novelraw Chapter 322: The Growing Canary, New Monsters Spawn
Chapter 322: The Growing Canary, New Monsters Spawn
Around 3 PM, the Huaiyun Road branch of Isha Beauty Salon began to quiet down.
Staff members started tidying up treatment rooms and cleaning common areas in an orderly fashion.
In one of the west-side treatment rooms on the second floor, Sister Li was meticulously arranging skincare products and instruments, lining them up by category and usage order.
“Hey, Sis, have you heard? Our salon is launching a medical aesthetics project soon. Apparently, some investors are coming to visit today. But with space being so limited, do you think they’ll convert some of the treatment rooms into medical suites?”
A coworker, Yang Liu, whispered with concern.
Sister Li nodded. “I just found out yesterday. It seems that the group of beauticians who left earlier did so because of this. The big boss wanted to pilot the medical aesthetics department at this branch and planned to cut the performance bonuses for the beauty care supervisors. That led to a big argument, and the supervisors left with their close associates.”
With her extensive experience and skills, Sister Li wasn’t worried about losing her job—finding new work would be easy for her.
“Oh, right, wasn’t that around the time Qianqian joined us?”
“Yeah, it was over two months ago. I wonder how she’s doing now,” Sister Li replied, her eyes reflecting nostalgia.
Last year, at Yizi Beauty Salon, it was Sister Li who had recruited Zhao Yaqian, mainly because they were from the same hometown, and she found the girl sincere and diligent.When Sister Li moved to Isha Beauty, she kept Zhao Yaqian in mind and brought her on board as soon as the opportunity arose.
During her resignation, Sister Li had tried to convince her to stay multiple times, but Zhao Yaqian had firmly decided to leave, saying her boyfriend had made arrangements for her.
Yang Liu, wiping down a desk, stood up and said, “Sis, I heard from Weiwei and the others that Qianqian’s boyfriend is a tall, rich, handsome guy. Is that true? Why doesn’t she show him off on WeChat?”
“Of course it’s true! He booked a fancy meal at Private Feast for her and got her a durian mille crepe cake. Plus, he drove a BMW to pick her up after work.”
“Well, no wonder she quit! Our job, at the end of the day, is serving others—it’s not exactly glamorous.” Yang Liu sighed. “Being pretty has its perks. Back at Yizi, so many rich men liked Qianqian. There were some seriously wealthy ones among them.”
Yang Liu, also a former Yizi employee, had been recommended by Sister Li to take over Zhao Yaqian’s position after her departure.
“Before she left, we had dinner together. She said her boyfriend had arranged a place for her to live, gave her living expenses, and just wanted her to enjoy life.”
Yang Liu hesitated before lowering her voice. “I’ve heard from Wang Yan and the others that Qianqian was being kept as a mistress. I wonder if that’s true?”
Her tone was cautious, but the actual gossip was far more exaggerated.
Though Zhao Yaqian hadn’t worked at Isha Beauty for long, she had certainly made an impression—especially when her boyfriend showed up in a BMW, gifted her an LV bag, and a top-spec iPhone 14 Pro.
This made her the envy of many coworkers, and after her decisive resignation, she became the hottest topic of conversation among a few jealous gossipmongers.
“Creak—” The treatment room door was pushed open.
Wei Ziyan, a senior beauty consultant, strode in briskly.
“You’re done here, right? Hurry downstairs and help set up for the boss and the investors!”
Her tone was curt, but Sister Li and Yang Liu didn’t argue.
As a mid-level manager, Wei Ziyan had the authority to delegate tasks.
In the first-floor reception hall, new ornaments and decorations had been added, creating an elegant and fashionable ambiance.
The marble tiles gleamed, the crystal chandeliers sparkled, and vibrant flowers adorned tables, counters, and the front desk.
The entire space looked pristine and welcoming, exuding sophistication.
At the front desk, Manager Zhao Qiuli stood with a smile, her demeanor unusually warm. Any customers who walked in were met with an enthusiasm that far exceeded the usual.
When Sister Li and Yang Liu came downstairs, they were taken aback by the setup. Keeping their heads down, they quietly busied themselves in a side room.
Minutes later, a few other beauticians who had finished their work joined them, murmuring amongst themselves.
“Sister Yan, is the investor coming today interested in the medical aesthetics transformation?”
“Will the salon be hiring doctors and nurses? If so, does that mean we’ll just be assistants?”
“Will our team of beauticians be reduced? Will our benefits take a hit?”
“Can’t you all be more optimistic?” Wang Yan raised her brows and said proudly, “The beauty industry is evolving, and medical aesthetics are the future.
“It can help us expand and retain more customers. The profits and repeat visits from such projects are significant, bringing in more revenue for the salon.
“This is an opportunity for all of us. Once the boss secures the investment, everything will improve.”
Hearing this, the others quickly agreed, their tension easing.
As seasoned beauticians, they could sense the industry’s shift.
Medical aesthetics, with its minimal invasiveness, quick recovery, and visible results, was gaining popularity—especially among younger customers who valued efficiency and convenience.
High-end chain salons needed such offerings to stay competitive. Many premium clients had already switched to other salons for these services.
If investors were interested and the boss was willing to modernize the salon, it was overall a positive development.
After chatting for a while, Wang Yan glanced at Sister Li and Yang Liu with a smirk.
“Sister Li, have you heard anything about Zhao Yaqian lately?”
“No, I haven’t been in touch with her recently.”
Wang Yan, clearly gloating, said, “She’s just too young and impulsive. She’ll regret it sooner or later. Not just anyone can walk in and out of Isha Beauty as they please.”
Sister Li remained silent, her gaze lowered.
Wang Yan, being both a relative of the manager and a long-time employee, often acted self-important.
She had clashed with Zhao Yaqian before, so it was obvious she was stirring up drama, likely trying to revisit the gossip about her being a mistress.
But deep down, it was all jealousy—of someone young, beautiful, and capable of finding such a successful boyfriend.
The other colleagues exchanged glances but said nothing.
Most of them had eaten snacks and cakes brought by Zhao Yaqian’s boyfriend and maintained a good relationship with her.
When no one joined in, Wang Yan’s expression turned awkward.
At that moment, voices rose in greeting from the reception hall.
Everyone immediately perked up and walked out quickly.
“Boss!”
“Boss!”
“Boss!”
Amid the enthusiastic greetings, Zhang Yurong, dressed in formal business attire, walked in with a sharp gaze, surveying the surroundings.
Following closely behind her was Manager Zhao Qiuli.
As the boss, Zhang Yurong rarely appeared in the salon, but her commanding presence and decisive style had left a deep impression on everyone.
Around 4 PM, Zhang Yurong, seated on the salon’s plush sofa, stood up and clapped her hands lightly.
“Let’s prepare ourselves and put on our best faces to welcome our investor!”
The main doors of the salon opened as her words fell.
The consultants and beauticians quickly lined up in two neat rows, their postures straight and smiles warm.
Zhang Yurong adjusted her elegant updo and stepped outside.
The employees’ gazes instinctively followed their boss out the door.
Minutes later, two black Maybachs glided to a stop on the left side of the entrance, their sleek exteriors shimmering luxuriously under the sunlight.
Standing in the corner, Sister Li and Yang Liu couldn’t help but be drawn to the sight, their expressions a mix of curiosity and excitement.
The sound of car doors opening echoed in the air, and six figures emerged—men and women alike, most dressed in sharp business attire, carrying briefcases, and exuding confident auras.
One woman stood out in particular.
She wore a simple yet striking haute couture dress that accentuated her tall, sensual figure. Her long, bare legs were graceful and toned, drawing immediate attention.
Her face was both alluring and defined, with waves of wine-red hair cascading down her shoulders. She radiated a fashionable, self-assured charm.
Sister Li and Yang Liu froze in shock, their eyes widening as they stared at the woman stepping out of the car—Zhao Yaqian.
Sister Li instinctively pinched her thigh, the sharp pain confirming she wasn’t dreaming. Her mouth opened slightly in disbelief.
Although her figure and face were familiar, Zhao Yaqian seemed worlds apart from the version of her they remembered.
Zhang Yurong’s face instantly lit up with a warm smile as she strode forward to greet her.
She enthusiastically shook hands with Zhao Yaqian and, with an arm linked to hers, began walking toward the salon entrance.
Whispers erupted among the employees:
“Zhao Yaqian?”
“Qianqian?”
“Is that really Qianqian?”
In the middle of the group, Wang Yan visibly flinched, her eyelids twitching uncontrollably.
She had initially suspected she was mistaken, but the reactions of her colleagues confirmed the shocking truth.
Zhao Yaqian? How had she become like this?
And judging by her hand-in-hand camaraderie with Zhang Yurong… could she be the investor they were waiting for?
Footsteps and polite greetings filled the reception hall as everyone’s gaze fixated on Zhao Yaqian.
Shock, confusion, disbelief, surprise, nervousness, and awe flickered across their faces.
Sensing the odd atmosphere, Zhang Yurong frowned slightly, about to speak, when Zhao Yaqian stopped and beamed brightly.
She waved toward the corner.
“Long time no see, Sister Li, and you too, Sister Liu. I heard you’ve both joined Isha Beauty!”
Sister Li’s face flushed red, and she stammered, “Qianqian… it’s been a while.”
Yang Liu stood frozen, unable to process what she was seeing.
It had only been four months since she and Zhao Yaqian had parted ways.
Back then, Zhao Yaqian had been a clumsy yet earnest assistant who followed instructions diligently but was often tongue-tied. At just twenty, she had been the junior helper to the senior beauticians at Yizi Beauty.
But now, standing before her was a transformed Zhao Yaqian, dressed in high-end fashion, with exquisite makeup and an overwhelming presence. The stark contrast left Yang Liu utterly stunned.
Zhang Yurong took a deep breath, her eyes flickering with realization.
Beside her, Manager Zhao Qiuli finally seized the moment to whisper a few words into her ear.
She had been too stunned earlier to say anything, but now she quickly relayed the details.
As the branch manager, every hire and resignation went through her, so she still remembered the long-legged beautician, Qianqian.
Zhao Yaqian chuckled softly, her crescent eyes brimming with amusement. “Sister Yurong, I never mentioned it before, but I used to be an employee at Isha Beauty. I left less than two months ago.”
Returning to this familiar place and seeing the astonishment on her former colleagues’ faces gave her a sense of pride.
So this is what Xiaoxue meant by returning in triumph. It does feel amazing.
Standing nearby in a crisp blouse and pencil skirt, Lin Muxue stepped forward slightly and said softly, “Director Zhang, Qianqian has a favorable impression of Isha Beauty, which is why she prioritized investing in your company.”
“This…” Zhang Yurong clenched her hands briefly before breaking into a radiant smile. “This must be fate. It looks like our collaboration is destined to be a great success! On behalf of Isha Beauty, I welcome Qianqian back!”
She raised her hands and began clapping, prompting all the employees to follow suit enthusiastically.
The group made their way to the third-floor office area.
As they ascended the well-lit staircase, Zhao Yaqian instinctively glanced down at the bright and spacious reception hall.
Familiar faces stared up at her, their expressions a mixture of reverence, astonishment, and something she couldn’t quite decipher.
Her gaze lingered on Wei Ziyan and Wang Yan, both of whom paled and quickly looked away, their nervousness plain as day.
Gripping the railing, Zhao Yaqian felt a surge of emotion and reflection.
Her life had never been dramatic—high school, a vocational course, a job at Yizi Beauty. The biggest challenges she had faced were work stress and credit card bills.
Her straightforward personality had come from this simplicity.
But now, looking back, she was amazed at how much she had overlooked before.
Many things that once puzzled her had become clear.
Sometimes, transformation isn’t gradual but triggered in an instant.
Like this very moment for the canary, standing on a brighter perch than ever before.
July 17, 2023. Monday. Sunny. 24–37°C.
6 PM.
In the faculty apartments of the Normal University, the sound of an alarm rang out.
Tang Song let out a long breath, carefully placed the Ginkgo Bookmark into his book, and gently closed it.
Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes, thinking deeply for a while before standing up.
After over two days of adjustment, the initial pressure he had felt was gone, replaced by a steady rhythm.
Waking up, morning exercise, meals, personal hygiene, studying, resting, walking…
Everything followed a healthy and orderly routine.
Studying, after all, was a process of input—consuming vast amounts of mental and physical energy.
Even with the support of Steamed Bun + Spicy Sticks, he still felt significant fatigue.
This affected his overall state and normal life, making it counterproductive.
Moreover, with the Self-Discipline Aura in effect, he had to maintain a regular schedule to build up endurance consistently.
As he pushed open the door to his room, he bumped into his roommate, who was coming out of the kitchen.
“Brother Song, you’re done?” Qian Lele gestured toward the dining table. “Tonight’s dinner is millet porridge, five-spice pancakes, and some radish pickles I made myself. Give them a try—they’re really good.”
Tang Song nodded and pulled out his phone. “Thanks, Lele. How much? I’ll send you the money.”
“No need! It’s no big deal, not worth mentioning.”
“Then don’t bring food for me in the future. I don’t feel comfortable eating for free.”
Faced with Tang Song’s earnest gaze, Qian Lele hesitated before softly replying, “Two yuan fifty.”
“Got it. I’ve sent it over—please check.”
“Alright, Brother Song, I’ve received it,” Qian Lele replied with a shy smile before retreating to her room to tidy up.
That Monday evening, when she returned home around 5 PM, she noticed Tang Song still engrossed in his studies. Out of curiosity, she asked about his plans and learned that he intended to focus on studying for the next two weeks, skipping work entirely. Follow current novᴇls on novelFɪre.net
This was clearly unusual.
Qian Lele couldn’t help but let her mind wander, speculating that Tang Song might have faced some setback at work and temporarily lost his job. His current state might reflect a struggle to regain control.
Kind-hearted as she was, she didn’t probe further, deciding instead to help in her own way—showing concern and offering small gestures of support.
After all, when she herself had faced tough times, she had longed for someone to step in and help her, too.
After saying goodbye to Tang Song, Qian Lele grabbed her bag and headed downstairs to the pedestrian street outside the university.
Stopping at a familiar spot, she opened her bag and pulled out a light-colored cloth, spreading it on the ground.
She carefully arranged a series of bead bracelets on display and propped up a small board with clearly marked prices.
In no time, her simple stall was set up in a corner of the bustling street.
Though the student population had thinned out due to summer break, there were still plenty of nearby residents and office workers. The affordable stores lining the street ensured a steady flow of customers. Occasionally, passersby would stop to glance at her stall.
“Hello, Lele, good evening!” A familiar voice greeted her.
Looking up, Qian Lele smiled warmly. “Sister Wen, you’re here!”
This Sister Wen was someone she had met while running her stall. Her name was Zhang Wen, a regular office worker.
Although her job was easy, her salary was low, so she ran a small side hustle selling grilled potato sausages.
With practiced ease, Zhang Wen parked her camper van, set up her folding table, and neatly arranged her ingredients and equipment.
She placed her phone on the side, playing a drama as she prepped the grill.
Hearing the fighting sounds from the drama, Qian Lele curiously asked, “Sister Wen, is that the new series Listening to Falling Rain?”
“Yeah!” Zhang Wen’s eyes sparkled. “It’s this year’s biggest dark horse! The buzz is incredible, and it’s so good. Highly recommended!”
“I’ve heard people talking about it at the café I worked at. Apparently, the second female lead’s performance is amazing,” Qian Lele said.
“Absolutely! That’s Bei Yuwei. She completely brought the character—a scheming but charming villainess—to life. Her charisma outshines the male and female leads combined. She’s gone viral! This show’s being hailed as the best costume fantasy drama in recent years.”
Zhang Wen then abandoned her drama entirely to share gossip.
Bei Yuwei, a former unknown from a talent show, had been a struggling D-list celebrity. Last year, her agency sold her contract to Tang Zong Entertainment.
This year, she landed the role of the scheming second female lead in the high-budget fantasy drama Listening to Falling Rain. Originally designed as a hated antagonist, Bei Yuwei used her beauty and acting skills to turn the role into an icon.
Clips of her performance were all over social media, making her one of Douyin’s top trends.
“Apparently, Bei Yuwei will be at Yan Provincial TV Station soon to film a variety show. My office is right next door. Maybe I’ll get to see her in person!”
“Good luck, Sister Wen!” Qian Lele replied with a smile, turning her hopeful gaze back to the stream of passersby.
She wasn’t interested in celebrities or dramas—they felt too far removed from her reality.
Her focus remained on earning money.
As night fell, the heat of the day gradually dissipated.
Standing on the balcony of the living room, Tang Song gazed into the distance for a while, contemplating heading downstairs for a walk to clear his mind.
Suddenly, a bright flash of white light streaked before his eyes.
The system interface appeared automatically.
[Instance refreshed. Entering Leisure & Entertainment Phase.]
[Wild Monster: “Money Jar” has spawned.]
[Defeating the Wild Monster will grant special rewards.]
A dazzling 3D navigation map popped up, pointing to a conspicuous floating piggy bank icon in the nearby sky, bouncing up and down.
Faintly, the sound of clinking coins could be heard in the air: ding ding dang dang.