“That’s not necessary,” Xu Xuan said. “The club I currently work out has protection measures in place for the employees.”

In truth, she doubted she would earn as much at the restaurant as she did at the club. The catch in working at such a high-risk place was the pay.

She was tight on budget as it was. Not only did she have Grandma’s medical expenses to think of, but she also had to pay off their debt for losing the bet.

Xu Xuan couldn’t afford to think about her own worries when there was so much to take care of.

She needed every penny.

Besides, she had caused her schoolmates too much trouble already. They had even gone against Young Master Lu for her sake.

Qin Jing scoffed and rolled her eyes. “If your club really wanted to protect you, then your manager wouldn’t have called you over in the first place.”

Xu Xuan lowered her eyes and said nothing.

Just when Qin Jingthought that she had seen the light,Xu Xuansaid, “The manager has always been very good to me.”

Qin Jing gaped at the other girl in a mix of outrage and disbelief.

This was what counted as good to Xu Xuan?

“The monthly salary at Royal Supreme Restaurantis 3,500 yuan,”Yao Tangsaid out of the blue, her eyes glued to her phone screen.

“They also offer a full attendance award amounting to 1,200 yuan, overtime benefits, and monthly commissions of 2.5 percent.”

Xu Xuan turned to her in confusion just asQin Jingchimed in.

“Oh, Sister Tang, did you look up my uncle’s restaurant? I’m pretty sure those are just the basic rates, though. I’ve heard from the staff that they usually earn an average of 12,000 each month.”

Qin Jing leaned close toXu Xuan, her eyes sparkling.

“Well? What do you think? Why don’t you go over and give it a shot? With your experience, I’m sure you’ll get hired on the spot.”

Xu Xuan was still somewhat apprehensive about the opportunity, but she wasn’t as averse to the idea as she had been earlier.

“I suppose… I’ll give it a try first, is that okay?”

Qin Jing sighed in relief and nodded. “Of course! I’ll recommend you to the restaurant manager. Just leave it to me.”

With that out of the way, the girls fell into silence again.

Qin Jing looked around the room and cleared her throat before saying, “It’s quite a distance from here to school. How do usually travel to campus?”

“I’m a sports specialty student, so I just run to school and treat it as morning training. That way, I wouldn’t have to run on the track during team exercises.”

Xu Xuan’s eyes were calm as she explained, as if there was nothing wrong with running back and forth between her school and her home.

As a matter of fact, she didn’t see it as a significant feat at all. She had been doing it every day, after all.

Qin Jing, on the other hand, was so surprised that her eyes almost popped out of her sockets. She had guessed as much, but she didn’t think it would be this extreme.

Even if one took a taxi from this place all the way to No. 1 High School, the ride would still take a considerable amount of time.

To think that Xu Xuanwould travel the same distance by foot twice in one day…

Yao Tang, too, was taken aback by this, and she looked up to study Xu Xuan.

Before they could say anything else, loud, violent coughs came from the bedroom. Grandma Xu had finally woken up.

Xu Xuan rushed into the room, withYao TangandQin Jingquick on her heels.

They entered just in time to see the old woman open her eyes and squint at them. She looked better at least.

Xu Xuan fetched the cup of water by the bedside and made to help her grandmother take a few sips.

After regaining her senses, however, Grandma Xu remembered the incident from the club.

With a sweep of her arm, she smacked the glass out of her granddaughter’s hand, sending it shattering on the floor.

Grandma Xu pointed a trembling finger at Xu Xuan, her face filled with agony. “Get out! I can’t bear to look at you right now.”

The old woman’s words were followed by a gasp. She was having difficulty breathing again.

Xu Xuan leaned forward, but Grandma Xu waved her away, telling her over and over not to come any closer.

Xu Xuan could only stand back helplessly.

She wanted to explain everything to her grandmother, but she was afraid that she might agitate the old woman further and inadvertently worsen her condition.