17 The Wise Bao Yu

Calvin stood frozen in the middle of the restaurant, lost in thought with a vacant stare. His mind was consumed with worries about Amity and the stinging words William had hurled at him. He felt like a failure, someone who couldn’t help even when he desperately wanted to.

“If only I were a rich man, I could at least do something more meaningful…” Calvin muttered softly, almost as if he were talking to himself.

Suddenly, a gentle pat landed on his shoulder. Calvin turned to see Bao Yu standing behind him, a soft smile on her cute face.

“You look like someone who just lost a big battle,” Bao Yu said, her voice warm yet slightly teasing.

Calvin tried to smile but failed to hide his sadness. “I just… feel like everything is out of my control.”

Bao Yu let out a quiet sigh, then patted his shoulder again. “Come on, let’s go inside. Sit down for a bit. You need a break.”

She signaled to another staff member to take over Calvin’s spot on the floor. Too tired to protest, Calvin followed her and walked into the kitchen area. Bao Yu pointed to a small table near the kitchen, where the cooks usually arranged orders.

“Sit here,” she said, her voice filled with care.

Without a word, Calvin obeyed, sinking into the chair and leaning his tired back against it. Bao Yu moved swiftly to the back of the kitchen, opened the fridge, and grabbed a few ingredients.

Moments later, she returned with a glass of fresh strawberry juice. Its pinkish-red hue was enticing, and the cool condensation on the glass made the drink look even more appealing. Bao Yu placed it on the table in front of Calvin.

“Drink this,” she commanded gently but firmly.

Calvin looked at the glass, then back at Bao Yu. “You made this yourself?”

“Of course,” Bao Yu replied with a proud smile. “I’m not just good at running a restaurant, you know. I also know how to make a juice that can lift someone’s spirits.”

Calvin chuckled softly for the first time since the incident earlier. “Thank you, Bao Yu. I think I really needed this.”

Bao Yu nodded, sitting down in the chair across from him. “You know, Calvin, I hate seeing you like this. You’re too hard on yourself. You may not be rich, but I think you’re better than that guy.”

“Oh, really? In what way?” Calvin asked curiously.

“Wait, let me think! You’re not in a hurry, are you?” Bao Yu joked instead, a playful grin on her face.

Calvin chuckled lightly at her response. “I’m not in a hurry, but I’m curious about what you’ll say.”

Bao Yu rested her chin on her palm, pretending to think hard. “Hmm… let’s see. You’re not rich, that’s obvious. But at least, you’re not as obnoxious as that guy. That’s a big point in your favor.”

Calvin laughed. “Wow, best compliment of the year. Thanks a lot.”

Bao Yu shrugged with a mischievous smile. “Wait, I’m not done. You also don’t have an ego as big as a mountain like he does. That makes you more… human, you know?”

“So, I only win in the ‘not obnoxious’ and ‘human’ categories? Outstanding,” Calvin said, shaking his head in mock disappointment.

Bao Yu laughed, her eyes sparkling. “Hey, don’t underestimate that. Those are rare qualities in this world, Calvin. Guys like him may have money, but what’s the point if they don’t have a heart? You have a heart, and that’s more than enough.”

A faint smile crossed Calvin’s lips, touched by her words. “That’s the most sensible thing I’ve heard all day. Thank you, Bao Yu.”

Bao Yu raised the empty glass she was holding as if to make a toast. “You can always count on me to bring a little logic into your messy life.”

Calvin lifted his strawberry juice glass to join her toast. “You know, I’m lucky to have a friend like you. Even if I know you’re only saying that to cheer me up.”

“That’s what friends are for! Turning weaknesses into strengths!” Bao Yu said with a sweet smile.

Calvin felt comforted by her words. Despite her petite frame, Bao Yu seemed far more mature and grounded in her thinking than he was.

“But seriously, Calvin, you need to stop doubting yourself. Other people may look down on you, but that’s only because they can’t see what I see.”

Calvin tilted his head, intrigued. “And what do you see?”

Bao Yu looked at him, her smile growing warmer. “Someone who has the courage to keep standing even when the world knocks them down. Someone who works hard, not just for himself but for the people he loves.”

For a moment, Calvin was silent. Bao Yu’s words struck deeper than he expected. He didn’t know how to respond, so he simply smiled and nodded.

Bao Yu smiled back, this time more cheerfully. “Alright, enough drama for today. Drink your juice. The customers out front are waiting—let’s go make money for my dad!”

“Got it! Let’s make Jin Hai rich!”

“Great! I’ve always wanted to have a billionaire dad,” Bao Yu laughed.

Calvin worked with renewed enthusiasm after his conversation with Bao Yu. Their laughter brought life back to the restaurant, and the customers seemed to enjoy the positive energy radiating from the staff.

But that night brought something unexpected.

When the restaurant closed, Calvin returned to his modest rental house. The living room lights were still off, a sign that his mother, Maria, hadn’t returned from work. Calvin sat in the old chair in the living room, reading a business book and looking for new insights into entrepreneurship. Suddenly, he heard the sound of a key turning in the front door.

Maria got into a hurry. Her face looked exhausted, but something else was even more striking—her eyes were filled with anxiety. As soon as she saw Calvin, she said nothing and immediately hugged him tightly, as if making sure her son was truly there.

“Thank God they haven’t found you!” she exclaimed.

“Mom? What’s going on?” Calvin asked, confused, slowly wrapping his arms around her to return the hug.

Maria released him and looked at Calvin with reddened eyes. “We have to move, Calvin. Tomorrow morning.”

“Move? What happened? Didn’t you say your work out of town was going well?” Calvin asked, bewildered.

Maria took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. “I… I can’t explain everything now, son. But we’re not safe here. There are people looking for me—no, they’re after you. I won’t let them take you away from me!” Her voice trembled, unable to finish the sentence.

“They’re after me? Does this have to do with debts?” asked Calvin.

“No! I don’t have any debts! These people are evil, Calvin. They’ve been trying to destroy you since you were in my womb!”

“So, you have enemies? Who are they? Is it my father?”

“I don’t know! Don’t ask me about him, son! I truly don’t want you to know!”

“I’m an adult now, Mom. I can handle whatever worst-case scenario comes our way,” Calvin said firmly.

Maria sighed deeply and then looked at Calvin.

“Yes, son! Your father is alive. He even wants to get rid of you!” Maria replied, her voice filled with a mixture of frustration and fear.