Backstage.
"Xiangsi!"
Manager Wu came over with a big smile again.
Originally, he was disappointed because Fu Hanjiang didn't come tonight.
Unexpectedly, Fu Hanjiang might not have come, but the late-night snacks did!
"Manager Wu, what's going on?" Sheng Xiangsi smiled and stood up.
"Just wait a moment..."
Manager Wu waved his hand with a smile and had someone open the door to the rest area, signaling the people outside to come in. "Come in and bring everything in."
As soon as he finished speaking, seven or eight people came in from the door, each carrying something.
"Xiangsi, what's Manager Wu up to?"
Colleagues crowded around Sheng Xiangsi, whispering to each other.
Sheng Xiangsi shook her head and answered honestly, "I don't know."
As the takeout items were brought out one by one, everyone saw the logo of Red Conch Restaurant.
"It's desserts from Red Conch!"
"That's right! Is Manager Wu so generous?"
With everything placed on the table, the deliverymen left.
Manager Wu clapped his hands and addressed everyone, "Ladies, the desserts from Red Conch Restaurant are for everyone!"
"Wow!"
Everyone applauded together.
"Thank you, Manager Wu!"
"Manager Wu, you're too generous."
"No need to thank me."
Manager Wu waved his hand with a meaningful look at Sheng Xiangsi. "It's not my money, so if you want to thank someone, thank Xiangsi! This is all courtesy of Second Master Fu for Xiangsi!"
"Wow! Xiangsi, you're really something!"
"That's right, we're all benefiting from Xiangsi's good fortune."
"Then we won't be polite!"
"Thank you, Xiangsi!"
Heh heh.
Facing her colleagues' teasing, Sheng Xiangsi's smile stiffened.
"What's up, Xiangsi?"
Manager Wu came over to her, still smiling. "Second Master Fu didn't come, but this goodwill didn't slip by. You know what to do, right?"
"..." Sheng Xiangsi pursed her lips. "Yes, I know."
With other matters to attend to outside, Manager Wu didn't say much more. "Go ahead and eat. Second Master Fu specially bought it for you, so don't let everyone else take advantage!"
"Okay."
Manager Wu left, and Sheng Xiangsi's smile disappeared instantly.
What does Fu Hanjiang want to do? Does he really have feelings for a dancer? Is Yao Leyi aware of this?
Isn't he afraid of making Yao Leyi jealous once she finds out it's her... being played?
It's very annoying. She didn't even want to touch any desserts.
Sheng Xiangsi got up and left, heading to the bathroom.
Just as she came out, she saw a familiar face.
Zhong Pei had sneaked in. Although this was the staff passage of Misel, it wasn't locked.
He didn't know why he came in, just that his cousin used Second Master Fu's name to send late-night snacks to Sheng Xiangsi...
How would Sheng Xiangsi react?
Would she be happy that Second Master Fu valued her so much?
"You...," Sheng Xiangsi blinked. "Lost again on your way to the bathroom?"
"No, no..."
Zhong Pei hadn't expected to see her as soon as he entered.
He looked into the rest area, where everyone was enjoying Red Conch's desserts. He hesitated and asked, "Aren't you eating?"
"What?"
Sheng Xiangsi was taken aback for a moment before responding.
"Oh, you mean the late-night snacks... Since they don't have what I like, I won't eat."
"?" Zhong Pei's eyes lit up, his mouth curling into a smile. Didn't like it?
There were two ways to interpret that.
One, the desserts weren't to her taste. Two, she didn't like the person who sent them...
Regardless of which one it was, it was good news for him.
Zhong Pei cleared his throat and gathered his courage. "Then what do you like?"
"Why are you asking that?" Sheng Xiangsi furrowed her brow, not taking the bag.
But Zhong Pei was running out of time; his cousin was still waiting for him. If they saw him coming to find her, he'd be in trouble!
"Just take it."
In his haste, Zhong Pei handed her the bag.
Sheng Xiangsi frowned as his hand touched hers, but luckily, it was just for a moment, and he quickly pulled away.
"I'm leaving!"
Zhong Pei smiled and turned to leave.
"Hey, what is it?"
Zhong Pei turned back, waved to her, and replied, "Pumpkin sweet soup!"
Then he hurried away.
Pumpkin sweet soup? Sheng Xiangsi lowered her head, opened the bag, and indeed, it was... chilled, with ice packs inside.
She absentmindedly touched it. He actually went out to buy it after she casually mentioned it?
Could he... be interested in her?
Sheng Xiangsi sighed and shook her head in resignation.
Was he just having a moment of whimsy as a playboy, or was it the innocence of a young man experiencing his first crush? Either way, she wouldn't accept it.
At least for now, she had no plans to start a second romance.
But she still appreciated the pumpkin sweet soup.
Sheng Xiangsi carried the bag and found a shared bike, heading back to her residence on West 12th Street.
The motion sensor lights in the stairwell were broken on several floors, including hers.
Sheng Xiangsi took out her phone, turned on the flashlight, and shone it ahead.
But as the beam of light moved forward, suddenly...
"Ah!"
Sheng Xiangsi was startled and let out a scream when she saw someone standing at the door! It almost made her throw her phone away.
"I'm back."
In the darkness, the figure spoke.
Huh?
Sheng Xiangsi's mind buzzed. This voice... it sounded so familiar. Where had she heard it before? Was it someone she knew?
Uncertain, she picked up her phone and shone the light again.
"Tsk!"
The beam of light hit Fu Hanjiang's eyes, and he quickly shielded them with his hand, displeased. "Sheng Xiangsi, are you trying to blind me?"
Sheng Xiangsi: ...
Did she hear that correctly? This tone... Fu Hanjiang?!
Instead of avoiding the flashlight, Sheng Xiangsi became even more brazen with it.
Upon closer inspection, it was indeed him.
Sheng Xiangsi's initial reaction was to turn and leave.
"Sheng Xiangsi!"
Fu Hanjiang took two steps forward and grabbed her long ponytail. "Leaving? Where are you going?"