After receiving the girl’s promise, and realizing that the girl behind her didn’t actually dislike her, Bai Yun carefully hid the onion in her palm.
She had been out for quite a while, so obviously, she couldn’t have just gone out to make milk tea.
She had run to the supermarket to buy an onion, tore off a piece and hid it in her sleeve, deliberately putting on a display of heartbreak and emotional collapse. When she buried her head in her arm, she used the onion to dab at the corner of her eye, making the fake tears look real.
This was a bitter trick—Bai Yun had made use of the girl’s gentleness and kindness, and she felt somewhat ashamed for it.
But if she hadn’t done this, the girl behind her probably wouldn’t have returned to normal, right?
Although she felt ashamed, the act had to be finished.
“Um… Wei Zhu, do you still remember what you once told me? You told me not to avoid you anymore.”
Holding a deep sense of guilt in her heart, her voice was muffled, but no longer carried the sound of crying.
“…I remember.”
Wei Zhu closed her eyes.
She knew all too well how awful it felt to be ignored, yet she had still treated her benefactor this way. Wei Zhu was overwhelmed with shame.
“I’m really sorry, Yun-jie, I know I was wrong, I was too selfish.”
The arms holding Bai Yun relaxed, and Wei Zhu apologized once again.
“Hmph.”
Bai Yun gave a soft snort, with a bit of a nasal tone.
That always gentle and reliable Yun-jie was now putting on a little-girl act, and once again, Wei Zhu realized just how badly she had behaved.
Maybe she really was a scumbag? Hurting others just to avoid feeling uncomfortable herself… It was truly awful.
Wei Zhu’s old habit flared up again—she began to hate herself.
“This time, I forgive you. Don’t avoid me again, alright? You once said I was very important to you—you’re just as important to me.”
Her words were gentle and heartfelt. Bai Yun straightened up, grasped the edge of the table, and let the small piece of onion in her right sleeve slide smoothly into the trash can.
“Mm, mm, I understand. I won’t avoid you anymore.”
She tried to let go, and seeing that Bai Yun wasn’t about to cry again, Wei Zhu let out a sigh of relief.
She made up her mind—no matter what, even if she had to stop Bai Yun’s feelings, she absolutely couldn’t use such a terrible method.
As for exactly how she should do it… Wei Zhu hadn’t figured it out yet. She still didn’t have the courage to reject Bai Yun’s feelings face-to-face.
“Maybe I’m just overthinking it…”
Wei Zhu muttered to herself, stroking her chest.
Maybe she really was just overthinking it. Maybe Bai Yun didn’t actually like her after all? After all, she’d never dated before—misunderstanding things was normal, right?
Until she thought of a better solution, Wei Zhu could only numb herself like this.
“What?”
“Ah, it’s nothing, I just feel a little hungry.”
Wei Zhu waved her hand and straightened up.
“Pfft… Silly Wei Zhu.”
Bai Yun laughed. Red-rimmed eyes and a smile shouldn’t appear together, but on Bai Yun’s face, it didn’t seem out of place at all.
“Yeah, I am silly.”
Admitting it without hesitation, Wei Zhu returned to her seat.
After having lunch together, she and Bai Yun began their afternoon shift.
Perhaps to make up for the time they hadn’t seen each other, Bai Yun was especially talkative that afternoon, a bit noisy even.
Wei Zhu replied patiently, chatting with Bai Yun while also serving the customers in the café. She thought the workday would end just like that, but with one hour left before closing, an unexpected guest arrived at the café.
It was Ning Wan. Since the last time Ning Wan had left, Wei Zhu hadn’t seen her for many days.
When she saw Ning Wan enter the café, Wei Zhu was stunned.
There were no other outsiders in the café at that time, so Bai Yun easily noticed Ning Wan’s presence.
She didn’t have a strong impression of Ning Wan—she could remember her only because Ning Wan and Wei Zhu looked quite alike.
Sensing the gaze from behind the counter, Ning Wan glanced at Bai Yun.
Her impression of Bai Yun had already faded; she only vaguely remembered seeing Wei Zhu and Bai Yun holding hands many days ago.
Ning Wan didn’t even know Bai Yun’s name. Maybe she had heard it before? Who knows. Such an insignificant person wasn’t worth remembering in Ning Wan’s eyes.
She sat by herself in a single-seater sofa, resting her chin on her hand, quietly watching Wei Zhu. She was curious how her little pet would address her.
“…..Welcome… Miss, what would you like to drink?”
After a moment of silence, Wei Zhu slowly walked over to Ning Wan.
She didn’t dare call her “Master” in front of Bai Yun.
So a trace of disappointment appeared in Ning Wan’s eyes, and she tapped her knuckles rhythmically on the table.
Wei Zhu grew nervous, her mouth dry and her tongue tied, afraid that Ning Wan would spill all her secrets.
“Miss…?”
Wei Zhu looked at Ning Wan, her eyes pleading. She mouthed silently, begging her.
Ning Wan’s gaze moved back and forth between Wei Zhu and Bai Yun.
Bai Yun felt something was off in the air.
“You’re Wei Zhu’s friend, right? I remember you. Last time when Wei Zhu was sick, you were the one who helped take her home.”
Digging through her memories, Bai Yun gave Ning Wan a friendly smile.
Ning Wan didn’t answer. She turned her head and looked at Wei Zhu next to her.
She saw the girl’s throat quiver slightly, and also saw the tension and unease in her eyes.
How should she reply?
“Yes, we’re friends.”
Ning Wan gave an unexpected answer and glanced at Wei Zhu.
Although it would be satisfying to destroy Wei Zhu’s reputation, having this girl’s weakness in her hands would probably let her get more interesting reactions, right?
Ning Wan thought maliciously.
“Ah! Right, we are friends.”
Wei Zhu was stunned for a moment—she’d thought she was finished.
Looking at Ning Wan, Wei Zhu’s eyes showed gratitude, and deep down, her impression of Ning Wan changed just a little.
She had no idea what Ning Wan was really thinking.
“Ning Wan, what would you like to drink? It’s my treat.”
Wei Zhu tried to sound as normal as possible and stood up straight.
Her nerves were still rattled, her back soaked in cold sweat, but thanks to her cloak, no one could see the dampness.
“Since you’re treating me, then you get to pick for me, of course.”
Ning Wan extended her hand in a “please” gesture.
Wei Zhu glanced at Ning Wan and tried to recall her patron’s preferences.
Her impression was that Ning Wan was domineering and forceful—she’d probably prefer coffee over milk tea?
In the end, Wei Zhu ordered an almond latte.
Not daring to leave without permission, she stiffly sat down next to Ning Wan.
Soon, Bai Yun came over carrying a tray.
One almond latte, two cups of milk tea, and three servings of mousse.
If you wanted to win someone over, you had to get along with the people around them.
Bai Yun kept in mind all those cheap dating strategies she’d found online, and pushed the latte and a mousse in front of Ning Wan.
“Ning Wan, Miss Ning? Nice to meet you. I’m Bai Yun, also a friend of Wei Zhu’s.”
Bai Yun smiled warmly and held out her hand.
“Hmm?”
Ning Wan tilted her head.
She glanced at Wei Zhu. Under the girl’s nervous gaze, Ning Wan shook Bai Yun’s hand.
“Nice to meet you too, Miss Bai.”
Ning Wan took a sip of coffee. The rich aroma blossomed between her lips and teeth; she had to admit, the drinks at this café were excellent.
Ning Wan put down the cup.
“What a coincidence, my girlfriend’s surname is also Bai, and she’s also a friend of Xiao Lu. Maybe we’ll all become friends?”
Ning Wan’s smile was equally gentle, but unlike Bai Yun’s, hers was tinged with confidence.