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Master Wu, holding a plate of Osmanthus Cakes, had brows so furrowed they were tied in knots.

Lin Yuan, however, couldn’t help but chuckle while shaking her head; Master Wu truly was a man of integrity. Clearly eager to follow her, he was nevertheless embarrassed to break his contract with Fuman Building because of his earlier promise.

But it was exactly such people she appreciated the most. If one day someone came along and used the same methods to dig under her walls, she feared she would be driven to fury.

It seemed that getting someone from Fuman Building was going to be a bit tricky, after all.

Yet, ensuring that Lao Fan would treat Jeng Ruyue turned out to be a piece of cake. As long as there were delicacies to taste, let alone treating someone, even if he were asked to drop dead on the spot, Lao Fan would surely stuff himself with gourmet food without hesitation until he popped.

After all, if one must die, then what could be more fitting to Lao Fan’s personality than dying from overeating?

Having arranged with Lao Fan to treat Jeng Ruyue after Lady Liu’s child’s full month celebration, Lin Yuan boarded the carriage, planning to visit the newly acquired dry goods store on West Street.

For the first time ever, Lin Yuan invited Xia Zheng into the carriage.

Though surprised, Xia Zheng happily handed the reins to Liuzi and swiftly climbed into the vehicle.

It had been so long since he had been alone with Lin Yuan in the carriage.

Young Master Xia’s heart bloomed with joy as he stared at the increasingly delicate figure beside him, his hands starting to fidget restlessly—the memory of the burning pain when Lin Yuan had fiercely grabbed his ear the last time they were alone together seemingly forgotten.

Lin Yuan, however, was oblivious to Xia Zheng’s wandering hands, her mind preoccupied with the conversation she had eavesdropped on at Fuman Building. After much thought, she decided to confront Xia Zheng about it.

Just as she was turning to look at him, she felt a sudden coolness at the corner of her lips as if something had brushed past.

Startled, Lin Yuan reflexively scooted back and, wide-eyed with disbelief, clutched her mouth tightly.

Young Master Xia was also shocked. He had merely leaned in closer, wanting to ask her what was on her mind—all of a sudden, how did he...

However, that sensation was so curiously wondrous, so magical that he found himself yearning for another.

Young Master Xia licked the corner of his lips, eyes lingering on Lin Yuan’s plump lips, making her cheeks blush even redder, the redness spreading to her ears and neck.

"Stop staring! Stop staring! Stare any longer, and I’ll gouge your eyes out!"

Lin Yuan bit her lip, regretting not having brought a kitchen knife with her when she had left home. If she had a knife, that impudent fellow certainly wouldn’t dare get close! Should he dare to overstep, she would chop him into mincemeat and wrap him into dumplings!

"Yes, yes, I’ll stop looking," Xia Zheng said with feigned remorse, trying to appease the adorably irritated Lin Yuan, but his heart was blooming with joy—she was getting flustered again, which meant she was feeling guilty.

Seeing his reaction, Lin Yuan felt a mix of relief and loss, not quite knowing what to make of it.

Just as she relaxed, Xia Zheng suddenly became so serious that she felt like she didn’t recognize him. He looked firmly into her eyes and quietly promised, "I will take responsibility!"

Lin Yuan’s heart leaped, feeling as if it had reached her throat. But truly, this time, she didn’t feel the sense of loss; instead, she felt surprisingly at ease and even a bit sweetly eager, with a dash of anticipation.

Anticipating what? She didn’t know—was it the responsibility Xia Zheng spoke of, or was it her anticipation for him to suddenly pounce like the Little Tyrant for a replay of their moment?

With her heart pounding, just as Lin Yuan was about to drown in Xia Zheng’s tender gaze, Liuzi suddenly called out from outside, "Young Master, Miss Lin, we’ve arrived at the dry goods store."