Baking with you

22. That someday is now

Xie Lian woke up the next day as if the crying had taken away years of frustration, and the talk to Hua Cheng had made him spring into action. No time to lose: he made himself some coffee and, looking out the window, said to himself, "I told San Lang I have to sort out my shit, now I have to sort out my shit!"

Finding a new job would be a pain without references from The Golden Lotus Pavilion; of course Xie Lian could ask Hua Cheng or even Yin Yu, but that had to be his last resort really. The other option was his life-long plan of opening his own place – he wasn't quite ready yet, but if not now, when?

He printed off his most-updated business plan and his bank statement, and texted Mu Qing, asking if he'd be free for lunch. They met at an Asian fast-food shop nearby, and Mu Qing had a look.

"It's very good Xie Lian", he said, "I didn't know you had this knack with numbers! And your listing of costs is very thorough too, I'm sure you know you have to allow extra costs..."

"Yes, there's always something..." he replied, and couldn't help remembering his chat about maths with Hong-er, and then of course, think of Hua Cheng.

Back at the bank he worked at, Mu Qing cleared his throat, "Look, I'll be honest with you. Comparing your business plan and your statement, you're a little short of capital, and I don't see anything you can cut here", he tapped on Xie Lian's business plan, "You really listed the basic and necessary stuff".

"How much?", Xie Lian asked.

"Not a lot, around 5k? I can't offer you a loan because you're not a client here. How about I take a loan?"

Xie Lian quickly replied, "Mu Qing, thanks, but no. Really. I'll see what I can do..."

"I can see if... we can ask Feng Xin too. Xie Lian I mean it, don't give up", he said.

"I won't", he replied, "Let me just have a think".

He looked calm and collected, but as soon as he thanked Mu Qing and left, he walked with slow and heavy steps, feeling it was the end of the road for his dream.

•

His thoughts went back to Hua Cheng and his offer to be an investor; but that was long ago, before anything happening between them. Now, it'd just be awkward. And, what part of don't get Hua Cheng in trouble with Jun Wu don't you understand, he told himself off; why do you keep wanting him to help you out?

Lost in thoughts, he took a while to notice someone calling him. "Xie Lian, Xie Lian. Hello?"

He turned around; it was Yushi Huang. She was carrying a few shopping bags, so he offered to give her a hand, and carry them back to her place.

"Oh darling you're an angel", she said with a bright smile. "There's no nice café around here, I can't treat you to anything", she said, "Wait, you're not working?"

They walked on, Xie Lian telling her all about leaving The Golden Lotus Pavilion and the reasons for it; he was amazed how he could just tell her everything. But Yushi Huang was so warm and kind you just couldn't keep problems to yourself. Xie Lian even helped her to put the shopping away; she couldn't thank him enough, and insisted for him to sit down and have some coffee.

"It must have been hard", she started, while putting the kettle on, "But you know, maybe this all was a blessing in disguise. Now you can focus on opening your own place as you always wanted?"

Xie Lian gave her a sad smile, "As if. My bank statement doesn't agree..."

While the coffee was brewing, Xie Lian told her about his visit to Mu Qing that same day.