Chapter 5: Is He a University Teacher?

“We want it too!”

“Yeah, we don’t get this kind of treatment!”

In this lighthearted atmosphere, Wen Zhixian’s mood lifted considerably. She shrugged nonchalantly, pretending to be indifferent, “You make coffee every day—you can drink it anytime you want.”

“We don’t want coffee, boss. You’re playing favorites.”

Wen Zhixian laughed, “Got it. I’ll buy you all afternoon tea later.”

“Thanks, boss!”

Listening to their playful compliments made Wen Zhixian feel much better. “I’ll get back to work.”

Just for returning her keys and chatting with her last night, she was already very grateful to Mr. Qi. Treating him to a few cups of coffee was something she was more than happy to do.

After chatting with the staff, she headed to the storage room to organize the newly delivered stock.

At eight o’clock, Qi Yanjing arrived at the café right on time. After placing his order, he showed the payment code, but the staff member smiled and said, “Today’s coffee is on the house, courtesy of our boss.”

The boss?

Qi Yanjing instinctively glanced at the table where Miss Wen had sat yesterday. So, she was the owner of the café.

Another staff member, who was making coffee nearby, also chimed in with a grin, “Even our boss acknowledges your good looks.”

Despite this, Qi Yanjing still held up the payment code, “I appreciate your boss’s kindness, but I insist on paying.”

“Next time, when our boss is here, you can talk to her about it,” they replied, sticking to their boss’s orders.

Qi Yanjing sighed silently to himself. Was this some kind of hush money for what happened last night?

Now he owed her for the coffee.

He carried his coffee over to the table where Miss Wen had sat yesterday and waited for about five minutes, seemingly hoping to see her. But when she didn’t show up, he soon left.

Wen Zhixian worked in the back storage room until ten o’clock, returning to the front only when she started feeling tired.

One of the staff members commented, “That tall, handsome guy—1.88 meters—actually sat in the café for a few minutes this morning. He sat in that corner.”

The staff member pointed to the corner of the café and then chuckled, “Boss, was he waiting for you?”

Wen Zhixian followed her pointing finger to the spot she had sat in yesterday morning. She smiled but didn’t say anything, dismissing it as a joke.

She sipped from her water glass. Outside, the garbage collector emptied the trash bins, and she was reminded of Gu Yuchen tossing the ring in the garbage yesterday.

He had thrown away the ring, and last night she even wondered if Gu Yuchen might secretly retrieve it in the middle of the night, which would only lead to more entanglements. But Gu Yuchen would never do such a thing. During their argument, he had brought up his ex, feeling sorry for himself, and now he was probably waiting for her to apologize.

She chuckled to herself—he was just a man, nothing more. It was best to let it go. Mr. Qi was right: love isn’t everything.

---

Over the next few days, Wen Zhixian kept herself busy at the café. Although she was a bit tired, she felt fulfilled. Occasionally, thoughts of Gu Yuchen crossed her mind, but he hadn’t appeared in front of her at all, as if he had vanished into thin air. Her heart was gradually finding peace.

It was much better than she had expected. When they were dating, she had even thought she couldn’t live without him. But now, she realized that wasn’t the case at all.

At 8:40 p.m., the café was empty. She turned off the lights and got ready to head home early. Just as she was about to lock the door, a familiar voice called out from behind, “Finished for the day?”

She turned around to see the man standing there. “Mr. Qi, good evening.”

Qi Yanjing replied, “Good evening, Miss Wen.”

He then held out a cake towards her.

She looked at him, puzzled. “What’s this?”

“I tried to pay you, but you wouldn’t accept it, so I thought I’d buy you a cake instead.” He knew Wen Zhixian was just expressing her gratitude for his kindness, but this ongoing exchange was starting to make him feel a bit embarrassed.

She smiled, “Thank you, Mr. Qi. I guess that makes us even, but next time, I’ll have to charge you.”

“Alright.”

After taking the cake, Wen Zhixian immediately regretted her words. Evening things out? This Black Swan cake was worth at least ten cups of coffee…

So, she decided to share the cake right then and there.

“Would you like to come in and sit for a bit?” she asked.

Qi Yanjing didn’t refuse and politely replied, “Thank you for the invitation.”

She turned on the lights, unpacked the cake box, and brewed two cups of the floral tea that had just arrived today, handing one to Qi Yanjing.

“Thank you.”

Wen Zhixian opened the cake box, but she wasn’t sure where to start cutting the swan-shaped cake.

Seeing her hesitate, Qi Yanjing offered, “Let me do it.”

He took the knife from her, and with a swift motion, sliced and plated the cake.

As he cut the cake, Wen Zhixian asked, “Just got off work?”

“No, I didn’t have any classes this afternoon.”

Wen Zhixian took a bite of cake and looked up at him, “Did you come all the way just to bring me this cake?”

Qi Yanjing pursed his lips, feeling conflicted. Even though he didn’t want to admit it, that was exactly what he had done. After a few seconds, he nodded.

“I wouldn’t have felt right if I didn’t bring you something.”

She felt a bit guilty, “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you felt that way.”

Qi Yanjing quickly responded, “No need to apologize. After all, I did eat your cake the other day. It’s only fair I return the favor.”

Wen Zhixian smiled slightly and changed the subject, “Mr. Qi, are you a teacher?”

He replied, “Yes, I’m a university professor.”

She nodded, “No wonder you seem so familiar to me.”

Qi Yanjing looked at her curiously, and she explained, “My father is also a university professor. He has a stern appearance at first glance, but he’s actually quite kind. You have a similar gentle demeanor.”

Although he does seem a bit reserved.

As they talked, she finished the cake on her plate and felt a bit full, unable to drink any more tea.

Qi Yanjing was still thinking about the impression he left on her, having barely touched his own cake.

Wen Zhixian stifled a yawn, and Qi Yanjing noticed. “Let me clean up the table,” he offered.

After tidying up and packing the leftover cake, he carried it to her car.

She got into her car, rolled down the window, and waved to Qi Yanjing, “Goodbye, Mr. Qi.”

Qi Yanjing replied, “Goodbye.”

The day had gone quite well, except for what happened later outside her apartment complex.

Just as she was about to turn into the complex, Gu Yuchen appeared in front of her car, forcing her to brake.

“Zhixian.”

She took a deep breath, pulled her car to the side, and got out.

They stood on the roadside, and Gu Yuchen, noticing how calm she was compared to their last encounter, felt relieved. Maybe she had finally cooled down.

“Why are you getting home so late?” Gu Yuchen asked in a gentle tone, as if they hadn’t just been through a fight.

For a moment, it almost felt like old times.

But she couldn’t pretend nothing had happened.

“I just finished work.”

Gu Yuchen reached out to take her hand, but she pulled away. He sensed her distance but dismissed it as her being petty, not taking it seriously.