64 YOU HAVE A STRONG SUPPORTER!
"Welcome Young Master," a female employee greeted him immediately he passed through the glass doors.
He ignored her as all his attention was on the old woman.
"Can I take this?" Yuxi asked, pointing at a long distance jacket with fur.
"Yes, my dear. Take it and whatever else you may want."
"I…"
"Granny," the young man interrupted Yuxi.
Yuxi and the woman turned to the voice.
The woman grinned the instant he saw the young man, "Ah Shen dear, how are you?"
Little noises started to grow around them.
The young man said nothing and sized the woman up. "I told you to stay home, didn't I?" He whispered.
"Haha," the woman giggled. "Oh my, I did well by going out early… I met that young lady over there and she happens to be looking for work. I could hire her for you…"
"For who?" His outburst surprised the employees whispering and they all kept quiet.
Five seconds…
Thirty seconds…
The older woman smile turned awkward. "Why do you have to be so rude?" She whispered.
He didn't answer and turned away from her.
"Qiangshen?" That familiar voice questioned from behind.
He stood still not bothering to confirm his claim.
"Oh my, Shishi. How did you know we were here?"
"Granny... I'm sorry that I'm just coming down now, I was in a meeting a while ago." The young lady was none other than Shiya. She smiled and so did the old woman. "I heard you came around with a young lady… Where is she?"
"Oh, yes. Come, come." She beckoned on Yuxi.
The smile on Shiya's face froze the instant she saw Yuxi…and her colour turned ghastly pale.
Xueyan?
"This is the young lady I came in with," The older woman said to Shiya. "Shiya? Shishi?" She called for Shiya's attention but Shiya was lost.
"Shishi?" The woman called again.
"Ye… Yes granny,"
"Are you alright?"
"Yes ma,"
"You don't look like you are…"
"I… I'm… I'm alright!"
"Hi, I'm Bai…"
"Xueyan?" Shiya interrupted the speaking Yuxi.
Yuxi smiled, "No, I'm Yuxi." Does she know Xueyan? Should I ask her that? No, no that seems improper.
No one said anything for some seconds before the older woman broke the silence. "Alright, alright. Go get changed then we can leave together… Go, Shenshen is waiting for us outside."
"Ok," Yuxi said and turned to walk away.
Shiya watched her leave and breathed in, She's Yuxi… Xueyan's sister… I guess.
"Excuse me," Shiya said to the woman and followed behind Yuxi. She took soft steps after her.
***
Inside the changing room.
Yuxi changed into a white shirt and black pants, she smiled to herself in the mirror and patted her chest.
Behind the door stood Shiya, peeking through the door that was left ajar.
"Xueyan," she couldn't help but whisper. "Xueyan," much louder now.
Yuxi turned around but saw no one.
"Xueyan,"
This time the door was pushed open by someone and the older woman came in.
"Are you done, child?"
"Yes!" Yuxi beamed.
"This is good but… Not so good! You aren't going to escort the president… No, no you are not wearing this!"
Yuxi eyes widened a bit. She wondered what was wrong with her outfit. Yes she wasn't going to escort the president but she was going in search of a job. "But ma'am…"
"No, don't but me." She said with a straight face. "I know this might sound a little bit odd but I want to hire you. Hire you for my little Shen. He was very sweet as a child but now, he has gone cold. I want you as his assistant… personal assistant. He will be very cold at first but you will surely get used to him. I will pay as much as you demand… just please don't say no."
"..."
"Hmm? What do you say?"
"I...I…"
"Don't worry, I will give you time to think about it."
I'm not thinking but for a computer engineering graduate to be an ordinary assistant?
Oh! I'm really unfortunate! Unfortunately I can't reject it either… Money…
"I'm sorry ma'am but I don't want to be an ordinary assistant…"
"No… You are not going to be any ordinary assistant! Believe me you won't!"
"But ma'am…"
"No please." The old woman pleaded.
Yuxi had no other way to disagree.
*
Outside the door, Shiya snickered… Granny offered her a job and she readily agreed? That bi*ch is looking for a way to come into our family! Xueyan claiming she's Yuxi…
She dialed a number on her phone and walked away from the door.
*
Back in the changing room,
"Now change and come out," the old woman said and left Yuxi alone.
Once Yuxi made sure she was out of earshot, she screamed happily. "I got a job! And they will pay as much as I want… I know I'm being greedy but I will sure ask for a fund! I mean, enough to buy an apartment for our family! Oh yeah. Oh yeah!"
She got ready and went outside.
*****
"Are you alright?" She heard a voice ask.
"Open your eyes," another voice said.
"Xueyan? Are you alright?" This time it was a familiar voice. She peeked and saw Mei Han.
Mei Han beamed the instant she saw Xueyan peek at them. "I told you I'd help you. Why are you doing all this?"
"I...I…" Xueyan couldn't find her voice.
"That's okay. Help her up." The female manager urged them.
"What happened?" Xueyan asked.
"You climbed the stool to get the cobwebs and your vision became blurry and then you fell. Thankfully you fell on the bed. I wouldn't have been able to catch you if you were to hit your head on the tiled floor."
Xueyan rubbed the back of her head and sighed in relief.
"You should be more careful and rest when you need it!" Anna Ming said in English. "Besides I heard you got in through your connection. Don't overwork yourself to prove it wrong!"
Xueyan and Mei Han turned to Anna.
"What did you say?" Mei Han questioned.
Anna rolled her eyes at them, then turned back and away.
"Anna didn't lie! We all know it too. Why would the manager rush to you after she received a call? It's obvious! You have a supporter. I wonder why he let you work here, when he can easily pay you without stressing you out…" Qing Jia said. Her father is a Chinese and her mother an Indian woman. She shot the both a dangerous glare and walked away too.
Xueyan turned to Mei Han but Han looked away. "Please don't ask me. Yes the manager was quite worried but I didn't know she received a call. Wait, who do you think it might be?"
Xueyan said nothing and continued walking forward.
