Tud. Tud. Tud. The footsteps came close to the door. A key was inserted into the keyhole and then came the twisting sounds.
Melissa, who had soft and dark hair, pushed opened the door and her nose twitched slightly. Her eyes quickly swept over the stove that was not lit at all and the anticipation in her eyes suddenly faded a little.
"Klein, let me cook the ingredients left over from last night. Benson might be back tomorrow." Melissa turned to look at her brother.
Klein put his hands in his pockets and leaned his thighs against the edge of the desk. He smiled.
"No. Let's go out to eat."
"Go out to eat?" Melissa was surprised.
"What about the Silver Crown Restaurant on Daffodil Street?"
"But, but…" Melissa was still confused about the suggestion.
Klein grinned.
"To celebrate that I found a job."
"You've found a job?" Melissa's voice became louder, "But, but isn't Tengon University's interview taking place tomorrow?"
"It is another job," Klein smiled and took the stack of paper money out of the drawer. "They have also paid four weeks of salary in advance."
Melissa gazed at those pound and sule notes. Her eyes were wide open and she asked in surprise.
"My Goddess… You… they… you. What kind of job did you get?"
[Well…] Klein's expression froze for a second, he deliberated a little and explained.
"It is a security company dedicated to find, collect, and protect ancient artifacts and documents. They need a professional consultant. The contract is 5 years, with 3 pounds every week."
"…Was that what you were worrying about last night?" Melissa stayed silent for a while and said.
Klein nodded.
"Yes. It is more respectable to be a teacher at Tengon University. But I like this job more."
"…In fact, it is also very good." Melissa showed an encouraging smile. She asked half questioning and half out of curiosity. "Why did they prepay a full four-weeks of salary?"
"Because we need to move to a new home. We need more rooms, and we need our own washroom." Klein
He felt that his smile was impeccable, it was just short of one sentence "is this a surprise?".
Melissa paused for a moment. Suddenly, she flustered and seemed to have lost her composure slightly.
"Klein, we are living really well. Yes, I do occasionally complain that I don't have my own bathroom, but it is just habitual. Do you remember Jenny? She used to live next door to us. Ever since her father was injured, he lost his job and they had to move to the lower street. A family of five is now living in one room, with three sleeping in a high bed, two sleeping on the ground, and they still want to sublet the remaining space to others…."
"In comparison to her family, we are very lucky. Please don't waste your salary on this matter anymore. Additionally, I like Mrs. Smyrin's bakery very much."
Mellisa, your reaction is the same as my script… Klein was stunned.
The sky outside was gradually dyed golden as Klein looked into Melissa's eyes . He was momentarily at a loss for words; none of the lines he prepared could be used .
He coughed lightly twice as he quickly racked his brains .
"Melissa, this isn't a waste of salary . In the future, my colleagues, as well as Benson's colleagues might visit . Are we going to host them in such a place? When Benson and I get married and have wives, are we still going to sleep in bunk beds?"
"None of you have fiancées yet, right? We can wait a little while and save up more money in the meantime," answered Melissa in a logically concise manner .
"No, Melissa . This is a societal rule . " Klein was stumped and could only count on lofty principles . "Since I'm earning three pounds a week, I should look like I'm earning three pounds a week . "
To be honest, having rented an apartment before with others, Zhou Mingrui was no stranger to his present living conditions as Klein . He was very used to it, but it was because of his past experience that he knew how inconvenient such an environment was for a girl . Furthermore, he still didn't want to tell his family about him.
"Her elder brother, Chris, is a lawyer . He currently earns close to three pounds a week as well . His fiancée works part time as a typist," described Melissa . "They have been engaged for more than four years . To ensure a decent and stable life after marriage, they are still saving money to this very day . They have yet to go down the wedding aisle and plan to wait for at least another year . According to Selena, there are many people like her brother . They typically get married after twenty-eight . You have to be make advanced preparations and save up . Don't squander your money . "
It's just a meal at a restaurant . Is there a need to preach at me . . . Klein was rendered at a loss whether to laugh or cry . After a few seconds of thought, he said, "Melissa, I'm already earning three pounds a week, and I'll have increments every year . There's no need for you to worry . "
"But we need to save some money in the case of any unexpected emergencies . For example, what if that security company suddenly closes down? I have a classmate whose father's company went bankrupt . He had to find temporary work at the pier and their living conditions turned terrible instantly . She had no choice but to quit school," advised Melissa with a serious expression .
. . . Klein extended his hand to cover his face . "T-that security company and the government . . . Yes, has some connections with the government . It will not easily close down . "
"But even the government isn't stable . After every election, if the party in power changes, many people will have their positions stripped off . It turns into a mess . " Melissa retorted in an unyielding manner .
. . . Sis, you sure know a lot . . . Klein found the humor in his exasperation as he shook his head . "Alright then . . .
"Then I'll boil some soup with the leftovers from yesterday . Buy some pan-fried fish, a slab of black-pepper beef, a small bottle of butter, and a cup of malt beer for me . Anyway, there should still be some celebration . "
They were commonly sold items by hawkers on Iron Cross Street . A piece of pan-fried fish was six to eight pence; a not-so-big piece of black-peppered beef was five pence; a cup of malt beer was a penny; and a bottle of butter weighing about a quarter pound was four pence, but buying a pound of butter would only cost one soli three pence .