Wu Gang glanced at the sign and then followed Zhang Xiaofang into the massage parlor.
"First, I'll take you to see the manager to go through the entry formalities. You can only start working after they're completed!"
"Okay!" Wu Gang nodded, then followed Zhang Xiaofang without looking around.
Although the decor inside the parlor was very classy, he didn't dare to look around too much.
After following Zhang Xiaofang through a long corridor and up to the second floor, they finally stopped in front of a door labeled 'Manager's Office'.
"Manager Zhao!"
Zhang Xiaofang raised her hand and gently knocked three times.
"Come in."
Only after a pleasant female voice responded did Zhang Xiaofang push the door open and lead Wu Gang inside.
"Manager Zhao, this is Wu Gang, the one I mentioned to you before. Could you process his entry formalities today?"
On the way here, Zhang Xiaofang had given Wu Gang a brief introduction to the manager of the massage parlor, a young woman named Zhao Lu.
"Oh?"
At this, Zhao Lu stood up from behind her desk and walked toward Wu Gang.
By then, Wu Gang had also seen Zhao Lu.
She looked to be just over thirty, with long hair cascading over her shoulders, a melon-seed-shaped face, and very delicate features.
Especially those peach blossom eyes; they seemed as if they could hook away one's soul.
With a sophisticated makeup, she looked particularly mature and alluring.
Today she was wearing a black business skirt suit, which accentuated her curvy and seductive figure.
Fishnet stockings and high heels on her legs added a touch of glamour and allure to her overall appearance.
"He looks fairly young, is he really twenty years old?" As Zhao Lu approached Wu Gang, she scrutinized him carefully.
"Manager Zhao, Wu Gang just looks young, but he really is over twenty years old. Even if you lent me the courage, I wouldn't dare lie to you about this!" Zhang Xiaofang replied promptly.
To make Zhao Lu more convinced, she continued, "Even though he's young, he's actually my senior when it comes to massage skills. His technique is only better than mine, not worse!"
"Is that so?"
Zhao Lu looked at Zhang Xiaofang skeptically, pondered for a few seconds, then slowly said, "Let's not discuss how good his massage skills are for now. Since opening, our parlor has never hired a male masseur, and his being in a place full of women might make the other female masseurs feel unsafe!"
"This... "
Zhang Xiaofang was at a loss for words.
When she had mentioned Wu Gang to Zhao Lu before, Zhao Lu hadn't raised this issue. Why was she bringing it up now?
Seeing Zhang Xiaofang at a loss, Zhao Lu finally smiled faintly, "I'm not opposed to making an exception..."
Hearing this, both Zhang Xiaofang and Wu Gang immediately pricked up their ears, curious to hear what Zhao Lu would say next.
"Wu Gang, is it?"
Zhao Lu cast her gaze on Wu Gang and mused, "In principle, our parlor doesn't hire male masseurs, but considering you have a disability, I can make an exception and hire you, but you must start as an apprentice!"
"Apprentice?" Zhang Xiaofang's eyes widened in disbelief.
What is an apprentice? Only those who know nothing are called apprentices. Normally, apprentices are just provided with food and lodging, not a salary.
If Wu Gang were truly an apprentice, there wouldn't be much to say. Although there is no salary, at least one could learn a skill.
But Zhang Xiaofang had just emphasized that Wu Gang was her senior. How could he be treated as an apprentice?
To put it unpleasantly, this is straight-up exploitation!
Why accept an apprentice's pay for doing the work of a full-time employee?
"Xiaofang, you've been with our shop for quite some time, and I've already made an exception by hiring Wu Gang, which is essentially doing you a favor," Zhao Lu remarked with a tone that carried the weight of her words, sensing Zhang Xiaofang's discontent.
Zhang Xiaofang didn't reply; she and Wu Gang were like siblings in their craft and from the same village, so she was well aware of Wu Gang's family situation.
It's no exaggeration to say that being able to have four dishes for the holidays was already quite good, considering Wu Gang and Wang Yanli's earnings.
Now, just as she found an opportunity to help Wu Gang get a job to improve his living conditions, he could only get the pay of an apprentice; wouldn't it be better to just massage the villagers back home?
Seeing Zhang Xiaofang silent, Zhao Lu sighed to herself.
After pondering for a few seconds, she waved her hand and said, "Alright, alright, I'll take a step back. I'll provide meals during work hours, and the salary will be one thousand yuan per month. If you're still not satisfied with that, then go ahead and find a better opportunity!"
"Included meals, one thousand yuan a month..." Zhang Xiaofang frowned and looked at Wu Gang, feeling somewhat troubled.
After all, this was a far cry from the four thousand five hundred yuan a month she had initially told Wu Gang.
"Xiaofang, it's okay, one thousand will do," Wu Gang said with a smile.
He was indeed in need of money, but not so desperately that he couldn't settle for a thousand yuan a month.
The reason he chose to work here was that his eyesight had recovered, and he wanted to interact with more people and experiences.
If he remained in the village like before, only massaging the young aunts and sisters-in-law, that would be quite improper.
Moreover, he always felt that his parents' and uncle's deaths were more than just a simple traffic accident...
Seeing Wu Gang agree without hesitation, Zhang Xiaofang nearly burst with frustration.
But she couldn't really object and reluctantly said, "Then let's do it as President Zhao suggests."
"That's more like it. If Xiao Gang's skills are as good as you say, I'll definitely raise his salary to match yours after a while. I guarantee there won't be a second shop in Gusu Town that treats him as well as we do," Zhao Lu said, her face blooming with a smile, managing to make Wu Gang and Zhang Xiaofang feel like she was the one taking a loss, even though she was clearly exploiting Wu Gang.
Wu Gang wasn't foolish; he knew full well that Zhao Lu was playing coy after getting a bargain, but he didn't comment further.
"Now that I'm employed, let me give it a try personally."
"I just strained my back this morning and it's really bothering me, Xiao Gang, can you massage me? Let's see how good your skills are," Zhao Lu said before heading out of the office.
"This..."
Wu Gang instinctively looked over at Zhang Xiaofang, uncertain if Zhao Lu had any other intentions.
"Go ahead; it's a good opportunity to show President Zhao your skills. Maybe if you massage her well, she might just raise your salary on the spot," Zhang Xiaofang encouraged him, "Don't be nervous, just massage her like you normally do in the village!"
"Okay."
Wu Gang nodded and followed Zhao Lu upstairs to the innermost room on the second floor.
"Xiaofang, you go on with your work. Once I'm done trying out his skills, I'll take Xiao Gang to find you," Zhao Lu said, effectively showing Zhang Xiaofang the door as she followed them.
With no other choice, Zhang Xiaofang politely excused herself and left.
Now in the room, only Wu Gang and Zhao Lu remained.
After closing the door, Zhao Lu confidently made her way to the bathroom in the room. After some rustling, she came out wrapped in a brown bath towel.
She lay down on the massage table, which was half a meter wide, and called out, "Xiao Gang, you can start now..."