Chapter 189: Bittersweet Revelations

The Black Cube Coffee Shop is nestled on a bustling street in Satellite City No. 4.

The café’s decor, much like any other, boasts a refined, trendy, and romantically Western vibe, employing every flashy yet restrained tactic to set itself apart from those other gaudy, sleazy spots on the street. I am noble—and expensive.

Lu Xin wasn’t opposed to coffee, but he didn’t harbor any particular fondness for it either.

After all, his first encounter with the Pollution Incident had taken place in a coffee shop—and it was outrageously expensive.

Yet, following the Drunkard’s lead, he came here on his own.

Last night, the Drunkard and Lu Xin had a long, detailed discussion. She recounted every moment from the day she was targeted by a wild Ability User—her itinerary, experiences, and even every word exchanged. To help Lu Xin remember, she even used her ability to let him relive several key moments that she deemed crucial for uncovering clues…

This coffee shop was the final spot she had thoroughly investigated that day.

It appeared to be a rather upscale café, yet it was a key stronghold for the Mysterious Organization she was probing. The Drunkard had come here to identify the organization’s core members and then hand over a list to the Security Hall for capture.

But that very night, as she returned home, she was targeted by a Mental Monster.

Thus, this was the place where danger most likely struck.

……

……

“Ding-ling”

As Lu Xin opened the door, the wind chime affixed to the frame chimed, its melody delightfully soothing.

Carrying his bag, Lu Xin chose a seat by the window—a spot the Drunkard had occupied that day.

“Sir, what would you like to drink?”

A girl in a black maid outfit approached, a coffee order clutched in her arms, smiling as she asked.

Her manner of speaking resembled an island accent she’d picked up from movies—it sounded a bit coquettish, yet not entirely genuine. In reality, it was a unique blend of the local Qinggang dialect and an island lilt, lending her words a somewhat artificial charm.

“I’ll just take a look.”

Maintaining his composed demeanor, Lu Xin took the order form from her.

Then, as he scanned the prices, his eyes narrowed slightly.

After a moment, he frowned and pointed at the most eye-catching—and the priciest—option on the menu, saying, “This one.”

Since the Drunkard was footing the bill, Lu Xin didn’t mind the expense.

Besides, the Drunkard had ordered this very coffee that day.

After all, when someone is forced and doesn’t pay out of pocket, Lu Xin didn’t mind indulging in a touch of luxury.

“Alright, please wait a moment…”

The waitress in the black maid uniform, speaking in such a quirky manner that one might worry she’d bite her tongue, skipped back to her station.

“This doesn’t exactly look like a hideout for an illegal organization…”

Lu Xin thought to himself.

Yet he remained on high alert, for the Drunkard’s investigation had established that this café was a crucial hub linked to the locked-room headless murder case, the bizarre Red Vest Brotherhood incident of people being turned into potted plants, and other strange occurrences in Satellite City No. 4. Here, even a casual comment or a fleeting glance could invite danger, so…

…he had to concentrate and devise every means to lure such danger his way.

……

……

Lu Xin slowly recalled the Drunkard’s words and actions from that day. He remembered how she nonchalantly ordered a coffee—even mixing in half a cup of White Wine—and then cheerfully chatted with the big-tongued maid about Civilization Era comics, debating whether the bald guy or the young man with hair blazing like flames was more formidable.

Later, she developed a keen interest in the café’s cleaning lady, probing into her age, family situation, monthly salary, and even how her relationship was with her husband and her newly employed child, all to confirm that she had no plans to remarry.

Surely, the reason that led the Drunkard into mortal danger lay hidden within those very details.

Undoubtedly, some of her actions had aroused the organization’s suspicions, prompting them to decide to eliminate her.

“Do I really have to do everything she did—even chatting about comics and teasing the cleaning lady?”

Lu Xin’s expression twitched; that would be quite a challenge for him.

“Sir, your coffee is ready. Please enjoy it…”

A slender figure in black stepped forward and set a cup of coffee before Lu Xin.

Noticing that Lu Xin kept his cool when ordering the priciest option, the black maid waitress seemed especially eager to serve him.

“Alright…”

Lu Xin nodded, then glanced at the tray—it held only a cup of black coffee in a white porcelain cup.

Curious, he looked around and asked, “Where’s the sugar and milk?”

“Sir…”

The black maid smiled adorably and explained, “This is our shop’s signature—pure black coffee. Drinking it straight is the only way to appreciate its bitterness and rich aroma, which is why the proper way is without sugar or milk…”

“Oh, I see.”

Lu Xin forced a smile and replied, “I know, but bring some anyway—I don’t like it too bitter.”

He understood that some preferred unadorned coffee, but he couldn’t stand the bitterness.

To him, any coffee served without sugar and milk was simply heretical.

Hearing this, the black maid paused before smiling and explained, “Only by tasting the bitterness can you truly sense its fragrance. Life is much the same—sometimes hard and painful, often with suffering of our own making. If you can set aside your biases and embrace reality, things might become a lot easier…”

Lu Xin looked up at her and saw her beaming happily, her voice gentle:

“Sir, you should start with this cup. Our coffee, known as Black Cube, is exclusively imported from the South in limited quantities each year. Adding anything would be an insult…”

“…”

Lu Xin looked down at his coffee; it seemed fine, but the issue was its bitterness.

He pondered for a moment and said, “I…”

The maid replied, “If you really want something sweet, why not try a Cappuccino…”

“…”

“I see…”

Lu Xin, surprised by their reverence for coffee, thought for a moment and said, “Alright, get me a Cappuccino then!”

“Then I’ll go fetch one for you.”

The black maid waitress paused in surprise, then her tone shifted as she turned and walked off.

“Wait a moment…”

Lu Xin called out, pointing to the coffee before him, “Cancel this cup, please.”

The black maid turned to Lu Xin with a smile and said, “I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t cancel coffee orders…”

“You…”

It was absurd that such expensive coffee couldn’t be canceled; Lu Xin winced internally.

But on second thought—since it had already been brewed and couldn’t be resold—it made sense not to cancel it.

With a helpless sigh, he said, “Fine, I’ll just drink it. Bring me some sugar.”

The black maid replied, “Sir, this coffee is meant to be enjoyed without sugar…”

“But I don’t like it bitter.”

“Then why not have a Cappuccino…”

“Then cancel this cup for me…”

“Coffee orders aren’t canceled…”

“Then bring me some sugar…”

“Then why don’t you have a Cap…”

“You always say that—could it be you’re not showing enough respect for the Cappuccino?”

“…”

Strangely, the conversation suddenly reached an impasse.

Lu Xin and the waitress exchanged polite smiles as they looked at each other, neither willing to back down.

After all, both were people of conviction.

“Sir, our coffee is served without sugar…”

Her smile had grown a bit stiff, yet the black maid enunciated her point clearly, insisting, “Our coffee comes without sugar…”

“Alright…”

In the end, Lu Xin decided that, as a man, it wasn’t proper to argue with a young lady.

He gave in.

A look of satisfaction and approval spread across the black maid’s face.

Then, Lu Xin reached into his bag and pulled out a piece of candy. Carefully unwrapping it, he scooped out the nearly melted chocolate and stirred it gently with a silver spoon to help it blend evenly.

“Hmm?”

The atmosphere suddenly grew oppressive.

Just outside the café, his Sister’s silhouette appeared, leaning against the glass window and staring intently at Lu Xin’s bag.

Lu Xin instantly caught on and clutched his bag tightly.

Oh no, I’m exposed…

……

……

At that moment, the black maid waitress, still clutching the coffee order, briefly turned somber before her smile returned as she gazed at the cup of black coffee—now compromised by the blended chocolate and no longer pure…

She slowly curved her lips, revealing neat white teeth and gums tinged with a deep red hue,

“Sir, you truly have… exceptional taste…”