Chapter 64: An Outing to Keystone Zoo II

Previously:

She handed them their menus and added, "When you're ready to order, please ca-..."

Lai was carefully buttoning up a button on Sara's shirt when the waitress gasped and fixed her gaze on Lai. Lai's eyes widened as she turned to see the new waitress. It was the student who was molested, the one she had assisted on the train.

"Oh! So, it is you! Wow, I can't believe I get to see you again," the girl gushed.

"Who is this?" Bai prompted Lai.

Lai introduced her, "This is a student I assisted a few months ago. I didn't think I'd see her again."

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"My name is Jiao. Wei Jiao," the girl introduced herself, "May I know your name, sister?"

Lai smiled at Jiao.

"I'm Xiulan Lai."

"It's great to see you again, sister Lai," Jiao beamed, "I work here on Saturdays."

"That's great," Lai smiled.

Jiao nodded.

"Oh, right," Jiao blushed, "Let me get out of here before my boss complains that I'm talking too loud and disrupting the customers. If you're ready to place an order, call me."

Jiao then gave a polite bow before going to the other customers to refill their drinks and clear the tables.

"Sounds like a nice girl," Bai told Lai.

"Yes, she was in an awkward situation when I first met her," Lai said, grinning at him, "I am happy to see that she's doing well."

Bai nodded and looked at Sara.

He asked the blonde girl, "What do you want to eat, little one?"

The girl said, "Sara wants a chocolate cake and a hot chocolate with marshmallows."

Bai groaned and shook his head, saying, "That's a lot of sugar. Are you planning to keep me awake all night?"

She giggled when he prodded her fat right cheek.

The young girl said, smiling, "No, no. Sara wants to eat this because it resembles the one my mummy bought for me."

Bai said, leaning back in his chair, "Uh-huh. And what will you have, Lai?"

Lai indicated the food.

"The croissant with chocolate filling and a strawberry milkshake," she said.

He raised his hand while nodding. Jiao noticed and walked over to them right away.

"Yes?" the waitress smiled, "Are you ready to order?"

He told Jiao what the two ladies wanted, "And a coffee for me, please."

Jiao nodded and took their menus away.

"Are you not eating anything, uncle Bai?" Sara asked him.

"I'm not really hungry," he smiled at her.

Sara nodded.

"Can aunty Lai and I see the cute animals while we wait for our food to be prepared?" she asked.

He nodded, and she smiled happily.

"Yay! Come on, aunty Lai!" she pulled Lai along.

They walked to the bunnies. They looked adorable. They varied in size. Others were large. They instantly nodded when the employee asked if they wanted to hold them.

The employee gave Sara a cuddly, fluffy baby bunny. It was completely white. As it touched Sara's chest, she chuckled.

Lai was given a brown bunny with a single black patch on its fur. Bai observed a smile appear on Lai's face as she softly stroked its back.

He wished he could have frozen that smile in time. He stood up and accessed the camera on his phone.

He motioned to Sara and Lai, "Let me snap a photo of you two."

In reality, it was an excuse. He merely desired to photograph Lai. A picture that would cheer him up when he was down. It would be a priceless photograph for him. Sara and Lai grinned as they stood close to one another.

Both of them were photographed many times by Bai, as well as individually. They weren't simply images of them with the bunnies.

Pictures of them cradling Guinea pigs, puppies, kittens, birds, infant porcupines, turtles, and mice were also taken.

Since Sara remembered what uncle Bai had told her back home that Lai was a special lady he wanted to marry one day, she made the employee take photos of all three of them.

As well as just the two of the adults, Lai and Bai.

They went to the bathroom, washed their hands, and returned to their seats just in time for their meals. As she set their lunches on the table, Jiao grinned.

Enjoy," the waitress said, "And let me know if you need anything else."

Jiao exited after bowing. She would glance over to Lai's table while she was at the counter. Her brown eyes would turn to Lai and then to the man across from her.

Peng poked Jiao's elbow and said, "Hey, stop staring at them. Do you know them? I know that man, but I have never seen that woman or the child."

"Remember when I told you that a woman helped me following my being molested on the train?" Jiao whispered to Peng, who was busy placing money in the till.

"Yeah?" Peng nodded.

"That's the woman who saved me," she told him with a smile.

"That woman?" Peng asked, perplexed, "That beauty?"

Jiao nodded.

"Yeah. I didn't know she had a boyfriend and child, though."

Peng let out a soft chuckle.

"What's so funny?" Jiao raised her eyebrow at him.

"That man there is Ying Bai," Peng spoke.

"I know that," Jiao rolled his eyes, "That's her boyfriend. So?"

"As far as everyone is aware, that man is unmarried and childless," Peng said as he shut the register, " They aren't dating, in my opinion. But they appear to be very close, so I'm curious about their relationship."

Peng and Jiao were fixated on Lai's table. Sara was blissfully sipping her hot chocolate. Sara grinned at the camera as Bai took another photo of her.

He informed the young girl, "I need to send this to your mother so that she can see you're okay and having fun."

Lai was relishing her croissant as well. He could tell. Her radiant face spoke for itself. He did nothing but sip his coffee and observe them.

Peace filled his heart.

He cocked his head and wondered if this was what spending time with your wife and kids was like. Once they were done, Bai paid the bill and gave a large tip.

"Wait!" Before they could depart, Jiao exclaimed, "If it's not too much to ask, sister Lai, might I have your Cube ID? I'd like to talk more if it's okay with you."

Lai and Bai exchanged looks.

He informed her, "We'll wait for you outside."

Bai left the café with Sara. They waited for Lai outside.

Jiao grinned as she handed Lai her phone and said, "Here you go."

Jiao received the phone back from Lai after she inserted her Cube ID.

The girl said with a nod, "Thanks. Also, is Mr. Ying your boyfriend?

Lai gasped and blinked in shock.

"W-what? Boy...Boyfriend?"

Jiao furrowed her brow.

"I suppose Peng was correct. He's not, then? "the girl inquired.

Lai motioned with her hands, "He's not. He's my boss. I'm just his PA."

"Oh, I see," Jiao said with a nod. I'm not sure why, but I believe he likes you."

"What do you mean, exactly?" Lai's eyes widened.

Jiao mumbled, "I'm not sure, but how he looks at you is romantic in a sense. Every time you talk to him, his face glows. I was pleasantly surprised to see that side of him since he is reputed to display minimal emotion. Anyway, you have my support, sister Lai! I'm cheering you on!"

"Cheering-" Lai was cut off.

"Wei Jiao!" her supervisor roared, "What did I tell you about bothering customers!?"

Jiao gave her supervisor a quick gaze before turning back to Lai.

"Sorry. I have to go," she sighed, " Sister Lai, it was nice to see you again. So that I can fully thank you for saving me back then, I hope we can meet soon. Goodbye!"

Jiao immediately ran to her supervisor, who gave her a gentle reprimand.

The girl only laughed shyly, causing her supervisor to sigh. Lai was stunned into silence and lingered there for a few seconds.

She was perplexed and wondered, 'He likes me? Mr. Ying? Me? In my opinion, I don't think so. He's way out of my league.'

She left the café.

"Are you finished?" Bai enquired of her.

"Oh. Um, yes."

Sara stood in the middle of them and clasped her hands in theirs. They appeared to be a cute and happy family of three to outsiders.

Lai was lost in thought as they moved from one location to the next.

She pressed her lips together and thought, 'There is no way he likes me. Sure, he teases me occasionally and worries about me. But that's because I work for him. Our social standing is also quite prevalent.'

She heaved a subtle sigh.

'Right. He can't possibly be serious about me. I'm not worthy.'