They went in a hurry. Thankfully, despite being ten minutes late, the milk tea shop hasn’t opened yet.
The milk tea shop opened at nine-thirty. When Zhu Tong arrived, Shao Ming had already prepared the milk tea ingredients behind the counter, while his mother was cleaning the shop.
Zhu Tong pushed the door in and called out obediently, “Auntie.”
When Shao Yujie heard the young man’s voice, she turned her head and was slightly startled. “Zhu Tong? Why did you come so early?”
Shao Yujie was deeply impressed by this clean and lovely teenager, especially after discovering that he was someone Shao Ming considered special.
But why did this kid come before the store opened?
Zhu Tong glanced at the counter. “…I’m here for a part-time job.”
Shao Yujie was slightly stunned. “Part-time job?”
She has a pair of healthy eyes. Looking at Zhu Tong’s expensive clothes, he didn’t look like the type that needed a part-time job.
Maybe he wants to experience life?
She turned to look at Shao Ming again.
Shao Ming just turned his head to look over, with a smile on his face. “Have you talked to Uncle Liu?”
Zhu Tong: “…”
He hates lying.
As soon as he heard Shao Ming speak, he felt guilty, and his face became hot.
He turned around and gently closed the door that was pushed open, nervousness radiating from all over his body.
Shao Yujie: “?”
She was puzzled, but didn’t ask any further questions.
Shao Ming was already calling him from behind the counter. “Come here, I’ll teach you how to use the cash register.”
Zhu Tong: “…”
He agreed to help. Since he didn’t know anything previously, he had to learn it now. Shao Ming’s words… are normal.
He didn’t seem to really care what happened in the morning.
Zhu Tong walked awkwardly behind the counter.
Shao Ming saw that he was not focused, but didn’t comment on it. He pushed the cash register towards him as if nothing had happened, and then started to explain the steps to him.
When learning something, Zhu Tong could concentrate quickly. After a while, he was distracted by a cash register, and his whole demeanor relaxed a lot.
The operation of the cash register was also simple. He could calculate the price according to the drink list of the milk tea shop, and after confirming the customer had paid via QR, he just needed to print the bill.
“Come on, try it.”
After teaching it once, Shao Ming backed away a little and let Zhu Tong try it out.
Zhu Tong was full of novelty, as if he had discovered a new toy.
He followed the steps taught by Shao Ming to the letter. He completed it well, but his speed was a little slow.
He asked nervously, “Will I delay the business of the store like this?”
“No,” Shao Ming said, “There’s another cash register. If you’re too busy, I’ll be there.”
–He really didn’t want to make Zhu Tong work. It’s all just pretenses, really.
Zhu Tong seemed to be reassured. He nodded, then turned his head and was about to say something. He met Shao Ming’s eyes, so his words were stuck in his throat. The temperature on his face began to rise sharply again.
He quickly turned his head back and concentrated on repeating the previous operation, this time surprisingly much faster.
Shao Ming: “…”
Does his face have such an effect?
Zhu Tong’s hands quickly operated on the cash register, with Shao Ming “supervising” him. His progress was amazing, but he didn’t dare to look back at all. If he looked closely, he would find that his ears were all red.
Shao Ming looked at him silently, and did not open his mouth to disturb him.
Before nine o’clock, Luo Suo pushed the door and walked into the coffee shop. After putting on his work clothes, he went around the counter to do some preparations. Soon, he discovered the strange atmosphere between the two.
While Zhu Tong was practicing in front of the counter, Luo Suo quietly approached Shao Ming and said, “Are you two having a fight?”
Shao Ming raised his eyebrows and said, “Why do you think like that?”
Luo Suo turned to look at Zhu Tong.
If they weren’t fighting, then why are they so awkward? How could Shao Ming let Zhu Tong toss in front of the counter by himself?
But weren’t the two of them fine when they went back last night?
Is he thinking too much?
As Luo Suo was wondering if he had misunderstood something, Shao Ming suddenly smiled and said, “Well, it’s a little awkward.”
Luo Suo: “…”
Why does this guy look so happy?
“You’re troubling him, right? Why don’t you coax him?” Luo Suo said after an awkward silence.
–Wait, why did he use the word “coax”?
Who coaxes whom? Why is he making a fuss?
Shao Ming said helplessly, “I’ve already done that.”
Luo Suo looked at the person in front of the counter who was fighting with the cash register. His mood was complicated. “Is this the result of your coaxing?”
Shao Ming also turned his head and glanced at Zhu Tong. His fond smile got bigger. “It’s okay, let him calm down first.”
If he “coaxed” him even more, his head would let out a smoke.
Luo Suo really didn’t understand his logic.
The most taboo thing during this kind of cold war is “letting him calm down by himself”, you know?
He paused. With a stink-eye, he said, “Ming-ge, you seem a bit scummy.”
Shao Ming: “…”
Shao Ming couldn’t help but lightly kick him, “Speak human words.”
Luo Suo bent down and patted the place where he was kicked, and said sternly, “I’m speaking human words.”
“…”
“Uh, anyway! My uncle told me that Qiu Shaoping will be released soon after serving his sentence. What are you going to do?”
Luo Suo’s uncle is a prison guard. His position is not high, but he can know a lot of things in advance. Plus, he has many acquaintances in the police station.
Five years ago, Shao Ming sent Qiu Shaoping into jail, and Luo Suo’s uncle helped a lot.
However, the criminal law could only jail him for so long. Inevitably, he would serve his sentence and be let out.
Shao Ming pondered for a moment, then said indifferently, “Let’s talk about it when he comes out.”
Luo Suo choked on pure air. ‘It would be too late by then!’
–Why is he so nonchalant?
“Aren’t you afraid that he will retaliate against you after he comes out?”
At that time, before Qiu Shaoping was sent in, he really cursed Shao Ming to high heavens, promising many acts of violence.
Shao Ming said calmly. “Why would I be afraid of him? If he dared to do that, I can just send him back.”
Luo Suo: “…”
Yeah, it makes sense.
The best way was to move away from this town, but since they have lived here for more than ten years, how can they just move away?
“Anyway, pay more attention to yourself, my uncle said that Qiu Shaoping has not been in good spirits in the past two years,” Luo Suo whispered.
Knowing that he was worried about his own safety, Shao Ming accepted his care and answered in a low voice.
He turned to look at Zhu Tong again.
Just under half an hour and the young master was already very proficient in his new job.
Every time he tackled a new thing, he would dedicate all his concentration, devoting himself without reservation.
Shao Ming looked at his slender back, and his lips curled up subconsciously. It’s as if all the haze had been swept away in an instant.
The milk tea shop opened on time at nine-thirty. Lu Zheyu came to work on the dot. He might have to complete some online work before clocking in.
After the store opened, customers entered the store one after another. Zhu Tong was a little nervous at first, but he gradually relaxed.
“Good day. You bought a cup of peach oolong milk tea right? Your total is 16 yuan.”
“WeChat or Alipay?”
“Here’s your receipt.”
His tone was still a little stiff, but it was polite and professional enough.
And the customers who entered the store, without exception, were attracted by this “new clerk”.
“He’s so cute! The workers here were all selected based on their looks, right?”
“He’s not wearing this shop’s uniform. Is he here to help during the National Day holiday?”
“Even a temporary helper is so good-looking? Sure enough, good-looking people’s friends are equally good-looking!”
“Can I ask for a photo?” A girl suddenly came forward with stars in her eyes. She looked at Zhu Tong eagerly.
“…”
Zhu Tong also saw Shao Ming being asked for a group photo before. What did Shao Ming say last time?
He didn’t remember.
He moved his lips, not knowing how to refuse.
Suddenly, a hand came over. Shao Ming skillfully put his arm around Zhu Tong’s shoulder, his voice loud as it sounded near his ear. “I’m sorry, this is a ‘non-single’ area and a strictly no-photo zone. If you want one, move to that single-only area, thank you.”
He pointed to Luo Suo and Lu Zheyu behind the counter on the other side.
Lu Zheyu was deaf to the world, while Luo Suo was speechless.
Why is there a sudden personal attack against single dogs! What’s wrong with being single? Isn’t it good to be single? Aren’t these two fighting? Why are they in cahoots again?
Shao Ming only felt that Zhu Tong’s body under his arm was slightly stiff, and he looked down subconsciously.
He suddenly leaned up and “put his chest against Zhu Tong’s back”. Feeling the sudden warmth, Young Master Zhu didn’t know what to think. He flailed his hands around, while he turned red from his cheeks to his ears at a speed visible to the naked eye.
“…”
The girl who asked for a photo at the counter took a step back and covered her mouth.
Shao Ming divided the area into “non-single” and “single”. But he didn’t say what kind of relationship they have.
‘Looking at this little handsome guy’s reaction… he didn’t deny it, ah?’ Shao Ming thought with a satisfied smirk.
The author has something to say:
Tongtong: Never in my life has my face been this red.
Ming-ge: Can someone teach me how to coax? Waiting online, urgent!
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