Chapter 1249 Dessert

Sunlight streamed through the glass windows, casting a warm glow on the small table covered with a lace tablecloth. The delicate strawberry parfait exuded an alluring sweet aroma, the tiramisu had a delicate and rich texture, and the black tea was steaming.

Amethyst scooped a spoonful of Buffy and looked across at Bronya. "So, regarding new weapons, Bronya, what specific ideas do you have? I've seen that you're very methodical in close combat. Do you need…"

"Negative," Bronya interrupted without hesitation, taking nibbles of her buffy. "Bronya's core tactical system is based on long-range fire suppression and precision sniping. Melee weapons are supplementary, with a lower priority than the update of heavy long-range firepower." Her gray eyes turned to Amethyst with unquestionable seriousness. "What Bronya needs is a long-range weapon platform with longer range, greater power, and a higher ammunition loadout, preferably one that can accommodate a variety of specialized ammunition."

Zijing nodded. "A long-range heavy firepower platform? I see. I'll discuss it with someone and come up with a design as soon as possible. I'll share it with you then and see if it meets the requirements."

"Thank you, teacher."

Bronya thanked her and turned to look at Mei, who was sipping tiramisu beside her, feeling like an outsider. After a moment's thought, she stood up and said, "Then Bronya will be leaving first. Mei, I'm sorry for interrupting your time with Teacher Zijing."

"Pfft—cough cough!" Mei almost choked on the cake in her mouth. Her fair cheeks instantly turned red like a ripe apple. She waved her hands in panic, "A two-person day?! Bronya, what are you talking about! It's just... just a normal thank-you and dessert exchange party!"

Amethyst nodded in agreement and tried to persuade Bronya to stay. After all, since they were already here, it would be a shame not to have some fun.

"Hmm? What? A two-person day?" A curious voice suddenly interrupted. Kiana had come over, holding an empty tray. Her blue eyes widened as she glanced back and forth between Amethyst, Mei, and Bronya. "Are you guys secretly discussing something fun? Are you talking about Mei and Amethyst... um!"

Mei was quick to grab a small cookie and stuff it into Kiana's mouth, stopping her from making any more outrageous remarks. Her face was still flushed as she said with embarrassment, "Kiana! Work hard!"

"Hmm..." Kiana puffed her cheeks, chewed the biscuits hard, and protested incoherently, but her eyes still sparkled with gossip.

Zijing couldn't help but laugh as he watched the scene unfold. He glanced around the warmly decorated yet unusually deserted dessert shop. Aside from their table, there were no other customers. The wind chime hung quietly behind the door, as if it hadn't rung in ages.

"By the way, Kiana," Zijing changed the subject and asked curiously, "This store... has always had so few customers?" He pointed to the empty shop, "I think the decoration and taste are good, and the location is not too remote. Working like this... can you really pay back the money you spent on the game?" He really doubted whether the "kind store manager aunt" was doing charity.

"Eh? Um..." Kiana swallowed the biscuit and scratched her head, a hint of embarrassment and...guilt on her face? "Actually...actually, we had quite a few customers before..."

"Hmm?" Mei also cast a puzzled look, "Then why is it so quiet today?"

Bronya calmly analyzed the situation. "Based on the sudden drop in customer traffic, the variable lies with the staff. Kiana, did you make any major mistakes during service? Like spilling food, miscalculating the bill, or... physically or mentally attacking a customer?"

"I didn't attack any customers!" Kiana retorted immediately, but her voice trailed off, her eyes wandering. "I... I worked very hard! Serving dishes, wiping tables, and greeting customers... I was very serious!"

"Then why are there fewer customers?" Mei asked, feeling that things were not simple.

Kiana lowered her head, twisting her fingers around the apron string. She hesitated for a long time before finally speaking in a low voice, as if she had given up. "Because... my part-time job before... wasn't actually a waitress..."

"Hmm?" Amethyst, Mei, and Bronya all gave him questioning looks.

Kiana's face was red enough to bleed, and her voice was as thin as a mosquito: "I am... an assistant pastry chef... I am mainly responsible for... trying out new recipes and... helping in the kitchen..."

"..."

The air suddenly became quiet.

Amethyst, Mei, and Bronya instantly recalled Kiana's previous kitchen masterpieces that could be called "biochemical weapons"—"creative dishes" with strange colors, pungent smells, and indescribable tastes.

Mei's hand trembled slightly, and she put down the fork in her hand. Looking at the half-eaten tiramisu on the table, her eyes became complicated.

Bronya pushed away the Strawberry Buffy in front of her with an expressionless face.

Zijing silently put down the cup of black tea in her hand.

So… this restaurant used to have a lot of customers, until Kiana started “helping in the kitchen” and “trying new recipes”…?

Kiana looked at the three people's frozen expressions and the desserts they pushed away, and hurriedly explained: "Wait! What you are eating is not made by me, but prepared by the store manager a long time ago! Seriously! I swear! I was just responsible for serving it today!"

However, her explanation seemed so pale and powerless.

Just then, the kitchen door curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged woman wearing an apron and with a kind face poked her head out. Seeing Kiana with the guests, she said with a smile, "Kiana, what are you chatting about with your friends? Oh, by the way, I seem to have forgotten to deal with the batch of 'Dream Starry Sky Macarons' you tried to make yesterday. I still put them in the back of the refrigerator. Remember to take care of them later..."

Before the store manager could finish her words, she saw Kiana's face turn pale as if she was struck by lightning, and she winked and waved frantically towards the kitchen.

The store manager was stunned for a moment, looked at Kiana, and then looked at the three customers at the table whose expressions suddenly became extremely stiff and knowing. She seemed to understand something and immediately laughed dryly: "Ahaha...that...I, I seem to have remembered it wrongly...there's nothing...enjoy your meal..." After that, she quickly retreated to the kitchen, with the door curtain still shaking.

Amethyst, Mei, and Bronya: "..."

The three of them silently and in perfect sync pushed the desserts and tea in front of them further away.

They didn’t know if it was an illusion, but their stomachs felt a little painful.

This store should provide toilets, right?