Why Do You Suddenly Need a Manager?

Li Qin Yao returned to B City after spending time with her paternal grandparents.

That morning, Li Qin Yao spent time with her mother and took her out for breakfast. Then, she went to her cafe after the lunch hour. When she walked through the door, her employee immediately greeted her with smiles on their faces. Once Li Qin Yao put her bags in the office, Yin Mei Xuan greeted her with enthusiasm.

"Boss, you're back!" Mei Xuan wrapped her arms around Li Qin Yao, acting dramatically. "I miss you so much."

Li Qin Yao laughed at her friend's act. "Quit it. Or else, I'm not going to give you the souvenirs I brought from Capital City."

The woman's eyes sparkled at the mention of souvenirs. "You brought souvenirs? Boss! I know that you loved me the best!"

Li Qin Yao chuckled. "I brought something for everyone. Later, you help me to distribute them. Right. Mei Xuan, how was the cafe during my absence? Everything's good?"

"Of course," Mei Xuan smiled. "Don't forget that before I married my husband and have my son, I was a manager at a department store for a few years. I can manage a few days looking after this place. Rest assure. The report is on your table."

Li Qin Yao nodded. She went into her office to check on Mei Xuan's report. After spending almost an hour in her cramped office, Li Qin Yao peeked outside. Once she was sure that there were not many customers, Li Qin Yao called Mei Xuan into her office.

"What's wrong?" Mei Xuan asked as soon as she saw the report on Li Qin Yao's table. "Did I make any mistake? It seemed that my skills have deteriorated after leaving the workforce for years."

"I didn't say that there was anything wrong with your report," Li Qin Yao said with a hint of laughter in her voice.

"Then, why did you call me in?" Yin Mei Xuan shifted anxiously on her seat.

"Well, I need your opinion on something," Li Qin Yao laughed to ease the atmosphere. Immediately, Mei Xuan's expression relaxed. Li Qin Yao stared at the documents on her table as she thought of how should she begin.

"You can say what you what's on your mind," Yin Mei Xuan encouraged. "Whatever it is, I'm ready."

"It's like this," Li Qin Yao began. "Mei Xuan, I know that you agreed to work for my cafe because you had too much time. But I was wondering if you would like to take the position as the manager of this cafe?"

Yin Mei Xuan stared at her friend with shock. "Why do you suddenly need a manager?"

"I agreed to help my grandfather with something," Li Qin Yao said. "I would probably be busy for a few months. I was afraid that I might not have time to look after the cafe. Therefore, I need someone to manage this place. Then, I can relax a little bit."

"I don't mind helping you to look after this cafe," Yin Mei Xuan said after a few seconds of silence. "But I don't think I would be a proper person as a manager. You know that I always leave early to fetch my son."

Li Qin Yao smiled. She had guessed that her friend would decline the promotion. Although Yin Mei Xuan would act playfully when she saw a good looking man, she valued her family very much. Usually, she would come and work at the cafe during her son's school hour and went back home after she picked up her son. She only agreed to work for Lilium Cafe because she was too bored, and at that time, Li Qin Yao needed someone.

Yin Mei Xuan looked at her friend and said, "What about Qing Kong?"

The young barista's face immediately appeared on Li Qin Yao's mind. "Qing Kong?"

Mei Xuan nodded. "Although the girl usually spent her time behind the counter, making coffee and drinks, I think with a little bit of training, she can be a good leader."

"Then, I'll observe her for a while and see how it goes," Li Qin Yao said. The two friends chatted briefly before Mei Xuan clocked out to pick up her son from his kindergarten.

As the cafe was not busy, Li Qin Yao checked her email and read the documents that her grandfather had sent her a few days ago. Then, she jotted down a few vital information and planned the first draft to begin working on the tender.

Looking at the information that her grandfather gave her, Li Qin Yao noted that the project in B City was bigger than what she had expected. Li Qin Yao wondered if she should contact a few of her trusted friends to help her with the project.

Without realizing, Li Qin Yao has spent almost three hours in her office. The sky has nearly turned dark. Li Qin Yao was stretching her body when her phone rang. She looked at the caller ID and smiled.

It was her boyfriend, Chen Hao.