Shi Zi stood at the door of the kitchen and kept looking around, just anxious, but he didn't dare to urge him. Master Chef Ah Chen saw that pretty face that was flushed from the heat, he felt pity for it, pretended to be indifferent, and shouted to his thin opponent: "Is the No. 2 set meal at table No. 4 ready?" Shou Zhang had no choice but to hurry up and drive out the two Hot Stirs. Shi Zi carried the vegetables out as if he had been pardoned. Fulinmen is a mid-to-low priced Chinese restaurant. Shizi has been working there for more than half a year. Temporary workers are paid five and a half Canadian dollars an hour, the minimum wage. They run around as waitresses on the floor every night. Her hands and feet are sore, but she needs living expenses.

The business of Fulinmen is very good, the price is cheap, the dishes are big, and the chef's craftsmanship is not bad. As he returned to the kitchen with his hands full of dirty dishes, he suddenly hit his buttocks. Shi Zi was stunned, and when he turned around, he found that the person who molested her was a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, looking at her and smiling provocatively. At that moment, Shizi had to make a decision: whether to swallow the noise in an argument, she is also a human being, she also has self-esteem, and she also has principles. But the proprietress is already calling her: "Shizi, come here and wipe the table."

Shizi smiled instead of anger. humiliation?I don't feel it at all. She hurried forward with the endless dirty work, sweating, her hair always had a greasy smell that couldn't be washed off, a pair of black shoes had already been worn out, and her white shirt and black skirt were full of vegetable stains. This is one of the most beautiful places in the world. That day, when the work was over and the door was closed, Shi Zi sat down and breathed a sigh of relief. Counting the tips given by the guests, the total was more than 20 yuan. She held the banknotes and smiled helplessly. The proprietress handed her a cigarette: "Have one?"

Shi Zi shook his head, picked up his handbag and jacket, "See you tomorrow." I have been so tired several times on the road car that I want to fall asleep. When I got home, I took out the key, opened the door and entered the basement, and saw my roommate Kong Biyu applying Kodan. She and Biyu rented a basement together, and each shared the rent of 350 yuan. Biyu didn't look up at her, but just stretched out her hand to stare at the bright red nails, "I'm back." The stone fell on the bed. "Too tired?" Biyu cooed. Shizi ignored her. "Why don't you come over to me and do it."

Shi Zi couldn't help robbing her: "I've never seen a stripper who is as happy as you!" Kong Biyu was still laughing, "My profession is called EXOTIC-DANCER, don't talk nonsense." "Half-naked and twisting your body for a group of wretched men to watch, how uncomfortable." "Working three days a week, dancing an hour a day, earning three times as much as you, miss, it's up to you to feel uncomfortable." "You fell." "I knew you were the only one who was upright in the world." Shizi said sadly, "Biyu, we don't want to kill each other."

Biyu turned off the light with one hand, "Go to sleep." "I haven't showered yet." "I'm used to your dirty tablecloth smell." Shi Zi let out a long sigh. "Yes, your father has a letter, it's on the coffee table." Shi Zi was silent. "I understand how you feel. Years of reporting good news but not bad news have caused a nervous breakdown." No reply. "Stone?" At first glance, Shizi was already fast asleep. A pair of old shoes were taken off in a figure eight shape at the head of the bed. Shizi rested one hand on the outside of the bed, and Biyu could see the burnt scar on the back of her hand.

For the past few years, she has been working as a waitress, and she can see that she has paid an astonishing price, and Shi Zi has become rough all over. Kong Biyu stayed for a while, looking at the full moon outside the window, but the light from this foreign moon did not reach them. Shizi and Biyu applied to study in North America at their own expense in Shanghai. Their TOEFL scores were over 700, and many universities were willing to admit them. The two have been neighbors since they were young, and after discussing with each other, they decided to settle in Vancouver, Canada. "I've heard people say Ontario is cheaper like Wilmeerton."

Biyu immediately said, "These are hard-working students over there." Shi Zi didn't understand it for a while. Biyu nudged her, "How do you choose a partner?" Shi Zi suddenly realized. Not long after arriving in British Columbia, the Canadian government was willing to accept Chinese students applying for permanent residency. Taking advantage of this golden opportunity, the two immediately went through the application procedures, and luckily they were both approved quickly. But life is a matter of eternity. People live in the world and need to pay living expenses continuously. Capitalism is Chang'an, and it is not easy to live in.

When I was extremely embarrassed, I couldn't even afford shampoo and sanitary napkins, so I had to find ways to work to earn money. Biyu was the first one who couldn't bear to give up her studies and went to work as a waitress in a fast food restaurant. Half a year later, he transferred to the tourist area to work as a salesperson, but was accused by the shop owner of having a bad attitude and fired. Biyu complained: "In Shanghai, my father and mother were both surgeons. Although the income was not high, my status was respected. I was smart and smart since I was a child, and no one scolded me. I really didn't expect that I would be where I am today."

Hugged and cried with Shizi. In the past few years, the whole person has changed. Shizi is still studying, in the third year of the business management department, the more he endures, the more he wants to graduate. Biyu is getting more and more extreme day by day, "Graduation also means unemployment, and it is difficult to find an ideal job in this port." "Get your ID card and go to Hong Kong." "How many Hong Kong people are still trying their best to get out." Biyu looks at Qian, and spends her days wandering in high-end residential areas, and also likes to visit fashion stores in the city center.

Shi Zi said, "Clothes are used to cover the body, they are all the same." "It's a big difference," Biyu said decisively, "If you wear rough clothes, you will lose your appearance. A person depends on clothes and makeup, and a Buddha depends on gold makeup." The next day, after waking up, Biyu announced a message to Shizi. "Shizi, I'm moving." Shizi was taking a shower. Hearing this, he opened the shower curtain with a swipe, "What do you mean?" "Move out of this land bank and move into a new two-bedroom apartment in Burnaby." Shi Zi was stunned, "When?" "Nowadays." "what?" Biyu acted helplessly, "I should have told you earlier. But I was afraid that you would not accept it, so I delayed until the end, and all the furniture and sundries will be given to you, and the rent will be paid until the end of the month. You can enjoy this earth bank by yourself." Shizi was in a daze, how could she afford the rent alone? Biyu handed her the bathrobe, "Be careful of catching a cold." I really didn't expect the friendship since childhood to be severed today. Biyu sighed, "Stones, when disaster strikes, fly separately." Shizi sat beside Biyu, bowed his head in silence, and said after a while, "Go." Biyu was surprised, "You don't pursue it?" "Celebrity requirements are different from chance, I hope you will keep in touch with me." "Your expenses—" Shi Zi raised his head, "I will figure out a way myself." Kong Biyu said again: "My parents are there, I want you to do me a favor." "What do you want me to say?" "Just don't say anything." Shizi smiled wryly, "I promise you," he looked at his watch, "I'm going to school." "I was gone when you came back." Shizi couldn't help hugging Biyu, "Goodbye, best wishes." On the road bike, Shizi was just in a daze. Biyu's departure directly affected her. Originally, the two depended on each other for life, but now no one has any discussions with her, and she has to bear everything independently. The city is crowded with people, and Shi Zi fought a cold war. Since then, she has been like an orphan, no one cares about her if she survives, and she has to fend for herself when she encounters disaster. There were only two classes that day, and school was over before noon, so Shi Zi went back to Fulinmen Hotel to watch the news. Why don't you go home and watch?One does not have a TV, and the other needs to pay additional installation and monthly fees to watch Chinese programs, which cannot be afforded by Shizi. Master Chef Ah Chen was bare-chested and wearing only an undershirt, sitting by the TV and drinking beer. Shizi poured a glass of water to drink. Ah Chen turned his head to look at Shi Zi, "Where were you back then?" Shi Zi replied: "I was busy sending letters to my relatives in Hong Kong in Shanghai, begging them to help me study abroad at my own expense." "Everyone wants to come out, but there are poor people everywhere." Shizi suddenly said, "At least I have the freedom to suffer." The master smiled. Shi Zi sat down, "In the end, my parents did everything possible to scrape together the travel expenses." "You should be able to find a research job in a university, why go to a Chinese restaurant to suffer." "Everywhere is full of people. Where can I get my turn? I haven't graduated yet." The master still looked at her, "Shizi, your face is gray." Shi Zi smiled wryly, "I can't hide it from you." "What's up?" "My friend moved out today." "Oh, there is a new way out?" "Yes, she met a Taiwanese, and she has been to Japan together, and the two of them are very happy together." The master nodded, "Now move out to live with him?" Shi Zi said, "Probably so." The master complained: "Why don't you turn around at all?" The odd thing is that Shi Zi himself was also very melancholy, "Yes, no one looks at me at all." "You're really embarrassing to Shanghai girls. Don't your eyeballs roll around? Wear brighter clothes. Also, when you see a man, you don't praise him, but you also scold him, so that he can pay attention. You." Shi Zi raised his head in surprise, "Master Chen, are you going to do this?" Ah Chen's eyes widened, "Eat, eat until you die!" The stone is slumped. "Laugh, laugh vigorously, lean on men, reach out and pinch their arms, this is sweetness, understand?" Shi Zi asked, "Would you teach your daughter this?" The master was startled, "Of course not, but Shizi, you need to survive, otherwise this society will eat you up, just like it eats them." Shizi lowered his head. "What should I do next?" "Got to find a cheaper place to move." "There's another broken bed in the restaurant loft." "No, no, no," said Shizi fearfully, "I'd rather learn how to roll my eyeballs, watery until I get out on the street." The master stared at her, "Do you know how to learn, some people are born with a pair of dead fish eyes!" "Hey, old Chen," Shi Zi could not help but laugh, "thank you." "Shizi, if I'm not married, I will definitely take you in." Shi Zi jumped up, "You don't even look after your face!" Ah Chen chuckled, "I'm just a little fatter." The proprietress Ou Xiaoping pushed the door open and came in, "What's so happy talking and laughing, Ah Chen, you are coquettish when you see a stone, be careful, I will tell Mrs. Chen." "Shizi is troubled here. She is poor and her future is uncertain." When the district girl heard this, she snorted and laughed, "A girl in her twenties will have no way out? Old Chen, you're exhausted." Old Chen was startled, thought for a while, and sure enough. The district girl smiled and said leisurely: "Since ancient times until now, in business, you have traded what you have for what you don't have. Stones, don't you think so?" Shi Zi looked at the district girl. Miss Au continued: "You have youth, you have beauty, you also have strength and wisdom, it depends on what you plan to sell and what you want to exchange for." Shizi didn't dare to breathe through the air. "In the world of flowers and flowers, young and beautiful girls are the best. Once they turn over, they will immediately shine brightly, making people dare not look at them." Old Chen never forgets to flatter when chatting, "Madam Boss, this is the master's own way." Miss Au sneered, "I'm definitely not boasting. People who looked down on me at the beginning all live at the foot of my mountain now." Old Chen seemed to sing a cross talk, "Shizi, do you hear that?" Miss Ou let out a sigh of relief, "However, Shizi, it's a little harder for you." "How do you know?" Old Chen asked. "The name alone is unimaginative. It's not as good as other people's names like Bianhong, Zhuanhong, and Yanhong." Shi Zi was in no mood, "I'll go home and do my homework." The district girl stood up and wrapped two pieces of fried chicken in a newspaper for her, "Don't worry, there are us, we won't let you starve to death." It was only at this moment that Shizi burst into tears in a daze. She didn't turn her face away, and left in a hurry. The fried chicken was carried in a cloth bag together with the notes. She walked from Chinatown to Robson Street, the weather was fine, the sun was shining, and there were buskers on both sides of the street. Violin performances, mime clown performances, balloon vendors... each occupy a corner. Suddenly, I saw a group of unkempt Chinese, speaking Shanghai, swearing loudly and complaining about the hardship of life. Shizi was startled, backed away, and hurried past with his head bowed around the bend. These people have knotted hair, hold cigarettes, and have a few sketches beside them, probably planning to sketch for tourists. Shizi didn't dare to look too much. When he saw a road car, he immediately jumped on it. Afraid, afraid of being recognized by them as a fellow villager. When I got home and opened the door, Biyu had indeed moved away without bringing anything. There was a note on the table, as well as hundreds of yuan in bills. The address of the new phone was written on the note. Shizi didn't know what to say. She opened the family letter, and as usual, her mother missed her very much: "——you don't come back for a walk, it shouldn't be too difficult to collect money for the plane ticket, and everyone has returned home in good clothes." Shizi spread out a pen and paper, and began to write a letter home. First describe the scenery of lakes and mountains, and then reassure her how healthy and happy she is, and how bright her future is... "Last year on July 1st, the National Day of Canada, I walked into a department store by accident. I saw a two-foot-by-three-foot cake with a maple leaf flag pattern made of jam and cream. The clerk cut it open and divided it into small pieces. Small pieces are served on a paper plate and distributed to guests for free. It’s the country’s birthday, so it’s great to eat cakes. People in this country really know how to enjoy themselves. I will go to the same place to eat cakes, I am also a permanent resident of Canada, and in a few years when the economy has a solid foundation, I will bring you and Dad to enjoy the blessings." After writing such a letter, I will faint from exhaustion. In the basement, without Jasper's chirping, it was very lonely. Shi Zi took out the two pieces of fried chicken from the cloth bag and ate them. Spreading out the newspaper, she saw the headlines. The Chinese newspaper in Wenbu was running very well and made a lot of money. Floods in East China, Hong Kong Legislative Council debating Governor Peng's political reform plan... The second page is a classified advertisement, and stones spit bones in the newspaper. Suddenly she saw this small advertisement. "Hiring a nanny, including board and lodging, good salary, working hours are negotiable, please call He Zhai on 92388." Shi Zi's heart skipped a beat. Taking care of children is a woman's bounden duty. If she works forty hours a week and takes care of a baby, she thinks she can bear it. The summer vacation is about to begin, so let's deal with it for the past three months before we talk about it. See you step by step. The most important thing is to have food and shelter. There are many buildings in the front of the city center, the streets are tidy and the shops are full of goods. Turning a corner is the dark side. Beggars squat by the sewage ditch, drug addicts die in the alley, and there is no fear of stones. On the day Biyu decided to go to the nightclub to dance, Shizi burst into tears. She was afraid that she would fall from then on. She begged Biyu not to do this, but she was naive at the time, but now she is numb. Today we must have food and lodging, this is the most important thing. That night, she stayed at Fulinmen until early in the morning, her legs seemed to be sold to the store, and she couldn't move. Master Chen sent her home, and she fell asleep in the car. He pushed her to wake up, "Girls have to wake up at any time, don't be taken advantage of by others." Shi Zi sighed, "Who, who wants to take advantage of a dead pig." Without jasper in the basement, it is even more simple and desolate. I woke up early the next morning and was busy changing clothes, only to remember that the summer vacation had already begun and the school was on vacation. She should have been very happy, like last year, she worked part-time at the fish farm during the day, and she made it smelly, but she saved thousands of yuan more. This summer will have to do the same. She took out the newspaper that wrapped fried chicken yesterday, found the job advertisement, circled it with a red pen, and called. "Look for Mrs. He." "There is no Mrs. He here, would you like to talk to Mr. He?" It was a Filipino accent, and it seemed that He Zhai already had a housekeeper. After a while, Mr. He came and gave a hello. "Good morning, Mr. He. I'm here to apply for the job of nanny. My surname is Shi." Then Mr. He was startled, and then replied: "Miss Shi, would you mind answering a few questions?" "Mr. He, please." "Gui Geng?" Shizi deliberately said that he was older, "in his twenties." "Do you have any experience?" "Yes, babysitting, tutoring, cooking, cleaning, plenum, I have a driver's license." No previous employer recommendation please? " Shi Zi immediately said, "Yes." She wasn't lying. The wife of Pastor Smithon did give her a letter of recommendation the year before last. "Can I meet you today? Even if I can't, I'll pay for your car." "Mr. He, please tell me the time." "Ten o'clock in the morning." He said the address. "Okay, I'll be on time." Putting down the phone, Shi Zi heaved a sigh of relief. It suddenly occurred to me that I forgot to ask how many children the He family had. She showered and changed, put on a bright dress and went out. Jasper left, leaving her clothes, shoes and socks for use. Shizi took the road car twice, arrived at the mountain, got off the car, and still had to walk for a while. When I came to No. 320, Aimeng Road, I looked at the door for a while, and saw a small bronze plaque nailed to the wall, with three Chinese characters "not easy to live in". Shizi felt a bit abrupt, such a strange house name, It was a three-storey garden house with courtyards at the front and back. Its appearance was very low-key, but it must have hired a good gardener, and the flowers were blooming like brocades, thriving and beautiful. Turning around on the slope, you can just see the sea view and the whole city of Vancouver. From right to left, there are Stanley Park, downtown, Gran Lake, Burnaby and North Vancouver Ross Mountain. Shizi let out a sigh of relief, the scenery is so beautiful. Shanghai is located on the delta plain of the Huangpu River, a tributary of the Yangtze River. There is no such scenery in Shanghai. But Shizi heard that the most expensive residence in Hong Kong is also on the mountain. He was hesitating, but before he rang the bell, the door had already opened, and a Filipino maid poked her head out and asked, "Is this Miss Shi?" Shi Zi quickly put up a smiling face, "Yes." "please come in." As soon as she entered the house, she found a huge entrance, a very high ceiling, large glass windows, teak wood floors, and simple and practical furniture. Shi Zi liked it very much. Even a poor student, she probably knew what it meant to be a workmanship. The maid took her to a drawing room to the left of the living room. "Mr. He will come right away." The long windows in the reception room face the grass garden and swimming pool in the backyard of the prison. The window is half-closed, the air is filled with the sweet fragrance of flowers, the stone sniffs deeply, enjoys bitterness, and immediately thinks that it is good to be alive. Someone behind me coughed. Stone turned around. She saw a man in his thirties stretch out his hand, "Miss Shi?" Shizi shook hands with him. "Please sit down and have a cup of tea." Then Mr. He wears a suit and tie. Shizi rarely sees men in suits in her environment. Even the lecturers are dressed casually. This Mr. He must be a businessman. "Miss Shi, did you bring your resume?" Shi Zi handed over his resume and letter of recommendation. Jun He was a little confused after reading it, "Miss Shi, you are a current student at the University of British Columbia." "yes." "This job is not a summer job, I intend to hire a nanny permanently." Shi Zi calmly replied, "Mr. He, how about a three-month trial?" Then Mr. He looked at Shizi's young and beautiful face, and said after a while: "I have three children, and I really wait for someone to use them." Shizi gasped. "A thirteen-year-old eldest daughter, a ten-year-old son, and a seven-year-old daughter." Not a baby, Shizi felt relieved. "You are responsible for arranging their daily diet, various health and entertainment, and taking more than an hour a day to study Chinese. I want them to learn to speak Mandarin." "I can do it." "Working hours are approximately from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm each day, seven days a week." No holiday? He Jun was helpless, "The children really need someone to take care of them, so the salary is slightly higher. I can pay 1,800 yuan." Shi Zi couldn't help but said in his heart: That's great. "But you still have to work at a Chinese restaurant at night?" "Yes, Mr. He, otherwise next year's tuition will not be dropped." He Jun asked, "Isn't that too hard?" Shizi just smiled and said nothing. He Jun let out a sigh of relief, "As you said, let's try it for three months." He took a picture and showed it to Shi Zi, "These are my three children. He Sizhu." Shi Zi secretly praised the good name, "Children can call me Shi Zi." "Come to work tomorrow morning. I can allocate a car for you. The gasoline belongs to the government. Pick up the children and drive carefully." Shizi couldn't help asking, "Where are the children?" "Visiting their mother in Hong Kong, come back tomorrow." Shi Zi was taken aback. He Sizhu seemed to be in a hurry, "I'll take you down the mountain." Shizi followed him. "It's my turn to go back to Hong Kong the day after tomorrow." No wonder I was in such a hurry to hire a nanny. "Come and have a look, this little Volkswagen Golf is for you." For Shizi, today's encounter is like a Cinderella adventure. He Sixiang looked at Shi Zi, "It's hard work, I hope you can help, the children are not naughty, but they are children after all, you have to forgive everything, I may be talking too much." Shizi just apologized. "If you'd like to stay overnight, the nanny's suite is in the basement." "I'll finish it first and then I'll talk about it. Excuse me, when will Mrs. He come back?" He Sizhu was silent for a while, then suddenly sighed, "Mrs. He and I have divorced. She is not used to talking here. She will never come back." Shi Zi was startled, and immediately kept silent and suppressed his smile. Ten minutes later, she asked Mr. He to drop her off in the city center. Such a beautiful homeland, such a child with bright eyes and bright teeth, can't keep her heart, what is going on? Could it be that it is not easy to live? Who else would call their own home difficult to live in? Leave it alone. Holding two jobs, Shi Zi's heart was settled. The master Chen is not optimistic. "You are not an iron fighter, how can you hold on, why don't you quit your job at night." "No no no, I need money." "Health is the most important thing." "I'm young and strong, don't underestimate me." "Beware, when you lose your health, you lose everything." Shizi was very sad, "There will be an increase in tuition next year." "Whoever taught you superstition to go to college, I'm only in elementary school, and I live happily." Shi Zi looked at Fat Chen, "You are an exception, I am very happy for you, you are both lucky and content, I hope everyone is like you." Ah Chen sighed, "Why do you have to make things difficult for yourself, there are only so many, don't do extravagant thoughts, and be happy yourself." Shizi rested his head on his hands, "I hope to get more, a sea view house, a big car, jewelry, fancy clothes, maids, drivers..." "Then you have to learn from your friend before it's too late." Shi Zi was discouraged, "You haven't met her Taiwanese friend, have you?" "Ugly?" "Your appearance was born by your parents, so don't worry about it. The man is actually tall and handsome, but he belongs to a certain gang and is very familiar with the Japanese gangsters. He is a dangerous person." The master took a Chinese newspaper by chance, and the headline happened to be "Vancouver criminal group controlled by Chinese, Asian gangster organization ranks first in the world". Everyone sighed. The proprietress walked by and said, "If you have something to eat and something to wear, why do you sigh long and short?" Shi Zi raised his head, "Why do the Chinese have such low requirements, they always only ask for food and clothing, and don't come to make trouble?" The master nodded and said with a smile: "Listen, college students are not satisfied anymore." The proprietress Ou Xiaoping clapped her hands and said, "It really is." "College students are the most troublesome. They need to eat well, wear well, be democratic and free." "So proud, how to do things." "Okay, okay," Shi Zi covered his ears with his hands, "don't make excuses." That night, a drunken foreigner tried to slip a ten-yuan tip into Shizi's collar. District girls came to smooth things over. At that moment Shizi forgave Kong Biyu. In Biyu's eyes, being a waitress is as humiliating as stripping, and it is better to go to a place where the salary is several times higher. Shi Zi hid in the narrow dressing room. District girl chased after her, saw Shi Yu lowered her head, and thought she was crying because she said, "The people at that table have already left." Shi Zi raised his head, with a calm face, not pretending, "I'm fine, I just have a sore leg." "It's good to see." Shizi rubbed his toes, "Since I became a maid, my feet have grown by two sizes. I don't know why the coolie's feet are so big until now. It's all because of the weight." District girl looked at her with a smile, "Shizi, you will be successful." "Thank you lady boss." "Why is your name Shizi?" Miss Au finally couldn't bear it. "My father's surname is Shi, I am a child of the Shi family, hence the name." "It's really unique, don't talk too much, go out and greet the guests quickly." At the beginning, Shi Zi also tried to find some English papers to translate into Chinese to earn some manuscript fees. Later, he found that it was laborious and time-consuming, and his income was meager, and he often did not receive manuscript fees, so he simply came to hold the plate. I always thought that it must be a different scene after graduation. However, seeing that the elder brothers and sisters came out of the school, they only worked as salespersons, tour guides, and bank tellers with very little income. Biyu's parents were both surgeons, but she always lamented that those who hold scalpels don't add razors. This is why Biyu is frustrated, not the guest's strange hand. Back in that humble home, she calculated that she could sleep for about six hours a day, which was enough, so why sleep so much. She wrote a letter at her desk: "Mom, I found a job as a tutor. The salary is very good. If I have any money left, I will send it back. I may move to live near the university in the near future. Once the address is confirmed, I will let you know..." Move near the university?It was the most expensive residential area in the whole city. He was young after all. Seeing that he was so good at bragging, Shi Zi couldn't help laughing. She was so tired that she fell asleep.