After You Rong and Lin Qinghe's injuries had completely healed, You Rong decided to return to the bar for his part-time job that evening.
Lin Qinghe, thinking about You Rong’s daytime classes, his evening part-time job at the bar, and the projects for his senior's company that he still had to rush home to work on, couldn't bear to see him work so hard.
After some thought, Lin Qinghe said, "You Rong, with your current studies, work, and another part-time job, it's just too much. How about we quit the bar job? If you're short on cash right now, I can lend you some. We can just say you'll pay me back with interest later, okay?"
He added the part about interest to avoid making You Rong overthink things, fearing it would hurt his pride.
You Rong replied, "Brother Wang is very good to me. He even advanced me two months' salary. With that, I definitely have to do this part-time job… I’ll just work for another half a month or so, so Brother Wang has time to find a new waiter."
"But…"
You Rong smiled gently and affectionately pinched Lin Qinghe's nose. "Don't worry, I can handle it. The workload for the initial stage of the project isn't much, so I'm not tired."
Lin Qinghe had no choice. His dark eyes darted around. "Okay, if you want to continue working part-time, you can. I'll go with you like before."
"No," You Rong said. "You shouldn't go to the bar with me. It will delay your studies."
He couldn't bear to see her work so hard for him. Especially during that time when she was working at the bar, her once fair and soft hands had become rougher.
Lin Qinghe puffed out his cheeks and retorted, "That's not true! You're balancing work and studies, and you're not falling behind. I'm just idling around all day, with plenty of time. I won't be neglecting my studies!"
You Rong sighed, a hint of helplessness in his voice. "Okay, if you want to continue working part-time, you can go."
He just didn't want her to be like before, always rushing to finish all the work.
Lin Qinghe hugged You Rong's arm and smiled with satisfaction. "Mm, You Rong, you're really the best!"
You Rong smiled but didn't say anything.
In his eyes, Lin Qinghe was the best person in the world.
That evening, at the bar.
Lin Qinghe and You Rong arrived for their part-time shifts. They changed into their waiter uniforms and stood by the bar. The bartender mixed a drink and called out, "Drink for table number one!"
As usual, Lin Qinghe said, "You Rong! You rest for a bit, I'll take it!"
Just as he was about to leave, You Rong grabbed his wrist. Lin Qinghe turned back, his face full of confusion. "What's wrong?"
You Rong pulled Lin Qinghe back and gently pushed him onto a stool in front of the bar. "You wait here, I'll take it. Don't keep rushing to do all the work like before. My left foot is inconvenient, but it doesn't mean I can't do any work."
Lin Qinghe understood. You Rong was worried about him. He pursed his lips, suppressing the indescribable feeling in his heart, and smiled. "Okay, then you go. I'll rest here for a while."
You Rong nodded, picked up the drink, and took it to the customer at card seat number one.
When You Rong returned, Lin Qinghe was holding a tissue and wiping sweat from his forehead. His words were laced with a tenderness he himself hadn't noticed.
"It's already early autumn, why is it still so hot? Look at the sweat on your forehead. When the customers order more drinks later, let me go. You've been running around all night; you should rest…"
You Rong held Lin Qinghe's hand and smiled faintly. "It's fine, I'm not tired."
Just then, Brother Wang walked over and coughed lightly. "Ahem… Although our bar doesn't strictly prohibit employees from dating, during work hours and in public, you two should be a bit more mindful. We don't want to overdose on PDA."
You Rong was about to explain that he and Lin Qinghe weren't a couple yet, but Lin Qinghe, with a smile in his eyes, beat him to it. "Brother Wang, how did you know we're dating? We haven't said anything."
Brother Wang chuckled. "Do you need to say it? The sweet scent of your romance has already overpowered the smell of the alcohol in the bar. How could we not tell!"
At first, Brother Wang was worried that Lin Qinghe had ulterior motives towards You Rong, fearing she was just playing with him. But having seen many people in the bar, he had a decent judge of character.
Lin Qinghe had been very good to You Rong lately, and it was clear she was serious.
As for before… alas, perhaps You Rong owed Lin Qinghe from a past life, and now Lin Qinghe was here to collect.
Lin Qinghe pursed his lips and chuckled, winking at You Rong. It was as if he was saying, "See! Everyone thinks we're together, but you're still resisting becoming officially official."
You Rong felt quite embarrassed to be teased in front of others. Coincidentally, he had to deliver a drink to a customer at a card seat. You Rong used this as an excuse and walked away.
When the drink was delivered to card seat number nine, he looked up and met You Ziming's hateful gaze.
You Rong frowned, put down the drink, and said indifferently, "Customer, here's your drink. If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
Ever since You Ziming had pushed You Rong into the river, causing Lin Qinghe to get injured as well, Lin Yi had declared that cooperating with the You family was the same as opposing him, Lin Yi!
It was understandable that in Jiangcheng, no one wanted to offend Lin Yi.
In just a few days, You Shi Group had lost more than half of its clients. Even suppliers were willing to breach contracts rather than deal with them. Coupled with the investigation into You Shi's tax evasion and illegal operations, the You Shi Group suffered heavy losses, almost to the point of collapse.
It was all You Rong's fault, that bastard!
You Ziming, heavily intoxicated, saw You Rong and stood up unsteadily, his eyes bloodshot. He lunged forward, grabbed You Rong's clothes, and glared at him. "You must be very pleased with yourself right now! Huh? You did it on purpose, didn't you… you're intentionally taking revenge on the You family!"
You Rong grabbed You Ziming's hand in return, his face grim, and said coldly, "No, your You family deserves this predicament today! Let go!"
"You!"
You Ziming, enraged, raised his fist to strike You Rong's indifferent face. Lin Qinghe, standing by the bar, noticed and quickly came over, shoving You Ziming hard. "You Ziming! What do you want to do to You Rong again!"
You Ziming was already drunk. Lin Qinghe's forceful shove sent him tumbling awkwardly onto the card seat.
When You Ziming finally managed to get up, he saw Lin Qinghe anxiously checking on You Rong. "How are you? Did he hit you? Did he injure you?"
You Rong gripped Lin Qinghe's hand and softly reassured him, "It's fine, he didn't hit me."
Seeing how worried Lin Qinghe was about You Rong, You Ziming gritted his teeth. A bitter envy welled up inside him, fueling his rage.
This all should have belonged to him before! Lin Qinghe's eyes used to be full of him!
How dare You Rong, that bastard, steal it all away!
With a sense of utter unwillingness, You Ziming gritted his teeth and said, "Qinghe, do you even know what you're doing? Do you really think You Rong likes you? He says he likes you, but he's just using you to get revenge on our You family. Once he achieves his goal, will he spare you? Will he forget that you're the reason he became a cripple, a disabled person?!"