Chapter Text
The campus coffee shop hummed with the low sound of muted chatter. The quiet clatters and bangs, and the sound of machinery added to the cosy feel. Luo Binghe busied himself behind the counter, his hands expertly playing with the complicated machines. The waiting customers, a group of three, pretty omega girls, stared at him with starry eyes, their thoughts all revolving around this handsome alpha. Yet, despite the secretive scents they tried to use to lure him in, Luo Binghe’s body may have been present, but his thoughts were in a distant land.
The young alpha student worked on autopilot, apparently oblivious to his fellow female students who were whispering and nudging each other, goading each other to try to flirt with the barista. It was the main reason they, plus many others, came to this campus coffee shop that was a little bit out of the way compared to others in more convenient areas of the campus.
Ever since Luo Binghe had taken up a position as a barista, the store found its profits had almost doubled. The owners really wished Luo Binghe would never graduate for the sake of their bulging pockets. However, Luo Binghe held no interest in any of this.
Luo Binghe had no reason to work in this store. He was a top-notch alpha with an attractive face and a charming personality. Any of the other stores nearby, whether on or off campus, would have offered him a higher salary to steal him for themselves as everyone knows that a good quality alpha can attract butterflies and bees, and cause them to empty their pockets. But it wasn’t as though Luo Binghe was working for the sake of an income; money wasn’t a worry for him. Neither was experience. Luo Binghe could simply stroll into his fathers company after graduation and take a seat in an office on the top floor.
So why would Luo Binghe, this sought after alpha, choose to slave away behind the counter of a poorly paid coffee shop? There was only one reason, and that reason was why his eyes were firmly stuck to the doorway of this humble establishment.
Like clockwork, this person always arrived on time, and it was at about this time that they would rush in for their regular coffee fix.
It really was the highlight of Luo Binghe’s day; getting to serve his favourite Shen laoshi a cup of caffeine. And maybe flirt with him a little bit. Although his flirting seemed to go over his professor's head.
But that's okay.
Luo Binghe has patience, and lots of it.
He finished up the order for the three nervous omega’s and reluctantly tore his eyes away from the doorway to serve them. A cordial smile, polite but not overly friendly, was pasted on his face as he dumped their order on the countertop. It was inconvenient that there were customers at this time, as Luo Binghe would rather dreamily stare at the shop entrance, living in his fantasies, than have to serve a bunch of ogling girls that clearly didn’t understand his not-so-eager customer service. And it was exactly at this time that the ringing of the bell, signalling the arrival of another customer, rang out and completely changed Luo Binghe’s complacent expression.
The group of omega girls didn’t see this change, and one of them, after being poked by her two giggling friends, tried to approach the handsome alpha that so many desired.
"Um..."
Yet, by the time the girl had gathered her nerves and uttered a simple sound, Luo Binghe vanished, seemingly having teleported to the opposite end of the counter closest to the door. He slovenly leaned over the counter although it only lent him a lazy air that didn’t detract from his good looks, and he beamed widely at the new customer; a far cry from his earlier behaviour, this time he was a perfect example of excellent customer service.
The three girls remained frozen in time, their eyes wide as they noticed the difference in treatment the alpha gave this new person compared to themselves. They originally wanted to ask the barista for his phone number, if one was rejected, then another would try, but seeing the alpha with this obvious doting expression, it all seemed a little redundant. This alpha was clearly taken. As they retreated, admitting defeat, they couldn’t help but wallow that this person at the top of the food chain just had to choose a useless beta.
Luo Binghe was blind to all of this; to anything except the person in front of him. He couldn’t see the girls' excitement, their eagerness, nervousness, or even their hasty escape that was tinged with regret, pity, and disdain. Luo Binghe only had one person in his eyes as he poorly attempted to restrain himself. His smile was uncontrollable, and, as he spoke, his voice contained his joy as he teased his favourite, most anticipated customer.
“Shen laoshi has come to visit me again today?”