Chapter 01 Latte Coffee
I apologize, Manager Li, a guest has reported that the pillowcases and bed sheets in her room have an unpleasant odor. We have replaced them four times, but she is still not satisfied and is currently throwing a tantrum
However, upon returning to my own room, I finally felt utterly exhausted. The forced smiles of working in hotel service are unavoidable, and it is hard not to feel weary in my heart. It was only after entering the workforce that I came to understand the significant meaning of the two holidays during my student days. Now, having turned around and become a senior white-collar worker, my salary is satisfactory, yet in between, it remains true that one knows best whether the water is cold or warm.
Liao Qingya cast a cold glance at Jun Mo and nodded slightly. Jun Mo instructed the attendant standing nearby to quickly assist in packing the luggage, and then slowly led her out the door
Mr. Xu introduced, "This is the Director of the Marketing Department of Ruiming, Ma Chujing. Hehe, this is Manager Xu from our hotel's Public Relations Department and Manager Li from the lobby." Jun Mo silently watched as Xu You elegantly extended her hand, mocking herself inwardly: "How paranoid I am; how could the President of Ruiming have the time to personally inspect the venue and facilities..." With this thought, she felt less nervous and confidently extended her hand, saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you." Mocking herself again: "How paranoid I am; how could the President of Ruiming have the time to personally inspect the venue and facilities..." With this thought, she felt less nervous and confidently extended her hand, saying, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Han Ziyang could not help but glance back; that somewhat slender figure had vanished outside the door—he slowly withdrew his gaze, feeling a sense of wonder
The No. 4 building where the grassroots work is located is quite far from the office building, and Jun, wearing high heels, stumbles back and forth, feeling quite resentful in her heart
Long after, Han Ziyang suddenly understood what fate was—if the first encounter leaves a momentary memory, then there will inevitably be a second time, from which one becomes deeply ingrained in another's memory, never to be erased.
A series of inspections had been completed, and it was already 11:30. Jun Mo had just entered his room and had not yet had the chance to sit down when the phone rang.
Jun Mo personally opened the door for her, and soon a waiter brought in a brand new set of bedding. Liao Qingya watched as Jun Mo and the waiter made the bed, then lowered her head to pick up a corner and hold it under her nose, her expression slightly softening. Only then did she say: "It's fine now"
Ma Chujing looked at the two senior managers in front of him and felt a great sense of visual delight. Moreover, as he had just arrived, every single waiter he encountered was impeccably made up and tall. Just as he was about to speak, his phone rang: "Oh, alright, I will tell them immediately"
You are wearing a deep blue wool coat, wrapped in a checkered scarf, with your hair slightly disheveled by the wind, softly draping over your shoulders and the scarf. Sister Ling looked up and, seeing you, smiled and asked: "Are you cold?"
She recounted the events of last night in great detail to Enping, who listened with bright eyes, seemingly stirred by a sense of gossip—the beautiful model who checked in was registered under the name of the young CEO: "I haven't heard of any girlfriends or scandals involving Ruiming's CEO, you know... What if we sell this news to an entertainment magazine... Would it be enough for you to buy that bag?"
"Miss, I sincerely apologize. It is our oversight that has prevented you from resting at this moment." Jun Mo smiled at the angry face before him, which seemed to have just attended a ball, adorned with an exquisitely crafted makeup that revealed a European and American style of facial contours. He was momentarily taken aback; this face looked very familiar, as if it belonged to a model from a well-known fashion magazine he often purchased.
Han Ziyang caught sight of that delicate, faintly blooming smile, and the corners of his tightly pressed lips moved slightly. He then averted his gaze; outside the window, a taxi came to a stop, and a woman got out. He took a gentle sip of coffee, settled the bill, and stepped outside
Do not sigh, my lord, smile: "I will go immediately"
Do not settle your mind: "If it were my choice, I would certainly prefer this one."
Do not hold back, he asked: "Is there anything else you are not satisfied with?"
The proprietress is in her thirties, quite delicate in appearance, yet for some reason, her gaze always carries a hint of weariness. As time passed, they became familiar with each other; Junmo would call her Sister Ling, and they often chatted, occasionally going out for meals or shopping. They discussed everything, yet deliberately avoided their lives, with neither willing to mention their own stories. More often than not, they would be in the café, each holding a cup of coffee. Junmo would bring her laptop, typing away at work materials and reports, occasionally gazing outside with a wandering, uncertain look. Sister Ling could make various fancy coffees, skillfully creating different milk foam patterns, such as hearts and Christmas trees—only when Junmo arrived would she personally get up to serve a cup.
In fact, Jun Mo does not have this right; as long as it is her turn to be on duty—logically, the duty manager can choose a room, but every time she arrives at the front desk, she still requests a standard room. She stubbornly reminds herself that it is better not to get too close to the things she most fantasizes about. One day, when life has truly lost even its expectations, it becomes utterly dull.
The next morning's meeting was nearly delayed again, as Jun Mo almost stumbled into her seat next to En Ping, dragging her black high heels. After years of acquaintance, Jun Mo did not need to turn her head to know that En Ping was looking her up and down with dissatisfaction. She hurriedly checked herself, confirming that her hair was smoothly styled at the back of her head and her uniform was neatly in place, before finally turning to look at En Ping
Junmo's residence is located near the university town, making transportation very convenient—hence the housing prices are not cheap. Her parents funded a significant portion, and Junmo was quite satisfied to purchase this studio apartment, thus avoiding monthly mortgage payments. She has never entertained the thought of buying a car, as the subway station is close by. When her mother urged her to learn to drive, she always shook her head: "I have no sense of direction, don't you know that, Mom?" Her mother did not press the issue further but shifted the topic: "The day before yesterday, your aunt mentioned she wants to introduce someone to you."
"Alright, thank you for your trouble." Han Ziyang nodded in acknowledgment to her
You should not take it personally," he said, lowering his head to smell it, slightly frowning. "Miss, this is an oversight from the laundry. The weather has been humid these past few days, and it is possible that it was not dried in time after cleaning. I have already arranged for them to move you to another suite, and new sheets and duvet covers will be provided for you. Would you please come with me to check it out first? Is that acceptable?"
Mr. Han... Mr. Han. "Don't hesitate," Jun called out, "we have arrived." She secretly felt sympathy for the staff who would have to serve President Han in the future; his cold and unapproachable demeanor would likely make things quite difficult. However, at present, she needed to pull herself together; if something went wrong now, it would be herself who deserved sympathy.
Among the young waitstaff behind, someone let out a gasp. Jun Mo, leading the way, shot them a few stern glances, signaling them not to act foolishly at a critical moment, while simultaneously providing an introduction to the hotel: "We have two suites that meet your requirements. One is the presidential suite, located on the second floor; the other is the celebrity suite on the third floor. Please take a look and then make your decision"
Han Ziyang walked alongside her, slightly tilting his head. The woman beside him wore a deep blue uniform, her voice gentle and melodious, making one feel as if they were basking in the spring breeze. He could hardly claim to know her well, yet on that day, she did not smile much; she occasionally habitually pressed her lips together lightly, always giving the impression that she had something on her mind. Her profession had shielded her too well, leaving no trace of her inner thoughts visible.
Han Ziyang sat down on the sofa, gently rubbed his brow, and suppressed the slight dizziness from the alcohol: "I will use this room now." Originally, Secretary Chen was here to view the room, but he suddenly felt quite unwell, so he simply came to request a room to rest.
You go prepare a suite, change all the pillowcases and bed sheets to new ones, and move her to another room. Jun, do not hold the phone with your shoulder and ear, put on your uniform coat and rush outside
"What kind of guest?" Jun Mo was momentarily taken aback, as this reason for complaint was indeed unheard of.
Do not close the door, and let out a long sigh. The waiter, Xiao Liang, beside him asked with a hint of frustration: "Manager Li, is this considered a serious accident?"
He turned around and asked General Manager Xu: "It is like this, General Manager Han has booked a suite here, and Secretary Chen is dining in the banquet hall. She would like to take a look at the room first. Could you please have someone from your hotel show her around? General Manager Han will be arriving shortly."
He gently patted her shoulder and said, "Do not worry, I will not report this matter. It is common to encounter one or two difficult guests. Our bed linens have all been disinfected at high temperatures, so there is no odor whatsoever"
In a moment of complete indifference, Han Ziyang actually recalled the warm smile from that winter afternoon. He recognized her at a glance, the girl who had served him Blue Mountain coffee at the café, who turned out to be the manager of this hotel. However, just now, her smile towards him was sweet and pure, yet it felt hollow, as if a rose, blooming beautifully, had already withered in the autumn wind.
As she pushed the door open, she saw a very tall woman standing at the foot of the bed, coldly scrutinizing the attendant who was changing the bed linens, while the floor was already piled high with several sets of used sheets and pillowcases. Upon seeing Jun Mo enter, the attendant let out a sigh of relief and greeted, "Manager Li"
After a while, Jun Mo returned to her seat, still staring at the screen. Occasionally, she would ponder for a moment, then gaze out the window, picking up her cup to take a sip. The transparent glass window blocked the chill, and her long strands of hair fell, obscuring her small face. Her smile was silent and unassuming, like a small, warm flame.
The cooperation between the hotel and Ruiming has just begun, and she truly cannot afford to offend the VIP registered under the name of Ruiming's president due to a moment of carelessness, even if it means being overly cautious.
Manager Li, this afternoon when the VIP arrives, please go to receive them together with Manager Xu. The marketing director of Ruiming may also need to discuss their new product launch with you.
"Manager Li, which set of houses do you prefer?" Han Ziyang asked casually, with his eyebrows slightly raised.
Such days have lasted for two months, and the weather has officially turned cold
She walked extremely fast, the cold wind making her cheeks slightly red. When she hurriedly reached the lobby of Building 4, she adjusted her hair in front of the mirror-like shiny copper pillar. Just as she turned around, a man in a black suit approached her. Jun Mo glanced at the black Bentley parked outside, feeling uncertain, and looked around but did not see the secretary mentioned by Ma Chujing. At that moment, she received a call from General Xu, who briefly explained that it was actually General Han himself who had come—she truly wanted to collapse and hurriedly greeted him: "Is this General Han? Hello."
Jun Mo led him upstairs to view another unit. This apartment was in a style that Jun Mo personally favored, with a cool color palette that was simple and understated. Although it was slightly smaller than the previous one, it felt brighter and more practical. Han Ziyang stood on the balcony, facing a shimmering lake, greeted by a cold and damp breeze. Jun Mo stood behind him, observing his tall and upright silhouette, and vaguely recalled that once upon a time, the person he relied on also had such broad shoulders.
He smiled faintly and did not shake hands with Junmo. His hands were long and strong, gentle yet dry. Junmo slightly lowered his head, and his nails were also neat and clean
She carefully placed a small cup of coffee in front of him: "Your Blue Mountain, please enjoy it at your leisure"
This lunch was quite tasteless, even her favorite chicken cutlet rice could not entice Jun Mo, who dejectedly set down her chopsticks after a few attempts. She cast an envious glance at Enping, who was savoring her coconut juice. With a pitiful sigh, Jun Mo lamented, "You say, after taking a break, how did I end up like this, so anxious that I can't even eat my meal"
During university, Li Junmo once strolled around the playground with friends, laughing as he said, "In the future, I want to open a small café, one that doesn't require me to worry about making a living, just a quiet place."
Then this one it is. He nodded slightly, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
You cannot help but smile faintly
Mr. Xu said: "Manager Li, I asked you to confirm the matter regarding this room in the morning. Hurry to Building 4 and wait there. If the clients have any feedback, let them proceed immediately."
Do not be startled, the client Ruiming—today in the morning meeting, the CEO particularly emphasized the cooperation between Ruiming Group and the hotel, and those few "opportunities must not be missed" were highlighted with exclamation marks, which the attendees understood well. Every day, the news is continuously broadcasting the announcement of Ruiming Group's headquarters settling in City H, and if Nandai becomes a long-term partner of Ruiming, it undoubtedly secures a series of important connections.
In fact, these matters are all clear to Jun Mo; she has no choice. In the past, she despised having to work night shifts, running around the vast estate alone on various floors, conducting random checks on employee services, inspecting guest rooms, and staying in a simple suite to fill out inspection reports, all while being anxious in her sleep about whether there would be any emergencies to handle—now, however, she is actually looking forward to the night arriving quickly
Hmm, what is it? Don't rush to note down the room number, I will come over to check soon. Yes, it is reserved for their boss. I might accompany them to view the property in the afternoon
The sweetness of milk and the bitterness of coffee, that chance encounter, is it sweet or bitter— or perhaps both are equal? And who can see the bottom of the cup at a glance, or the conclusion?
There was not just one guest; she turned around to tidy up the cups on a nearby table, her back to him. Han Ziyang's gaze inadvertently swept over, and she was smiling as she invited a little boy to sit down, while the boy's cheeks turned noticeably red. Thus, she clearly suppressed her laughter as she walked back to the bar.
You must not plead for mercy: "I was wrong. But I was up too late last night." She paused, then smiled: "The bag I want seems to be on sale. Whether I can receive my bonus this month depends on this occasion; do you think I can offend my benefactors who provide for my clothing and food?"
The movements were appropriate, and the voice was gentle—Han Ziyang couldn't help but glance up at her. Jun Moxiang smiled slightly at him, her eyes clear and bright: "Sir, please drink while it's hot. You can have a refill."
Jun Mo couldn't help but admire: this man truly has charm. Undoubtedly, he is extremely handsome, and he makes no effort to conceal this advantage. However, at first glance—his outstanding and composed demeanor makes his appearance seem less dazzling.
In fact, she herself cannot clearly articulate whether it is the strong milky aroma in the coffee that captivates her, the busy life she can fully immerse herself in after drinking it, or simply the cup in her hand
is a guest of VIP Ruiming
The day's work was quite fragmented, involving setting up the venue and providing customer service. I also took the opportunity to return to my office to confirm a VIP client, a magnate in the telecommunications industry, who is about to engage in numerous projects with the hotel. In fact, the collaboration had already begun, and Nan Dai is hosting a banquet tonight. Fortunately, she has been on vacation, so it is not her responsibility for the time being
"Not bad." Jun Mo replied. She set her coat aside, took out a red coffee travel mug, and said with a smile, "I am going to make a cup of latte."
Not only she, but also the colleagues in the housekeeping department felt uncomfortable. The atmosphere in the work area was one of silence, and colleagues could not casually joke with each other, fearing that Manager Li would note down "improper work attitude" in the report.
Mr. Xu accompanied a young man out of the conference room. Jun Mo was slightly surprised, marveling at President Ruiming's youthfulness, with his neat short hair and casual attire, which even seemed a bit overly sunny. As he walked, he extended his hand to the two, his demeanor sincere and quite likable.
After finishing her light makeup, the General Affairs Department called to urge Jun Mo to go to the meeting room to receive guests. Jun Mo hurriedly rushed to Building 1, where Xu You was already waiting at the door, her demeanor elegant and her flawless makeup giving Jun Mo a sense of reassurance. She nodded slightly to Xu You and stood quietly.
You shouldn't be so sullen while eating, just say: "This time is different." Enping rarely sees her like this, so she put down her drink and seriously analyzed: "Do you know how cunning and treacherous General Xu is? Why did he let you go with Manager Xu? With a beauty like Manager Xu standing there, it wouldn't matter if you said nothing at all." She set down her juice: "Moreover, you have a bit more sense than her... What is there to be afraid of? Just stand behind her when the time comes, it won't concern you at all." She pouted: "Anyway, she loves to show off."
A black car slowly came to a stop outside the window. A man dressed in a beige trench coat got out, seemingly glanced at his watch, and then, with a chill in the air, pushed open the door, paused to take a look around, and walked towards table number 1. His gaze was powerful, sweeping over the surroundings in just a glance. "Blue Mountain," he said, his voice deep and pleasant.
She slowly walked out, wearing a gray sweater, her slender fingers gripping a red cup. She sat down in the corner, curled up in a nook, with a laptop resting on her lap, typing away with a rapid clatter.
Do not frown: "Hey, pay attention to professional ethics!" After a moment of thought, he added, "I prefer resource sharing; it would be better to just post something online." Then, unable to hold back any longer, the two of them burst into laughter.
"Last night, I encountered trouble again," Jun said silently, glancing at General Xu, who was currently spitting as he spoke.
Han Ziyang casually glanced around the living room, study, balcony, bedroom, and bathroom, remaining silent. Jun Mo could only say, "Mr. Han, there is a celebrity suite upstairs. Would you like to take a look?"
You never knew that coffee had so much knowledge when you were in school, in a classroom filled with strange odors, Nestlé and Maxwell really made no difference, yet you were persistently fond of it. Sometimes you felt a bit bourgeois, and then a sense of shame would arise—bourgeois is no longer a compliment, yet you still firmly declared: "I must open a coffee shop!" But later you realized that the knowledge of coffee is vast—one must learn various extraction methods such as paper drip, siphon, and steam pressure, and also select and distinguish coffee beans. Such complexity mirrors life; one should learn to compromise and let go at the right moments. Yet you still firmly declared: "I must open a coffee shop!" But later you realized that the knowledge of coffee is vast—one must learn various extraction methods such as paper drip, siphon, and steam pressure, and also select and distinguish coffee beans. Such complexity mirrors life; one should learn to compromise and let go at the right moments.
Joking aside, work still needs to be completed earnestly. She has been organizing the materials for Ruiming, as the product promotion for this leading company in the communications industry is about to begin. Nandai has already completed preliminary discussions with Ruiming to undertake a series of services, including new product launches and client receptions. This also means that Ruiming is set to become one of the most important clients for the hotel. With Jun not back from vacation, there is an overwhelming sense of urgency.
After working for several years and busily rushing around this city, life has been nothing more than home and hotels, and many dreams deep in my heart have faded away—after all, they have not come to fruition. However, I discovered a small café near my home that is so similar to what I once wished to have. The sign is a deep coffee color, with beautiful cursive letters spelling "cafeshop," bright floor-to-ceiling windows, and a large yellow sofa. Even before stepping inside, a warm atmosphere greets me. Without hesitation, I push the door open, glance around, and choose a table by the window to sit down, ordering a latte. Thus, apart from my small single apartment, this place feels like another home; whenever I have free time, I can simply run downstairs, sit quietly, and think of nothing. Yet, in reality, many things are deeply etched in my heart, not needing to be deliberately thought about, and have long been tightly intertwined with my very breath.
A small white porcelain cup, filled with espresso, topped with frothy milk, and sprinkled with a bit of cinnamon, is served by the waiter: "Please enjoy, refills are available." A pair of young lovers are engrossed in conversation, their hands intertwined across a coarse, floral-patterned tablecloth. Jun Mo sits quietly to the side, observing silently, suddenly reminded of a phrase that goes—"to watch with cold eyes." Isn't that so? All of life belongs to others, leaving oneself to be busy in a vast, endless city, only to end up unable to discern what one is even busy with.
You should not just smile; Mother, who is somewhat traditional and stubborn, merely looked at her quietly, sighed, and said nothing more.
At this moment, in the lazy afternoon, it is yet another weekend, and the number of customers has increased. The small shop has only hired two part-time university students as waitstaff, and Junmo has set down a cup to help out. Sister Ling handed her the tray and pointed with her chin: "Blue Mountain coffee, number 1."
She merely smiled slightly and looked up to observe his reaction, thinking that a single man engaged in the electronics industry would naturally prefer a more minimalist style.
You should not take the warm milk that the waiter has placed on the side, gently set it on the bedside, and then softly apologize: "I sincerely apologize, Miss Liao. Tomorrow we will provide you with a VIP card as compensation. Although it has affected your rest tonight, we still hope you enjoy your stay."
Enping smiled: "Stop with that, is there a client you can't handle when your sweet smile is on display?" This statement is absolutely correct. Enping has always referred to Junmo's smile as a "harmless" smile. In the past, for difficult clients, as long as she stepped in to resolve disputes, standing there with a sincere smile and an apology, she almost always emerged victorious.
You don't need to be surprised, just nod: "Alright, please rest well. Our front desk staff will bring the room card over shortly."
The phone rang, and Jun Mo saw that it was the direct line of General Manager Xu, so he did not dare to be negligent: "Hello, General Manager Xu"
Hmm. Han Ziyang returned to his senses without showing any emotion and stepped into the room.
On cold and dry days, even with sunshine, it feels quite powerless. However, the air conditioning is warm, so the sunlight outside seems to come alive, jumping playfully. The store is still empty, and Ling Jie is carefully wiping the coffee cups. A pair of girls come in, order banana milkshakes, and whisper and laugh softly.
Enping couldn't help but remind her: "Haven't you just come back from the New Year holiday? Look at you today, your eyes are all swollen—why don't you put on some makeup?"
The autumn in the south is truly delightful, with the enormous leaves of the parasol trees swirling down and lying across the ground, their veins distinctly visible. Stepping on them produces a crisp sound.
On the first day after a half-month vacation, Jun Mo, the lobby manager, honorably responded to the call of the CEO and came to the grassroots level. The slogan could be summarized as "Experiencing the People's Sentiment"—Enping had once murmured about it behind the scenes. However, Jun Mo could only fully accept it—although it was just one day of work, it still felt awkward.
In the hotel industry, there are high standards for the appearance of staff, and Xu You from the public relations department is particularly outstanding, recognized as a top-tier professional in terms of looks, eloquence, and figure. Jun Mo nodded, a hint of resentment in her brows as she said, "This is really too much; I just came back from vacation and haven't prepared yet. Why do I have to go..." It wasn't that she was simply afraid; after all, she had dealt with heavyweight clients before. It was just that this time the preparation was rushed. Jun Mo has always adhered to the principle of 'never engage in a battle without preparation,' and she couldn't help but feel uncertain.
The tall young man before her looked somewhat familiar. Jun Mo paused for a few seconds before finally identifying him as the man she had encountered at the coffee shop that day. After a moment of shock, she recalled how she had been astonished by his perfect demeanor—indeed, he was an extraordinary individual. After a brief moment of reflection, she immediately composed herself and extended her hand for an introduction, but the other party did not respond. Jun Mo merely smiled, interpreting his attitude as arrogance—having worked in the hotel industry for so long, she had long understood that this was quite normal. After a brief moment of reflection, she immediately composed herself and extended her hand for an introduction, but the other party did not respond. Jun Mo merely smiled, interpreting his attitude as arrogance—having worked in the hotel industry for so long, she had long understood that this was quite normal.
She simply repeated "It is my pleasure to serve you," and then quietly gazed into his eyes. His gaze was calm and reserved, in harmony with his temperament. However, there was a hint of weariness in his expression, and his eyes pierced through with a thoughtful intensity.
Sister Ling replied: "The milk is being heated."
I see, very well, I will prepare immediately. " After hanging up the phone, Jun Mo immediately transferred the call to Manager Hu of the housekeeping department, "Manager Hu, how many suites do we have available in Area A? The executive assistant of Ruiming just called to request a long-term stay with butler service.
The Nantai Hotel may not be the most luxurious hotel in City H, but it is certainly a place that everyone wishes to visit. The tourism industry in City H is thriving, resulting in a lack of distinction between peak and off-peak seasons, with the hotel being fully booked year-round. Even with a substantial amount of money, it is not guaranteed to secure a room for a night. The villa-style buildings are situated by the only small lake in the city, particularly the few lake-view rooms. Every morning, upon opening the terrace door and stepping onto the wooden dock, one is greeted by the rising mist over the water and the lush green mountains in the background. Even after working here for four years, she still loves it just as much. Consequently, she naturally recommended these lake-view rooms to many friends as honeymoon accommodations, yet she herself has never stayed there.
"Are you the manager?" Liao Qingya casually pulled over a sheet and said, "Smell it and see if there is any odor or not?"
Jun Mo hurriedly nodded, taking notes, and then secretly yawned. Enping pinched her hard. Jun Mo wanted to laugh but dared not, only waiting for the meeting to finish before slowly dragging it out to the end to start organizing the documents. It was only after the conference room was empty that she lazily spoke up: "What is it?"