"Welcome! Do you have a reservation?"

Wen Yang stood in a crisp white shirt and black vest, his hair neatly slicked back. With a warm smile, he greeted the guests who had just entered the restaurant.

This kind of service work was nothing new to him. Since elementary school, he'd done various part-time jobs out of necessity. From scavenging for bottles in trash bins to tutoring, he’d seen it all. Back in his hometown, his uncles would always save a plate for him at dinner, but after going to middle school in the county, he had to fend for himself.