“Hmm?”
Zheng Yun squinted at the maid in front of her. Although the maid kept her head down, there was sothing oddly familiar about her—her scent, her presence.
But as far as she could rember, she didn’t know any girl with that kind of exaggerated figure. So why did she feel like she knew her?
“This way, please~”
The sound of the maid’s voice intensified that familiar feeling, yet Zheng Yun couldn’t quite place it.
Li Si kept her head down, feeling the weight of Zheng Yun’s gaze. She might look calm, but inside, she was panicking. She dreaded being recognized.
For so reason, she felt like she was experiencing the cliché nightmare of a guy working at a maid café and bumping into soone who knew him. Why was she feeling like this when she was, in fact, a girl?
She could only hope that Zheng Yun wouldn’t recognize her. If she could just get through the order-taking, she’d be safe. She could do this!
“Here’s the nu. Please have a look.”
Zheng Yun glanced at the nu briefly before setting it aside. “Got any recomndations?”
“Eh!?”
The question caught Li Si off guard, and she stamred as she hurried to suggest a few of the café’s signature items.
Raising an eyebrow, Zheng Yun observed her and asked, “Am I that scary? Why are you standing so far away from ?”
“Eh!?”
“And why are you keeping your head down? Look up and let see your face. Is that how you’re supposed to treat custors? I’m wondering if I should have a little talk with your manager.”
Zheng Yun’s spoiled deanor ca out in full force. When it ca to Li Si, she softened, but with others, she didn’t hold back her temper.
Li Si felt panic rising as Zheng Yun ntioned speaking with her manager. She bit her lip and finally looked up at her, ntally preparing excuses in case she was recognized.
Zheng Yun studied her face. “You’re actually pretty cute! I thought you were keeping your head down because you were too ugly to show your face. Alright, I’ll take one of everything you just recomnded.”
“Eh!?”
Li Si was stunned. Even now, Zheng Yun hadn’t recognized her. She didn’t know whether to feel relieved or exasperated.
In truth, Li Si had underestimated her own transformation. Before, she’d kept her long bangs and wore thick-frad glasses that covered half her face. Although her classmates had caught a glimpse of her face once or twice, their ntal image of her was as a quiet, brooding guy who always wore glasses. It was nearly impossible for them to link that image with the curvy, bubbly maid before them.
“What are you waiting for? Are you really trying to make call your manager?”
“S-sorry! I’ll be right back with your order!”
Grateful to escape, Li Si bowed quickly and walked away. That had been too close. She could hardly bear to be around Zheng Yun any longer, fearing that she’d be recognized.
Wait… why am I avoiding this? Li Si realized. It’s bound to co out eventually. I can’t hide forever. Still, since she’d already dodged it today, maybe she’d just arrange to tell her outside of work. Discussing it here in the café didn’t feel appropriate.
“Why is my student so dense? She can’t even recognize Li Si standing right in front of her!”
Watching them from a distance, Xia You was exasperated, nearly ready to spit blood. Li Si had even looked Zheng Yun straight in the eyes, yet her apprentice still hadn’t realized who it was. She had no words.
“What’s wrong, Xia You?”
Hearing that voice, Xia You’s irritated expression softened instantly, replaced by her usual delicate, innocent look. Only Ling Ning could have that effect on her.
“Oh… nothing, I was just thinking about sothing,” Xia You replied evasively.
“Oh? I saw you zoning out over here and thought you might need sothing. I guess I was just overthinking it,” Ling Ning said with a smile.
Seeing her concern, Xia You’s face lit up with a pure, happy smile.
anwhile, Zheng Yun, who was waiting for her order, was glancing around, wondering what the “surprise” her ntor had ntioned might be. She craned her neck so much it started to ache, yet she still couldn’t figure it out.
Maybe I’m just not perceptive enough?
Just as she was about to call her ntor, Li Si returned with her order. She’d tried to ask soone else to deliver it, but everyone else was busy, so she’d had no choice but to bring it over herself.
She didn’t recognize the first ti; she probably won’t recognize this ti either, Li Si reassured herself. She planned to serve the order and quickly make her exit.
And indeed, Zheng Yun didn’t recognize her; she simply started eating. She was pleased with the food—it matched her taste well—and the café’s ambiance was great too. She could see herself becoming a regular and even imagined bringing her beloved Li Si here.
Thinking of Li Si, she drifted into a daydream and forgot about calling her ntor.
anwhile, Xia You, too, had gotten caught up with work as more custors arrived, completely forgetting about giving her apprentice any further hints.
After all, what was her apprentice compared to the chance to work alongside Ling Ning?
⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱⊰⋆⋅⭑⋅⋆⊱
Author's Note:
Still in lazy mode with two updates today. Lately, I’ve found myself getting hooked on single-player gas again. Is this a sign I’m dood?
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