Chapter 52: Aftermath and a Lingering Touch

As the video concluded, the entire restaurant fell silent, as if someone had pressed a mute button.

The first to react was the woman in the trendy brand clothes; her expression shifted repeatedly as she strode towards the person who provided the video, her voice laced with indignation.

“Who are you? Why are you fabricating such falsehoods to slander me?”

The other party, not one to back down, momentarily froze before puffing out their chest. “Slander you? Tell me, how does one manually forge a video using only a phone? Teach me, then!”

Just as it seemed the two were about to come to blows, Bai Chen and a shop assistant intervened, pulling them apart. The trendy brand woman continued to clamor incessantly, but Bai Chen ignored her, instead turning his attention to the video provider.

“Did you record this?”

“Yes,” the other party confirmed with a nod.

Having noticed the trendy brand woman adorned in designer clothes they couldn’t afford, they had simply wanted to take a few photos for their social media, inadvertently capturing the entire scene.

“That’s candid filming! I’ll sue you!” The trendy brand woman, frantically pulling out her phone, was stopped by Bai Chen.

The immediate priority was to manage this unexpected incident. While the evidence was irrefutable, they still needed someone with the authority to make a final decision.

As for that person, they arrived precisely when spoken of.

Just as everyone exchanged bewildered glances, the doors of the Midsummer Night restaurant swung open once more, and Manager Cheng Xuan entered, grumbling.

“How long have I been gone, and you’ve already managed to stir up trouble?”

Having heard about the incident at the shop, she had rushed back from the branch headquarters, looking disheveled and clearly in a foul mood.

The moment their manager arrived, the remaining patrons instinctively fell silent; her formidable aura deterred anyone from daring to speak a word.

“So, what is the truth? If I’m not satisfied, be warned: your wages will be docked.”

No sooner had Manager Cheng Xuan finished speaking than Bai Chen stepped forward, explaining the entire sequence of events and showing her the video.

The video played again on the screen, and this time, everyone could clearly discern the trendy brand woman’s expression, which resembled that of a rat caught pilfering oil.

Most people’s faces became a fascinating spectacle, yet the trendy brand woman, whose image was now displayed for all to see, grew increasingly crestfallen.

Manager Cheng Xuan approached her, asking coolly, “So, madam, do you have anything to say for yourself?”

The trendy brand woman adjusted her clothes, forcing a smile. “It’s me, of course.”

“Ah?”

“I often come to patronize your business, good sister. Have you forgotten?”

The trendy brand woman actively moved closer to Manager Cheng Xuan, behaving as if they were old acquaintances. This action left Bai Chen and the others momentarily dumbfounded.

“I’m practically a regular here. This whole thing is, at most, just a misunderstanding. Surely you wouldn’t rather believe a new customer over an old friend like me?”

“You frequently visit our establishment?”

“Yes, yes, yes, I particularly adore your lattes; I order one every single time.”

Despite her practiced flattery, Manager Cheng Xuan’s furrowed brow did not ease. With one hand on her hip, she retorted,

“Yet, I have no recollection of you.”

“Wh-…”

“If you were truly a regular, I would certainly remember your face,” Manager Cheng Xuan continued. “I pour my heart into running this establishment, and every guest is a friend to me.”

“I—I really…” The trendy brand woman stammered incoherently, the surrounding gazes piercing her like a volley of swords, leaving her no escape.

Those who use lies as a shield become particularly flustered when their defenses crumble.

“I welcome affluent friends to patronize my business, but I do not welcome presumptuous troublemakers like yourself.” Manager Cheng Xuan pulled out her phone. “You understand what needs to happen next, don’t you, madam?”

“…” The trendy brand woman’s face turned ashen.

“Put aside your arrogance. Apologize, pay for the damages, and never return.”

The trendy brand woman bit down hard on her lower lip, her expression akin to someone who had been constipated for hours in a restroom.

Slowly, she turned to face Bai Chen and Mo Qiu, then deliberately bent at the waist, her expensive dress pressing directly onto the coffee-stained floor.

“I’m sorry. It was all my fault.”

The bitter resentment and profound humiliation nearly shattered her psychological defenses, leaving her legs trembling uncontrollably as she departed the restaurant.

****

With the troublemaker gone, Manager Cheng Xuan instructed a shop assistant to bring a microphone, and her powerful voice resonated throughout the entire restaurant.

“I sincerely apologize for disrupting your meal. To all present today, I offer each of you a complimentary latte!”

The moment these words were uttered, a chorus of cheers erupted throughout the establishment. Many praised the manager’s generosity, their attention swiftly shifting to the prospect of a free latte.

The atmosphere transformed rapidly, and the Midsummer Night restaurant soon returned to its pre-incident state, the previous weight and oppression fading like a dream.

Naturally, a few individuals still wore less than pleasant expressions, including Bai Chen and Manager Cheng Xuan.

Summoned to Manager Cheng Xuan’s office with Mo Qiu, Bai Chen spoke the moment they entered.

“Manager, if wages must be docked, then dock mine. Just don’t make things difficult for Mo Qiu.”

“You rascal, quite the hero, aren’t you?” Manager Cheng Xuan, amused by his bravado, chuckled. “Do you wish to avoid a wage deduction?”

“Is that possible?” Bai Chen’s eyes lit up.

As if she had been waiting for precisely that remark, Manager Cheng Xuan flashed a mischievous smile. “Then for the next two weeks of deliveries, be extra careful on the road.”

Gazing at the motorcycle helmet she had placed on the table, Bai Chen’s lips twitched, and he had no choice but to accept. Mo Qiu, throughout the entire exchange, kept her lips pressed together, remaining silent.

‘I’ll take Mo Qiu home first.’

“Wait,” Manager Cheng Xuan called out to them again. “Mo Qiu, this money is for you.”

This sudden offering of money stunned not only Bai Chen but even Mo Qiu, who couldn’t help but suspect a hidden agenda.

“I’m truly sorry you had to experience something like this,” Manager Cheng Xuan said, her expression tinged with bitterness. This was the compensation from the trendy brand woman, double what Manager Cheng Xuan had anticipated.

There appeared to be no trap. Mo Qiu accepted the money.

“Manager, you truly are a good person,” Bai Chen exclaimed, genuinely moved. “I always thought you only attained this position by virtue of your age, never imagining you possessed such genuine capability.”

“What?”

“I truly underestimated you. You even remember the faces of regular customers!”

“Oh, that? I just made it up.”

“…You’ve stolen my sentiment.”

As he walked out of the Midsummer Night restaurant with Mo Qiu, Bai Chen noticed her continuously trailing behind him, prompting him to stop and turn around.

“Mo Qiu, your home isn’t in this direction, is it?”

“I want to go with you.”

“You should just go home; there’s no need for you to trouble yourself further.”

Bai Chen continued towards his electric scooter, but Mo Qiu remained steadfastly behind him, her gaze never once straying from his back.

Donning his helmet, Bai Chen looked at her again.

“This isn’t your fault. People like that aren’t uncommon, and both the manager and I have already handled it for you, haven’t we?”

“I want to help you.”

Though the matter was resolved, Mo Qiu still didn’t intend to let Bai Chen off the hook. His upcoming delivery route presented an excellent opportunity.

“You truly don’t need to blame yourself.”

Mo Qiu felt no self-reproach. In fact, the moment she noticed the trendy brand woman’s eyes bore a striking resemblance to those of her former group leader from her past life, suspicion had taken root. Only due to the peculiar nature of this place had she refrained from delving deeper.

Her instincts proved correct, for otherwise, she wouldn’t have secretly whispered to Bai Chen that the trendy brand woman was the true instigator of the trouble.

Now that the situation was resolved, it was time for her to refocus her attention on Bai Chen.

Unable to discern any emotion in her deep-set eyes, Bai Chen found himself scratching his head.

Once she became stubborn, even he found himself utterly helpless against her. Moreover, Bai Chen inwardly chastised himself, wondering if he should have ever agreed to Manager Cheng Xuan’s suggestion for Mo Qiu to help out at the shop.

To refuse her again might only deepen her hurt.

‘No, I can’t do that.’

“Alright then, consider it a reward for your hard work,” Bai Chen sighed. “However, I have a question.”

Mo Qiu walked to his side, waiting for him to speak.

“You resorted to physical violence today.”

“…” Mo Qiu’s gaze shifted from his face. “It was involuntary.”

In her past life, the group leader had met a similar end. When their organization collapsed and its members scattered like startled birds, the enraged team members had swarmed him, each landing a slap that left his face swollen like a pig’s head.

‘To think that memories from my past life still affect me. Clearly, I’m not calm enough.’

‘Bai Chen is indeed suspicious of me. I must find a way to deflect his questions and prevent him from discovering any flaws…’

As she pondered, Bai Chen’s palm landed on her head, gently stroking her hair. Simultaneously, he offered a smile akin to that of a doting father.

“Well done.”

‘Mo Qiu fighting back is a good sign.’

‘She truly has changed, just as I’d hoped.’

Mo Qiu looked at his arm, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind. ‘He didn’t even suspect anything. Truly brainless.’

With a quick tidy-up, the two mounted the electric scooter, embarking on their day’s delivery journey.

Soon after the electric scooter set off, Mo Qiu’s gaze fixed on Bai Chen’s back. Even before she had fully recovered from her past memories, it had been this very back that stood between her and the trendy brand woman.

Whether it was an unconscious impulse or a calculation that it would benefit her plans, Mo Qiu extended her arms and embraced that dependable back.

Bai Chen trembled for a moment, yet he did not resist.

The young woman pressed her cheek against his back, feeling his body heat, and gently closed her eyes.

It was warm, yet not scorching.

Utterly unlike the searing brand of the group leader or the glass beads in boiling water.

On the road, the electric scooter rolled along under the bright afternoon sun, their shadows cast upon the ground almost merging into one.