Withered Broken Ice Blue

Chi Feiwan ignored the long string of text that Chi Yi sent her and went straight to the bookstore.

Basically, there will be a lot of people in the bookstore when school starts or near the end of the semester, and most of them are here to buy study materials.

Chi Feiwan goes to the bookstore almost once every two weeks. She really likes reading.

Chi Feiwan walked between the bookshelves, looking for books that interested him.

Song's Bookstore has been in business for many years. It was originally just a small one-story shop, but over time it gradually expanded to three floors.

Now, the second floor of this bookstore mainly sells books, and also displays various exquisite small items; the first floor is dedicated to selling learning machines, learning supplies and various learning materials; and the top third floor has been built into a comfortable reading space, and there is a small and exquisite dessert shop. Every weekend, this place is always crowded and lively.

There are two cash registers on the first floor and two on the second floor. Because many students come to the first floor to buy things during the period when school starts and the end of the semester is approaching, there is one more cash register on the first floor than on the second floor.

Walking into the bookstore, a sense of tranquility hits you. The store is spacious and bright, with rows of neatly arranged bookshelves filled with a variety of books, from classic literature to the latest bestsellers, from philosophical works to children's books.

Chi Feiwan finally found the book she wanted among the many books. She then strolled around the accessories area on the second floor for a while and chose a nice green and white hairband.

There weren't many people at the cashier counter, and there was only one person at the cashier counter on the second floor.

Chi Feiwan felt that the figure looked familiar, so she leaned in to take a look and found that it was Song Jinan.

She was stunned for a moment. She didn't expect to meet Song Jinan here.

A hint of surprise flashed in Song Jinan's eyes.

"Aren't you in school today?"

Song Jinan smiled and said, "Shift change, starting at six and ending at ten."

There are not many employees in the bookstore, including Song Jinan, there are only four people in total. Even during peak hours, there are only five people at most.

Song's mother had discussed this issue with him more than once, suggesting that he recruit more people to help in the store. However, Song Jinan knew that as the number of employees increased, the monthly salary would also increase. For him, this was not a small amount. After all, every penny was hard-earned, and he hoped to use the limited funds wisely - such as taking better care of his mother.

In his heart, his mother's happiness and well-being are the most important. Therefore, although hiring more employees may reduce his workload, considering the economic pressure, Song Jinan resolutely chose to take on all the affairs of the store alone. In this way, although life is busy and hard, at least there is enough money to relieve his mother's pain. Behind this persistence lies the deep mother-son love, which is also the driving force behind Song Jinan's hard work.

In the distant past, when Song Jinan was still an innocent child, his father once said to him earnestly: "My child, do you know? There have always been two men silently protecting your mother."

At that time, Xiao Jinan did not understand the deep meaning behind this sentence, but as time went by, he gradually understood the endless emotions contained in it.

However, fate always likes to play tricks on people. Now their father has left them, leaving behind their lonely mother and the gradually growing up Song Jinan. The departure of the former guardian has made the responsibility of protecting their mother fall heavily on Song Jinan's young shoulders.

Song Jinan's home is actually not very close to the school. It takes 20 minutes to get there by bus. This does not meet the school's standards. Beijing No. 1 Middle School requires that day students must be within about 10 minutes' walk from home.

Chi Feiwan suddenly understood why the school agreed. Song Jinan could only go to school as a day student so that he could better take care of his seriously ill mother at home.

There was a time when Chi Feiwan always thought she was the most miserable rich lady in the world. However, when she met Song Jinan, she found that the suffering and difficulties she had experienced were insignificant in front of Song Jinan.

Chi Feiwan was born into a wealthy family, but this did not bring her much happiness. The indifference of her family and the complicated interpersonal relationships made her feel tired; and behind the seemingly glamorous life, there were countless pressures and frustrations. She longed to live freely, but was always troubled by various constraints.

In contrast, Song Jinan's life was more difficult. He lost his father, his mother was seriously ill, and all the burdens of the family fell on this 16-year-old boy. Despite this, Song Jinan still maintained a strong and optimistic attitude and worked hard to change his destiny.

There were few people in the bookstore at that time, so Chi Feiwan took the opportunity to chat with Song Jinan at the cash register.

"Song Jinan, do you change shifts after school every day?"

Song Jinan took the scanner and scanned the QR code on the back of the book. "No, it's divided into odd and even weeks, but there are only four employees in the store, and I'm the only one who can take a shift."

"Because you have to go to school?"

Song Jinan pulled the corner of his mouth helplessly, his eyes were like a deep lake, calm on the surface but deep pain and sorrow hidden under the lake.

Chi Feiwan recalled that she was alone at home during the National Day in previous years. She had no money to go out and didn't want to go home. She looked at Song Jinan's dull eyes, and her blue eyes flashed, "Song Jinan, let me help you."

"What?" Song Jinan put the items she bought into a plastic bag.

"Applying for a job as a staff member at your bookstore."

Song Jinan thought she was joking, "My bookstore employees are more than just cashiers."

"I know," Chi Feiwan curled his lips, "I'm alone in Beijing during the seven days of National Day, so I might as well earn some extra money for myself."

What I mean is that my application to be a staff member in your store is not for free.

Song Jinan can accept this.

Song Jinan lowered his head slightly, the curve of his mouth gradually widened, and his smile became brighter and deeper. Just like the ripples caused by the warm spring sun on the lake, he exuded joy from the inside out.

Chi Feiwan looked at him suspiciously, "What are you laughing at?"

He gently closed his eyes, as if he wanted to treasure this joy deep in his heart, but he couldn't help but let it show from the corners of his eyes and eyebrows.

"This is Yuejie."

Chi Feiwan gently shook his head and said helplessly, "Can you pay me by the day? After all, I can only come here to work part-time during holidays."

"Of course." Song Jinan asked with a smile, "What salary do you have in mind?"

Chi Feiwan had never worked part-time before, so he thought for a while and said, "20."

"One hour?"

"one day."

The originally bright smile on Song Jinan's face froze in an instant. He widened his eyes, his mouth slightly open but no sound came out, his face full of disbelief.

Chi Feiwan blinked, her eyes fell on Song Jinan's mouth, which was slightly open in surprise, and she couldn't help but feel a little curious. She frowned slightly, and asked with a little confusion in her tone: "What's wrong?"