Business at this shop wasn’t very good.
That was quite normal, after all, the Boss here never really intended to attract customers.
Wang Xiaoyun busily wiped down the gleaming tables, sneaking glances at the Boss behind the counter.
The glow from the computer screen illuminated his face, highlighting every contour as if each had been meticulously spotlighted, making the aura of both handsomeness and weariness oddly coexist on him.
Wang Xiaoyun pulled her gaze away and continued wiping the tables; the polished surface reflected her puzzled expression perfectly.
During the interview, the Boss said the reason he was hiring was that business had recently improved.
Full of enthusiasm, Wang Xiaoyun soon realized on her first day that her and the Boss’s definitions of “business improving” were somewhat different.
For a café that had basically no customers, did three visitors in one day really count as business picking up?
Clearly, it was more like teetering on the edge of closure.
But no matter what, by the end of her first day, Wang Xiaoyun had fully grasped her role here—don’t let the customers disturb the Boss while he’s playing on the computer.
It was no surprise this café did poor business; if anything, it was more surprising that it hadn’t shut down yet.
Wang Xiaoyun successfully polished the tables until they shone and glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was 3:15 in the afternoon, and the café’s only two customers were about to arrive.
She moved behind the bar and began making coffee.
Having just learned how recently, her finished products were dubious in both appearance and taste.
Under such circumstances, these persistent regulars who came on time every day to patronize the café seemed rather strange.
At 3:20, the clear chime of the wind bell rang.
A tall man entered the café with an expressionless face; even wrapped in loose casual clothes, his smooth body lines and moderate muscle definition were still noticeable.
Wang Xiaoyun dared not look too long; she was well aware of how keen his senses were—after all, every time she tried to sneak a peek, he caught her red-handed.
Feigning indifference, Wang Xiaoyun stirred the coffee a few times, hiding her confusion well.
This regular’s unique aura had once made Wang Xiaoyun consider calling the police, but when she cautiously mentioned this to the Boss, he just smiled and said, “He looks tough, probably because he used to be in the military?”
This guess relaxed Wang Xiaoyun somewhat. Although the Boss was strange and the regulars who came to the café were also strange, this was probably… just a coincidence, right?
Seeing the regular take his usual seat, Wang Xiaoyun quickly grabbed the order sheet and the prepared coffee and went over.
Wang Xiaoyun: “Same as always? One Americano, no sugar. Should I switch the TV channel to XX News for you?”
He nodded, his gaze dropping from the lifeless hall to the Boss behind the counter.
The Boss seemed to notice the look and glanced up to meet his eyes.
Realizing the gaze came from this regular who’d been visiting lately, the Boss disinterestedly looked away, nearly uttering the words “not welcome.”
Li Yishu was used to the Boss’s indifference.
He glanced at the oddly colored coffee in front of him as the teasing voices of his teammates buzzed constantly in his earpiece.
“The staff’s skills haven’t improved one bit? It’s been days, and the coffee still looks this suspicious.”
“Normal. This place doesn’t even have customers. Her only chance to practice is when the Boss shows up.”
“If I didn’t know she was clean, I’d suspect they were in cahoots, trying to kill the Boss with this stuff.”
“Enough noise, the bait is about to take the hook. Stay alert.”
The voices quieted in his ear as Li Yishu glanced up at the TV on the wall; it was tuned to XX News, replaying the morning news.
“Recently, several shadows of suspected small mutated creatures were spotted in the XX District. Citizens are advised to take precautions when going out…”
“Professor X’s End Times Survival Guide has been released at major bookstores…”
“The apocalypse is near, and how to survive safely is the top concern for the public…”
Wang Xiaoyun tidied up the bar as she listened to the news, her expression shifting noticeably.
Small mutated creatures… what were those?
No, that actually sounded dangerous.
She’d have to be careful lately.
If she got bitten by one of those things…
Her brows furrowed deeper.
She couldn’t remember what would happen if bitten, and her thoughts briefly scattered before the news caught her attention again.
The End Times Survival Guide might be pretty useful; after all, the apocalypse was coming soon, and she really should prepare more.
Wang Xiaoyun pondered buying a copy at the bookstore after work.
Compared to Wang Xiaoyun’s shifting expression, the Boss, mostly hidden behind the computer, showed almost no emotion—except when “small mutated creatures” were mentioned; he looked up at the TV briefly.
Someone sighed in the earpiece.
“Finally some progress. This guy won’t take the bait without reason. We’ve thrown so many, and only this one got bitten.”
“Maybe he still has some conscience, knows just how dangerous those mutated creatures really are.”
“That’s not so certain. Didn’t he even fail to recognize our Boss? Probably doesn’t remember what those mutated creatures even are.”
“I side with Xiao Ba’s theory. Maybe he just saw the flaws in our bait.”
Amidst the lively discussion, Liu Xuanjin reminded Li Yishu: “Boss, it’s about time. You should retreat.”
Li Yishu also noticed the movement near the bar; Wang Xiaoyun had put down her things and was walking toward him.
At 3:40, the regular prepared to pay and leave.
Wang Xiaoyun had been distracted by the news and was a little flustered when she realized the time had reached 3:40.
Fortunately, the customer was patient and waited calmly for her to finish the payment before standing up and leaving the café.
Wang Xiaoyun began clearing the table the customer had used, and when she saw the untouched Americano, confusion resurfaced in her mind.
Why did this customer, who clearly didn’t drink coffee, still come to the café punctually every day?
Snapping back to reality, she noticed the Boss, who usually sat behind the counter glued to his computer for half a year without moving, was now preparing to leave.
“I’m going out for a few days. Take the key, come to work when you’re free.”
Wang Xiaoyun was puzzled by his choice of words: “Come to work when I’m free?”
Ji Ting pushed open the glass door; the wind bell hanging on it chimed crisply.
He paused, turned, and winked at Wang Xiaoyun: “If you’re not free, just think of it as me giving you a few days off.”
***
“Young dragon has emerged, all units stay alert.”
“Act according to the original plan, do not disturb the young dragon.”
“Number One is in position; target location: intersection of XX Road and XX Street.”
“Number Two is in position; target is currently checking navigation via a phone app, destination: No. XX, XX District.”
“Number Three is in position; circled around the target twice, no intention of taking a taxi.”
“Number Four is in position; arrived at No. XX, XX District—this is a hot pot restaurant.”
“Number Two reports recent progress: the target has exited phone navigation.”
“Number Three reports recent progress: the target is on Bus No. 11.”
This hot pot restaurant has good reviews; maybe I’ll grab dinner there later.
Ji Ting cheerfully planned out the next steps and boarded the bus.
On a weekday afternoon, Bus No. 11 was unusually empty; passengers were few, either staring into their phones or looking out the window.
Not long after Ji Ting sat down, two young passengers got on, their faces bright with excitement as they chatted about “the apocalypse,” “small mutated creatures,” and “Master Miejue.”
Ji Ting glanced at them, then lowered his gaze and searched “small mutated creatures” on his phone.
The search results were full of recent news mixed with countless ordinary people’s opinions on social media.
Some were worried about the apocalypse, some confused about what the mutated creatures were, some sincerely preparing for the end times, and others puzzled by why so many online earnestly believed the apocalypse was near…
The torrent of diverse information formed a bewildering, strange online world.
Ji Ting tried several keywords but couldn’t find what he was really looking for, so he locked his phone and looked out the window.
The bustling world outside was as usual—full of everyday life’s warmth, giving no hint of any impending apocalypse.
“Didn’t you hear the news about the small mutated creatures appearing?” one young man in the front row lowered his voice, speaking with conviction: “The apocalypse is coming soon. Why bother going to school? We have to prepare.”
His companion hesitated: “But the midterms are coming soon, and we’re trying to avoid Master Miejue’s class. If we get caught, she’ll definitely call our parents.”
The first young man’s spirit suddenly flagged, as if hit at a sore spot: “But the apocalypse is coming. Let them call our parents…”
His companion cut him off: “My dad has a bad temper. If she calls him, I’ll get double trouble. No way. Before Master Miejue’s class starts, let’s just go home quickly.”
The hesitation in his voice sounded like a last desperate struggle, as if caught in a strange logical loop: “But… the apocalypse… small mutated creatures… if that’s the case, do we even have to go to class?”
Compared to his uncertainty, his companion was confident: “Of course. What’s more important than class? That’s Master Miejue’s class!”
Convinced, the two hurriedly got off the bus at the next stop.
Ji Ting’s lips twitched slightly in amusement.
He thought the recent changes in the world were indeed rather interesting.