Chapter Thirty-Four: Lucky Star Pet Shop

He sat up in bed once more, and by now the morning light had fully filled the room.

Taking out his phone, Ji Yu saw that, just as he expected, there were numerous messages waiting for him. Without exception, every single one was from Ma Hongyu.

“Ji, are you still asleep?”
“Ji?”
“Ji, if you’re awake, come by the shop at Times Square. The two new employees I recruited online yesterday are here for their interviews. Come see if they’re suitable.”
“......”

After reading through each message, Ji Yu stretched lazily, then put his phone down and headed for the bathroom. Brushing his teeth, washing his face, and changing clothes—all done in a seamless routine.

By the time Ji Yu descended the stairs, it was already eleven thirty in the morning. As soon as he exited the elevator, a lively, snow-white dog bounded toward him, tail wagging enthusiastically and circling his feet in excitement.

Ji Yu was slightly surprised and glanced around the lobby on the first floor, quickly spotting Ma Hongyu on the left-hand sofa, completely absorbed in his game.

He looked nothing like the anxious person who had messaged Ji Yu earlier.

Picking up the poodle, Ji Yu smiled helplessly and strode over to Ma Hongyu.

When Ji Yu reached Ma Hongyu’s side, the latter still hadn’t noticed him, busy pushing the high ground tower with his teammates in the game.

Ji Yu didn’t disturb him, simply stood at his side and watched him play.

Back when Ji Yu used to play games, he’d always hated it when someone suddenly left in the middle, so now, out of consideration, he never became the person who would interrupt a friend’s game.

About three minutes later, as the match ended, Ji Yu finally spoke.

“Let’s go. Lunch first.”

“Huh?” Ma Hongyu looked up blankly, then realized Ji Yu was standing right beside him.

He quickly responded, “Ji, you’re finally awake! Come on, let’s head to the shop first. Lunch can wait a bit. We shouldn’t keep the two young ladies waiting any longer.”

He stood up as he spoke.

“Young ladies? Two?”

“Yes, of course. When hiring for a pet shop, girls are the best choice.”

“Girls are more attentive than guys, and, well, considering you’re still single, I thought—” Ma Hongyu gave Ji Yu a knowing look.

“So, Ji, am I a good friend or what?”

Ji Yu chuckled at Ma Hongyu’s mischievous expression. “For me? I suspect you’re doing this for yourself.”

“Oh, come on, we’re brothers—what’s the difference?” Ma Hongyu laughed, brushing it off, and urged him, “Let’s go, Ji, hurry up. My car’s parked outside. Let’s check out the shop first. The two young ladies have been waiting almost an hour and a half. If we don’t get there soon, they might leave.”

“Alright, that works,” Ji Yu smiled and followed Ma Hongyu out of the lobby.

——————

Lucky Star Pet Shop

“Qiao Qian, do you think this shop is reliable? That Boss Ma gave me a rather unreliable impression,” Zhou Xin said hesitantly, looking at Wang Qiao Qian, who was a year older.

“It does seem a bit questionable, but that’s not necessarily a problem. Ma Hongyu doesn’t look like someone short on money,” Qiao Qian replied thoughtfully, gazing at the bustling crowds outside Times Square from the pet store entrance.

“As long as he’s not short on money, our jobs might actually be stable,” she mused.

“That’s true. After all, opening a pet shop in Times Square must cost a fortune in rent,” Zhou Xin said, pulling over a stool and sitting by the shop’s entrance.

Inside, Lucky Star Pet Shop was empty. The renovation and cleaning had just finished, and the air still carried the scent of fresh paint.

Resting her chin in her hands, watching the passing crowds, Zhou Xin looked bored.

“I wonder if this Young Master Ma opened the shop out of mere interest. If it’s just a rich person’s whim, maybe it won’t be as stable as you think,” Zhou Xin remarked.

Qiao Qian hesitated, a trace of uncertainty appearing on her face. “That’s true. But jobs are hard to come by now. Let’s give this a try—at least it’s closer to campus.”

“As long as Ma Hongyu can guarantee our pay, we’ll work here. If not, we’ll look elsewhere.”

“Right,” Zhou Xin replied listlessly.

“It’s a pity, though. I was hoping the new pet shop owner would be a handsome guy. Instead, he’s a big fat man, sigh.”

“A handsome guy?” Qiao Qian grinned.

“What, Xin Xin, planning to marry into money and become a rich lady?”

“Of course! It’d be great to be a rich lady. And even if I can’t, it’d be nice if the shop owner were handsome—at least he’d be easy on the eyes! But instead, he’s a chubby guy with a slick tongue. Doesn’t feel right at all,” Zhou Xin said, her interest waning at the mention of Ma Hongyu.

Both Zhou Xin and Wang Qiao Qian were graduate students at Wuyang University. Because their families weren’t wealthy, they’d previously worked at a pet shop five kilometers from campus to earn some extra money.

The pay there had been average, but still manageable. The owner was a former student of Wuyang University, which made working there enjoyable.

Unfortunately, after a year and a half, the shop officially closed last month, forcing them to look for new jobs.

It took half a month, but finally, they found this new shop, opened by Ma Hongyu and Ji Yu together.

“Judging people by appearance isn’t good. I actually think Ma Hongyu, despite his loose tongue, is straightforward. He’s young, so there won’t be a generation gap. I don’t foresee too much trouble at work,” Qiao Qian said, smiling as she recalled her first impression of Ma Hongyu.

“Yeah, that’s true,” Zhou Xin nodded, but something suddenly occurred to her. She exclaimed, “Right, didn’t Ma Hongyu say there’s another owner? We need his approval to join.”

“Hey, Qiao Qian, do you think the other owner might be a handsome guy? If he’s friends with someone who drives a luxury car, he must be rich too, right? If he turns out to be handsome and wealthy, wouldn’t I…”

She drifted off, lost in her fantasy of becoming a rich lady.

Qiao Qian could only shake her head helplessly at Zhou Xin’s antics.

“You’re such a money-lover. Even if he’s handsome, I doubt you’d be his type. And if he’s a playboy…”

Before Qiao Qian could finish, Zhou Xin interrupted, pouting, “Oh, Qiao Qian, don’t be so boring! Always crushing my dreams. I’m not listening, I’m not listening.”

“......”