"What do you think of the couple over there?"

A bored server eyed the two people sitting together near the window and shrugged at the cashier. "Does it matter? And how can you even say that they're a couple?" As much as he wanted to sit down and finally take a break, his shift was still ongoing.

It sucked that he didn't even have access to the Wi-Fi in this place.

"Hmph, I can tell. Besides don't you see? It looks like the guy had a fight with the girl and is trying to make it up to her." She scoffed at him and upturned her nose. "Taking a 'couple' picture here?" It was already downtime in La Rôti and so his colleague had instead spent her time with people-watching. He couldn't understand the need to bother with other people's lives but he simply listened to her ramble on.

"Oh, she's lucky." His friend elbowed him, and motioned covertly to two people sitting across from each other. "The guy looks rich and he's kinda handsome—and oh, nevermind he looks colder than ice. But man do I love me a man in a suit. I wonder what the feel of the fabric feels across one's skin?"

He couldn't understand her but with the way she was acting… "Nobody would take you out in the first place—ow." He winced at the slap he received and rubbed his arm. He eyed his colleague with a frown, "What was that for?"

She crossed her arms and huffed, "You earned that."

"You didn't have to hit me."

"You were being mean—but look, the guy's asking for the bill." She motioned for him to move ahead without even saying a word of apology. She turned to look at him, "I wonder if he's generous. It's a nice thing if a man is doting."

He rolled his eyes and didn't say anything else to argue—the conversation wouldn't end if he did—instead he approached the table.

—-—-

Although the conversation sometimes ebbed in and out—there were still awkward silences that an angry Panda filled in with rants, but there had been no more deduction on Li Yang's part. And soon enough the date finally came to an end.

Ying Yue He's cup had finally been empty.

He eyed it and though he was eager to get back to his own place, he asked her another a question, "Would you like another cup of coffee?"

"Are you trying to give her a caffeine overdose?!" The Panda raised their fists at him.

Ying Yue He's eyes widened slightly at the offer but she shook her head. "E-Eh, I'm fine, Mister Li. I think two cups of dark coffee is enough."

An article he read mentioned that people who were interested in another person had their pupils dilating… but she probably had too much caffeine.

She didn't say anything else and so he nodded, "Alright." Li Yang asked for the bill.

A young man soon arrived and handed it to him.

The bill wasn't too expensive and so Li Yang took out his wallet and pulled out the exact amount. Somehow he felt Ying Yue He's eyes on him and so he looked up. He wasn't sure what seemed to be the problem.

She squeaked and waved a hand, "A-Ah, we can split the bill? Half-half?"

He appreciated the offer but, "I was the one who asked you out for the date so I'll cover this." He smiled.

[ You Have Gained 5 Charm Points ]

"—you can cover for me next time." He added at the end.

Although Li Yang probably wasn't going to recommend going back to this place. It was supposed to be an appropriate place for taking out someone on a date when he searched it up earlier but it failed his expectations. He didn't like it that his ice coffee had more ice than the actual drink but he wasn't going to complain about that aloud.

He inwardly sighed but still gave a tip within industry standards. "Shall we go now?"

"O-Oh of course!" Ying Yue He stood up from her chair and smiled. "Thank you again for the coffee, I really enjoyed it Mister Li."

"Not a problem."

Another silence erupted that was quickly filled in by a black and white creature. "So where are the two of you heading now? Your place or hers?" The Panda floated along and once again landed atop of his secretary's head. Somehow the little devil preferred resting in a woman's presence.

Li Yang bit his tongue to avoid answering the question by mistake. Instead once the two of them were outside, he asked her. "Miss He, where do you live?"

"Me? O-Oh um..." the expression on her face made it seem like she was hesitant.

He raised a brow, "I can drive you home, it's a bit late isn't it?"

"You don't have to do that, Mister Li. I'm already grateful." She waved a hand at him and kept the smile on her face. "I enjoyed our date." She bowed to him once and then looked at him. Somehow it seemed that there was a tinge of red on her face.

He smiled lightly and nodded, "Thank you as well for accepting." He could have said a lot more—wishing that this occasion did not get revealed to others. The notion of it being known that he took out his secretary for a date held some consequences he didn't want to experience but her presence was fine. Enjoyable even. He hadn't exactly known that personally.

Li Yang glanced once more at the woman. She was still dressed in her office attire, the dark pencil skirt and the white blouse that he'd always seen her wearing. It paired oddly with her sneakers.

"You're not going to take her home by yourself—are you nuts?!"

He frowned at the Panda's words but realized something. The air was actually a bit cold and that was simply the clothing she was wearing? Should he insist…? She already said no. If that was the case, Li Yanag took off his suit coat and held it out, "The temperature is a bit freezing so I'll let you use this."

Ying Yue He's eyes widened as she looked at it.

The stare was enough to make him reconsider if this was a faux pass—but she gingerly accepted it. "I'll wash and return it to you tomorrow, Mister Li."

He nodded. "Alright. I'll see you off."

"Ah, the bus stop is just over there, please don't bother!" She waved at him again.

Li Yang tilted his head… he knew that he really should have waited for her to get home. But the public transportation was reliable so he bade her goodbye. He got into his car and rolled the window once more to look at her, "Are you really sure, Miss He?"

"I'll see you tomorrow, Mister Li!" She gave him a smile and a wave. His suit coat was still draped over her arm.

He nodded, "You too."

And then he drove away.