As the others left, Mei Ling stuck with Mercredi and Claudia.
"So about the bakery..." She looked determined to get an answer today.
"Actually..." Mercredi ended up dropping the news.
The two listened on with knitted expressions.
"The rich are such hogs, I went through something similar when I first started my business. They hired some gangsters to make a ruckus in the store and harass the customers so I would give up on the land!"
Claudia who was technically rich fidgeted from Mei Lin's accusation.
"How come you never told me you went through such a thing up till now?"
"It was a private matter. Besides what could you do?"
"My parents could have given you some advice."
"It's alright. I was stubborn and probably wouldn't have listened back then anyway." Mei Lin's eyes fixed themselves on Mercredi." More important why don't you work at one of our new locations for a bit? It has a bakery area."
Claudia pouted. "Why? She's my chef and it's not like she's in need of money, she got her refund!"
But Mercredi's eyes were glittering. "I won't say no to easy money, I'll work there while you're not home!" Mercredi immediately took her up on the offer. "Thank you!"
"No, thank you!"
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She said it was a convenience store but it was pretty much a mini-mall. There was a lot of traffic, countless girls dragging around their boyfriends, young groups of girls, and the occasional single vlogger.
The spot became instantly popular. More hands were hired so Mercredi could focus on baking and restocking while the others tended to the customers.
As the night drew in, she let the girls, leave early and prepared to close up shop. As she wiped down the table someone recently left, she sensed a customer and turned to see another couple.
"This is so adorable!" The woman took a dozen pictures a second of the cafe with her phone.
"Welcome! We close in five minutes."
"Hi. Could we have two of everything?"
"Of Course! Does that include sandwiches?"
"Yes."
Bien fouto! (Well, damn!)
Pastries, breads and sandwiches were there some kind of late office party or were they going to eat everything? She eyed the couple oddly as she made her way to the counter. They had slender frames.
Wasn't eating sweets so late sabotaging to the body? They must have good metabolisms, how envious.
As she rung up and bagged the items she felt their gazes.
"Okay, that'll be-
The man locked gazes with her as she reached into his pocket for his wallet.
"How much?"
Wait, that resting bitch face! Monsieur?!
The lighting back then was dim, but those sharp hazel eyes were unmistakable. Looks like he found his main dish in the end.
A woman with wine red lipstick and a grey plaid suit, there were few women she knew who could pull off such a color without looking like a temptress. She looked mature and reliable. Her proportions reminded her of Yuria. Men really liked women with big boobs and snatched waists huh... typical.
After swiping his card she asked. "May I ask what's the occasion?"
The woman simply smiled and walked away as Monster Wolf stepped out carrying the bags.
Okay fine! Ignore me then, I know it's none of my business...
The two became regulars, they'd appear in the morning to order coffee and food in bulk and later during lunchtime to eat while quietly discussing matters with their laptops and tablets open.
She didn't pay them much mind.
A month went by when Mei Ling paid them a visit.
"Hello, Hello, everyone, Eddie, hehe...So... An apartment complex will be built nearby."
Which meant more traffic. The girls exchanged looks.
"So... we were thinking of adding a Deli, we've got lots of feedback asking for more sandwiches..." she blinked uncertainly at Mercredi as if scared.
"Are you asking me to come up with new menu items?"
"Yes!"
"Okay."
"Really?!" Mei Lin held her chest. "I thought you'd be annoyed with me since it's outside your specialty."
Mercredi looked at her funny. Why do people think pastry chefs eat and cook nothing but sweets 24/7?
"I don't mind. It's an honor."
"Great! We'll be recording the event and holding a public taste testing afterward."
Which meant twice the amount of traffic... Mercredi could already see the long line of customers impatiently standing in line.
"We should make new line markers on the ground then."
Mei Ling surveyed the place and nodded.
"Sounds good.
"You're having a promotional event?" Their conversation was over heard by Monsieur Wolf and his bae. She approached the counter with glittering eyes. "Is it alright if our company promotes your event then?"
She practically popped up out of nowhere so Mei Lin was a bit taken aback.
"What are you doing?" Monsieur Wolf's expression was stoney.
"We should go with Perennial Love, it's perfect!"
". . ." The man made eye contact with Mei Ling who recovered.
"You're promoters?"
The woman handed Mei Lin her card.
Her whole face twitched as a smile bloomed on her face.
"Qilin Enterprises? I've heard of you."
"Good things I hope?"
"Of course!"
As the two talked Mercredi snuck a glance at Monsieur Wolf who at first seemed annoyed but was now listening patiently.
"This is my superior, CEO Hu."
Her eyes glittered at the words CEO. "Oh? Hello."
"We'll come back another day with the paperwork."
As soon as they left, Mei Lin ran over to the youngins.
"Quickly google this, google it quick!"
"I thought you said you knew of them!"
"I do! But I've never seen the CEO in person, how will I know it's true?!"
When one of the Youngins Wei Cici showed her phone, various images of him popped up.
"CEO Hu? Shit, He's real? Holy shit!" Mei Lin looked to Mercredi. "Good things have only happened since you got on board with us! He's also an investor!"
"Could you not say that? That puts a lot of pressure on me, what if bad things happen? Also it's not like he offered to invest...but I could see that happening. Perennial Love is a really elegant place..."
Mei Lin puffed out her chest. "Yes. This feels so surreal."
Mercredi smiled. "It will until you see the fee they'll ask for."
"It'll be a worthy sacrifice!"
Seeing the two laugh, made the yougins excited as well. If the store did well they would get a pay raise right?