Man, today was a wild ride. I’m a barista in Zhongxing-New-Village, and lemme tell ya, this place is a mix of chill vibes and total chaos. So, I roll into work at my little café on Zhongxing Road, right? The sun’s barely up, and I’m already feelin’ the buzz.
First customer walks in. It’s this old dude, Mr. Chen. He’s like a regular, always orders a black coffee. But today? He’s all fired up about the new park on Zhongxing Street. Apparently, they’re adding a playground. “Kids these days don’t know how to play!” he says. I’m like, “Dude, chill. They’ll figure it out.” But he just keeps rambling. I’m half-listening, half-trying to figure out how to make a latte art that doesn’t look like a sad pancake.
Then, boom! The door swings open, and in walks this group of college kids. They’re loud, like, obnoxiously loud. One of ‘em trips over a chair. Classic. They start ordering all these fancy drinks. “I’ll have a caramel macchiato with oat milk, extra foam!” Like, bro, it’s 8 AM. Just get a coffee! But whatever, I’m here for the tips, right?
So, I’m juggling orders, and my brain’s like, “Help!” I spill some milk. Great. Just great. I’m wiping it up, and I hear someone shout, “Hey! Is that a new café on Zhongxing Street?” I look up, and it’s this influencer with a camera. She’s filming everything. I’m like, “Please don’t film my mess.” But she’s all about the aesthetic. Ugh.
Finally, I get a breather. I step outside for a sec. The air’s fresh, and I can see the mountains in the distance. It’s beautiful here, ya know? Zhongxing-New-Village has this chill vibe, but today feels different. There’s a festival happening down by the river. I can hear music and laughter. I’m tempted to ditch work and join the fun. But nah, gotta pay the bills.
Back inside, the rush is still on. A lady comes in, and she’s super picky. “I want my coffee at exactly 150 degrees!” Like, who even measures that? I’m just trying to keep it under 200, lady! But I smile and nod. “Sure thing!” I’m sweating bullets, but I get it right. She takes a sip and goes, “Hmm, it’s okay.” Okay?! I just put my heart into that cup!
Then, outta nowhere, the power goes out. Just my luck, right? The whole café goes dark. People start freaking out. I’m like, “Guys, it’s just a blackout! We’re not in a horror movie!” But they’re all looking at me like I’m the barista savior. I grab my phone, turn on the flashlight, and start making drinks like a madman. It’s chaos, but kinda fun.
After what feels like forever, the lights flicker back on. Everyone cheers! I’m like, “Yay, we’re not in the dark ages anymore!” But then, I realize I forgot about the orders. Oops. I’m running around, trying to remember who ordered what. It’s a mess, but we’re all laughing.
Finally, the day winds down. I’m exhausted but happy. I step outside again, and the festival is in full swing. I can see the lanterns lighting up the night. I grab a bubble tea from a stand nearby. Best decision ever. I sit on a bench, sipping my drink, and just take it all in.
Zhongxing-New-Village is my home. It’s quirky, it’s chaotic, but it’s mine. And even on the craziest days, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.