Devour.
Lin Luan could no longer remember how many resumes he had sent out in search of a job, or how many times he had been rejected.
The number in his bank account was already lower than his physics score from the college entrance exam. After paying rent yesterday, he even wished he could split one meal into two.
He broke a steamed bun in half—half for lunch, half for dinner—dipping it into the broth of braised beef instant noodles, savoring every bite.
But just this morning, his phone’s job-hunting app pinged with a message.
At No. 113 West Street in Chang City, the dishwashing job he applied for had successfully gotten him an interview. Now, he was already standing at the entrance of the shop.
This was his chance to change his life!
All he needed to do was tidy his clothes, and then—
That was what Lin Luan had thought. But when he lifted his head and saw the building in front of him clearly, he froze.
He remembered the agent telling him it was a dishwashing job at a restaurant…
Lin Luan glanced at his phone. The screen did, indeed, say:
[Congratulations! You’ve entered the interview for the dishwashing position at 113 West Street.]
But, this 113 West Street… why is it a Host Club?!
Such luxurious décor, that gilded shop front… would a high-class place like this hire dishwashers?
Lin Luan was just about to throw his phone down and curse out that black-hearted agent for scamming him, but he stopped himself.
First, because his phone, though already five years old, was still an expensive fruit model; he couldn’t afford to smash it. And also… what if they really needed a dishwasher?
Willpower.
Waist-high.
Atmosphere.
The dishwashers in a place like this must get paid a ridiculous amount.
For Lin Luan, who thought even a 9.9 yuan meal was too expensive, this money was far too important.
With this job, he could finally add a ready-made egg and one of those volcano-grilled sausages with the taste of dish soap to his order.
Whatever, he was here anyway.
Lin Luan couldn’t be bothered to think about anything else, striding boldly into the shop.
As soon as he stepped through the door, a bald, burly man in a security uniform blocked his path.
“You… new here?” The big man took off his sunglasses and gave Lin Luan a once-over.
“Ah, yes, yes,” Lin Luan nodded, bowing slightly, “I heard… your shop is recruiting dishwashers?”
The security guard frowned. “Dishwasher?”
“Yeah, I saw it on MOSS Direct Hire.” Lin Luan scratched his head.
The bald man looked Lin Luan up and down again, then took out his walkie-talkie and spoke in a low voice to confirm something, before saying, “Alright, come with me.”
Lin Luan followed the guard through a corridor filled with ambiguous lighting. Deafening music assaulted him from every direction.
The walls on either side of the corridor were lined with photos of handsome men, all with immaculate makeup and alluring eyes.
It was Lin Luan’s first time seeing such a scene. Though the atmosphere was odd, it seemed the Host Club really was hiring a dishwasher.
As long as he could earn money, it didn’t matter.
With that thought, Lin Luan trailed after the security guard, winding through the corridors. Along the way, he saw plenty of hosts and women drinking.
He thought, if not for needing a job, he’d probably never set foot in a place like this in his life.
After all, one, he wasn’t rich; two, he wasn’t into men—
“What do you mean I still have to wait for him?!”
Suddenly, a woman’s furious shout rang out, accompanied by the sound of something shattering.
Someone had thrown a tantrum and smashed something; the crash echoed sharply in the midst of the decadent sounds of the club, instantly grabbing Lin Luan’s attention.
He instinctively looked toward the source.
***
Not far ahead at the bar, a woman in a long black camisole dress was standing there. Her figure was tall and slender, chestnut curls cascading down her back.
She looked like an icy beauty straight out of an ancient painting. Even at a distance, Lin Luan could sense the chilly aura radiating from her.
The table in front of her was a mess. Dark liquor was dripping off the edge, filling the air with a rich aroma of alcohol.
It looked like she’d just smashed a fine bottle of wine.
Lin Luan suddenly felt a pang of regret. That bottle must’ve been expensive. If it had been given to him, it could’ve fed him for a month.
“I’ve been waiting for half an hour in the private room on the second floor! Now you tell me he still isn’t here? Is this how your ‘Zuilu’ Headliner Host treats his customers?!”
Though the woman’s tone was furious, her expression was still as icy as ever. “Go get your manager!”
“Miss Su… Manager Wang is already on his way… Please calm down.”
Several servers in uniform hovered helplessly around her, whispering attempts at comfort, but they had no effect on her anger.
Lin Luan watched, a little dazed, his steps unconsciously slowing. Compared to his uneventful life, this scene was far more exciting.
The burly security guard in front turned back and urged impatiently.
“What are you looking at? Keep moving! Manager Wang is waiting for you!”
“Oh, sorry, I’m coming.”
Lin Luan snapped out of it and hurried after the bald guard.
He was here to find a job. The business of these rich women had nothing to do with him. He could barely afford to eat—better focus on the interview.
But just as Lin Luan was about to rush after the guard, that overbearing woman noticed him, the young man trying to sneak away like a startled puppy.
“Wait!”
The woman’s shout made Lin Luan freeze on the spot.
“Miss Su Jin, please, don’t get upset. This is…” the bald security guard started to explain.
“I don’t care who he is!” Su Jin cut him off directly, extending a slender finger adorned with purple nail polish, pointing straight at the bewildered Lin Luan.
“Look! Even a random person in your shop has a cleaner look in his eyes than your so-called Headliner! And he looks better too!”
Lin Luan stood there, completely confused. He felt like he’d just been complimented, but also insulted.
“Chen Siye? Which stray mutt off the street is he? I’ll show him—without me, he’s nothing!”
As she spoke, Su Jin strode over to Lin Luan, sizing up his out-of-place cheap T-shirt and faded jeans, and said, “I don’t care who he is—him! Let him come drink with me!”
Lin Luan pointed to himself, full of questions.
Me?
“Second floor, . You have thirty seconds. Don’t be late.” Su Jin poked Lin Luan in the chest with her finger and turned to go upstairs.
Lin Luan pointed to his own nose, still reeling from the sudden order, when a server in a crisp vest hurried over:
“Sir, we’re begging you! Miss Su is our most important customer. If she really gets angry today, all of us will be in big trouble!”
Lin Luan instinctively stepped back and waved his hands, “No, no, you’ve got it wrong, I’m here to apply for the dishwashing job, I…”
“Dishwasher?”
The server paused, then seized the chance as if grabbing a lifeline, “Even better! Sir, if you help us out, you’ll be saving ‘Zuilu’! Miss Su is the heiress of Su Group, and she’s incredibly generous. If you can calm her down even a little, even if you just sit with her for a while, the tip you’ll get…”
He leaned in close and whispered a number in Lin Luan’s ear.
Lin Luan’s eyes went wide instantly, that number buzzing in his head.
That was enough to cover almost five years of his rent!
“H-how much?!” He couldn’t believe his ears.
“If anything, it’ll be more, not less!”
The server could see his hesitation and pressed on, “And I’ll explain everything to Manager Wang for you, promise it won’t affect your dishwashing interview! Please, you’re the only one who can help us now!”
Love is the strongest stimulant for humans—and so is money. Just now, Lin Luan had been desperate to escape, but at the thought of that mountain of cash, a sudden courage welled up inside him.
He took a deep breath, as if about to charge into battle, and nodded hard, “Alright! I’ll do it!”
If they need a savior, then I’ll be the one!
It’s not for the money—really!
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