A new tavern opened next door, and business there was booming. An Hui, who had worked at the hotel front desk for over a year and enjoyed plenty of downtime, suddenly found herself swamped. She was about ready to curse out the hotel next door. They were earning the same salary, but her job was no longer as relaxed as before. Meanwhile, the hotel owner was deeply grateful to the tavern owner next door. Wang Yang was An Hui's friend, and through the sociable Wang Yang, An Hui met Zhou Qu, the tavern owner. Much later, Wang Yang asked Zhou Qu, very curiously, why he didn't like her, even though she was prettier than An Hui. Zhou Qu summed it up neatly: “You could have ten Wang Yangs and still not get one An Hui.”
A memorable scene:
Zhou Qu's heart softened. She was curled up quietly in the corner, making no loud cries. He couldn't even hear her sob, as one tear after another silently slid down her face. Zhou Qu felt utterly helpless. He gently coaxed An Hui, “Baby, don't waste your pearls.”
