Coffee [Yuwin AU]

Chapter 1

Sicheng woke up the next morning feeling horrible. He didn't sleep well at all. He kept having nightmares whenever he fell asleep last night. He sat up straight, shook the thought of those nightmares off of him and decided to start his day with some coffee.

After that, he had to start searching for a new job, and quick. His apartment rent was due next week and he had his mom's hospital bills he still needed to pay. He got out of bed and walked over to his kitchen, getting the bag with coffee out of his cupboard. It was empty. Sicheng sighed: 'Great..' He made some tea instead, ate a cracker and got ready to go to the store.

As he was in the store getting the things he needed, he heard someone call out his name.

'Sicheng?'

Sicheng turned around and saw someone he vaguely recognized. He awkwardly smiled: 'Um, hi?' The guy walked over to him and brightly smiled: 'Sicheng! It's me! Kun, from high school, remember?'

Now Sicheng remembered him. They had some classes together in high school. They were quite good friends, but completely lost contact after graduation. Sicheng waved at Kun: 'Hi! Of course I remembered you! How have you been doing?'

Kun laughed and walked with him: 'Well, actually I've been great! I've started my own business, a small coffee café with some staff. They actually work for me, can you believe it? I never expected to have people that work for me, isn't that the coolest thing ever? You should really come visit some time!'

Sicheng softly smiled and nodded: 'Yes, sounds like fun.'

Kun then frowned and looked at Sicheng better: 'Are you okay, Sicheng? You look really tired, and a little sad.' Kun poked Sicheng's cheek: 'You were such a bright and smiley person in high school, what's happened?'

Sicheng smiled at Kun's touch and then sighed: 'I'm usually really positive about everything, but things really aren't going well right now.' Kun gestured for him to keep talking, so Sicheng continued: 'I got fired from my job at the library yesterday, my apartment rent is due next week and my mom's hospital bills still need to be paid as well. I don't have enough money to pay all of those without a job. I really don't know what to do. I didn't finish my study, so I can't become a teacher yet.' Sicheng shrugged: 'I guess I'll have to search the whole city for a place to work.'

Kun had a thoughtful expression on his face, but then his face lit up and he started smiling: 'Sicheng, I have a solution!'

Sicheng looked at Kun questioningly, wondering what that solution could be.

Kun smiled even brighter as he explained his idea: 'You can work for me! Me and my staff could really use some help since it's getting busier. You know quite a lot about being a barista, right? Or maybe a waiter would be better. Well, we'll see. What do you think?'

Sicheng looked at Kun very surprised, he really didn't expect this: 'Kun, I really don't know what to say. It's so nice of you, but you really don't have to do this. I don't have much experience in the catering industry, so I think it would be better for you to hire someone that's actually good at this job.'

Kun put a hand on Sicheng's shoulder: 'Don't worry, Sicheng. I'd do anything to help out a friend! And wouldn't this be a good solution? About the working experience, I'm sure you'll be fine. My staff will teach you the basics and I can always help you too.'

Sicheng didn't really know what to do, so he just hugged Kun: 'Alright, I'll do it! Thank you so much, Kun. You really helped me out. I didn't know what to do, but now I do, thanks to you!'

Kun smiled: 'No problem. I'm sure it will go great! When you've got all of your groceries, should we head to my café? We could have an official job interview and I can introduce you to the staff! You know, I think you'll be able to officially start tomorrow. But you can help us today already to see what the job's like.'