Chapter 7: The manager of the cafe is very nice

A dreamless night—not because Lu Weizhu felt especially at ease, but simply because she was too exhausted, her mind too drained to support even a single dream.

She kept thinking about money, so after only a little sleep, she woke up early.

“It’s seven o’clock.”

Lu Weizhu picked up her old phone from the bedside and checked the time.

Lu Weiyu was still sleeping beside her. 

Not wanting to wake her, Lu Weizhu carefully slipped out from under the covers.

In silence, she tucked Lu Weiyu in, ordered some takeout for her, and then tiptoed out of the hospital room.

“Today is my first day at work. I hope nothing goes wrong.”

She bought two steamed buns at a breakfast shop near the hospital. 

As she walked, Lu Weizhu muttered to herself.

Maid Café… 

She’d never been to a place like that before, always thinking such places weren’t very proper.

“Tsk…I’ve even been the other woman before, is there anywhere I can’t go now?”

Lu Weizhu shook her head, swallowed the steamed bun in her mouth, finished her breakfast quickly, and picked up her pace.

Standing outside the café, she saw the warm yellow lights inside through the glass door.

Little sofas paired with white round tables gave off a cozy feeling.

The café owner was standing behind the counter, still wearing a gorgeous blue maid uniform, the dress adorned with all sorts of patterns and ribbons, her brown ponytail hanging behind her, looking very capable.

“May I come in?”

Lu Weizhu knocked on the door.

“Come on in.”

With permission, Lu Weizhu pushed the door open and entered the Maid Café.

As soon as she stepped inside, a faint fragrance tickled her nose, probably the smell of coffee.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

Lu Weizhu bowed slightly and apologized to the owner.

“Huh? Actually, you’re not late at all. Our café doesn’t open until nine in the morning, so you don’t need to be so formal.”

Stepping out from behind the counter, the owner helped Lu Weizhu up.

“My name is Bai Yun. You can just call me Yun Jie.”

Bai Yun smiled at Lu Weizhu.

Her facial features were gentle, with a high nose bridge and a beauty mark at the corner of her right eye.

Her smile was approachable.

“Okay, thank you, Yun Jie.”

Lu Weizhu nodded.

There was now a bit more gratitude in her gaze toward Bai Yun. 

Maybe it was because she was sure she’d be working here now, but Bai Yun’s tone was gentler than yesterday.

Comparing the owner before her to the harsh Ning Wan in her memory, Lu Weizhu felt a bit more at ease.

“It’s still early, so come to the back kitchen with me. I’ll explain your work.”

“This is the uniform?”

Lu Weizhu followed Bai Yun into the back kitchen of the Maid Café, sitting on a chair and holding the pink dress Bai Yun had prepared.

“Yes. Show a sweet smile to the customers and make them happy—that’s one of our Maid Café’s duties. As for making desserts and drinks, I’ll handle that. All you need to do is bring things to the right customers and chat with them a bit.”

As she spoke, Bai Yun handed Lu Weizhu a cup of hot coffee and a slice of matcha cake.

“……I understand.”

After thinking for a moment, Lu Weizhu nodded.

It wasn’t much different from being a restaurant waitress, just that she’d have to be a bit more charming.

“As for manners, you don’t need to worry too much. Just treat customers with respect and courtesy. Whether you’re lively or reserved, there will always be customers who like that.”

While explaining, Bai Yun handed Lu Weizhu an Employee Handbook.

Though it was called an Employee Handbook, it was really just the Employee Code of Conduct. 

The paper still felt a bit warm, as if it had just been printed.

“Okay.”

The blows she’d suffered in life were heavy, and Lu Weizhu wasn’t sure if she could show a sweet smile.

Bai Yun’s words made her feel a little more at ease.

She hoped she wouldn’t lose this job because of her own shortcomings.

“Remember everything? Then finish your food before you go change.”

Seeing that Lu Weizhu had no objections, Bai Yun breathed a sigh of relief.

It was hard for her to find suitable staff. 

It was rare to meet someone both pretty and willing to work here, so she naturally didn’t want Lu Weizhu to leave.

“Mm!”

With her head down, Lu Weizhu ate the cake in small bites with a spoon.

The cream melted in her mouth, the sweetness spreading, making her think of the happy days when her parents were still around.

It had been a long time since she’d had sweets. 

As for the coffee? 

The aroma was strong, but the bitterness was unavoidable. 

Lu Weizhu didn’t really like it.

“Thank you, Yun Jie.”

After finishing, Lu Weizhu stood up and bowed to Bai Yun once more.

“I’m going to change.”

Without waiting for Bai Yun to correct her, Lu Weizhu took the uniform and went into the changing room.

When she came back out, she was already wearing a delicate light pink maid uniform, white stockings, and little leather shoes on her feet.

The outfit was undeniably girlish, but it didn’t seem to suit Lu Weizhu very well.

Pink clothes probably suited more lively girls.

“Hmm…Something’s missing.”

Bai Yun looked Lu Weizhu up and down, especially noticing the rather bland expression on her face.

“I remember your name is Lu Weizhu, right? Xiao Lu, come here a moment.”

Bai Yun waved her over. 

Lu Weizhu wasn’t sure why, but still walked over as asked.

Bai Yun took out a brown Cat Ear Hair Clip and placed it on Lu Weizhu’s head, then examined her appearance again, finally nodding in satisfaction.

“Alright, now it’s perfect.”

Bai Yun clapped her hands. 

Originally, Lu Weizhu’s plain expression and the pink maid uniform didn’t match, but with the addition of the cat ears, the sense of mismatch was gone.

A quiet catgirl type, huh? 

She might actually be popular.

“…De……”

Touching the fluffy ears on top of her head, Lu Weizhu felt a bit strange.

But she didn’t plan to argue with the boss, so she just let it be.

She took a couple of steps in place. 

The shoes fit fairly well, and the stockings hugged her skin, unexpectedly giving her a sense of fake security.

“You’re cute. You’ll definitely be popular.”

After looking Lu Weizhu over again and again, Bai Yun grew even more satisfied, until she noticed the injury on the back of Lu Weizhu’s right hand.

Lu Weizhu also noticed Bai Yun’s gaze.

She clenched her fist.

“Yun Jie, this won’t affect my work. If you’re worried about business, I can wear work gloves.”

Afraid that she’d lose her job over such a small detail, Lu Weizhu explained a bit awkwardly.

“Ah, I have work gloves here—put them on. Don’t get hurt again.”

Bai Yun handed Lu Weizhu a pair of white cloth work gloves.

For some reason, she found the girl before her very cute, a little clumsy.

Whether it was her habit of apologizing or the flustered look she just had.

Now, Bai Yun was completely sure she’d be popular.

She didn’t plan to point out Lu Weizhu’s problems.

Come to think of it, rather than clumsy, it was more like sensitive.

What has this girl been through?

Not knowing Lu Weizhu’s situation for now, Bai Yun didn’t plan to ask.

“Alright, it’s getting late. Time to start work.”

She led Lu Weizhu out of the back kitchen.