He Huai appeared in casual attire, wearing a baseball cap as though he had recently come from the gym. He walked directly to the counter, his gaze steady and unyielding.
Feng Shuangshuang emerged from the baking room, her black hair cascading softly behind her, holding a dessert in her hands. Upon seeing the approaching figure, she pretended to pause her steps briefly before breaking into a graceful smile.
"Tiramisu."
He Huai's lips curved into a smile as he glanced at her, leaning in closer. "Tell me, which one is sweeter, the dessert or you?"
Feng Shuangshuang's eyes flickered slightly, mimicking his tone as she lowered her voice, "Why don't Young Master He taste it and find out?"
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Should we go to your place or the hotel?"
"We have rooms upstairs," she replied, offering a spoonful to his lips, her index finger subtly brushing against his Adam's apple.
His brows furrowed slightly, the sugary sweetness lingering on his tongue providing an unconventional satisfaction. A hint of interest sparked within him.
Compared to a rudimentary partition, he preferred hotels for their convenience and comfort, sparing him the need to clean up after.
Of course, exceptions could be made, depending on his mood.
The two ascended the stairs, one after the other.
Shen Wan stirred her coffee, creating ripples within its depths, and then she smiled, lips curling.
It was He Huai!
Well, this just got... interesting.
Around fifteen minutes later, the wind chimes tinkled again, announcing the entrance of a black figure. Carrying a motorcycle helmet, he looked around.
"Shuangshuang? Where is she..."
He mumbled his way into the baking room, quickly emerging and fixing his gaze ahead, catching Shen Wan's raised head in his line of sight.
Their eyes met, and Zhou Chi was briefly taken aback.
Soon, realization dawned, and he was the first to break into a friendly smile, striding over.
"Hey!"
Shen Wan nodded. "Hello."
The demeanor of a stranger seeing an unfamiliar young man played across the girl's face, but her eyes lacked suspicion. If one looked closely, one could discern the concealed joy and nostalgia within.
Regrettably, Zhou Chi didn't pay much attention to those details. He hurriedly asked, "Excuse me, have you seen the owner of this shop? She's a pretty girl, about this tall..." He gestured with his hand, indicating her height, "with long straight hair."
"Oh, I saw her heading upstairs," Shen Wan replied.
"Thanks!" With that, he rushed off like a gust of wind.
Shen Wan dabbed her lips with a tissue, wiped the spoon clean, and neatly placed it beside the fork.
Estimating that it was about time, she started to ascend the stairs.
The wooden staircase creaked underfoot, making quite a noise, but it was drowned out by the sounds of arguing and screaming.
The argument involved men, while the screams belonged to women.
He Huai's lips caught a punch and he was thrown onto the bed.
Feng Shuangshuang stood between them, resembling a righteous angel, her condemning gaze almost as if she were trying to see through her legitimate boyfriend. "Zhou Chi! Are you ever going to stop? How could you resort to violence?!"
Zhou Chi stood frozen in place, trembling all over.
Anger, disappointment, heartache, sadness, helplessness, confusion... various emotions surrounded him, his heart so numb that even the pain had faded.
"Why?" His voice was hoarse, carrying a defeated tone of powerless indignation.
His previously stiffened back, erect from shock and anger, collapsed, like a towering mountain brought to the ground.
The woman pressed her lips together, avoiding eye contact.
"Did this beast force you to do this? Tell me—" Zhou Chi's voice was a mixture of anger and concern.
"..."
He Huai sneered, stood up, adjusted his pants, and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his thumb before walking over to the woman.
"Young Master He..."
The next moment, his grip was on her chin.
A dark glint flickered in He Huai's eyes, a complete coldness emanating from him, coupled with a sense of disdain. "You're the first woman who dared to play me like this. Well done!"
Feng Shuangshuang's scalp tingled, panic welled up in her eyes. Even when she saw Zhou Chi burst out suddenly, she hadn't been this flustered before. "No... please believe me..."