7 – vol.1 Strawberry Milk
“But Sister Suisui, even though you say that—what about this coffee shop if you leave?”
Xiao Hui still couldn’t accept Wen Ruosui’s decision to leave. As she spoke, her eyes even began to redden, and her tone grew anxious:
“You worked so hard to build this from the ground up. Don’t you always say this is your favorite place?”
Xiao Hui’s words abruptly snapped Wen Ruosui out of her daze.
For a moment, she too felt a sense of loss.
After a few seconds of silence, she finally spoke:
“This coffee shop…”
The words lingered on her lips, but she couldn’t immediately continue.
Wen Ruosui raised her eyes and slowly looked around, taking in the small shop she had carefully created.
The café was based on a warm cream-yellow palette, combining wood with accents of green terrazzo, creating a cozy yet not overwhelming atmosphere.
The corners were filled with greenery, blending nature and purity. Every table was thoughtfully adorned with fresh flowers, a sight that lifted the spirits.
As for the large glass dessert display case at the counter, it was filled with cakes she had made herself:
Strawberry tarts, rose lychee, blueberry baked cheesecake, milk cake, strawberry yogurt cheesecake, oat red velvet, vanilla butterfly…
Each one was exquisite and tempting, even attracting many customers who came specifically for them.
Wen Ruosui loved making cakes and was quite skilled at it. So, after graduating from F University, she bravely chose not to pursue a career related to her major. Instead, she decided to start her own business and opened this coffee shop.
Making cakes was her passion.
She loved things that could bring joy to others.
Fortunately, luck was on her side. After the coffee shop opened, it consistently attracted customers, the cakes sold well, and it remained modestly profitable.
She still remembered how Yan Heng had supported her when she said she wanted to open a shop after graduation.
Back then, he had even promised her earnestly that he would visit often and even help out as a part-time worker in the shop.
But in reality, he had only come a few times.
Thinking back to the disdainful words he had sent her on WeChat, she smiled self-mockingly, laughing at herself for ever believing him.
But people must always look forward.
Holding onto the past only makes one sink deeper.
What needs to be let go of should be let go of in time. And those unnecessary emotions must be severed promptly.
The bright, brilliant afternoon sunlight streamed through the café’s glass windows, casting a comfortable, warm glow on her face. Her mood lifted along with the clear, radiant light.
A faint smile touched Wen Ruosui’s lips as she raised her face and said with resolve:
“Let’s just close the café.”
Xiao Hui was completely stunned:
“…Close it?”
Wen Ruosui nodded seriously. “Yes, I want to move to another city and start a new life. I don’t want to stay here anymore, trapped in the past. I want to start everything anew.”
“The two-year lease will expire soon. I’ve already informed the landlord in advance that I won’t be renewing it after it ends.”
She spoke gently and calmly:
“As for you, Xiao Hui, I’m very grateful for the two years you’ve spent helping me run this little shop. After the café closes next month, I’ll give you your bonus and severance pay.”
“I’ve also contacted some colleagues in the industry. If you still want to work in this field, you can go to them afterward.”
Xiao Hui was a diligent and hardworking girl. As the owner closing the shop, Wen Ruosui felt she had to think about Xiao Hui’s future too. After all, Xiao Hui wasn’t having it easy, supporting her entire family on her own.Hearing this, Xiao Hui probably understood that Sister Suisui had already made up her mind long ago.
Her plan to leave was not a sudden whim but a well-considered decision. After experiencing a failed relationship, some people fall deep into it, hurting but unable to extricate themselves. Others are rational and decisive, quickly pulling themselves away.
Sister Suisui was likely the latter.
So no matter how much she tried to persuade her now, it would only be futile and impossible to change her mind.
Xiao Hui could only mutter gloomily:
“If Sister Suisui leaves, there’ll be no one to make delicious food for me…”
Wen Ruosui immediately laughed and said, “Silly girl.”
She pinched Xiao Hui’s round cheek and teased:
“After two years, you still haven’t had enough? Look at you, your little face has gotten rounder from eating here these past two years.”
Xiao Hui leaned on the bar counter, pouting unhappily: “Even if I get fatter, I still want to eat it. I’ll never get enough.”
The young girl looked pitifully aggrieved, tugging at the heartstrings.
“Alright, before I leave, I’ll make lots of cakes for you to eat,” Wen Ruosui said softly, patting the little head resting on the counter.
“Even lots won’t be enough…”
“…”
As the two were chatting, a sudden “ding-ding-ding” sound rang out.
It was the entrance wind chime of the café.
Following the sound, the glass door of the shop was quickly pushed open. Hearing the noise, the two sitting side by side at the bar looked up simultaneously—
A customer had arrived.
Seeing the girl still hanging her head, Wen Ruosui stood up and said:
“A customer’s here, I’ll go greet them. You take a moment to calm down.”
Worried the girl was still upset, she grabbed a homemade matcha nougat from the small basket on the counter and gently said to Xiao Hui:
“Have a piece of candy first, it’ll make you feel better.”
After saying this, she ruffled her hair before turning to leave.
As Wen Ruosui walked from behind the counter toward the entrance, she called out warmly, “Welcome, may I—”
But before she could finish, the customer snapped his fingers, cutting her off: “Hey, beautiful Suisui!”
It was Vincent—Zhou Wensen.
He raised his chin, then took off his sunglasses and sauntered over to her.
Facing the familiar old acquaintance, Wen Ruosui’s eyes curved, and a bright smile spread across her face. She asked warmly yet politely:
“Good afternoon, Vincent. What brings you here today?”
Zhou Wensen smoothed his hair, which had been tousled by the summer breeze, showing a hint of urgency. Without much explanation, he blurted out two sentences:
“It’s urgent, quickly find me a good seat.”
“I’m bringing a man.”
A man…
Meeting Zhou Wensen’s handsome, clear-featured face, Wen Ruosui immediately understood his subtext. She pointed to the cozy booth by the window near the greenery and recommended:
“Got it. That seat is the most comfortable in the afternoon, Zhou Wensen. You and he can sit there.”
After a pause, she tilted her head slightly and smiled:
“As for the order, the usual—two caramel macchiatos and a seasonal dessert, right?”
Zhou Wensen was a regular at the café. He was young but already successful in his career, currently a manager at a well-known foreign company.A year ago, he happened to drive past Wen Ruosui’s café and found its décor style quite unique. After stepping inside, he discovered the atmosphere was very comfortable, and the food suited his taste perfectly. Since then, on weekends when he had free time, he would bring friends here to relax.
Over time, Wen Ruosui became very familiar with his preferences and naturally knew what he wanted to order.
However, this time, Zhou Wensen shook his head while holding his sunglasses, indicating a denial.
It seemed this wasn’t what she had assumed.
“No, no, no, Suisui, my dear, today is different. It’s not the usual situation.” At this point, he frowned, his expression tense and serious as he said, “Today, I’m bringing a major client from my company.”
After a brief pause, he added very seriously:
“—An important figure, the kind you can’t afford to offend lightly.”
An important figure?
Hearing this, Wen Ruosui was quite puzzled.
She furrowed her brows slightly and asked, “Why are you bringing a client here?”
Shouldn’t he be discussing business with clients in the company’s conference room or a high-end banquet hall at a hotel?
Why would he come to her small café?