Job

JOB

There was a slight shower in the morning. Ling Fen did not feel like waking up at all. She was quite groggy and the building heat proceeded to make her even more comfortable.

There was nothing to do lately. She had sent many applications to many restaurants but none of them had called her back.

Come to think of it, the person who taught her how to cook was none other than her mother.

Back then to be a good wife to her father, her mother enrolled herself in many catering schools so that she would learn how to cook well.

During her free time, she would teach Ling Fen little things here and there.

This made Ling Fen curious and her curiosity developed into a talent that she wanted to make money from.

Gong Xu was also quite the cook but just like real siblings, they fought so much that it was impossible for them to share a single kitchen together.

The fights were not quite serious but they were always so loud that it was hard for the other people they worked with to concentrate on anything themselves.

Ling Fen rolled around her bed scrolling at her phone. A notification from her laptop made her shoot out of the bed and onto her study chair. She looked at the source of the notification and realized that it was from her emails.

She read it and the more she went, the more her face became downcast.

It was a rejection.

Several other notifications poured in during the day and none of them were job offers. Come night, her mood plummeted completely; even her appetite was lost.

Gong Xu came to her room after dinner. "No job yet"

This was a statement. Gong Xu knew her quite well. He stared at the worry lines on her head and extended his hand to smoothen them. Ling Fen squinted at his touch.

"What are you doing?" She asked but her head betrayed her statement. She moved closer and closer until her face was fully lit. Her appearance was considered quite good. The condition of her skin was excellent even after working in areas full of smoke for a long time.

Gong Xu stared at her for a long time then sighed. He let go then leaned down and shifted his body next to hers. The two lay down side by side on the small bed. Gong Xu was still in his black clothes while Ling Fen wore baggy pajamas.

A laptop was lit on the table and from where it was, Gong Xu could see the contents on the screen. Seven restaurants had rejected her job application. The emails blinded one's eyes.

"I know it is difficult but trust me, everything will be alright again." This was said with a sigh.

They both had their closed. Ling Fen opened her eyes when she heard this. "Did you take the wrong pill today? Why are you so good today?"

Gong Xu did not answer but chuckled lightly.

"Big sis, I am your brother. Don't shoulder everything alone. I know it has not been easy fighting all alone all these years."

Ling Fen opened her eyes and stared at him. The address was foreign yet warmth grew from the tips of her heart. Gong Xu had never spoken like this to her but it was warm to hear such words once in a while.

Her heart swelled and for once she talked out loud;

"It has been difficult. I get tired a lot, I wonder about the future a lot."

Gong Xu listened in silence.

She talked of her past which was a like a shadow that would not let her be no matter what, she spoke of their mother and the plans she had for her, she spoke of her present which was challenging and the plans she had for her future which included owning a restaurant of her own. She opened up; spoke a lot while her brother listened.

This was the first time she had opened up much less spoken so many words at once. Gong Xu could not help but throw a playful shade toward her,

"If you reign in your temper, you may truly go far"

Ling Fen: "Do you want to die?"