He Zhilan and her colleagues returned to the dormitory after their shift, and then everyone went their separate ways. He Zhilan and Fang Fang retreated to their room together.
Even before Fang Fang had set down her bag, she turned to He Zhilan and asked, "You made quite a lot in tips today, didn’t you? I heard there was a regular customer at the restaurant who was very generous with you today."
At the mention of this, He Zhilan couldn’t help but squint her eyes in a big smile. It seemed that ever since she started working at the restaurant, she had turned into a bit of a money-craver.
"Yes, a regular customer. He heard that in our country we have the custom of giving red envelopes for the New Year. He knew today is the eve, so he gave me more tip as a red envelope to wish me a happy New Year!" He Zhilan said, pulling out the money from her pocket. "A whole ten dollars! I was shocked when I saw it. My brother only earns a little over thirty dollars a month!"
The amount He Zhilan mentioned even stunned Fang Fang. While the restaurant had its share of generous customers, she had never seen anyone give a ten-dollar tip before. That was more than half of their monthly wages!
This restaurant paid relatively well, and yet Fang Fang’s first job only paid a mere few dollars a month.
Most customers would only tip a few cents. The colleagues at the restaurant would envy anyone who got a tip of a dime. But He Zhilan, who had only been working there for ten days, managed to get such a hefty tip, no wonder the whole day, the colleagues were discussing how good she was at making money.
Of course, their comments weren’t exactly flattering. Some said that He Zhilan took advantage of being a college student who could speak a few foreign words. A few compliments, and the customers were more than happy to give her money. Others said that she only needed to use her good looks, always giving a beaming grin to the customers, who would become utterly infatuated and willingly give her money.
However, Fang Fang did not share these comments with He Zhilan. Looking at the big bill and loose coins in He Zhilan’s hands, she couldn’t help but feel envious.
Fang Fang wasn’t sure if she should resent He Zhilan. Since He Zhilan started working at the restaurant, her own earnings had dropped significantly. Many of the restaurant’s regulars would call for He Zhilan as soon as they arrived. When the restaurant wasn’t busy, they would sit and chat with He Zhilan. Even when she was busy, they were willing to wait until she was free to serve them.
Sighing, Fang Fang glanced at He Zhilan, who was gleefully counting her money, then lay down on her bed.
He Zhilan had no idea what Fang Fang was thinking. She was indeed overjoyed. She had initially thought that her month-long winter job would not be enough for her living expenses for the next semester, but she hadn’t expected the additional income from tips at the restaurant job. Moreover, she hadn’t anticipated that the tips she earned could equal someone’s monthly wage. This meant that next semester, her family would only need to pay her tuition fees. After her freshman year, stepping into her second, she could strive for a scholarship and perhaps even save on tuition fees in the future.
Just the thought of being able to save money for her family and spending the savings on seeking He Da’s attention made He Zhilan very content. She was always happy to do anything for her family.
However, this happiness didn’t last long. He Zhilan noticed a significant change in her colleagues’ attitudes towards her when she went to work the next morning.