3 An Enticing Offer (1/2)

When Nie Chang came over Su Yan was already sitting at the table, spooning some soup up with one hand while taking notes with another.

Nie Chang just smiled, went to the cupboard and got himself a plate and a spoon, too, before he sat down next to Su Yan. ”What are you doing?”

”Plotting.”

”A crime? Tell me who you're going to kill. I'll help you dispose of the body.”

Su Yan looked up, sighed and pushed his notepad to the side. ”I haven't written even one word in three months.” He looked extremely pitiful.

”Ah, don't worry. You'll have more time, soon!”

”It's easy saying that. Three of my co-workers are ill and one is pregnant and getting off work in some weeks. It'll only get worse then.”

”Well, you could always come over and work at the repair shop.”

Su Yan laughed. ”I don't know the first thing about computers and such stuff. Aren't you afraid I'd break more than I repair?”

Nie Chang leaned forward. ”Of course, you would! I wouldn't mind compensating for the damage, though. The question is … How would you compensate me?” He smiled teasingly.

Su Yan only stared blankly, though. ”Why would I? I'd rather not work there and continue at the railroad station.”

Nie Chang's lips twitched. Was it so hard to respond to his flirting at least a little? In the end, he could only sigh. It wasn't like he didn't know how Su Yan was.

”Forget what I said about the compensation. I was just joking about that. But I was serious about the job offer. I'm actually in need of someone who sits at the counter and deals with the customers. That would give me more time for the actual work. And you would be free to do your own thing as long as no one's around.”

”Eh? Really?” Su Yan couldn't really believe what he just heard. ”Wouldn't that be … inappropriate? I mean, it's your own shop. If your customers aren't satisfied you'd lose a lot of money.”

Nie Chang laughed and patted his hand. ”Don't you worry about that. If they are satisfied or not, will depend mostly on how good I am. And haven't you worked in service all these years since school? It shouldn't be a problem for you to greet some people and see what they want.”

Su Yan pursed his lips. It sounded too good to be true. There had to be some kind of catch somewhere. ”I might not understand what they want.”