Chapter 5 — They Teach Me To Grow Up By Abandoning Me

I went back to the room to get my shoes and went to the bathroom to wash my face. The person in the mirror had dark circles under his eyes like a panda, his hair was messy, his t-shirt was wrinkled to the point of being out of shape. Looks like a good candidate for the homeless association. I searched the room, hoping my parents left something behind. Nothing. They even take away used toothbrushes. Scary clean. Have a clear plan. This is not a temporary spur of the moment. This is a pre-prepared escape. I tried to force that thought down, took a deep breath and left the hotel. The southern sun pours down harshly, the air is both hot and humid. I wore sneakers, wore the same outfit as yesterday, my hair was as messy as a pothole, and leisurely walked on the coastal tourist street. The food street Ms. Vuong said, I found it. An alley not too long, both sides are full of small restaurants, grills and seafood restaurants. At this time, most of them are not open yet, but a few breakfast shops are starting to get crowded. I immediately set my sights on a dumpling shop. Outside the door is a piece of paper written in red pen:

“Recruiting seasonal employees, paid daily.”

My eyes immediately lit up. I pushed the door and walked in. The owner is a bald man in his forties, wearing an apron, kneading dough.

“Boss, are you still recruiting people?”

He raised his head and looked at me, his eyes scanning from head to toe.

“Have you ever worked in the kitchen?”

“No. But I can learn…”

“Do you know how to knead dough?”

“No. But…”

“Do you know how to roll a pie crust?”

“Do you know how to wrap dumplings?”

“This… isn't either.”

The boss bowed his head and continued kneading the dough, not bothering to look up again.

“So what are you doing here?”

“I can carry food, clear tables, wash dishes…”

“There is no shortage.”

“It's okay to clean up…”

“There is no shortage.”

“So why do you hire seasonal workers?”

“Package of dumplings.”

I quietly withdrew from the dumpling shop. Second shop. A seafood porridge restaurant. There are also recruitment posters posted outside the door.

“Boss, what are the recruitment conditions?”

“Need a health certificate.”

"I don't have a medical certificate. Also... I don't have an ID either."

The lady's eyes looking at me immediately changed. Eye type:

“Is this child an escaped criminal?”

“That won't work.”

Third shop. A grill shop.

"Girl, your situation is like this... if you don't have an ID card, how will I pay you? Who will be responsible if something happens?"

Fourth shop. Milk tea shop.

"Beauty, we are recruiting long-term employees. You can only work for a day or two, and the training fee can't even cover it."

Fifth shop. Pickled fruit shop.

"It's fine to pay by the day. But you have to deposit 50 yuan in advance."

In my pocket there was a total of 247.32 yuan. Deposited 50 yuan and ended up with 197.32 yuan. What if you don't pay?

“Is the final deposit refundable?”

"Of course it's refundable. It will be returned when you leave. But if you don't have an ID, you can't sign a temporary labor contract. What if you grab your things and run away?"

"What can I hold from you? A fruit knife?"

Boss: “…” I was invited out. Half an hour to walk through the entire food street. No place accepted me. There are only a few reasons that come up: No identification. No health certificate. Don't know the expertise. It's not worth doing it for a day or two. I stood at the end of the food street, the hot sun burning my neck. Stomach started to growl. I haven't had breakfast yet. 247.32 yuan, Had to hold out until I could go home. I stopped by a convenience store and spent 6 yuan to buy two rice balls. Standing on the side of the road, munching on cold rice piece by piece. In the mouth is the taste of seaweed mixed with cold white rice. In front of us are groups of tourists passing by, laughing and chatting, some holding coconuts, some standing and taking photos. Tourist city. Everyone is on vacation. It's just me... Struggling to survive. After swallowing the last bite, I took out my phone to look at it. Luc Vien texted back:

"Sisters, I'll see if I can collect some more this afternoon and give it to you. Try to hold out first."

I don't answer. I texted my mother:

“Mom, can 200 yuan be transferred?”

Three minutes later, mother replied:

“I'm working, this banking app requires facial recognition but I can't get through.”

I stared at that message. Facial recognition fails. Mrs. Trieu Tue Phuong, I've been using this banking app for three years and have never had any problems with facial recognition. Mom is being rude to me. I texted again:

"Mom, can you send me my ID card? I can't even rent a hotel."

The reply message came very quickly:

“Should I just stay at the hotel?”

“Room fee is 268 yuan a day, I have no money!”

"Then find somewhere cheaper. Don't you kids like to stay in something like a youth hostel?"

“If you don't have ID, you can't rent!”

A while later, my mother texted again:

"How about I go to the internet cafe to sit temporarily? The internet cafe probably doesn't need identification, right?"

"Mom. It's 2024. Internet cafes also need identification."

Another moment passed.

“Or should I go to the park bench and sleep for the night?”

I put my phone away. No more texting. If I text anymore, I'm afraid I'll say some disrespectful words. For example — If that was the case, then in the past, don't give birth to children anymore. I sat on the edge of a flower bed along the road, looking at the flow of people passing in front of me. Just have to think of a way. First thing: Where to sleep tonight?