Time flew by, and before I knew it, I had been working at the coffee shop for almost a month.
That day, I had just arrived at the shop and quickly changed into my work uniform, preparing the things needed for the evening. During the day, the place functioned as a coffee shop, but at night, it turned into a bistro offering some alcoholic beverages. The customers were mostly nearby residents, including some elite professionals, handsome men, and beautiful women. I envied their lives but also knew that such a life was beyond my reach.
After a month of work, I had become quite proficient with the various equipment in the shop, and I could recite the menu backward.
While I was busy in the shop, the doorbell chimed, signaling the arrival of a customer. I quickly went to greet them. "Hello, how many?" I asked. Looking up, I saw a young, handsome face before me.
What a face it was! A high nose bridge with deep, captivating eyes. His dark brown pupils seemed to hold a mesmerizing power. I had never seen such a good-looking person. When his deep eyes looked at me, my heart fluttered. In an instant, my thoughts flew miles away. Who is he? Is he single? Or does he have a girlfriend? What would his girlfriend look like? I felt a mix of envy and jealousy. How happy must his girlfriend be? What is it like to go out with him? Is he good to his girlfriend? When they are together... My face turned bright red as these thoughts raced through my mind, and I felt my cheeks burning.
I stood there, staring up at him, lost in my thoughts. He gently parted his thin lips, "One," his deep, melodious voice was very pleasant.
Seeing that I was lost in thought, he curved his lips into a slight smile, looking at me with a hint of amusement. "One," he repeated.
Realizing my lapse, I felt a rush of regret and quickly lowered my head. "This way, please," I said softly.
He didn't say anything, just followed my steps.
Walking ahead, I was filled with self-reproach. How could I have such thoughts about him? I scolded myself harshly in my mind.
I led him to the quietest table by the window, farthest from the bar. Instinctively, I felt he deserved the best.
After seating him, I handed him the menu, trying to keep my voice steady, "Here's the menu. Please take a look."
He waved it off, "I'll have a steak, medium-rare, with black pepper sauce, a vegetable salad, and a Long Island Iced Tea." He said calmly.
"Alright, that will be 291 yuan."
He took out his wallet, his long fingers picking out three 100-yuan bills and handed them to me, "Keep the change; the rest is your tip."
It was the first time a customer had given me a tip, and I was stunned, holding the money without knowing what to say.
Seeing me frozen, he seemed to read my mind and smiled, "I'm a regular here. I know the owner. You can keep the tip."
"Thank you," I said awkwardly.
Nine yuan! Today, I made an extra nine yuan, more than half an hour's wages. I felt a bit happy but didn't dare show it. I knew that this meal cost almost a week's wages for me, and I was afraid my greed for money would make me look bad, especially to someone so tall and handsome.
"Are you a student around here?" he suddenly asked as I was about to turn away.
"Huh?" I turned back, surprised. Was he talking to me? Oh my god, apart from ordering, he was actually talking to me? I was momentarily speechless.
He asked again. "Oh, yes, I'm a student at Shan University," I stammered.
"Haven't seen you before?"
"Um, I'm new here."
"Ah, I see. What's your name?"
"I, I, I'm, I'm Li Xinyi," I stuttered. Was he asking for my name? Oh my god, he wants to know my name? How could that be? Why would he? But he asked!
"Xinyi, Xinyi, nice name," he murmured, as if talking to me and to himself, seemingly unaware of my embarrassment.
Seeing he had nothing more to say, I quickly turned and headed back to the bar, afraid to stay in the same space with him. I was afraid I couldn't control myself, that my heart would fly away, and that I would have improper thoughts about him.