This is a dessert shop that looks exceptionally refined from the outside.
Next to the paulownia-colored signboard grows a cluster of lush green plants in national style, with a winding cascade of emerald vines running from the rooftop all the way down to the ground, like a verdant ribbon clinging to the wall.
It’s just past five in the afternoon.
Peeking through the window of the Spring Sweet Shop, one can see that there aren’t many customers inside.
A bored staff member, empty-handed, stands at the Cashier, lazily arranging the pastries in the display case.
The whole store exudes a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.
However, this fragile peace is about to be disrupted by an unexpected force.
A black-haired girl, wearing the Baiying Academy uniform and strikingly graceful in both demeanor and appearance, stands assertively by the dessert shop’s entrance.
Then, with a forceful motion, she pushes open the large door and steps inside.
“Ding ding ding—”
Hearing the chime of the door, the staff member lifts their head from behind the counter, smiles, and waves to the black-haired girl, coming over at once.
“Ah, good afternoon, miss. May I ask what you’d like to order?”
Just as they’re about to hand over the Menu, the girl doesn’t even glance at it.
She strides purposefully toward the table by the bay window at the very back of the shop.
“Uh, miss, that seat has already been reserved…”
As the staff member tries to catch up and stop her, another girl in the same Baiying Academy uniform—but with chestnut-brown hair and a much cooler aura—steps forward politely, accepting the Menu from the staff with a gentle smile.
At the same time, a man dressed in a black suit casually slips a few bills into the staff member’s hand and promptly turns to leave the shop.
…Money, well, well, who can say no to money?
The staff scratches their head, looking down at the handful of cash—more than they’d make from seven or eight tables in one go.
Silently, they tuck it into their Guoshuang pocket.
As for the original reservation… well, just give those folks a few complimentary desserts, and surely they’ll understand.
“Su Wanli, here’s the Menu. I just checked online—this place’s highest rated items are the Honor Roll White Chocolate Art Snake Paulownia, Layered Matcha, and Apricot Almond Milk Drink.
There’s also stuff like Matcha Bun and Pistachio Snowflake Ice—cold desserts, too.”
Meng Huange pulled out the chair opposite Su Wanli and sat down gently, flashing her a sly smile as she shared her just-gathered info.
Su Wanli, meanwhile, yawned quietly and reached out her hand toward Meng Huange.
“Just order, I can’t be bothered to look. The Menu’s in your hands; pick whatever you want.
Since you did a good job today, I’ll be generous and treat—ah, I mean, I’ll even pay for your otherwise pointless little treat as a reward.
You should be grateful!”
With some clever wordplay to maintain her cultured persona, Su Wanli glanced around at the other customers.
Noticing that no one was paying them any mind, she relaxed and let herself flop onto the cool marble table in front of her.
…Ugh, this Tanji System—just making it recommend a decent dessert shop nearby already cost me ten Villainess Points.
If the desserts here turn out to look better than they taste, or worse, aren’t even edible, I’ll have to get some Punishment System props next time.
Still, though Spring Sweet Shop’s quality isn’t guaranteed, the décor is comfortable enough.
It’s not overly luxurious or gaudy, just a few stylishly mismatched pendant lights and some elegant greenery.
It actually has some character to it.
I wonder if Meng Huange will like it.
…Whether it was the Yan Hui Ting this morning or the School Cafeteria at noon, my attempts to cater to Meng Huange’s tastes have all failed so far.
Surely, this time I’ll finally succeed, right?
No, I mustn’t waste my precious Villainess Points again.
Despite spending half the time brooding, Su Wanli’s forehead was nearly plastered to the marble when Meng Huange, as if time had frozen for her, didn’t utter a single word.
Su Wanli sighed lightly, straightened up from the table, folded her arms, and stared at Meng Huange with mock ferocity.
“What’s wrong? Don’t tell me some nonsense about not being in the mood. Just order! Stop hesitating—what kind of behavior is that?”
Under Su Wanli’s strict urging, Meng Huange finally forced a slight smile, nodded, and pointed to the last dessert on the Menu.
“…Then, I’ll have the caramel pudding.”
Su Wanli followed Meng Huange’s finger down the Menu and saw a small, yellow-gold dessert with a thin, glossy caramel shell on top.
Tch, how dull.
I said this was a reward for her meritorious service today, but she still picked something so ordinary and lacking in character…
[When the female lead is rewarded, she intentionally picks the cheapest dessert to avoid causing you extra expense. This proves she still harbors caution and is trying to maintain an appropriate social distance—a mark of a true top-tier reserved heroine.]
And you, always muttering about heroines by my ear all day.
If this keeps up, how am I ever supposed to raise the female lead’s favorability even a little for my future security?
Su Wanli clicked her tongue, snatched the Menu from Meng Huange, skimmed it, and then waved the staff member over.
“Give us the Glorious Lotus White Chocolate Cheesecake, a Peach Lotus White Milk Drink, and this… Pingzhan Yuanman—basically, the most expensive thing from each section.
As for any extras… whatever, just bring us one of each.”
“And that caramel pudding she wants, bring that too, so no one thinks I’m ignoring her preferences.”
After ordering all the most expensive and even the cheapest items in one go, Su Wanli tossed the Menu back on the table, propped up her chin in her hands, and stared wordlessly at Meng Huange’s delicate face.
Honestly, after finally finishing the Examination, I just wanted to relax for a bit.
But for some reason, Meng Huange still looks troubled and downcast.
Su Wanli cupped her chin and gazed seriously at the side of Meng Huange’s face.
Now that she thought about it, even when they first met, Meng Huange’s face always wore an inscrutable, unreadable faint smile—not much different from now, actually.
It’s just that earlier, when they were in the car heading to the dessert shop, Meng Huange had been quiet the whole way, gazing out the window with a look of sorrow, barely responding to Su Wanli’s attempts to make conversation.
Who knows what’s on her mind?
The Examination is over, Meng Huange has completed her major task for the Su family, so what could possibly be weighing on her?
Could it be… she’s addicted to the thrill of topping the Examination rankings and is still savoring that happiness?
No, probably not, right?
This odd mood seemed to start after she came out for dessert with me, which means…
Realizing this possibility, Su Wanli instinctively caught the look in Meng Huange’s eyes.
…She’d rather stay in school to study more!