033. You’re the Real Protagonist!
This coffee shop outside campus has been around for a few years and is well-known among students for its affordable prices and tasty brews.
“So you’re not broke? How can you afford coffee? How did you even meet the Boss Lady?”
“On the first day of school, it was swelteringly hot, so I just hung out inside to enjoy the AC and ended up chatting with her.”
“Oh~”
Ning Chu followed closely behind Wen Yang as they pushed open the glass door of the coffee shop, instantly assaulted by the rich aroma of roasted coffee beans.
His gaze fell straight onto the Boss Lady.
Turns out, she’s actually his senior, and supposedly she’s almost thirty! Unlike the fresh-faced girls around campus, this Boss Lady radiated mature charm—every smile and frown dripped with allure, and don’t get him started on that maid outfit with its short skirt, black stockings, and a cleavage situation that was definitely not meant for innocent eyes…
Ning Chu instantly felt a surge of alarm!
He would admit the Boss Lady was captivating; this kind of mature allure was the deadliest thing for a little virgin like him!
He really hoped not to let the plot derail, and result in Wen Yang crashing and burning right here!
“Hey, sis! I’m here and brought my roommate along.”
He stole a quick glance at Wen Yang, who had turned slightly pink. The little virgin didn’t dare look the Boss Lady in the eye and his gaze flitted all over the place as if struggling to find a safe spot to land.
“You came all this way in such a downpour,” the Boss Lady said in a voice so sweet it could melt bones, stopping her busy hands to warmly greet them, “Just sit down, let me wipe down the last two tables.”
“Military training got canceled this afternoon, so we had time…” Wen Yang sat down awkwardly by the bar, sneaking a peek at Ning Chu as he muttered, “Just call her ‘sister.’ For the love of all that’s holy, don’t call her ‘Auntie.’”
“Do I look that socially inept?” Ning Chu shot him a glare.
With quick efficiency, the Boss Lady tidied up and stepped behind the bar, her gaze assessing the two before finally resting on Ning Chu’s face.
“What a cute little boy~” she leaned forward, propping her chest on the counter, “What does my little brother want to drink? Sister’s treating you.”
Wen Yang was squirming in his seat, and even Ning Chu felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him, mumbling, “I, um, I’m good with anything.”
“Then why not try the new items I’ve prepared? Also, we have some little cakes.”
“Um, sure…”
“And then write me a six-hundred-word review about your experience with the new recipes.”
Ning Chu was taken aback, about to protest when the Boss Lady gently poked his cheek with her long finger and, before leaving, purposefully grazed his skin with her fingertip.
“Just messing with you~”
Wait, hold on! This doesn’t seem right!
He gawked at Wen Yang, confusion and panic written all over his face.
Wen Yang was suppressing laughter, looking down: “You’re getting flirted with.”
No kidding! I know that!
But why me?! YOU’RE the protagonist!
Ning Chu considered the possibility that the Boss Lady might really just have a crush on Wen Yang and wanted him to try out the coffee shop’s new products. Or perhaps she was playing the part of some plot’s femme fatale, seducing Wen Yang under the pretense of taste-testing…
But he never imagined that maybe, just maybe, he was the one in the line of fire!
As the Boss Lady turned to brew coffee and prepare the cakes, Wen Yang leaned closer with a devilish grin.
In a low, whispering tone, he mused, “It’s obvious the Boss Lady really likes you.”
“She seems pretty well-off; if you play your cards right, maybe next lifetime you won’t have to worry about food?”
Ning Chu was turning even more frantic, his innocent little face flushing a bright red.
Sure, he did have a weak stomach and was great at being pampered, but seriously? This was the Little Emperor Wen! Can soft living be a thing here? God knows what kind of twisted scenarios could unfold!
Just thinking about keywords like steel wool, master, and BDSM made his lips pale.
“Here, this is your latte art coffee. Pretty, right? I specifically learned how to do this for a month~” The Boss Lady placed several new items in front of Ning Chu, “And here’s a strawberry cake~”
She leaned forward again on the bar, unabashedly flaunting her… assets: “Little brother, we also do takeout. Make sure to support Sister’s business!”
“Uh… sure!”
“And here’s your share.” She set another coffee and cake in front of Wen Yang, “You should try it too; these are not yet on the menu. If it’s bad, don’t hold back.”
Wen Yang glanced at his coffee: “Why doesn’t mine have latte art?”
“That’s just for the little brother~”
“Oh~” he nodded knowingly, a smirk spreading across his face.
He was genuinely thrilled for his roommate’s future food fortune, and seeing Ning Chu’s embarrassed face was just too adorable, making him want to keep teasing the Boss Lady.
Meanwhile, Ning Chu was a quivering mess, frozen in place, unsure whether to sit or stand, his limbs feeling completely uncooperative.
He finally understood the feeling of being chased by girls.
Excited yet rattled—how could he turn down a girl’s sweet, gentle requests?
“Give it a try.”
“Alright!” Ning Chu took a deep breath to calm himself, picked up the coffee, took a tentative sip, and grimaced slightly, proposing, “Isn’t it a bit too sweet?”
Gotta wrap this up and make a getaway; testing the new items was the mission of the day. He couldn’t let the Boss Lady keep teasing him like this!
“The cake gets a bit cloying after a couple of bites; maybe too much cream…”
Ning Chu stole a glance at Wen Yang, who was munching away, thoroughly enjoying the show.
“Yeah, that makes sense; people today are all about health; too sweet is definitely not great.” The Boss Lady tapped her chin pensively, nodding, “How about this? I’ll work on it some more.”
“Sounds good!”
“We should add each other on WeChat, and next time Sister will invite you back for more tasting?”
Whoa! Is she really asking for WeChat like that? Can’t a girl be a little more subtle?!
“Uh, Sis, don’t you already have my WeChat?” Ning Chu didn’t have time to shake his head before Wen Yang chimed in, “Just call us directly next time; if we’re both free, we’ll come.”
Wen Yang… you traitor! Backstabbing me! What kind of perks did the Boss Lady give you to be my sidekick?!
The Boss Lady smiled and nodded: “Okay!”
“Alright, we have to go, see you?”
“Leaving already? Wait until the rain eases up a bit?”
Wen Yang shook his head helplessly: “We had something scheduled, can’t be late.”
“Okay, okay, be careful on the way; come around often~”
If it weren’t for the Boss Lady being present, Ning Chu would have already started cursing.
Who pushes their roommate into the fire like that?!
He fumed, trailing behind Wen Yang as they left the coffee shop, standing under the eaves, glaring angrily at Wen Yang: “What’s your deal?!”
“Why so mad?” Wen Yang looked all smug, grinning cheekily, “Aren’t you always finding reasons to block my dates?”
“Sure, those are all valid reasons, but isn’t it a little wrong to get back at me like this?”
“???”
So you’re not trying to be the Boss Lady’s wingman, but rather deliberately keeping her from getting my WeChat?
Nice job!
