August 15, 2025, Friday.
25°C to 31°C, cloudy, light southeast breeze.
"Construction Bank: Your account ending in 7946 received a deposit of RMB 10,700 on 08/15 at 00:01. Current balance: 846,000."
"Congratulations on completing your five-kiloter run! Ti: 25 minutes and 02 seconds."
’That fast?’
Lin Shen, who was jogging downstairs, stopped in his tracks. He was completely stunned when he saw the numbers on his watch.
Just a few days ago, he had barely broken the 30-minute mark and had been stuck at 29 minutes, unable to get any faster.
But now, he’d sohow hit 25 minutes. He wasn’t even red in the face or out of breath—he still had energy to spare!
’It feels like I could easily shave another thirty seconds off each kiloter!’
’This background module really is useful.’
Lin Shen didn’t let it go to his head. He knew full well that this five-minute improvent was all thanks to the "youth" background, which had raised his Constitution attribute to 88—a level far beyond that of an ordinary person.
’If I unequipped it, I’d probably be a lot slower.’
Lin Shen took out his phone to test his theory. Sure enough, the mont he removed the [youth] background, his body was wracked with fatigue, and his breathing grew heavy.
Imdiately, he equipped the [sunset] background to boost his Spirit, which would help with his post-workout stretching and recovery.
Haaaaah—!
Lin Shen took a deep breath, went upstairs for a shower, and tidied up his appearance. Then he grabbed his car keys and headed for the university town.
He had arranged to et Jiang Wan today to interview so college students she had found for a part-ti job.
Lin Shen never imagined that he, a forr wage slave, would one day be on the other side of the table, interviewing soone else.
The thought made him, the "interviewer," a little nervous.
But it was fine. After everything he had been through, Lin Shen had beco much more mature and steady. He could handle a minor situation like this.
After a quick stop to fill up his Jaguar with 98-octane gas, Lin Shen quickly drove to his destination.
「9 a.m., Starbucks.」
Lin Shen walked into the shop and scanned his surroundings, quickly spotting Jiang Wan sitting in a corner.
A young man and woman sat across from her. Judging by their attire, they were likely the college students applying for the part-ti job.
"Lin Shen!"
Upon seeing Lin Shen, Jiang Wan imdiately stood up and greeted him with a smile.
When he got closer, she proactively introduced him to her students.
"This is the upperclassman I told you about, Lin Shen."
"Lin Shen, this is Zhang Kaile, and this is Yuan ng. They’re both students I’ve taught."
"Nice to et you, Senior!"
They both shook Lin Shen’s hand and greeted him politely, seeming a bit shy and reserved.
"Please, have a seat."
Lin Shen nodded with a smile and sat down next to Jiang Wan. After so small talk to break the ice, he got straight to the point.
"Why don’t you start by introducing yourselves?"
"Okay."
Zhang Kaile went first, followed by Yuan ng.
Lin Shen listened attentively, getting a general sense of their backgrounds.
They were both sophomores at Shanghai International Studies University, had experience with pets, and ca from ordinary working-class families.
They both had the easygoing, good-natured personalities of people-pleasers. From their tone and way of speaking, Lin Shen could tell they were the type of students often jokingly described online as "college students with clear yet foolish eyes."
They were guileless, but smart.
That type was perfect for the service industry.
"So, in your opinion, what are the three most important things for a Cat Cafe employee to pay attention to?"
Lin Shen asked his second interview question, and their answers differed.
Zhang Kaile believed in a custor-first approach. After all, a Cat Cafe employee is essentially a server, so the quality of custor service was the top priority.
Yuan ng, on the other hand, felt that taking good care of the cats was more important. Their health and well-being were key to the Cat Cafe’s long-term success and ability to attract more custors.
Neither answer was wrong; they just had different points of emphasis.
Based on their answers, Lin Shen already had a rough idea of how to assign their roles.
Finally, he asked with a light chuckle.
"Do you have any special skills that could be applied at the Cat Cafe?"
"I know how to use a coffee machine, as I’ve worked part-ti at Luckin Coffee before."
Zhang Kaile volunteered this, and Yuan ng was not to be outdone.
"I know a little about feline pathology because we used to have a cat at ho, and I studied the subject seriously."
"I see."
Lin Shen nodded seriously.
"Based on our initial conversation, you both seem very capable. How about I take you to see the Cat Cafe?"
"Okay."
After getting their agreent, Lin Shen turned to Jiang Wan.
"Senior Jiang Wan, do you want to co along?"
"Of course I do."
Jiang Wan teased with a grin.
"This is the first step in starting your own business. I have to help you see if there’s anything lacking."
"Then I’ll be counting on your guidance, Senior Jiang Wan."
The sight of them bantering and joking with each other made Yuan ng’s mind race. Finally, unable to suppress a girl’s natural love for gossip, she asked with a curious look on her face.
"Ms. Jiang, what’s your relationship with our senior?"
"What do you think?"
Jiang Wan took Lin Shen’s arm, inviting Yuan ng to guess. The intimate gesture made her blurt out without thinking.
"A couple?"
"Wrong guess."
Jiang Wan turned to Lin Shen and said with a beaming smile.
"I’m pursuing your senior, Lin Shen. I’m just waiting for him to agree to be my boyfriend."
Huh?
This answer made Yuan ng and Zhang Kaile freeze. They glanced at each other, seeing the sa astonishnt and disbelief in the other’s eyes.
You have to understand, Jiang Wan’s popularity at the university was in the absolute top tier.
Even at Shanghai International Studies University, a school filled with beauties, she was in a class of her own, even overshadowing many of the "departnt belles."
After all, what man could resist the Charm of a "big" sister?
That’s why Yuan ng was so surprised.
’Soone this popular is the one doing the pursuing?’
Yuan ng secretly sized up Lin Shen again, and it seed she’d found the reason why.
It was simple: Lin Shen was exceptional enough!
A handso, refined face, a well-proportioned, athletic build, and on top of that, a privileged family background.
When all these advantages were combined in one man, it wasn’t impossible for a woman to be the one to pursue him.
’But for him to not agree is also strange!’
’Could it be that he has soone better in mind?’
"Stop teasing ,"
Lin Shen said helplessly. Jiang Wan couldn’t help but stick out her tongue, feigning innocence.
"Alright, I’ll let you off the hook this ti."
Afterward, with Lin Shen driving, the four of them headed to the Warm Claw Nest Cat Cafe.
Sitting in the back of the Jaguar XFL, Yuan ng and Zhang Kaile looked around in amazent. They now had an even clearer understanding of Lin Shen’s financial resources.
’He only looks to be about twenty-four or twenty-five, yet he can afford such a luxurious car?’
’His family background must be really extraordinary!’
Most of the worries Yuan ng and Zhang Kaile had were now dispelled.
Initially, when they heard from Jiang Wan about a part-ti job paying 8,000 a month, they thought it was a scam.
But out of trust for Jiang Wan, they ca to apply anyway.
But now, seeing him in person and judging by his clothes and appearance, they figured Lin Shen was most likely the son of a wealthy family and could definitely afford the salary.
This put them greatly at ease.
*
Warm Claw Nest Cat Cafe.
It was the second day the cafe was closed for renovations.
Yesterday, Zhou Bin had co with the construction crew. They moved various building materials, surveyed the site, tidied up the place, and put the coffee machine, tables, chairs, and other items—along with the cats—in the warehouse behind the shop.
Today was the first official day of construction.
BZZZZZ—!
KRA-CHUNK—!
BANG! BANG! BANG—!
All sorts of noises filled the air as the renovation workers bustled about.
Although the noise was loud, thankfully, the cats weren’t too stressed. They just hid in the corners of their cages and refused to co out.
Lin Ping’s heart ached seeing this, so she brought over so blankets to cover the cages for soundproofing.
If any cat was particularly scared, she would just take it ho to care for it temporarily.
When Lin Shen arrived, what he saw was a half-finished storefront covered by a "Jutong Horizontal Installation" banner.
’They’re working pretty fast.’
Lin Shen gave an awkward smile. There was no way he could give them a tour in this state.
So he led Jiang Wan and the others to the back warehouse, where they saw Lin Ping feeding and watering the cats.
"Boss!"
Seeing Lin Shen, Lin Ping’s eyes lit up. She quickly wiped her hands on her apron and walked over with a warm smile.
"You’re here."
"Yeah."
Lin Shen stepped aside to introduce everyone.
"These two are the employees I’ve hired, and this is my senior, Jiang Wan."
"And this is the manager of the Cat Cafe, Lin Ping."
"Hello."
After shaking hands with Yuan ng and Zhang Kaile, Lin Ping, clearly understanding why Lin Shen had brought them, took the initiative to say,
"The shop is under renovation, so how about I show you the cats?"
"Okay."
Led by Lin Ping, the group entered the warehouse.
Yuan ng and Zhang Kaile clearly loved cats, and their interactions with them were very professional.
Plus, the "working cats" at a cat cafe are generally very friendly, so the humans and felines got along splendidly.
After watching for a bit, Lin Shen decided to hire them. He made up his mind and said,
"Let go over the job requirents with you."
At his words, Yuan ng and Zhang Kaile both stared at him eagerly, making him cough lightly.
"The pay is eight thousand a month for thirty days of work. Monday to Friday is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with lunch provided. Weekends are extended to 8 p.m., with lunch and dinner provided."
"Zhang Kaile, you’ll be the barista. Yuan ng, you’ll be in charge of caring for the cats and serving custors. If that’s all good, you can start when the shop opens."
"Okay."
Seeing them nod in agreent, Lin Shen turned to Lin Ping.
"When the ti cos, you can train them."
"Yes, Boss."
Lin Ping nodded in response and then started introducing Zhang Kaile and Yuan ng to the cats by na.
Getting familiar with the cats first would make their work much smoother.
Seeing this, Lin Shen glanced at Jiang Wan beside him, seemingly recalling the promise they had made yesterday.
He poked Jiang Wan’s arm, and when she turned to him with a questioning look, a mischievous smile played on his lips.
His aning was self-evident.
Jiang Wan blinked her beautiful eyes. Understanding the aning behind his expression, she shot him a look.
She didn’t refuse, however. Instead, she called out to the three who were interacting with the cats.
"I’m going to help Lin Shen grab sothing from the car. You guys chat for a bit."
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