The scent of freshly ground beans mixed with the soft hum of chatter and clinking cups. The small café on Yonghe Street was cozy, warm-toned, and always bathed in golden sunlight during the afternoon.
Meilin adjusted her apron and stepped out from behind the counter, a small notepad tucked in her hand. This wasn't what she imagined doing in the middle of her revenge plan—but it was exactly what she needed. A quiet disguise. A routine. Normalcy that gave her space to think, to observe… and to wait.
The café belonged to her childhood friend, Lili, whose family was all too happy to offer her a part-time job. To them, she was just Xueyin, the soft-spoken girl who had returned after years abroad. No one suspected a thing.
"Table five wants two iced americanos and a slice of strawberry cake," Lili called out from the counter.
"Got it," Meilin replied, moving with smooth, practiced steps. A week of working here and her body had already adjusted to the rhythm—serve, smile, disappear.
She liked it.
Until the bell above the café door chimed.
She didn't look up at first, too focused on balancing the tray. But as the footsteps neared, her instincts stirred.
Something changed in the room. Like the air got sharper.
Then she heard a familiar voice—low, composed, slightly amused.
"Didn't expect to see you here, Fire Girl."
Meilin turned, heart skipping. Ryu Xian.
He stood there in a crisp black suit, no tie, shirt unbuttoned at the top. A faint bandage peeked from beneath the cuff of his sleeve. His hair was slightly tousled, like he'd just stepped out of a car in the middle of a business deal—and decided to detour into a tiny local café.
Her voice was calm. "Didn't expect you to be the latte type."
"I'm not." He stepped closer, eyes gleaming. "But I was in the neighborhood… and the place smelled good."
Lili leaned forward from behind the counter, whispering loudly, "Whoa, Meilin, that guy's a movie character."
Meilin ignored her.
"What brings you here?" she asked.
"I was looking for coffee," he replied casually, eyes never leaving hers. "Found something more interesting."
"You're bleeding again," she said, noticing the faint red on his bandage.
He smirked. "Occupational hazard."
She didn't ask what his "occupation" was. She had a pretty good idea.
"You want a table?"
He nodded. "Only if you serve me."
Meilin rolled her eyes and turned. "Table seven. Far corner."
As she walked away, Ryu watched her, his smile fading into something thoughtful. Something rare.
She was pretending to be simple.
But everything about her screamed layers.
He had come for coffee.
Now, he wanted answers.
And Meilin?
She had no idea that the next person to challenge her mask… might just be the one she couldn't afford to fool.