Second Take On Romance - The A-List Actor Wants Me
Chapter 45 : The Indelible Stain Of The Past

Chapter 45: Chapter 45 : The Indelible Stain Of The Past

Head Butler Wu leaned back against the counter with a cup of steaming coffee in his hands.

It was mid-day, right after lunch break in the middle of the week. Business was slow during this time.

The butlers in the Handsome Butler Coffee Shop finally had some time to breathe and unwind.

The ones with impending auditions scattered across the room, engrossed in their preparation.

The ones who were free sat together at an empty table and discussed promising prospects in the near future.

Head Butler Wu glanced at the latter group.

In the past, a certain butler was always seen in this group, joking and laughing with others day after day.

He had been there for so long that Head Butler Wu had become accustomed to his presence.

So much so, that Head Butler Wu forgot that he too, would one day take his leave.

Aaah.

Everyone came and left.

Only he stayed behind.

Ting-a-ling.

The bell above the door tinkled, announcing the arrival of another customer.

Everyone turned their heads toward the door, ready to go back to their position.

"Welcome to the Handsome Butler Coffee Shop!" They all cried out in unison.

Head Butler Wu approached the visitor with a smile as bright as usual, only for it to fade with recognition.

"Shen... Shen Jingwei?"

The customer took off his disguise and flashed Head Butler Wu a sheepish grin.

"Head Butler, long time no see."

The other butlers exchanged puzzled looks with each other.

So, was this customer no customer at all?

"Everyone, you can continue doing what you were doing just now," Head Butler Wu said as he pulled Shen Jingwei to another empty table with a smile. "I will handle this special customer."

Shen Jingwei laughed.

"I like the way you take charge."

"Pfft, I am the boss here after all."

Shen Jingwei eyed the curious butlers who craned their heads to take a better look of him from a distance.

"I see new faces," he remarked. "Where are the others? Luo Chengshi, Yang Zichen and Jin Zhuo?"

"All gone."

Head Butler Wu poured black coffee into a cup and started working on creating a latte art for Shen Jingwei.

"Gone? For good?"

Shen Jingwei blinked several times in astonishment.

"That was fast."

"Yep. They emptied their lockers the moment they obtained confirmation about their first jobs. Unlike you, who still occupy a locker although you haven’t been here for months."

Shen Jingwei giggled softly.

"So sorry about that, Head Butler. I am going to empty my locker now."

Head Butler Wu placed the cup of latte in front of Shen Jingwei.

"Take your time. I am glad that I get to see you again."

"It’s not a farewell," Shen Jingwei said. "I will come by to visit sometimes."

Head Butler Wu merely gave him a wistful smile in return.

Everyone said that, but eventually no one ever did. Once they got busy chasing their dreams, very few people actually cared to look back. Unless of course they encountered a road block and had to take a break for a while.

After Shen Jingwei finished his cup, he went to the locker room to collect his belongings.

Head Butler Wu went with him to continue their chat.

"Oh, look at this."

Shen Jingwei pulled out a white apron with his name neatly embroidered close to the heart.

"Has it always been this old and tattered?" He frowned.

"Of course. You have been wearing it for so long that you do not notice. I was already thinking of gifting you a new one for your third work anniversary."

Shen Jingwei laughed.

"I guess you no longer have to do that," he quipped.

Head Butler Wu smiled.

"Yeah. Congratulations on landing a major role in a drama, Little Shen."

A wry smile crept across Shen Jingwei’s face. The congratulation was in order, but he was simply not accustomed to receiving one.

"Thank you, Head Butler."

He picked out his personal belongings one by one and dumped them into a cardboard box.

"The future is uncertain for all of us. I often feel like this role is my final act before curtain call, a chance to shine brightly before fading into obscurity."

The older man patted Shen Jingwei on his back.

"Don’t say that. You are jinxing your own future."

Shen Jingwei grinned at him.

"If I do end up that way, will you kindly consider taking me in as a permanent employee in this coffee shop?"

Both men broke into laughter.

"Sure. We will draft an employment contract for you. I might even consider future co-ownership."

Shen Jingwei departed shortly after, a cardboard box filled with his belongings in tow. Unlike his colleagues, he had amassed a considerable collection of items over nearly three years, none of which he was willing to discard.

Once he was gone, the other butlers could not help but gather around Head Butler Wu.

"Head Butler, isn’t that Shen Jingwei?"

"Yes," the Head Butler confirmed. "It is."

"Wow," a butler mouthed in admiration. "I can’t believe that someone so famous worked here previously."

Another butler snorted in ridicule.

"Famous? More like notorious."

His colleagues turned to look at him.

"Notorious? What do you mean?"

"Well, just yesterday someone posted about Shen Jingwei. Apparently, three years ago, when he was still studying at the acting academy, he tried to seduce Yan Renzhong.

A disgusting homosexual, that’s what he is."

"Watch your mouth."

The temperature in the coffee shop seemed to drop several degrees lower when Head Butler Wu’s voice cracked through the air like a vicious whip.

"If you ever badmouth him within this coffee shop’s confines again, you do not need to return."

The new butlers flinched from the harsh reprimand.

"Sorry, Head Butler."

"We will mind our business, Head Butler."

They quickly hurried away before they incurred their superior’s wrath again.

Head Butler Wu furrowed his brows in concern as he looked out the window.

The dark clouds were starting to gather outside, rolling ominously with low rumbling noises.

A tempestuous downpour was imminent.