Bai Yuyou Receives a Tip

Around six in the evening, the boy's parents arrived and took him home, allowing Ye Shuang to finally clock out. After changing out of his white coat, he spritzed some alcohol on his hands. Though he knew it wouldn’t do much, it was more for peace of mind—after all, he’d been in contact with many feverish patients today, and there was a real chance he might catch something himself.

When he reached the underground parking lot, Ye Shuang glanced at his new Audi, then at the tiny purple electric car parked beside it.

"..."

That little thing sure was colorful.

He took another look at its green license plate—

[Yuehai 66666]

Most likely belonging to that "fish."

Cough cough... A sudden, inexplicable cough echoed loudly in the empty garage. Ye Shuang frowned. "No way."

It couldn’t be that coincidental, right?

Clearing his throat with another dry cough, he got into his car and headed toward the restaurant where Bai Yuyou was working.

---

Restaurant.

"Waiter, we’re out of sauce here—could you bring us some more?"

"Miss, where’s our rice? It’s been a while."

"Excuse me, could you turn off the stove for us?"

The restaurant was packed during dinner rush, specializing in hot pot dishes that required servers to carry heavy pots and adjust stoves.

After wiping down a table, Bai Yuyou watched as Tang Keke led a group of waiting customers inside.

The two girls had grown noticeably more adept on their second day, especially Bai Yuyou, who no longer stood around awkwardly unsure of what to do.

"Number 5, go hand out snacks to the customers waiting outside."

Number 5 was Bai Yuyou. Nodding, she picked up a basket of small snacks from the counter and stepped outside.

About twenty people were waiting in line—some had wandered off to browse nearby shops, while others sat patiently on the provided chairs.

Holding the basket, Bai Yuyou hesitated, then approached the first two customers.

"Uh, excuse me..." The two looked up at her, noticing how she trembled slightly as she stood frozen in front of them. "Is something wrong?"

"Snacks... for waiting." She held out the basket.

"Oh, thanks!"

Encouraged, she moved down the line, offering snacks to each person. Some declined, while others accepted happily.

"Hold on a sec," muttered a man glued to his phone, mid-game.

Bai Yuyou waited silently.

Only when his screen turned gray did he finally glance up, meeting her gaze.

"Uh..."

"Snacks..." She lifted the basket softly.

"Huh? Oh." Scratching his head, he took one, then fished out his wallet and handed her a hundred-yuan bill. "Here."

Bai Yuyou blinked, confused.

"Ah, it’s a tip," he explained, chuckling awkwardly. "Felt bad making you stand there waiting on me."

Understanding, she pocketed the money. "Thank you."

"No problem, kiddo."

She finished distributing the snacks and returned inside—though her lingering stare at the basket suggested she wouldn’t have minded sneaking a few for herself.

"..."

From a distance, Ye Shuang sat in a café, watching. Even from afar and bundled up in layers, he somehow recognized the snack-distributing figure as Bai Yuyou.

"Seems like she’s doing alright," he murmured, relieved.

After sipping his latte, he pulled out his phone to browse the news once she disappeared back into the restaurant.

---

Closing time.

"I’m dead!" Tang Keke flopped onto a chair in the break room, dramatically rolling her eyes. "Sweeping floors in the morning, working here in the afternoon—I’m gonna perish."

Bai Yuyou changed nearby, then pulled out the hundred-yuan bill from her pocket.

"Keke..."

"Why do you have cash?"

"Tip... from a customer." She held it out. "Want it?"

"Seriously? You got a tip?" Tang Keke tilted her head. "But you’re all covered up—your pretty face isn’t even working its magic!"

"Magic?"

"Being good-looking is an advantage," Tang Keke said sagely. "Beauty plus any other skill is a killer combo."

Seeing Bai Yuyou’s blank look, she giggled. "It means pretty people get treated better. But if you’re just pretty, you’re like a fragile vase—kinda useless."

"I think Brother knows that too. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be teaching you so much."

"Ye Shuang..." Bai Yuyou’s voice dropped suddenly. "I miss Ye Shuang..."

Tang Keke paused at her gloomy tone. "We just didn’t see him during lunch break?"

"Mhm..."

"Hey, he’ll probably come pick us up like usual. Let’s go!"

Tang Keke hopped up, struggling briefly with her clothes.

"Yuyou, help—I’m stuck."

"Okay."

Soon, the two stepped outside, spotting Ye Shuang waiting under a streetlamp. He waved as they approached, and Bai Yuyou hurried over, nearly stumbling into him.

"How was today?" he asked, steadying her.

"Easier," she said, pressing her face against him briefly before looking up.

"That’s how it goes. Everything gets easier with practice."

Tang Keke trotted over. "Brother, how long have you been here? Perfect timing!"

"Not long. I just got here a little early since you finish at eight." He didn’t mention he’d been watching nearby—no need to make them self-conscious.

"Hehe." Tang Keke grinned.

Cough. Ye Shuang cleared his throat.

"Ye Shuang... sick?" Bai Yuyou studied him.

"No, just a scratchy throat." He shook his head, smiling. "Can’t afford to get sick."

Tang Keke chimed in, "If you do, Yuyou can take care of you! Or both of us!"

"Alright, I’ll count on you two then," he joked, not taking it seriously.

"Let’s head home."

"Okay."

"Woo!"

The next day.

Ye Shuang was sick.