They are still close to me today despite their negative feelings

"Well, there's no other way then. Wet your hair a little and then use a hairdryer to style it."

"!"

My transformation into Lü Ning's appearance seemed to startle Qiu Luxi.

"So? Do you need me to give you a makeover?" I said smugly.

"...That comb is for the cat."

Qiu Luxi looked embarrassed to speak.

This is clearly a rest area for humans!?

The "young lady" next to us glanced in our direction and then arrogantly wiped her cheek.

……

For employees like me who know very little about cats, the main job is actually making coffee.

Taking care of the cats and providing services are Qiu Luxi's jobs.

The fact that someone with no connection to my job would become my mentor suggests that Uncle Gold Tooth must have orchestrated quite a bit of that.

I finished the latte art for the last cup of coffee with a multi-point injection and then stretched my shoulders slightly.

"Wow, Xiaoning, you're amazing. It doesn't feel like this is your first time doing this kind of work—did you work at another coffee shop before?"

The person who struck up a conversation with me was a full-time barista, an elegant adult woman.

Being called Xiao Ning is quite an interesting experience.

"How could that be? It's all thanks to Miss Zhang's excellent teaching."

"Oh dear, such modesty puts us in a difficult position," Ms. Zhang said with a confident smile. "It seems like sales have increased significantly since you joined the store. The manager would be so happy to know!"

In order to demonstrate for Qiu Luxi, I went out dressed as a handsome guy, which startled the receptionist.

At this moment, I could indeed feel the occasional intense gazes from those around me.

"I think it's mostly because cats are cute."

I chuckled and started observing Qiu Luxi.

At this moment, she was wearing a sweatshirt over the store's employee apron, her braids were coiled behind her back, and her non-prescription glasses occasionally reflected the light, making her look like an honest, bookish student.

"Xiao Qiu's disguise was really impressive today. But you seem to care about Xiao Qiu quite a bit? Young people really do like young girls!"

Ms. Zhang joked.

"No, I'm just a little curious. After all, I didn't expect such a famous celebrity to work as a waiter."

"Although I don't know what her secret is, I feel that the most important thing is that she likes cats, right?" Ms. Zhang said with a smile. "Look, when she handed the customer a cup of cat food and a drink, her eyes were still glued to the cat next to her."

"Does this count as not working properly?" I said with a wry smile.

"Oh dear, I didn't expect you to be so honest, Xiao Ning." Miss Zhang shook her head. "Working here, if you don't like cats, it's even more terrifying than not liking customers."

"...I will keep that in mind."

"Hello~ I'd like to place an order."

A new customer came over to us. Ms. Zhang and I exchanged a glance and nodded.

"Welcome! What would you like to do for me?"

I said this with a smile, and then I saw someone slowly push open the door of the coffee shop.

"Oops, something came up at home, so I'm late. Sorry!"

The woman spoke gently, and it seemed that many of the guests knew her and greeted her as well.

Even the cats seemed to see the catnip, and they cuddled up to the woman.

"Oh dear, so sweet! But I'm a bit busy today, so please don't come over yet!"

The woman smiled, squatted down, and patted the heads of a few of the nearest cats before standing up and looking at me.

"You're the new employee introduced by Uncle Jin, right? Welcome to Qingyin Cat House~... Hmm?"

"Hey, hey, Xiao Ning, don't get distracted by how beautiful the boss lady is." Miss Zhang next to me gently nudged me and whispered, "The boss lady already has a daughter!"

All I could do at that moment was force a bitter smile.

Was this also a calculated move? Or was it purely a coincidence?

This proprietress—she was clearly the same person who had been sitting in the driver's seat of the black sedan that day.

in other words.

She is Chu Guyin's mother.

[Next chapter preview: Be quiet, I'm thinking.]

"He's the kind of playboy who's really good at attracting women~"

Qiu Luxi immediately distanced herself from me.

…Chu Guyin's mother is no ordinary person.

Chapter 56: Huh? What happened to Ning Ruoyu being out?

"Oh, you're a student at Linwai School too! That's great! My daughter goes there too!"

The proprietress said to me with a smile.

What a coincidence! I knew that all along.

"How are you feeling? Are you a little sad after finding out about this?"

Miss Zhang whispered to me mischievously.

"........."

Don't make any noise, I'm thinking.

"Seriously, Chef Zhang, you shouldn't bully the new employees, okay? You need to change your habit of teasing younger men."

The receptionist came to my rescue.

"Hehe, I understand, Secretary Li~ Oh dear, it's rare to see such a handsome young man, I couldn't resist~ Hey, Xiao Ning, seriously, do you have a girlfriend?"

"Oh dear, let's discuss this kind of issue privately, shall we? It's still working hours, you know."

The proprietress said with a smile. Although her tone was gentle, it was a very reasonable argument, so even Miss Zhang could only stick out her tongue and apologize.

"Xiao Ning, don't take this kind of teasing to heart. If Xiao Zhang bullies you, remember to tell me."

The proprietress spoke to me again.

"Wow, boss lady, you're being so biased! Do you also have your eye on that handsome young man? That's immoral!"

"Then I'll deduct it from your year-end bonus according to legal procedures."

"Please spare me, madam! This young, handsome man is truly only fit for you!"

"...Shameless!" the proprietress laughed and scolded, poking Miss Zhang's forehead. "I'm going to change in the back. You guys take good care of the guests and the cats, okay?"

"Okay~" "Got it~" "Mmm!"

The proprietress nodded and smiled at me before walking into the house.

...Don't stir-fry, I'm grilling.

"Hey, Xiao Ning, could you please pass me the milk?"

Unfortunately, the constant stream of customers interrupted my barbecue, forcing me to focus on my current task for the time being.

……

"Huh, I'm finally done."

Ms. Zhang, who came out of the women's changing room, glanced at me as I was packing my things and tilted her head.

"Xiao Ning, are you going back?"

"Well, if there's nothing else urgent, I need to go home early—my sister's been urging me... Oh my god, how did you get in here again!"

I pulled the "young lady" out of my backpack.

"Oh, Miss, long time no see~" Miss Zhang waved to the arrogant cat.

"Young Miss" made a "meow" sound, then patted my backpack with her paw.

"That's rare. 'Young Miss' is quite arrogant and looks-obsessed; she generally doesn't like guys. Even when couples come to the store, she only lets the pretty girl hug her. Xiao Ning, the fact that she can keep you wrapped around her arm proves you're definitely not an ordinary guy~"

Miss Zhang smiled mischievously.

"He's the kind of playboy who's really good at attracting women~"

"Is it possible that it's just because I smell of coffee?"

"A little-known fact: cats actually don't like the taste of coffee, and caffeine is even more harmful," Ms. Zhang explained.

Everyone in this cafe really loves cats.

Compared to them, I'm just a regular employee.

"Still chatting with Xiao Ning?"

The receptionist, surnamed Li, who came out of the changing room, struck up a conversation with Ms. Zhang.

"Hehe, Secretary Li, let me tell you, I've discovered that Xiao Ning is definitely a playboy!"

"Okay, okay, Chef Zhang, you're right. So, can we go back now?"

"Oh, you're all packed? Shall we go then?"

Ms. Zhang stuffed her phone into her bag and winked at me.

"Secretary Li and I will head back now. Xiao Ning, why don't you show some gentlemanly manners and escort Xiao Qiu to the subway station?"

This surprised me a bit. I thought that someone of Qiu Luxi's status as a young lady from a wealthy family would at least drive home in a private car.

Just as I was about to refuse, I suddenly realized that this might also be included in the commissioned task...

"I'll wait a bit. If she says no, I'll go back now."

That's all I can say.

"Hmm~ You really do treat Xiao Qiu differently~"

Can they be the same? In a way, she's another boss to me.

"But! Be careful not to do anything bad! Xiao Qiu is very beautiful, but the criminal law is terrible!"

"...Come on, come on, really, why can't you control your mouth!"

I pulled Ms. Zhang, who still wanted to say something, away, and the receptionist waved goodbye to me.

You can vaguely hear Miss Zhang greeting the landlady loudly outside the door.

"Meow~~~"

"Young Miss" seemed unhappy that I ignored its existence, and patted my hand with her paw.

"I have nothing to eat."

This is the only reaction I can think of.

"Squeak-"

The locker room door was pushed open, and Qiu Luxi glanced at me, but her gaze was quickly drawn to the cat.

"Come again?"

She happily walked towards the "young lady," and the "young lady" also moved a few steps toward her.

"Hmm... I feel healed."

Qiu Luxi hugged the "young lady" affectionately in a princess carry, and even rubbed her face against her.

I'm considering taking pictures of this with my phone and selling them to the media—would that mean I wouldn't have to work part-time?

"Xiao Qiu, Xiao Ning, you two... Oh dear, what's 'Young Miss' doing here again?"

Hearing the landlady's call, the gray and white cat broke free from Qiu Luxi's arms and trotted happily towards the landlady.