Chapter 39: Employed
In the morning, Nan Yi dutifully prepared breakfast for He Yushen as usual.
As He Yushen stepped out, Nan Yi followed behind, wrapped in a long black down jacket, resembling a little penguin.
He Yushen, slightly puzzled, slowed his pace.
What has gotten into the omega today? Being so obedient and seeing him to the door, the gesture was conspicuously ingratiating.
"Why so well-behaved today?"
Before getting into his car, He Yushen turned to the figure still trailing behind, his face wearing a playful grin.
Nan Yi paused in surprise.
"Head back, it's cold," said the alpha, removing the black scarf from around his neck and draping it over the exposed, fair skin of Nan Yi's neck.
What had been a slightly chilly neckline suddenly warmed up, carrying a faint hint of mint.
Nan Yi was in a daze throughout, only snapping out of it after the car had departed.
The black scarf provided considerable warmth. Nan Yi adjusted it to cover his rosy lips.
The morning air was misty, accompanied by a light drizzle. Even after He Yushen's car had been gone for some time, someone still lingered outside without entering.
Only when another vehicle approached did he get in.
The passenger, his hair dewy from the mist, made the driver, Xiao Wang, feel slightly guilty.
"My apologies, Madam, for being late," Xiao Wang said.
Nan Yi just shook his head.
The car's heater kept the chill at bay. Yet Nan Yi didn't remove the scarf from his neck; instead, he slightly unzipped his jacket.
After two or three hours, a faint layer of sweat had formed on his forehead.
The car pulled up in front of a coffee shop. After straightening his clothes, Nan Yi prepared to get out.
"Madam, I'll find a parking spot. Message me when you're ready to leave," said Xiao Wang.
Nan Yi nodded in acknowledgment.
After staying in the heated car for a couple of hours, the outside air felt refreshingly crisp. The brisk breeze even had a sobering effect.
Nan Yi checked the address given by Editor #09 several times. Confident it was correct, he made his way inside.
He chose a seat by the window and casually ordered a cappuccino.
He was ten minutes early for the scheduled meeting. As Nan Yi took out his phone, he looked up to find himself locking eyes with a sweet-looking omega male, sporting curly hair.
Their eyes met, creating a slightly awkward tension between them.
As Nan Yi lowered his gaze to find Editor #09's chat, a message from the editor beat him to it.
[09: Have you arrived?]
[I'm here.]
[09: Are you the omega in the black down jacket and black scarf?]
A jolt of surprise passed through Nan Yi's eyes. Before responding, he looked up.
Their eyes met again, but this time the curly-haired omega didn't look away. Instead, he waved, holding up a phone with a pink case.
Nan Yi proactively rose and approached the omega.
"Hello, I'm Editor #09. You must be Author Xiao Nan?"
Nan Yi nodded in acknowledgment and took a seat.
"This is the contract. Please review it and decide if you wish to sign with us."
The curly-haired omega retrieved a contract from his bag and placed it in front of Nan Yi.
With a polite smile, Nan Yi began perusing the document.
Meanwhile, Editor #09's phone kept buzzing.
"Hello, right here."
By the time the cappuccino arrived, Nan Yi had gone through all the terms, conditions, and benefits for authors.
The base salary wasn't high, around five thousand initially. If fans sent gifts, there could be additional bonuses.
Five thousand was satisfactory for Nan Yi.
Setting the contract aside, he looked up.
"Have you made your decision?" the editor inquired.
Nan Yi nodded.
The omega's eyes were captivating, especially when he expressed puzzlement, a faint furrow forming between his brows.
Concerned that he might come off as impolite, Nan Yi quickly typed out a message.
[Apologies, I'm unable to speak.]
The curly-haired omega's eyes widened in surprise. After a brief pause, he asked, "So, Mr. Nan, are you certain about signing the contract?"
Nan Yi nodded again.
"I'll go get a pen," Nan Yi said, handing his phone to Omega as he stood up.
"No need! I've got one," came the reply.
Frantically, Omega seemed as if he wanted to bury his head inside his canvas bag. After rummaging for a while, he produced a water-based pen.
"I've prepared the ink for the fingerprint. Here, take a look."
When Omega smiled, two dimples appeared, adding a mischievous charm to his cuteness.
After signing and stamping the document, Nan Yi handed the pen to the person across the table.
"You keep this copy, and I'll take this one," Omega said, dividing the contract.
Nan Yi accepted it with a nod.
"By the way, Mr. Xiao Nan, I'll just call you that, alright?"
Nan Yi nodded once more.
"Here's the thing, since this month is almost over, your base salary will start from next month. Our contract also states a start date of December 1st. For the next few days, updating will depend on your mood. However, from next month onward, there should be at least one update per week."
After receiving Nan Yi's nod of agreement, curly-haired Omega stood up.
"I should get going. I have another author waiting for me."
As Nan Yi stood up to watch Omega leave, Editor 09 called out from the doorway, "If you have any work-related issues, feel free to contact me. Of course, I'll also be reminding you about deadlines."
Once Editor 09 had departed, Nan Yi gazed at the contract in his hands, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
He had found work.
On the way home, Nan Yi clutched the contract, beaming with joy.
Even Xiao Wang noticed his elated mood.
"Did you go to sign a contract, sir?" Xiao Wang inquired.
With a smile, Nan Yi nodded, his usually cold eyes warm and bright.
Signing the contract took up almost six to seven hours, during which he had dozed off in the car.
As they drove past a hotpot restaurant, the enticing aroma of the broth was unmistakable, even with the windows rolled up.
He had always had a soft spot for spicy hotpot. The scent alone nearly made him drool.
It had been a long time since he had eaten anything since morning.
Nan Yi felt hungry but didn't want to spend the money.
He Yushen's villa surely has a plethora of gourmet dishes, all probably quite expensive. Nan Yi felt it would be more economical to ask the housekeeper to prepare something for him.
Craving food, he felt even the last half-hour of the ride was too slow, and he dashed into the villa the moment the car stopped.
Unfortunately, the housekeeper had already gone out to buy groceries, leaving Nan Yi empty-handed.
Disheartened, he sank into the living room sofa, drained from hunger.
After a minute of silent contemplation, a thought struck him, prompting him to sit upright. Taking advantage of the housekeeper's absence, he could request hotpot.
The housekeeper would surely buy an array of delicious ingredients, and all on He Yushen's dime.
Nan Yi couldn't help but feel gleeful.
True to Nan Yi's prediction, the housekeeper returned with a bounty of hotpot ingredients. Knowing he had a penchant for spice, she also procured chili powder and dried chilies to concoct a flavorful and spicy broth.
"Mr. Nan, it'll be ready soon," the housekeeper said, an amused smile playing on her lips.
Standing behind her, Nan Yi wasn't the least bit embarrassed, already holding a bowl in readiness, reminiscent of a child awaiting a treat.