第三章 办手续

The next day, Lucas got up very early. He followed the guide issued by the school and found the International Student Office.

In the office sat a teacher wearing glasses.

"Hello, teacher," Lucas said. "I would like to... find a part-time job. My roommate said I need to go through procedures first."

"Yes, to find a part-time job, you first need to go through the work-study procedures," the teacher nodded. "Sit down, and I'll explain slowly."

"The process is not complicated; it's only three steps," the teacher held up his fingers. "First, fill out the application form here, and we'll issue you a Certificate of Enrollment; second, the school reviews and approves; third, you take the documents to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau to apply for an endorsement."

"Endorsement..." Lucas asked, "Is it just writing a few words on my residence permit?"

"Almost," the teacher smiled. "After the endorsement, your residence permit will have an extra line: 'Work-Study'. With this line, your part-time work is legal. Without it, your work is illegal and you'll be penalized."

"I see," Lucas nodded. "Then I'll fill out the form first."

The teacher handed him a form. Lucas picked up a pen and wrote carefully, stroke by stroke.

Name, nationality, school, major... He wrote slowly and very seriously.

When the form was completed, the teacher stamped it and issued him the Certificate of Enrollment.

"The school part is done," the teacher said. "Next, go to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau. Bring your passport, residence permit, Certificate of Enrollment, and one photo."

"What photo?" Lucas asked.

"An ID photo, white background," the teacher said.

There was a photo studio next to the school. Lucas went in, and the owner had him sit in front of the white wall.

"Smile," the owner said.

Lucas smiled, but when the photo was taken, he saw that his smile was a bit stiff.

"Is it okay?" the owner asked.

"It's fine," Lucas said. "It's just for the procedure anyway."

At noon, Xiao Chen accompanied Lucas to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau.

The hall was crowded, and you had to take a number first. Lucas stood in front of the number machine, stared for a long time, and didn't know how to press.

"Press this," Xiao Chen helped him tap "Foreigner Services."

The number came out: Number 73.

"There are still thirty people ahead," Xiao Chen looked at the screen. "Let's sit for a while."

When Number 73 was called, Lucas walked to the window and handed in his documents.

The staff began to check: "Passport, residence permit, Certificate of Enrollment, photo... all complete."

"All right," the staff said. "Your application has been accepted. Go back and wait for the notice. It usually takes a few working days to be approved."

"A few working days?" Lucas asked softly. "How many days?"

"About three to five days," the staff said.

In the following days, Lucas checked his phone every day, waiting for the notice.

On the third day, his phone rang. The text message said: Application approved.

Lucas went to the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau again and got his new residence permit.

He opened it and saw an extra line of small text: Work-Study.

He turned the permit over and over, looked at it three times, and then showed it to Xiao Chen.

"Look! I have 'Work-Study'!" he was as happy as a child.

"Congratulations," Xiao Chen also smiled. "Now you can legally work part-time."

Lucas immediately called the milk tea shop.

"Sister Wang, my procedures are done!" he said loudly.

"That fast?" Wang laughed on the other end of the line. "Okay, you can come tomorrow."

After hanging up, Lucas looked at the residence permit in his hand.

He had run around for three days, filled out forms, waited in line, and waited three to five days.

It wasn't easy, but it gave him a great sense of accomplishment.

Tomorrow, he would start earning money.