Chapter 38: How Alike They Are

Chapter 38: The Resemblance

Wang Ping’s home was not far from the Three Flavors Bookstore, and the primary school her grandson attended was nearby as well. That was why she had chosen to try her luck at finding a job there.

After leaving the bookstore, Wang Ping walked with a lighter step and soon arrived home.

This was the home of her son, Yan Shun’an. Her son and daughter-in-law had worked hard in Haidu for a long time before finally managing to buy this small apartment. Now that Wang Ping had moved in with them, the space felt quite cramped.

However, since her grandson was away at summer camp, only one person was busy in the house, making it feel less crowded and somewhat quiet instead.

"Mom, where have you been? I just finished dinner. Wash your hands and come eat."

The person busy in the kitchen was Wang Ping’s daughter-in-law, Liu Xiuting. She worked at a private company and, although she didn't have to work overtime as often as her husband, she was still quite busy. She must have just returned home herself.

Looking at the dinner Liu Xiuting had prepared, Wang Ping said, "Why didn't you wait for me to cook? You've been busy all day and must be tired; you should be resting."

Liu Xiuting replied, "I’m not that tired today, and I couldn't just keep waiting for you to cook for us. Shun’an called to say he has to work late. I’ve saved some dinner for him, so let’s eat."

Wang Ping nodded with a smile and sat down with Liu Xiuting at the coffee table.

The home was small and lacked a dedicated dining room, so they usually ate on the living room sofa. Wang Ping, however, found it quite comfortable. Her son and daughter-in-law were both hard-working and got along well, and her daughter-in-law treated her with kindness—what more could she ask for?

"Xiuting, there’s something I want to tell you," Wang Ping said while they were eating.

"What is it, Mom?" Liu Xiuting asked.

"I’ve found a job..." Wang Ping said.

Liu Xiuting looked surprised. Seeing her lack of reaction, Wang Ping continued, "You know I can't sit still. Back home, I was always busy at the bookstore. Being idle here makes me feel restless, so I wanted to find something to do."

Liu Xiuting nodded and said, "We’re too busy to spend time with you, and I was worried you weren't adjusting well to living here..."

Wang Ping laughed. "We’re family, don't talk about things like 'trouble.' I just wanted to let you know, that’s all. Now that little Feng is in primary school, I just pick him up and cook dinner, but otherwise, I have nothing to do. Finding a job to pass the time and earn some money—isn’t that good?"

Liu Xiuting smiled then and asked, "What kind of job is it, and where is it?"

"It’s my old line of work: a bookstore," Wang Ping explained. "On Jiuan Road, where that music shop used to be, there’s a new bookstore now called... the Three Flavors Bookstore? I saw they were hiring, so I went and asked."

"Oh, that bookstore..." Liu Xiuting looked slightly surprised. "I passed by Jiuan Road a couple of days ago and noticed the new shop. The decor looked quite unique."

She felt a brief sense of deja vu, recalling that when she passed by, she had seen a beautiful woman with a child inside. She didn't have many hobbies, but she loved listening to music. When Zhang Suxin was at the height of her popularity two or three years ago, she had been her biggest fan. Ever since Zhang Suxin retired from the spotlight, she had felt a deep sense of nostalgia and regret.

When she had passed by the Three Flavors Bookstore that day, the woman she saw inside looked so much like the person on Zhang Suxin’s album posters.

"That shop does look quite nice," Liu Xiuting remarked.

"It is," Wang Ping agreed. "And the boss is a good man, too—quite young, generous, and easy to talk to. He offered me a thousand a month during the trial period, and it will go up to two thousand once I’m officially hired."

"That much?!" Liu Xiuting was surprised.

"I know, I could hardly believe it," Wang Ping said. "Is running a bookstore in Haidu that profitable? Back in Jinzhou, I never dared to hire anyone. If I did, all the money would just end up in someone else's pocket."

Liu Xiuting shook her head. "I don't know, I've never looked into the industry. But regardless, the boss seems like a decent person, and he's quite handsome, too."

"He is handsome," Wang Ping agreed. "Much better looking than our Shun’an."

Liu Xiuting laughed, "Mom, he’s a man! Why are you comparing him to Shun’an?"

Wang Ping looked confused. "What do you mean? Where did you hear he was a woman? The boss is a man—a handsome young guy!"

"Oh..." Liu Xiuting realized she had been mistaken. "I just saw a woman with a child in the shop before it opened."

"I haven't seen any woman," Wang Ping said. "Perhaps that was the boss’s wife."

Liu Xiuting said, "That boss is quite lucky, Mom. Do you know? His wife looks just like Zhang Suxin!"

"Zhang Suxin?" Wang Ping recalled the name. "The singer you used to like?"

"Yes," Liu Xiuting replied. "I saw her once when I passed by. I almost thought it was really her. But then I realized that’s impossible—a famous pop star wouldn't retire just to open a bookstore here."

Wang Ping nodded. "That's true."

Liu Xiuting added, "Since you’re working there, keep an eye out for 'Dragon Raja 3' for me. Shun’an loves reading novels when he has free time, and he’s been talking about how the third book is coming out soon."

Wang Ping nodded to show she understood, but then sighed and shook her head. "He’s a grown man, and he still likes reading those kinds of books."

Liu Xiuting laughed. "It’s a rare little hobby he’s kept since he was a student; I think it’s sweet. Back in school, I was attracted to him precisely because I thought he read a lot and was knowledgeable."

Wang Ping rolled her eyes at her daughter-in-law. "You were fooled! He reads a lot, sure, but none of it is serious literature. He can talk nonsense, but he hasn't learned any real skills."

Liu Xiuting just smiled and said nothing.

"I'll ask the boss tomorrow," Wang Ping promised. "If they have it, I'll buy a copy. But you need to keep an eye on Shun’an—don't let him stay up all night reading."

"I will," Liu Xiuting said.

The fact that Liu Xiuting didn't stop her from taking the job put Wang Ping at ease, and the meal was harmonious and pleasant. After they finished eating, they both went about their chores. When Yan Shun’an finally returned home late that night, Wang Ping mentioned the job again. Seeing that he had no objections, she finally felt completely relieved.

The next day, Wang Ping went to the Three Flavors Bookstore, heard Lu Anzhi explain the job requirements, and signed the agreement. Just then, a taxi stopped at the entrance, and a woman stepped out with a little girl.

Lu Anzhi picked up the exquisitely beautiful little girl, who sweetly called out, "Daddy." Wang Ping realized then that this woman and child were the boss’s wife and daughter.

She glanced at Zhang Suxin. Even though the woman was wearing a mask, Wang Ping couldn't help but think to herself: *The resemblance is truly uncanny!*