The Working Diary of a Young Girl

……

"Our shop recently went viral on short video platforms, so we've had a lot of customers lately and need extra hands temporarily."

Inside the restaurant, a middle-aged woman in an apron spoke, her gaze lingering on the faces of the two girls before her. After a few seconds, she suddenly frowned and asked, "Are you two even adults? You look so young."

"W-we turned eighteen this year," Tang Keke stammered, feeling slightly nervous under the scrutiny but managing to speak up since Bai Yuyou was by her side. "We're both third-year students at Yinshan Academy. Here are our IDs and student cards."

"Hmm…" The woman took the documents, glanced at them, then handed them back. "Listen, this is an old establishment that relies on regulars. Service attitude is crucial. If you don’t perform well, you’ll have to leave early."

"Someone will show you what to do. Pay is weekly, 19 per hour, from 5 to 8 PM. Any problems?"

The two girls exchanged a glance and nodded.

"Follow me to get your uniforms… Hmm, for you, maybe just an apron will do."

"O-okay."

Soon, Bai Yuyou and Tang Keke had changed into their uniforms—aprons with the restaurant’s logo, along with caps and masks, covering them thoroughly to avoid any hair or saliva contaminating the food. A single strand of hair in a dish could easily lead to complaints.

"Keke, what… do we do?" Bai Yuyou blinked, her voice muffled by the mask.

"Clearing dishes, wiping tables, handing out menus…" Tang Keke counted on her fingers. "And serving food, plus handing out flyers outside."

"Oh."

Just then, the middle-aged woman—the manager—walked over. Seeing the two girls huddled together chatting, she frowned. "No chatting during work hours! Separate and stand apart!"

"The shorter one, go hand out flyers at the entrance!"

"Eh—" Tang Keke glanced at Bai Yuyou but reluctantly took the stack of flyers and headed out, though not without a worried look back.

Would she be okay?

With Tang Keke gone, Bai Yuyou was left standing alone. It was still early, so the restaurant wasn’t crowded.

Located near a commercial district, the place was clean and well-lit, a long-standing establishment.

"Don’t just stand there! Wipe those tables over there—don’t wait to be told everything!" The manager snapped, giving Bai Yuyou’s arm a firm slap.

Bai Yuyou instinctively rubbed her stinging arm, then turned her gaze to the pile of dirty dishes in the distance.

"……"

Picking up a tub, she carefully stacked the greasy, sauce-stained plates inside, swept the trash into the bin, then meticulously wiped the tables before disinfecting them with alcohol spray.

She remembered all the steps but worked slowly due to inexperience.

Still, she cleaned thoroughly, scrubbing even the crevices along the table edges multiple times.

Hugging the heavy tub full of dishes, she inched her way toward the dishwashing area.

"……"

From afar, someone watched this scene unfold.

"Maybe we should just call it off. What if she falls?" Ye Shuang sat at a table, wearing a baseball cap, a brown wig, and oversized black-framed glasses—giving off a street-style vibe.

"She won’t fall that easily." An Shiyu lazily sipped her milk tea beside him. She too wore a wig, transforming her short hair into long locks. Paired with the same black-framed glasses and a touch of lipstick, she looked like a completely different person—more refined and quiet.

"By the way, do you think this disguise will fool anyone?" Ye Shuang adjusted his cap, feeling stuffy under the wig.

"People don’t scrutinize others unless something stands out. Break the ‘anchor points,’ and you could be right under their noses without being recognized," An Shiyu said casually.

"Makes sense…" Ye Shuang studied her. Even though she was right in front of him, the long hair made her seem like someone else entirely—her demeanor completely altered.

"So, you plan to come watch every day?" An Shiyu asked.

"I just can’t help worrying… They’re only working for a week, so it’s better to keep an eye on them." Ye Shuang smiled. He couldn’t just walk away, not when Bai Yuyou still wasn’t fully independent.

An Shiyu glanced away and muttered, "Hah, such a worrywart."

Ye Shuang chuckled at the remark. "It’s just how I am. Can’t change that."

"Doesn’t necessarily need changing."

"Huh?"

"Nothing."

Just then, Ye Shuang noticed Bai Yuyou approaching their table.

Alarmed, he coughed and quickly pulled his cap lower.

Bai Yuyou carried a pot of food, carefully checking the table number before setting it down. "Enjoy… diced spicy frog with perilla."

A few seconds passed, but she remained standing there.

Something seemed to catch her attention. Her eyes, hidden under the cap, lingered on Ye Shuang with a hint of confusion.

That scent… it felt like Ye Shuang’s.

She leaned in slightly, trying to get a better look at his face.

Was she about to be exposed?!

Ye Shuang subtly turned away and nudged An Shiyu’s leg under the table.

"The rice can be served now!" An Shiyu spoke up.

Bai Yuyou paused, straightened up, and seemed to ponder where the rice was.

"Rice…"

She walked off, presumably to fetch it. Only then did Ye Shuang let out a quiet sigh of relief.

"An Shiyu, I thought you said we wouldn’t be recognized?" he asked.

An Shiyu shrugged. "Dunno."

She watched Bai Yuyou’s retreating figure. "Maybe her intuition is just that sharp?"

"If that’s the case, we’ll be spotted in no time," Ye Shuang said. Sitting here for hours eating one dish would look suspicious.

"Then let’s move to that Starbucks across the street. The glass is transparent—we can still keep an eye on things." An Shiyu pointed to the coffee shop outside, where plenty of outdoor seating made long stays unremarkable.

"Not a bad idea." Ye Shuang looked over. "Though it’d be better if we could get closer."

"Knock out the manager and steal her uniform…"

"……"