The Moondew Café sat quietly at the corner of an ivy-lined street, nestled between a boutique stationery shop and an artisan bookstore. From the outside, it didn't look like much—small, tidy, the sign painted in soft pastel blue with elegant cursive strokes. But even though it was still thirty minutes before opening, a line of boys had already gathered outside, chatting softly among themselves with expectant eyes.
Gu Xi stood at the front of the gate, sipping water from his thermos. Beside him, arms folded and posture stiff, was Gu Lin.
He turned slightly and said, "You'll have to wait outside with the others."
She frowned. "Why?"
"Daji only told the boss about me. You coming in wouldn't be proper."
"…Fine," she muttered, her brows twitching. "Don't take too long to come out if something goes wrong."
Gu Xi raised a brow. "Why would something go wrong?"
"…Just saying." She turned away, arms still crossed.
Pushing open the café's glass door, Gu Xi stepped inside.
Warm wood floors, soft floral lighting, minimalist white-and-beige decor—the interior of Moondew was clearly designed to appeal to the male clientele of this world. The kind of gentle, almost romantic ambience that made it feel like stepping into a fantasy. No wonder the boys outside were lined up before the shop even opened.
A woman was behind the counter, flipping through a notepad.
She looked up.
And paused.
She was beautiful.
Mid-twenties, at most twenty-eight. Straight, raven-black hair that shimmered under the soft lighting. Sharp, mature features with a natural elegance, her smile carried a trace of charm, and her figure was tall and poised—easily around 184 cm. The kind of "older sister" beauty that usually only existed in dramas.
"You're… Gu Xi?" she asked, a little surprised, her eyes blinking slowly.
Gu Xi nodded, smiling slightly. "Yes, I'm Daji's friend. I'm here to cover for him today."
"Oh wow," she said with a gentle laugh. "I wasn't expecting you to be this cute. Daji showed me your photo—but it didn't do you justice at all. Honestly, are you sure you're not a model?"
"I'm not," he replied, keeping his tone modest.
"Well, you could be," she said, walking around the counter to greet him properly. "I'm Song Ai, the owner. I started this place last year after graduating. Worked all through university and saved up. Proud graduate of University A."
At that name, Gu Xi's eyes lit up.
"That's the university I'm aiming for."
Her lips curled into a big-sister smile. "Ah, then you've got good taste. Want me to give you some tips when you're free?"
He nodded. "I'd like that."
The atmosphere was easygoing. She didn't pressure him, only gave off a light, breezy aura as she led him through a quick introduction to the café's layout, registers, and basic work responsibilities.
"Have you ever worked in a café before?" she asked.
Gu Xi smiled slightly. "A bit. Back in the… place I used to live."
"Oh? Show me what you've got then."
Walking behind the counter, he reached for the equipment without hesitation. His hands moved with practiced grace, the muscle memory of four years working part-time at a certain green-logoed coffee chain in his past life guiding him. Frothing, pouring, shaping—within minutes, a beautiful latte with a clean, symmetrical heart appeared.
Song Ai raised a brow, genuinely impressed.
"Your skill's already on par with mine," she said, accepting the latte for a taste. A soft sip. Her eyes widened slightly. "Even the flavor's solid. You're hired."
Gu Xi gave a light thumbs-up, the corner of his lips tugging upward.
They went over the menu. Song Ai explained everything once, slowly and clearly—but thanks to [Savant], Gu Xi absorbed the entire catalog like second nature. Ratios, temperature, customer preferences—it was already filed neatly in his mind.
"Go ahead and change in the back," she said. "Uniform's on the rack. Work starts in thirty."
Gu Xi nodded and disappeared into the dressing room. When he came out, even he had to admit—it was a little too much.
The standard café uniform was simple: a white fitted shirt, black apron, slim-cut jeans. But with his recent stat boost, even normal clothing seemed to wrap around him like a styled outfit. His waist, now slim and tight, made the apron ropes hug his figure like they were designed for it. His arms peeked out from the rolled-up sleeves, fair and smooth. His hair, naturally parted, framed his cheekbones with soft shadows.
When he stepped out, Song Ai blinked.
Then, she blushed.
He wasn't as dazzling as Daji—yet. But he was a year younger, and if he looked like this now, what kind of beauty would he grow into?
Gu Xi tilted his head. "Is something wrong?"
"No," she said quickly, looking away. "You look good. I mean—professional."
"…Thanks."
She cleared her throat. "Are you nervous?"
"No," he replied with quiet confidence.
That made her smile again.
They walked to the front of the store together.
Song Ai flicked on the lights, flipped the sign from CLOSED to OPEN, and unlocked the front door.
And standing right at the front of the line was… Gu Lin.
Her gaze flicked over Gu Xi's outfit, and for a moment, her expression cracked—just a little. Her brother looked dangerously good in uniform.
"…Espresso Frappe," she muttered.
"Coming up," Gu Xi replied smoothly, already moving to prep.
Within minutes, he served the drink in front of her with practiced grace. Her eyes followed his every motion—fluid, efficient, precise. But most shocking of all: confident. This was her little brother? The same one who couldn't even meet her eyes properly just a week ago?
"You okay?" he asked, sliding the drink across the counter. "Go sit down. There's a line."
"…Mn."
She found a seat and sat.
As the door opened again, other customers filed in. Most were soft-spoken young boys, a few quiet men, and here and there, pairs of women with their partners. Regardless of gender, all eyes had one thing in common: they lingered on Gu Xi.
Some discreet.
Others, less so.
A girl in a business skirt even asked him for his number.
Gu Xi simply smiled. "Sorry, I'm not interested."
The girl's face twisted slightly before she walked away, defeated.
Across the room, Gu Lin felt a strange emotion bubbling in her chest. What was that? Disgust? Anger?
Possessiveness?
Before she could untangle it, Song Ai came out from behind the curtain and walked up beside Gu Xi.
Her words were calm and encouraging—simple suggestions here and there—but Gu Lin narrowed her eyes.
She recognized that look.
That woman… was also after her brother.