bold as in the future, and smartphones were not yet widespread. People just asked for names. If this were thirty years later, they would probably ask to add each other on social media.

Regardless of this life or the previous one, Feng Yi seems quite popular.

In the past, it was older women from the town who admired Feng Yi. Now, it’s the younger girls.

Jiang Liyun likes Feng Yi, but not to the point of feeling jealous just because he is popular. After all, there is nothing between Feng Yi and those girls.

Seeing Feng Yi being well-received, she is actually quite happy—this handsome and charming young man is her boyfriend!

While Feng Yi continues to distribute balloons, a few familiar faces enter the store. It’s Qiao Mingze and three others from their dormitory.

The other two local guys have a similar financial background to Qiao Mingze.

Although they aren’t wealthy, their parents have stable jobs. Both are children of teachers, and one even has a wealthy uncle. As for the remaining person, he is from another province, named Shao Chengdong.

According to Shao Chengdong, his father is a local official, and his mother is a teacher. He also has a wealthy uncle. In short, his family members are quite accomplished, and he is generous with his spending.

“Shao Chengdong, are you really treating us to hamburgers?”

“While this place is better than KFC, it’s still not cheap.”

“My parents didn’t give me money even when I wanted to come here before.”

…

Shao Chengdong says, “I have money; today, I’m treating everyone!”

As they converse, they notice Feng Yi.

They’ve heard from Qiao Mingze about Feng Yi working here during the summer, but they didn’t expect him to return for part-time work on a Friday.

“Feng Yi, what are you doing? Handing out balloons?” Qiao Mingze asks.

“Yes.” Feng Yi smiles and hands a just-inflated balloon to a tearful little boy. The boy had accidentally popped the balloon he received earlier, making him cry.

“You’re already in college; why are you doing this?” Qiao Mingze is puzzled.

Feng Yi remains speechless.

Does going to college automatically make one wealthy? Is it forbidden to have a part-time job?