Su Li slowly began to savor the Häagen-Dazs, feeling the sweet flavor spread across her taste buds.
She subconsciously touched the corner of her mouth. Though her mood was calm, in that moment, it felt like the corners of her lips had lifted just a little.
In the past, Su Li would order things just to pass the time, thinking it was the thing to do, chasing a kind of atmosphere. But today, she made a point to finish the entire cup of ice cream.
Since she didn’t know when MOKA’s assistant would arrive, she deliberately ate with a bit more joy.
Even though Su Li no longer had emotions, she could still guess that if the waitress saw she hadn’t finished it, she might feel a little sad— maybe even pout in disappointment.
After all, that girl had taken a risk, possibly even at the cost of her wages, to prepare this especially for her.
Su Li could even sense that from time to time, a pair of eyes were watching her.
When the waitress wasn’t busy, she’d secretly hide in a corner, watching her eat ice cream.
If Su Li turned her head out of curiosity, the girl would deliberately lower her hat.
Maybe it was because they had a shared interest in cat food.
People tend to be drawn to those with shared topics of interest.
Especially someone like that waitress, who looked like she might have social anxiety.
Clearly working very hard and seriously.
Su Li didn’t feel much of a stir inside, but still had the thought to finish every last bite of the ice cream.
And the Häagen-Dazs really was delicious— maybe because it carried someone else’s intention along with it.
Su Li thought, if she came back to this café again to wait for someone, she wouldn’t order juice next time— she’d get a Häagen-Dazs.
Since there weren’t many customers, the waitress was currently curled up in the corner.
This time, she wasn’t watching anime; she looked more like she was spacing out.
When she looked up again toward Su Li’s direction, she saw the seat was now empty.
Just as her face showed a hint of disappointment, a pleasant voice rang out by her ear, startling her into a small shiver.
“One orange juice, please.”
Su Li spoke. The girl blinked at her, as if she had a thousand questions she wanted to ask, but in the end, obediently went to prepare the juice.
When she was about to hand it over to Su Li, Su Li finally spoke.
“It’s for you.”
The girl pointed to herself and blinked, a bit confused.
“Mhm, think of it as a thank-you for secretly giving me extra.”
A ticklish sensation passed by her ear. The waitress instinctively gripped the hem of her hoodie, her cheeks turning bright red, and whispered:
“Cat food.”
“Cat food was the thank-you from before. This is today’s thank-you. If you don’t accept it, I’ll feel bad asking for your help next time.”
After Su Li said that, the waitress didn’t say much more. She just quietly held onto the juice bag.
When she looked up again, she realized Su Li was already gone, leaving her with a faint sense of disappointment.
But after taking a sip of the juice and tasting its sweetness, a smile gradually appeared at the corner of her lips.
……
Not long after Su Li bought the juice, MOKA’s assistant arrived at the café and met up with her.
Following behind the assistant, she was quickly taken to the hotel where the meeting had been arranged.
As usual, her phone was confiscated after a check, and they inspected her for any recording devices or pinhole cameras. Then the assistant handed her a room number.
Su Li pushed open the private room door and saw MOKA again.
At that moment, MOKA was sitting in a corner, her entire presence exuding a sense of gloom, just like always.
It was a stark contrast to the dazzling, radiant image of a genius musician on stage.
Su Li wasn’t unfamiliar with gifted prodigies who rose to fame young— at least, not the type like MOKA.
Those types were usually arrogant, condescending, and even when interacting with her, liked to take the lead and be more forceful.
They rarely showed any vulnerability or weakness in front of her.
Now, MOKA was curled up on the couch, her body hunched in a ball.
Her short brown hair hung messily over her forehead, and her bangs were no longer the neatly parted style she usually wore, but casually covered half her face.
The headphones around her neck still hung there, but unlike usual, they weren’t playing music— just resting quietly against her chest, as if all their energy had faded.
Her eyes were bloodshot, her eyelids tinged with red. Clearly, she hadn’t slept well and had been through a lot emotionally.
Her complexion was pale, her lips devoid of their usual color— she looked utterly drained.
When she heard the door open, MOKA slowly looked up.
The moment she saw Su Li, a glimmer of light flashed in her eyes, like someone spotting a sliver of dawn in the darkness.
There was a hint of urgency in her eyes, a trace of longing, and a weariness and frustration she could no longer hide.
“Su Li…”
MOKA’s voice was hoarse and trembling.
As soon as she sensed Su Li’s presence, she ran toward her without even putting on her shoes, eyes locked on Su Li’s rosy lips.
As if already knowing what Su Li was about to say, MOKA cut her off directly. “If it’s about the money, I’ll pay you later.”
Su Li didn’t say anything more, letting MOKA kiss her lips in a frantic, almost hysterical way.
There was a slight sting on her neck— MOKA had accidentally scratched her— but Su Li didn’t mind. In her mind, she was already calculating how to charge for this session.
She held MOKA in her arms.
When she felt small hands tugging at her, MOKA clung onto her like a koala, wrapping her arms around Su Li’s neck and pressing herself close.
Su Li could feel MOKA’s overwhelming emotion, desperately seeking something from her, as if trying to pour out everything inside and completely fuse with her.
Because she used to be the male lead of an erotic game, even prolonged kissing didn’t leave her breathless.
The one who couldn’t take it in the end was always the other person— this time, MOKA.
Even back when Bai Huizi had held her tightly against her chest, Su Li still hadn’t felt suffocated.
It was just that being held for too long made it harder to carry on with the task at hand.
She never really cared for the soft, fragrant sensation of Bai Huizi’s embrace— she only wanted to make money.
After a long while, MOKA finally let go of Su Li’s lips, gasping for air, her breathing clearly labored from the extended kiss.
But soon, feeling like she could go again, she kissed Su Li once more.
It wasn’t until a long, long time had passed that MOKA reluctantly pulled away.
Even though one kiss and multiple kisses cost the same, Su Li didn’t stop her.
“Su Li, you have no idea how close I was to losing it while you were gone!”
As she spoke, MOKA loosened her arms from around Su Li’s neck and buried her face into Su Li’s chest.