Senior stared at the maid named Xiao Jiu like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Xiao Jiu, for her part, clearly noticed and began to fidget under the gaze, rubbing the goosebumps on her arms.

Even the manager seemed puzzled. “Do you two know each other?”

“N-Nope! Never met!”
Xiao Jiu denied it flat-out… but her eyes kept darting nervously toward Zhao Zhao and Xiao Lei like a guilty thief.

So she does know them! Not that it mattered—those two blockheads were completely blanking on her. Useless.

“Well, if nobody knows each other, I’ll go ahead and make introductions,” said the manager, patting Xiao Jiu’s shoulder with a grin. “This is Xiao Jiu. She’s been with us for two weeks now. Fast, competent, and most importantly—she’s got the true heart of service. You hear me? A maid without a heart of service is just a fraud in frills!”

Heart of service, huh? Who even talks like that anymore? And weren’t we the ones who got yelled at earlier for being too loud?

…Wait. This old guy’s vibe. It felt very familiar…

“I get it!!”

Zhao Zhao suddenly roared, eyes brimming with righteous tears.
“All those fake maid cafés out there—they call you ‘Master’ on the surface, but deep down they just see us as cash cows to milk dry!”

Shockingly, his outburst drew a round of approving grunts from the nearby booths. Seems like he’d struck a nerve.

But… he wasn’t exactly wrong. Most customers at those cafés were lonely otaku, prime targets for being scammed by sugar-coated service.

“Hah! I knew I liked you, kid!” the manager barked, laughing. “So then—Miss—do you have the heart of service?”

He was talking to senior, but she was still frozen, staring at Xiao Jiu. Xiao Lei had to poke her in the ribs.

“Ah—! Sorry, what was the question?”

She hadn’t heard a single word. Major no-no during a job interview.

“You sure you’re cut out for this, girl?” the manager frowned. “Kid here told me you’re looking for work ‘cause of financial issues—but I’m not the pitying type. If you can’t pull your weight, you’re not getting hired.”

“I’m sorry! I won’t zone out again!”
Senior straightened like she’d just been caught cheating on a test.

The old man gave a small nod. “Alright. Introduce yourself.”

After a hesitant pause, she replied, “Li… Li Changpu. I’ve worked at cafés, teahouses, and bookstores before.”

She gave herself a new name—Changpu (calamus). Fitting. Both lotus and calamus are aquatic plants.

“Oh? Another Li, huh? How long did you work at the café? Can you brew coffee?”

“Two weeks… I know a little.”

“Two weeks? What can you learn in two weeks?” He narrowed his eyes. “What’s the longest you’ve ever stuck to a job?”

Senior didn’t answer. Her expression spoke volumes.

The manager sighed. “So if someone offered better pay, you’d ditch me too, huh?”

Ah… so that was it. Her tendency to jump between jobs wasn’t a plus in his book. To him, it meant she was unreliable.

Zhao Zhao scowled. “Old man, you’re always whining about how you can’t find good help, and now someone shows up and you start nitpicking?”

“You think she’s a good fit, huh?” the manager asked. “This isn’t your average café. Our maids need to build rapport with regulars. It takes time.”

“She’s more than qualified. She’s serious about her work,” Zhao Zhao replied without hesitation.

And he wasn’t wrong. Senior had always gone above and beyond. She gave us subtle hints when serving at that buffet, recommended books as a bookstore clerk, and made yakisoba like a pro at the water park. Whatever the job, she nailed it.

“You still don’t get it, kid.” the manager grunted. “There’s no contract for part timers. If she leaves, I’ve wasted all my time. Let her tell me she’s in it for the long haul.”

“I pick things up quickly! Please, give me a chance. I promise I’ll stick with it this time!”

She was practically bowing. She really wanted this job.

“Ah! I remember now! You’re—mmph!”

Xiao Lei suddenly slapped her forehead with a eureka cry—but before she could finish the sentence, Xiao Jiu lunged forward and pinched her cheeks shut.

With just one hand, she hoisted Xiao Lei clean off the ground and marched her to a corner booth. The two huddled there whispering. Xiao Lei’s little nodding head looked so pitiful, she was probably on the verge of tears.

Zhao Zhao watched nervously. “Uh… Boss, what’s with your new hire? She’s a bit… intense.”

The boss, who looked like Master Roshi, scratched his shiny bald head. “She says she’s a student at Biyang Girls High. But you know me—I don’t ask too many questions.”

“Yeah well, maybe this time you should!” Zhao Zhao exclaimed. “What kind of high school girl is that strong?! …Although, now that I think about it…”

While he was ranting, I noticed something.

Senior Changpu was watching the two of them whisper with a really complicated look on her face. She didn’t even notice I was staring.

So she does know Xiao Jiu. And Xiao Jiu knows Zhao Zhao and Xiao Lei. Then Xiao Jiu freaks when Xiao Lei recognizes her. And is Xiao Jiu trying to silence Xiao Lei or something by dragging her away from us?

Something’s up.

All the pieces were on the table. I just needed one last clue.

Think, brain. DHA, don’t fail me now.

…

Got it.

“Boss,” I said slowly, “Xiao Jiu—that’s a nickname, right? Like an alias? What’s her real name?”

The manager hadn’t answered yet, but senior’s startled expression confirmed everything I needed.

Before I could say another word, Xiao Jiu zipped over like a bullet and clamped my mouth shut. Her grip was like a bear trap.

Just like with Xiao Lei, she yanked me out of my wheelchair and carried me to the other booth. When Zhao Zhao tried to follow, she stopped him with a death glare.

“Yo, Commander. You got nabbed too?” Xiao Lei scratched her head, trying to act casual.

Xiao Jiu towered over me, hand on my shoulder, eyes sharp and cold.

“Whatever you think you know, kid, I suggest you keep your mouth shut.”

Tsk. That flustered reaction just made me more certain. I rubbed my sore jaw, trying to act unfazed.

“What did you figure out?” I asked Xiao Lei.

Under Xiao Jiu’s oppressive stare, she hesitated. But eventually, I took the lead.

“Let me ask instead—Xiao Jiu, do you know someone named Li Jianlian?”

Her eyes went wide.

“You know my little brother?”

Bingo.

Not just acquainted—he’s literally over there interviewing right now.

Well. Sister, now.

“Heh… hehe… ahahaha!”
My grin broke loose. I couldn’t stop the giddy laugh bubbling out of me.

Holy crap, maybe I am a deduction genius!

The key piece was when the manager said, “Another Li?” That planted the seed. Senior’s awkward reaction sealed it. I’d asked about Xiao Jiu’s name just to confirm the hunch.

“So… you’re not actually a high schooler from Biyang Girls Academy, are you? Jianlian told me a bit about his family. You’ve gotta be working full-time by now.”

No way she was still high school age. She must’ve lied to get the job. Even picked a cutesy nickname like Xiao Jiu to complete the disguise.

“She’s not a student,” Xiao Lei said confidently now that the mood had shifted. “She’s part of the girls campus’s security team.”

“Heart of service? Please. She treats the boys at our… your school like circus monkeys!”

The pieces were all in place now. With Xiao Lei’s intel and my deduction, the mystery of Xiao Jiu’s identity was officially solved.

“Alright, fine,” she said, plopping into the booth across from us. She crossed her legs—long and wrapped in white tights—and glared at us, furious. The maid vibe was completely gone.

“So? What do you two want?”

“Now, now, no need to be so hostile.” I smiled. “I’m not some monkey sneaking into the girls' campus, y’know? Oh, and might I ask your full name?”

She rolled her eyes. “Li Qiuluo. As in the qiuluo (campion) flower.”

“Excellent,” I said, clapping my hands. “Then, Miss Qiuluo… how about we make a deal?”