While I was happy that the "Woman Flower" bar was finally opening, Ye Zhi smiled too. I knew she was the one among us who had the most to do with bars, so I always thought she wouldn't feel very involved. But it turns out I was wrong...
After we finished discussing the share distribution, she and Nicole cleaned the bar together and discussed small, trivial matters such as how to arrange the liquor cabinet and tables and chairs. I sat aside watching them, feeling relaxed and content. I felt that this was the life I wanted, full of freedom and imagination, and also warm and cozy. Now, everyone around me fills me with a desire to spend time with them... At this moment, I think I understand that some people like Dali not necessarily because of the picturesque scenery, but because of the atmosphere that everyone creates together. Although it is about living for a living, it is also about transcending life. For example, I need money and work hard to earn it, but I don't want to value money too much. Instead, I cherish every friend around me who is worth spending time with.
After a while, Ye Zhi and Nicole finally had some free time. I checked the time; it was ten minutes to ten. I said I would treat them to milk tea, but actually I was already thinking about Cao Xiaobei... I can't help it, I just like getting free drinks from him. He may dislike it, but there's nothing I can do about it. After all, being an artsy person and engaging in artsy love comes at a price.
I mentioned it to Ye Zhi and Nicole, and they also showed interest in Cao Xiaobei's "Sheep Cafe," so they all followed me the next moment.
...
Cao Xiaobei's café is just one street away from "Women's Flower" bar, so we arrived in only ten minutes. As usual, there was no business in the café, only Cao Xiaobei sitting behind the bar playing games. He had a furrowed brow, probably getting crushed in the game again.
I walked closer to the bar and tapped on the table. Cao Xiaobei looked up at me, his expression turning even more unpleasant...
"Boss, it's just past ten o'clock. Give us three cups of your free milk tea."
"This event is canceled."
"Let me do the math, you didn't even last a few days... This was an event you organized in Yang Sisi's name, and it just vanished like that? Isn't that a bit too perfunctory?!"
Cao Xiaobei slammed the mouse on the table, then glared at me and roared, "What right do you have to tell me what to do... Ten o'clock used to be something I looked forward to, a memory, but now it's turned into a nightmare... Don't you have any shame? You come here at ten o'clock every day, you're even more punctual than everyone else clocking in for work, do you really owe me this cup of 'milk tea'? Or are you deliberately trying to mess with me, Cao Xiaobei, and think that my organizing this event is bothering you?"
Although Cao Xiaobei was hysterical, my emotions remained unchanged. I smiled and said to him, "If you look at me with hostility, you'll find fault with everything I do; but if you look at it differently, you'll find that the truth is completely different from what you think... I actually support your idea, which is why I make time to come here for milk tea every day... Think about it, the first time I came here, your milk tea skills were terrible, weren't they? But after I gave you feedback, you obviously improved... Besides, you run a coffee shop, so having a good skill isn't a bad thing, is it?"
"So, should I fucking thank you?!"
"I really have to thank you. You know, someone as busy as me has time to drink a cup of milk tea here. Surely I can earn enough to buy a cup of milk tea? ... So, I'm really supporting your event with my actions. You have to keep it up."
Cao Xiaobei pursed his lips, then took out another cigarette from the pack and put it in his mouth, but still looked at me with a displeased expression.
I've figured out his personality. He looks fierce, but he's been persuaded by me once again. So I called over Ye Zhi and Nicole, who were standing to the side at a loss. Cao Xiaobei looked at them, both amused and annoyed. He said to me, "You're something else. It's only been three days and you've already assembled a group for me. If it were thirty days, you'd probably have to bring me an entire army!"
"I really would like to, but your place is so small, how can you fit so many people in there?"
...
I helped Ye Zhi and Nicole sit down, while I remained standing at the bar. Cao Xiaobei, who was making milk tea, lowered his voice and asked me, "What's your relationship with them?"
“Nicole, you know her, right? Last time you two were on the same side…”
Before I could finish speaking, Cao Xiaobei interrupted me, asking, "What about the other one? I don't think I've ever seen him before."
“If you had met her, there wouldn’t have been any misunderstanding last time… Actually, the person I was going to Shanghai to find was her… Back then, Yang Sisi and I, along with her, arrived in Dali around the same time; that’s why I’ve always said there was a misunderstanding between us.”
"You like her?"
Cao Xiaobei's straightforward personality can sometimes catch people off guard. After a moment of silence, I asked in return, "How did you get the idea that I like her?"
Cao Xiaobei glanced at Ye Zhi and commented, "In terms of looks, I think she's about the same as Sisi, but she's more mature and has a better temperament... You should just like her properly from now on and not have any 'messy' or crooked thoughts!"
I nodded and replied, "Your assessment is quite accurate."
Cao Xiaobei pinched his chin, then suddenly said worriedly, "I forgot something very important. Relationships are all about mutual affection. You might like someone, but they might not like you back... To be honest, you're pretty pathetic!"
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