Chapter 29: The Burned

Jingfei calmly walked the two to his cafe. It was early in the morning, the sun appearing before their eyes as they walked. Slowly, the trail became familiar. He smiled as he walked. "You're a barista?" Wei asked from behind him. Jingfei glanced behind him to look at Wei, before nodding. "Yeah, didn't I tell you this?" Jingfei asked.

Wei thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No, you didn't. All you said was that you worked at a cafe." Wei pointed out. Yang's face palmed from behind Wei. "Usually, when people work at a cafe, they tend to be…. Well baristas. What did you think they did, sell diamonds?" Yang joked, but Wei hit him in the side. "Don't think I forgot about what we have to talk about." Wei informed me.

Yang seemed to shut up after that, as slowly the storefront came into view. Sweet Serve Coffee Shop. He had finally found his love. "Do you guys sell ice cream here?" Yang asked, looking up at the shop. Jingfei lightly shook his head. However, he did smile at Yang's connection. "The whip cream that we use tends to look like ice cream. I guess that's why the owner named it that." Jingfei shrugged.

He walked up to the glass door. He could see right through, meaning that someone was inside. However, the door itself was locked. "What's the time?" Jingfei asked. Wei pulled out his phone, turning it on. "Five fifty-eight," Wei answered. Jingfei knew that whoever was on the other side, knew him. He knocked lightly on the door. "Can't we just wait?" Yang asked, looking in.

A handsome young boy walked out of the back room. His hair was a fiery red, with red eyes. He looked bored, always looked bored. But,he was devilishly handsome, that wasn't something new. His hair was pinned up at the front, showing his sharp eyes and sharper jaw. He licked his lips as he looked up. He had a cigarette on the tip of his red lips.

Lin Feng. He's the owner's son. He's also probably the most mean person on Earth. If you thought Kai was mean, think again. With an athletic jacket and black ripped jeans, he was scary. Something about him though, he was loved by most patrons. Girls especially. Probably for his tsundere look. It didn't aggravate Jingfei as much as most would think. After all, Jingfei knew Lin Feng was probably not all mean and pessimistic. However, Kai absolutely hated him.

Lin Feng walked up to the door, unlocking it and opening it. "Jingfei and friends. What do you want?" Once again, Jingfei didn't hate him, just rude. "Lin Feng, who's working with you?" Jingfei asked. Crossing his arms, Lin Feng continued to stare at him, his lips as thin as a line. He looks behind Jingfei, towards Wei and Yang, before heading back to Jingfei. "Why do you care-"

Another boy walks out, blond hair and soft blue eyes. He looks up and smiles for a second, before going to a frown. The roots of his hair were both darker and blended in nicely with the surroundings. He had slightly sharp features, with light lips. He had a dark coat on top of his apron, however, he made sure it didn't cover it. "Hey, Jingfei."

Jingfei waved casually. "Hey, Kai," Jingfei said. Lin Feng rolled his eyes, leaning off the doorframe and stepping back. Jingfei walks inside, looking behind him to gesture them in as well. "He seems very mean, and rude," Yang whispered into his ear. Jingfei shrugged and nodded. "True, but he's also loved by most customers." Jingfei points out as Kai walks up to them.

"You're late," Kai said, crossing his arms. Jingfei rolled his eyes, sighing. "I'm always late, even if I don't have a shift." Jingfei pointed out, crossing his arms. Kai shrugs casually. He looks at Yang and Wei. "Our specials today are Daisy Punch and Forever Red smoothies. We also sell croissant and bagel sandwiches if you would like those."

Kai was always very different to people he knew versus customers. He was both polite and kind when talking, however with people he knew, he was less talkative. Or maybe, he was actually really nice to his friends. Maybe Jingfei was in the middle range. Wei lightly shook his head. "Sorry, I'm not hungry. Yang, what do you want, I'll pay."

Yang scanned the menu before picking something. "Orange Dream Cake… what is that?" Yang asked. Kai looked up at them for a moment, which gave Jingfei enough time to answer. "It's a caffeinated smoothie. With oranges, bananas, whipped cream, milk or almond milk, and caffeine." Jingfei answered quickly, before looking up at Kai, who seemed shocked that he knew the answer.

Kai had worked here longer than Jingfei, but Jingfei knew the recipes and drinks like they were the alphabet. "Oh, then yeah I want the Orange Dream Cake please." Yang smiled. Kai nodded and walked behind the counter, Jingfei following. "You seem to be having a rough day." Jingfei pointed out. It was obvious when you worked with someone for as long as Kai and Jingfei had been.

Kai looks up, his customer-friendly smile deteriorating. "Don't," Kai said, grabbing a clear cup. Jingfei leans on a wall. When Lin Feng walks out, he barely looks at Jingfei and Kai, before going to the bread. Jingfei stared at Lin Feng, scanning him. As Kai walked by, Jingfei smelled something sweet, but also buttery. Like sweet bread.

Jingfei's eyes instantly go to Kai, but quickly he looks back down. Lin Feng seems to notice that. He looks up at Jingfei for a moment, scoffs, before looking back down himself. "What? I just noticed your mood." Jingfei smiles casually. Kai rolls his eyes. "Your first shift is tonight, by the way." Kai informs. Jingfei looks confused for a second, before smiling and cheering. "Really? Thank you!" He hugs Kai from behind, jumping up and down happily.

Kai quickly pushes him off. "Don't touch me," Kai muttered, beginning to pour the orange mixture into the clear plastic cup for Yang. He placed it on the to-go counter. "Are you working on that shift as well?" Jingfei asked hopefully. He would love to work with Kai again. Kai looks over at Jingfei, before rolling his eyes. "No." Kai answered.

Lin Feng stood up, walking past Jingfei to get to the door that led to the supplies. As he did, Jingfei didn't get even a whiff of smell. He wasn't hungry, and he had gotten better at ignoring scents, yet he could still smell Kai's blood. Yet, as Lin Feng stepped into the storage room, Jingfei smelled nothing. For a moment, Jingfei was quiet, but then he understood something.

Jingfei quickly followed Lin Feng into the kitchen.