Xuye Cheng’s expression turned slightly helpless.

Handsome guy? Whatever. She was here to earn money. Whether there were good-looking guys around had nothing to do with her.

Still, to sell the act better, Xuye Cheng forced an interested look and replied, “Really?”

Seeing Xuye Cheng’s feigned curiosity, Dou Yuwei nodded eagerly. “Trust my taste. That handsome guy comes by often. He always sits at the same window seat, quietly reading his book alone…”

Xuye Cheng frowned. *Seems like a disciplined person. Someone who enjoys a refined lifestyle.*

She smoothed her clothes and headed upstairs. Tying on an apron, Xuye Cheng settled into her role as a helper—no fancy skills needed.

The café was doing well, bustling with customers.

Compared to the first floor, the second floor had a modern vibe: large floor-to-ceiling windows, bright natural light, and a crisp blue-and-white color scheme. Xuye Cheng preferred this airy feel over the classical style downstairs.

And so, the busy work began.

When no customers were around, she helped with cleaning. Xuye Cheng had done this plenty before—her movements were practiced and efficient.

But the regular cleaner was a slender guy with long hair, giving him an androgynous vibe.

As the crowd grew, Xuye Cheng started feeling overwhelmed.

Her main duty was serving orders.

When the front desk signaled, she’d carry coffee upstairs to specific tables.

Balancing a tray, Xuye Cheng walked up from the counter to a customer’s table.

“Your coffee and dessert. Enjoy~” she smiled, feeling her cheeks stiffen from the forced grin.

Just a few steps back and forth left her exhausted.

The weight on her chest made it hard to breathe.

*Is this body really this weak…?*

Xuye Cheng took a deep breath. Back at the counter, she finally caught a break.

Dou Yuwei handed her a glass of water. Xuye Cheng took it and gulped it down in one go.

Dou Yuwei and the other front-desk girls stared, stunned.

Xuye Cheng puffed her cheeks, slowly swallowing the last of the water before noticing their shocked expressions.

“What’s wrong?” she asked blankly.

Dou Yuwei studied her puzzled face—peach-pink lips glistening, clear eyes reflecting the room like glass. Her porcelain skin was so fine Dou Yuwei could almost see the tiny capillaries beneath.

“Nothing…” a girl behind Dou Yuwei giggled. “Just… Ning’s so different. So *unique*.”

Xuye Cheng’s confusion deepened. “Unique…?”

*What’s unique about me?*

“Yeah,” Dou Yuwei nodded. “I think so too.”

“Huh?” Xuye Cheng blinked, but another staff member cut in, reminding her to fetch the next order.

With a sigh, Xuye Cheng set down the glass and headed downstairs again.

Glancing at the order slip—Table 12—she didn’t bother double-checking. She lifted the tray holding a fresh coconut latte.

“Oh, Table 12?” Dou Yuwei teased. “Probably *that* handsome guy. Take a good look—he’s seriously hot.”

The rich coffee aroma mingled with a hint of coconut milk, oddly refreshing.

Xuye Cheng carried the tray upstairs. Tiredness made her arms tremble slightly under the weight.

But no matter how exhausted, she had to work properly—flash that signature smile when serving.

After all, customers rated staff satisfaction on their phones after ordering…

That rating directly affected her pay. She couldn’t afford to slack off.

*Table 12…*

*Near the window, I think.*

Scanning the room, Xuye Cheng’s eyes drifted from Table 11 to the next seat.

Her whole body froze.

A guy with softly parted bangs sat bathed in window light. He Xiaohan’s delicate features glowed faintly, adding a dreamy haze to his already striking looks.

Xuye Cheng stood rooted, face flushing with embarrassment.

*How did I not realize Dou Yuwei’s “insanely hot guy” was He Xiaohan!?*

Panic surged.

*Wait—why panic? This isn’t like last time, trapped in the bathroom with him.*

But after that incident, seeing He Xiaohan like this—in her current disguise—made her skin crawl.

*Stay calm. It’s just serving coffee. Big deal.*

*Pathetic. I was even fantasizing about wearing a mask and slapping that scumbag silly.*

Xuye Cheng took a steadying breath. *Relax. Steady hands, calm heart. He Xiaohan won’t recognize me. I’m overthinking.*

She approached the table. He Xiaohan set down his book, glancing up. Surprise flickered across his face.

*Her again…*

“Your coffee,” Xuye Cheng said coolly.

“Mm. Thanks. Just set it on the table,” He Xiaohan replied, already turning back to his book.

His indifference caught her off guard—but she also breathed a silent sigh of relief.

*Nothing happened. Why was I so worried?*

As Xuye Cheng carefully lifted the empty tray, her eyes snagged on the book in his hands.

Dense English text…

*Is he just showing off by reading this in public?*

Her gaze turned sour.

He Xiaohan flipped a page, utterly relaxed. Something about his ease grated on her nerves.

She turned to leave—then froze at his voice behind her.

“Miss, wait.”

Xuye Cheng’s feet locked in place. Panic flared.

*He recognized me…?*

She walked back, forcing a stiff smile. “Yes?”

“Did the front desk forget my sugar cubes?” He Xiaohan gestured to the empty saucer beside him.

Xuye Cheng’s stomach dropped. Embarrassment flooded her face.

*Damn it. I was so tired I forgot something this basic.*

“Really sorry. I’ll bring a fresh set right away.”

“Okay.” He Xiaohan nodded, already buried in his book again.

Xuye Cheng exhaled quietly, cheeks burning.

*Messing up something small like this… If he gives me a bad rating, I’m ruined.*

Though she doubted He Xiaohan would be that petty.

Downstairs, Dou Yuwei watched Xuye Cheng rush past, face flushed. Her gossip radar pinged.

*Oh? Blushing again? Definitely smitten by that guy.*

From afar, she’d seen Ning hesitate before serving him—clearly flustered. Then he’d called her back… Dou Yuwei practically smelled juicy drama.

Next thing she knew, Ning was rushing downstairs, red-faced and flustered.

But even with Dou Yuwei’s overactive imagination, the clues were too sparse.

Moments later, Xuye Cheng returned with a small dish of sugar cubes. Ignoring Dou Yuwei’s probing stare, she hurried to He Xiaohan’s table.

“Your sugar cubes.”

“Mm. Leave it there. Thanks.” This time, He Xiaohan didn’t even look up.

Xuye Cheng exhaled in relief and turned away.

*“Miss”… Ugh, that formal tone makes my scalp prickle.*

*Acting all polite now…*

She stole another glance at him.

*Thinks he’s the male lead in some drama.*

The petty thought instantly soothed her mood.

Spotting Dou Yuwei clearing another table, Xuye Cheng went to help.

Dou Yuwei’s face lit up with a sly grin the moment she saw her.

“So? Hot, right?” she teased, pride in her voice.

“Yeah, yeah. Super hot,” Xuye Cheng muttered flatly, her tone lifeless.

“Ugh, I wish my boyfriend looked that good,” Dou Yuwei sighed dramatically.

Xuye Cheng’s expression tightened at the dangerous comment.

“Better stay away from guys like that…” she murmured.

“Huh? Why? Do you know him?” Dou Yuwei blinked in surprise.

A wave of frustration crashed over Xuye Cheng. Her focus scattered.

“He’s my roommate.”

“…*What?*”

Dou Yuwei froze.

Xuye Cheng jolted back to reality, her messy thoughts scattering like startled birds.

“Ah—I mean, a *friend*,” she stammered.

*Shit. I was distracted and slipped up.*

*Now I’m definitely going to get exposed…*

She met Dou Yuwei’s suspicious stare and felt sweat bead on her forehead.

“Ning… why do you look so nervous?” Dou Yuwei leaned closer.

Xuye Cheng’s face burned crimson under her gaze.

Seeing Ning’s flustered, blushing face, Dou Yuwei instantly *got it*.

“Is he your *boyfriend*?”

“*What?*” Xuye Cheng’s ears turned scarlet.

“Piss off! How could he be— I’d nev—” The words tumbled out before she caught Dou Yuwei’s shocked expression.

Dou Yuwei’s shock melted into wounded hurt.

*Crap… I snapped at her.*

“Uh… sorry. Spoke too fast,” Xuye Cheng apologized quickly.

“I was just joking…” Dou Yuwei mumbled.

“He’s *not* my boyfriend,” Xuye Cheng repeated patiently.

Her scalp prickled. *What’s wrong with this girl? Why jump to that conclusion?*

"But I still don’t believe you two are friends. Otherwise, why are you blushing..."

Xuye Cheng took a deep breath, suddenly at a loss for words.

He couldn’t exactly say Dou Yuwei was making her blush. Between two girls, what was there to be shy about? Spilling it might just expose the truth.

"Just... I feel awkward being seen working here," Xuye Cheng blurted out a random excuse.

Dou Yuwei nodded understandingly.

"Oh, I see. But why avoid someone like him..." Dou Yuwei frowned in confusion.

"He’s a player," Xuye Cheng replied bluntly.

That line completely blew Dou Yuwei’s mind.

"Ah... then why is Ningning friends with him?"

Xuye Cheng’s own brain fried instantly.

"Uh... we just know each other. Teamed up for an event once," Xuye Cheng’s mind raced as he invented another reason.

"Oh? How’d you hear he’s a player?"

"Rumors," Xuye Cheng shrugged casually.

Dou Yuwei paused, her expression shifting to mild worry.

"Ningning couldn’t have been hurt before, could she..."

Xuye Cheng went speechless.

Seriously, you’re something else.

"It’s just rumors. We have no real connection."

"Oh~" Dou Yuwei smiled sheepishly. "Well, Ningning’s gorgeous too. A handsome boyfriend wouldn’t be surprising at all."

"Heh. Thanks." Xuye Cheng took another deep breath.

Dou Yuwei’s face clouded with fresh doubt.

Why did Ningning seem so disdainful? Was it her imagination? Ningning didn’t feel very girly sometimes...

The front desk called Xuye Cheng away. Dou Yuwei glanced at He Xiaohan again, suspicion bubbling up.

He’d been reading all afternoon since arriving. She’d even seen him reject WeChat requests one by one.

A guy like that—a player?

She still couldn’t quite believe it.

Packing her things for logistics, she headed downstairs.

There, Dou Yuwei spotted Xuye Cheng trudging up with coffee and dessert, exhaustion etched on her face.

Dou Yuwei’s brow furrowed once more.