The landlord has multiple personalities and wants everyone to pay him.

Ye Shu was intently gnawing on the cartilage on a rib when he looked up at Qin Lili, but instead of answering, he remained silent for a while.

He had indeed thought about this matter and was quite conflicted about it.

It's time to go...

Sister Chen Xing is incredibly kind to me, taking great care of me, giving me this job, and treating me like a real sister.

When I was about to run out of money for food, it was Sister Chen Xing who lent me a helping hand.

Now, Sister Chen Xing is very confident in his work at the store, and he has gotten used to the rhythm and environment there.

Leaving like this feels a bit unfair, like blaming the cook after eating the food, or beating the monk after reciting the sutra.

If we don't leave...

Just like Qin Lili said, they can't stay there as waiters forever. Before, it was just them, and they could make do however they wanted, but now it's not just their brother anymore; there are them too…

Although they were not short of money, Ye Shu did not want to just live a life of idleness and wanted to take care of them through his own efforts.

Moreover, to be practical, in the current economic climate, jobs are hard to find, and good jobs are even rarer.

After leaving Sister Chen Xing's shop, he really wasn't sure he could find a place with better pay and work environment than his current one.

Moreover, he had already developed an attachment to that little shop, and he was genuinely reluctant to leave.

After a series of thoughts raced through his mind, Ye Shu simply sighed.

"The main problem is the current situation... the jobs I find outside might not be any better than what I have here. I'll just keep doing this for now and see how things go."

Qin Lili listened to his answer without pressing further or commenting on whether Ye Shu's choice was right or wrong. Instead, she offered a suggestion:

"I see... Well then, I can give you a chance. Think about it?"

Ye Shu blinked, not understanding what opportunities she, who was always running around, could possibly have.

Qin Lili rested her elbows on the table, waving the can of beer back and forth in her hand.

"The friend of mine who's going to the wedding this time owns her own company, and the salary and benefits are pretty good. I'll ask around and see if there are any suitable positions for you, and maybe arrange for you to give it a try?"

After hearing this, Ye Shu did not show any gratitude or joy. Instead, she subconsciously frowned.

His first reaction was to refuse.

The reason is simple: he inherently hates owing favors to others, especially favors that involve his work and personal future.

Qin Lili meant well, but helping to introduce jobs is a different matter.

What if Qin Lili's friend, out of consideration for her, asks for her help and does her a favor, only to find out later that they are not capable enough or cannot do the job well?

Putting aside the fact that she would embarrass herself, Qin Lili would also be in a very difficult position.

What will people say behind my back? They'll probably say things like, "What kind of person did Qin Lili introduce? She can't even do this simple thing right," or "People with connections are no good."

At that time, Qin Lili would lose face in front of her friends, not only failing to gain favor but also potentially damaging their relationships. The pressure would be immense.

Even if he did get in, the impression that he got in through connections or back channels would still be attached to him to some extent.

Colleagues might gossip about it privately, and he himself will feel uneasy about it.

Although Ye Shu is not a morally perfect person, he does have a certain moral fastidiousness in this regard. He hopes that his work and income are earned through his own abilities, rather than through anyone's face or connections.

When he first shared this theory in the dorm, Han Yang, along with his two other roommates, Wang Yu and Li Xiaoqiang, all shook their heads, saying that he was doomed and wouldn't amount to anything.

Ye Shu hesitated for a moment. After all, Qin Lili meant well, and directly refusing her would seem a bit ungrateful.

"Sister Lili, it's not really appropriate for you to go out of your way to ask for favors and trouble your friends. As for the job, I can try to find opportunities myself and take my time."

Qin Lili knew what the young man was thinking the moment she saw Ye Shu's expression. Having been in the underworld for so many years, she had seen all kinds of people, and she saw through Ye Shu's inherent arrogance at a glance.

She waved her hand dismissively and said:

"Pshaw, what's with all this talk of favors? With our relationship, why would I need to curry favor? It's just a matter of a word. Anyway, her company is hiring, so what difference does it make who they hire? I'm just giving you an interview opportunity. Whether it works out or not is up to you. Go try it out. If it's a good fit and you can stay, that's your own ability. If it's not a good fit, or if you feel something's not right, just leave. Who can stop you? Don't carry any unnecessary burdens."

Seeing that Ye Shu still seemed hesitant, she slammed her hand on the table:

"It's settled then. I'll ask around for you when I get there. I'll let you know when I get back. You can go and see for yourself. If it works, great; if not, oh well, just consider it a stroll."

Seeing Qin Lili's "I'm in charge" attitude, Ye Shu didn't know what to say. She could only pick up the can of beer in front of her and clink it against Qin Lili's.

"Thank you, Sister Lili."

Ye Shu tilted his head back and took a big gulp of beer. The beer was slightly bitter, and as it went down his throat, it eased some of the tightness in his chest, but it also brought a new sense of uncertainty.

Beside her, Zhi Qiu, who hadn't spoken a word, noticed the fleeting awkwardness and complexity on Ye Shu's face. She put down her chopsticks, picked up a napkin to wipe her mouth, then turned around and moved closer to Ye Shu.

Before Ye Shu could react, she reached out and gently pinched his chin, turning Ye Shu's face towards her.

Her eyes, always smiling and squinting, looked closely at Ye Shu and spoke softly:

"If little Shu doesn't want to go, then he doesn't have to. As long as you're willing, you can stay home and make your sister happy from now on. Your sister will support you, and she can afford to. Hmm?"

That final, upward-curling "hmm" was incredibly alluring. Normally, if Ye Shu were teased like that by Zhi Qiu, with phrases like "I'll take care of you," she would have blushed furiously.

When Qin Lili saw Zhi Qiu pull this stunt, she felt like she had swallowed a fly, rolling her eyes so hard she could almost see her own brain.

This was the first time she had seen Zhi Qiu like this. She muttered something under her breath, which was hard to hear, but it certainly wasn't anything nice.

However, to Zhi Qiu's surprise, Ye Shu did not blush or become shy as usual this time.

He didn't break free from Zhi Qiu's grasp, his chin still pinched, and said with a serious expression:

"But I still want to earn the most money myself. I want to use my own abilities to give you... to all of you, a life."

"I know my own capabilities perfectly well. I can't guarantee a life of great wealth and luxury, nor can I make such boastful claims."

"But at the very least, I think I can ensure you don't go hungry or cold, and that you can buy whatever you want without having to worry about it. That's the most basic thing."

This isn't some grand vow, nor are it any particularly moving love words; in fact, it's almost excessively simple. It's just the most practical understanding of survival and responsibility.

The confident, teasing smile on Zhi Qiu's face froze little by little as Ye Shu spoke, and then slowly disappeared.

Her hand, which was gripping Ye Shu's chin, unconsciously loosened its hold.

My chest felt like it had been hit by something; it didn't hurt, but it left a warm feeling that lasted for a long time.

She only wanted to tease him, to see him blush, to see him panic, and to see his adorable, helpless expression.

She was used to controlling the pace of their relationship, used to his awkward reactions. But she never expected him to give such a serious answer.

Suddenly, Zhi Qiu pinched Ye Shu's chin, leaned forward slightly, and pressed her lips to Ye Shu's forehead.

Like a dragonfly skimming the water, it touches and then disappears.

Zhi Qiu stepped back, sat up straight, but her eyes remained fixed on Ye Shu:

"Okay, I'll remember what Little Shu said."

She raised her hand and touched the spot where she had just been kissed, a smile returning to her lips. But it wasn't a teasing smile; it was a deep, warm one.

"I'm giving you my stamp; once I say something, you can't go back on your word."

Ye Shu raised his hand and touched his forehead, his face belatedly starting to cool down.

Meanwhile, Qin Lili, with half a rib in her mouth, squinted her eyes, which were as glaring as the two people opposite her doing welding.

Or... I'll leave after I finish eating.