Chapter 35: Is It Free to Pet the Cat?

Lin Luoyou listened carefully, committing everything to memory, and resolved that once she got through these busy days, she would definitely visit the cats at the “right” time! Before she could finish planning, the shop assistant spoke up:

“Boss, that order of thirty-seven is all done.”

Lin Luoyou looked over and saw that the bar, which had been empty when she arrived, now displayed four long rows of drinks.

“Are your colleagues coming down later, or are you picking these up alone?” the assistant asked.

Lin Luoyou, feeling a little embarrassed, ventured, “Well… could I borrow a cart, maybe?”

Originally, according to Chen Danling’s plan, she was supposed to bring two male colleagues to help fetch the order. But Lin Luoyou had insisted on doing it herself, so here she was.

“Sure, you’re from Max, right? I’ll take these over for you!” the shop assistant replied enthusiastically, quickly helping her load the drinks onto the cart.

“Xiao Song, keep an eye on the shop. I’ll go,” Qin Shishen said. Once the last two drinks were set in place, he stopped the assistant and took the cart himself, leaving the shop with Lin Luoyou.

After the two of them had left, Xiao Song, only belatedly realizing what had happened, called out, “Ah… okay, boss, take care!”

＊＊

The two walked along the road, with Qin Shishen on the outside and Lin Luoyou on the inside. Sunlight slanted down, but most of its glare was blocked by the young man.

Lin Luoyou, empty-handed, felt awkward and couldn’t help but offer, “Should I… take the cart instead?”

“What did you order?” Qin Shishen asked.

“Huh?” Lin Luoyou was caught off guard.

“I mean, is your drink in here? Which one is it?”

“Oh, oh, right,” she realized what he meant, “I ordered a sweetened iced cappuccino!”

No sooner had she spoken than Qin Shishen stopped, found her drink among the thirty-odd cups, and handed it to her.

Staring at the drink he’d placed in her hand, Lin Luoyou was momentarily baffled by his meaning.

I just didn’t want to trouble you too much, not that I meant to do nothing at all…

I didn’t mean I was going to drink it right now!

“The weather’s getting cooler. Next time, don’t order it iced,” Qin Shishen remarked, not waiting for her to catch up. He handed her the drink and continued pushing the cart on his own.

Seeing that he wasn’t going to wait, Lin Luoyou quickly unwrapped a straw, took a small sip, and hurried after him.

They walked in silence the rest of the way.

Just before reaching the company entrance, Lin Luoyou, feeling the awkwardness mounting, decided she had to say something. So she blurted out, “Back in the shop, you mentioned that Cute and Cola are awake at noon and in the evening… So, can I come by your shop during those times to play with the cats? For free, I mean!”

The moment she finished, she cursed herself internally:

Brilliant, my mouth really has no filter…

I’m even asking to play with the cats for free… How’s he supposed to make a living with customers like me?

How shameless can I get? Great, now I’ll never be able to show my face again… Is it too late to take that back?

Her expression grew increasingly animated—now frustrated, now regretful. No sooner did her frown ease than her lips drooped again.

Qin Shishen, glancing back, saw her changing expressions as if she were putting on a show.

Hmm, those furrowed brows are even cuter than when she was little.

He chuckled softly and replied, “Sure.”