After Running Away From Her Wedding, The Tsundere Young Lady Went Crazy - Chapter 23.2

“Then tell me when you’re ready, okay? I’ll be waiting for you.”

Ji Songshu’s heart trembled. She sensed that Shen Weiyi wasn’t just talking about the piano. She gave a soft “Mm” and fell back into silence.

Fortunately, a phone call from Pei Jiyue saved her.

“Aren’t you here yet?” The voice on the other end was impatient and noisy. It sounded like several people were talking at once. For the first time, Ji Songshu was grateful for the noise.

“Why did you ask me to come over?”

“I’m going out on a date with Xiangxiang-baby today, but her shop won’t let her take time off. You’re coming to cover her shift for a day.”

“Who is Xiangxiang-baby?”

“She’s my super cute girlfriend!”

Pei Jiyue’s voice over the phone was incredibly sappy. Ji Songshu’s ears felt numb. She realized the “girlfriend” must be the maid in the photo. If she was covering a shift, did that mean… she had to be a maid for a day? Ji Songshu’s eyes widened.

“What’s wrong?” Shen Weiyi asked, seeing her expression.

“Nothing.” Ji Songshu shook her head, desperately comforting herself. It’s okay, it’s okay. It’s not like I haven’t worn a maid outfit before. Besides, it’s just one day of work. As long as I don’t see anyone I know, it’ll be fine.

Despite her mental preparation, the scene inside the shop still shocked her.

Pink curtains and heart-shaped decorations were everywhere. Cute maid servers walked about, some performing “deliciousness magic” over omurice.

Ji Songshu carefully observed her surroundings, from the runny omurice on the tables to the dresses the servers wore.

This was very different from the maid uniform at Shang Keyu’s house. That day, she had worn an English-style long dress that reached her calves. The uniforms in this shop, however, were highly revealing. The hem barely covered the base of the thighs, making one feel a chill with every few steps. There was even a malicious heart-shaped cutout at the chest.

The good news was that this shop only served female customers.

The bad news was that, despite her best efforts to discourage her, Shen Weiyi had followed her inside.

“Are you here to cover Xiangxiang’s shift?” Someone who looked like the manager walked over.

Ji Songshu could feel Shen Weiyi’s burning gaze on her back. She gave an almost imperceptible nod.

“Then follow me.”

Ji Songshu was given a uniform identical to the other employees. While changing, she was incredibly conflicted. For a moment, she considered wearing the clothes backward; a heart-shaped hole on her back was much easier to accept than one on her chest.

After a long time of mental preparation and pulling the collar up as much as possible, she stepped out. Then, the manager introduced a long string of bizarre procedures—for example, casting a spell to make the omurice tasty, calling customers “Master,” ending sentences with “meow~,” and taking Polaroids as required.

The training took nearly half an hour. When it finally ended, she walked out and scanned the room. Seeing no sign of Shen Weiyi, she breathed a secret sigh of relief.

But before she could relax for long, the manager nudged her from behind and said teasingly, “That customer has been waiting for you for a long time.”

Ji Songshu looked in the direction the manager pointed. Shen Weiyi was sitting in the corner, quietly smiling at her.

Her aura was as gentle as water, yet within that warmth was a sharp edge that Ji Songshu could not avoid.

Ji Songshu walked over slowly. Shen Weiyi looked her up and down without a trace and nodded. “It looks very good. Is this a new part-time job you found?”

“Uh… I’m just covering for a friend for a day.”

“If you need a part-time job, I can introduce you to one. The pay should be higher than here.”

“No thanks.” Ji Songshu only wanted Shen Weiyi to leave as soon as possible. The fewer people who saw her like this, the better.

“Fine. Since you’re so unwelcoming, I’ll head out. Before I go, can we take a Polaroid together?”

Standing next to Shen Weiyi, Ji Songshu didn’t know where to put her hands or feet. All the techniques the manager had just taught her slipped right out of her mind. She stood stiffly and took a photo with Shen Weiyi.

Before the Polaroid could even develop, she shoved the photo paper into Shen Weiyi’s arms and made a gesture to see her out.

Shen Weiyi reached the door, turned back, and looked at Ji Songshu. “What time do you get off? I’ll come pick you up.”

Ji Songshu was clearing the dishes from the table. Hearing the voice, she looked up.

This look up, however, was as if she had seen a ghost. A short cry escaped her throat, and she quickly spun around to hide in the back kitchen. The tray and plates in her hands rattled and clattered, nearly crashing to the floor.

Shen Weiyi froze for a second, then slowly turned to leave.

But just as she turned her head, she caught a scent—an aroma that was mellow and intoxicating.

Then, a familiar face entered her vision. Sharp, upturned obsidian eyes held a gaze of utter disdain. Walking out of the rain hadn’t made the newcomer look damp or pathetic; instead, she seemed three parts ethereal and seven parts frigid.

Shang Keyu tilted her head and swept a glance over Shen Weiyi, her eyes deepening.

Neither of them spoke. The clash between their eyes was like lightning and fire.

In the midst of the storm, a photograph drifted silently to the ground, the image having finally developed.

Before Shen Weiyi could pick up the photo, Shang Keyu stepped on it.

The footprint landed precisely on Shen Weiyi’s smiling face and the hand she had placed on Ji Songshu’s shoulder in the photo; Ji Songshu remained clean and clear.

The curtain to the back kitchen lifted. Ji Songshu had rushed inside and was awkwardly making eye contact with the chef. The chef handed her a plate of omurice, but she waved her hands frantically, signaling she wasn’t there for an order.

Hearing the conversation outside, she panted with lingering fear. Why is Shang Keyu here?!

Did she see me? No, right? She shouldn’t have… please no! Ji Songshu wailed inwardly.

In the front hall, a maid bravely charged toward Shang Keyu.

“Master, may I ask what you need?”

Hearing the title “Master,” Shang Keyu’s brow twitched. She asked, “The person from just now—why did she run away the moment she saw me?”

“That’s a newcomer who just started today. She’s still a bit shy, meow~. Let me serve you instead, Master.”

Shang Keyu stared intently at the back kitchen and said, “No. I want her.”

The maid looked at her tremblingly, seemingly recognizing her, and turned to speak with the manager.

In the back kitchen, Ji Songshu was busy looking for a back door to escape through.

The manager ran over and said to her, “There you are. A customer outside specifically asked for you.”

Ji Songshu shook her head violently. “I can’t go.”

“I’m begging you. That’s a major client. She owns the shops on this entire street. If we offend her, our shop won’t survive.”

Seeing the manager’s pleading look, Ji Songshu wavered. She grabbed a mask, put it on, and walked out as if facing execution.

“Why are you wearing a mask?” Shang Keyu asked, lifting her eyes as the person approached.

Ji Songshu intentionally used a coarse voice. “I have a very ugly birthmark on my face.”

“I don’t mind,” Shang Keyu said in a cold, commanding tone. “Take it off.”

Ji Songshu had no other choice and decided to go for broke:

“Actually, I have a contagious disease.”

Shang Keyu’s expression didn’t change. Beneath her thick lashes, her dark, deep eyes stared at Ji Songshu. After a long moment, she said, “Stay away from me.”

Ji Songshu breathed a sigh of relief. She turned around and walked away quickly, internally celebrating her narrow escape.

The next second, an ominous buzzing sound rang out. Ji Songshu’s heart nearly leapt out of her throat. She desperately clutched her pocket, but it was useless; it couldn’t block the sound.

It was the vibration of her phone. Shang Keyu was calling her.

Shang Keyu let out a cold laugh behind her.

“A contagious disease?”

“I’m sorry.” Ji Songshu immediately surrendered and apologized. She took off her mask and lowered her head, her tone sincere.

Shang Keyu gripped her chin firmly and, using their height difference, forced her to look up and meet her gaze. Ji Songshu couldn’t help but stand on her tiptoes.

“I’m quite curious. Why is my fiancée refusing my dates only to dress like this and serve other women?”

Ji Songshu stammered, unable to speak. At the same time, she prayed fervently for something to happen to let her escape! She truly couldn’t handle this situation!

As it turned out, when you think things are bad enough, reality shows you they can get even worse.

What followed was something Ji Songshu would never forget. On the list of memories she least wanted to revisit, this event ranked third.

A button on the chest of the maid outfit, unable to withstand the pressure, snapped off. It flew out and landed precisely on Shang Keyu’s forehead.

At that moment, Ji Songshu felt she had crumbled. All the volcanoes in the world were about to erupt. Shang Keyu took several deep breaths—the thick fog before an eruption. Shang Keyu stood up—the overwhelming fire and lava. Shang Keyu took off her coat—wait?

Ji Songshu blankly accepted Shang Keyu’s coat.

Shang Keyu said only two words: “Put it on.”

Then, she called the manager over and handed her a blank check. “Fill in a number you’re satisfied with. I’m buying this shop.”

Under that intense, almost physical gaze, the manager’s spine felt chilled and her scalp went numb. For a moment, she didn’t know if the God of Wealth or the Grim Reaper had arrived.

Having reached the position of manager, she was naturally sensible. She didn’t dare to be greedy; she took the check carefully and filled in a number.

Shang Keyu glanced at it, nodded, and tilted her chin toward Ji Songshu.

“I’m taking the person with me.”

“Of course, of course. Please take your time.” The manager clutched the check, trembling, her palms soaked with sweat.

“As for the specific contract details, you may speak with me,” Carlotta said as she stepped in from the door.

Shang Keyu didn’t want to stay in this godforsaken place for another second. She grabbed Ji Songshu’s wrist and pulled her away with an irresistible force.

Draped in Shang Keyu’s coat, Ji Songshu stumbled along behind her. She felt the strength applied to her wrist as if it were about to crush her. Shang Keyu was truly angry this time.