CH: 65 Take you to buy clothes!

{Chapter: 65 Take you to buy clothes!}

"Ah! I completely forgot! My sincerest apologies, Master!"

Qiu Wanxi suddenly gasped in realization and hurriedly rushed to the back, her footsteps echoing in the quiet of the shop. Moments later, she returned, holding a cake that seemed to be both elegant and chaotic in its creation.

The cake, while delicate in structure, carried a faint burnt aroma, the slight singe around the edges of the icing betraying its rushed creation.

Lin Yuan looked at the cake for a moment before allowing a soft smile to tug at the corner of his lips. "Is this your surprise?" he asked, his voice light with amusement.

The cake before him was an elaborate Black Forest cake, though it had an odd feature—a distorted face etched on its surface. It was oddly charming in its imperfection.

"Young... Master, I apologize!" Qiu Wanxi's voice trembled with guilt. "I intended to make this cake with your likeness, but... something went wrong... the cake got a little overcooked in the process, and, well... it ended up looking like this." She faltered, her eyes searching Lin Yuan's face for any sign of displeasure. "I'm so sorry..."

She fidgeted with the hem of her apron, anxiety evident in her movements.

Lin Yuan, taking in the situation, gave the cake a careful inspection. The edges were a bit too dark, and the face—though clearly intended to be a likeness—was twisted in a way that could only be described as... quirky. But despite all that, the elements of the cake were what he had mentioned liking on the first day they met: the rich chocolate, the blueberries scattered around, and the generous layers of cream. The heart of the cake was, without a doubt, an honest attempt at something sweet and meaningful.

The young man gave a knowing chuckle and spoke in a light-hearted tone. "I have to admit, Wanxi, I must give you a little criticism here. This... well, it doesn't quite capture even one percent of my handsomeness." He pointed at the crooked mouth on the cake. "The mouth's a bit off, don't you think?"

Qiu Wanxi winced, her nerves intensifying, and her fingers twisted further into her apron.

Lin Yuan, however, was already forking a piece of the cake, breaking off the part where the face was most distorted. "But you know," he said between bites, "it actually tastes pretty good. I like it very much, Wanxi. Thank you for making this, truly."

As he spoke, Lin Yuan gently placed a hand on her head in a gesture of reassurance, his voice warm and sincere. "You've done well."

Qiu Wanxi, who had been holding her breath, visibly relaxed. She raised her head slowly, the tension melting away, and a bright smile spread across her face. "Th... thank you, Master! I'm glad you like it."

"Come here," Lin Yuan said, his tone shifting slightly, concern edging his voice. "Let me check something. Are you sure those two pests didn't hurt you when they tried to cause trouble earlier?"

Qiu Wanxi's heart fluttered as Lin Yuan moved closer, inspecting her closely. The proximity made her feel her pulse quicken, her cheeks flushed from the closeness. "No... it's alright. They only made threats. They didn't dare to lay a hand on me," she whispered, trying to maintain composure, though the warmth spreading through her body made it harder to keep her thoughts straight.

Lin Yuan, however, wasn't entirely convinced. His eyes scanned her from head to toe, making sure there were no signs of harm. His thoroughness caused Qiu Wanxi's heartbeat to race, and she lowered her gaze, suddenly feeling shy.

From the corner of the room, Xiao Lian's teasing voice broke the silence. "Master, if you're inspecting Wanxi so carefully, why not take a look at me too?"

Xiao He, ever the playful one, added, "I wouldn't mind a check either!"

Lin Yuan's lips curled into a small grin. "Oh? Well then, why don't both of you head upstairs and wait for me in the bedroom? I'll be up to check on you both in a bit."

"Master is really naughty!" Xiao Lian exclaimed, her voice filled with mock indignation, but the blush on her face gave her away. She and Xiao He both giggled and scampered away in a flurry of laughter.

With a soft laugh, Lin Yuan turned back to Qiu Wanxi. "Alright, let's go. I'm taking you to buy some new clothes."

Qiu Wanxi blinked in confusion. "Huh? Why? I'm fine in my clothes... they're not that bad, are they?"

Lin Yuan shook his head gently. "You see, most people tend to judge others based on appearances, especially the first impression they get from someone. Clothes play a big part in that. If you're dressed this way, people might get the wrong idea about the quality of the cakes you're selling. They might think it's unclean or unprofessional. We don't want that for the shop, do we?"

His words made sense, and Qiu Wanxi found herself nodding in understanding. While she didn't mind her appearance, she certainly cared about how the shop was perceived—especially since it was her heart's work, a place she poured her effort into for Lin Yuan.

Seeing her thoughtful expression, Lin Yuan didn't wait any longer. He casually moved to untie the apron from around her waist, his fingers brushing against the fabric, and Qiu Wanxi's breath hitched. Her heart skipped a beat as she turned a shade darker in the face. The simple gesture felt intimate, and she could barely keep her composure under the intensity of his attention.

"I—" she stammered, feeling the heat rise in her cheeks, but Lin Yuan was already leading her toward the door, as if unaware of her flustered state.

*****

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