Chapter 28: Suddenly Appeared Yan Tao

  After dinner, Cheng Qiao forcibly stopped me from taking Western medicine and insisted on drinking two cups of ginger water before letting me go back to my room to sleep.

  I casually asked him how he would arrange himself, and he honestly lay down on the sofa, staring at me without moving. I was satisfied with the remaining ginger water and went back to my room.

  The ginger was too spicy, and the water that had been simmered with it was also so spicy that it burned my throat. After drinking it, I felt drowsy because I was full, but the spiciness suddenly made me wide awake, so I could only do something else to pass the time.

  After finishing reading Xiaoyu's latest update of the supernatural novel on the internet, about an hour had passed.

  "Following the plot development, it seems that Xiaoyu's story will end soon. I wonder what other troubles await her after she gets out." I smiled with narrowed eyes, finished my last sip of ginger water, and shut down the computer before standing up.

  I tiptoed into the living room, and Qiao was still in the same position as when I entered the room. Only by walking to his side could I hear his faint breathing, even and calm, he should have fallen asleep already.

  I crouched beside Cheng Qiao, carefully admiring his sleep appearance that looked both gentle and calm. The scent of milk bath lotion wafted into my nose, which was still tingling from the spicy ginger.

  Under the bright light indoors, his delicate and beautiful face seemed to have a faint halo on it, making people wonder what kind of dazzling appearance he would present when he opened his eyes, with a clear wind and a bright moon.

  I suddenly remembered what Ah Qian said this morning, could it be that Cheng Qiao... really hasn't slept for almost three days?

  Looking at the faint blue under his eyes, and his completely relaxed sleeping posture, I stretched out my hand with mixed emotions, carefully stroking one of his long eyebrows.

  Is it because you have to take care of me, a sick person?

  The soft and fluffy sensation transmitted to the fingertips, I was stunned for a moment, and quickly withdrew my hand. Suddenly shaking my head, I silently recited: A gentleman and a woman cannot take advantage of someone's misfortune... Guanyin Bodhisattva, when practicing the profound prajna paramita, saw that all five skandhas are empty, and crossed over all suffering and difficulties...

  My gaze fell, and I couldn't help but curve my eyes downward. Cheng Qiao's sleeping posture was also very good.

  There was no drooling or grinding of teeth. His hands and feet were extremely casual and relaxed, with one hand still resting on the soft pillow behind his head, even in sleep, he could see his elegant demeanor. The purple bath towel was still tied securely around him. The exposed skin was white and firm, and the large bow tie looked strange at this time. Although there was also a soft pillow on his stomach, it didn't cover up that circle of bright pink...

  It's really irritating my eyes no matter how I look at it.

  I swallowed my saliva, and my gaze once again swept over that part that shouldn't be looked at too much. I continued to silently recite "Sariputta. Form is not different from emptiness, emptiness is not different from form. Form is exactly emptiness, emptiness is exactly form" as I very innocently and honestly returned to my own room.

  I found another old comic book and after reading it on the bed, I finally fell asleep in a daze.

  When I woke up again, as soon as I opened my eyes, I saw the window outside without curtains. The sky was already close to a dark blue color, with large pieces of evening clouds scattered across the sky, rich and vibrant colors unfolding, looking both gorgeous and magnificent.

  This is an early summer evening.

  I stretched my waist with a good mood, thinking that there was only me and Cheng Qiao at home now. I subconsciously took a glance at the bedside table. On it, an empty space had been made, and in the center, a piece of menthol candy was placed neatly.

  My heart suddenly turned cold, because I immediately thought of what happened this morning.

  What does Qiao think he's doing?

  But perhaps because I just woke up, my throat is indeed a bit uncomfortable now, with a feeling of being roasted by a small fire. At this time, I really need a menthol candy to give my throat a refreshing bath.

  I immediately understood, Cheng Qiao is indeed meticulous and considerate.

  "Sister, get up and have dinner!"

  Just as he was savoring the refreshing mint candy, Bai Yue's sudden and crisp voice startled him, causing the mint candy to almost slip down his throat.

  "Huh, older sister you're already awake?" White Yuet's signature twin tails appeared before my eyes. "That's just right, no need for me to use violent means then, come out and eat."

  I suddenly coughed a few times and spat out the sugar: "You're all back? What about Cheng Qiao?"

  "Hey, Xiao Qiao's brother just left and you're already missing him?" She hugged her arms and grinned at me.

  I let out an "ah" and scolded, "Aren't we about to eat? Why didn't you keep him?"

  She snorted: "Xiao Qiao's brother has returned home with something on his mind, how can he accompany you all day long?"

  "Hey, don't say it like I'm eager for him to come and keep me company. It's not like I invited him these past two days."

  "Whatever, why are you being so naggy? Hurry up and come out already, everyone's waiting for dinner." Bai Yue casually flicked her ponytail, leaving me with a lively silhouette of her back.

  I: “……”

  What surprised me was that the family members who had dinner at home that night were unexpectedly reunited, except for Auntie who was still guarding the store. But there was one thing that was inexplicable - during dinner, they all started to show concern for me one after another, and I was so touched by this unusual care that I almost dropped my bowl and ran away.

  What's the point of caring about me now? I'm almost fully recovered anyway!

  The next day I went to Auntie's house full of energy and then went to the store with her.

  When I saw the faded yellow brush sign outside my family's dessert shop again, I suddenly felt a sense of nostalgia: "Ah, it's been days since I've come, and my hands are itching."

  "Auntie smiled shallowly: 'Yao Yao, this is said too unhygienically, it will scare off the customers.'"

  "Heh heh, isn't there anyone else here?"

  After opening the door, Auntie went to the counter to clear up yesterday's unfinished bills. I directly went to the kitchen to check the inventory in the refrigerator and then went to the warehouse to take stock of the food ingredients.

  After getting all these done, I ordered breakfast takeout for myself and Auntie.

  At this time, the service staff and pastry chef in the store had not arrived yet. Cheng Qiao, who usually arrives early, also hadn't come, and it was unknown whether he overslept or not.

  Thinking of the meticulous care he showed me two days ago, I'm filled with gratitude for him now, so I also helped him order a loving breakfast.

  But before breakfast arrived, the "red" business of opening the door had already come.

  "Hey handsome, so early? Want to eat something? Freshly made on the spot!" I said with a smile to the boy standing in front of the counter.

  The boy's face was shocked, his mouth agape and speechless, staring at me with a dull gaze.

  I kept a straight face, took out the dessert menu from the counter and handed it to him: "Do you want take-out? There's no service charge for take-out."

  He still stared blankly without reacting.

  I looked at him and felt a little familiar with his behavior, and said in surprise: "You won't be the new apprentice of the noodle shop across the street, coming to deliver takeout for the first time, will you?"

  He shook his head dazedly.

  I let out a sound, smiling at him: "It's not good if you don't have any, with empty hands, in case I have to tell you the bad news that we're out of stir-fried noodles. But since you're just a passerby and aren't eating desserts here or taking them away, what did you come in for?"

  He opened his mouth, just about to speak, when Auntie, who had returned from the restroom, explained his identity.

  "Yao Yao, he's the new waiter at the store, named Yan Tao. Because it was on the day you and Xiao Qiao went to the amusement park, so you haven't seen him yet. There are also two girls, I'll introduce them later."

  "Good morning, Auntie!" The boy immediately excitedly greeted her.

  Auntie smiled: "Yan Tao, she is the little boss that Yun Jie and the others were talking about."

  Yan Tao turned to me and stuttered: "G-good boss lady..."

  Because of my benevolent and strict thought instillation, people in the store generally call Auntie "Wen Jie" and me "Boss Lady".

  I raised an eyebrow at Yan Tao with a hint of excitement: "So you're one of us, why didn't you say so earlier."

  All my efforts have been wasted.

  The boy was stunned again, then smiled shyly and managed to string a sentence together: "Sorry, I didn't know the boss's wife was the boss's wife earlier."

  "You're not wearing your uniform and I haven't shown Yaoyao your photo, so she didn't recognize you," Auntie said.

  I let out a surprised "ah": "The male waiter's uniform? Auntie, when did you secretly have it made without me knowing?"

  She nodded and tapped my forehead: "I knew you'd get involved, so of course I waited for you to come back before making the arrangements."