One step, two steps, three steps...

Watching Ye Tian walk step by step towards her, Qu Tan'er's shy and gentle face flushed red, her clear and captivating eyes sparkling.

She carefully glanced at Ye Tian, quickly lowering her head, with snowflakes adorning her beautiful hair.

She was so nervous her breathing quickened, visibly forming a wisp of white mist in the air.

"Let's go, I'll take you home."

Ye Tian stood in front of Qu Tan'er, smiling as he playfully touched her delicate nose.

Qu Tan'er clasped her hands behind her back, fidgeting with her fingers, her voice as gentle as a mosquito's "Mm."

"Where's your home?"

"Oh, it's right there! It's close, not far, we'll be there soon."

"Why are you saying so much? No matter how far, I definitely want to take you home and get my coat back."

"I... I'm afraid..."

Ye Tian ruffled Qu Tan'er's black hair, a slight smile playing on his lips, "What are you afraid of, afraid I'll eat you up!"

"No, I... I have nothing to entertain you with at home."

"I don't need anything."

Just like that, the two shadows, under the moonlight, extended longer and longer, merging into the vast white heaven and earth.

......

The wind howled, whoosh whoosh~~

"Hiss hiss~~~" Qu Tan'er rubbed her hands together, breathing onto them, her cheeks flushed, her thin clothes causing her to shiver.

Ye Tian took off his jacket and draped it over her, solemnly advising, "Speak up if you're cold, don't try to be tough."

"Nonsense, I haven't feared the cold since I was young."

Qu Tan'er pouted, patting her chest in assurance, but immediately let out a yawn.

Ye Tian rubbed Qu Tan'er's little head, looking at her playfully, "Really? I don't believe it."

Then, he continued walking forward.

Qu Tan'er looked down, fondling the coat she wore, pursing her lips silently, her eyes fixed on Ye Tian's left hand, shining like stars.

However, unable to muster the courage, she merely followed him quietly, her heart filled with unprecedented satisfaction.

Finally, the two arrived at a cake shop, which was quite empty due to the late hour.

"Xuexue Cake Shop."

Ye Tian spoke slowly, glancing at Qu Tan'er beside him; today was indeed her birthday.

"Let's go inside; there's heating."

Qu Tan'er smiled brightly, pushing the door open and entering skillfully, seeming to have visited many times.

A cheerful voice called out, "Sister Qu, you finally came; I've been waiting for you for a long time."

"I've already prepared the strawberry chocolate cake you wanted."

Ye Tian walked in to see a twenty-year-old girl with twin ponytails, clutching Qu Tan'er's arm.

Pointing to a small cake on the counter, it was only enough for two people, very small.

"Xuexue, I... I want to change to a bigger cake today. Can you help me pick one?"

Qu Tan'er instinctively touched her pocket, her eyes resolute, still saying it aloud.

"Really? Great! I'll help you pick."

Lin Xue said joyfully.

For eight years, Qu Tan'er had bought her birthday cake from this shop, they were very familiar.

However, Qu Tan'er's strong self-esteem prevented her from letting Lin Xue give her a free cake, so each time she came, Lin Xue specifically prepared a discounted cake for her.

Soon, Lin Xue came out carrying a big cake, smiling, "Sister Qu, what do you think of this one?"

Qu Tan'er thought, "Mr. Ye is a man, surely he needs a big cake, right!"

"But, would he be willing to celebrate my birthday with me?"

"How much is it?" Qu Tan'er asked.

Lin Xue waved her hand casually, "No charge, consider it a gift from your little sister."

"Xuexue, business is tough for you too. If you don't tell me the price, I won't take it."

Qu Tan'er said sternly, looking at Lin Xue seriously.

In the Capital City, where land was extremely valuable, running a cake shop left Lin Xue barely any profit after rent was deducted.

Moreover, she had to support her parents and brother in the countryside, Qu Tan'er couldn't take advantage of her.

At this moment, Ye Tian, having wandered around the cake shop, walked over, "What are you two talking about?"

Lin Xue, hearing a man's voice, looked up and took a deep breath, "He's so handsome!"

This man was a thousand, ten thousand times more handsome than the pop stars she saw on TV.

With a graceful and elegant demeanor, unparalleled, like a demoted immortal, seemingly stepping out from a painting.

"Oh, I'll be right there!!" Qu Tan'er took money out of her pocket, placed it in Lin Xue's hand, and picked up the cake box to walk over.

Seeing this, Lin Xue's eyes flashed, she shouted, "Sister Qu, is he your boyfriend?"

"He's so handsome, why didn't you tell me?"

Qu Tan'er's heart skipped a beat, she instinctively lifted her head, meeting Ye Tian's smiling eyes, hurriedly pushing him to leave.

"Um... we have to go."

However, just as the two were about to leave, Lin Xue suddenly shouted, "Hey handsome, you dropped something, come back and get it!!"

"Sir, I'll get it for you," Qu Tan'er was about to go back inside when Ye Tian grabbed her, shaking his head, "No, I'll go myself, wait for me."

He knew he hadn't dropped anything, why was Lin Xue calling him back? Interesting.

The door closed.

Lin Xue looked around, seeing only Ye Tian, patted her chest, and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Speak up, what did you call me for?"

Ye Tian said indifferently.

Lin Xue looked up and down at him, her gaze heavy, "I don't know why you're approaching Sister Qu, but she's bought tiny cakes for eight years."

"Today she bought a big one for you, we women know, she genuinely likes you."

"Sister Qu is burdened with enormous debt, it's already very tough for her, I don't want anyone to deceive her!"

"If you do, I won't forgive you."

"Mm, I won't." Ye Tian smiled slightly, turned and left, his eyes flickering, murmuring, "Enormous debt?"

These four words seemed to be a key point.

No wonder, considering Qu Tan'er was a service girl at the Zijing Auction, why she would be so frugal even with cakes.

Lin Xue watched Ye Tian's back, feeling a sense of relief, praying, "Sister Qu, you must be happy, those beasts will be dealt with."

Ye Tian pushed open the door, seeing Qu Tan'er's small hands frozen red yet still clutching the cake tightly.

Ye Tian gently took hold of her hand, feeling it smooth, soft, and cold.

"Let's go."

.......

Near Tianyun District.

Two men were whispering, occasionally letting out lewd smiles, looking very indecent.

"Boss, it's so late, why don't we go back and find some girls to have fun with."

"Shut up, just stay put! Qu Tan'er, that wench, today's the Zijing Auction's annual event, she'll return a bit later."

"Why not come back tomorrow?"

"Are you stupid? She'll surely get lots of commission today, we must take it all, can't give her any chance to hide money."

"Oh~~ we'll stay put then. That wench is so pretty, if only we could have a go...."

"You want to die? She's under Zijing Auction's protection, even our boss doesn't dare touch her~~ But someday, she'll submit obediently."

(Class ended really late, the teacher took extra time... not sure if I can write the next chapter, apologies... will owe it for now. Enjoy May Day, but it has to be made up for.)

(Lastly, humbly asking for votes!!)

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