Bright Moon Shines on Me GL - Chapter 1

Kyoto Sea City.

Welcome aboard Route 128 Bus. Doors closing, vehicle departing. Please take your seats and hold on tight. Next stop…

Screech

Thud

The bus, which had just started moving, suddenly braked to a halt. Every passenger turned to look toward the sound.

Under their collective gaze, a young and beautiful woman suddenly leaped onto the bus as the doors slowly slid open. She appeared to be in her early twenties, carrying a Chanel handbag and wearing the latest Armani dress. The silk fabric shimmered and flowed, accentuating her slender figure.

Dressed head-to-toe in expensive designer brands, she also wore a Piaget 18k gold diamond wristwatch on her delicate wrist. Her polished appearance clashed sharply with the cramped, utilitarian bus, making her look more like a pampered heiress dressed to impress on a blind date.

But why would a pampered heiress deign to ride a public bus? Was she slumming it for the experience?

Shen Yuan glanced at her once before lowering her head. She tore open the transparent plastic bag with two fingers, took a bite of the soft, snow-white red bean bun, and chewed slowly.

Hmm? Where’s my phone? The woman rummaged through her bag, her brow furrowing slightly.

Master, I’m so sorry, I left my phone on the bus.

My car just broke down, and the driver has already called for a tow truck. Could I pay for the bus fare when I get to the office later?

Or you could give me your WeChat, and I’ll transfer the money to you then.

The woman’s voice was melodious and refined, matching her elegant appearance and giving off an air of sophistication.

But the bus driver remained unimpressed. He glanced at her and grumbled, If you don’t have money, why are you taking the bus? Dressed so fashionably, I thought you were some rich heiress when I stopped. How can you not even have two yuan?

The woman’s face stiffened, but she still apologized politely

I’m so sorry, Master

Clink

Clink

Shen Yuan dropped two coins into the fare box, silently turned, and returned to her window seat. She had come out for a job interview today. After paying rent this month, she had only 102 yuan left. Those two coins were originally meant for her return fare.

Thank you so much! Give me your WeChat, and I’ll pay you back as soon as I get my phone.

Shen Yuan suddenly caught a pleasant whiff of perfume. The next moment, a figure settled into the seat beside her.

No need, Shen Yuan said, packing the plastic bag into her cloth tote before taking out a cup of soy milk and sipping it slowly.

You helped me out. How about I treat you to a meal?

Shen Yuan finally looked up, studying the woman beside her. Her skin was fair and delicate, her eyes a pale shade, her nose high and defined, and her lips slightly thin. She looked like she might be of mixed heritage, every strand of her hair radiating refinement. She seemed utterly incongruous with someone who couldn’t afford two yuan.

Gu Shiwei, in turn, openly scrutinized Shen Yuan. The woman who had paid for her meal had a gentle face and an aloof demeanor. Her jet-black hair was neatly tied up, revealing a slender nape. Below that, a white blouse buttoned to the top, paired with flowing black trousers, created a formal impression.

Her pupils were dark as night, yet her skin was so pale it seemed almost translucent. Gu Shiwei stared at Shen Yuan’s lips as she sipped through the straw, then abruptly averted her gaze.

Can I add you on… WeChat?

Shen Yuan glanced at her strangely and declined.

Feeling a bit carsick after breakfast, Shen Yuan sat upright with her hands neatly placed on her lap, leaning back against the glass with her eyes closed to rest.

Her stomach felt uneasy.

Shen Yuan’s eyelashes fluttered as she pressed a hand to her abdomen.

The person next to her seemed to notice, and Shen Yuan could feel a burning gaze on her face, but she paid it no mind.

When the bus arrived at its stop, Shen Yuan stepped off ahead of the woman. She squinted at the towering office building before her.

The two characters at the very top昭阳 Zhaoyangwere the name of the company, the game studio where Shen Yuan had come for an interview today.

Are you an employee here too?

The woman in luxury brands suddenly appeared beside her. Shen Yuan squinted at her. No, I’m here for an interview. Are you?

Not exactly. I’m an intern, and today’s my first day. Gu Shiwei smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt from the bus ride, then smiled. Thank you again for earlier. So many people on the bus were giving me strange looks, but you were the only one who paid for my fare.

You’re welcome.

During her poorest days, Shen Yuan couldn’t even afford the bus. She had paid for the woman in front of her earlier simply because she suddenly remembered her own past struggles.

Shen Yuan nodded to her and walked past her into the building.

The interview location was on the eighteenth floor. Shen Yuan pressed the elevator button, and Gu Shiwei followed closely behind. As she entered, she noticed the illuminated 18 button and her delicate eyebrows suddenly arched. You’re going to the eighteenth floor too?

Mm-hmm, Shen Yuan replied.

Ding!

As Shen Yuan stepped out of the elevator, she pulled her resume from her cloth bag. Today, she was interviewing for two positions Assistant Concept Artist and CEO Assistant. She stared at the two stacks of A4 paper for a moment before heading to the CEO Assistant interview room at the end of the corridor.

Gu Shiwei, who exited the elevator after her, glanced at Shen Yuan’s slender, frail figure a few times before turning and walking in the opposite direction.

The two interviews took up the entire morning. Human Resources instructed Shen Yuan to go home and wait for their decision, promising to notify her via email within three days.

During those three days of waiting, Shen Yuan didn’t idle. She took up a part-time job making milk tea, earning twelve yuan per hour. Working ten hours a day brought her a daily income of one hundred and twenty yuan.

After three days of part-time work, Shen Yuan earned a total of 300 yuan, bringing her total savings to 400 yuan, including the 100 yuan she had left over from before.

Her monthly rent was 1,000 yuan, and with utilities and internet, it came to roughly 1,200 yuan. If she didn’t pass the interview, she’d be in a tight spot next month and would have to find another job.

By the time Shen Yuan dragged her exhausted body back to her rented room after her part-time shift, it was already 11 PM. Her roommate, Fu Yao, a web novelist with an inverted day-night schedule, was just emerging from her room to scavenge for food.

Seeing Shen Yuan return, Fu Yao hurriedly set down her instant noodles, floating in a pool of red chili oil, and scurried over. Yuan Yuan, any news from the interview?

I haven’t checked my email yet. I just got back from work.

Shen Yuan pulled out her phone and opened WeChat. A small red dot glowed in her inbox. Her slender, pale index finger hovered over the screen, hesitating to tap it.

That must mean you passed! Hurry up and open it! Fu Yao seemed even more anxious than Shen Yuan herself. Though Fu Yao had no desire to work outside the home, she knew Shen Yuan’s situation and how much she needed this job.

Dear Ms. Shen Yuan, congratulations! You have passed the interview for the Assistant Concept Artist position. Please come to Zhaoyang Games tomorrow Wednesday to complete your onboarding…

Yes! I got the job! Assistant Concept Artist! This is amazing!

Fu Yao immediately ordered a cake to celebrate.

Though she had only known Shen Yuan for a little over a week, there was something irresistibly endearing about her, like a small animal. Fu Yao couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming urge to take care of her.

You’re too thin, Fu Yao said, settling back into her chair and slurping down a few mouthfuls of her spicy instant noodles. Now that you have a job, you don’t have to work so hard. After a moment, she added, Yuan Yuan, why don’t you quit those part-time jobs? You’re so refined and gentleI don’t think those public-facing roles suit you.

Shen Yuan paused, slightly surprised.

Let’s wait until my job stabilizes, she replied. The Assistant Concept Artist position had a one-month probationary period. Until she secured a permanent position, her part-time jobs would still be useful. However, now that she had a full-time job, she would have to reduce her daily part-time hours to four.

Alright, go take a shower first. We’ll eat the cake together when it arrives.

Fu Yao’s earnings from writing novels were modest. After paying rent each month, her remaining food budget barely covered basic meals. She hadn’t tasted cake in ages, not even on her birthday. Finally, with this joyous occasion, she could happily indulge in a few bites.

Shen Yuan hummed in acknowledgment and retreated to her room. After retrieving her pajamas, she transferred 100 yuan to Fu Yao via WeChat. Seeing the transfer notification, Fu Yao burst out, I’m treating you! We’re sharing! Don’t send me money, ahhh!

Shen Yuan emerged with her pajamas, forcefully accepted the payment on Fu Yao’s behalf, and retreated to the bathroom, shutting out Fu Yao’s protests.

The hot water cascading over her body washed away some of her fatigue. Shen Yuan exhaled a warm breath, the weight on her heart finally lifting.

Six years ago, Shen Yuan graduated from the School of Design at Jinghai Academy of Fine Arts with a bachelor’s degree. She secured a position at a major tech company in the south through the autumn recruitment season, working as a Concept Artist for three years before leaving for personal reasons. This time, she had initially aimed for the CEO Assistant role, but to play it safe, she also applied for the Assistant Concept Artist position.

In the end, she secured the Assistant Concept Artist role.

While Shen Yuan had hoped for the CEO Assistant position, the outcome was still positive, even if it wasn’t her ideal scenario.

Shen Yuan had a year-long employment gap. If it weren’t for her graduation from the Jinghai Academy of Fine Arts, a non-graduate student and non-recent graduate like her might never have landed the position of Assistant Concept Artist at Zhaoyang.

Zhaoyang was a subsidiary of the Qingfeng Group responsible for gaming operations, primarily managing and planning the MMORPG Ask the Sword, Journey the Martial World.

Shen Yuan had played the game during high school and college, but due to certain circumstances, she had completely stopped playing.

Her move to Kyoto Sea City was a way to bid farewell to her past and embark on a new chapter in life.

When Shen Yuan emerged from the shower, Fu Yao had already retrieved the cake and was carefully inserting candles one by one.

Quick, make a wish! Just wish for… to get rich! It’s bound to come true!

After lighting the candles, Fu Yao flicked off the lights with a snap. In the darkness, the candles glowed orange-red. Shen Yuan knelt down and silently made a wish in her heart.

I’ve made my wish, Shen Yuan said.

The lights snapped back on.

Under the incandescent glow, Fu Yao decisively cut a slice of cake for Shen Yuan, then took one for herself.

Thank you, Fu Yao.

Hehe.