Work Text:
Liu Qingge lets out a weary sigh as he finally escapes to the backroom, his shift officially over. Working in a maid cafe is hard work! It’s fast paced and, for someone like him, extremely emotionally demanding. His persona at work isn’t too hard to maintain, just your typical “brooding tsun” as Shang Qinghua once said.
What is hard is not getting into fights with his coworkers, and in some cases, a few pesky customers.
Today has been a rather trying day. He’d really like to just finish changing and go straight home. Life always has other plans, however.
His phone vibrates with another message from Mingyan. He barely spares it a glance before tucking it away. Mingyan has been pestering him all week about visiting a new cafe. His sister was a frequent customer at a number of cafes, not just his own.
He finally agreed yesterday, but today he regrets it. Just a little. Liu Qingge loves his sister and secretly loves to indulge her, but today he’s just not in the mood.
And it has nothing (everything) to do with how Luo Binghe and Shen Yuan spent the entire afternoon awkwardly flirting.
It’s whatever. Liu Qingge has long moved past sulking over his pseudo-rejection. But that doesn’t mean he wants to watch their glorified kitchen boy trip over himself to dote on one of his former regulars!
Liu Mingyan is waiting for him right outside the cafe. She doesn’t say much but the excited look in her eyes says it all. Liu Qingge sighs, knowing he won’t have the heart to reject her now.
“So, where are we going today?”
The answer turns out to be the Red Pavilion. Liu Qingge has heard a lot about this place. The “maid service style” cafe business was pretty popular nowadays, but there were very few cafes that actually stood out. One, of course, was Liu Qingge’s Cang Qiong Cafe. But right up there with it was the Red Pavilion.
Where Cang Qiong proudly follows a western style maid setting, the Red Pavilion takes a different approach. This cafe is modeled loosely after a 1920s Shanghai lounge, everything from the decor to the staff uniforms. Even the menu is said to serve some of the best traditional Chinese sweets in town.
So although the two cafe’s essentially follow the same business models, they couldn’t be more different. That’s probably why they could remain in such fierce competition for so long.
Liu Qingge is… curious, to say the least. It’s always a good idea to scope the competition, right? His thoughts flit to Luo Binghe. Always a good idea to scope out future job prospects as well.
As he guessed, Liu Mingyan is something of a regular at this cafe (really, which cafe wasn’t she a regular at?) and the two get seated right away. It’s a nice table, tucked in a corner away from the main bustle. It only seats two, maybe meant for dates or solo visits; it reminds Liu Qingge of Mingyan’s regular table at Cang Qiong. The small detail makes him smile.
His sister is in the middle of explaining the highlights of this cafe when Liu Qingge sees him.
Shen Jiu, in the flesh, serving a table across the room. Liu Qingge almost chokes on air, because though he’s seen enough of Shen Jiu for two lifetimes while working together, he’s never quite seen him like this.
The crossdressing is nothing new. Shen Jiu preferred to crossdress at Cang Qiong most of the time, claiming it got him more customers. But there’s a difference in seeing that sour face try to pull off a frilly french maid uniform, and seeing him slink around in a tight, floor length qipao.
The form fitting silk is a deep forest green, trimmed with gold embroidery, that glitters like a snake’s scales when he shifts. His shoulder length hair hangs loose around his face, one side tucked behind his ear, a sharp contrast from the quirky styles Cang Qiong required. The curtain of black only serves to make Shen Jiu’s painted red lips pop even more.
Liu Qingge needs to get out of here, immediately.
His sister definitely does not get his silent memo, because in the next minute she’s waving happily to what should be their server, only for Liu Qingge to see Shen Jiu staring right at them. Then, Shen Jiu starts walking towards them and he totally loses it.
“Mingyan! What are you doing?” He hisses as his sister keeps waving at his mortal fucking enemy.
“I’m saying hi to Jiu-jie.”
Liu Qingge chokes on air again.
“Jiu-jie?!”
He swallows his tongue as the clicking of heels dangerously approaches. Green silk enters his peripherals, confirming his sinking suspicions.
“Good afternoon mistress Liu, it’s a pleasure to see you, as always.”
Liu Qingge shudders at that voice, looking up at where Shen Jiu is bowing politely to his sister. Even after a year of working together, seeing Shen Jiu in action is always so jarring. Those lips that curl into the ugliest of snarls are shaped into an alluring smile; that normally venomous voice is dripping with warmth and charm.
“And I see you’ve brought a… new friend.”
It’s almost a relief to see Shen Jiu struggle in his presence. Liu Qingge doesn’t know what he’d do if that hard-earned service facade was turned on him fully.
“Jiejie, you don’t need to act like that around me."
Shen Jiu slides a sharp look at Liu Qingge. Liu Mingyan giggles.
“You definitely don’t need to act around him.”
Shen Jiu hesitates a moment longer before sighing, his posture relaxing fractionally. Liu Qingge doesn’t want to cause a scene, but if they’re not sniping at each other, he doesn’t really know how to act around Shen Jiu. Thankfully, the man mainly ignores him in favor of his sister (a situation he never saw coming).
“What can I get you today meimei?”
The curl of his lips, the tone of his voice, could almost be called gentle. That’s something he never thought to associate with Shen Jiu. Shen Yuan, maybe, the younger twin having always been more generous with his smiles. But Liu Qingge learned that kind face hid the same sharpness his older twin proudly displayed.
“Since it’s Qing-ge’s first time here, let’s do the sampler tea set.”
“Of course. Do you want an extra side of tanghulu with that?”
Mingyan practically beams. “Jiejie knows me best.”
Shen Jiu smiles and flicks her nose playfully. Too weird! Then, those deep green eyes land on him and a sneer mars that pretty face. That’s more like it. Liu Qingge scowls in return, but otherwise leaves him in peace.
They’re not coworkers anymore, and he’s not gonna start a fight with the guy at work. Liu Qingge has some sense of propriety.
Liu Mingyan quickly distracts him with talks of her next book idea. She doesn’t mention Shen Jiu or her apparent sudden friendship with that snake. Liu Qingge frowns at his own thoughts. Mingyan isn’t naive, and she’s always been an excellent judge of character. So then, why would she befriend Shen Jiu? Unless he was missing something…
“One sampler tray, extra tanghulu.” His thoughts are interrupted as a tray is set before them. “Also, some surprise assorted sweets.”
Mingyan sighs fondly. “Jiu-jie, I said to stop it with the free sweets. How ever will I keep my figure at this rate?”
Shen Jiu rolls his eyes. “Mo Ran’s experimenting with flavors again. Let me know what you think. Just holler if you need me again.”
Liu Qingge watches as Shen Jiu saunters away again. Then quickly looks away when he realizes the slit in his qipao goes all the way to his thigh. He did not need to see that. It makes something strange flutter in his stomach that he quickly tries to smother with some tea.
And then promptly burns his tongue. Fantastic.
Liu Mingyan giggles at his obvious plight, but pushes a plate of osmanthus cakes his way. So she does still love him, good to know.
The late afternoon starts to bleed into early evening by the time they finish their tea tray. Shen Jiu’s only been by once or twice, to clear some plates and provide a fresh pot of tea. All in all, it’s been a rather nice outing. Liu Qingge’s even managed to tamp down his fight or flight instinct every time green flashes in his periphery.
“I need to use the restroom. If Shen Jiu comes by, just tell him to put this all on my tab, with my usual tip.”
“Why do I gotta-”
“His shift is ending soon. It’d be just like him to leave without letting me pay him.”
That has Liu Qingge feeling some type of way. Shen Jiu, refusing money? Unheard of. In their early days at Cang Qiong, during one of their fights, Liu Qingge had asked (yelled) why Shen Jiu even worked in a service industry, if he hated people so much. He’d aptly replied that manipulating losers into leaving him obscene tips was more than worth it. Which, in hindsight, is fair enough… that’s technically why Liu Qingge does it too. But he’s nicer about it at least!
Lost in thought, he doesn’t notice Shen Jiu until an empty tray lands in front of him. He startles but quickly turns a commanding glare at the man.
“Mingyan said to put this on her tab. And to give yourself the usual tip.” Liu Qingge fidgets when Shen Jiu just rolls his eyes and starts clearing the table. He frowns and adds, “Take it or don’t, I don’t care. But you know Mingyan will chew you out if you don’t.”
Shen Jiu purses his lips but still says nothing. His expression is complicated, which in Shen Jiu terms means looking serious without downright venomous. Liu Qingge watches as he clears the table in silence, starting to reevaluate his perception of this man. He lifts the tray, turning to walk away, but freezes midway. Liu Qingge’s just about to ask what’s wrong when Shen Jiu twirls back around, almost dropping everything.
The tray clatters on the table and a complaint is hot on his tongue, but the breath is knocked out of him as Shen Jiu pushes him back and sits in his lap.
Liu Qingge can’t even ask a “What the fuck are you doing?” before Shen Jiu wraps those pale arms around his shoulder, nearly burying his face against Liu Qingge’s neck
A hiss blows hot against his ear. “If you value your life, shut up and play along.”
Liu Qingge bristles at the threat, ready to shove him off in spite, when something else catches his eye. He looks up and sees none other than Yue Qingyuan walk through the front door. That’s… really weird. What’s his manager doing here of all places?
“What’s he doing here?” He can’t help but wonder out loud. He doesn’t expect to get an answer.
“He’s looking for me. Just… move your big head.”
“Hey!”
Despite his protest, Shen Jiu yanks him around, continuing to hide himself from Yue Qingyuan’s view. And Liu Qingge might have argued Shen Jiu’s answer… except it really does seem like Yue Qingyuan is looking for someone. The man makes his way around the cafe, paying special attention to the staff members, edging his way to the backroom.
Liu Qingge frowns, turning now to question Shen Jiu again. He doesn’t expect to be met with Shen Jiu’s sharp eyes, and wow, he never noticed what a deep green they were? He might be in a bit of a daze, which is why his question comes out relatively calm, betraying none of his inner turmoil.
“Why are you hiding from Mr. Yue?”
Shen Jiu’s mouth twists, a red scar across that pale face.
“Disgusting, don’t call him that.” He clicks his teeth. “And I’m not hiding, I’m avoiding. There’s a difference.”
Liu Qingge rolls his eyes. “Sure, whatever. Go avoid somewhere else—”
He never finishes his barb, or gets the chance to shove Shen Jiu away. Because in the next second, Shen Jiu sees something over his shoulder, eyes widening in what might be panic, then pulls Liu Qingge into an abrupt kiss.
What. The. Fuck.
The kiss lasts forever but also ends too soon. Liu Qingge just knows his face is a bright red when Shen Jiu pulls back. And, oh… his lipstick is smeared. Liu Qingge stares at him, absolutely dumbstruck, so he can’t even protest when Shen Jiu smiles coyly and speaks just this side of too loud.
“Thanks for picking me up from work. Let me just grab my things.”
Liu Qingge gets one more pat on the cheek before the warm weight is leaving his lap. He lets go of Shen Jiu’s waist (and when did that even happen?) and watches the man resume the table clean up, as if nothing happened.
Liu Qingge blinks out of his stupor, shaking his head, and that’s when he notices Yue Qingyuan standing a table away, looking just as dumbfounded as he feels.
A dish clatters in the distance and Yue Qingyuan snaps out of his daze. He seems to really see Liu Qingge for the first time, because his eyes widen in surprise.
“Oh, it’s you,” Yue Qingyuan blurts out, cheeks immediately heating at the rude phrasing.
“Manager Yue…” Liu Qingge nods politely, trying and probably failing to smile.
He doesn’t know if Shen Jiu’s lipstick smeared onto his own lips. At this point, he’s too afraid to check. Yue Qingyuan’s quick glance to his lips and embarrassed fake cough is answer enough.
“What a surprise. I never knew you two were… so close,” he comments awkwardly.
“Because it’s none of your business,” Shen Jiu snaps harshly.
“Shen Jiu-” Liu Qingge admonishes weakly before getting cut off.
“Anyways, I need to clock out and change. I’ll be back.”
Shen Jiu shoots one last glare at Yue Qingyuan before grabbing the tray and sauntering away. Liu Qingge and Yue Qingyuan are left in a rather awkward silence. Not for the first time he wonders what the hell is taking Liu Mingyan so long?
Liu Qingge’s just about to make some excuse to leave, not wanting to get involved in whatever is happening here, when Yue Qingyuan takes another step forward.
“So, you and Shen Jiu? When did that happen?”
It sounds like a casual enough question, enough that Liu Qingge is about to deny it all. But something about Yue Qingyuan’s tone seems… off. Then he remembers the near panicked look in Shen Jiu’s eyes earlier and decides, miraculously, to play along.
“Yeah. It was all… very sudden.” He cringes internally, his lie not convincing at all.
“You’ve never gotten along,” Yue Qingyuan wonders aloud, although it sounds a bit like an accusation.
Well, he’s not wrong. He’s probably thinking back to all the fights they got into at the cafe. So yeah, true, they were at each other’s throats at Cang Qiong most of the time. But… Shen Jiu hasn’t worked at Cang Qiong for a few months now. And Liu Qingge might look up to him, but he wasn’t particularly close to his manager. Did Yue Qingyuan really have to bring that up?
“Mhm,” Liu Qingge hums noncommittally.
The two endure another round of awkward silence, that is yet again broken by Yue Qingyuan.
“So how did you…”
He doesn’t finish his question, but the intention is clear enough. Liu Qingge frowns, his gut swooping uncomfortably with the weird prying. He can’t help but get a little defensive.
“That’s a little personal, manager.”
Yue Qingyuan startles at his clipped tone.
“Right, of course. Sorry.”
His phone buzzes at that moment, a message from Mingyan. Apparently she’s already left the cafe somehow, he’s not about to question it. Liu Qingge stands up, fully intending to leave. By all means, he’s fully in his right to leave, Shen Jiu's weird ploys be damned. Then he glances at Yue Qingyuan again.
The man is trying to seem casual, but he’s not subtle with the way his eyes keep darting to the backroom. Where Shen Jiu is. Liu Qingge’s stomach sinks.
For the first time, Liu Qingge is seeing his boss in a different light.
When you work in a maid cafe, you tend to run across a specific type of clientele. It’s just one of the risks the job entails, but that doesn’t make it easier. Liu Qingge doesn’t get it as bad as the girls, or as bad as the guys who crossdress; in fact, he’s usually the one that butts in to chase those ones out.
Safe to say, he’s dealt with his fair share of unsavory customers, of clients that always crossed a line, of people who couldn’t take no for an answer. The fact that Yue Qingyuan is triggering that same instinct in him…
Liu Qingge doesn't leave.
“Did you… need Shen Jiu for something?”
Yue Qingyuan looks surprised to be on the receiving end of a question.
“Oh. I just wanted to talk to him… about some things… not too important.”
That answer is… vague, to say the least. Liu Qingge doesn’t like it. (His list of dislikes with Yue Qingyuan keeps growing). Against popular opinion, Liu Qingge isn’t actually a bad actor. He is a successful maid cafe host for a reason. So it’s with his most convincing act that he checks his watch and smiles apologetically.
“Not to be rude, sir, but we’ve actually got a reservation to get to. If it’s not too important, can it wait?”
Yue Qingyuan flusters, lips frozen in a cordial smile. “Of course, yes, don’t feel obligated. I just randomly dropped in.”
Yeah right. Randomly dropped in. During Shen Jiu’s shift. Right when said shift was about to end. Yet another alarm bell. If Liu Qingge wasn’t convinced before, he sure is now.
“Great, thanks Mr. Yue.”
Right on cue, Shen Jiu walks out of the backroom back towards them. He’s in his normal clothes, jeans and a loose button-up, hair in a messy bun and lips still stained red. Liu Qingge ignores the way his stomach swoops at the sight.
Then he sees the way Shen Jiu falters in his steps, eyes darting warily towards Yue Qingyuan. His stomach does another funny swoop, much less pleasant this time. He doesn’t ignore that one.
“Xiao-”
“A-Jiu.”
Liu Qingge cuts Yue Qingyuan off, startling even himself. He recovers quickly, his confidence boosted with the way Shen Jiu hurries to his side. He turns so they’re face to face, summoning all his years of acting to shoot Shen Jiu a (hopefully) fond smile.
“You sure took your time. We’re gonna be late at this rate.”
Liu Qingge casually flicks a lock of Shen Jiu’s hair. Those sharp green eyes flash in understanding.
“Late… right. Wouldn’t want that.”
Shen Jiu easily links their hands, turning towards the exit, which just so happens to be past Yue Qingyuan. The man is wearing a complicated expression, one that Liu Qingge can tell he’s trying to disguise with a mild smile.
“Well Mr. Yue, I’ll uh… see you tomorrow.”
“Right, have a good evening. Both of you.”
Shen Jiu doesn’t spare the man another glance, simply rolling his eyes and tugging Liu Qingge along. Liu Qingge is more than happy, dying to get the fuck out of there. They leave the cafe in a hurried pace, not slowing until it’s well out of sight. Then and only then does Liu Qingge pull them to a stop, releasing the death grip on Shen Jiu’s hand.
He wisely doesn’t comment on how those pale fingers shake once released.
“What was that all about?” He demands, needing an explanation. Shen Jiu, of course, just rolls his eyes.
“None of your business.”
Liu Qingge snorts humorlessly. “Funny, you kind of just made it my business. What gives?”
Shen Jiu doesn’t answer, simply staring at the ground with a sour expression. Probably waiting for Liu Qingge to get frustrated and storm off, as he was wont to do. Well tough luck buttercup, he wasn’t going anywhere without some answers.
“You helped me.”
The sudden statement throws him off. Shen Jiu still isn’t looking at him, and his expression is looking more constipated by the second. Confused, Liu Qingge answers haltingly.
“I… I mean, yeah?”
Shen Jiu replies through grit teeth, “Thank you.”
For the hundredth time that night, Liu Qingge is dumbstruck. Shen Jiu doesn’t say thank you. He simply doesn’t. Liu Qingge shakes his head, his thoughts a jumbled mess.
“Now you’re freaking me out.”
Shen Jiu scoffs at that and finally starts to walk away. For some reason, Liu Qingge follows.
After a block of silence, Liu Qingge feels the need to explain himself.
“Look, I helped you out because… that was kind of weird.”
That makes Shen Jiu slow down. A thin brow raises up in askance. Liu Qingge sighs, scratching at his head in frustration.
“Manager Yue was giving some bad vibes, okay? You were avoiding him for a reason, not just to be a bitch like usual.”
Something about the insult helps lighten the air between them. Maybe they’re so used to being hostile with each other, that even this barely-there civility was too jarring.
“Besides, you wouldn’t kiss me unless the world was gonna end. So what gives?”
“So dramatic, give yourself some credit,” he drawls mockingly. Liu Qingge doesn’t back down. Shen Jiu crosses his arms, a defense mechanism if Liu Qingge’s ever seen one. Something he’s never associated with Shen Jiu, but maybe he should’ve.
“Look, you don’t need all the details. It boils down to he dumped me, I stuck around like an idiot, then I came to my senses. But suddenly he grows a pair, I reject him, and now he won’t leave me the fuck alone. Got it?”
No, Liu Qingge did not get it. What the fuck kind of half assed answer is that? But it also begs the question…
“Wait, all this happened when you were at Cang Qiong?”
“Not all of it.” Shen Jiu looks down, picking at his nails. “I was already over him when I was working at Cang Qiong. Then the damn pestering started, so I left.”
Liu Qingge thinks back to their year together at Cang Qiong. There was that strange period of time where he noticed Yue Qingyuan frequenting the dining area. Sometimes he would act as a customer, something about observing the work environment. Other times he’d treat the table as his office, doing paperwork amongst all the bustle.
He only ever did that in Shen Jiu’s section. Liu Qingge may have made note of it at the time, but it seemed so inconsequential. Another dot connects in his head. Wasn’t it around that same time frame that Shen Jiu’s attitude became especially unbearable?
Liu Qingge feels vaguely ill. Yue Qingyuan had been doing that for months.
He never stopped to think about that. To wonder why Shen Jiu started calling in sick more often. To wonder why he would outright refuse to work his sections some days. Liu Qingge always chalked it up to Shen Jiu being an asshole, out to make everyone’s life hell.
Now, dare he say, he actually feels bad for Shen Jiu. The man was no saint, that’s for sure, but even Shen Jiu shouldn’t have to put up with that behavior for so long, especially not in the name of professionalism.
Now, dare he fucking say, he wonders if might have pegged Shen Jiu all wrong this whole time.
He sums up all of his torrid thoughts and epiphanies in one, succinct statement.
“That’s… gross.”
Shen Jiu’s face does something interesting at that. Sort of like he wants to laugh but also fight at the same time. Liu Qingge can relate.
“It’s complicated. And I don’t need to explain myself to you.”
Shen Jiu’s voice lacks its usual vitriol. It makes it easy for Liu Qingge to chase after him as he “storms” away. He catches up easily, grabbing him by the elbow and spinning him around.
“Actually, I think you do. Owe me an explanation, that is.”
Shen Jiu quirks a brow. “Oh? And why’s that?”
“Because I want to help you.”
“You what?”
Shen Jiu can’t hide his disbelief and honestly, Liu Qingge’s a little offended. Liu Qingge’s not stupid, okay? Sure, he’s a little stubborn. Maybe he likes keeping things simple, making a decision or judgement and sticking to it. But he has been known to change his mind, okay? He can admit his wrongs.
“You may be an asshole, but even you don’t deserve to get hounded like that.”
Shen Jiu looks him over thoughtfully. “What do you have in mind?”
“Date me,” he blurts out stupidly.
Shen Jiu colors rapidly in what must be rage. Liu Qingge’s mind catches up to his mouth and he desperately backtracks.
“Fake date! Fake date me!” He tightens his grip on Shen Jiu’s elbow, quickly explaining. “Manager Yue already thinks we’re dating now. So, I’ll help you by keeping up the act.”
Shen Jiu genuinely bristles at that. “What am I, a fucking bone? That a dog won’t leave me alone unless another one marks its territory?”
He pulls away harshly and truly storms away this time. Liu Qingge needs to jog to catch up, swerving to cut him off but doesn’t touch him again.
“Okay, that sounded bad, I get it. But you totally started it first, don’t forget that.” That gets Shen Jiu to stop, and when those blazing eyes are back on him Liu Qingge says lowly, “You, Shen Jiu, kissed me first.”
It’s meant to be an accusation that works in his favor, but Liu Qingge immediately regrets bringing it up. Because Shen Jiu’s emerald eyes dart down to his lips for the briefest of moments and suddenly his throat is drier than a desert. Despite the uncomfortable itch to do something, Liu Qingge refuses to back down from their ensuing stare off.
Shen Jiu, thankfully, gives in first.
“Fine. We’re fake dating. You can start by taking me to dinner. I’m starving.”
Shen Jiu walks off again, but this time it’s with Liu Qingge’s wrist in hand. He stumbles along for a few steps, his mind catching up to the new situation. His mind is catching up on a lot today, isn’t it? Eventually, Liu Qingge makes the executive decision to flip the script, slipping his hand down to lock their fingers together instead.
“Dinner’s on me, but only if you tell me more about what I’m actually getting myself into.”
He can feel Shen Jiu’s burning gaze on him, but refuses to look away from the road in front of him. He only hopes his ears aren’t as red as they feel. He senses more than sees the devious smirk on Shen Jiu’s stained lips as he hums.
“Free is free I guess. You’ve got a deal, Liu Qingge.”
Half a year later, they’re still dating. Whether or not it’s fake is for them to know and for absolutely no one else to find out.
(Shen Yuan finds out. It makes a memorable Best Man’s speech when the time comes.)