Chapter 20: “Your Boss is Quite Unlucky”
At the break of dawn, as the city’s breath still lingered in mist, Chen Yan stepped out of Extreme Net Café. The streets were hushed, save for the distant clatter of vendors setting up their morning stalls.
Yawning, he rubbed his bleary eyes and made his way toward an old breakfast stand, one he had frequented countless times over the past four years. He sat at a small roadside table, feeling the crisp morning air bite through his clothes.
“Boss, one bowl of Savory Tofu Soup and two Golden Fried Dough Sticks.”
Seated on a low wooden stool, Chen Yan gazed at the quiet street. Winter mornings in Jin Ling Prefecture always arrived hesitantly, the sky still shrouded in twilight, a thin veil of mist curling through the alleyways. The cold wind needled his skin, seeping through his nostrils until it stabbed at his forehead.
A street sweeper had begun his daily toil in the distance, the rhythmic sweep of his broom the only sound against the silence. Behind the breakfast stall, a middle-aged couple busied themselves. The husband, sleeves rolled up, tended to the boiling oil, while the wife handled payments and ladled out bowls of hot soup. During lulls, she wrapped dumplings with swift, practiced fingers.
But those dumplings—Chen Yan had tried them before. They were nowhere near as good as the tofu soup.
This scene had repeated itself countless times in his life. Four years of familiarity. Yet, since graduation, it had been months since he had last come here.
And in the future…
Perhaps he would not come again.
The people of Jin Ling Prefecture took their Tofu Soup savory. A ladle of soy sauce darkened the snow-white tofu, adorned with crisp shrimp flakes, finely chopped greens, peanuts, and a delicate sprinkle of cilantro. The warm, silky tofu contrasted beautifully with the crispy, freshly fried dough sticks. For four years, no breakfast in the world had tasted better to Chen Yan.
Finishing his meal, warmth spread through his limbs. He ordered another bowl, this one to-go, and made his way back to the Extreme Net Café.
Behind the counter, the Boss Lady was nodding off, her eyes glued to the drama playing on her phone.
Her addiction was serious.
Chen Yan sighed inwardly and placed the steaming bowl on the counter.
“Boss Lady, for you.”
She perked up instantly, eyes lighting up as she recognized the offering. “Aiyo, Little Yan, you really know how to spoil people! How much was it? I’ll pay you back.”
“Come on now, don’t be polite.” Chen Yan grinned, waving her off. “Just eat. And after that, go get some proper sleep. Staying up all night watching dramas will age you fast.”
“Get lost!” she barked, scowling. The word ‘age’ was clearly taboo.
Chuckling, Chen Yan turned on his heels and strode out of the café.
Time to go home and sleep.
Over the years, Chen Yan had built an easy camaraderie with the Boss Lady. He knew she had a fondness for this very tofu soup. She acted tough, but her heart was soft.
During his university days, there had been times when he was completely broke, unable to afford even an hour at the café. If he loitered around the counter long enough, charming her with a few sweet words, she would scowl and grumble, only to toss him a game card with a begrudging “Go, go, play already!”
It wasn’t a loan. She simply refused to charge him.
And on nights when he was starving but penniless, she would even push a cup of instant noodles his way, pretending to scold him for being so pathetic.
Strangely, no one else enjoyed this privilege. It was reserved for him alone.
More than once, Chen Yan had wondered—
Did the Boss Lady have a thing for him?
Honestly… he wouldn’t mind.
She was beautiful, kind-hearted, and well-off. Sure, she was a few years older, but so what?
Yet, as time passed, he realized that wasn’t it at all.
Because one day, she offhandedly remarked—
“You look like my little brother.”
Not one of those three bruisers guarding the café doors. No, her youngest brother.
The Boss Lady had five siblings. She was the eldest. The three rough-looking guys at the café were Second, Third, and Fourth Brother.
And Chen Yan, in her eyes, resembled the Fifth.
He had never met the Boss Lady’s youngest brother. Once, in idle conversation, he had asked about him.
She had simply replied, her voice indifferent—
“He’s been gone for years.”
That was the last time he asked.
After that, their relationship remained easy-going, yet with an unspoken understanding. When Chen Yan had money, he always paid his dues. When he didn’t, he shamelessly charmed his way into freebies.
And every so often, he brought her small treats—a bowl of tofu soup, a bag of roasted chestnuts, sunflower seeds, simple tokens of appreciation.
There were times when she seemed on the verge of formally recognizing him as a younger brother.
But Chen Yan never accepted.
He had no parents, no family, raised by an old woman who had given him everything. He saw no need to forge new familial ties.
Siblings? Relatives? Such things weren’t for him.
Other than the old woman who raised him, he needed no one.
At that moment, a young woman emerged from the storage room at the back of the café.
Miss Gu.
She paused, eyes narrowing as she took in the Boss Lady, hunched over the counter, slurping up tofu soup.
“Boss, good morning. Eating?” Miss Gu greeted politely.
The Boss Lady straightened up and gave the girl a once-over. Even though she herself was far from lacking in looks, she still couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
[Just look at her. How is anyone supposed to compete with that?]
“You want a bowl too?” she asked, smirking. “Little Yan just bought this for me.”
“Little Yan?” Miss Gu repeated, voice unreadable.
“Yeah, the kid who asked you for instant noodles last night. Handsome, don’t you think?” The Boss Lady chuckled knowingly.
Miss Gu’s expression remained cool. “Oh. Your friend. His surname is Yan, then?”
She reached for a rag and began wiping down the counter.
“Nope,” the Boss Lady replied between sips. “I just call him that because his name has a Yan in it. His real surname is—”
Swoosh!
The rag slipped from Miss Gu’s grasp, barely missing the Boss Lady’s face.
Her entire body had gone rigid.
“What did you say his surname was?” she whispered, voice trembling.
“Chen,” the Boss Lady said, blinking at her in confusion. “Chen Yan.”
The rag hit the floor.
Miss Gu stood frozen, her breath shallow, her hands shaking.
Chen… Chen… Chen Yan?!
The name echoed in her mind, crashing through her thoughts like a thunderclap.
That name—
Was the same name as the Venerable One’s disciple!
The name written on that slip of paper—Chen Yan!
Chen Yan!
That damned Chen Family scoundrel?!
—
For days, Miss Gu had been wandering this area, lingering in its shadows, for the rented house she had tracked down was close by.
Although the person had already moved out, she suspected that he might not have gone far. Perhaps he had found another place nearby. Holding onto that slim hope, she roamed the streets day after day.
Over time, she began seeing Chen Family members in every passerby.
She truly had become obsessed.
She had never even seen what a Chen Family member looked like. What use was wandering around blindly?
Even if she did run into him, she wouldn’t recognize him!
Yet—
Curse it! Last night, she had stood right in front of him!
She—she had even made him a bowl of noodles!
If only she had known then that he was from the Chen Family, she would have dumped that bowl right onto his face!
—
Though reckless, Miss Gu was not without wit. She circled around, coaxing a few more words from Boss Lady.
The Boss Lady didn’t overthink it, assuming the girl was just smitten with Chen Yan and couldn’t resist asking questions about him.
In the end, Miss Gu learned a few key things:
Chen Yan had attended a university nearby and had already graduated.
And the place he had rented—was right in this area!
Miss Gu’s heart pounded. The address she had tracked down—this rented house—it all lined up!
But the Boss Lady didn’t have his contact information. Reaching him through her was impossible.
And though Chen Yan frequented the internet café, he had never added the Boss Lady on social media—because their relationship had never extended beyond his visits to the café.
“What’s wrong? You like him?” The Boss Lady chuckled knowingly.
“He’s been coming less frequently since graduating, but he still has hours left on his prepaid card. Maybe you’ll run into him.”
All morning, Miss Gu was distracted—sometimes staring off in a daze, other times gritting her teeth in frustration.
Today, she would not wander the streets aimlessly.
She had found him.
Now, she would wait.
If he still had time left on his prepaid card, then he had to come back!
—
“Little Zhao, you can have my internet café card from now on. There should be about forty hours left on it.”
“What? Like hell I’d use it! I live far away now. Just getting there and back by cab costs a fortune. Why would I waste money just to play online there?”
“Fine. You know the Boss Lady, just tell her it’s from me. Use the card whenever you go there.”
After ending the call, Chen Yan glanced out the window. The car had arrived at the entrance of the villa district.
He got out and strolled toward the neighborhood. Even from afar, he spotted a black Mercedes-Benz parked by the entrance, with a figure pacing beside it, smoking a cigarette.
Squinting, he recognized the man—Assistant Yan.
Chen Yan smiled and approached, but before he could speak, Assistant Yan had already spotted him and rushed over, grabbing his hand.
“Mister Chen—no, Teacher Chen—no, Master Chen! You’ve finally returned!”
Chen Yan blinked.
Master?
Since when had he become a master?
“Wait, Assistant Yan, why are you here so early? Don’t tell me the ritual from last night still isn’t finished?”
“It’s done! Ah, no—yes! I mean, the ritual was completed by midnight.” Assistant Yan smacked his forehead. “Chen Da…”
“Don’t call me Master.” Chen Yan shook his head. “That title is unlucky. Most who get called ‘Master’ end up behind bars.”
“Haha, you sure love to joke.”
“The ritual was completed hours ago. I’m here just to find you! I’ve been waiting outside your home for an hour now!”
Chen Yan frowned. “Is something urgent?”
“Yes! Yes! Our Boss—he wants to meet you!”
“Meet me?” Chen Yan raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me he’s trying to back out of our deal?”
“No! Absolutely not!” Assistant Yan frantically shook his head. “Our Boss learned that you’re a highly skilled master, and he’s eager to meet you in person!”
He then recounted his bizarre experience in the Boss’s office last night, gripping Chen Yan’s hand tightly. “You truly saved my life! That whole event was beyond belief—had I not witnessed it firsthand, I never would have imagined it! I have to properly thank you!”
Chen Yan smiled faintly and withdrew his hand effortlessly.
“No need for thanks,” he said smoothly. “I already told you. You earned me thirty-three thousand yuan. According to my sect’s rules, if you accept payment, you must deliver on the deal. Since you’ve already paid me, there’s no need for extra gratitude.”
Assistant Yan looked at him expectantly. “Then… would you be willing…”
Chen Yan pondered briefly.
But before he could respond, Assistant Yan misunderstood his hesitation and blurted out, “Ah! We were too discourteous!
Our Boss should have visited you in person to pay respects!
In fact, he was on his way to see you.
But just before we left… something unexpected happened.”
“Unexpected?” Chen Yan’s brows arched.
Assistant Yan’s expression turned strange, a flicker of tension in his gaze. “Just as we stepped out of the office building, the Boss somehow… missed a step and tumbled down the stairs. Broke a bone on the spot.”
Chen Yan blinked, momentarily taken aback. “Your Boss…
Sure is unlucky.”
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation