Unlike Liu Chen's calmness, or rather, his confidence, Hu Qian's situation was quite miserable.
School was on holiday, the dormitory heating was turned off, and the main gate would be locked. Except for the security guard and a few cleaners, everyone had gone home.
As the Spring Festival approached, red national flags were hung on the trees lining the streets, and families began to paste red 'xi' characters. Couplets and red lanterns adorned the houses.
The land was filled with festive cheer. Hu Qian, a newly popular Weibo vlogger, dragged her suitcase and two large woven bags, almost the last person to leave the school.
She had nowhere to go. Despite her large following, no advertisements had come her way. She had initially thought she would live with Du Yongfu in their rented apartment during the winter break, going shopping for New Year's goods together.
Even if Du Yongfu had to go home for Spring Festival on New Year's Eve, she would at least have a place to stay. Now, she felt somewhat like she was wandering the streets.
Of course, Hu Qian wouldn't truly be homeless. She called the local women's federation, explained her situation, and they helped her find a temporary job that provided food and accommodation.
In the dead of winter, she would wear a mascot costume to promote products in a mall. Because it was during the New Year period, the pay was good: one hundred yuan a day.
She had to work for fifteen days. It was only because of the women's federation's intervention that the mall was willing to take her.
Hu Qian put her luggage in the dormitory. Without even taking the time to unpack, she followed the mall supervisor to change into a teddy bear costume.
As soon as she put on the costume, Hu Qian understood how difficult it was to earn that hundred yuan. It was stifling.
Even in the un-air-conditioned staff changing room, wearing the fluffy teddy bear costume made Hu Qian sweat on her forehead.
Fortunately, one hundred yuan a day, with food and lodging included, meant fifteen hundred yuan for fifteen days. Once school started, she could find more part-time jobs, and at least get by through university.
With a junior college diploma, finding a job would be easier than with just a high school diploma.
Hu Qian steeled herself mentally, then, wearing the heavy mascot costume, she walked step by step behind the supervisor, through the bustling crowds, and took the escalator down to the New Year gift bag section on the first basement floor of the mall.
Looking around, the entire shelf was filled with MeowMeow gift bags. The festive colors combined with an acceptable price made each large bag look quite presentable.
The supervisor pointed to a spot by the shelf and said:
"Stand here and attract the children's attention. When parents approach, promote the New Year gift bags. You'll work from 2 PM to 10 PM every day, a total of eight hours. Try not to go to the restroom during this time. If you absolutely must, make it quick.
Our mall has surveillance cameras. If you're caught slacking off by the cameras, your salary will be docked. Remember this."
Hu Qian, wearing the thick plush headpiece, nodded repeatedly.
"Okay, I understand, supervisor."
"Alright, I'm leaving. If you need anything, just ask the sister across from you wearing the Meiyangyang costume."
And so, Hu Qian began her days as a mascot working in the supermarket.
***
It was February 14th, New Year's Day. On the 9th, Liu Chen, wearing a snow-white down jacket, disembarked from Beijing Capital International Airport.
As soon as she got off the plane, Liu Chen, dragging her suitcase, walked ahead with hurried, long strides, quickly leaving the passengers on the same flight far behind.
Even at noon, the temperature in Beijing today was only minus two degrees Celsius. The down jacket that had felt a little warm when she first put it on now felt like a cold draft was creeping up from the bottom of the jacket inside the airport hall.
Just as she walked out of the arrivals hall, before Liu Chen could say anything, Ren Yu draped a long, oversized blue down jacket over her. The weight of the jacket almost made Liu Chen's legs buckle.
Noticing the curious glances from people around her, Liu Chen said a little sheepishly, "I'm not cold."
Ren Yu, however, did not continue the conversation. Instead, he took Liu Chen's suitcase:
"Let's go. Shen Hong is waiting outside. We'll rest for a bit this afternoon, and in the evening, Shen Hong has arranged for you to meet with several supermarket procurement managers."
Liu Chen paused at Ren Yu's words and then, after opening her mouth, decided to say nothing. She couldn't act like they did in TV shows, rejecting help and insisting on self-reliance!
Liu Chen dared to accept Ren Yu's help because she knew that the game advice she had given him back then had saved him so much trouble.
This wasn't Ren Yu helping her; it was him repaying her.
After taking a shower at the hotel and taking a nap, Liu Chen woke up to find the sky outside completely dark. She checked her phone; it was six in the evening.
Liu Chen rolled out of bed, quickly tidied her hair, opened the door, and rushed out.
The moment she rushed out, she ran smack into a solid chest.
"Hiss!"
The immense recoil sent Liu Chen flying back, and then a hand grabbed her wrist, preventing her from falling.
Liu Chen looked up, "Brother Ren Yu, why are you standing outside my room? You didn't make a sound. Am I late? Is it still okay for us to go now?"
"It's fine. Those general managers are stuck in traffic and haven't arrived at the hotel yet. We can take the elevator down, and by the time we get there, they still won't have arrived."
Ren Yu said, while reaching out to take out the key card from the room and then closing the hotel room door.
They took the elevator down together. As Ren Yu had said, they had just sat down when the four agreed-upon supermarket general managers also arrived.
"Manager Liu, we've heard so much about you!"
They shook hands, then quickly let go, and then each took their seats.
After two glasses of wine, their insides warmed up, and the atmosphere livened. Shen Hong played the role of a distinguished guest today, sitting at the table and being repeatedly toasted enthusiastically by the four supermarket general managers. For every sip Shen Hong took, they drank their entire glass.
After several rounds of drinks, Shen Hong directly asked:
"I heard that it's difficult to get your products into Beijing's distribution channels? Is that true? I haven't heard much about it?"
As soon as Shen Hong finished speaking, one of them quickly waved his hands in denial:
"Not at all, that's all rumors, just rumors. Our supermarkets of course want to have as many products as possible. Look, after the new year, we were planning to ask if Meimei Sausage could be shipped to Beijing.
Now that we've met Manager Liu, it's truly fate! Manager Liu, with Young Master Shen here today, I'll boldly take advantage of Young Master Shen's presence to ask: When can your Meimei Sausage be available in our supermarkets?
If you're willing to stock it in our supermarkets, it would be a form of affirmation for us!"
Liu Chen looked at the general manager of the Beijing chain supermarket and smiled:
"Thank you. We'll sign the contract today, and my goods can arrive tomorrow morning."
"Ah, that's great! Tomorrow, I'll have the supermarket staff place the Meimei Sausage and pork jerky in the most conspicuous locations!"