“Ru Feng!” Xiao Su’s expression was momentarily awkward. She came out from behind the counter, holding an envelope, “The boss says you don’t need to come anymore. This is your wage for those days.”
Stunned, Ru Feng hesitated to reach out, “Why?”
Xiao Su avoided her gaze, “The boss said you didn’t pass the probation period and kept taking leave, so you’re not needed anymore.”
Ru Feng bit her lip and took the thin envelope. Her gaze swept across the pastry-filled counter and paused at the pumpkin cake.
She blinked, “Give me a slice of this cake!”
A memento of her first real job.
Leaving the shop, the sunlight was dazzling. She sat on a bench in a small park near the cake shop. Opening the cake box, she took a bite, and tears uncontrollably fell.
She had just been fired.
Sniffling and taking another bite, she experienced the familiar sweet flavor, but why were her tears increasing?
“Ru Feng!”
She wiped her tears and looked up to see Jiang Shifu, still wearing the cake shop uniform.
“Jiang Shifu,” she stood up.
Jiang Shifu walked over, “I just heard you came to the shop.”
“Yes,” Ru Feng wiped her eyes again.
Jiang Shifu nodded, “Xiao Su got a raise.”
“Hmm!” Ru Feng forced a smile. “The store manager is doing quite well.”
Master Jiang continued, “I heard that when the boss came to inspect, he praised her creativity in launching a pumpkin-flavored cake; the sales are very good.”
Ru Feng stopped, struggling to respond.
Master Jiang smiled, “I just came to tell you. How you handle it is up to you. I’ll be going now.”
“Master Jiang,” Ru Feng called out as he took a few steps, bowing respectfully, “Thank you!”
He waved at her with a smile.
Ru Feng sat down, looking at the cake in her hand. “So eating this really does make one feel good!” She finished the cake bite by bite, wanting to remember its beautiful flavors.
Suddenly, someone sat beside her. Ru Feng turned her head. “How are you here?”
Qiu Chi didn’t look at her, staring straight ahead. “I’m curious why the future second mistress of the Si Tu family would be sitting here crying early in the morning!”
