ng Fan’s car continued its journey as the two buddies started chatting inside.
ng Fan asked, "Why don’t you find a job at a restaurant? Even if you don’t earn much, at least your food and lodging would be sorted, right? Why are you thinking of walking back to your hotown?"
Liu’Er scratched his head awkwardly, "I left in the middle of the night. My ID card and change of clothes are at my brother’s place. People ask for ID when I look for work, and I don’t have it. Plus, I don’t have much money on !"
As if to confirm Liu’Er’s words, his stomach growled loudly.
Only then did ng Fan realize the guy probably didn’t have money for the bus, let alone for food.
"How long has it been since you ate? There are so bread, sausages, and mineral water in the back seat—help yourself!"
"I spent the last of my money yesterday!"
Liu’Er swallowed and glanced at the food in the back seat but didn’t imdiately reach for it. Instead, he looked towards ng Fan.
It was clear he was very hungry, yet he held back, afraid he’d upset this kind-hearted big brother with any misstep.
"It’s okay, just help yourself, don’t watch !" ng Fan noticed this detail and reassured him.
Only then did Liu’Er reach his arm out, grab the food from the back seat, and hurriedly wolfed it down.
As he was eating, ng Fan suddenly thought of sothing: "Hey, I just rembered, without an ID card, you can’t buy a bus ticket! They check IDs at the station. It’s all real-na system now!"
"Uh..."
Just a mont ago, Liu’Er was munching away. Now his mouth stopped chewing, and his mood turned gloomy.
"What does that brother you were with do? Does he have leverage over you? If not, I could help you retrieve your ID card?"
ng Fan’s heart softened seeing Liu’Er’s expression and he brought up the ID card issue.
"The brother I was with is a young heir with so money. He doesn’t work, just drives around fishing. I just run errands for him, like carrying gear and catching fish for him. He provides my als and lets stay in the attic!
At first, he treated okay. But, as ti went by, whenever he was in a bad mood, he vented at . His family seems influential in Fengcheng, so I’m scared to go back, and I don’t want to burden you!
Otherwise, you can drop off at a safe spot. I can walk ho! Once I get back, I’ll use my household registry to replace my ID card. In a few months, I’ll be eighteen and an adult!"
Liu’Er was very sensible, so much so that it made ng Fan feel a bit heartache.
This seventeen-year-old boy was about the sa age as ng Fan’s cousin, who attends a prestigious school and whose family is considering sending him abroad for study.
anwhile, the boy sitting in the passenger seat was in tattered clothes, with gri covering his face, unsure where his next al would co from.
Comparing the two, ng Fan suddenly felt the differences between people were indescribable.
"I like fishing too. My brother runs a fishing gear company! Why not let help you find work there?
Earn big money is out of the question, but you can certainly get by with food and lodging, and save a bit by year-end!
Of course, you’ll have to work properly, not slack off!"
"Really?"
Upon hearing ng Fan’s offer to help him find a job, Liu’Er’s eyes lit up.
"Of course, it’s true. They definitely need packers at the warehouse or positions on the production line in the factory!
It’s a small town, rent’s cheap, maybe a few hundred a month tops! It’ll help you stabilize for sure!
The most important thing, my boss is good, he doesn’t hit people!"
"Then I’ll go with you from now on! I’ll just call you big brother! I’ll do whatever you say!"
Probably influenced by so Hong Kong gangster movies, having limited social experience, Liu Zi was quick to call people big brother.
Words that seed childish to ng Fan sohow ca across as quite serious from Liu’Er’s mouth.
"We don’t really do the big brother thing around here; we’re all just friends!" ng Fan grinned and explained.
"I can call you however, as long as you look after . I promise I’ll never embarrass you! Don’t worry, I’m not a bad person; I don’t have those sneaky habits. My dad was in the military, so I know right from wrong!"
Eager that ng Fan might change his mind, Liu’Er pounded his chest to assure him.
Upon learning Liu’Er was the son of a military man, ng Fan was even more determined to lend him a hand.
The remaining fifty-plus kiloters seed to fly by with Liu’Er as a travel companion.
The car exited the highway at an intersection, and familiar streets and billboards ca into view. ng Fan pressed the accelerator towards the nearest motel.
He wasn’t actually tired from driving; it was just that Liu’Er was quite dirty. Inviting him into the car on the highway was unavoidable, but if he wanted to take him to et Zhang Yang, he needed a shower and a change of decent clothes.
ng Fan quickly found an hourly hotel, booked a room, and led Liu’Er to the guest room.
"Take a shower and freshen up. I’ll go buy you so clothes nearby! You know how to use the shower, right?"
"I know how!"
"Just stay put and don’t wander off; I’ll be right back!"
"Okay!"
Having temporarily settled Liu Zi, ng Fan drove to the nearest shopping mall, bought so clothes for a hundred or so each, got several pairs of briefs, and returned carrying the new clothes to the hotel.
User Comments
0 comments from readers