Chapter 27: Why are you here?

I stood before the mirror.

I gave my outfit a quick check.

Looks good.

Time to start work.

It was right after school let out nearby.

The street outside buzzed with students in uniforms.

Kids of all ages laughed and hopped on the pavement.

Their teenage energy was infectious.

Some walked alone, carefree.

Others hung out in small groups, arms around shoulders.

A few held their parents’ hands, sharing school stories.

Ding-a-ling—

The doorbell chimed.

Gu Yuewan and Su Ye Mi walked in.

Both wore school uniforms.

Gu Yuewan’s face glowed with a bright smile, lively and excited.

Su Ye Mi looked shy, head lowered, trailing behind.

“Hi! Maid miss, we’re back to support your business!”

“G-Good afternoon, m-maid miss.”

Su Ye Mi seemed bashful for some reason.

Her words came out with a slight stutter.

“Good afternoon, ladies.”

“What would you like today?”

“One cappuccino, extra sugar, iced.”

“Ye Mi, what about you?”

“I… I’ll have a cappuccino too.”

“W-With extra sugar and ice.”

“You sure?”

“Cappuccinos are already sweet.”

“Extra sugar might be too much.”

“You really want it?”

“No worries, we love it sweet.”

“By the way, maid miss, will you keep working here?”

“A lot of classmates saw your photo and want to meet you.”

“Don’t worry, we didn’t tell them you’re Teacher Mo’s sister.”

I gave a wry smile, unsure what to say.

More customers means a higher chance of my gender being exposed.

Plus more work.

And they’re from our school.

If I get recognized, I might as to move to another city.

They paid and sat by the window table.

Hope it doesn’t get too crowded.

Ding-a-ling—

Three girls, sixteen or seventeen, walked in.

Their uniforms showed they were from our school.

They spotted me and rushed over excitedly.

“You’re so pretty, maid miss!”

“Can I take a picture with you?”

“You look even better than in photos!”

“Your skin’s so fair and smooth.”

“Can I touch it?”

“Maid miss, can we be friends?”

“I really love gentle, pretty girls like you.”

I waved my hands, forcing a smile as I answered.

“Ladies, please calm down.”

“Photos are fine.”

“I’m not comfortable with physical contact.”

“Please don’t.”

“Can we be friends then?”

“Uh… sorry.”

“For some special reasons, I can’t accept your kindness.”

“Would you like to order?”

“Our coffee’s pretty good.”

“Oh, alright.”

“One mocha each, iced with milk.”

“Sure, one moment.”

“Scan to pay here.”

What a hassle.

I hope no more customers show up.

I’m tired of using my girly voice.

Dealing with these overly enthusiastic high schoolers is exhausting.

But the cliché scriptwriter called God didn’t spare me.

If our schoolgirls were torture, the next person through the door was a disaster.

Sister Yuan scanned the shop.

Her face wore that icy, unapproachable expression.

“Good afternoon, S—guest.”

“What would you like?”

Her gaze locked onto me.

She walked over quickly.

That devilish smirk appeared again.

“One Cubita.”

She lowered her voice, whispering so only I could hear.

“And one serving of Xiao Lu Ming’s maid charm.”

I flushed with embarrassment.

I leaned close to her ear, whispering back.

“Sister Yuan, don’t mess with me.”

“The shop’s already busy.”

“I’ll come home early, I promise.”

“Don’t tease me now, please?”

“But I really want some of Xiao Lu Ming’s maid charm.”

“I’ll pay any price.”

“Maid miss, don’t you know the customer is king?”

“What the heck is maid charm?”

“I don’t have that!”

“Let’s talk at home.”

“Let me off for now.”

The other girls in the shop had been watching us since Sister Yuan walked in.

They were whispering at first, too quiet to hear.

Now they were openly chatting.

“Look, look, Teacher Mo and maid miss have such couple vibes!”

“Yeah, who knew Teacher Mo, so stern, likes gentle, pretty maid misses?”

“Purple-eyed, long-black-haired, icy teacher with a dark-eyed, friendly, slightly dorky cute high school JK?”

“Perfect match!”

…

“Aren’t you worried they’ll think you’re into girls?”

“It might affect how students see you.”

“No big deal.”

“If you’re a girl, Xiao You, then I’m into girls.”

“My tastes change with you.”

“As for their opinions, who cares?”

“I don’t mind what others think.”

“Go sit over there.”

“I’ll get your Cubita.”

“Be quick, Xiao Ming.”

“If I get impatient, I might enjoy you right here.”

“Alright, alright, I got it.”

“Go sit.”

I sighed in relief as Sister Yuan left the counter.

She sat at a round table nearby.

Good thing I’m in drag.

If they knew the girl chatting so intimately with Teacher Mo was a guy from their school…

Sister Yuan might not care.

But my high school life would be anything but peaceful.

More customers came after.

Guys and girls, mostly students from our school, my age.

They wanted to chat me up enthusiastically.

But seeing Sister Yuan’s icy expression, they straightened up.

Her chilling, emotionless gaze silenced them.

They didn’t dare talk to me much.

Once seated, they’d glance at me and Sister Yuan.

Then whisper to each other.

They’re not… imagining some weird plot, are they?

Time ticked by.

By nine o’clock, the young customers had left.

Sister Yan returned and told me I could clock out.

I changed back into my regular clothes.

I washed off the light makeup.

I walked to Sister Yuan’s table.

“I’m done.”

“Let’s go home, Sister Yuan.”

“Alright.”

“By the way, Xiao You, you haven’t eaten yet, have you?”

“Yeah, I came straight here after school.”

“Didn’t get a chance to eat.”

“Oh, Xiao You.”

“Neglecting your body like that?”

“I might have to reconsider letting you keep this job.”

“It’s fine, really.”

“I can eat now, it’s all good.”

“But you’re around so many girls.”

“It bothers me.”

“I was tempted to drag you home earlier.”

*TL Note: The term “maid charm” is a playful, exaggerated translation of 妹汁 (literally “little sister juice”), a humorous anime/manga trope implying a teasing or exaggerated attraction, used here by Mo Yuan to fluster Lu You in the context of his cross-dressing maid role.