Chapter Text
It’s a typical morning. The glowing sun shines through the windows as Shan Yue wipes a damp cloth against the glass as he stifles a yawn. The shop’s in a peaceful, quiet mood with the occasional scraping of chairs being moved and seasonal birds chirping outside. Spraying the cleaner disinfection on the table surface, Shan Yue continues to wipe down like usual before the bell dings and heavy footsteps drag across and behind the bathrooms.
Great, guess who clocked in.
As Shan Yue was about to take off his gloves and tell Tian Lang the updated schedule, a hoarse voice spoke first. “You’re using the spray so clean around the counter here too, it’s kinda dirty. Hurry.”
Tian Lang then so humbly turns and heads to the employee’s only room to change, his dark-coloured barrel bag hanging on his shoulder.
“Good morning, Shan Yue. How are you? Beautiful weather today, no? Would’ve been a nice, normal greeting.” Shan Yue mutters as he pulls back his white rubber gloves with a snap. Breathing in a deep breath, Shan Yue grabs his supplies and walks towards the front.
When Tian Lang emerges 20 minutes later, his leather jacket put aside and a beige striped uniform on, along with the shop’s signature cap, the logo smacked right in the center. A teacup design with a cute smiley representing Tasty's Teacup, the shop’s name. Clearly, he was wasting time because anyone who worked alongside Tian Lang would quickly grasp the fact that he was not a morning person. Even if he was, definitely not an early shift person.
Shan Yue learned caught on fast when one of the first weeks he started, 7:00 AM on the dot, Tian Lang randomly stormed in like he saw a puppy get kicked and participated in a vinegar-chugging contest in the same day. Minutes in, Tian Lang was passive-agressively scrubbing the dishes, once he slammed the dish soap and Shan Yue confronted him about it, he was met with a fierce glare that reassembled an angry stray dog and later, very reluctant pace stabilization.
Soon the warm smell of crushed coffee beans and sweet condensed milk wafted around, taking up each and every part of the space.
“Hey, Tian Lang—-----” Not another word could get out of Shan Yue’s mouth before he was again interrupted by Tian Lang throwing a black roasted coffee bean at Shan Yue’s face, only for Shan Yue to effortlessly dodge and the bean going straight into the trash next to him.
Shan Yue, unimpressed, eyed Tian Lang who lazily shrugged before dismissingly saying while putting on his headphones, “My bad, it fell on the floor and you happen to be near it. Let’s not discuss further. I’m busy.”
Really, the audacity of this guy and his lame excuses. They weren't even allowed to wear ear plugs during shifts, let alone headphones! Tian Lang knew this, but he wouldn’t care. Shan Yue held back the surge of curses and internally cussed.
Forget it. Shan Yue gave up and went to flip the sign to show that the shop was now open before someone had already walked in.
A tall girl with long greyish-blue hair, half of her tied up in a bun with two vibrant red chopsticks stuck in while the rest was loosely braided. Flashing a casual smile, she patted Shan Yue’s shoulder and naturally sat herself down in a tall stool at the counter, Tian Lang scoffed.
“We’re not open yet.” Shan Yue reminded dryly, pointing a gloved hand at the door to Pei Xenia’s nonchalant expression.
“Last time I checked you guys are opened at 9:30 AM, and—---”
“It’s 9:26, can’t you wait a little?” Shan Yue cut in, to which Pei Xenia continued to chatter away as if she didn’t hear him in the first place.
“Please, four minute difference. Can’t you adapt? Understand it doesn’t matter so much. Plus, I’m basically a regular here so I expect some nice treatment or else you’ll lose a popular customer.” Purposely leaning forward on the counter to further piss off Tian Lang who was already adjusting the grinder settings with more force than necessary.
Shan Yue rolled his eyes as he went to the door only to stop and notice through the window as some cars were pulling up in the parking area close by. An unsettling feeling of forgetting something important creeped in.
“Well, I want a mango and strawberry ice tea, medium sugar and less ice cubes if you can manage that.” Pei Xenia said to Tian Lang’s irritated face that grew with confusion.
“Did you eat soil for breakfast today? We aren’t selling that, that ain’t on the menu.” Tian Lang mockingly asked.
To that, Pei Xenia only raised an eyebrow before reaching into her jacket pocket and tapping her phone a few times, shoving the screen two inches apart from Tian Lang’s nose, causing him to wince at the brightness.
Adjusting his vision to the light, Tian Lang was met with a splash of overwhelming amount of striking colors and exaggerated words all labelled and decorated on an online poster in the shop’s official website. It was obviously an advertisement, however the real problem was that it said on said advertisement that the opening and release of new menu items were this exact date. 10:00 AM.
Inch by inch, Tian Lang twisted his head to Shan Yue whose back was facing them. With an awkward cough and minimal hesitation, Shan Yue pivoted and smiled.
“Shan Yue…..” Tian Lang gritted out to Pei Xenia’s amusement. Clenching his fists tightly to the point where the plastic cup he was holding crumpled with a crisp sound from the pressure.
“Not my fault you refused to listen to me earlier when I so kindly tried to explain. Numerous attempts. Regardless, it was sent in the Teacup work group chat that you failed to check.” Shan Yue simply said, treating the information lightly as if doom wasn’t a tiger ready to eat him alive any second.
Crack! The poor cup fell to the floor with a dull thud.
What Shan Yue said was true, Tian Lang can acknowledge that. Still….
“You expect me to learn all these new menu items in less than an hour!? What type of ignorance does your brain contain!?”
“Relax, it’s only,” Shan Yue gestured to Pei Xenia as she lifted the screen allowing Shan Yue, squinting, to read, “Two…four….eight new specials added for this week! Five drinks and three food items. Don’t tell me you can’t handle that?”
Provocation, another good old classic trick that could get Tian Lang movin’ if you play your cards wisely. It’s a 50/50 chance—but compared to other methods that Shan Yue would prefer not mention— it’s a higher probability than most.
“Tch. Whatever, don’t think I’m just gonna forget this. For now, you gotta get your ass back here and memorize the stuff too. I ain’t helping if you can’t remember.” Tian Lang barked out, grabbing his phone and finally seeing the notifications with the recipes the owner sent him a day ago.
Bingo. Pei Xenia shot Shan Yue a knowing glance which was returned sheepishly.
30 minutes later, after multiple one-sided shouting sessions, accidental spills and hurried clean-ups along with many of Pei Xenia’s side comments, Tasty’s Teacup was publicly opened.
An hour in, it wasn’t so bad and just barely manageable but gradually the increase of customers was quite noticeable. With orders coming in and trays filled with desserts were being served out, the place became chaotic and buzzling.
“Can you do your job right!? I asked for three pumps of vanilla, this is two, I can taste it!” A middle-aged woman screeched, pushing the coffee to Tian Lang with expecting eyes.
“Ma’am, I assure you I put three pumps in your beverage like you wanted.” Tian Lang answered in a strained voice, deliberately ignoring Pei Xenia’s snicker at the side.
“Excuse me? That’s it! If it’s not the amount of pumps, then perhaps it’s the environment it’s in! The kitchen is filthy!” Without a moment’s delay, the woman called some unknown number. "Remake this, or else I’ll call the health inspection on you guys!"
There was a limit to how many shits Tian Lang gave and the tolerance he had, so for Tian Lang to add oil to the fire by motioning his chin to infiltrate the lady wasn’t shocking in the very least.
“You—---!”
“Okay, please calm down!” Shan Yue jumped in, panting slightly from hopping table to table with a tray that weighed as the equivalent of a baby elephant. Pushing Tian Lang aside, Shan tugged on a friendly smile and took over. “We’ll remake it for you ma’am, you can even spectate to check the cleanliness as we don’t make our coffee in the kitchen. We do drinks in front.”
“Damn it, this is a cafe not a tourist attraction.” Tian Lang muttered under his breath.
As the time passed and the crowd relentlessly heightened, Tian Lang’s mood plummeted lower and lower. Shan Yue and the three four staff members instinctively sensed that the shift was going to get a lot rougher.
While making the 47th limited-edition blueberry cream soda, Shan Yue witnessed his other so-worker sweat profusely and grow pale.
Shan Yue whispered to her. “Are you okay? Do you need a break?”
The girl beside him was named Jingyi, Shan Yue had talked to her sometimes when they had the same shift. She was meticulous about organization and was more introverted. She turned and tugged at his sleeve. “I…I-I got a call from my y-younger brother’s school that he was showing symptoms of fever. He’s staying in the nurse's office, and his state is unpredictable.”
She furrowed brows together and her hand shook slightly. “My parents are away on a two-day business trip and the nanny is out of town. I-I don’t know what to do.”
Shan Yue frowned, he remembered that there were only half the staff in the kitchen and there was no sign of any other employees clocking in anytime soon. But..it’s not like Shan Yue was heartless. Thus he made a decision fairly quickly.
Patting her shoulder and tactfully removing her loose apron, he determinedly spoke, “Go. I got you covered. You can pay me back some other day.”
Jingyi’s eyes widened and stuttered before nodding. “Thanks, I owe you one Shan Yue.”
Watching Jingyi’s retreating figure to the locker room, Shan Yue cursed himself yet sighed in relief on behalf of his co-worker.
Shan Yue headed to place the drink in the to-go counter, called out the order number thrice for extra measures, and returned to the front register.
“Ahem, hello, thank you for waiting. What can I get you?”
“Erm……I…would like…a latte, or actually scratch that. I think ... .a..a….sandwhich…no, a muffin…no…uh, I’ll like the fluffy pancakes.”
“I’m sorry, sir, but unfortunately the pancakes aren’t an option anymore. Would you reconsider your order?” Shan Yue questioned as politely as he could muster.
“Ugh, what are you saying?! I don’t get it, why can’t I order the fluffy pancakes? I literally just saw the person next to me get it!” An elderly man yelled, banging his cane on the floor, creating a loud thumping, drawing a few surprised gazes.
“I understand your frustration sir, but if you take a look at our menu,” Sliding a finger, Shan Yue underlined the bolded words, “Here, it states that since it’s currently 11:45 in the afternoon, the menu transitions and we no longer serve breakfast items and instead the lunch options are available. I could show you—--”
“My days! This is why I hate eating fast-food! For me, it takes such an effort yet you make it worse. Get me an oolong tea to go. Never am I coming back!”
Shan Yue closed his eyelids in hopes for everything to just end, but he can only escape from reality for mere seconds as he still had a job. He weakly asked, “What size, sir?”
“OH MY GOD! This service is awful! Medium size! Medium! Understand?!” He shouted, throwing his arms in the air causing the straws placed on the corner to fall and scatter all over the area.
The people watching the scene unfold let out gasps and miscellaneous murmurs.
Pei Xenia narrowed her eyes, gleaming darkly. As she stood up, Shan Yue hurriedly rushed to calm her down but as he stepped forward, someone else filled the space he was standing in.
“Hey, can you quit making a ruckus? Jeez, if you hate the service so badly, get the hell out.” Tian Lang's sharp voice sliced through. With a single glance at his way, anyone could perceive that Tian Lang was pissed off, veins bulging from arm to his forehead. Like a cheap movie scene, the entire cafe abruptly went silent.
All hope was gone. There goes my income, Shan Yue woefully thought.
“WHAT!? WHAT DID YOU DARE SAY TO ME!? ARE FOR BLAMING ME FOR YOUR—----!!!”
“Excuse me? Can I get a Lychee bubble tea please?”
Tian Lang instantly looked up, his pupils suddenly 10 centimetres bigger and his posture automatically straightened. For a split millisecond, a flicker of puzzlement along with something that was oddly similar to contentment appeared on Tian Lang's ragged face.
What the hell?
Shan Yue doubted if his vision was glitching or the 6 cans of energy drinks from last night were finally hitting him.
“…Huh? Young lad, do you not see that I’m speaking——“
A glimmering orange eyes stared down without an ounce of interest or concern.
“Oh. Sorry, I didn’t realize a decent person was self-involved in this conversation.”
“Decent person? Young lad, do you not have any respect for your seniors!?” The elderly man enraged, hollered. Slamming his cane against the tiles repeatedly.
Shan Yue flinched, wordlessly praying that there wouldn't be a large hole by the hour he had to head back to his dorm.
“Hahaha, you’re criticizing me yet shouldn’t you be ashamed of yourself for being such a terrible example? ” Yao Guang laughed.
“Nonetheless, senior, I don’t want to be harsh. Being rude to the employees helping you isn’t good. Please, take your order and wait in line like the rest.”
The latter flushed in humiliation yet couldn’t utter another sentence since noisy comments from the crowd erupted.
“Gramps, I don’t got all day!”
“What’s taking so long? Is it such a challenge to pick up the pace!?”
“…...Shut up! Fine, fine, fine!” He hissed. At last, the man stumbled out through the door, mumbling angrily.
In the end, the old man held onto his pride and refused to give an apology.
Shan Yue felt his remaining life force drain, he took a glance at Tian Lang only for his jaw to drop. Is…Tian Lang actually in a better position than he was? Why on earth did he seem so refreshed?!
Rubbing his sore eyes, Shan Yue blinked hard.
“Uh, sorry. I sort of dragged it. Shan Yue, was it? Oh, and Tian Lang’s here too.”
Becoming aware, Shan Yue pinched himself along the arm to regain focus. “No problem, thanks to you, we’re saved from an argument that would’ve killed me.”
“Tian Lang, come take his order, I got tables to run.” Shan Yue redirected his words to a stiff Tian Lang, leaving him alone as he dashed to a table that had been consistently snapping their fingers at him for 15 minutes straight.
“What—-hey! Uh,” Tian Lang sputtered on the spot. Looking forward after regaining somewhat composure. “Could you repeat that?”
“Yeah, a small Lychee bubble tea. Nothing else.”
“That’ll be 7.50 dollars. Scan your cards here.” Tian Lang misses the buttons twice but covers it up and motions to the card reader. “Would you like a receipt?”
Beep! Yao Guang shakes his head, soft light brown strands of hair fluttering side to side like he’s a star model in an ad for an expensive perfume brand. “Thanks Tian Lang. Now that I know that you’re a basita near my dorm, I’ll be motivated to come often.”
Tian Lang simply nods, however when he feels a chill crawling to his spine, he subtly peeks and sees a wide, mischievous grin stretching across on Pei Xenia’s face, her lips mouthing, ‘I saw that, you’re not so slick.’
His solution is to pretend he never saw that, and like magic, Tian Lang takes the orders and explains the ingredients to customers—-or in other words—-does his job as a cashier decently well and eventually a few hours afterwards, the owner arrives and things settle down from there.
In a blink, the day is over, the cafe closed, and it’s back to cleanup.
“Man, thank god backup arrived. The dishes were piling up higher than Mount Tai and several customers asked me for the manager, and what could I do since there was no person in charge?! They all got pissed, and I swear a mother who kept bouncing her creepy baby in her left hand, wanted to chuck her latte at me in her right one!” Shan Yue recalled as he plopped on the armchair. He was drenched in sweat and his tattered gloves were stained copper brown.
“Good job Shan Yue, that was a big rush.” Pei Xenia applauded. Her phone rang and a message popped up.
“Sure. And the real MVP was Pei Xenia, who sat still and had the amazing performance of a rock in the sun. “ Tian Lang sneered while sweeping the fallen plastic spoons and crumpled wrappers. “Move your foot, can you?”
Shan Yue didn’t comply until Tian Lang ruthlessly jabbed his aching foot. Shan yue squawked. “Ouch! C'mon ....but I think you did surprisingly alright, Tian Lang. You didn’t receive more than 10 complaints on your attitude! And you were the cashier too!”
Tian Lang froze. “....Whatever. You’re being dramatic. And what do you mean surprisingly?”
“Nuh uh. I agree with Shan Yue.” Pei Xenia chimed in. “But I think a certain someone played a huge part in that. Maybe we should convince them to interact with Tian Lang daily.”
“Who?” Shan Yue inquired, a curious glint reflecting in his pupils.
“Top student, Yao—--ack!”
Tian Lang at that exact second drops the broomstick he was holding on Pei Xenia’s foot.
“Accient. It was slippery.” The excuse sounded dull in his own ears.
Pei Xenia glared in pure spite before screaming, “ IT’S YAO GUANG! HIS BIG FAT CRUSH! IS YAO GUANGGGG!!!”
“PEI XENIA! YOU! GET OUT!” Tian Lang immediately thundered, cheeks flushing bright beet red.
“Huh….WHAT!? TIAN LANG YOU CAN HAVE CRUSHES!?” Shan Yue exclaimed, bewildered at such turnover of events.
“HEY!!! Did a fire start? Why are you guys yelling your lungs off?! Quit it unless there’s a proper reason!” The owner, Meilin, scolded from the backroom.
……….
Tian Lang glowered with the thirst to kill which to Pei Xenia replied with a taunting tilt of her head. “
“Accident.” She dragged on her tongue.
With lightning-fast speed Tian Lang picked up the broomstick only to be halted by a pressing grip. Shan Yue who desperately grabbed his arm while also pushing Pei Xenia into her seat, blurted.
“For everyone’s sake, let’s deeply contemplate our actions and picture the outcome, okay?” Shan Yue glanced between the two wild beasts that would rip each other’s flesh apart.
“Tian Lang, I have mixed thoughts about this entire topic but now it isn't ideal.” Shan Yue carefully negotiated. “Xenia, I happen to peek at the text you got and Youli is waiting for you, no?”
Both held an intense staring contest for an undistinguishable period of time which Tian Lang eventually broke and stomped off.
“Gosh, it wasn’t that serious.” Pei Xenia grumbled and Shan Yue sighed.
“So, I am wondering though, why did you come and stay for 6 hours?”
“Heh, I was going to take you to a restaurant Han Youli had secretly wanted to gather all of us….but the sore losers Liu Zhichuan and Zhou Xi were busy and I figured if I waited quietly till you finished your shift you wouldn’t have the heart to tell me no.” Pei Xenia explained, tone softer.
“Guilt tripping I see.” Shan Yue pointed out.
Pei Xenia smirked. “It's working isn’t it?”
“Yup….. That’s dirty play.”
“For little Youli, it’s not.” Pei Xenia countered, tapping her slender finger at her phone. “Let’s go, we gotta be there at 6, I’ll drop you off at your place so you can get ready.”
“Gotcha, you can go first, I’m going to get my stuff.” Shan Yue said, jogging backwards and waving.
Only when he turned the corner did Shan Yue pause. “Tian Lang, I know you’re hiding there. She’s gone so you’re not going to meet her. Chillax, we’re adults. Being in embarrassment is——“
“Yeah, yeah, shut up. Acting so mature. You better not mention this, ever.”
‘Hell no. But…just so Tian Lang can sleep soundly tonight. ‘
“Sure. Goodbye, be safe!” Shan Yue waved cheerfully.
“Bye.” Tian Lang replied in a monotone tone and made his departure.
Seeing the silhouette fade, Shan Yue couldn’t shake the feeling that something mysterious would happen to cranky Tian Lang, and it would involve him more than he would imagine.