That afternoon, Lin Xinyuan went out and arrived at Xiangyu Café as instructed.
It was the drowsy afternoon hour, and the café had quite a few customers.
However, the interior space was large, and the tables were spaced generously, so it didn’t feel crowded at all.
The shop’s decor remained unchanged, almost identical to how it was a year ago.
As soon as Lin Xinyuan entered, just like last time, a female server came to greet her.
“Hello! Welcome to Xiangyu Café!”
It was still that same delicate-looking girl. Upon seeing the young lady’s face, she paused for a moment, then her smile widened even more. “Miss, you’re here!”
“Huh… How did you…” Lin Xinyuan was somewhat surprised. She hadn’t expected the other person to still be working here after a year, and to have recognized her.
Noticing her astonishment, the server smiled earnestly and explained, “Of course, it’s because you’re so pretty, miss! And since you’re the boss’s friend, I naturally remember you.”
“Uh… I see…”
Hearing this answer, Lin Xinyuan immediately guessed who the ‘boss’ in the server’s words was. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say, her feelings a bit complicated.
That guy… So he was lying to me from the start…
Saying he knew the boss… Turns out it was him all along?
Really…
But at least he had the heart… Hmph… I’ll reluctantly forgive you…
As she was thinking this, the server spoke again. “Do you have a reservation, or are you alone?”
“I have a reservation. Table twenty-four, please,” Lin Xinyuan said, following the information Sister Qin had given her.
“Mmhmm, okay! That’s our job! No need to thank me! Please follow me, your table is on the second floor.”
Just like that, following the girl, she soon arrived on the second floor.
The layout was basically the same as the first floor. Although the space here wasn’t as large as downstairs, there were far fewer people, making it feel more secluded and quiet.
With just one glance, Lin Xinyuan spotted the woman sitting by the window not far away.
It was also because the woman’s bearing and appearance were truly first-rate.
Her outfit was fashionable yet harmonious and elegant, making her stand out from the crowd like a crane among chickens.
Even though she was now completely a girl and had lost that particular ability, Lin Xinyuan still involuntarily observed others’ appearances with her old habits, and couldn’t help but inwardly marvel at Sister Qin’s looks.
It could be said that if placed in ancient times, Sister Qin would definitely have been a beauty capable of toppling cities and ruining states…
The woman seemed to have noticed Lin Xinyuan’s arrival. She looked up towards her, waved happily with a light smile on her face.
“You’re here? Meimei, long time no see.”
“Sister Qin, long time no see…”
Under the other’s gaze, Lin Xinyuan walked to the seat, shyly greeting Sister Qin.
After the young lady sat down, the two began to order drinks. Qin Qingge ordered a cappuccino from the server, and Lin Xinyuan, not knowing much about coffee, simply ordered the same.
Of course, she specifically asked the server to add extra sugar…
“Alright then, one cappuccino with three-point sugar, one with seven-point sugar. Please wait a moment, guests.”
After that female server left, the two exchanged a few more pleasantries, but then the atmosphere fell into a brief silence. Lin Xinyuan didn’t know what to say anymore.
After all, they had only ever chatted online before. Meeting in reality again after such a long gap, she couldn’t quite relax.
And the other party probably had something to discuss with her…
“Sister Qin… you… why are you looking at me like that…”
At that moment, being stared at by Qin Qingge made her very uncomfortable.
Her small face flushed slightly, and she felt inexplicably uneasy.
Unconsciously, she turned her face away, looking out the window, trying to hide her embarrassment.
This seemingly unintentional demeanor was unbearably cute, especially with the young lady’s slightly chubby, baby-faced cheeks full of awkwardness, making one want to pinch them.
Not only the boys around who noticed them thought so, but even Qin Qingge felt the same…
Qin Qingge didn’t answer immediately. The more she looked, the more amazed she became, not only personally experiencing the girl’s tremendous change but also inwardly marveling at her little brother’s remarkable eye.
If it hadn’t truly happened… who could have predicted that the once introverted, self-conscious, delicate-looking boy was actually a beautiful, lovely young lady?
Or perhaps, had that guy been planning this all along?
Thinking this, Qin Qingge’s heart couldn’t help but feel a bit complicated. That rebellious, innocent little brother from back then had also changed so dramatically…
Before long, it was Qin Qingge who broke the silence.
“Meimei, it’s been a year, and you’ve become so beautiful. Not bad~” Qin Qingge teased in a joking tone.
“Mmm… Thank you… It’s okay…” Clearly, Lin Xinyuan was a bit flustered by this praise, followed by a sense of shame, but she still responded politely.
Qin Qingge smiled naturally and elegantly, a certain emotion in her eyes. She was just about to say something when the server approached carrying a tray.
Seeing this, she could only temporarily hold back the words she was about to say.
Only after the server left again did she speak up, getting straight to the point.
“Meimei, are you free next weekend?”
Lin Xinyuan finally looked back. She had either been looking down or glancing around before, but now she observed the other person a bit more carefully.
Suddenly, she realized the other’s face… seemed somewhat familiar…
Thinking this, her face held a trace of curiosity as she asked timidly, “I should be… but Sister Qin, what exactly did you want to talk to me about…”
“That’s good then.” Hearing this, Qin Qingge nodded but didn’t immediately answer the question.
Instead, she first picked up her porcelain cup and raised an eyebrow at the young lady, signaling for Lin Xinyuan to drink as well.
At this point, although Lin Xinyuan was a bit anxious, she knew rushing was useless. She could only similarly pick up the coffee in front of her and take a small sip.
But perhaps because of the extra sugar, although it was easier to drink than last time, she felt it was a bit thick and sticky in her throat…
As expected… coffee really isn’t for me…
Watching the young lady put down her cup, Qin Qingge’s expression remained amiable.
“I recently designed a new set of clothes, right? I feel you’d be perfect as a model, so I immediately thought of you… Are you interested?”
Hearing this, Lin Xinyuan was somewhat confused, clearly not expecting this to be the reason. She almost instinctively wanted to refuse.
After all, while she now enjoyed wearing nice clothes and putting together outfits—partly due to the influence of her own hormones, the feminine desire to adorn oneself for the one they admire—a large part of the reason was still because of a certain someone…
She didn’t want to put herself in the public eye or anything like that.
“Forget it… I’d better…”
Lin Xinyuan subconsciously shook her head, about to refuse.
But before her words were finished, they were gently interrupted by Qin Qingge’s soft voice, who said something seemingly unrelated. “You’ve been back to Quancheng, right?”
“Ah…”
Lin Xinyuan was stunned for a moment, not understanding why the other person’s words had suddenly veered off to something completely unrelated.
But looking at the incredibly beautiful woman before her and the kind smile at the corner of her mouth, she finally realized the implication of the other’s words.
It was as if she had thought of something, and immediately panicked…
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