Browsing through the internet, she frowned.
*This world is behind in technology… at least ten years, maybe more.*
She exhaled softly. "Ugh… I have to learn everything again. I did it before. I can do it again."
Her fingers paused over the keyboard.
"And I couldn't even enjoy my promotion for a single day…"
Her chest tightened for just a second — the memory of the conference room, the applause, the call she never answered.
She glanced down at the child beside her.
Luoli was quietly playing with the hem of her sleeve, completely unaware of the storm in her mind.
Lin Qinran sighed.
"Well… at least I don't have to deal with a man(lin luoli's father)."
A pause.
"…Though… I could've asked Bei Chuan back then."
Her gaze drifted for a moment, but she quickly shook her head.
*No use thinking about the past.*
I need work.
Her eyes wandered across the street through the café window — and then she saw it.
A slightly crooked sign hung outside a dim building.
**Hiring Urgently — Internet Café**
"This could work…" she murmured.
She stood, scooped Luoli into her arms, and walked toward the café.
The door creaked as she pushed it open.
The interior was messy — empty instant noodle cups, tangled wires, dusty keyboards. The air smelled faintly of stale smoke and cheap coffee.
It was quiet.
*Hmm… it is still early.*
She walked toward the counter. A young girl sat behind it, half-asleep, chin resting in her palm.
"Hello," Lin Qinran said politely. "I saw the hiring sign outside. I'd like to apply."
The girl blinked, startled.
"Oh— sorry, what were you saying? Oh! You want to apply here? Miyah" She straightened. "Could you wait a moment? The boss will be here in a while."
"Sure."
A few minutes passed.
The door opened again.
A middle-aged woman entered, keys jingling in her hand, expression sharp and assessing.
The young girl immediately called out,
"Miss, the boss is here. Miyah"
Lin Qinran turned as the woman stepped inside.
She wore simple clothes, her hair tied neatly into a low bun. Her eyes were sharp — observant — but not unkind.
"Someone's here to apply," the girl added.
The boss nodded and walked forward.
"You're here for the job?"
"Yes," Lin Qinran replied calmly. "I saw the sign outside."
The woman's gaze shifted downward — landing on the small child in her arms.
Her expression softened slightly.
"Your son?"
"…Yes."
"You're raising him alone?"
Lin Qinran hesitated for half a second, then nodded. "Yes."
The woman hummed thoughtfully.
"Internet cafés aren't glamorous jobs. Long hours sometimes. Night shifts occasionally. Can you manage that with a child?"
"I can," Qinran answered without hesitation. "I learn fast. I can handle computers well. I don't mind cleaning either."
The boss raised a brow. "You know how to handle system maintenance? Restart frozen systems? Basic troubleshooting?"
"Yes."
Before the boss could respond, a frustrated voice echoed from the back.
"Hey! This thing's frozen again!"
All three women turned.
A customer was repeatedly clicking his mouse at one of the older computers. The screen was completely stuck.
The young girl behind the counter panicked. "It was doing that yesterday too…miyahh"
The boss frowned. "It's been acting up all week."
Lin Qinran glanced at the screen from where she stood.
"May I?" she asked calmly.
The boss looked at her for a brief second — then stepped aside.
Qinran gently handed Luoli to the young employee. The child clung to her sleeve quietly but didn't cry.
She crouched beside the computer.
One look was enough.
Too many startup programs. Background applications consuming memory. No proper maintenance.
*So inefficient…*
Her fingers moved quickly but precisely.
She opened the task manager. Ended unnecessary processes. Adjusted startup settings. Cleared temporary files. Disabled a suspicious add-on.
Then she restarted the system.
A few seconds later, the desktop loaded.
The customer moved the mouse.
Smooth.
He blinked. "Huh… it's faster than before."
The young girl stared. "It never restarts that fast…"
Qinran stood up calmly.
"It's overloaded. If you clean the system weekly and reduce auto-start programs, it won't freeze as often. And your antivirus is outdated."
Silence fell briefly.
The boss no longer casually observing was evaluating.
"You figured that out pretty quickly," the woman said.
"It's basic optimization," Qinran replied simply.
The boss crossed her arms again, this time thoughtfully.
"How many machines here are like that?"
"Most of them," Qinran said. "If you'd like, I can check them during slower hours."
The café owner studied her for a long moment.
The café was quiet. Dusty. Underperforming.
After a few seconds, she nodded.
"Salary isn't high. Basic pay plus small commission if customers recharge memberships. No benefits. One-month probation."
"That's fine."
"You start tomorrow. Eight in the morning."
The young girl blinked in surprise. "Miss, just like that?"
The boss gave her a look. "If she can reduce breakdowns, she's already saving us money."
Then her gaze returned to Qinran.
"One more thing."
Her voice softened slightly.
"During peak hours, your son can't run around. And if there's ever an emergency, tell me in advance. I won't tolerate irresponsibility — but I won't ignore reality either."
"I understand."
For the first time since waking up in this unfamiliar world…
Lin Qinran felt something steady settle in her chest.
Not comfort.
Not security.
But a foothold.
"…Thank you."
The boss waved her off lightly."Good. Let's see if you can keep that standard every day."
A faint smile touched Qinran's lips.
"I will."