"What do you mean you can't hire me?"
"It's what I said ma'am. We can't hire you."
Li Hua slammed her hand on the desk. What did they mean they couldn't hire her? The sign outside said they were looking for employment.
This was the 7th job that denied her without giving her a reason.
She didn't know what she did wrong. She had dressed appropriately and had a good resume. She studied in America and attended a prestigious college for god sake.
"Ma'am please leave before I call security."
Looking at the situation, Li Hua put aside her pride and walked out. She didn't want to admit it but now it seemed there was no other way. She had been blacklisted.
They wanted her to be backed up against a wall and forced to return. Never. The only time she would return was to laugh in their faces.
As she was walking back to her hotel it started to rain. While everyone else ran for cover she continued to walk as usual.
As she was walking, a taxi rode past her and splashed her with water. Her jeans were soaking and she was freezing
She froze. This was officially the worst day in her life. Up ahead she noticed a bar ahead and sighed a breath of relief. At least she'd be warm.
She walked into the bar and it was rather quaint. It was a very dim place and had a cool atmosphere.
"Bartender, I'd like a glass of Baijiu."
"Coming right up."
As she sat and waited she looked around the bar some more. There was quite a bit of people inside all engaged in their own conversation. She looked at a dim corner and saw a piano.
"Here you go miss"
The bartender had arrived with her drink, seeing her gaze he perked up.
"Oh, your looking at the piano. Yeah, we used to have live performances but our old musician got a new job."
Hearing this, an idea sparked in her mind.
"Are you looking to hire a new pianist?"
"Well yes but it's been on the back of our list."
"I'll do it. Let me play a song and you can decide if I'm hired."
Hearing this, the bartender was surprised. He wasn't expecting to find a new pianist today. He looked at her. She was a very attractive woman if he was being honest. She definently would bring in customers.
"Go on ahead then."
Li Hua tied her hair into a bun and walked towards the piano. As she sat down on the leather chair she relaxed.
She let her finger graze the keys and started to play a song. The music at first was soft but started to pick up. It was very joyful and light. She was playing one of her favorite songs, "Pern" composed by artist Yann Tiersen.
The way she played was graceful, her skinny fingers almost flew across the keys.
The bar had quieted down and all eyes were on her.
She was so concentrated that she forgot she was even in front of a crowd.
When the song came to an end she stood still for a few seconds. She finally snapped out of it when she heard clapping.
She got up and took a bow. She smiled as the light shone in her face. This was the feeling she longed for. This was why she loved music.
She walked off stage and back to the bar.
"Well?"
"Well what? When can you come in."
"I'm free tomorrow."
Li Hua gathered her things and was ready to go home. It was getting late and she didn't like staying out too late. She was about to leave when she suddenly remembered something.
"Can my employment here be kept between us. I'm in a little predicament."
"Ugh. Sure I guess." The bartender had been in his fair share of situations so he wasn't one to question, plus this was a really convenient partnership.
"Actually before you go. What may I call you?"
"You can call me Hua. Hua Yu." She smiled and left
She opened the door of the bar and walked out.
Hua Yu was her alias she used in America. While her family believed she was simply studying, Li Hua had made a name for herself. She had become a very popular pianist in the states which had been her man source of income. She used her mother's last name as she wanted no association with her family. It'd be better that way.
Suddenly a thought came to her mind. She really had no chance here in China. She had found "stability" but for how long? Now that she had some source of income, she decided she'd just work hard enough to afford a flight back to America and continue her career. It'd take a few months at most.