novelraw Chapter 19: Welcome to Mai Dang Dang!
Chapter 19: Welcome to Mai Dang Dang!
Faced with Zhao Yanxi's yet another direct and ambiguous hint, Ding Heng slightly distanced himself, his expression remaining unchanged.
"Whatever, whenever you're free, let's schedule a time."
The boy's overly calm, even somewhat businesslike, reaction left Zhao Yanxi's prepared follow-up "offensive" stuck in her throat.
She retreated dejectedly, pouting, her resentment and curiosity rekindled.
Could it be that my version is completely unpalatable to Ding Heng?
Even such words can't stir up any ripples?
Zhao Yanxi stopped flirting and put away her seductive demeanor, instead answering Ding Heng's question seriously.
"There's no deep-seated reason why Xiaojing is short of money; it's just that her family is large and has a heavy burden. Her family probably can't afford much for her university tuition and living expenses, so she'll have to earn some herself."
Ding Heng nodded, indicating that he understood.
Zhao Yanxi continued earnestly, "If you want to help her, it's best to do it tactfully. Although Xiaojing doesn't know how to refuse people, she actually has a strong sense of self-respect. Giving her money or charity directly might make her feel very uncomfortable."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
In any case, Ding Heng wouldn't be so lacking in emotional intelligence as to embarrass Wen Jing.
After finishing their meal, Ding Heng escorted the two girls back to their rooms and then drove home.
After getting home, he played games with Xie Baoyang and others all night long, and then slept soundly until the sun went down.
Around noon, Ding Heng was awakened by a cell phone ringing. He squinted and reached for the phone to see that it was his father, Ding Wenjie.
"Hello, Dad..."
Ding Heng yawned, his voice slurred.
"You little brat, still sleeping?"
Ding Wenjie's voice came through the receiver, the background noise was a bit loud: "Your Uncle Li just called me, saying he found you a summer job, but the one who applied was a girl, what's going on?"
Ding Heng rubbed his eyes and forced himself to stay awake.
"Oh, that. The girl's family is quite poor, and I figured the spot was just sitting there anyway, so I thought I'd help her out—it's a good thing to do."
He hadn't really thought he could hide this from his father, since it was through his father's connections.
"Stop joking with me! You...you're not dating someone, are you? What's the girl like?"
Ding Heng sat up and leaned against the headboard, saying lazily, "Dad, I'm about to go to college, and you still have to call and interrogate me about dating?"
"Okay, okay, as long as you know what you're doing."
Ding Wenjie didn't intend to delve into it further, and said in a relaxed tone, "Like I said, be careful at home and don't cause trouble."
"Okay, Dad. Take care of yourself too."
The phone vibrated the second after the call ended, and a WeChat transfer notification popped up.
[Dad transferred 6000.00 yuan to you]
[Dad]: Here's your living expenses for the first half of your university studies. If it's not enough, just let me know.
Ding Heng looked at the transfers and messages and couldn't help but grin.
He could hear the barely concealed excitement and anticipation in his father's voice, a sense of relief that "the pig we raised has finally learned to graze on someone else's cabbage."
And look, even the "special funds" have been allocated in advance!
Ding Heng: Thank you, Dad!
I exited the chat window with my father; there were still a few unread messages.
First, Wenjing sent her the usual "Good morning" message, along with a photo.
In the photo, she is standing in front of the mirror in the hotel bathroom, wearing a simple white T-shirt and pajama pants, her hair is still a little fluffy, she has a toothbrush in her mouth, and there are specks of white foam on the corners of her mouth.
Tilting her head slightly, she's as adorable as ever.
Another message came from Zhao Yanxi, posted about an hour ago.
[Lucky Zhao]: Job application successful! [Cat making a peace sign.jpg]
【Lucky Zhao】: [Image.jpg]
Ding Heng clicked on the picture.
In front of McDonald's familiar red and yellow decorations, Zhao Yanxi and Wen Jing stood side by side, wearing the same style of McDonald's employee uniform—a pink short-sleeved polo shirt paired with a black knee-length skirt.
However, the same uniforms worn by the two men presented completely different styles and effects.
Zhao Yanxi's uniform skirt was slightly short, falling just above her knees, and paired with black stockings, it further accentuated the visual effect of her slender legs.
She stood casually yet upright, one hand on her hip, with her signature bright smile on her face. Her slightly faded silver hair shone brightly under the store lights, exuding youthful vitality and confidence, like a very fashionable part-time model.
Wenjing's top was stretched into a full curve, creating a striking contrast with her slender waist.
Because of her height, the leg space exposed under the skirt is particularly eye-catching. She paired it with a pair of black over-the-knee stockings. The top of the stockings left a shallow mark on her fair thighs. The stockings were tight and clearly outlined the soft curves from her calves to her knees.
She stood somewhat awkwardly, her hands clasped in front of her, her head slightly bowed, and her cheeks flushed, as if she were quite uncomfortable.
That blend of shyness, innocence, and unconsciously radiating sexiness creates a strikingly contrasting attraction.
[Ding Heng]: Didn't the store manager say that we would only hire one person?
[Lucky Zhao]: What a coincidence! This morning I came here with Xiaojing, and a full-time shop assistant suddenly said she wanted to quit and go back to her hometown. The manager was worried about what to do, so I volunteered, and the manager immediately decided to keep me!
【Lucky Little Zhao】: [Lucky kitten spinning in circles.jpg]
Ding Heng: ...
He could almost picture the scene.
Given Zhao Yanxi's appearance and quick wit, coupled with the "perfect" vacancy, the store manager would definitely keep her unless he was stupid.
With such an eye-catching "signboard", the store's customer traffic and sales are likely to increase significantly.
[Lucky Zhao]: We get off work at 6 PM today~ Brother Ding Heng, are you coming to pick us up? [Kitten winking expectantly.jpg]
Ding Heng: Okay.
After putting away his phone, Ding Heng got out of bed to wash up and cooked himself a simple bowl of noodles for brunch.
After finishing his meal, he habitually sat back down at his computer, logged into the game, and called out to Xie Baoyang to log in via voice chat.
Like most college-bound students who have just finished the college entrance examination and have not yet started school, Ding Heng often felt a sense of emptiness and aimlessness during this long and free summer vacation.
Previously ambitious plans, such as studying college English in advance to prepare for the CET-4 exam, or planning a short trip, have been indefinitely postponed due to daily laziness and "I'll do it tomorrow."
Aside from playing games to kill time every day, it seems there's nothing more meaningful to do.
When you're immersed in the game world, time always flies by.
It was already five o'clock in the afternoon. Ding Heng glanced at the time and muttered in the voice chat, "I'm not calling anymore, something's come up."
Xie Baoyang exclaimed, "Huh? What time is it? Where are you going again?"
"To pick someone up."
"Who are you picking up?"
"Your question is unnecessary."
Immediately, the other teammates' chatter filled the headphones.
"Damn it! Ding Heng, you're at it again!"
"I'm so jealous! I also want to date a pretty girl who can cosplay!"
"You beast Ding, you value women more than friends!"
Ding Heng ignored the teasing of these animals, simply quit the game and shut down his computer.
He picked up his car keys and phone, went out, and drove to McDonald's where Wenjing and Zhao Yanxi worked.
I arrived at McDonald's just after 5:40.
Ding Heng parked his car, and finding it rather boring to just sit and wait, he got out of the car, pushed open the door, and went into the store.
Just as he found a seat by the window, a pink figure hopped and skipped over to his table.
"Blah blah blah~ Welcome to Mai Dang Dang~ Mai Dang Dang welcomes you!"
McDonald's Burger, so good!
McDonald's fries, so many fries!
"McDonald's Milkshake, Nana Nana~"
Zhao Yanxi wore her signature sweet smile and then softly hummed that catchy and adorable GG song, her voice clear and melodious.
This unexpected "welcome ceremony" surprised Ding Heng.
It has to be admitted that Zhao Yanxi, wearing the McDonald's uniform and greeting people in such a lively way, is indeed too sweet and eye-catching, making one's heart pound.
No wonder the store manager kept her without hesitation; she was practically a walking, talking GG card.
"What would you like to eat, sir?"
Zhao Yanxi bowed slightly, her smile radiant.
Ding Heng snapped out of his reverie and asked curiously, "Do you treat every guest like this?"
"Of course not~"
Zhao Yanxi drawled, "Guest—you are special!"
"Okay...can you recommend one?"
"How about a strawberry sundae? It's sweet and cool, perfect as an appetizer before a meal!"
Ding Heng looked up at her, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Am I sweeter than you?"
Zhao Yanxi blinked quickly and playfully, lowering her voice, "I don't know, would the guests like to try them all?"
Ding Heng smiled noncommittally, but his gaze involuntarily drifted towards the counter.
There, Wenjing was busily taking orders for a woman with a child. Her face was slightly flushed from nervousness and busyness, and she was clumsy yet earnest.
Zhao Yanxi keenly noticed Ding Heng's shift in gaze, immediately took a step to the side, precisely blocking Ding Heng's view, put her hands on her hips, raised her chin slightly, and looked sullen.
"This guest!"
She cleared her throat: "We're currently short-staffed, and the kitchen is preparing for peak hours. To ensure you can enjoy your meal as soon as possible and to avoid inconveniencing other customers, could you please order as quickly as possible?"