CHAPTER 4: When Lava Melts Sand

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𝘗𝘦𝘳𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘭𝘢𝘷𝘢 𝘮𝘦𝘭𝘵𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘥

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵

𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘶𝘯

~~~

During the first episode of "Running Erands with Pyotr", the three teenagers did not expect to watch two PIES workers in a stalemate about who should pay the cheque for lunch.

"Does anyone have any clue what they're saying?" asked Rick as Pyotr and the other PIES associate engaged in conversation in Cantonese.

Dalila shook her head. "Absolutely no clue," she whispered back.

"Do you think they're fighting to get the other person to pay the cheque, or fighting to pay the cheque themselves?" Yura questioned.

"To pay the cheque themselves," commented a nearby restaurant employee. "Every week there's got to be one of those people. It's considered a polite gesture here to pay for a meal when you invite someone to one."

"They've been at it for five minutes," said Dalila, glancing at the clock which hung on the restaurant's walls.

"Her argument," The restaurant employee continued, gesturing to the PIES associate. "Is that she's older than him, and the eldest should pay. His argument," They gestured at Pyotr. "Is that he was the one who invited her to lunch in the first place, therefore he should pay."

Yura nodded slightly, albeit still being a bit confused. "I suppose both are valid arguments."

"Who's winning?" Rick asked the restaurant employee.

"She is," The employee gestured to the PIES associate. "He's obviously not very good at debating."

"Ah, you didn't have to," said Pyotr as the PIES associate quickly handed the signed cheque back to one of the restaurant employees. "I had money."

"Nonsense, it's the best that I could do for you and PIES." The PIES associate replied. "We'll be sure to watch those beaches carefully."

Pyotr nodded in response. "Good to hear."

The PIES associate chuckled. "Why, you remind me of Zhen's brother. You know, he tried to pay for the cheque during a business dinner once. Unfortunately, his voice was drowned out by pretty much everyone else at the table."

"How... unfortunate." Pyotr responded, looking like he'd rather not listen to tales about Zhen's brother at this moment. He got up from his seat. "We'll have to go now. It was a pleasure doing business with you."

"Likewise," said the PIES associate. "Good luck on all of your work in the future. Oh, and do send Zhen and Wen Xi my regards if you see them."

"I will," said Pyotr with a smile. Turning to the others, he added, "Come on. We have places to go to."

As they left the restaurant, Dalila suddenly beckoned the other two closer as if she had something to say. "The other name that lady mentioned... Wen Xi. It sounds familiar. I think the name was dropped a few times when I heard Pyotr and Zhen talking back at PIES."

"So you think that's someone important?" asked Yura.

"Beats me," said Dalila with a shrug. "The PIES people don't tell us anything."

"I suppose we'll just have to ask Pyotr about it later," commented Rick.

~~~

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⏰ Last updated: Jun 30, 2022 ⏰

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