Chương 14: Chapter 14 - Washing dishes

The whole day, Jian was in a state of excitement and contentment. Just remembering Bian's soiled pants, he simply smiled to himself. He did not remember how many times he had been bullied like this. All along, he had bitten his lips and held it in.

Gods had finally given him a chance to pay Bian back for his sins.

But he didn't want to do too much. After all, Bian seemed to have a weird sort of influence on people. He didn't wish to lose his life before he could become self-reliant.

Jian held his chin, gazing at the school workbook. 'The alien invasion is going to happen in approximately seven or eight months. I need to leave this family and make sure to store food.'

In his last life, the aliens invaded the earth in a fanfare on March 2023. The whole world came to a stop in just a day. Major cities were bombed and completely flattened. Thankfully, he stayed in a smaller rural city and it was spared in the initial attacks. But the aliens did not care to spare any humans. Their rage had already gone beyond control.

They attacked continuously, without any mercy.

Jian felt his body tremble in fear just remembering the day he had to run and hide in subways.

Back then, his grandmother and grandfather had been with him. Every day he would scour the railroads to find some rats to roast and bring it back to his family, but the rats were barely enough to fill his grandmother's appetite. He usually starved leaving hi very thin and emaciated.

His tummy clenched as he thought about that bad memory.

'This life I shouldn't starve. I… what will I do with my grandparents?'

Even though his grandma treated him badly, his grandfather was very sweet. Every time he was punished, by staying in his room without food. His grandfather would sneak in a roasted sweet potato and wink at him sweetly. The poor man had changed over the years and he was unable to walk properly in these recent days.

'I can't just leave him…'

Today, when he was leaving the house in a hurry, he didn't spot his grandfather anywhere.

'Maybe I should ask him if he is willing to join me… I don't plan to help grandmother…' he clenched his fist.

It felt cold-hearted to ignore them. After all, Bian will be adopted by the wang family soon. They will be left all alone.

He was still undecided as to what to do.

"Ring!! Ring!!!" the school bell rang pulling him out of his deep thoughts.

Jian got up and stuffed all his books roughly into his bag.

As he walked out of the classroom, many gossiping eyes fell on him.

But he ignored them all and walked out.

He had to refrain himself a bit now. Because right now he did not have any strength in his body. Even though he knows martial arts and self-protection, with his weak body, he would be easily overpowered.

He pulled his bag closer and rushed to the gate.

Many students ran around playfully tugging at each other's hair and bags.

Through the crowd, he noticed Brian standing close to the gate with a small group of boys. They all seem to be consoling him. And there was also that tall annoying guy.

Jian rolled his eyes. 'Looks like I'm taking the back gate.'

He squeezed through the crowd and walked to the back door. It was a roundabout to get to his home but if he could avoid trouble, he would gladly walk a few more minutes.

With a small smile, he hurriedly left the school premises and walked through the busy streets. The fresh scents of food wafted into his nostrils as he walked through the small streets. the area behind the school was still underdeveloped.

he could remember that just at the beginning of the year a new company brought the land. The whole area was demolished to build this new apartment. so not many stores were spared.

he was surprised that a restaurant was left behind.

His stomach growled loudly. He saved the money he stole from his grandma and skipped lunch. It was such a big mistake. Now his stomach was uncontrollably pulling him towards the small restaurant.

Licking his lips, he slowly walked close to a barbeque restaurant.

the whole place was filled with construction workers.

He slowly opened the door and poked his head in doubtfully. The cash roll he stole might not be enough to buy the dishes in here.

'I quickly need to earn cash.'

"Kid? Come in," a young waitress called him in with a kind smile.

"n-no... it's okay. I was just looking..."

The waitress gazed at his torn school bag and his slightly holy shoes. "it's okay, just come in." She pulled him in unceremoniously and made him sit in a small seat close to the cashier. "Giya a bowl of noodles and some roasted meat please."

"I... I don't have any cash," he stood up awkwardly.

"Sit," she pushed him down and hurriedly pushed the bowl of noodles close to him.

Jian clenched his fist tightly. He did not know how to reject her kindness. 'Looks like I might have to spend all my money here…. its okay, I guess. It's good to live once in a while. After all in seven months these places will disappear. Tasty food was a thing of the past.'

Thinking this, he happily dug into the food.

The rich taste of soupy broth filled his mouth.

'Gods why didn't I visit this restaurant in my last life? this is so worth it!'

He hurriedly gulped down the bowl and wiped off the saucy marinated meat that the lady had kindly given him.

Burping, he massaged his stomach.

With a smile, he took out the roll of money and handed it to the kind lady. "This is all I have. I will pay you back in a few days."

The kind lady just gave him a side-wise look. "it's on the house."

"Huh?" stunned he peered at her.

The lady just smiled. "Just eat well and concentrate on studying, okay? Anytime you're hungry, just drop by here. we usually have a lot of food. We can definitely afford to feed a small kid like you."

Jian stuttered gazing at her. yes, he looked like a small child. It was all because he was malnourished. But he still doesn't want to eat free food. He didn't want to owe anyone anything.

Clutching his bag straps, he peered at her deeply. "Can I wash dishes?"

The lady looked taken aback by this suggestion. "No, kid, I said it's on the house."

"no. I… I want to earn money. C-can I wash dishes? Please."

He was an underage student right now. No one would be willing to give him a job.

"Please." He whispered inaudibly, silently praying she will take pity on him

He didn't want free food. He wanted money. Enough money to leave his family and secure some food for the upcoming war.

The kind lady gazed at the middle-aged man sitting by the counter. They both shared a look and then gazed back at him. "Boy are you in any trouble?" the man peered at him with a slight frown.

Jian shook his head. "I want to make money for my grandma."

If he said he wanted to run away, they would reject him outright.

"Where are your parents?"

Jian felt his whole-body freeze. 'Parents….' he didn't have any.

clutching the bag tightly, he shook his head.

The couple sighed softly. "Okay…"

Jian cast a bright smile their way. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" he bowed again and again in glee.

He finally had the chance to make his own money.

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