Seven Jobs for You

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The basement smelled even more musty now, mixed with the sharp saltiness of pickled vegetables, creeping into my nose with a familiar dull ache.

I broke the steamed bun I'd just warmed in half, handing one piece to Janice and clutching the other in my hand.

She frowned at the cracked old mobile phone; its screen lit up, showing an ad for the newest model.

"Frozen up again?" I bit into the steamed bun; the dry, hard starch rubbed against my mouth, and I had to wash it down with warm water to swallow it.

Janice Salk looked up and shot me a glare, her eyelashes still smudged with mascara she hadn't wiped off. "Certainly. Look at Vera's phonethe pictures come out so clear."

I didn't say anything, just pushed the cup of water toward her.

This was our third year living in the basement.

The paint on the walls kept peeling, the floor was always damp during the rainy season, and at night you could hear the rustling of mice running around.

Janice Salk cried once when she first got here, saying she'd never lived in a place this rough before.

I gripped her hand and said, "Just hold on a little longer. I promise I'll make sure she lives a good life."

Back then, I'd just graduated and was working as a clerk in a small company, with a salary barely enough to scrape by.

It's different now. I've taken on a few more jobs, so I can finally save enough to get her a new mobile phone.

"I'm heading out to work now." I washed the dishes and put them away, then slung that faded canvas bag over my shoulder.

Inside the bag are tools for various side gigs the delivery box key, the foldable electric bike key for driving jobs, and gloves for moving bricks at night on the construction site.

"Come back early, don't work too hard." Janice Salk's voice softened as she reached out to smooth my collar.

I smiled and ruffled her hair, "Don't worry, I'll have a surprise for you this weekend."

When I left, the motion-sensor light in the stairwell was broken; I felt my way down in the dark, stepping carefully with every step.

My first job was at a breakfast shop from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.kneading dough, making buns, running the registerI was so busy my feet barely touched the ground.

The boss's wife always said I was hardworking and slipped me two extra hot buns for breakfast.

I couldn't bring myself to eat it, so I wrapped it carefully in clean oil paper and hid it at the bottom of my canvas bag, thinking Janice would want it as a snack when she woke up.

At seven-thirty, I rushed to the office building to do cleaning, wearing blue work clothes and pushing the cleaning cart, weaving through all the offices.

Once, I ran into a nasty white-collar woman who complained that the sound of my mopping was disturbing her phone call and scolded me, pointing her finger right at my nose.

I gripped the mop handle so tight my nails dug into my palms, thinking about the mobile phone Janice wanted, forcing myself to hold back my anger.

Shift change at noon, no time to eat, so I rode my electric bike to deliver food.

The midday sun made me dizzy, my shirt kept drying and getting soaked again, leaving circles of white stains.

One time, rushing to make it on time, I was almost hit by a car. The food spilled everywhere; I paid out of pocket and even got a bad review from the customer.

At six in the evening, I worked as a waiter at a restaurantcarrying plates, wiping tables, busy until ten before I could get off.

After work, I went to the construction site to carry bricks for two more hours, dragging my exhausted body back to the basement past midnight.

Janice Salk was already asleep, her brows furrowed as if she were having a bad dream.

I quietly washed up, took out the change I had saved that day, spread out the bills one by one, and put them into the metal box under the bed.

I bought that metal box right after graduating, and now it's stuffed with crumpled bills and coins.

The happiest moment each day was counting the moneywatching the total inch closer to the price of the mobile phone made my heart feel warm, like it had been soaked in hot water.

One night, after lugging bricks, my ankle was swollen like a steamed bun, the pain stabbing deep.

I sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing my foot. Janice woke up and groggily asked me what was wrong.

"It's nothing, I just twisted it a little by accident." I pulled my foot back under the bed.

She didn't ask any more, turned over, and fell back asleep.

On payday, I pocketed all the money and went to the mobile phone store to buy the newest model.

While the clerk was packing it, I kept reminding him to use the prettiest gift box.

When I stepped out of the phone store, it was already dark, and the neon lights on the street were dazzling.

I held the phone box close to my chest like it was the most precious thing in the world, and my steps felt much lighter.

I came back to the basement, but Janice Salk wasn't home.

I put the mobile phone on the table, laid out the pickled vegetables she loved, heated the steamed bun, and waited for her to return.

After waiting nearly two hours, the door finally opened.

Janice Salk walked in, wearing an unfamiliar perfumenot the cheap one she usually wears.

"You're back? Come see the gift I bought for you." I handed her the phone box, my eyes smiling.

Janice hesitated for a moment, took the box, and opened it. When she saw the phone, her eyes showed no surprise like I'd hopedjust a flicker of something complicated.

"Why did you buy this? Such a waste of money." She pulled out her mobile phone and casually set it on the table.

"I saw you liked it, so I bought it." My smile stiffened for a moment. "Isn't your old phone always freezing? This one works better."

"Got it, I'm tired. I'm going to take a shower first." She didn't look at me again, grabbed some clothes, and went into the cramped bathroom.

I sat by the table, staring at that brand-new phone, feeling a bit down.

But then I thought, maybe she was just too surprised and still hadn't processed it.

In the middle of the night, I woke up needing to pee and found Janice wasn't in bed.

I walked out of the basement and saw her standing by a trash can not far away, holding that phone box.

The streetlight was dim, so I couldn't make out her expressionjust saw her raise her hand and toss the phone into the trash.

My heart sank suddenly, like it was filled with leadso heavy I couldn't breathe.

I didn't dare go forward. I quietly backed away, lay down on the bed, and stared wide awake until dawn.

The next morning, Janice got up like usual, as if last night had never happened.

I looked at her, wanting to ask why, but the words caught in my throat.

In the afternoon, I was moving bricks at the construction site. During a break, I scrolled through my mobile phone and saw Vera's post on Moments.

In the photo was a brand-new luxury car. I recognized the logoit was a limited edition, worth over seventy million.

The caption read: "Janice is so generous~"

To earn a little extra, I took a part-time job as a waitress at an upscale clubhouse, serving drinks in the private rooms.

The clubhouse was decorated extravagantlycrystal chandeliers dazzled, and the marble floors reflected people's images.

The people who came here to spend money were always rich or distinguished.

I wore the standard uniform, kept my head down while working, trying not to stand out.

That night, I was pushing the drink cart to deliver drinks to the VIP room on the third floor.

As I reached the door, a familiar voice came from insideit was Janice Salk.

My steps froze, and I stopped instinctively outside the door.

"You really think that Carlos believes I'll spend my whole life with him?" Janice's voice was laced with a mocking laughter, full of contempt I'd never heard before.

"Janice, don't play with him. Just be straightTodd's waiting to marry you." It was Vera's voice.

"What's the rush? I haven't had my fun yet." Janice chuckled softly.

"Didn't you see him working seven jobs every day just to buy me a mobile phone? Exhausted like a dog, yet looking at me with such hopeful eyes. It's really something."

"Then don't go too far. What if he finds out..."

"So what if he finds out? What can he do to me?" Janice's voice rose a little.

"A poor man with no background or skills, thinking he can marry me? That's just a pipe dream."

"The only reason I'm with him is cause he's obedientlike my free babysitter."

"So, does he know about the luxury car you bought for Todd?"

"How could he? He's so busy every day, running around non-stopwhen would he have time to care about what I do?" Janice paused for a moment, then added, "Besides, even if he knew, what difference would it make?"

After that, I couldn't make out what she was saying anymore.

My ears were buzzing, like a swarm of bees trapped inside.

The drink cart in my hand nearly tipped over. I gripped the handle tightly, my knuckles white from the pressure.

Three years of feelingsto her, it was nothing but a joke.

I worked my ass off, scrimping and saving to surprise her. I was worn out to pieces, but to her, I was just the punchline of a fool's joke.

"Carlos, what's wrong?" A colleague next to me patted my shoulder, looking worried.

I took a deep breath, swallowed the lump in my throat, and shook my head. "Nothing, just feeling a bit off."

"Then you better go rest for a bit. I've got this." The colleague took the handlebars from my hands.

I nodded, turned, and walked out of the Clubhouse.

The night breeze brushed my face, carrying a chill that cleared my clouded mind a little.

I walked down the road, not knowing where I was going.

Thinking back to three years ago, I had a falling out with my family because of Janice Salk and moved out of that life of luxury.

My father was so angry he ended up in the hospital, calling me unfilial and saying I was blinded by love.

Back then, I swore that Janice truly loved me, and that I would be happy with her.

Now, looking back, it's just ridiculous.

I found the number labeled "Dad" in my contacts, hesitated for a long time, but in the end, I still didn't call.

I need time to sort out my emotions, and I also need time to apologize to my father.

When I got back to the Basement, Janice Salk was already asleep.

She was sleeping deeply, a smile still playing at the corners of her mouthI wonder what sweet dream she was having.

I looked at her face. I used to think it was especially beautiful, but now it just seemed strange.

I packed up my thingsjust a small suitcase with a few changes of clothes inside.

These past three years, besides saving money to buy things for Janice Salk, I didn't keep anything for myself.

I sat on the edge of the bed, wide awake all night.

At dawn, I made my decisionto leave this place and return to the home I had once run away from.

I sent a message to my father.

While typing the message, my fingers trembled a little; I deleted and rewrote it several times before finally sending: "Dad, I've made up my mind. I'm coming home tomorrow."

A notification popped up confirming the message was sent. I gripped my mobile phone tightly, my heart pounding.

I thought my father would scold me or take a long time to reply.

Unexpectedly, less than ten seconds after I sent the message, my father's call came through.

"Carlos?" On the other end of the phone, my father's voice had a faint, almost imperceptible tremor.

"Dad." I called out, my throat instantly tightening.

"Where are you? How are you feeling? Has anyone treated you unfairly?" My father fired off a string of questions, his worry plain.

"I'm fine, Dad, I'm in the basement in the south side of the city." I sniffed, holding back my tears.

"The basement? How can you live in a place like that?!" My father's voice shot up. "Just wait, I'll have someone come get you right away!"

"Dad, no need, I can go back by myself tomorrow." I said quickly.

"No, I'm worried." My father's voice was firm, "I've already asked Sebastian to arrange the plane. It'll arrive this afternoon. Stay put and don't wander off."

"Dad..." I wanted to say something, but my father cut me off.

"Don't say anything," My father's voice softened. "I was wrong before and shouldn't have pressured you, but you have to understand, I'm only doing this for your own good."

"I know, Dad, I was wrong." I couldn't hold back anymore; tears started to fall.

"If you're wrong, then change it. Just come back." My father sighed, "I've already given the Lancaster Family a heads-up. Sienna is a good girlwhen you come back, have a proper talk."

"Mm." I nodded, feeling a rush of mixed emotions.

After hanging up, I leaned against the wall, feeling like a huge weight had finally lifted off my chest.

At that moment, Janice woke up, rubbed her eyes, and asked me, "Who was calling so early?"

"No one, just a colleague." I slipped my phone into my pocket, not wanting to say more.

Janice gave me a suspicious look but didn't press further. She got up to wash up.

In the afternoon, Sebastian came to pick me up with a driver.

Sebastian is the family's longtime butler who's watched me grow up. When he saw me, his eyes were red.

"Young master, you've been through so much." He helped me carry my suitcase, his voice full of concern.

I smiled and said, "Sebastian, I'm fine."

When Janice saw Sebastian and the black luxury car, her eyes went wide.

"Carlos, this is..." She grabbed my arm, a hint of surprise in her voice.

"My family came to pick me up." I pulled my arm back, my tone calm.

"Going home? Your home isn't..." Janice Salk's voice trailed off, but I knew exactly what she meant.

I once told her that my family wasn't well-off, that my parents were just ordinary workers.

"I lied to you." I looked at her and said, "My family's in businessnot huge money, but definitely not poor enough to make me live in the basement."

Janice's face went deathly pale. "Why did you lie to me?"

"Because I wanted to know if you love me for who I am or for my money." I looked at her, all the softness in my eyes gone. "Now I know."

Janice opened her mouth to say something, but not a single word came out.

"I'm leaving. Don't ever contact me again." I turned around, got into the luxury car, and didn't look back.

As the car started, I saw Janice standing there through the rearview mirrorher face pale, her eyes vacant.

My heart felt nothing but a relieved lightness.

Three years of effortjust think of it as a dream.

Now, it's time to wake up from that dream.

When I got home, my father was already waiting for me at the door.

He looked much older than three years agomore white hair at his temples and deeper wrinkles around his eyes.

"Dad." I walked over and hugged him.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back." My father patted my back, his voice catching with emotion.

Everything at home was just as I remembered, exactly as I knew it.

The servant had prepared hot water and clean clothes for me. I took a shower and slipped into some comfortable loungewear, feeling completely revived.