02 Found a job

 "Live-in housekeeper: includes food and housing, monthly salary of $2000 (can be discussed after trial). For more information, text..." Luo Jingli mouthed out the job advertisement on the computer screen, wrinkling his eyebrows.

Luo Jingli grew up in a single-parent family. His mother worked hard to raise him, but she lost her eyesight completely about three months ago due to reasons including straining her eyes and fatigue. Because of that, she lost her job and they lost their only source of stable income. And at that time, he had just started studying in the best University of city A and he had to rely on his previous savings and part-time jobs after school and on weekends to try to maintain the status quo. Fortunately, he had obtained a scholarship by virtue of his excellent results as well as financial assistance from the government, both combined to waive off most of his school fees. But now, the course of the next semester coincided with the time of his part-time job, so he had to quit his current job. 

How can he concentrate on studying when there is no income to feed themselves and pay for his mother’s surgery and therapy?

Therefore, he is now using the computer in the Internet cafe that he was working in to search for job advertisements. The owner of the Internet cafe passed by and he just closed one eye, to which Luo Jingli gave a grateful smile.

He had explained to his boss that after school reopened, due to the course timing and traveling time, he would not be able to work in the Internet cafe. Hearing that, the boss thought for a while and promised that he would keep Luo Jingli until he found another job, but because a new manager was already hired, the boss could only keep him for about two months. Knowing about Luo Jingli’s condition, the boss just scratched his head and patted on Luo Jingli’s shoulder in encouragement when Luo Jingli thanked him profusely. 

 Luo Jingli looked at the advertisements on the screen and decided to try this one, which, by far, was the only reliable sounding job. He sent a text message to the number on the ad and received a reply shortly after.

 ‘At 1 pm tomorrow, go to number 7 of Yuyuan Villa Estate for the trial.’

 ‘OK.’

 With a heart filled with anxiety, Luo Jingli then found several advertisements and sent application text messages to them one by one, but no one replied to him.

 “It’s fine, it’s not like everyone waits next to their mobile phones for messages.” Luo Jingli comforted himself.

 ~The next day~

 "Ma, lunch is on the table, just leave the plate on the table after you finish eating, i’ll clear it up afterwards." Luo Jingli put on his coat and stuffed the key into his pocket, "I'm going out and have lunch outside. The door is locked and the keys are with me so don’t open the door to anyone. Eat quickly, don’t wait for the dishes to get cold.”

 "I know, I know, don't worry about me. I'm blind, but I can still take care of myself." Mother laughed and waved in the direction of the door.

 Luo Jingli hummed in response, locked the door, and hurried to the bus stop.

 "...Five...Six...Seven! Finally!" Luo Jingli let out a sigh of relief. 

It was really exhausting to find the right place in such a huge and unfamiliar place with no map and just a vague guide by the security guard. In addition, he even made the wrong turn somewhere earlier. Luckily, he set out early and managed to arrive right on time. 

 ‘I'm at the door.’ Luo Jingli stood in front of the large elaborated gate and typed on his old phone, with his forehead and neck glistening with sweat.

 ‘.’ A very short reply.

 After a while, an old lady quickly walked towards him while waving at him. He hesitated and waved his hand slowly, and watched as she walked to the small door next to the large gate, pressing her thumb on the recognizer.

 "Dip!" The little door buzzed and opened.

 "My dear, are you Luo Jingli?" The old lady asked with a soft smile on her round wrinkly face. 

 Luo Jingli nodded, "Yes, Auntie, I'm here for the position of a housekeeper."

 "Yes, yes, come on in. Ah, look at the weather, it's so hot that your cute little face is red." The old lady’s warm calloused hand loosely wrapped around his hand and led him into the mansion.

 "Don't be nervous, there are only two of us here now. Sir only comes back at two o'clock. Oh, yes, I am the current housekeeper, you can call me Aunt Deng. I have been managing Sir’s house for several years. I am old now and I am going to retire, so I’m looking for someone to take over." Old lady— Aunt Deng took him to the kitchen.

 "Today, you will just need to cook lunch. The ingredients are in the refrigerator and the cupboard next to them, and the knives and pots are here." Aunt Deng opened the cupboard door. “You can just make anything you see fit, I’ll be cleaning the living room."

 Not knowing whether the "sir" in Aunt Deng's mouth likes Chinese or Western, Luo Jingli did both. After some time, Luo Jingli brought the dishes, which are brown sauce steak, pork ribs noodles and oyster sauce kale, to the table.

 "Oh my, you made all these? It's so fragrant and it sure looks delicious! Let’s see…” Aunt Deng squinted at the clock on the wall, “… it’s ten to two. Sir is coming back soon. Let's pack up while waiting." Aunt Deng smiled warmly and headed to the kitchen with Luo Jingli following closely behind. 

 Ten minutes later, Aunt Deng hurried to the living room when she heard the door opening. Luo Jingli secretly glanced at the person, who had just arrived, from the kitchen. When Li Zheng raised his head, Luo Jingli's eyes widened. 

Oh my goodness, this man is so handsome!

 "Aunt Deng, where's the applicant?" Aunt Deng stepped forward to help Li Zheng take off his coat and put it on the hanger.

 "In the kitchen. He has already made lunch. Let's take a look at it. If you don't like it, Aunt Deng will make something else for you."

 Li Zheng nodded, placed his briefcase on the table, and walked towards the dining room. The fragrance of his favorite dish—— steak with brown sauce, had already wafted into his nose.

 "S-sir, good afternoon." Luo Jingli bowed nervously, with the apron still on.

 When Luo Jingli straightened up, the two of them inadvertently met each other’s eyes, and their pupils dilated.

 Li Zheng came back to his senses first, and proceeded to sit down gracefully. He picked up the napkin, folded it in half, and placed it on his lap.

 "Well, you can go first, I will send you a text message to tell you the results."

 With his face red as a tomato, Luo Jingli mumbled a “yes thank you” and quickly went into the kitchen to take off his apron. He then picked up his backpack, and walked to the door with Aunt Deng.

 "You’re back? Have you eaten yet?" Mother Luo was sitting on the sofa listening to the radio when she heard the door opening.

 "Yes, I ate outside." Luo Jingli lowered his head as he unlaced his shoes and lied. In order to save money, he only eats two or even one meal a day and has lost a lot of weight in the past few months.

 In the evening, Luo Jingli took a shower and sat on the bed, wiping his hair with one hand and holding his phone with the other.

 ‘You are hired. If it’s alright with you, you can start working tomorrow. If so, please bring your identification card and your luggage with you when we meet at the same gate at 7 o'clock tomorrow morning. We will discuss more details tomorrow."

 ‘Yes, I’m ok with starting tomorrow. Thank you.’

 "Ma! I found a new job! They will be providing food and housing so I won't be able to come back as often in the future.” After receiving the message telling him he’s hired, Luo Jingli skipped to the living room with excitement and explained the situation to his mother, “I'll go ask our neighbour Mrs Wang to help take care of you." 

 "Good, good. Jingli, don't push yourself too hard, you need to take care of your body, don’t be like Ma. Go to bed soon, you need to get up early tomorrow, right?"

 "Ok. Good night, Ma!" Luo Jingli said with tears sparkling in his eyes.

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Authors’ notes:

J: Yes, I was craving steak with brown sauce when I wrote this. It will be even better with mashed potatoes. 

L: Hmmmm. I kinda like the KFC one haha. (not sponsored)