That evening, Li Mei took Shen Qian to look at an apartment. Shen Qian didn’t have high expectations; she just wanted a place to live. But she hadn’t anticipated that the housing prices in this city were so high that her budget could only afford such a place. It was an attic in an old residential area, requiring three bus transfers from her workplace, a journey of an hour and a half. Even by subway, it wasn’t a direct route. Li Mei emphasized that for the price Shen Qian was willing to pay, they could only look for apartments in the old area, and an attic was the most likely option.
Shen Qian then realized the immense pressure of living. The money she had saved over two years of work was only enough for a year’s rent, and that in such a slum. As her mother had said, her education and experience could only fetch such a meager salary in this city. She felt utterly helpless as she looked down at the obedient mixed-breed dog at her feet. She decided to stay in the dormitory to save money. But what about this dog?
As she was pondering, her phone in her bag rang. She picked it up, “Hello?”
“Hello, is this Miss Shen Qian?” A deep, slightly familiar voice came through the phone.
Shen Qian recognized it, You Ran?
