“Oh? Where is he? Is it that guy with the messy hair?”
The manager jolted upright like a radar detecting something, her eyes scanning the room with fervor before locking onto Gu Fan and his group.
I wasn’t sure if she was teasing me or genuinely mistook someone else for him, but she actually thought my childhood friend was some unfamiliar male classmate with a hairstyle I couldn’t appreciate and a face I didn’t care for.
Maybe it was a provocation? After all, Gu Fan came with a big group, both guys and girls, so it’s no wonder the manager couldn’t guess right away.
Seeing the faint smile curling on her lips, it was as if she was waiting for me to get riled up and reveal who my real childhood friend was.
I hesitated for a moment, feeling conflicted and timid. But then the manager abruptly stood up, muttering about going to fetch that unfamiliar guy to come chat with me or something.
“…Wait!”
With no other choice, to avoid an embarrassing situation, I straightened up, grabbed her arm, and stopped her.
“Hehe, come on, tell me—which one’s your handsome and gentle childhood friend?”
“…It’s the one sitting by the wall, with slightly long hair tied into a wolf-tail braid. He’s tall, with amber eyes. See him?”
Talking about Gu Fan to the manager for the first time, I felt inexplicably shy, my voice as soft as a mosquito’s hum.
The manager listened intently and quickly locked her gaze onto Gu Fan based on my description.
At that moment, Gu Fan had finished chatting. His slender fingers loosely held his phone, resting casually on the table. His posture was relaxed, his eyes vaguely fixed ahead, lost in thought.
If the manager weren’t beside me and I didn’t have to work, I might’ve already slipped into a state of fully admiring Gu Fan. Sometimes, just looking at him makes my heart bloom like flowers, filling with a sweet fragrance.
I stared at Gu Fan with burning eyes for a while until the manager’s gasp and incessant “tsk tsk” sounds broke through.
“Xiao… Has anyone ever told you your childhood friend is kind of hot… no, really hot? He almost stunned this nearly thirty-year-old auntie.”
I didn’t respond, instead shooting the manager a wary look. I really don’t need another rival… I hope you’re just joking, Manager…
Seeing my unfriendly gaze, she quickly waved her hands. “Hey, I’m just giving a compliment! I’m not interested in little kids. I’m only saying you’ve got good taste, Xiao Shen, and you should hold onto this handsome guy.”
“…I’ll do my best.”
I closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and forced my dark thoughts back down, managing a somewhat friendly smile at the manager.
Calming myself, I realized I shouldn’t make too many enemies.
Gu Fan’s good looks are an undeniable fact. I’ve known it since we were kids. With his appearance, demeanor, and personality, he’s bound to attract admirers wherever he goes.
I can’t exactly make Gu Fan wear a veil, only taking it off to show his face to me when we’re alone, can I?
Since I can’t monopolize Gu Fan or eliminate everyone who’s smitten with him or has improper thoughts about him, I might as well focus on solidifying my place in his heart.
Only then do I stand a chance in this fiercely competitive world to become Gu Fan’s wife and grow old with him…
“Xiao Shen, why don’t you go serve their table?”
It’s only Christmas Eve today; double pay kicks in tomorrow for Christmas, so not many waitresses are working. Most took an extra day off to have fun or rest.
As one of the waitresses, I was currently slacking off, which is why no one had gone to take orders for coffee or pastries at Gu Fan’s table yet.
I swallowed repeatedly, my surging emotions rising and falling like waves with each gulp. My breaths seemed to carry the damp, salty scent of the sea, no longer pure.
Should I go or not? If I just stand here and let another maid serve Gu Fan, let him play with other cats, drink his coffee, and then leave with his classmates to some place I don’t know, doing things I’m unaware of…
Unacceptable, incomprehensible, unforgivable!
At the very least, I want Gu Fan to know I’m watching him—and that I’m upset with him. How dare he sneak off to the cat café to play with cats behind his dear childhood friend’s back? Isn’t petting my cat ears and tail enough for him?!
“Manager, I’ll go.”
With a cool tone, I stood up, donning the cold mask I use for strangers, and walked gracefully toward the waitress who was heading to Gu Fan’s group with a menu.
Taking the menu from the other waitress’s hands, I ignored her shocked reaction, letting out a soft breath and subtly puffing out my chest, hoping to draw some confidence from my most advantageous feature.
I was wearing thick-heeled ankle boots adorned with cute bells and yarn balls, which clinked with every step.
Since my strides were steady and deliberate, approaching their table, I caught the attention of some in the group.
A few strangers pointed at me, chuckling and seemingly commenting on my outfit or appearance, but I didn’t pay close attention to their words. Others who recognized me paled upon seeing me, hurriedly tugging at Gu Fan’s sleeve and whispering something.
Gu Fan, who had been lost in a daze, snapped out of it when nudged. His gaze landed on me, and as expected, a smile spread across his face.
“Zhinian, good morning.”
“…Good morning.”
Standing by their table, I forced a half-smile, my lips barely curving.
With so many outsiders around, I couldn’t yet shed my cold mask, making my smile stiff and awkward—honestly, it must’ve looked awful.
Realizing my smile probably wasn’t flattering, I subtly pursed my lips, reverting to a detached expression.
I placed the menu on the table, pulling a small notebook from the pocket of my skirt to take their order.
“What would you like to order?”
My voice trembled slightly as I served this group of guests, who made me both uncomfortable and secretly hopeful, for the first time.
My voice was icy, almost robotic, like an AI devoid of emotion.
Even though I didn’t respond to Gu Fan, my gaze stayed glued to him, unwavering. I kept my emotions off my face, simply wanting to see how Gu Fan would react in this moment.
His classmates chattered noisily, deciding on their coffee orders, which I mechanically jotted down. Then, I coldly turned to the last person who hadn’t ordered yet—Gu Fan, who still had a faint smile on his lips.
“And you? What would you like?”
“One caramel macchiato and a paid photo opportunity. Beautiful maid, that Christmas dress suits you perfectly. Can I take a picture?”