[BL] I never knew the World was this Bright

Chapter 40: You're too cute

After the dressing incident, Jian Chen did not try anything more on the boy. Seeing his wife giving him the silent treatment for the rest of the day, he felt he may have gone too far.

But despite being angry, An Lian still kept an eye out in case Jian Chen needed help with anything.

Jian Chen noticed this and found it adorable.

Sometime in the afternoon, An Lian got a phone call.

An Lian: "Ah, really? Thank you so much! Yes... okay... I'll come tomorrow."

Forgetting he was supposed to be ignoring Jian Chen, An Lian ran up to the man sitting at his desk in excitement.

Barely being able to control his excitement An Lian burst out, "Jian Chen guess what? That little café we went to by the park, they called me and said I got the job! They said I can come tomorrow and they'll show me around!"

Jian Chen felt his pride well up seeing An Lian so excited, Of course you got the job, if you didn't there would be trouble... Your husband is the best, right?

Of course, Jian Chen wouldn't actually tell An Lian his connections got the boy his job. But that's not to say An Lian wasn't capable, he's a very hard working, smart person. It's his confidence that lets him down in job interviews.

Jian Chen knew An Lian would do very well, but he made sure to tell the owners not to overwork An Lian, or they would hear from him.

For the rest of the day An Lian was beaming with joy, and Jian Chen couldn't help but to find it contagious. If only Yu Ming and Xi Jun weren't here. Xiao Lian, you have to reward your husband for his hard work...

Going to sleep that night, An Lian had dreams of working in a café where all the customers were people from the university.

The next morning An Lian woke up early.

Brushing his teeth and washing his face, the boy frantically raced around getting ready.

Jian Chen also woke up shortly after, "Do you want me to drive you there?"

An Lian responded while looking through his clothes, "Ah, that's okay, it's really close by anyway, only a fifteen-minute walk."

An Lian didn't know what to wear. He tried to think back to what the other employees were wearing when he asked for the job, and he could vaguely remember a white button up shirt and casual jeans. They were wearing light brown aprons too. After a few minutes of watching An Lian stare at his clothes blankly, Jian Chen came over and grabbed a few pieces and threw them at the boy.

Jian Chen: "Wear this."

An Lian looked at the clothes in his hand – A plain long sleeved white shirt, and black jeans.

An Lian looked up, "This is okay?"

Jian Chen: "For working in a café this is fine. It's pretty warm in there so you don't have to worry too much about layers. But remember a scarf and thick coat if you're walking there."

An Lian replied, "Oh, okay. Thanks Jian Chen."

Jian Chen walked over and patted An Lian's head before walking out of the room to go to the toilet.

An Lian went into the bathroom and got changed.

Pacing around the dorm room one last time, An Lian was feeling nervous.

What if I mess up and they fire me? How will I pay back Jian Chen? What kind of work will I be doing? Will the people be nice? Will customers yell at me if I get something wrong?

"Don't be scared An Lian. It will be fine."

Jian Chen had returned and had been watching the boy all morning - he felt the need to comfort the younger.

Jian Chen: "Let me walk with you."

An Lian quickly refused, "No no, that's fine. I need to do it myself."

And with that, An Lian left the room and walked to the café.

The fifteen-minute walk rushed by and before An Lian knew it, he was standing outside the café.

Taking a deep breath, An Lian pushed open the glass door and went inside.

The café itself was quite pleasant and cosy.

It was very warm inside, and An Lian felt himself calm down slightly.

The design of the café was simple, the front of the café was all large windows and there were rectangular tables with benches along the wall, as well as small tables situated around the middle of the area. The main bar had a glass food display next to it and the kitchen behind it. The café served all kinds of coffee and tea as well as pastries and cakes.

It was located in a good neighbourhood and received moderate business, most customers were regulars creating an overall friendly environment.

An Lian nervously mad his way to the counter where a good looking man stood wiping the bench-top.

Seeing the boy walk up to him, the man put on his best smile to greet him, "Hello, what will you be having today?"

An Lian: "Um, actually I'm here for the job opening?"

The man opened his eyes wide before grinning, "Oh, you must be An Lian right? They didn't say you would be this cute!"

An Lian could only smile nervously and bow his head at the man's remarks.

Seeing An Lian was shy, the man continued, "My name is Wang Yong, I'll show you around today."

An Lian replied nervously, "Ah it's nice to meet you."

As they walked around the small shop, Wang Yong asked An Lian more questions, "You go to X university, right? How old are you?"

An Lian: "I'm 19."

Wang Yong, "Ah, so I'm older then you? I'm already 25 so you can call me Ge."

An Lian: "Ah..."

Wang Yong took An Lian out back to the kitchen and introduced him to the chef, "This man makes all the food here, he's the best pastry chef around! He comes by every morning to make the pastry then leaves at noon. So whatever is made that morning is all that's sold during the day. If there's any leftover we get to take it."

Wang Yong was very kind to An Lian and trained him earnestly.

An Lian would be in charge of bringing drinks and food out to tables and taking orders at the bar when it was busy.

An Lian was absorbed in learning everything there was to his new job and didn't realise how close Wang Yong was next to him.

Wang Yong was watching the boy's focused face as he studied the menu. He reached out a hand and squeezed An Lian's soft cheek.

Wang Yong: "You're really 19? You look so cute Xiao Lian."

An Lian snapped out of his intense learning and blushed, turning away from the taller man whose tall stature was looming above him from behind.

Despite An Lian's co-worker being perhaps a bit too friendly, An Lian walked back to the dorm that evening with a smile on his face.

The atmosphere of the café was comfortable, and the people were nice. An Lian was glad to work there.

He had discussed his class times with the owner and they arranged a roster for An Lian to work. An Lian would like to work more, but felt it would be rude to ask when he's only just started.

At the dorm, Jian Chen asked An Lian how it was, despite already knowing the answer from An Lian's smile.

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A/N

Don't mind me just sneaking in an update.

*Disappears again*