Shao Jingfei walked over after putting down his bucket and gave the cat a pat on the head. "How did you come out again? You really don't know when to behave."
The cat leaned his head more to his touch before struggling to get out of Dai Shenqiang's hold.
"Oops!" Dai Shenqiang exclaimed when the tabby cat jumped off his hand and walked off somewhere.
"Is that your cat?" Dai Shenqiang asked Shao Jingfei. "Is it okay not to chase after it?"
"It will be fine. That one is adventurous, so it will slip out once and twice a day, even if I have already locked every door and window. It'll come back when he is hungry."
"Uhm, are you working here? I actually made a promise with my friend to meet up here, but it doesn't seem the cafe is open yet?"
"Haha, no, it's already open," Shao Jingfei picked up his bucket, walked towards the door, and easily pulled it open. "We are open for business now. Come and check out our cafe."
Dai Shenqiang felt more convinced now he saw the staff of this place. He trudged inside and had to admit that it looked more decent compared to how it looked outside. Not only that, but he quickly noticed a few cats poking out their heads from behind furniture inside.
"This is a cat cafe?"
"Well, the sign outside pretty much had said it, but yes, it's a cat cafe."
Dai Shenqiang quickly covered his insolent mouth. "Sorry, I didn't pay attention."
Shao Jingfei laughed lightly, "No problem. We rarely have customers because we are on a secluded alley, so if you notice it right away, then you have good eyes."
Dai Shenqiang didn't know how to respond because this staff practically dissed the place where he worked, so he gave him a polite nod. "I like cats, so I feel comfortable here."
"Glad you like it. Have a seat first. Let me fetch the menu for you."
Dai Shenqiang took a seat while Shao Jingfei put down the menu in front of him. He quickly scanned it and ordered a glass of ice lemonade and a chocolate cake. Shao Jingfei took his order and left to prepare it.
Left with nothing to do, Dai Shenqiang felt restless as he waited alone. He carefully took out a file from his bag and examined the contents once again to calm his nerves.
It was the first manhwa he drew. Although he felt satisfied with the result, he wasn't sure if Li Caiyi's editor would find it satisfying. The theme that he and Li Caiyi chose was a brief chapter about two cultivators who fought at the end of the world.
Li Caiyi did an excellent job by adding a revenge theme to the plot to make it more gripping, but Dai Shenqiang didn't know if his drawing could match her quality writing.
So far, he didn't hear any complaint from Li Caiyi, but knowing her, she probably just held herself back for his sake.
That was why Dai Shenqiang was very nervous right now.
A bell chiming sound came from the door, and Li Caiyi entered the cafe with a bag of groceries in her arms. She noticed Dai Shenqiang immediately and smiled at him.
'',
"You are already here? You are very early."
Dai Shenqiang's shoulders loosened at seeing Li Caiyi. He was confused about why she came in with groceries in her arms. After all, this was supposed to be an important meeting with her editor. Yet, she dressed casually and was almost sloppy even.
"Did you just come back from shopping?" Dai Shenqiang couldn't help but ask.
"Ah? Yes. We didn't have many chances to do it these days because of mid-term exams, so now the shopping list is piling up."
"Why don't you ask your family member to do it for you?"
Li Caiyi needed to stop for a second before the realization hit her. "Ah, yes. You haven't heard about it yet. I'm living here temporarily, so I kind of take on the shopping chores for myself to help out."
"What? You did?" Dai Shenqiang's eyes widened in surprise. "Why would you live here instead of in your own house?"
"Well, many things happened, so I need to take refuge here momentarily, but nothing so serious you have to be worried about."
Dai Shenqiang narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but he didn't press the issue further. "Is that why you recommended this place as our meeting place?"
"Yup, it would be more convenient that way."
"I knew it. Since you are chummy with the editor, I guess it doesn't matter if you show up like this. But tell me, is he a strict person? What kind of person is he?"
His question dumbfounded Li Caiyi. "Huh? Didn't you meet him when you came into this cafe?"
"No, I didn't meet him."
Li Caiyi tilted her head in confusion. "Strange. He should be here already, or did he step out for a moment?"
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting. Here is your order."
Shao Jingfei carried a tray with Dai Shenqiang's order on top of it. He carefully put them on top of the table before shifting his gaze to Li Caiyi. "That's a lot of things you got there. I already told you we should have gone together."
"It's no problem at all. This is the least I can do to help you," Li Caiyi replied. Then she stared at Dai Shenqiang with an amused grin. "Trying to lie to me? Is this payback for the other day?"
"Huh? What are you talking about? When did I lie?" Dai Shenqiang asked in confusion, prompting a confused look from Li Caiyi.
"But how can you make an order if you didn't meet him first?"
Dai Shenqiang couldn't comprehend what Li Caiyi talked about for a few seconds. He quickly connected the dots and arrived at a conclusion.
"Ah! Don't tell me–" Dai Shenqiang looked at Shao Jingfei with mouth agape, prompting laughter from Shao Jingfei's mouth.
"You are really mischievous. See how you confused him?" Li Caiyi said without reprimand in her tone because she also tried to hold back her laughter.
Dai Shenqiang always had an image that Li Caiyi's editor would be someone mature wearing a suit or something. However, the reality couldn't be more far-fetched, so it left him speechless.
"Alright, I will stop playing around now." Shao Jingfei stopped laughing and offered his hand for a handshake to Dai Shenqiang. "My name is Shao Jingfei, an editor from Glorious Days company and Li Caiyi's editor. Pleased to meet you."