The manager nodded in satisfaction, "Don't slack off, go change your clothes."
The coffee shop provided uniforms: a crisp white shirt with a red bowtie and a black pencil skirt reaching just below the knees. For men, it was black suit trousers. All the servers bustling around the shop wore smiles, speaking in soft, gentle tones.
Shen Yue emerged from the temporary changing room, and the manager's gaze fell upon her face.
He was once again stunned by her beauty. Honestly, in all his years, he had never seen anyone so lovely, more so than any celebrity, and she was naturally beautiful, without any artificial enhancement.
The coffee shop was doing excellent business, with a constant stream of customers.
Like the other servers, Shen Yue approached customers when they rang the bell, asking what they needed. Her smile was subtle, revealing two dimples that made her appear warm and approachable. She didn't seem like a clumsy beginner on her first day, which put the manager at ease.
After working there for about two weeks, she had become familiar with the staff. People are visual creatures, and Shen Yue was very pretty, had a good personality, and loved to smile, so she naturally blended in quickly.
The coffee shop was very popular, almost always full. Time flew by, and it was past nine o'clock. As Shen Yue delivered coffee to a table, she heard a bell ring from a nearby table.
She walked over, head slightly bowed, and asked the customers if they needed any assistance.
When their eyes met, both froze.
Xie Jiangsheng showed no reaction, his eyes as cold as if he were looking at a stranger. Shen Yue, however, was not deterred by his aloofness. Instead, she broke into a bright smile, her dimples deepening. "Mr. Xie, what a coincidence."
Compared to her, he appeared excessively distant, merely nodding slightly, even grudging her a glance.
"Mr. Xie, what would you like to order?"
"Mocha, caramel macchiato."
"Certainly, please wait a moment."
Shen Yue left.
The middle-aged man sitting opposite Xie Jiangsheng looked somewhat surprised. "Does Mr. Xie know that server?"
"Not well."
Xie Jiangsheng's expression was gentle as they discussed a cooperation contract, but his gaze was involuntarily drawn to a slender, graceful figure.
In his memory, Shen Yue was extremely vain and pampered, someone who did nothing and expected to be waited on. She wasn't a princess, but she had all the symptoms of princess syndrome. Aside from her looks, she was utterly useless.
But now… Shen Yue was working diligently as a waitress here, and he couldn't detect even a hint of dissatisfaction or disdain in her eyes.
Had Shen Yue truly changed?
With a "clack," the sound of a lighter ignited a cigarette, and the scent of nicotine spread to Xie Jiangsheng's nostrils.
Shen Yue was nearby, and she had been watching Xie Jiangsheng's movements.
The man in the suit leisurely exhaled a ring of smoke, his eyes narrowed as he looked at the middle-aged man opposite him, quietly listening to him speak.
The man was handsome, with sharp features, and his smoking posture was elegant and appealing, exuding an aristocratic aura with every movement.
On their table, a mocha and a caramel macchiato each sat untouched.
Shen Yue paused, then inquired about the needs of a nearby customer, not forgetting to remind the man, "Mr. Xie, smoking is prohibited in our establishment."
Though the man's demeanor was gentle and polite, he possessed an even stronger air of superiority, creating a significant distance.
Upon hearing Shen Yue's words, he idly fiddled with his lighter and casually raised his eyes, holding the cigarette between his fingers. "Not allowed to smoke?"
Shen Yue replied with a smile, "Yes, smoking is prohibited here."
Xie Jiangsheng's gaze lingered on the dimples on her face for a few seconds. The lighter snapped shut, he shifted his legs into a crossed position, and extinguished the cigarette.
"Thank you for your cooperation, sir."
Xie Jiangsheng did not acknowledge her further, and Shen Yue did not linger, turning to leave.
The middle-aged man's gaze had been captivated by Shen Yue from the moment he entered, and he couldn't help but glance at her slender, straight legs, as white as fine mutton-fat jade.
"This young lady is quite attractive." Even older gentlemen would look twice at someone attractive. He had seen many beautiful women, but none had struck him quite like this one.
Xie Jiangsheng took out a white handkerchief from his suit pocket and meticulously wiped his fingers. His voice was cool, "Mr. Li, after reviewing this contract, I find several points to be problematic. The land on Muxi Street is worth more than this price."
Mr. Li inwardly cursed the man as a cunning fox, unwilling to concede any advantage. On the surface, however, he smiled and said, "Yes, yes, Mr. Xie is right. What price do you think is appropriate?"
Xie Jiangsheng, with his gentle expression, named a figure. Mr. Li almost lost his composure, but he knew that cooperating with Xie Jiangsheng would be highly beneficial to him, and Xie Jiangsheng knew this too, which was why he was asking for an exorbitant price. He still wanted to recover some ground, but Xie Jiangsheng skillfully outmaneuvered him.
In the end, he had no choice but to grudgingly agree.
At table eight, to Xie Jiangsheng's right, a small child was crying incessantly. The parents couldn't soothe him, and the intermittent cries drew the attention of everyone in the shop.
Listening to the noisy commotion, Xie Jiangsheng felt a flicker of annoyance, but he did not show it, merely taking a sip of his mocha. 138 Reading Network
Just as the parents were at a loss, Shen Yue rushed over. She first asked if she could hold the child, and after obtaining the parents' consent, she gently began to soothe the child. Before long, the child stopped crying and even smiled sweetly at Shen Yue, drool trickling down his chin. With his eyes red and swollen from crying, he looked both pathetic and adorable.
Xie Jiangsheng watched Shen Yue's smiling face, and his heart skipped a beat for some unknown reason.
His peripheral vision caught the elegant crossed legs of the man at table nine and the impeccably polished expensive leather shoes beneath his custom suit trousers.
Shen Yue had other customers to attend to. She was carrying a tray with two cups of coffee.
"Your coffee," Shen Yue placed the coffees on the table in front of the customer, offering a faint smile. The young man sitting in the chair blushed and quietly said, "Thank you."
Passing table nine, Xie Jiangsheng and Mr. Li happened to stand up.
Shen Yue glanced at Xie Jiangsheng again, nodded, and pursed her lips, "We look forward to your next visit."
"Yes, your coffee is delicious. We'll definitely come again," Mr. Li said, his smile reaching his eyes. He was clearly interested in Shen Yue, and his words carried a hint of flirtation. Such a gem was truly different from the gaudy, cheap women outside.
Shen Yue, however, seemed completely oblivious to his intentions.
"We welcome you to visit again, sir."
Xie Jiangsheng stood beside Mr. Li, his tall stature allowing him to look down condescendingly at the young server before him, who was lowering her gaze.
His gaze inadvertently swept over her smile, a hint of mockery flickering within it.