Volume 1, Chapter 7: Do You Want to Be a Waiter?

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When my cousin saw me glaring at him, his bravado immediately deflated. He muttered, “What are you yelling about? I was just kidding. You think I’d really lay a hand on you?”
I didn’t care whether he was joking or not.
If he dared to make a move, I’d knock him down!
“Hmph!”
Seeing me silent, my cousin continued to criticize me.
“You don’t need to act tough with me.”
“If you’re capable, go find the job yourself.”
“I’m telling you straight, I won’t help you find a job anymore. If you can’t find one, go back to the hometown. Think about how you’ll tell your parents how ‘great’ you are in Port City!”
Damn!
What an idiot!
My cousin’s attitude made me sick to my stomach!
I really wanted to shove him back!
Really wanted to ask, what have you ever done to help me?
To be clear, when the factory was hiring general workers, it wasn’t because my cousin had any special connections.
When he talked to Manager Liu about recruiting workers, I was standing right there.
He merely asked if they were hiring general workers.
The factory was hiring anyway; it wasn’t because my cousin had any pull with Manager Liu to get me in through the back door!
Besides, Port City is huge—there isn’t just one factory hiring people.
If I leave Zhenglong Garment Factory, does that mean I can’t find any other job?
“Xiaogang, tell me, what does that girl look like?”
At that moment, my cousin’s wife’s voice from behind calmed me down.
I turned to look at her.
Her expression wasn’t good—she didn’t even glance at my cousin but looked straight at me.
I could tell she was upset.
But it wasn’t because of me; it was because my cousin had just been cursing at her.
I really wanted to comfort her.
But at this moment, it wasn’t easy to say anything. I could only tell her about that girl.
I remembered her vividly, especially the way she mocked me as a “country bumpkin”—an expression I’ll never forget in my life!
That superior attitude was utterly disgusting!
After thinking for a bit, my cousin’s wife said, “It might be the factory director’s daughter, Song Xiaotang.”
My cousin, who had been watching coldly nearby, suddenly spoke nonsense again. “There’s no ‘might be,’ it’s definitely Zhao Xiaotang.”
“You really know how to cause trouble. Why couldn’t you just pick on anyone else but the factory director’s daughter?”
“One word from her, and they could easily fire you!”
“You’re a real idiot.”
“If only you had kept your head down back then, you’d still have your job!”
I didn’t want to say a word.
If my cousin wanted to be a pushover and keep his tail between his legs, fine, but I refused!
Why should I be bullied like this when I haven’t done anything wrong?
That’s not right!
I noticed my cousin’s wife looked somewhat disappointed.
Not in me, but in my cousin.

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I also noticed my cousin’s face was full of smugness, his excitement turning his face red.
It was as if my misfortune was a blessing for him.
Like this proved that his advice to keep his tail between his legs was right!
He was excited and kept nagging me nonstop.
“When we left the village, I told you on the bus when you fought with that thug, some people you just can’t afford to offend.”
“So, how about it?”
“Now you know how serious it is, right?”
“Still wanna show off?”
“After showing off, you’ll be begging on the street? Working for money to marry a wife? What kind of wife are you gonna get, crap?”
Listening to his taunts, I couldn’t swallow my anger and snapped back, “I’d rather starve to death than die a coward like you!”
“What did you say?”
My cousin didn’t expect me to talk back like that, his eyes wide with shock.
“Say that again?”
He pointed his finger at my nose and scolded, “I’m telling you, if you don’t apologize, I won’t help you find a job!”
“Damn it! I don’t need you to find me a job! I’ll find one myself!”
I had been holding back all this anger and didn’t give him an inch of face!
After saying that, I lifted my leg and started to leave!
“Xiaogang!”
My cousin’s wife called out as I was about to walk away.
I pretended not to hear!
No matter what, I’m a man!
A man won’t lose his pride for a steamed bun!
I refuse to believe that in such a big city as Port City, I can’t find a job!
In a daze, I still heard my cousin’s wife’s voice.
“Dalong, look at yourself—how can you say such harsh words to Xiaogang?”
“I’m going after him!”
“He just came back to Port City, unfamiliar with everything. If something happens, it’ll be a big problem…”
Knowing she was coming after me, I slowed down.
Halfway down the stairs, she caught up with me.
Honestly, my heart warmed.
My cousin’s wife really cared about me!
As we went downstairs, she tried to comfort me, telling me not to worry. She would go to the factory to see Manager Liu and try to negotiate on my behalf.
I didn't want her to beg for me, but she insisted and said that would silence my cousin’s complaints.
Also, working in the factory meant she could look after me.
That reason struck a chord deep in my heart.
I stopped being stubborn and went back to Zhenglong Garment Factory with her.
By then, only a few people were lined up outside for interviews.
My cousin’s wife greeted Manager Liu and was about to talk about me when Liu said, “No need to say anything. He definitely can’t get in.”
“Manager Liu, please help.”
“Xiaoxiao, it’s not that I don’t want to help, but I really can’t.”
Manager Liu wasn’t a bad person.
Now that he had time, he spoke a bit more with me and my cousin’s wife.

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That girl was indeed the factory director’s daughter, Song Xiaotang.
She had just been dumped by her boyfriend and was full of anger.
I happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, and she took it out on me with no chance to explain.
After hearing this, what else did I not understand?
I didn’t waste time and thanked the manager before leaving with my cousin’s wife.
Maybe worried I’d be discouraged, she comforted me: “Xiaogang, don’t lose heart. This whole area is full of factories all hiring. I’ll go with you to look.”
“Thank you, sis-in-law.”
I truly appreciated her kindness.
“Silly boy, we’re family. Don’t be so formal.”
“No.”
I shook my head. “My brother is family too, but you saw how he treated me.”
“He…”
My cousin’s wife hesitated, quietly saying, “He’s tough on the outside but soft inside. Don’t take it to heart too much.”
I could tell she didn’t quite believe her own words.
Still, I didn’t say more and followed her to several factories.
Unfortunately, they had all finished hiring and had no vacancies.
“It’s okay, don’t worry. This afternoon I’ll ask around at other factories and see if anyone can recommend you.”
She cheered me up and took me to the nearby commercial street to buy some things.
The commercial street was bustling, even more lively than our town’s market day.
One long street, everything from food to clothing to housing—every kind of business you could imagine.
After wandering for a bit, a glass door at a shop caught my attention.
A handwritten ad was stuck on the big glass door—simple and blunt: “Hiring waitstaff, 350 yuan per month!”
Seeing that wage, I couldn’t move forward.
“Sis-in-law!”
I called her over to take a look.
She hesitated before saying, “Xiaogang, do you want to be a waiter?”
Honestly, I didn’t want to.
But after trying several factories and finding no work, this was the only option.
Being a waiter at least meant a job.
And 350 yuan a month was 150 yuan more than working as a general laborer in the garment factory!
Besides, I could keep looking for factory jobs on the side.
I shared my thoughts with her.
After thinking it over, she said, “Alright, if you want to try, go for it.”
“Then I’ll give it a shot!”
“Good luck! I believe you can do it!”
“Yeah!”
I took a deep breath and stepped through the glass door.