"Now this is your contract." The manager slid the contract toward him, alongside the pen.
"But unfortunately, due to your status as a student to a combat school nonetheless, I've decided to give you a slightly altered contract. This new contract states that you'll only work during and weekends and that from 5pm till the closing time. And with that, you'll be receiving less pay."
Ye Han felt his heart jump out of his chest. He clearly understands her considerations but receiving less pay sound bad both in his book and his pocket.
"No, no. Give me a chance manager. I can work during weekdays, I have lots of free time! Just give me a chance, I need the money!" He pleaded.
He looked like a very desperate person. And the manager couldn't help but look at him skeptically. How poor must be this guy that he would beg for extra shifts?
"I'm not done yet." She said. "That contract only works for cooks, strictly cooks. I understand your need of money so I'll give you the full salary but in return, you'd do other work. Like food delivery, cashier, you'll basically become a substitute or another pair of hands in other people's jobs. Happy?"
"Yes, thank you, manager. I promise to never let you down!" Ye Han literally knelt in front of her. He almost kissed her shoes in gratitude.
Unbeknownst to him, a twisted smile appeared on the manager's face. The sight of Ye Han kneeling and worshipping her woke up something hidden deep inside of her.
She licked her lips in sadistic delight. 'Oh yes, just keep on doing that, my cook.'
***
It was a good night. The gentle breeze caressed his face as he looked at the dancing lights surrounding him. The people appeared calm and contented as they headed home. Various sounds and the scent of food filled the place.
Ye Han took a moment to take in everything that is happening in front of him. He felt happy and empty, the good kind of empty. After a year of living in extreme poverty, eating only at most 7 times a week, scavenging for food, and a terrible apartment, he can finally earn money. The non-existent shame and humiliation he felt during those times were finally washed away.
When the manager presented him with the contract, he found it difficult to contain himself. The joy and happiness couldn't be explained. Now that he had a job, he could finally support himself and his questionable hobbies (e.g. investing in bogus companies).
He had completely forgotten the lost cash that he invested. All of that money came from the poverty support policy of the government, but he all wasted it.
After he signed the contract, the manager gave him some typical words of encouragement. She even praised his cooking skills which clearly still baffles him. She did explicitly say that no free food for employees. Her argument is that it was a matter of discipline and proper allocation resources. He clearly understood her point and decided to wholeheartedly agree with her.
The workplace tour was postponed because it was near the closing time when the two of them were finally done. She advised him to come an hour earlier on his first day so that he could have his tour and introduction to other employees.
Everything is finally going to the brighter path but something bothered him. The way the manager looked at him made him feel the chills. It was an all familiar look but he seemed unable to put his finger on it. He forcefully endured her gaze but it still slightly terrified his heart.
But for the safety of his livelihood, he decided not to bring up the topic and just suck it up. He'll remain her loyal employee and he would perform his job. All for the money.
On his way home, he actually purchased some burgers. He felt that this event calls for a celebration, and decided to buy a burger as a reward for himself.
On his first bite, he teared up a little. To think he could eat meat, although synthetic, brought indescribable feelings in his heart.
His main diet consists of cup noodles, simple porridge and free biscuits from the infirmary. For him, meat is a luxury item reserved for the middle class (bourgeois) and above. People like him can be considered lucky to eat meat once a month.
But his attention is stolen from his burger to the loud sounds coming from the alley to his right. The darkness made it impossible to get a clear view of the alleyway. But based on the sounds, he inferred that it might be some hobo searching inside a dumpster.
But before he could turn his attention back to his burger, he caught a glimpse of 2 small bright orbs in the dark. Looking closer, he presumed that those were eyes belonging to the hobo he just heard. He then took another bite to his burger realizing that nothing was abnormal, but he then realized something.
'Wait… human eyes don't glow in the dark!'
He almost released a shriek but the years of experience held it back.
'What the hell is this?! An animal? No, that can't be. It looks like human eyes.'
He and the hobo eyed each other silently without moving an inch. The initially nervous Ye Han gradually calmed down feeling that the owner of the glowing eyes held no ill intent towards him.
Humans have 2 initial reactions to foreign things, fear, and curiosity. Fear happens when they feel that the foreign object will harm them. Curiosity happens by eliminating the fear factor. And like a normal human, curiosity overpowered Ye Han's reason.
He slowly approached the person, each step trod carefully as to avoid scaring it away. While he slowly inched towards the person, his mind is also not idle. Based on his "top-notch" deduction skills, he concluded that the person is either a child or a very tall midget.
His eyes have already accustomed itself to the dark. Finally, he obtained a good look of the person. It was a little girl. Definitely below 10 years old. She wore very ragged clothing, torn in various places. He could not make out her facial features due to the accumulated dirt and grime covering her face. Her most obvious feature is her white hair just like Ye Han, but shades darker than his. Although she looked thin and pale, the light in her eyes showed her unfailing will to survive.
'Why am I encountering a lot of females?'
Ye Han took notice of her rancid smell but decided to ignore it. His eyes held an approving look towards the little girl. Her determination greatly impressed him.
But it seems that they have held eye contact for far too long, a time too long for Ye Han's taste. His curiosity is finally sated but he heard an ominous growl. He did not like this growl. His burger will not be taken away from him!
"You want my burger little girl? Ohohoh, even if you starve to death I would not give you a single piece. You better piss off before I get irritated."
The girl ignored Ye Han as her nose twitch in excitement. Large amounts of drool leaked from her mouth and the growl coming from her stomach further intensified.
Ye Han put on an alarmed expression. "No! stay away, girl."
But the girl's eyes appeared clouded due to hunger. She took a step closer.
"I said stay away!" Ye Han warned.
She took another step.
Ye Han was about to run away from the alley to save his precious burger but the little girl suddenly took off in a burst of speed impossible for someone her age.
Ye Han was initially off guard but immediately regained his calmness and was about to retaliate but he found out that she was not aiming for the burger. His focus had been on the burger that it was already too late to realize that her real target was him.
"What the- !"