Second Male Lead to One, Male Lead to Another (Part 2)

236 Is That Your Ex?

"A pet cafe?" Yao Ai looked at the door with wide eyes.

Duan Zhi Hao grinned and then looked at Li Ming, his expression immediately collapsing. "Hey, why don't you look surprised at all?"

Li Ming turned to look at him and smiled. "Well, you gave us some hints. I figured that it would be something in this direction."

Duan Zhi Hao had no idea when exactly he had supposedly given those 'hints' but he finally figured that Li Ming was just more observant than them. Actually, the longer he knew him, the more it made sense that Li Ming had worked as a security guard.

Usually, he didn't give that impression because he was just super friendly to everyone and didn't even mind when Yao Ai was being a brat to him but it was moments like these where he really realized that this guy had some skills. Even though he usually didn't show it, he had a great focus on details. Yes, he wasn't surprised at all.

Duan Zhi Hao shook his head and sighed, reaching over to pat Li Ming's shoulder. "Well, sorry for ruining your surprise then by running my mouth. We still have two days so I'll do better when it's my turn next."

Yao Ai looked back at the two of them, looking surprised. "Were we taking turns?"

Duan Zhi Hao motioned at her and then pointed at himself and nodded. "The two of us definitely were. As for brother Li ... I'm afraid he didn't. He just goes along with whatever we come up with. He doesn't seem to mind so I guess he's just waiting for a nice surprise to fall into his lap.

"Anyway, let's go in. Unless either of you has an allergy?" He looked from Li Ming to Yao Ai and back again, only now thinking of that problem. If this didn't work, then they might have a problem. "If you do, there's one with naked cats but that isn't cute at all."

Yao Ai actually looked as if she was quite interested in seeing those naked cats but Li Ming had already shaken his head when asked about the allergy and she wasn't going to lie about this. "I don't either. Then, let's go in. But I want to know about the other one. You have to tell me all about that tomorrow!"

Duan Zhi Hao nodded, already happy that she hadn't asked him to tell him all about it inside. He definitely couldn't walk into a cafe and talk about their competition the whole time.

The three of them stepped in, a small bell ringing as soon as the door opened.

The cafe actually had double doors, so they found themselves in a smaller room that was surrounded by glass on all sides before they made it through the second door, and stood in the actual cafe.

Yao Ai looked back, quite curious. "That's interesting."

Li Ming looked back as well but he wasn't too surprised. "Might be a safety measure for the pets. Usually, in places like these, they are trained so they wouldn't run away but I guess they just wanted to make extra sure."

Duan Zhi Hao nodded. "The place is relatively new, just opened up a few weeks ago. So I guess they might've wanted to have some extra security measures in place. Anyway, let's go and get a seat." He wriggled his eyebrows and then walked over to the reception where a young woman was waiting, smiling brightly at them.

Li Ming stared at her, feeling a strange sense of familiarity. He faintly tilted his head, wondering just where exactly he had seen her. It was a bit difficult to say because she was wearing a wig and makeup but she definitely seemed familiar.

Yao Ai noticed his gaze and looked from him to the woman and back again before tugging at his sleeve. "Is that your ex?" She tried to whisper but the cafe was pretty quiet right now so it was audible to the four of them.

Li Ming stiffened and hurriedly shook his head. "No! She just ... she reminded me of somebody. I'm sorry." He turned to her and inclined his head, then hastily looked somewhere else. Whoever she was, figuring it out wasn't worth embarrassing himself over.

Duan Zhi Hao was confused but just turned back to her, getting a table for the three of them.

Yao Ai didn't pay much attention to it after the first moment as well, instead looking for the pets.

The pet cafe had two stories and even on the first one, she could already see two cats that were lazily dozing off at the side, not really looking as if they were that interested in the people who had just come in. There was also a small dog that had been lying in the corner but immediately leaped to its feet when they walked up to the counter and then came running over, waving its tail.

Yao Ai's face lit up when she saw it and she leaned down, wanting to pick it up. Unfortunately for her, the dog started to run around her, clearly too excited to have the patience to let her pick it up.

Li Ming smiled and shook his head at her, motioning in the direction the woman from the reception was walking. "Just wait until we're seated. You'll probably have an easier time."

Yao Ai nodded and then hastened her steps, wanting to sit down immediately. This kind of pet cafe, she had always wanted to go but two of her friends really had an allergy to pet hair so she had never gone in the end. You just couldn't go into this kind of cafe with somebody who did.

Thankfully, Duan Zhi Hao had had this idea. Really, she should have thought of this herself! Clearly, this was something that she had wanted to do for a long time already. Now, her wish was finally being fulfilled. It was a moment to celebrate with some good food!