Chapter Text
The sky was a pale watery grey, only a sliver of sun still hanging low along the horizon, as Beidou unlocked the door to her shop. A gust of cold wind blew past, scattering the powdery snow that lay in drifts at the edges of the sidewalk. Fumbling with the ice-cold handle, she thrust the door open, a gentle jingling sound announcing her presence to the empty cafe. Dropping her keys into the leather jacket she’d pulled tightly around her to block out the cold, she hurried inside. The dim light of early morning did nothing to ease the shadows gathered in the cozy little shop, though it barely mattered to Beidou. She could traverse the shop with her eyes closed, a handy trait due to the failing sight in her left eye. She’d learned to rely on muscle memory rather than sight, although her right eye worked perfectly fine.
Reaching for the light switch, Beidou stifled a yawn. Typically early mornings were no big deal for her, but the cold made her want nothing more than to go back to bed. Incandescent light bulbs behind beautifully detailed glass shades cast a warm glow over the shop, filling it from the ceiling down with welcoming energy. Though the bitter cold just outside was fierce as ever, something about the cozy little café had the ability to fill a person with warmth from the inside out.
The café was gorgeous, no doubt, but there was no time to stand around and marvel at her self-made business. Xiangling was already banging on the back door, the sound of her fist pounding against the back door echoing out of the kitchen that was curtained off behind the counter. Not a day went by that the young baker wasn’t eager to get into the kitchen and get started on the fresh pastries to be sold throughout the day. “I’m coming,” Beidou called as she rushed over behind the counter, “keep your shorts on!” That was another strange thing about Xiangling; she always wore shorts no matter how cold it got.
Upon reaching the back door, Beidou braced herself for a rush of cold air before opening a shivering Xiangling and her appropriately bundled-up little friend, Yaoyao. Beidou often wondered if the baker girl babysat as well, considering how often the little girl was seen with her, but Xiangling insisted that she and Yao Yao had the same teacher. It was strange, but Xiangling’s strangeness never bothered Beidou. The blue-haired girl pushed past Beidou, letting out a sigh of relief once shielded from the wind. “Mornin’,” she greeted Beidou cheerfully, heading directly for the ovens without another word.
Beidou shook her head with a stifled chuckle. “With how eager you are to work I ought to give you a raise,” she called after the baker girl. But Xiangling was already off in her own little world, rummaging through the kitchen inventory for ingredients to put in her creation of the day. Yaoyao gave her companion a surprisingly exasperated look. “She wouldn’t accept a raise anyway,” she piped up. “Xiangling only cooks because she likes it. She’d probably do it for free if you let her!” The little girl wasn’t wrong, Beidou knew from experience, but she couldn’t just let Xiangling work for free.
Before Beidou could carry on the conversation, Yaoyao had already taken off her coat and gone to hang it up in the shop, ready to help Xiangling prepare the pastries for the day. Following suit, she started on her own work, grabbing a towel before leaving the kitchen to go and wipe down the surfaces in the front of the cafe. With all the care in the world, Beidou dutifully scrubbed each tabletop, polished each coffee maker till it was practically gleaming, and dusted off counters till there wasn’t a crumb in sight. The little shop was entirely spotless; her work proof of the love she held for her work.
As she finished up with her cleaning, Xiangling brought out her first batch of baked goods to display in the glass case by the register. A heavenly aroma of almond biscuits and cream filled buns wafted into the dining area as she filled the case, the warmth of the kitchen leaking into the room alongside the scent as the door waited open for the young baker to return. It was almost like a scene from a movie.
The scene was shattered as a gust of cold wind burst through the front door, accompanied by a shout of surprise from the girl who had opened it as the gale wrenched the doorknob from her hand, flinging the door open. She rushed inside, her afro puffs bobbing with each hurried step. The girl closed the door with a sigh of relief as the warm atmosphere of the cafe enveloped her.
Xiangling waved cheerfully to the newcomer. “Good morning Xinyan,” she called in a bright, singsong voice. Xinyan gave a smile in return as she took off her coat, hanging it upon the rack with Beidou’s and Yaoyao’s. “Mornin’,” she hummed back. Despite her usual attire of red and black clothing, spikes on the cuffs in her hair and patches adorning her clothes, she looked right at home in the quaint shop. Beidou smiled at Xinyan, offering a wave in greeting.
Beckoning her coworker closer, Xiangling held out an almond biscuit to Xinyan. “Here, try this,” she ordered excitedly. Giving the cookie a suspicious glance, the other girl took a bite. Her eyes widened as she ate the treat, looking amazed. “That’s amazing Xiangling,” she exclaimed, talking around the cookie as she took another bite.
At Xinyan’s reaction, Beidou reached over, plucking a cookie off the tray and taking a bite. The taste of almonds was strong, but not overpowering, sweetened slightly by the dusting of slightly caramelized sugar on the top, the cookie itself soft and delicate. Nothing had ever tasted so good, no other pastry could compare. “Gods, Xiangling, you belong in a five star restaurant, not here,” she blurted out. “I hope you get the recognition you deserve someday.”
Xiangling gave Beidou a look like she had grown a second head. “What are you talking about? I get all the recognition I need here. As long as people are enjoying what I make, I don’t care about working in a fancy place with a high status.” She smiled, tucking the last few pastries into the glass display case before retrieving her tray. “Your opinion and Xinyan’s opinion matters more than any random food critic!”
With that she disappeared back into the kitchen, humming as she carried her tray off. Xinyan and Beidou exchanged astonished looks for a moment as the young baker trotted merrily off. Beidou shook her head with a quiet laugh. “Better follow her lead and get to work,” she said after a moment, a hint of laughter still in her voice.