Everyone was startled and looked toward the sound.
The sleeve of the door was pushed open just a crack, and Xie Yier’s hand was pressed firmly against the Doorbell, preventing it from sounding an alarm.
To be honest, the scene at this moment was a bit terrifying.
Xie Yier’s neck stretched out from the gap, and because of the dim light, large shadows covered her face, making her look rather frightening.
When she saw everyone looking at her, she finally released her hand from the Doorbell, then, like a grim executioner, pushed open the Wooden Door and walked inside.
The Doorbell, as if only now reacting, rang out sharply in warning to everyone, further unsettling Aier’s heart.
Hiss…what’s going on!
Why is Lady Xie Yier here? And of all the luck, she appears just when Tang Wan and the others were about to share the egg cake…
What terrible timing. “(PRqaj, eh…”
Xie Yier walked in step by step, her shadow stretching along the floor, bringing with it a chill that swept through the shop like a cold wind.
Everyone suddenly felt a breeze behind their backs and couldn’t help but shiver.
Mary’s heart tightened, and her previously relaxed expression disappeared.
As for the equally astonished Tang Wan, what could she do?
Tang Wan could do nothing.
Or rather, her thoughts were simple.
If she wanted to win Aier, she’d have to compete with Xie Yier, so she should show her competitiveness.
So, she chose to puff herself up.
She presented herself in a relaxed but aggressive manner.
She straightened up and stared warily at Xie Yier. Her chestnut-colored hair looked as if it was about to burst from her hat, about to fly out from under the brim.
Of course, she was still aware of her position. She might be putting on a bold front, but she didn’t make a sound.
As for Jie Er, she was so frightened that she stood up immediately: “Um, Lady… Lady Xie Yier, let me explain.”
“Don’t be nervous, I was just a bit curious. So Little Aier loves Coffee this much? The other day you drank so much, was it not enough for you?”
Aier felt a cold sweat run down her back and was certain that she was doomed tonight.
“N-no… I wasn’t planning to order Coffee…”
“So you switched to oyster cake this time? Trying to please your two little sisters?”
Aier was truly at a loss for words; now it would be impossible to explain things clearly.
Aier felt like someone sneaking out to meet a lover, only to be caught in the act, completely isolated and roasted over the fire.
Xie Yier sat directly in the only empty seat facing the door.
To be fair, that seat should have been for the owner.
But Xie Yier’s presence was so strong that wherever she sat became the head of the table.
“Xie Yier, you haven’t visited in a month, have you? Just in time to try my latest creations.”
Latte had kept quiet until now precisely because, from the bar behind the counter, she had long noticed Xie Yier’s shadow at the entrance.
She didn’t particularly like Xie Yier, but she also knew not to offend her if possible.
So she kept herself busy behind the counter, quietly making Coffee.
Now that Xie Yier had entered, she finally spoke to ease the tension.
She placed the special Coffee she’d prepared for Xie Yier on the table, along with the Lattes for Mary and Wu Wan.
Luckily, the matter of treating Aier was dropped for now. Though Latte was a cheerful person, Aier had suffered enough today, so there was no need to add fuel to the fire.
In her heart, Latte silently lit a candle for the three about to be interrogated.
Little Aier, Little Tingchi, Little Chuli, don’t blame your sister for not teaching you—really, even I can’t help you this time.
After all, this is Duke Sheiyl’s presence we’re talking about.
At this moment, Aier was frozen in place, her mind blank, not knowing what to do.
“Aier, come here.”
Xie Yier pointed at the seat beside her, calling Aier over.
Not understanding what Xie Yier meant, Aier sat down, but she didn’t relax; it felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles.
“Um… would you… like to have a bite?”
Aier looked at the oyster cake that Tang Wan had already scooped a little from, and, acting almost on instinct, pushed it toward Xie Yier.
She regretted it the moment she spoke, Xie Yier was a neat freak, and yet she’d just offered her a cake that Tang Wan had already touched.
“Sure, then I’ll have some.”
Xie Yier’s answer was beyond Aier’s expectations.
But Mary understood—Xie Yier was declaring her sovereignty.
Aier hurriedly picked up a clean spoon, carefully scooped a piece from an untouched corner of the oyster cake, stood up, and gingerly delivered it to Xie Yier’s lips.
Without the slightest hesitation, Xie Yier opened her mouth and took it in, her movements as graceful as a connoisseur tasting top-class cuisine.
“Mm—not bad.”
Just as Aier was about to offer another bite, Xie Yier suddenly stood up.
She held Aier’s chin in place and, in full view of everyone, leaned in.
Xie Yier even deliberately let a trace of the egg custard linger on her lips before slowly pulling away.
She saw Aier’s completely flustered expression and teased, “Isn’t imported oyster cake much better than the local ones?”
There was a reason behind Xie Yier’s bold gesture.
The moment she received her informant’s message, she rushed over as quickly as possible. Even the carriage was pushed to its highest speed.
She’d calculated that most people would be eating at this hour, so the streets wouldn’t be too crowded.
Otherwise, who knew if Aier might be snatched away to another world.
As she reached the entrance, she’d overheard Latte gossiping about Aier and Tuo Zhai coming together, making Aier’s face flush red.
At that moment, Xie Yier suddenly realized that there might be more people eyeing Aier than she’d thought!
She had to step up and assert her claim, letting everyone know that Aier belonged to her.
That’s why she made such a bold move, to shock everyone present.
Every gesture and look from Xie Yier was a clear statement to Mary and Ma Shang, using her actions to tell these two little foxes: “Aier isn’t yours, and she’s not available, so don’t even try!”
Mary’s hand holding the spoon tightened, her knuckles turning white. The piece of oyster cake she’d been about to offer Aier slipped off the spoon and fell onto the table with a dull clatter.
Ma Shang gritted her teeth so hard that her jaw ached, her deep-set eyes almost bursting with suppressed emotion.
But she just managed a forced “heh” and tilted her head aside, as if she couldn’t be bothered with the scene.
Xie Yier took in their reactions with a glance, the superior satisfaction of victory rising in her heart.
She turned to Mary and, with undisguised provocation, said, “Little sisters from the Wenfen family, if you want something, you need to be more direct. Hiding and sneaking around like thieves—what do you expect to accomplish?”
—
Mary’s eyes glistened so much it looked as if water might drip from them at any moment.
“All right, Xie Yier, lunch break at the academy is almost over, let the girls get back first.”
Latte’s timely words broke the spell of Xie Yier’s dominance.
“It’s late, we need to get going!”
Ma Shang immediately seized on this and, voice wavering from excitement, grabbed Aier’s hand and, as if she were protecting some precious treasure, made to leave.
“What’s the rush? It’s only half past twelve.”
Xie Yier reached out and seized Aier’s wrist as well.
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