She was indeed very curious about what the student friend Tang Song mentioned looked like.
Bread was slowly rising in the oven, emanating a tempting aroma.
Delicate cupcakes were gradually taking on an inviting color.
After the desserts were completed.
Qian Lele carefully placed them in batches onto the showcase at the front desk.
Returning to the baking room, she washed her hands.
She whispered, "Sister Zhao, I will get off work promptly at 4 o’clock today. Is there any more work you need me to do?"
Zhao Hongxia replied with a smile, "Nothing’s left, there are fewer customers today anyway, this is already enough. You can leave if you wish."
"Alright, thank you Sister Zhao." Qian Lele picked up the book from the shelf, just sat down on the small stool.
Her phone suddenly vibrated in her pocket.
She took it out to have a look.
[Ding Yao: "Lele, is it convenient for you to talk now? I need to discuss something with you."]
Qian Lele quickly stood up and walked briskly to the staff changing room.
She sent Ding Yao a voice invitation.
The voice call was quickly connected.
Qian Lele said softly, "Hello, Yaoyao, what’s the matter?"
"Hello Lele, good afternoon, just a reminder that the birthday party starts at 7:30 tonight, remember to arrive early."
"You seem a bit unhappy?"
"No, no, I... I’m just a bit nervous."
"Don’t be nervous, tonight is my thing, I just want to use this opportunity to introduce you to some new friends." After comforting her, Ding Yao suddenly asked curiously, "I called Zhang Haoyu today and just found out, you share a teacher’s apartment with a guy? Is it true?"
Qian Lele pursed her lips and softly replied, "Yes."
"Wow!" Ding Yao exclaimed, "I originally thought Zhang Haoyu was teasing me, but it’s true! Come on, tell me what’s going on?"
"It’s not what you’re thinking." Qian Lele quickly explained in a low voice.
"Oh? Really...?" Ding Yao paused and suddenly laughed, "We’ve known each other for almost two years now, and this is the first time I’ve seen you so close to a guy, and from your tone, it seems you have quite a good impression of this [Brother Song]!"
"Ah!" Qian Lele’s face instantly turned red and hot, "We are friends, Brother Song is a very very good person, you’ll understand when you get to know him."
"Haha, I’m even more interested now." Ding Yao said excitedly, "How about this, invite him tonight so I can meet him."
"No, no, that’s not appropriate."
"Why not, he’s your good friend, right? That means he’s my friend too, and there’ll be lots of people at the party, one more won’t make a difference. Besides, you’re so nervous and shy, having a guy you’re close with to talk to will make you more comfortable."
Hearing Ding Yao’s words, Lele was momentarily stunned.
She realized that if Tang Song came along, she would really feel less nervous.
Even if she couldn’t fit into the others’ circles, she could chat with Tang Song.
Talk about sketching, front-end development, fruit tea, coffee, baking...
This gave her a wonderful sense of security.
Qian Lele said softly, "But, he probably doesn’t have time, so let’s forget it."
Considering others, she didn’t want to trouble Tang Song.
Ding Yao said speechlessly, "You didn’t even ask, how do you know he’s not available? Our cute Lele, I believe no one would refuse your sincere invitation. Alright, it’s decided, you go ask him first, bye."
After hanging up, Qian Lele let out a long breath.
Staring at Tang Song’s avatar in the WeChat chat interface, she dazed out.
When she goes home after work to see him, Brother Song will likely have to leave.
The moments of the past half month flashed in her mind.
Without realizing it, she clicked on Tang Song’s avatar, slowly typed out a message: "Brother Song, are you free tonight? It’s about my classmate’s birthday party."
"Thump thump thump——" Qian Lele seemed to hear her own heartbeat.
A wave of heat surged to her head.
Qian Lele forcefully clicked the [Send] button.
Looking at the words in the green bubble, she felt her mouth dry and parched.
It felt harder to say than asking her family for money.