novelraw Chapter 32
Chapter 32
32. Zhizhen
Gabriel looked like a well-bred young lady. That she could sing and dance wasn't particularly strange.
But they were here to find a job, and artistic talents alone wouldn't suffice.
Still, Meng Lian didn't say anything discouraging. She checked the time and found it was still early, so she took Gabriel from shop to shop, trying each one.
There were quite a few stores looking for help, but they all required specific skills. So after a whole morning, the two of them had made no progress.
This was the last one.
Meng Lian brought Gabriel to a textile shop. She glanced at the name: Zhizhen Textile Shop, then led Gabriel inside.
"Welcome to Zhizhen Textile Shop! Whether you need custom gowns, wedding dresses, or everyday attire, we take all orders. It's the start of the school term, so place your order now and enjoy twenty percent off meow~"
There was no one in the small shop, only a black cat that could speak human language.
Seeing customers enter, the black cat's carpet rose into the air and flew directly in front of Meng Lian, reciting the lines with practiced ease.
A talking cat? Was it the owner's pet?
"Ahem, we're not here to order clothes. We're here to look for work. Are you hiring? Where is your owner?"
"What owner meow! I am the owner here meow!"
For some reason, the previously languid black cat bristled at the word "owner."
"Moxiang, the little Junior Sister didn't mean it. Don't get so worked up."
Just as Meng Lian stood there at a loss, a girl walked out from the back of the shop. She had cherry blossom pink hair that faded to black at the tips.
The girl scooped the black cat into her arms and stroked her affectionately. Only then did the cat settle down.
"Hello, I'm Zhizhen, the owner here. This is my girlfriend, Moxiang. She was hit by a witch's curse during the Academy Competition and turned into a black cat."
"Huh? I'm so sorry, I'm really sorry! I didn't know!"
Hearing that the black cat was actually a victim of a curse, Meng Lian hurriedly apologized.
"It's fine. Moxiang doesn't mind, do you, Moxiang?"
Zhizhen scratched the black cat's chin with her finger. The black cat let out a comfortable purr.
"Meow~"
"By the way, you said you were here to find work? Are you looking for part-time jobs?"
Zhizhen looked at Meng Lian and Gabriel. Her gaze lingered appreciatively on Meng Lian for a moment before shifting to Gabriel.
"That's right. Does your shop need any help?" Meng Lian asked.
"Well, I do need a model and a seamstress apprentice. Do either of you know how to sew?"
"Model?" Gabriel's eyes lit up. She had some confidence in her appearance.
"Let me be frank. The model position involves wearing clothes I design and showing them off to customers. The seamstress apprentice involves learning to sew and make clothes from scratch."
Zhizhen explained the requirements for both positions.
Meng Lian noticed Gabriel's eager expression and couldn't help but feel happy for her friend.
"Gabriel, do you want to try for the model position?"
"Yes!" Gabriel nodded vigorously.
"Hold on." Zhizhen suddenly spoke up, her eyes fixed on Meng Lian. "Little Junior Sister, have you considered becoming a model yourself? With your figure, you'd be perfect for showcasing all kinds of outfits."
Meng Lian was momentarily tempted by the offer. After all, she did need credits.
But she quickly shook her head. "Sorry, Senior Sister. I'm not really interested in modeling."
Zhizhen sighed with genuine regret. "What a shame. Well, I won't force you."
She turned back to Gabriel. "Since you want to be a model, let me see how you move. Walk a few steps for me."
Gabriel nervously walked back and forth across the shop floor. Zhizhen observed her carefully, nodding occasionally.
"Not bad. Your posture is elegant, and you carry yourself well. The job is yours if you want it."
"Really? Thank you so much!" Gabriel exclaimed, her face lighting up with joy.
Meng Lian felt relieved. After a whole morning of searching, Gabriel had finally found something.
Zhizhen glanced at Meng Lian again, a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"Little Junior Sister, are you sure you don't want to reconsider? I pay very well."
Meng Lian shook her head firmly. She had no intention of becoming a model. Her schedule was already complicated enough with her undercover work and her plans to join the Student Council.
Besides, she had a feeling that Zhizhen had other motives for being so persistent.
Meng Lian glanced at Gabriel. "So, do you want to be a model or a seamstress?"
"Model, I think."
Gabriel thought about it and realized that aside from wearing clothes, she didn't really know how to do anything else. Being a seamstress sounded like skilled work. She could barely thread a needle, let alone sew clothes.
Fortunately, she had been treated like a dress-up doll by her older sister since childhood, so she had plenty of experience in how to wear clothes to showcase their best features.
"Since you've decided, sign this contract."
Zhizhen didn't waste any time. She snapped her fingers, and a parchment covered in dense golden text appeared before Gabriel, with a quill floating beside it.
"This is a one-year contract. Your job is to try on the new clothes I make. Work hours are five to ten in the evening, right after your classes end. On Saturdays, you'll work from nine in the morning to three in the afternoon. Sundays are off. Monthly salary is three thousand credits. If you have no objections, just sign your name."
Wow, that generous?
Hearing those terms, even Meng Lian felt tempted for a moment, but she quickly dismissed the thought.
Working for someone else? Impossible. Not in this lifetime.
She'd rather just live on the academy's monthly allowance.
Besides, Meng Lian remembered that class officers received monthly benefits. As Class Monitor, she would get five hundred credits per month. Added together, that meant she'd have twenty-five hundred credits each month, enough to live quite comfortably.
"I have no problem with that. Thank you, Shop Manager."
Gabriel knew this job was something many people dreamed of. She didn't hesitate and signed her name immediately.
"But... Shop Manager, can I get an advance on two months' wages? I want to..."
Gabriel had taken out a loan of four thousand credits at five percent daily interest. She borrowed it on the second day, and today was the fifth day. If she paid it back today, she would owe a total of forty-six hundred credits for just three days. If she didn't pay it off today, the compound interest would turn her debt into an astronomical figure.
"You want to pay off a loan? No problem. I've been there myself. I understand."
Zhizhen agreed readily.
She glanced at Meng Lian. After all, not everyone was like her, able to successfully undergo Witch Transformation just by holding the Shadow of the Mirage Dragon.
In reality, there were many methods to undergo Witch Transformation besides the witch potion. For example, the illusion path had the Shadow of the Mirage Dragon. Or sword practitioners, if they had sword talent, could find a magical sword and resonate with it to naturally undergo Witch Transformation.
However, all these methods required a certain level of talent. In comparison, the witch potion was direct and simple.
Zhizhen remembered when she first enrolled. She had taken out a loan of eight thousand credits and almost ended up working at the Witch House. Fortunately, she met Moxiang, who became her patron, and she avoided that fate.
"Thank you, thank you so much!"
Zhizhen didn't drag her feet. She directly transferred six thousand credits to Gabriel. Seeing this, the weight in Gabriel's heart finally lifted.
After discussing some details with Zhizhen, Meng Lian and Gabriel left the shop.
At that moment, Gabriel could no longer contain her excitement. She threw her arms around Meng Lian.
"Meng Lian, thank you! I finally found a job!"
Meng Lian was one meter seventy-three tall, and Gabriel was about one meter sixty-eight. The height difference was small. For a moment, their Big Sisters pressed together, the soft sensation making both of them blush.
"Ah, sorry. I got too excited."
Gabriel realized her behavior was a bit too forward and hurriedly let go.
"It's fine, it's fine."
Meng Lian said the words, but in her heart, she wished it could happen again.
That kind of intimate contact really was quite nice.