The dorm felt unusually quiet with just the two of us. After a quick wash-up, we hurried straight to bed.

The next morning, I opened my eyes the moment the first sliver of sunlight slipped through the window.

Yaaawn…

My yawn drowned out the cheerful chirping of birds outside. Rubbing my head, I wondered—had I forgotten something?

“Ah… the club.”

I remembered. I’d planned to check out our club last night—it sounded pretty popular. But halfway home, my thoughts got sidetracked: *Where to stay over summer break? Should I ask Qin Ning?* And just like that, the club slipped my mind.

Sorry, Xiao Nan sis. It wasn’t on purpose.

Whatever. Learning about the club wasn’t urgent. I could always go later. Right now, work came first.

…And maybe ask Qin Ning if I could crash at her place.

I took the bus to Century Center. The streets were still hushed in the early light, only the breakfast shop storefronts buzzing with energy. Reaching our store entrance, I instinctively reached for my keys—then froze.

The door was already open.

Oh right. First official workday. Everyone was probably here already. I started to pat my head… then stopped halfway, gently smoothing my long hair instead.

I’d spent ages styling it before leaving the dorm—transforming myself into the picture of a perfectly well-behaved girl. Couldn’t ruin it with a careless slap.

Stepping inside, I saw over a dozen girls standing neatly in the first-floor hall. At the sound of the door, every pair of eyes turned my way.

“Xiaoxi sis!” Xu Wei called out cheerfully.

“Hey, the boss is here!” Ye Xiaoshuang chimed in next.

“Boss… isn’t the boss the owner?”

“The boss is the boss of the boss. *Our* boss is the store manager,” Ai Li explained to the newcomers.

I only recognized three faces. Nearly ten were part-timers Qin Ning had hired recently. Strangers, yes—but all vibrant, beautiful girls. I gave a small wave. “Morning, everyone. You’re all so early.”

Not that I was late. You’re just *too* early. No rule says the keyholder must arrive first, right? Back in my part-time days, the manager with keys always strolled in right on time… or last.

But the open door meant Qin Ning had come early too. A faint unease flickered in my chest.

“Manager, good morning~”

“Morning, Manager.”

“Xiaoxi sis, morning!”

Seeing these bright, smiling girls greet me so warmly lifted my mood instantly.

No wonder this shop only hires beautiful girls. They *are* the store’s greatest asset!

“Everyone, please sit. Relax—we haven’t opened yet,” I said, pressing my palms down gently. “Oh, did you see Qin Ning… I mean, the boss? What did she say?”

Ai Li, the tall blonde, answered promptly: “Boss Xiaoxi, the owner came about five minutes ago. Unlocked the door, then headed straight to the innermost office on the third floor. Said she’s catching up on sleep—don’t disturb her unless necessary.”

“We asked what to do,” Ye Xiaoshuang added, “and she said: wait for you, follow your lead.”

I silently wiped my brow. So Qin Ning just came to unlock the door? Dumped everything on me again. Honestly, after missing the last day plus three days of finals, I was four days out of the loop with this shop and these girls. No clue where to start.

After a quick think, I said: “Pick a few to fetch the packages addressed to Su Xiaoxi from the delivery area. The rest of you—fill me in on any changes to the shop layout these past few days.”

“Got it!”