Chapter 103 - 103 102 Care from a Programmer Friend

Chapter 103: Chapter 102: Care from a Programmer Friend Chapter 103: Chapter 102: Care from a Programmer Friend Isa Beauty Salon. Since it was a workday, there weren’t many clients in the salon. After finishing a scheduled client’s care, Zhao Yaqian put away all the skincare products and equipment and changed the sheets on the beauty bed. She sat down on a stool and took out her phone to check it. It was almost 6 o’clock. She still hadn’t received a message from Tang Song, and she couldn’t help but feel anxious. She had been waiting for his message since she got up this morning, and now the day was almost over with nothing. They had already kissed, and she had given him a watch; why was he still so cold? Zhao Yaqian sighed. Programmer friend, don’t you know to show a little concern for Beauty Zhao? She even gave you her first kiss, what a pity! Suddenly, her shoulder was tapped, and a colleague said, “Qianqian, our boxed meals have arrived; can you go downstairs and get them?” “Sure, I’ll go right now,” Zhao Yaqian replied hurriedly, putting away her phone and quickly walking towards the exit. Every evening from 6 to 7 p.m. was the employees’ mealtime. Beauticians who weren’t busy with tasks at hand could eat normally. Soon, Zhao Yaqian returned with a large bag of boxed meals and placed them in the staff rest area. They all ordered from the same place, one meat dish and two vegetables for 14 yuan. The portions were generous, and the taste was good, making them popular among colleagues, and usually, more than ten people would order together. Being new and still on probation, she was the smallest shrimp there, so running errands was her job. She set out the boxed meals neatly. Sister Li came over and asked with concern, “Qianqian, how have you been feeling these days?” “Pretty good, especially on workdays, it’s much more relaxed than before.” “That’s good,” Sister Li said with a smile. “Just hang in there a bit longer, and once you’re a regular employee, you can apply for shifts. Day shifts are much more relaxed than evening shifts.” She herself hadn’t been there long, and she always worked the evening shift. Having an acquaintance like Zhao Yaqian there was also comforting. “Yeah, let’s work hard together!” Zhao Yaqian pumped her fist energetically. “Tap tap tap,” footsteps sounded, and several colleagues who had finished their tasks came in, each searching for their own boxed meal. “Wow, today’s braised pork is really good! It’s got all the good layers of fat, just looking at it makes me hungry.” “The Kung Pao chicken is not bad either, lots of chicken.” “Why is today’s pork with preserved vegetables so fatty? I’ve hit a pitfall. Hey, Zhao Yaqian, what did you order today?” Zhao Yaqian quickly replied, “Sister Yan, I ordered Kung Pao chicken, organic cauliflower, and bok choy with mushrooms.” Wang Yan’s eyes shifted, then she covered her boxed meal again, “I remember you can eat fatty meat. It just so happens we can switch. You take mine.” With that said, she took away the meal in front of her. Zhao Yaqian was momentarily stunned, shocked by her shamelessness. Sister Li beside her tugged at her arm and gave her a look. Zhao Yaqian bit her lip, swallowing the words that almost escaped her mouth. She had heard from Sister Li before that Wang Yan was a relative of the salon owner; it was best not to provoke her. The other female colleagues looked at them but didn’t say anything. Zhao Yaqian, feeling wronged, pouted and stood up to take over Sister Yan’s boxed meal. In the half a year since she entered society, her career path hadn’t been smooth, and she deeply understood the difficulties of life. Although she was upset, there was nothing she could do about it. “Buzz buzz buzz—” The phone on the table started vibrating wildly. It was an unfamiliar cell phone number. She answered the call. “Hello, may I speak with Ms. Zhao Yaqian?” A young woman’s voice came through the handset. “Yes, it’s me. What can I do for you?” “It’s like this: Mr. Tang has ordered a takeaway meal for you at our restaurant. Which floor are you on? I’ll bring it up to you.” Hearing the words “Mr. Tang,” Zhao Yaqian’s heart skipped a beat, knowing it must be Brother Song. He actually ordered takeout for me, why didn’t he let me know in advance? Is he planning to surprise me? Zhao Yaqian’s face instantly lit up with joy, and the earlier grievances and unhappiness completely vanished. Excitedly she said, “No need, I’ll come down to get it!” “It’s okay, we can bring it up to you. We often deliver meals here at Isa Beauty Salon, we’re quite familiar with it. Also, the items are quite numerous, it wouldn’t be easy for you to carry them by yourself.” Zhao Yaqian paused, not understanding what the woman meant. It was just one takeaway meal, how could it be too much to carry? But she was not one to quibble; she quickly said, “Okay then, thank you! I’m in the staff rest area at the far west end of the second floor.” Sister Li glanced at her and asked, “What’s up, Qianqian?” Zhao Yaqian stuck out her tongue playfully, saying happily, “A friend ordered takeout for me without letting me know in advance.” “Must be your boyfriend, right?” Sister Li’s eyes gleamed with the fire of gossip, “When did you start dating? How come you’ve never mentioned it?” Another female colleague, curious, asked, “Yaqian, is it your boyfriend? I heard Weiwei say that your boyfriend is a rich and handsome guy who drives a BMW, is that true or not?” Zhao Yaqian blushed, stammering, “Uh, no... that...” The term ‘boyfriend’ made her heartbeat quicken. But they hadn’t made their relationship clear; she didn’t know what they were considered at the moment. Lovers? Ambiguous friends? Good friends? Wang Yan, who was eating, looked at her and teased, “If she really had a rich and handsome boyfriend, would she be working here with us?” The other colleagues also laughed along, none of them quite believing it. Zhao Yaqian pursed her lips, unsure of what to say. “Knock knock knock—” There was a knock on the door of the staff rest area. Two women in dark blue uniforms appeared at the door, carrying two beautiful large boxes, their posture graceful and smiles on their faces. “Excuse me, which one of you is Ms. Zhao Yaqian?” Hearing her own name, Zhao Yaqian quickly stood up, “I’m here.” The two women walked briskly over and set the boxes on the table. “Just a moment, we will take out the meal for you.” “Oh, oh!” Zhao Yaqian nodded, her eyes wide with surprise as she looked at them, not understanding what kind of takeout Tang Song had ordered that came in such elaborate packaging. Her colleagues all stopped eating and started to discuss among themselves. “Isn’t this takeout from Private Banquet Mansion?” “Definitely, there’s even a logo on the top.” “One of my diamond card members often orders dinner from this restaurant, each meal costing a few hundred yuan.” ... As a high-end beauty salon, most of the members here were wealthy. Sometimes, when treatments were long, they would order meals themselves. Private Banquet Mansion was considered the most upscale restaurant nearby, and it was their favorite. The external packaging of the box was opened, revealing the thick insulating foil layer inside. Soon, several exquisite meal boxes were taken out and placed on the table in front of Zhao Yaqian. She counted them, a total of eight, all not very large, but very beautiful. “Ms. Zhao, this is the menu for today’s meal, please have a look.” Zhao Yaqian blinked, taking it and looked it over carefully. Tri-colored radishes stewed with beef brisket, mushroom-stuffed abalone, crab meat patties, clear mushroom chicken soup, spiced beef, cherries... Before she could react, Another box was opened, inside was an enormously thick durian layer cake, and it was large, probably 10 inches. “Ms. Zhao, Mr. Tang says this cake is for your colleagues to enjoy.” Zhao Yaqian nodded dumbly, her gaze fixed on the items on the table. “We will be leaving then, enjoy your meal.” “Okay, thank you.” As the two women left, the break area instantly became lively. A group of colleagues gathered around her, chattering excitedly. “Yaqian! Did your boyfriend order this meal for you?” “So wealthy! A delivery set meal from Private Banquet Mansion!” “Qianqian, I just heard, this durian layer cake is a treat from your boyfriend to us! Hurry up and cut it!” “I want some! I want some!” “The durian layer cake from Private Banquet Mansion, I heard it’s made with a combination of Musang King and Golden Pillow durian, this 10-inch one, probably costs nearly two thousand, right?” “Qianqian, your boyfriend is so good to you!” ... In the midst of the praises, Zhao Yaqian felt dizzy and her cheeks flushed. She picked up a serrated knife, started cutting the cake, and handed out slices to her colleagues. Through the cross section, you could see it was full of golden durian flesh, rich in quantity. “Thank you, Qianqian!” “Thanks, dear!” “I have to post this on social media! This cake is amazing!” “First time eating such an expensive durian layer cake!” ... After distributing the cake, the colleagues who were cool towards her suddenly turned into close sisters. The way they looked at her became very friendly. The only one who didn’t come over for cake was Wang Yan, who had just been mocking her, and it would have been embarrassing to come forward now. Among the colleagues feasting on cake, she stood out awkwardly. Wang Yan pursed her lips, picked up her boxed lunch, and left the break area. Watching this, Zhao Yaqian vaguely understood that Brother Song was helping her maintain good relations with her colleagues, hoping to make her work environment more relaxed and joyful. She opened each meal box in front of her, revealing the beautifully prepared dishes, fruits, and hot soup inside. The tantalizing aroma wafted over, causing her stomach to rumble. She swallowed and took out her phone to snap a photo, sending it to Tang Song. The message read, “I’ve received the takeout, and I’ve also shared the cake with my colleagues. Everyone is very happy. Thank you, Brother Song, I am also very happy, and I’ve never had such a luxurious meal before.” She was never a fussy person. Since Tang Song had sent her a surprise, she happily accepted it, thinking she would simply be good to him in return. Picking up her chopsticks, she took a bite of the stewed beef brisket, which melted in her mouth, the rich and deep flavor of the meat lingering on. She then picked up a piece of abalone, which was smooth and tender, with a unique taste, delicious! The cherries were very large, juicy and firm, truly sweet! The 19-year-old beautician, on this ordinary evening, tasted such luxurious and delicious food for the first time and was deeply moved. She felt that the steak buffet at Wanda, which she had been longing for, did not seem like such a big deal anymore. “Buzz buzz buzz—” [Tang Song: “I’m glad you’re happy, but I’d prefer to see your photo, not the meal.”] Zhao Yaqian’s eyes curved into a smile as she picked out a photo from today and sent it over. [Tang Song: “Still so beautiful, and your outfit is great too, but I want to know more about your inner wear style, such as stockings, leggings, and the like.”] Zhao Yaqian bit her lush lips and replied, “Don’t be pervy!” Yet, inside, she wondered if she should snap a picture when she changed clothes after work? After all, the programmer friend had behaved so well today! If it was just leggings, it should be fine, right?