Chapter 1279: It's The Coffee Shop Universe

(MC POV)

"One black coffee to go please."

"One black coffee to go, Darling~"

"One black coffee coming right up."

I started work on the coffee beans after receiving the customer's order from Lian Li.

The lunch rush was indeed quite intense as we were practically packed by early afternoon.

Thankfully, we were not the only staff around since we hired a few helpers especially for the lunch rush.

Since we were already close to the end of lunch time however, things were already slowing down so most of our hired help were busy cleaning up instead.

Oh, and none of my other disciples were part of the hired help which was a little surprising to me.

Yes, I was the one who made sure all of them were involved with us in some way but I did not specifically allocate them a role in this World. I just left it to the reality of this World to alter fate in such a way that they would be involved with Lian Li and I somehow, like Cai Hong being our daughter for one.

I'm guessing they should all be our customers in that case.

And speak of the devil...

The door to our shop opened and the bell at the entrance chimed, right before a lady wearing a red dress that showed off a portion of her cleavage entered the store.

"Ara, ara~ Good day to you, Dar~ ling~" Manami giggled before sauntering towards me. "Busy as usual, arent you?"

"Oh~ Hello Manami~ You're early today," Lian Li greeted before I could, my 'wife' appearing in front of the fox youkai and blocking her way.

"Ara, ara~ Hello Lian Li~ I didn't notice you there~"

"Yes, yes, always the same excuse. Now let me take your order and leave my husband alone~"

I noticed that she emphasised the word 'husband' quite a bit. Also, I would have been surprised by how the two of them were butting heads if I wasn't reminded of their first meeting together.

I remember how Lian Li was even scared of Manami at first, my poor disciple seemingly having some kind of fear towards youkais and hiding behind me when we first went to their village.

But after Manami joined us, the both of them spent the night talking to each other and came to some kind of understanding since they became quite close after that.

I guess in this world they saw each other as rivals since they never had that moment where they shared a tent together.

Manami smirked, "Ara, ara? But I need to place my order with him, don't I?"

"No, no. You can give it to me and I'll tell it to my husband."

"Ufufufu~ Very well~ I shall have a glass of your Sweetened Oolong tea~"

Lian Li puffed her chest and returned to the counter, "Darling~ A Sweetened Oolong tea please~"

Just as I placed the cup of black coffee for the previous customer on the counter to start on Manami's order, she came up to sit at the counter in front of me with a sly smile.

"I changed my mind, Darling~ Make it a Black Tea with a slice of lemon, a little honey and some sugar syrup. I'll also take a slice of your signature cream pie please~"

Lisn Li pouted at her while Manami giggled and pretended not to notice.

I chuckled, realising that their relationship was akin to an older sister constantly teasing her younger sister.

"Got it, I'll prepare it for you in a little bit."

I then went to start preparations on her order while making sure to also prepare an additional honey tea and cream pie for Lian Li.

The other staff then started to leave while saying their goodbyes, one of them was even cheeky enough to clap me on the shoulder to whisper 'good luck' before leaving.

To them, it looked like my wife and mistress were here to fight over me.

I just chuckled in response before waving them off.

"Your Black Tea and cream pie, Miss Manami."

"Ara, ara? There's no need to be so formal with me, Darling~ Haven't we already bared ourselves to each other?"

Lian Li spoke up, "That was one time! And Darling was only doing it to heal your tail! That doesn't count!"

"Ara? Is little Lian Li being jealous? Ufufufu~ Does she not give you enough love at night, Darling? If you want me to come and spice up the bedroom, all you need to do is ask~"

Lian Li stuck her tongue out at her, "The only cream pie you're getting is the pastry kind!"

Manami stirred her tea with a spoon slowly, "Fufufu~ Little Lian Li sure is cute, isn't she, Darling?"

I grinned, "Of course she's cute, she's my wife after all. Here's some honey tea for you as well, dear~"

Lian Li sputtered and she blushed in embarrassment, prompting me to take the opportunity to give her a kiss on the cheek which only made her even more embarrassed.

She's so cute~

While Lian Li was busy trying to recover from her embarrassed state, I turned to regard Manami who was looking at us with a longing gaze.

"So how are things with your sister?" I asked.

She quickly recovered and put on her smiling mask again, "Ara? Why do you ask, Darling?"

I shook my head at her, "You miss her don't you? I think you should at least talk to her."

"Ufufufu~ Darling is really kind... But I'm fine, you know? She has her own things to do now and I'm sure the last thing she wants is her failure of an older sister showing up at her doorstep looking for her... Besides, I'm happy with where I am right now~"

Her smile was so forced that even a normal person could tell that it was fake.

Her single tail swished behind her, the rest of it having been reduced to ugly stumps.

Unfortunately, in this World, I was not called to save their village head from the monsters and even though the Sect they approached still managed to get rid of the bears, they were too late to save the village head herself.

Manami thus bore the blame and ended up being exiled from the village, wandering around aimlessly until I met her and helped her recover a portion of her former strength.

Healing her completely was impossible since the me of this World never went to the other Planes to learn the recipe of that healing pill and ended up settling down here with Lian Li.

She cut a piece of the cream pie and brought it to her lips.

"Mmm~ Darling's cream pie is delicious as always~ I'm so jealous that little Lian Li gets to taste it whenever she wants~" She giggled, returning back to her playful self.

Lian Li rushed up to hug me, "That's right! Stay jealous because Darling is mine!"

Manami giggled, "I am indeed~ Ufufufu~ I bet that Darling gives you the thickest cream pies at night, doesn't he?"

Lian Li sputtered from embarrassment again before burying her head in my chest.

Manami then showed another sad smile at the sight before going back to focus on her tea.

I wonder... Was this what Lian Li wanted? For us to take care of my other disciples who each have their own unfortunate circumstances?

I guess that's what a coffee shop like ours is for?