A Cappuccino for Aimisi

The three of them walked slowly down the shopping street, passing an elegantly decorated little Chinese restaurant. Through the glass windows, they could see that the tables and chairs were spaced well apart and the voices inside weren't noisy. Posters of the dishes were pasted outside the door, and the food looked delicious.

"This place looks pretty good." Aimisi stopped and pressed herself against the glass to peer inside.

Wuling looked it over. The prices were moderate, the atmosphere was quiet, and it wasn't too extravagant. But after a moment's thought, he shook his head gently.

"The food does look good, but it'll probably be packed in the evening. If we don't make a reservation, we might have to wait in line for ages."

"Ah, that is a problem." Aimisi's shoulders sagged, her enthusiasm dampened.

They continued on and passed a casual Western restaurant. The lighting was soft and the seating was private, but a look at the menu outside showed that the prices were high. A meal there would cost quite a bit.

"This one's a little too expensive," Chisaki said softly.

Wuling nodded in agreement.

The three continued down the road and finally found a decent little restaurant not far from the coffee shop.

The prices were affordable, the selection was broad, the decor was very nice, and the interior was fairly spacious. Still, they'd have to try it to find out how it really was.

"Do you want to come here for lunch after class tomorrow? We can invite our roommates too."

"Roommates? You mean Calcharo and Lingyang?"

Aimisi turned around and tilted her head as she checked, lightly scratching her chin with a fingertip.

"That sounds interesting. It'll be a good chance to introduce you to Jinhsi too."

"Mm, okay, it's settled then."

After saying that, Wuling took out his phone and glanced at the time.

"Oh no, we got so caught up picking a restaurant that it's almost time for work. Auntie Bo might already be waiting for us at the shop."

Her reminder made the other two realize it as well.

"Let's hurry," Wuling said.

The three lingered no longer. They turned together and hurried toward the coffee shop.

Fortunately, they had been heading this way already, and the restaurant wasn't far from the coffee shop. In the end, they arrived two minutes before their shift.

As they pushed open the glass door of Bozai Coffee, the wind chime rang.

The rich aroma of coffee already filled the shop, and a few customers sat at the tables, chatting quietly.

Auntie Bo was wearing an apron and wiping cups at the counter. Hearing the chime, she looked up at the three entering the shop.

"There you are! I was worried something had held you up and you'd be late."

A gentle smile on her face, Auntie Bo neatly set the clean glasses upside down.

"Sorry, Auntie Bo. We were looking for a place to eat together on the way and nearly lost track of time."

As Wuling spoke, he reached for his part-time work apron hanging in the changing room.

Chisaki took her own apron and quickly put it on.

"Looking for a restaurant? Are you all planning to go out for a meal together?"

Auntie Bo asked casually and curiously as she arranged the desserts in the refrigerated display case.

"Yes, it's called Kuainiang Restaurant. I wonder if Boyinli has heard of it."

"Oh, that place is very famous around here. It's not only cheap but healthy too. The owner and chef is a twenty-eight-year-old Huanglong girl. She's an excellent cook, and she's lively and approachable too. People around here like going to his place when they eat out. You have great taste."

Hearing Auntie Bo's assessment, Aimisi's eyes lit up at once, and she leaned half a step forward.

"Wow, it's that good! Then we're in for a treat tomorrow."

"That's right."

Auntie Bo chuckled and reached out to gently close the display case door. "That girl puts care into her cooking, uses good ingredients, and gives generous portions. Lots of students like to go there after school. Before it expanded, there often weren't enough seats, but that hasn't been a problem since the restaurant got bigger two years ago."

"If you're going to eat there, I recommend their sweet and sour pork. It's their signature dish, and it definitely won't disappoint you."

"Sweet and sour pork!"

Aimisi's eyes lit up immediately. She swallowed reflexively and clapped her hands in excitement. "I loved that dish back in Huanglong. I never thought I'd get to eat authentic sweet and sour pork here at Star Torch Academy. That's great!"

"Are there any other dishes worth ordering?"

Wuling asked as he tied the apron strings behind his waist.

With a recommendation from Auntie Bo, who had run a shop locally for years, the restaurant was definitely very good.

Auntie Bo thought back for a moment, then slowly listed the dishes as if she knew them by heart.

"The braised pork ribs and fresh mushroom and tofu casserole are very good too. The stir-fried seasonal vegetables are fresh and refreshing. If you have a lot of people, you can also order a mixed stew. It comes in a big basin, just right for everyone to share."

"Great, we'll take your advice, Auntie Bo. We'll try them all when we go."

Wuling carefully tied his apron strings and smoothed the fabric in front of him. After listening quietly, he calmly raised a concern.

"Oh, right, I haven't asked if there's anything you can't eat, Chisaki. And what about Jinhsi, Aimisi? Do you know?"

"Hmm... I don't know. I'll ask her when I get back and send you the answer tonight."

Aimisi said after thinking for a moment.

"As for me, I can't handle spicy food very well. I couldn't when I was little, and even now, mild is the most I can try."

Chisaki gave her answer too.

Wuling nodded and made a mental note of it.

"All right, I'll remember that. Enough about food for now. What work is there at the shop today? Let's get started."

"There are quite a few fewer customers this evening than usual." Auntie Bo looked out through the floor-to-ceiling windows. There were nearly half as many people on the street as usual.

"Fewer people have always come on Thursdays, only about half as many as usual, and sometimes not even half. So today will be fairly easy. The three of us can just keep an eye on the front together."

"In that case, we can take it a little easier today," Wuling said.

"Since that's the case, Little Wuling, get your queen Aimisi a cappuccino. The usual, with three spoonfuls of sugar, and you have to make it yourself."

Wuling looked up at her and shook his head helplessly.

"If you dare call me that again, watch out or I'll spank you."

Aimisi stuck out her tongue and put her right hand beside her face, striking a cute pose.

Seeing that Wuling had no reaction, Aimisi finally lowered her hand, dejected.

"All right, all right, does Aimisi know she was wrong? Is this the last time? If you really want to punish me, then please, come right over."

"All right, don't do it again. Go sit down over there. I'll make it for you."

Wuling reflexively ignored Aimisi's last two remarks. He was used to it by now.

Before long, a warm cappuccino was brought to the table.

"Mm, it's as good as ever. Big bro, with skills like yours, it's a shame you don't open a coffee shop."

Aimisi praised him as she drank.

Wuling had indeed thought about that before, and the thought hadn't gone away. Going on like this seemed pretty good too.

Of course he had great ambitions, but he also wanted a life of lying flat. He could only take things one step at a time from here.