28-1：The Weight of Longing

Today marks the twelfth day of Rui Xiaodan's visit to Germany, and her tenth day in Frankfurt.

During her stay, a vacancy for a dishwasher arose at the Zizhuyuan Hotel. Instead of letting her mother hire someone, she took the position herself. Dishwashing is the hardest job in the restaurant, and she spent most of her days in the kitchen, washing dishes, cutting vegetables, serving plates, cleaning counters, and taking out the trash. By the end of each day, she was so exhausted she could barely lift her legs and would fall into bed, too tired even to dream. This was her way to keep her mind from thinking and to ease the pain of missing Ding Yuanying.

Xiaodan had moved to Frankfurt with her mother when she was eight and spent seven years of her childhood there. During her school years in China, she visited every winter and summer break. Since starting work, this was her third visit. She had never felt time drag on so slowly before. Without Ding Yuanying, every minute felt unbearable.

Her mother noticed but said nothing.

After lunch, the Zizhuyuan Hotel's restaurant and outdoor bar saw fewer customers, and the staff were less busy. While the restaurant staff relaxed, the dishwashing area remained hectic, with dishes piled high. Xiaodan, dressed in the hotel's blue uniform with an apron and latex gloves, leaned over the sink, her ears filled with the sound of running water and clinking porcelain, her eyes seeing only round bowls, plates, and saucers.

As she was finishing up, her phone rang. Her heart skipped a beat, instinctively thinking it was Zheng Jianshi, as her friends in China wouldn't call her international number casually due to the high costs. She had been anxiously awaiting Zheng Jianshi's call, hoping it meant the speaker agency business was settled, and she could complete her tasks in Germany.

She removed her gloves and answered the call. It was indeed Zheng Jianshi.

"Xiaodan? It's Zheng Jianshi. I'm on the train and will arrive at the main station in about twenty minutes. The speaker agency is all set. How should we meet up?"

Xiaodan replied, "I'll come to the main station to pick you up. Let's meet at the main entrance."

Zheng Jianshi agreed, "Main entrance, got it. I haven't eaten yet, so we can discuss it over lunch."

After hanging up, Xiaodan hurriedly finished washing the dishes, skipped putting them in the sterilizer, changed clothes, grabbed her bag, and went to the front desk to ask her mother for leave. Her mother was busy reconciling the midday sales.

Excitedly and quietly, Xiaodan said, "Mom, I just got a call from Zheng Jianshi. My business is done! I need the car keys to pick him up from the main station. He hasn't eaten yet, so please prepare a few dishes for him, but no meat or fish—he's a Buddhist and keeps a vegetarian diet. I've finished washing the dishes but haven't put them in the sterilizer. I don't have time now."

Her mother handed her the keys and took out a large "Help Wanted" sign from under the counter, instructing a Serbian waitress to hang it up outside.

Xiaodan asked, "You're firing me already?"

Her mother, without looking up, replied calmly, "You've been waiting for this call, haven't you? You've been here for twelve days, and now that your business is done, it's time to head back."

Feeling both embarrassed and guilty, Xiaodan whispered, "Mom, I don't know how to explain."

Her mother reassured, "I'm fine here. You just focus on your tasks and don't make me worry."

Xiaodan took the keys and left. As she drove towards Frankfurt's main train station, she noticed the help-wanted sign already hanging up. She knew it wouldn't be long before someone responded to the ad.

Frankfurt's main train station is one of Europe's busiest, with 24 platforms and nearly 260,000 passengers daily. The underground level houses suburban and city trains as well as a shopping center, with the famous Kaiserstrasse just outside the main entrance.

Parking her car, Xiaodan saw Zheng Jianshi with a briefcase and greeted him warmly. "Zheng Dage, thanks for your help."

He replied, "No need to be so formal. We're family."

Xiaodan said, "I've asked my mom to prepare a meal. You must join us before heading back to Berlin. We'll discuss everything over lunch."

Zheng Jianshi agreed, "Sure, let's talk over lunch. I'll catch a flight or train afterward."

Driving back to the Zizhuyuan Hotel, Zheng Jianshi noticed Xiaodan's pale complexion. She admitted, "I've been a bit tired from dishwashing at the restaurant."

He smiled, "Would your mom really let you wash dishes after coming all this way?"

Xiaodan explained, "I've been helping out since I was a teenager. It's nothing new."

Zheng Jianshi nodded approvingly, "That's admirable."

Upon arriving, Xiaodan saw the help-wanted sign was already gone. She introduced Zheng Jianshi to her mother, who apologized for the simple vegetarian meal as the restaurant wasn't equipped for elaborate vegetarian dishes.

While Zheng Jianshi enjoyed the meal, Xiaodan reviewed the agreements, photos, and other documents he handed over. The agency contracts and photos of the signed agreements with the German, British, and French distributors reassured her.

Zheng Jianshi added, "Two sets of speakers were sold. Gebesen and Singer each bought a set. They knew they were getting 30,000 Marks worth of sound for 8,000 Marks."

Excited, Xiaodan said, "That's wonderful. A good start."

Zheng Jianshi continued, "There's more. After the test report from the Mihagen Lab, Jenny felt confident and commissioned 'Audio World' magazine in Berlin for an expert review of the speakers, including international experts. This should add credibility."

Concerned, Xiaodan asked, "How much will this cost?"

He replied, "About 110,000 Marks. It's a big deal."

Xiaodan felt a bit overwhelmed, "I hope we're not overdoing it."

Zheng Jianshi reassured, "Jenny knows the stakes. She's smart and sees this as a valuable opportunity."

After lunch, Xiaodan secured the documents and money her mother had prepared for her. She felt a mix of gratitude and the weight of longing for Ding Yuanying. She decided to head back to Berlin to update him and plan her return to China.

Her mother, sensing her daughter's unease, said, "Life is full of different kinds of hardships. You're smart enough to handle this."

Xiaodan smiled faintly, "I'll be fine, Mom. Thank you."

As she drove Zheng Jianshi to the station, she felt a mix of accomplishment and anticipation for what lay ahead.