Chapter 71: The Store Manager’s Acquired Learning Genius
Although I found it hard to believe, I have indeed joined the Baking Club.
Of course, there were immediate benefits to joining—my salary under the part-time contract was raised, which serves as a benefit for club members.
This was a huge help since I really need money right now.
After finishing up with the club joining procedures, I snacked on some cookies to fill my stomach before heading to the back to learn baking skills with Senior Tang Yihan.
Although the senior often makes some dark dishes, her fundamental baking knowledge is solid, worth observing and learning from.
Moreover, I also have the ingredient booklet that the senior gave me, so self-learning shouldn’t be an issue.
As for the front of the store, it was naturally handled by Senior Ying Shiqian. After all, before I joined, that was how it had generally been organized.
“Um… Senior, can I ask you something?” I was fiddling with the dough in my hands, shaping it into a peculiar design on the baking tray.
“Go ahead,” Senior Tang Yihan nodded in response.
“Well, Senior, do you think I should take the chance to get a flying license during this break before school starts? Would you recommend it?”
After all, I had seen this information while browsing my phone earlier, so I asked about it casually.
“A flying license? Hmm… that is indeed a good idea. After all, having a skill is always beneficial, and it’s much more convenient than taking a car,” Senior Tang Yihan pondered for a moment before giving a positive reply.
“If you want to get a flying license, I can recommend a good place to you.”
“Really? Senior, you know a place to get the flying license?” I asked, somewhat astonished. After all, matters like this would be much easier with connections.
Just like obtaining a driver’s license in my previous life.
“Not exactly acquaintances, but I do have a flying license myself, so I’ve met the people at that place. I at least know about their teaching quality.”
Just as I was about to inquire more with the senior, I was distracted by some noise outside.
It didn’t seem like customers had arrived; judging by Senior Ying Shiqian’s reaction, it should be the store manager?
I exchanged glances with the senior before putting down my work to check it out.
After all, the club application from Senior Tang Yihan needed to be shown to the store manager.
To my surprise, the store manager had come in at this time.
Once outside, I confirmed that the commotion was indeed caused by the store manager. Looking at Shali’s beaming expression, I felt as if the Small Treasury was waving at me.
What surprised me even more was that the store manager had brought another girl with her.
I instinctively activated my Spirit Vision and noticed that the girl had only one and somewhat restless Magic Source, indicating she was also a new student like me.
But why did she seem familiar?
Before I could react, the two seniors had already gone to greet them, with Senior Ying Shiqian being the most enthusiastic.
“Store manager~ You actually came to the store today? Were you here to see me~?”
“Obviously not, and are you blind? The store manager has brought someone along,” Senior Tang Yihan responded quite calmly, while her gaze shifted to the girl beside Shali.
Although the girl seemed quite calm at that moment, her distinctly new student aura was hard to miss.
“Tan Han, right? We met once before,” Senior Tang Yihan greeted her with a smile.
“Little Han, let me introduce you to your two seniors. This is Tang Yihan, and this one is Ying Shiqian.” Shali quickly introduced them, holding Tan Han’s arm enthusiastically.
“Store manager~ How can you say ‘this one is Ying Shiqian’? That’s not how we introduce someone! Tan Han, just call me Senior Shiqian~” Ying Shiqian protested from the side.
“Alright then, you can call her Senior Shiqian, or not if you prefer. As for that one… um… her name is Yang Yuelan…” Shali thought for a moment and casually introduced me as well, “She’s a new employee at our shop and also a new student this year. Plus, she’s also called Xiao Han, so you two have some fate with each other~”
At that moment, I awkwardly stood aside, and when my name was mentioned, I suddenly realized who the tall and cool-toned girl was.
Isn’t she the full-score genius from our year?
Upon realizing her identity, I felt the overwhelming pressure of being in the presence of a genius—it was utterly suffocating.
This girl, who hadn’t spoken a word since she arrived, vividly embodied the coldness associated with geniuses, perfectly matching my stereotype of them. She seemed like someone who wouldn’t be easy to get along with.
Didn’t they say she had been taken in and was being comforted by the academy?
Has she already accepted reality so quickly?
And she immediately took away my affectionate nickname “Xiao Han”—it hardly seems like the kind of fate the store manager was talking about.
“Uh… hello?”
But no matter what, I still needed to greet her; I couldn’t come off as rude. Having already lost on identity, being impolite would truly be fatal.
“Hello.” Tan Han scanned me with a measuring gaze. The first greeting was directed at me, which somewhat took me by surprise.
The atmosphere became a bit awkward for a moment, and it was the store manager who finally eased the tension.
“Oh dear, Little Han is like that; she doesn’t talk much, so don’t mind her…” Shali closed the glass door and led Tan Han inside. “Hey~ You two are both new students and should have plenty to talk about. Little Han, didn’t you say you were very interested in our Baking Club? Feel free to take a look. If you see something you like, you can taste it directly, no need to be polite with me.”
After finishing her sentence, Shali rushed to the back as if she had important matters to attend to. It was only after I realized that the baking shop served as the club’s headquarters that I understood why there were so many areas in the back—not only for storing ingredients but also for club tools and activities.
Once the store manager got busy, the two seniors followed suit, leaving me awkwardly standing there.
Where did the conclusion come from that new students all have common topics to discuss?
I hardly had any experience socializing with peers; I barely had any friends at all.
I fiddled with the work uniform and apron I was wearing, which clearly paled in comparison to the custom-made outfit that Tan Han was sporting.
“Um… should I find a stool for you to sit on?” I tentatively asked, since there were no chairs at the front of the bakery, as it didn’t support dine-in; it was just a store selling baked goods.
“No, thank you. I’ll just look around,” Tan Han declined my offer.
“Alright then…” I reorganized my emotions; after all, it was just a polite refusal. “So, do you need me to introduce you to the place here… Oh? Oh! That can’t be eaten!”
