All afternoon, Hua Qi kept glancing at Chi Yuzhou from the next seat, then at the string of messages he’d sent on his phone, letting out a soft sigh.

Chi Yuzhou spent the afternoon in blissful ease. He even caught a short nap, leaving him feeling refreshed.

He noticed Hua Qi’s occasional stares but had no idea what the deputy class rep was planning.

Had his "invisibility" been affected by something?

No matter. If they don’t move, I won’t move. Meet force with force—that’s what the books said. He knew this well.

But by the end of the school day, Hua Qi still hadn’t approached him.

That suited Chi Yuzhou just fine. A peaceful, uneventful day was better than anything.

On his way to the bar, Chi Yuzhou ducked into a side alley—or a restroom—to fix his appearance.

Superman wasn’t recognized with glasses on. Hiding his face behind bangs was perfectly reasonable.

He arrived at the small bar, but the door remained shut tight.

Manager Heng Li had messaged him at noon: today, Chi Yuzhou would run the place alone.

He was grateful for the trust, but it left him overwhelmed.

Chi Yuzhou sighed softly. Before he could find his keys, a woman’s voice called from behind:

“Xiao Zhou? Why are you just standing out here?”

Startled, he turned to see a graceful, short-haired woman approaching.

“Just zoning out,” he replied quietly.

Hengqinghuai—Manager Heng Li’s niece. Fresh out of college, she sometimes dropped by for coffee.

Her striking looks and tall frame didn’t draw Chi Yuzhou’s gaze.

But her eyes stayed fixed on him, not with impure thoughts—just quiet appreciation for something beautiful.

That look surprised him. It was nothing like the stares he’d endured before.

Inside the bar, Hengqinghuai explained:

“My uncle has plans tonight. I’m here to help.”

“It’s only Thursday. It shouldn’t get busy,” Chi Yuzhou said, glancing at the wall clock.

“Then I’ll work over there. Call if you need me.”

“Thanks, Qinghuai-jie.”

“No problem.”

She nodded, settling into a corner with her laptop and glasses, slipping effortlessly into work mode.

Glasses added a scholarly charm to her focused demeanor.

Soft music played under warm lights. Just sitting here calmed the mind.

Chi Yuzhou changed behind the counter, moving with quiet precision.

His focused energy drew the eye.

Hengqinghuai kept stealing glances, unable to concentrate.

She sighed inwardly. She loved beautiful things, but this was bad for productivity.

Still, the cozy atmosphere and the view lifted her mood.

Resting a bit would boost her efficiency later.

When Chi Yuzhou finished his tasks, he brought a tray to her corner.

“Same as always?”

“Thanks.”

He gave a gentle nod and returned to the counter.

Hengqinghuai took the coffee—four-leaf clover art on the foam—and turned back to her screen.

Chi Yuzhou pulled out a book wrapped in plain paper, reading quietly during the lull.

But his mind wandered.

His gaze drifted to Hengqinghuai’s calm, water-like eyes in the corner.

Her clear stare held no familiar hunger—only quiet admiration.

He looked away, thoughts drifting.

Honestly, he didn’t understand Hengqinghuai.

Growing up, women’s blatant stares had never stopped.

It taught him to sense gazes and read intentions—though only from women.

With her, that skill was useless.

As Heng Li’s niece, her kindness made sense.

Maybe the Heng family just had good manners?

If she weren’t so pretty—or if she were a guy—he’d have a great friend.

Night deepened. The first customer arrived with the door’s jingle.

Hengqinghuai’s eyes flicked to the counter.

Chi Yuzhou handled it smoothly. He’d served her yesterday.

The woman wore an elegant dress and makeup.

“You… remember me?” she asked.

“Of course. Welcome on this Full Moon Night. What can I get you?”

...

By midnight, Chi Yuzhou finally closed up.

Heng Li’s bar ran from 3 PM to whenever.

But Chi Yuzhou only worked from 6 or 7 PM after school.

Tonight was quiet. Regulars didn’t show. He handled most tasks alone.

Hengqinghuai had urged him to leave at 11 PM. He’d dragged it to midnight.

Before leaving, he eyed the tips left by customers. After a pause, he put them back in the register.

Heng Li said he could keep them, but after all the favors, he couldn’t accept.

Walking out with Hengqinghuai, he hadn’t spoken when she pulled out keys.

“I’ll drive you home.”

Her serious look left no room for refusal. She already knew his address.

A shame—no steamed pork buns tonight.

In the deep night, a figure waited near the shop entrance, spotting Chi Yuzhou getting into the car.

But Chi Yuzhou, just seated, didn’t notice the startled gaze behind him.