I Will Never Submit to Miss Grim Reaper - Chapter 328

Chapter 328: Let’s Search for the Traces of Love

 

Just as Su Yunjin said, even though Ye Yujing appeared here in front of a bunch of reporters and cameras in her capacity as mayor, she didn’t pretend not to know me. Instead, she ordered a few snacks at the café and chatted with me about everyday things.

 

“Are you still living in the Starry Garden Community?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Did you live here before, or…?”

 

“I used to live in the Central District, near Jianlongyuan Road. But recently, my lease expired and I wanted to move. Xiao Mo said she was renting a place here, so I moved over.”

 

“You two have a really good relationship. Are you sisters, or childhood friends?”

 

“We’re not sisters. We’ve known each other since we were kids, but we went to different universities and kept in touch.”

 

Since I had previously worked as a waitress in some fast-food restaurants and bubble tea shops and had been interviewed by small reporters a few times, I wasn’t very nervous in this situation. I could also respond flexibly according to Ye Yujing’s requirements.

 

When she asked about recent events, I chatted with her like a friend. When she asked about the store’s situation, I answered truthfully.

 

“What made you decide to work here?”

 

“Because I had been a waitress before and had some experience. I happened to see that they were hiring here, so I thought I’d give it a try. After coming here, I found the environment great and the salary acceptable, so I started working.”

 

“This egg tart is so cute. Did you make it yourself, Nuo’er?”

 

“Yes, you could say I’m a half-cook here now. Since we’re a new café, we were short-staffed at first. Basically, each person had to do multiple jobs. For example, I’m responsible for the café’s cleanliness, taking care of the cats, and helping out in the kitchen when it’s busy.”

 

Besides these topics, Ye Yujing also seemed to be deliberately emphasizing her relationships with the adults around us and Su Yunjin. For example, “Prosecutor Su” and that “Xiao Zhou.”

 

Several people who came with Su Yunjin were familiar to me, such as “Director Lin,” whose full name is Lin Yuan. He is the Director of the Natural Resources Bureau. It is said that the “Dragon King Temple” on Moon Orchid Island was built at his request.

 

Besides Director Lin, there were also a few others we saw a long time ago when Xiao Mo and I were hiding on the small island. Ye Yujing brought them over, saying it was unsafe in the city and that it was better to find a secluded place to avoid phone surveillance.

 

They came to the island in an inflatable boat. One of them was a police officer from the city, “Xiao Zhou,” and the other was Su Yunjin’s uncle, “Prosecutor Su.”

 

Among them, “Prosecutor Su” is probably the highest-ranking official. Ye Yujing is a city-level official, but he is at the provincial level. This also explains Su Yunjin’s strong background. Not only is his father the behind-the-scenes owner of a major website like Tongmeng, but his uncle is also a provincial official. Who knows what other influential relatives he might have? In any case, his background is undoubtedly impressive.

 

“The city has always been very supportive of such entrepreneurial endeavors. Can you tell us what you mainly sell here?”

 

“Sure. Our place is primarily a snack bar focusing on fast food, such as fried chicken, French fries, egg tarts, and some home-style dishes like white-cut chicken, braised beef, and mapo tofu. We sell all of these here. The first floor can be seen as a combination of a fried chicken shop and a fast food restaurant.”

 

Besides Ye Yujing, the reporters in the store were also frequently asking me, Xiao Mo, and Ouyang Xue various questions.

 

“Indeed, the menu on this table is very diverse. And this QR code… Oh, can we order directly by scanning the code?”

 

“Yes, young people nowadays prefer using their phones. Here, we’ve set up a one-click ordering system, just like placing an order for delivery. You simply choose your favorite dishes and submit your order, and shortly after, a server will bring your food. Of course, if elderly people who can’t use mobile ordering come in, we can also write down the dish names and deliver them individually.”

 

“That’s really convenient. I see you have not only snacks but also cakes and bubble tea?”

 

“Yes, those are all desserts, mainly on the second floor. The first floor is the snack bar, and the second floor is the dessert shop.”

 

“Is the income okay?”

 

“It’s alright. Initially, there weren’t many customers because the location was too remote. Now that more people come, we occasionally get overwhelmed during peak hours.”

 

“……”

 

During the casual chat, Ye Yujing’s attitude towards us and the shop gave me a better understanding of why they were doing this. It wasn’t just Ye Yujing, even “Prosecutor Su,” who came with Su Yunjin, was trying to strike up a conversation with me.

 

“What a delicate young lady, so small, haha.”

 

“You don’t understand. Nowadays, the smaller the girl, the cuter she is. Both boys and girls like that!”

 

“Hahaha, it seems I’m getting old and can’t keep up with the times…”

 

Su Yunjin’s uncle didn’t directly announce his identity in front of the cameras, nor did he act very close to Su Yunjin or directly say he was his uncle. He seemed like a very mysterious high-ranking leader. “Xiao Zhou” followed closely behind Su Yunjin’s uncle, like an assistant.

 

If this show airs, most viewers watching on TV will see “Mayor Ye” bringing a few “subordinates” to the southern Nanqi District to “inspect the local entrepreneurship.”

 

After all, even I wouldn’t have known that Su Yunjin’s uncle held a higher rank than Ye Yujing without having seen him before. Viewers watching the program would likely think that Su Yunjin’s uncle was a minor official under Ye Yujing, and that Xiao Zhou, following him, was his assistant. They would assume that both of them were just accompanying Ye Yujing for “work” today.

 

As for Su Yunjin himself… regular visitors to the café might think he is the actual manager of the place. Those who don’t come often might later find out from the internet about his identity as the “behind-the-scenes owner of the café.” Even if they don’t know, given his casual attire today, they might mistake him for a trainee reporter or something similar.

 

In the eyes of the audience, seeing Ye Yujing chatting with me would likely lead them to think how impressive the café is, with even the mayor coming to dine there. They’d consider me, the waitress Yin Nuo’er, very lucky to chat with the mayor, and believe that this interaction could bring me great future prospects. They would find Su Yunjin very handsome, and see his uncle as a mysterious figure, probably dismissing him as some minor official just there for the camera.

 

If there are any anime fans among the viewers, they might think that my outfit and the café’s decor give off a “this waitress is so cute” vibe. However, most modern anime fans don’t watch TV anymore. For example, I haven’t turned on a TV in a long time.

 

While the audience might have these thoughts, some “industry insiders” would see it differently. Most viewers might just recognize the mayor and see this as a simple interview show. However, for those who know both Ye Yujing and Prosecutor Su, the friendly attitude they both showed towards me conveys a lot more information.

 

“Wow, it looks like we’ve hit the lunchtime rush. It’s getting busier and busier.”

 

“Um, Nuo’er, you go ahead and get busy. We’ll just… look around ourselves, haha.”

 

“Hello, we are reporters from the ‘Shenzhen Folks’ program. May we ask you a few questions?”

 

“Don’t be nervous, they are just some very ordinary questions…”

 

After chatting briefly for about ten minutes, and at Ye Yujing’s signal, I gave a slight bow to everyone and headed upstairs. Ouyang Xue took my place, helping Ye Yujing and the others clear the table. The reporters moved on to interview other customers.

 

“Phew…”

 

It was only after I reached the second floor, out of the cameras’ view, that I could finally relax.

 

?Are there really reporters interviewing today? Has this place gotten that popular??

?No big deal. As a local from Shenzhen, I can tell you that the ‘Shenzhen Folks’ program is like a street stall show. They might interview any random street vendor.?

?I don’t know about that. Didn’t they say even the mayor came??

?I don’t know about that, but the ‘Shenzhen Folks’ show isn’t exactly high-profile.?

 

Through my earpiece, I could hear various comments from the livestream viewers. The fact that “the mayor came to the café and talked with Nuo’er” certainly shocked the audience.

 

?I knew it, Nuo’er is so adorably charming, there must be some big shots behind her.?

?You just realized? Have you seen how great this café’s location is??

?Great my foot. Before the café was built, this place was a ghost town at night.?

 

As expected, everyone’s attention was primarily focused on Ye Yujing, the mayor.

 

But I am well aware that Ye Yujing is using this livestream and filming opportunity to convey a lot of messages to the entire Shenzhen and even the world.

 

The situation in Shenzhen City is very complex. This was evident from the multiple encounters with the “Zhao family,” showing that there are quite a few different powers at play in this city. Even as mayor, Ye Yujing likely faces various obstacles in her work.

 

Anyone with some influence would know about Su Yunjin and his uncle. By appearing together with Su Yunjin’s uncle, talking to us in front of the cameras, and considering the backing of Tongmeng behind the café, Ye Yujing is essentially flexing her muscles to those in the know.

 

Moreover, Ye Yujing has directly interacted with Xiao Mo. Although I don’t know how Xiao Mo initially acquired Moon Orchid Island, in Mayor Ye’s eyes, Xiao Mo has probably already become a figure comparable to Su Yunjin and his associates, if not more mysterious. So, by talking to me in front of so many cameras, Ye Yujing is also indirectly trying to gain Xiao Mo’s favor.

 

Since the café opened, it has faced various attacks, both online and in real life, like the trouble caused by those thugs earlier. Ye Yujing’s public declaration on television that “this place is under my protection” will likely reduce such attacks, protecting the café and helping me, which in turn could win the favor of Xiao Mo, with whom I have the closest relationship.

 

Lastly, and most crucially, while most ordinary people might not recognize Su Yunjin’s uncle, those in the upper echelons and savvy business people definitely would. Ye Yujing’s association with Su Yunjin’s uncle, their visit to support the café, and her familiarity with me send a clear signal to industry insiders. It’s akin to a renowned stock market guru going on TV and pointing at the café, saying, “This stock is guaranteed to soar, buy it!”

 

This will definitely elevate the status of the café and the commercial street behind it. As the initiator of this project, Ye Yujing will certainly benefit if the value of this area increases. In other words, this time, Ye Yujing is killing three birds with one stone—very clever.

 

Both the TV station and the café have become the focal points of scheming among these businessmen and politicians. Although I don’t particularly mind them doing this. The café gaining more fame is good for us, as it means higher earnings. Ye Yujing boosting the café’s popularity will also make it easier to handle any issues that arise.

 

“Xiao Mo.”

 

After going up to the second floor, I found Xiao Mo sitting alone, hugging a plush fish and daydreaming. “What are you doing here?”

 

“Um…”

 

Yin Xiamo seemed surprised that I came up so quickly. She glanced towards the staircase. “Aren’t they interviewing you anymore?”

 

“They just asked a few questions. It’s not like it’s some super important meeting.”

 

I pulled up a small stool and sat down next to her, curiously eyeing the large plush fish in her arms.

 

“It seems a bit out of place with you.”

 

The plush fish was gray with white accents, and its expression was two X’s, looking a bit comical and quite mismatched with Xiao Mo’s black dress.

 

“You can let Yueyue play with it when she comes back.”

 

Xiao Mo looked up. “Nuo’er, do you have any plans for the end of this month?”

 

“Plans?”

 

I thought for a moment. “I don’t think I have any plans. Why?”

 

The café’s busy periods on the first and second floors are reversed. For example, during the morning rush, most customers come in for breakfast on the first floor. After the morning rush, usually between 10 AM and noon, the customers are those who have already had breakfast. They tend to go to the second floor to buy bubble tea, small cakes, and use the Wi-Fi to play games or read books.

 

The same pattern happens in the afternoon. After the lunch rush ends, typically from 3 PM to around 5:30 PM, customers come in for afternoon tea. During this time, the second floor gets busier, while the first floor is less crowded.

 

Earlier, I missed the Dragon Boat Festival when checking the calendar. I thought there were no public holidays in June, but then I realized we have an extra day off for the Dragon Boat Festival. This means we all have 9 days off this month.

 

At the beginning of the month, I had already taken several days off for my period and then worked many consecutive days. So, I still have 6 days of vacation left. Xiao Mo, having taken time off and worked the same days as me, has the same amount of vacation time remaining.

 

“Ouyang Xue talked to me earlier and suggested that we schedule all our remaining days off for the end of the month. She hopes we can take a good break this month.”

 

The girl beside me placed the large plush fish on the table. “What do you think, Nuo’er?”

 

“Work straight through to the end of the month, then take six days off in a row?”

 

I thought for a moment. “Do you have any plans, Xiao Mo?”

 

Taking eight days off each month may not seem like much at first glance, but in the context of the current environment with its various short holidays, eight days can be considered a very long break. It’s worth noting that even during the Spring Festival, most companies only allow seven days off.

 

For the Spring Festival, what can you do in seven days? If you’re working far from home, you have to buy your ticket in advance. On the first day of the holiday, you get up early to catch the train, squeeze in with the crowd, and then endure a one- to two-day journey. You arrive home on the second day, clean up, and organize your space. The return trip is similarly time-consuming. This leaves only three days to relax during the Spring Festival.

 

However, those three days are busy: one day for eating, setting off firecrackers, and celebrating the New Year, one day for visiting relatives, and the remaining day for hosting relatives and friends, with polite conversations and meals. In contrast, working at the café offers eight days off every month, not counting additional holiday compensations. This seems like a lot of time off, which is why Lan Jiajia previously said she wished she could work here forever.

 

“Um, I was thinking…”

 

Yin Xiamo seemed a bit hesitant, speaking to me in an unusually uncertain tone, “I want to go traveling with you.”

 

“Traveling?” I was a bit surprised. “Where to?”

 

“Anywhere you like, just like they say online: go wherever you want on a whim. With me around, we won’t need transportation.”

 

She leaned in closer. “I want to set aside some time each month to be alone with you. Is that okay?”

 

“Huh?” I was momentarily confused. “Be alone together each month… what do you mean?”

 

Today is June 16th. I definitely can’t take a break today or tomorrow because of the reporter’s interview today and helping Jiang Wei and Xiongxiong discuss graphics cards and review the new graphics card promotional PV tomorrow. June 18th is the annual online shopping festival, and Jiang Wei might come to the café to explain some things to the livestream audience.

 

June 19th and 20th will likely be the testing phase for video bloggers who bought the graphics cards. Usually, few people are brave enough to try out a new graphics card right away, they wait for streamers and content creators to test them first. If everything goes well and the new graphics card gets praised by these content creators, sales will start to pick up on June 21st.

 

During this period, it’s best if I’m at the café. Jiang Wei might even bring the graphics cards directly to us for selling. On June 21st and 22nd, after regular customers have bought their graphics cards and received them at home, they’ll install them. On June 23rd, “Age of Aquarius” will launch, and under Su Yunjin’s guidance, Gabriel will start livestreaming the game and announce becoming the café’s mascot and main streamer. I’ll definitely need to be at the café on June 23rd and 24th.

 

So, if we use up all six days of vacation in one go, the best scenario would be to work straight from June 16th to June 24th, then take a break starting June 25th, lasting until July.

 

“It would be just you and me, traveling the world every month during our vacations, just the two of us,” Xiao Mo said, seeing that I still seemed a bit confused.

 

She grabbed my hand and drew a heart in my palm. “If you don’t like traveling around, just forget I said anything.”

 

“Hmm…”

 

Feeling the tingling sensation in my palm, I shook my head.

 

“I’ll do whatever you want, let’s go with your plan, Xiao Mo.”

 

“At the end of this month, let’s take an impromptu trip!”

 

“Let’s consider it… our honeymoon!”

 

“……”

 

……