The owner's sister returned after a while. She was the same age as Charlotte. She was dressed more fashionably with her ears, nose, and lip pierced. Her clothes were more of the punk rock street style.
"I'm a musician." Her voice was gentle and she smiled like an angel.
Charlotte was confused, but was in no mood to question her outfit. She just nodded repeatedly.
Charlotte was led to a bedroom and the girl went downstairs. She leaned against the bar and said, "Taking in strays again? You already have me, can you manage another one?"
"She's different from you. She has loved ones." The owner smiled.
"Yeah, it's obvious she has led a sheltered life. Unlike us, we came from the wrong side of the tracks." The girl snorted twice and pulled out a harmonica from her pocket.
The tune sounded as crisp and clear as a piano. The owner tousled her hair. "Silly child, as long as we are alive, we are already much better than them."
Her lips trembled and the notes sounded out of tune. She took a deep breath and continued playing the harmonica.
Charlotte showered, changed into the clothes laid out by the girl, and went downstairs. She stopped in her tracks when she heard the music. The owner had already spotted her and waved at her. Charlotte smiled and resumed walking towards them.
Charlotte learned the owner's name was Ryan and the girl was Evelyn. Two of them were not biological siblings, but two orphans relying on each other for survival.
"It's cool to own a cafe in the city." Charlotte sighed.
"My brother's the amazing one. I'm just a burden to him." Evelyn put the harmonica back into her pocket and sprawled on the table. "I can only earn four to five thousand yuan per month. I can barely pay rent."
"How much does this cafe usually earn?" Charlotte was curious.
"In a good month, maybe 40,000 yuan. If not, it's about 10,000 yuan. The rent is 7,000 yuan," Ryan replied. "That's why I still have some savings."
They had a good life. Outsiders might think their life was grueling, but their attitude of finding joy was rare.
Ryan took some beer and went to the kitchen to make fried chicken. Three of them sat in a corner enjoying the food and the rain. Later, Evelyn clamored to watch a gaming tournament in which her favorite player was competing, so Ryan and Charlotte accompanied her.
Charlotte thought that it was nice having each other in life.
Ryan let Evelyn have the bedroom on the second floor, so they slept separately.
An air bed on the floor with a heater made for a good night's sleep, too.
"Why don't you head upstairs to sleep?" Evelyn suggested to Charlotte.
"There's no need. I think I'll leave in a while."
Evelyn gave her a look, then at her brother. She shrugged and said, "Ryan, are you really going to let her leave?"
She finished her words, turned and ran upstairs.
Charlotte and Ryan were at a loss for words.
Ryan brought two air mattresses and electric blankets, and handed one of each to Charlotte. "I only have these. You'll just have to make do."
"It's fine."
Charlotte positioned the mattress against the wall and settled down for the night. She curled up and pulled the blanket over herself.
Ryan noticed her, walked over and sat down beside her. "Let me perform a magic trick for you."
"Hmm?" She looked at him curiously.
Ryan snapped his fingers in the air and a coin appeared in his hand.
Charlotte was surprised.
He tossed the coin in the air and caught it. He kneaded the coin in his palms and it transformed into a handkerchief. He turned his body sideways and stuffed it back into his palm again. This time, he slowly tugged a flower out of his closed palm and waved it in front of Charlotte. In a flurry, the flower turned into a toy bunny.
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