Sun Wen took Qin Guanglin to a small restaurant called Sichuan and Shandong Flavors. Although the restaurant was small, the decor was quite elegant, and the interior was clean and comfortable. It was mealtime, and there were only a few empty seats left inside.
A slightly plump waitress seated the two of them and handed them menus to have a look. She told them to call her when they were ready to order, then went off to handle other tasks—it seemed like she was a bit overwhelmed.
Sun Wen ordered two dishes and handed the menu over. Qin Guanglin glanced at it and added three more. This big guy always had a big appetite. He wanted to eat to his heart's content since it had been a while since they'd seen each other.
"Hello, we're ready to order." Qin Guanglin waved the menu at the waitress, who was just clearing a table where customers had recently left.
Sun Wen glanced at the bottles of liquor displayed at the front counter and clicked his tongue. "It's a shame we have to work later, or I'd have a drink with you."
"Come on, you know my drinking capacity, and I have things to do in the afternoon."
"Hahaha, that's exactly why I want to drink with you." Sun Wen was clearly happy to see Qin Guanglin. "Anyway, since you'll be working here soon, there will be plenty of chances."
"Get out of here." Qin Guanglin laughed. "I'm just here to have a look. It's not certain if I'll take the job yet."
Sun Wen lifted the teapot to pour them some tea and said, "Once you see it, you'll know it's a perfect fit."
"Is it okay to just go up and look?" Qin Guanglin mainly wanted to understand the work and then decide.
Either the work was easy and leisurely or had technical content and room for advancement. Otherwise, it wasn't worth it; staying home would be better.
"You go to the interview, ask what you need to. It's a mutual assessment process, but I guarantee, if you want the job, you can get it. The key is if you want it or not," Sun Wen said confidently.
Qin Guanglin thought about it and realized that was true. He could just interview and decide later whether or not to take the job.
Sun Wen suddenly leaned over with a mischievous grin. "There are a few beauties in the office, and they're single."
"Look at you being so sleazy," Qin Guanglin laughed. A guy as big as Sun Wen looking shifty was just too funny. "I'm not interested. If you are, go chase them yourself."
"Tsk, I already have a girlfriend. I have to think of ways to help you." Sun Wen acted as if he was looking out for his brother.
"What a coincidence, I do too," Qin Guanglin said.
"Really?" Sun Wen was surprised.
"Really."
"You actually did it, huh? Do you have a photo for me to see?" Sun Wen was half curious, half disbelieving. He'd known Qin Guanglin for six years since college, and it was the first time he'd heard of him having a girlfriend.
"Nope," Qin Guanglin calmly shook his head, refusing to show him anything.
"Tch, then I bet you don't have one." Sun Wen scoffed. How could this guy stay cooped up at home painting and find a girlfriend?
"Enough, I don't need you to play matchmaker; I really have one."
Qin Guanglin felt helpless. This guy had always loved playing the god of marriage since school, trying to introduce his friends to the girlfriends' inner circles. Where did he get all that energy?
"Suit yourself." Sun Wen finished his tea in one gulp and then remembered something. "Yu Fei seems to be getting married soon; he's setting the date."
"When?" Qin Guanglin was interested. Yu Fei was the first among their close group of friends to prepare for marriage.
Sun Wen shook his head. "He hasn't notified us yet. I just heard him mention it a while ago. Anyway, we'll all be notified when the time comes. How much should we pitch in for his wedding?"
Qin Guanglin thought for a moment and said, "Hmm... Let's discuss it then. I think three to five hundred should be fine. After all, we'll all get it back when we get married; it's just a formality."
"Sounds good." Sun Wen nodded. "Two hundred would be enough, I think. Besides, there are so many others who haven't married yet. Giving gifts to each of them adds up."
"The last one to marry will be the unlucky one, huh?" Qin Guanglin paused, then laughed. "And then there'll be another round of gift money when we have kids."
"..."
Sun Wen suddenly felt the pressure of being an adult. It was so much easier when they were in school, not having to worry about money.
All the social niceties could cost a fortune.
"In the future, I should discuss with my future wife about getting married every year," Sun Wen mused, stroking his chin.
Qin Guanglin pretended to look side to side. "Who are you? Why are you sitting at my table?"
Sun Wen laughed. "You can pretend not to know me, but you better leave me the gift money."
Most of the time spent with friends was filled with idle chatter, and before they knew it, the dishes arrived. The waitress ticked off items on the menu and left. Qin Guanglin's phone chimed.
Lost and waiting to return: Have you eaten?
Forest: Eating now. What about you?
Lost and waiting to return: Just finished. I miss you.
Forest: I'm out dealing with some stuff. How about I come see you this afternoon?
Lost and waiting to return: Maybe another time. I have to write my thesis today.
Forest: Okay then.
Forest: I miss you too.
Lost and waiting to return: Got it, make sure you eat well.
Putting down his phone, Sun Wen had already started eating and asked without looking up, "Girlfriend?"
"Just eat," Qin Guanglin replied.
"Judging by that grin, I can tell it definitely is," Sun Wen sneered. He could see it at a glance, but Qin Guanglin wouldn't admit it.
"You're the one with the sleazy grin; I'm an upright person."
After eating, they lingered for a while. Qin Guanglin prepared to pay the bill, and though Sun Wen tried to stop him, he didn't really argue and stood outside the restaurant with Qin Guanglin for a moment.
"Where to now?" Qin Guanglin asked him. It wasn't even one o'clock, and it wasn't appropriate to go to Sun Wen's company yet.
Sun Wen thought for a moment and said, "It's still lunch break, not work time yet. I'll take you to the company to have a look and rest for a bit."
"Is that really okay?" Qin Guanglin asked.
"What's not okay? Rest for a while, and when work starts, you'll have your interview." Sun Wen led the way towards the company.
"Alright then." Qin Guanglin had no choice but to follow.
The studio was different from what Qin Guanglin had imagined. He thought it would be a small place with a three-bedroom apartment, some decorations, and necessary equipment. Instead, it was a large office area where the usual cubicles were all cleared out, with a few desks scattered around. In the corners were lightboxes and scanners, with various cartoon characters posted on the walls.
It had a certain flair, unlike regular companies where everything was tidied up, making it feel oppressively serious.
The people inside chatted casually, rested on their desks, or scribbled with pens. Some noticed Sun Wen and turned their heads to greet him.
"Sun Wen, is this your friend?"
"Yeah, he's here to interview after work starts." Sun Wen responded, then quietly introduced to Qin Guanglin, "All the colleagues here are young, the oldest is only twenty-five. It's a pretty good atmosphere."
"I can see that." Qin Guanglin nodded. A few people had strange outfits, like those from an anime—too dimensional?
"Come over here."
Sun Wen led Qin Guanglin to a sofa on the side and introduced his daily work to him.
"The studio mainly draws short stories for partner companies, and we're also working on a long story for new media. Those two girls over there are the scriptwriter and editor; the one responsible for line drawings is over there too, and the one in the bear costume is..."
Sun Wen introduced each person as though Qin Guanglin had already decided to work there.