Volume 1 Chapter 33: You’re the Real Protagonist!

The cafe outside campus had apparently been around for years and had a great reputation among students—cheap, tasty, and with good drinks.

“So… you’re not broke? You can afford coffee? How’d you even meet the owner?”

“It was sweltering on the first day of school. I came in to enjoy the air-conditioning, chatted for a bit, and we just… knew each other.”

“Oh~”

Following behind Wen Yang, Ning Chu pushed open the glass door. A wave of rich, roasted coffee-bean fragrance greeted him.

His gaze immediately landed on the cafe owner.

She was actually his senior, supposedly pushing thirty. Unlike the fresh-faced female students on campus, she radiated the poise and allure of a woman who’d long stepped into the real world—mature, charming, every smile carrying a subtle seduction. And with that maid-style short skirt, black stockings, and an unmissable line of cleavage…

Ning Chu’s guard shot up instantly!

Sure, he could admit she was attractive—dangerously so for an inexperienced virgin. This was exactly the kind of mature charm that could take someone like Wen Yang down in one hit!

“Big Sis, I’m here—I brought my roommate along.”

Ning Chu quickly glanced at Wen Yang’s face. Sure enough, the guy’s cheeks had taken on a faint blush. The virgin couldn’t even look straight at the cafe owner, eyes darting everywhere, not knowing where to rest them.

“Coming all the way here in this heavy rain…” The cafe owner's voice was warm and soft enough to melt bones. Pausing her work, she greeted them warmly, “Go ahead and sit—I’ll wipe down the last two tables.”

“Military training got called off this afternoon, so we had time…”

Wen Yang sat at the bar, stiff and reserved. He leaned slightly toward Ning Chu and whispered, “Just call her Big Sis—whatever you do, don’t call her ‘auntie.’”

“…Do I look that socially clueless to you?” Ning Chu shot him a look.

The cafe owner quickly finished cleaning and came over to the bar with a bright smile. Her gaze swept over the two of them… and then lingered on Ning Chu’s face.

“What a cute little guy~” She leaned forward, resting her hands under her chest on the counter. “What do you want to drink, little brother? It’s on me.”

That deeper, more prominent cleavage only made Wen Yang fidget even more. Even Ning Chu felt too awkward to look directly at her. He mumbled, “I… I’m fine with anything.”

“Then try the new drink I’ve prepared—and a little cake to go with it.”

“Uh… okay…”

“And then, write a 600-word review for me afterward.”

Ning Chu froze, just about to protest—when the cafe owner lightly poked his cheek with a slender finger. As she withdrew, her fingertip deliberately brushed against his skin.

“Just kidding~”

Wait— Something’s wrong here!

He turned to Wen Yang, eyes wide with bewilderment and panic.

Wen Yang kept his head down, shoulders trembling with suppressed laughter. “You just got flirted with.”

I KNOW!

But why me?! You’re the protagonist!

Ning Chu had considered that maybe the cafe owner really just liked Wen Yang, and that’s why she’d invite him to try new menu items. Or maybe she was like one of the seductive female supporting characters from the plot, using free samples to lure Wen Yang into a trap.

But it had never crossed his mind that he might be the prey.

While the cafe owner turned to prepare coffee and cake, Wen Yang leaned closer, smiling slyly.

“She’s obviously into you.” His voice dropped to a low, devilish murmur. “Looks like she’s got money, too. Work hard, and maybe you’ll never have to worry about food or rent.”

Ning Chu’s panic grew. His baby-faced cheeks flushed bright red.

Sure, his weak stomach made him technically suited for “eating soft rice”—living off someone else—but come on! This was a hentai world! Who knew what kind of twisted stuff would be involved?

Images of masochistic stuff, “master” play, and other extreme kinks flashed through his mind, draining the color from his lips.

“Here—a special latte with latte art. Pretty, right? I spent a whole month learning it~” The cafe owner placed the drinks in front of him. “And here’s a strawberry cake~”

She leaned forward over the counter again, shamelessly showing off her assets.

“Little brother, my shop does deliveries too. You’ll have to order from me often, okay?”

“Uh? Oh—sure!”

“This one’s for you.” She set another coffee-and-cake set in front of Wen Yang.

“You try it too—they’re all unreleased items. If it’s bad, just say so.”

Wen Yang glanced down at his coffee. “Hey, how come mine doesn’t have latte art?”

“That’s something only for little brother~”

“Oh~” Wen Yang nodded meaningfully, his smile growing even more amused.

He really was happy for his roommate—thinking Ning Chu might have a secure, worry-free future ahead of him. Plus, seeing that shy, red-faced, flustered look was genuinely adorable… and made him want to watch the cafe owner tease him even more.

Meanwhile, Ning Chu was frozen stiff in his seat, not knowing where to put his hands or feet. Sitting felt wrong, standing felt wrong.

So this was what it felt like when girls chased after Wen Yang—that strange mix of anticipation and panic, paired with the inability to coldly reject a sweet, gentle request.

“Go on, try it.”

“…Alright!” Ning Chu took a deep breath to calm himself, then picked up the coffee and took a small sip. His brows furrowed slightly as he said, in all seriousness, “Maybe it’s a bit too sweet?”

Better get this “taste test” over with fast—that was the real reason they were here today! He couldn’t let the cafe owner keep toying with him like this!

“And the cake’s a little heavy after a couple bites. Might be too much cream…”

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Wen Yang happily eating while watching the show.

“Makes sense,” the cafe owner said, pressing a finger to her chin, nodding thoughtfully. “People are more health-conscious these days—too sweet isn’t good. Alright, I’ll work on it some more.”

“Sounds good!”

“How about we add each other on WeChat? Next time, I’ll call you over to try again.”

Whoa, straight to asking for his WeChat?! Could she be a little more forward?!

“Big Sis, you already have my WeChat, right?” Before Ning Chu could even shake his head, Wen Yang spoke up. “Just call me next time. If we’re both free, we’ll come by.”

Wen Yang— you traitor! What did she bribe you with to make you play wingman?!

The cafe owner just smiled and nodded. “Alright then.”

“Anyway, we’ve got something else to do, so we’ll get going.”

“So soon? Why not wait until the rain lightens up?”

Wen Yang shook his head helplessly. “We made plans earlier. It’d be rude to be late.”

“Okay, okay~ Be careful on the road. Come play again soon~”

If they weren’t still in front of her, Ning Chu would’ve exploded by now.

Who shoves their roommate into the fire like that?!

Fuming, he followed Wen Yang out of the shop. Standing under the eaves, he rounded on him, eyes wide and sharp like a little apricot blossom. “What the hell was that?!”

“What are you so mad for?” Wen Yang’s smug grin made his intent clear. “You’re always finding excuses to stop me from going on dates.”

“So, even if your excuses were technically legit… I figure I’m allowed to get a little revenge, right?”

“???”

So he wasn’t trying to be the cafe owner’s wingman… he was just making sure she couldn’t get my WeChat?

…Good job then, I guess!