Early the next morning.
Qing Mian came downstairs. From afar, she saw Shen Yu'an sitting in the dining room. She paused for a moment, thought for a while, and then walked over. She called out to the man in the dining room, "Brother."
Hearing the voice, Shen Yu'an looked up and saw Qing Mian. Seeing that she was neatly dressed as if she was about to go out, he asked, "Are you going out?"
"Yes." Qing Mian nodded. "I'm going to work a part - time job." Shen Yu'an would know sooner or later, so she didn't plan to hide it.
Shen Yu'an just hesitated for a moment but didn't seem to stop her.
This really surprised Qing Mian. She had already thought up an excuse, but unexpectedly, Shen Yu'an said nothing.
Qing Mian sat down in the empty seat opposite Shen Yu'an. There was already a prepared breakfast in front of her.
She picked up a cup of soy milk and took a sip. Her beautiful eyes flashed. The temperature of the soy milk was just right...
Before she could think too much, Shen Yu'an's deep and hoarse voice slowly sounded, "When were you going to tell me that you changed your WeChat?"
Qing Mian's hand froze. She bit her lower lip. "I just changed it not long ago. I haven't had time to tell you yet."
Shen Yu'an frowned. Just changed it? Then did she see his messages in these years but deliberately not reply?
If it weren't for the fact that he could receive her photos on time, he would have thought she had been abducted in these years.
Looking at Qing Mian's cold expression, he sighed. He didn't want to press her anymore and changed the topic. "Where are you working part - time?"
"In the milk tea shop opposite the school."
"The shop owner is also a girl. She's very nice." Qing Mian was worried that Shen Yu'an would not agree, so she quickly added this.
"Okay." Shen Yu'an responded in a low voice. "Will you come home for dinner tonight?"
Qing Mian tilted her head and thought for a while. "No. I won't get off work until nine o'clock tonight."
"Alright."
Qing Mian was a bit surprised. Shen Yu'an was unusually easy - going today. Yesterday, she deliberately added An Ya's WeChat when Shen Yu'an was around. Didn't An Ya complain to him?
She was too lazy to torture herself if she couldn't figure it out. She stood up and was about to leave when Shen Yu'an suddenly called out to her.
"I'll pick you up after work tonight."
Qing Mian thought for a while and then agreed. "Okay."
Qingyuan is not close to the school. Taking a taxi at night would cost a lot. She might as well save the money. It's only a half - hour drive. She could endure it.
...
Qing Mian arrived at the shop at half - past nine.
As soon as she pushed the door open, she saw a familiar face.
Shu Yi was holding a rag in one hand and a spray bottle in the other. The moment he saw Qing Mian, his eyes immediately lit up. "Qing Mian?"
Qing Mian waved at him awkwardly. "Senior Shu."
Shu Yi thought she was here to consume. He casually pointed out an empty seat by the window for her and said to her apologetically, "Sorry, the shop doesn't open until ten o'clock. Please sit down for a while. I'll put away my things."
Qing Mian knew he had misunderstood. She quickly called out to him. "Senior Shu! That..."
Shu Yi stopped and turned to look at her.
"I'm here to report for work..."
Shu Yi was stunned for a moment and then looked extremely surprised. He stared at Qing Mian. "Are you the new employee Sister Lan mentioned yesterday?"
Qing Mian nodded gently. "Yes."
"Look at my stupid head." Shu Yi scratched his head embarrassedly.
"Sister Lan usually arrives at the shop at noon. I'll first show you around briefly."
"Okay. Then I'll trouble you, Senior Shu."
...
In the next hour, Shu Yi enthusiastically introduced everything in the shop to Qing Mian.
Although Lanyu is called a milk tea shop, it's more like a bookstore that serves milk tea and drinks. The decoration inside the shop is antique. There are full - wall bookshelves and countless vintage records. There's also an old - fashioned record player in the corner.
It can be seen that the shop owner is a rather artistic person.
Qing Mian's job is very simple. When there are customers, she's responsible for taking orders and making drinks. When there are no customers, she can just rest in the shop. The job is very leisurely.
"Actually, it's not that complicated. You'll get the hang of it after doing it a few times."
Shu Yi was afraid that she wouldn't adapt, so he kindly comforted her.
"Thank you, Senior Shu." Qing Mian politely thanked him.
As they were talking, the welcome bell at the door rang. Qing Mian subconsciously walked over. "Welcome -"
"Long time no see, classmate Qing Mian~"
Their voices rang out at the same time.
Qing Mian looked up in the direction of the voice. Chi Yu was standing by the door, staring at her with a half - smile.
This time, there was a woman behind him.
The woman was wearing a dark blue cheongsam, and her hair was coiled up on the back of her head with a hairpin. She was gentle and beautiful. This was Qing Mian's first impression of Wang Lan.
Wang Lan reached out and pushed Chi Yu's shoulder. The scolding words from her mouth sounded like she was acting coquettishly. "Don't tease my employee."
Qing Mian immediately understood and called out to Wang Lan, "Sister Lan."
"Are you getting used to it?" Wang Lan asked gently.
Qing Mian nodded repeatedly. "It's great. Senior Shu also takes good care of me."
Before Wang Lan could reply, Chi Yu's voice rang out. "Senior Shu? What senior Shu?"
Just then, Shu Yi walked out. "Sister Lan, Professor Chi."
The words "Professor Chi" were full of doubts. What professor goes out to drink milk tea at this time?
The moment Chi Yu saw Shu Yi, his face visibly darkened.
He turned to look at Wang Lan. "Why didn't you tell me there's a male employee in your shop?"
Wang Lan burst out laughing. "What's so strange about that? Are you jealous?"
Chi Yu rolled his eyes speechlessly and said nothing.
Qing Mian observed their interaction. Wang Lan should be Chi Yu's girlfriend. They seemed to have a good relationship. This was the first woman she had seen beside Chi Yu.
Before going abroad, when they all went out to play together, there was never a woman beside Chi Yu. Lu Wenxuan even joked with him at that time, saying that he liked men.
Now it seems that he doesn't like men. He just hasn't met the one he likes.
Qing Mian was sensible enough to quietly walk away, leaving space for Chi Yu and Wang Lan.
But the shop was so small that no matter how she hid, she couldn't get out of Chi Yu's sight. She felt a bit creeped out by his stare, so she simply walked into the bar. She looked up and met his gaze. "What would you like to drink, Professor Chi?"
Chi Yu pulled out a stool and sat down at the bar. He propped his chin with one hand, looking lazy. "I'd like a specialty from classmate Qing Mian."
Qing Mian frowned. Today was her first day at work. Not to mention that she didn't know how to make the existing drinks, let alone any specialty. Was this guy doing it on purpose!
Qing Mian rolled her eyes in her heart, but still maintained the polite and standard smile for customers on her face. "Sorry, Professor Chi. We have dry goods and wet goods here, but no specialties."
As soon as she finished speaking, a faint smile appeared on Chi Yu's lips. He stared closely at her. "I don't like dry goods or wet goods. I just like you~r specialty."
Chi Yu deliberately paused on the word "you" and elongated the ending sound. His tone seemed like a joke but also carried a hint of seriousness.