Kicked out for not ordering coffee?

Wang Xiaoyan had been brimming with enthusiasm these past few days. She had visited and researched almost every bakery she could find in the city, and conducted in-depth interviews with all the former colleagues in baking she knew and could arrange to meet (of course, she had also laid the groundwork for poaching anyone she could).

After several days of hard work, Wang Xiaoyan finally put together a relatively detailed proposal and budget.

"Qingqing, when are you free? Let's meet up and look over what I've put together," Wang Xiaoyan said over the phone. "You know I wasn't much good at school, so bear with my proposal and see if you have any suggestions."

Chi Qing checked the time. It was only nine. "Where are you? I'm free right now."

After a moment's thought, Chi Qing said, "Let's meet at ** Mall."

So the two arranged to meet at an independently owned café in a newly opened mall. Remembering that Little White was still at the hot pot restaurant, Chi Qing decided not to drive there. She took a taxi to the restaurant's parking lot first, then drove Little White to meet her.

"Qingqing, over here!" Wang Xiaoyan had arrived early. "Hello, Auntie Qingqing," Miaomiao, the little girl sitting obediently beside her, greeted her in a sweet, childish voice.

"Hello, Miaomiao. What a good girl." Chi Qing stroked Miaomiao's head and smiled as she watched her lower her head to drink from a carton of milk.

"Qingqing, I didn't know what you liked, so I ordered you a cappuccino." Wang Xiaoyan pointed to the untouched cup of coffee on the table, holding a glass of complimentary lemon water herself.

"I can't drink coffee. It gives me diarrhea," Chi Qing said. That was true. She couldn't have much of anything containing coffee, alcohol, or tea, or she would have diarrhea during the day and be unable to sleep at night.

"Come on, let's look at the proposal first." Chi Qing was more curious about the proposal.

"Well, I'm not very good with computers either, so it's pretty basic. Bear with it." As she spoke, Wang Xiaoyan took out an old laptop that looked heavy. "I bought this before I got married to read novels on. I never thought I'd be using it now. It's just a little slow." Wang Xiaoyan smiled apologetically.

Of course, Chi Qing knew about Wang Xiaoyan's financial situation. She thought she would see what she could do to help Xiaoyan once they finished talking.

"Excuse me, ma'am. We don't allow food or drinks purchased elsewhere." They had just finished going through the proposal once when a young waitress in her early twenties approached and spoke in a slightly haughty tone.

"Well, it's just milk for the little girl. Children can't drink coffee," Wang Xiaoyan explained, looking a little uncomfortable.

"Ma'am, we serve milk here too. Twenty-eight yuan a glass." The young waitress rolled her eyes, her arrogant tone instantly setting Chi Qing's temper flaring.

"Besides, surely this lady can drink coffee?" Before Chi Qing could say anything, the waitress added another remark.

Chi Qing understood. She was unhappy that they were taking up a table after ordering only one coffee.

Chi Qing had actually intended to look through the proposal first and order something when she got thirsty. But after what the waitress had said, this had turned into being forced to spend money.

"We'll order another cup right away." Wang Xiaoyan flushed crimson. As she spoke, she started toward the counter, and the young waitress immediately looked smug.

"Xiaoyan, you don't need to order. Didn't I just say I'm allergic to the things cafés serve?" Chi Qing held back Wang Xiaoyan as she was about to get up and spoke calmly.

People were funny like that. In the past, Chi Qing would certainly have felt embarrassed too and hurried to order another cup, just like Wang Xiaoyan. But now that she had the confidence to stand her ground, she didn't want to be forced into spending money like this.

"What's going on here?" Hearing the argument, the owner came over from the counter.