Chapter Text
Cheng Xiaoshi was laying on the couch in the photography studio his parents owned, though currently they were out on some business trip that they wouldn’t share the details on. At least he had Qiao Ling, whom he practically thought of as an older sister since they were younger.
Cheng Xiaoshi was a freshman in college, studying in criminal justice. It wasn't exactly “easy,” though he actually uses more time to complain rather than doing the work that was assigned.
“You wouldn’t be behind if you just did your work, “Qiao Ling sighed, lecturing the younger boy.
“It’s so not worth it, I mean I'm already so burnt out and it's only been a few months.” Cheng Xiaoshi continued to complain, with a hint of sarcasm winning over his words.
“You're the one who wanted to go to college in the first place, now man up and do your work. Qiao Ling threw a pillow at the younger boy’s face.
“HEY!” Cheng Xiaoshi tossed the pillow into the floor.
Qizo Ling cut him off before he could say anything else. “If you still can’t focus, maybe tomorrow we can go to a coffee shop or something. I know there's one near the college that’s not normally busy.”
“A coffee shop? Really.” Cheng Xiaoshi joked, not finding the location of much interest.
“How about a deal then, if you can’t pass your next test then after that you have to do things my way.” Qiao Ling smirked knowing she already won the deal. I mean there was no way this idiot could pass with how he’s been going about things.
“Deal.”
-
Cheng Xiaoshi agreed to the deal almost immediately, and it wasn't even been a whole day and he already knew he was fucked. He should have known, but as always his competitive side won him over once again.
He’s been staring at the same problem for around an hour now, yet he can’t even keep himself focused long enough to even think about solving the question. Cheng Xiaoshi fell into the back of his chair, he had been sitting at his desk for over a few hours and hadn’t even gotten past the third question.
Cheng Xiaoshi stumbled out of his desk to go for a short walk up the street, maybe he would get some coffee to re-energize himself so he wasn’t running on empty.
He slipped his shoes on at the front door, slipping his way out of the studio. The nearest coffee place was just around the block, they built it only a few years ago and personally it was one of his favorites. It was a short walk, had good vibes, nice baristas, and wasn’t normally packed like a popular chain would be.
The name of the coffee shop was written in cyan bubble letters on the glass door Brewed Coffee. It also had a small flower bed attached to the window. They were carnations, he had ended up researching about them after his first visit because of how pretty he thought they looked.
Inside was bigger than the outside let on, along with a very home-style vibe to it and of course you could never forget the smell.
Coffee had to be one of Cheng Xiaoshi’s favorite smells. It was sweet and fresh.
Cheng Xiaoshi realized once again how stupid he was for rejecting Qiao Ling’s idea for a coffee and study day. Maybe he’d just go on and take her idea.
When he got to the front counter there was a man with white hair standing behind the register, he was tall with gray eyes shaped like a cats. His stare felt cold and distant, but with his looks alone Cheng Xiaoshi swears he could be a model.
“What would you like?” The guy behind the register mumbled, like he wasn’t quite used to taking orders. His first day maybe?
Cheng Xiaoshi glanced at the name tag placed on his apron, “Lu Guang..” He mumbled to himself reciting the name to memory. He wasn’t sure why but he felt compelled to remember his name. It took a few moments before it clicked in Cheng Xiaoshi’s head that he still hadn’t said his order yet. “Oh Sorry, yeah uhm I’ll just take a pineapple smoothie.”
“You total is xxx” The guy- Lu Guang told him.
Cheng Xiaoshi gave a simple nod and went to grab his wallet realizing he had completely forgotten his phone. A small grumble left his lips, so he just grabbed his wallet, handing Lu Gaung the amount.
“Is something the matter?” Lu Guang asked as he typed in the amount Cheng Xiaoshi had handed him.
“No not really,” Cheng Xiaoshi sighed, rubbing the back of his head. “I just forgot my phone in my room is all.”
“Oh well do you live around here or-” Lu Guang was asking him small talk questions but at the same time he seemed to have no interest in his answers.
“Yeah I live just about a block away.” Cheng Xiaoshi shrugged, holding his hand out as Lu Guang laid the change in his hand.
“Well that’s good at least, and we’ll have your drink out in a just a moment.”
Cheng Xiaoshi swears he could see a small tug on Lu Guang's lips, did he do something to make the other boy smile? Probably not. He hadn’t done anything out of the ordinary, just a small conversation that’s all.
Cheng Xiaoshi watched as his drink was being prepared from one of the booths in the back, but at the same time he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off a certain cat-eyed barista. For some reason he felt like he should know him, or that he did. But he swears he’s never met anyone that looks similar.
Lu Guang walked over to Cheng Xiaoshi handing him the drink he had ordered, “Oh thanks, you really didn’t have to.” A nervous chuckle left his lips.
“It was no problem, plus I was just doing as I was told by the person training me.” Lu Guang gestured towards the calico haired boy whose smile seemed to double or even triple as a light source.
Now Cheng Xiaoshi, was certain the other guy could totally pass for a model as well. “Well thank you anyways,” When Cheng Xiaoshi glanced at his cup he noticed a a phone number written across it, “Is this uhm-”
“No, it’s Xia Fei’s. The guy with the calico hair over there. The one who’s currently at the register.”
Cheng Xiaoshi swears he could hear a bit of annoyance in Lu Gaung’s voice, but he chose to ignore it, for now at least. “Well, is there any way I could get your number?” Cheng Xiaoshi let one of his natural dumb smirks slip.
“Yeah no thanks, anyways come again soon.” Lu Guang waved Cheng Xiaoshi goodbye as he took his place right behind the counter. Leaving Cheng Xiaoshi with nothing, but his drink and the phone number of a guy he hadn’t even spoken to.
Cheng Xiaoshi took a sip of the smoothie in his hand, he nearly wanted to throw up. It was disgusting. He didn’t want to throw it away and be wasteful, but at the same time he wasn’t sure he could drink anymore of it.
Reluctantly Cheng Xiaoshi stepped back up to the register where the calico haired guy was standing, “Oh hey, did you get my number?” Xia Fei chuckled with a playful smirk.
“Yea- I did, Sorry but I just wanted to ask if there was any way I could change out my drink?”
“Oh yeah sure, you picked the pineapple right? That flavor is truly the worst this place has to offer. I would really recommend the black cherry.”
Cheng Xiaoshi could feel himself about to laugh, maybe out of relief or could be that he genuinely is having a good time talking to this guy.
“Hey Lu Guang, what's your favorite flavor?” Xia Fei asked over to the other boy who was in the middle of preparing a few drinks.
“Pink Lemonade I guess?” Lu Guang shrugged, not seeming to have much interest in the question.
Cheng Xiaoshi was having a hard time choosing, but rather than choosing flavors it was like picking between two hot baristas. Like telling whoever's favorite he picked he liked more, “Can I get a half and half of those two flavors?”
“I mean I guess,” Xia Fei shrugged. “Alright and what's your name, so I can call it out?”
“It’s Cheng Xiaoshi.”
“Okay Cheng Xiaoshi, your drink will be prepared and out shortly.” Xia Fei smiled once again before turning around to help out Lu Guang.
It took only a few minutes till Cheng Xiaoshi’s concoction of pink lemonade and black cherry was brought to life.
“Cheng Xiaoshi! Your drink is ready!” Xia Fei smiled, waving him over.
“Oh, that was quick,” Cheng Xiaoshi picked up his cup seeing the same 9 - digit number written across the plastic.
“Sorry, I ended up writing my number on the cup again. I hope you don’t mind.” Xia Fei smirked, “Anyways feel free to call me sometime.”
He felt his cheeks growing a bit hotter, it was weird since normally he was the one doing the flirting. It also didn’t help that the other guy was super hot.
Cheng Xiaoshi left the coffee shop a few minutes later. He still had no idea if he was gonna like the drink or not. In the end he decided either way he was just gonna have to put up with it, he really couldn’t handle going back in there and asking for yet another remake.
“It’s good.” Cheng Xiaoshi was surprised by the flavors of the drink and how well they compliment one another.
When he made it back to the studio he grabbed his phone, typing in the phone number left on his drink, saving it as a contact under the name “Calico”. It was what he remembered Lu Guang calling him at least.
Cheng Xiaoshi sat back at his desk looking over all the work that he still hadn’t completed that was due tomorrow, a slight grumble left his lips before he finally started to study.