Mu Li Wen

Saying I feel happy would be an understatement. I am grinning widely at the crowded cafe and the long line outside. There are even a huge number of delivery orders. 

It has been a few days since the cafe opened and we have been doing well everyday. Our regulars included Zexi and Yinghao’s colleagues and university friends, and those who lived nearby. And those who visited us posted good reviews of our food and service on social media, which spread the news. Business has been good so we are going to hire one more waiter and our own delivery team. For now, Zexi and Yinghao have been helping me when they can. And God bless them, Zexi’s parents too. They extended their stay to help us. Right now, Zexi’s mother is helping me at the cashier while his father is taking orders.

Proud. I feel extremely proud of myself. I wanted to do well so I would not disappoint Zexi and myself. This is beyond expectations but I won’t deny I work really hard. Every dish is closely inspected by me and I personally ensure the cafe is extremely clean every day. It is tiring, but all worth it.

“Boss, I think we can close up early today again.” Huimin, the bubbly and efficient waitress we ordered tells me. I have told her many times to call me Li Wen but she likes calling me Boss.

We have been so popular that our food sells out and our ingredients are delivered fresh each day. 

“Yeah, I think we won’t make it past that guy in blue. Okay, close delivery orders and stop the line outside. Give a coupon to the rest, okay? I will do the serving.” I inform Huimin. 

“On it.” Huimin beams at me before heading off.

The rest of the afternoon passes in a blur and we manage to clear our orders by 4pm. We are all out. I am feeling accomplished but exhausted. Looking at the faces of those helping me, I can see they feel the same way. 

Thankfully, tomorrow is finally a Sunday. When we first opened, I decided that we would close on Sundays and Mondays. It is for my staff to rest and for me to spend time with Zexi who works all weekdays. 

While Huimin and Zexi’s father help me to close up, I head to the cashier and Zexi’s mother smiles at me. “I have sorted out all the accounts for today. I think you will need to get a proper accountant soon for the business.” 

“Yeah, Yinghao is helping me look into that.” I assure her. “Thank you for helping again today. And here, this is from me and Zexi.. as a thank you.”

I hand her the envelope that I have been keeping in my pocket. Zexi’s father also walks over as she opens it. Their eyes grow wide.

“We can’t accept this!” Zexi’s mother tries to push the envelope back to me, with his father nodding in agreement.

“We helped you out of goodwill. We do not need payment.” Zexi’s father says.

“Please accept it. It is a red packet and it is a token of our appreciation. It is not all money, there are also spa vouchers. We also booked a two-nights stay at that really nice hotel for the both of you two enjoy. Please accept it..” I plead gently. If they dont, I will feel bad.

Zexi’s parents exchange glances and eventually both of them relented. They seem to like the gift.

“Then at least, let us take you out for dinner tonight. Zexi is working late, right? We want to treat you.” Zexi’s mother suggests. It is a Saturday and Zexi got called back to work for a big project. I miss him but I understand work comes first. Thankfully, the cafe keeps me busy. 

“Sure. Go home and take a rest first. We can go to dinner together later.” I smile.

“We will pick you up. Zexi left us his car today.” Zexi’s father tells me. 

Zexi’s parents leave and I gather my staff. Since we did so well on opening week and they all worked so hard, I have packed all of them a little bonus as motivation and appreciation. All of them accepted it with wide smiles. I dismissed all of them and told them to rest well. 

“See you on Tuesday, Boss!” Huimin waves brightly at me.  I wave at her before turning to lock the cafe up.

As I walk home, some of the residents who recognise me greet me cheerfully, which I return. When I arrive home, I set my shoes aside neatly and sit at the couch tiredly to check my phone. I have been so busy today that I have not called Zexi.

There are a couple of messages from him, all sweet and encouraging. I ignore the rest of the notifications, social media and what not and decide to call Zexi first.

“Hey, baby.” Zexi’s deep voice greets me and it melts all my exhaustion away.

“Hey, hubby. Sorry I have been busy.” I apologise.

“Don’t be. My mom just called me and gave me an update. I am glad the cafe is doing well. It shows your hard work paid off.” I can almost hear him smiling.

“Wouldn’t have been possible without you.” I sigh. Now I really miss him. “What time will you be home tonight?” 

“I am not sure yet, baby so don’t  wait up. I am sorry.” Zexi apologises and I feel a little disappointed but he adds. “ I promise I will make it up to you. You are going for dinner with my parents right?” 

“Yeah, you don’t forget to eat too, okay?” I say gently.  We say our I love yous before we hang up as Zexi has to work.

I sigh and lie down, feeling both tired and sad from missing Zexi. I will take a short nap before meeting his parents.

+++

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“Where are we going for dinner?” I ask Zexi’s parents who were sitting in front in the car. His father is driving.

“Just a place Zexi brought us before. It is near the beach. We remember the way.” Zexi’s father answers.

I raise a brow slightly. Why would we go to such a far place to eat? It is a little strange…

As though she could read my mind, Zexi’s mother adds, “We really love the food there. You will love it too. And we thought you could get some inspiration for the cafe too.”

I smile at her words, being more at ease. They are so thoughtful. “That sounds great. I can’t wait to see it.”

We drive for another 30 minutes or so and we finally arrive. The restaurant is stand-alone by the beach, its entrance full of fairy lights. The colors use are mint and white, very pretty and minimalist. It is a pretty, inviting place. I take notes in my head on the decoration as I admire them. 

“Xiao Wen, why don’t you head in first?” Zexi’s mother tells me as we are about to enter. “I left my phone in the car! Old Fang is going to walk back with me to get it.” She points at her husband.

“Okay, I will get us a table first.” I say with a smile.

I enter the restaurant and I am a little surprised to find it is quiet. There is no server manning the entrance too. Is it closed? But the lights are all switched on…

I frown and walk in further to the front of the restaurant, where it is an alfresco setting, facing the beach. I freeze instantly at the sight before me.

The tables are all pushed to the side. Each table has a candle which is lit up. In the middle of the tables, there is a heart shape made out of pale pink cloth. Standing right in the middle of the heart, is my boyfriend, all dressed up handsomely in a suit, with his arms behind his back.

“Surprise. I promise I will make it up to you.” Zexi is smiling warmly at me as he extends a hand out. 

I am completely in shock but I manage to get my brain to work a little as I move towards him and take his head. I take note not to step on the pretty large heart. He leads me to stand in the middle with him.

“What is going on? Is it our anniversary..?” I am confused. We set a date based on the time in his world, estimated from the time we met in my old world but I don’t think it has been a year yet.

“Nope.” Zexi is still smiling. “But we are setting a new special date. Well, depending on your answer anyway.” Then he lets go of my hand.

My eyes almost pop out and my heart almost stops beating as he gets down on one knee before me. He pulls out a small box from the pocket of his suit jacket. He opens the box and sits inside it is a beautiful ring.

This…. This is a marriage proposal in his world! I have seen it in movies and television dramas! 

Zexi is proposing to me! Asking me to marry him! I feel tears welling in my eyes. 

And he says the words. “Mu Li Wen, when we first met,” Zexi chuckles lightly, “It was out of this world, literally. But I did not regret saying yes to you when you asked me to be your lover.” I can’t help but laugh  softly at the memory too while Zexi continues, “But I think fate brought us together because we are soulmates. And now, I am asking if you will be my husband forever. I promise to take care of you, love you and cherish you always. Will you marry me?”

I do not even hesitate. “Yes!”

Zexi smiles widely and takes the ring out to slip it on my finger. I pull him up and crush my lips eagerly to his. He kisses me back with equal fervor until we hear cheers and catcalls coming from all around us.

I break apart to see our friends and his family surrounding us with wide smiles, claps and congratulations.

“They helped me to plan everything.” Zexi says. We smile back at them as Zexi hugs me tightly. “Thank you everyone for your help. Go ahead and enjoy yourselves with the food and drinks!” Zexi tells them.

“I got it all on video!” Yinghao yells, his eyes teary. 

“Send it to me!” Zexi’s mother rushes over to him. 

While everyone eats and enjoys, Zexi leads me to the corner so we are alone. He kisses me again, and I gladly let myself drown in his sweet kisses.

When he pulls back to let me catch my breath, Zexi smiles at me and rubs his nose against mine gently. “I really love you so much.”

“I really love you so much too.” I grin. “Thank you for appearing in my world.”

“And thank you for wanting me, my Emperor.” Zexi grins. 

“My King Consort.” I laugh before capturing his lips again.

The End

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