Since the journey took only about three minutes, they quickly arrived back at the studio, with Bai Henan following inside.
Upon entering, Ji Yuntong took the cake Bai Henan had been holding and softly said, "Thank you." Then, she walked to the counter, handed him the registration form and a pen, and said calmly, "Fill out the registration form."
After that, she turned around and instructed Cao Mo to record the number of students.
Cao Mo was stunned for a moment when she saw the handsome guy in front of her signing up for pottery classes. She couldn't help but steal a few more glances, wondering if she had heard correctly.
Once Bai Henan finished filling out the form, Ji Yuntong said, "Classes are fixed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, lasting about two to three hours, starting at 2:00 PM. Please be on time."
"I will. Don't worry, go ahead with your work. I'll leave now," he said before turning and walking out.
Ji Yuntong first put the cake in the refrigerator in her private quarters on the second floor. Then, she went downstairs, put on an apron, and prepared to work on new orders, leaving behind a confused Cao Mo.
Once Ji Yuntong started creating, she wouldn't stop, always fully immersed in her work until the evening. Although the studio officially closed at six, she insisted on completing any pending custom pieces to avoid leaving things unfinished. She often worked until around ten at night.
Today, she was quite productive and finished around 7:30 PM. As the studio quieted down, the lights gradually went out, leaving only the creation room illuminated.
Cao Mo always left on time at six. If Ji Yuntong was busy, she would leave directly, ensuring the unnecessary lights were turned off and the door was securely locked.
Stretching her body, Ji Yuntong casually tidied up the studio before heading upstairs.
She quickly took a shower, changed into her pajamas, and was about to dry her hair when her phone screen lit up.
"Have you had dinner yet?" Bai Henan texted.
"Not yet, I'm about to order takeout," she replied.
"Come open the door for me. I'm outside. I brought you dinner."
Seeing the message, Ji Yuntong quickly checked the security camera and confirmed that he was indeed standing outside.
"Wait for me!" she hurriedly replied, tossing her phone aside and dashing downstairs.
Her hair was still damp, swaying slightly with her movements, with tiny droplets of water clinging to the tips.
Bang, bang, bang—
The sound of her hurried footsteps echoed down the stairs, carrying a hint of urgency.
Though there was still a short distance between the main entrance and the interior, Bai Henan clearly heard her approaching.
When Ji Yuntong reached the first floor, she changed into her outdoor slippers and ran toward the entrance. Since the building was previously a kindergarten, the layout hadn't been significantly altered during renovations, and the pathway outside remained a bit lengthy.
"Why are you here?" she asked, slightly out of breath while unlocking the door.
Bai Henan squinted slightly when he noticed her damp hair. His brows furrowed as he asked in a deep voice, tinged with concern, "Didn't have time to dry your hair?"
Ji Yuntong gave an embarrassed smile and shook her head, about to explain, but Bai Henan simply chuckled and teased, "I guessed you hadn't eaten yet, so I brought food over. My timing was perfect, right?"
She was momentarily stunned before chuckling softly. "Thank you. You really know me well." Lowering her head, she absentmindedly tucked her damp hair behind her ear, suppressing the hint of nervousness in her heart.
Bai Henan watched her movements with a slight smile. "You shouldn't overwork yourself too much. It's not good for your health," he said before his tone became more relaxed. "I bet you always get so busy that you forget to take care of yourself, don't you?"
Ji Yuntong sighed with a helpless smile and nodded slightly. "You really do know me."
She closed the door and motioned toward the stairs. "Come in. Put the food over there, let's eat together."
Bai Henan placed the dinner on the table, glancing around. The overall decor had a warm white color scheme, exuding a quiet and cozy atmosphere—a stark contrast to the first floor. It felt like her own personal sanctuary.
Looking at the food, he then glanced at Ji Yuntong and asked casually, "Was work busy today?"
She sat down across from him, picking up her chopsticks lightly. "Not too bad. I finished earlier than usual. But why did you suddenly bring me dinner?" She frowned slightly, feeling that his concern for her eating habits was a little unusual.
Bai Henan simply smiled without answering right away. Instead, he focused on arranging the food, his gaze occasionally flickering toward her with subtle amusement, as if he was already familiar with her reactions.
Ji Yuntong noticed his relaxed demeanor and was a bit surprised. The Bai Henan she knew was usually distant, yet today, his actions seemed to carry a new sense of attentiveness.
A brief silence filled the room, creating a delicate atmosphere. Ji Yuntong instinctively wanted to break it but struggled to find the right words.
Bai Henan finished setting the food and looked at her naturally. "You eat first. I'll dry your hair for you."
"No! It's fine!" Ji Yuntong immediately sat up straight, a slight panic in her voice.
Bai Henan acted as if he hadn't heard her protest and casually asked, "Where's your towel?" as he glanced around the room.
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?" Ji Yuntong widened her eyes, anxious to stop him.
But in the next moment, Bai Henan had already picked up a towel and, without hesitation, stood behind her, gently drying her damp hair.
"Eat now, or the food will get cold," he said in a calm voice, his movements slow and careful.
Ji Yuntong was momentarily stunned. She looked down at the food, realizing that everything on the table was exactly what she liked to eat. A flicker of surprise flashed in her eyes.
She lifted her head, curiosity evident in her gaze. "How did you know these were my favorites?"
Bai Henan chuckled softly, his gaze lingering on her face as if he had expected this question. "Because when you like something, you always pick a lot of it. If you don't, you won't touch it at all." His tone was relaxed yet carried a hint of warmth. "I was right, wasn't I? Now I feel relieved."
A warmth spread through Ji Yuntong's heart, but she also felt a bit uneasy. She lowered her head, picking up a piece of food, and murmured, "I didn't think you'd notice such small details."
"Who says I only pay attention to big things? I remember your little things too," Bai Henan said with a faint smile, his voice steady, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
He glanced at her briefly before falling into silence, seemingly enjoying this rare moment of quiet.
Ji Yuntong's heart skipped a beat. The Bai Henan in front of her felt different from the boy she had always treated as a younger brother. He seemed closer yet harder to grasp.
After finishing drying her hair, Bai Henan casually placed the towel aside, then sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and quietly accompanied her for dinner.
The steam from the food enveloped them in a gentle warmth, making the atmosphere feel different from their usual interactions—carrying a subtle yet undeniable shift.
Ji Yuntong's heartbeat quickened involuntarily. When she lowered her head, her fingers accidentally brushed against the edge of her plate, forcing her to focus back on her meal. She avoided looking directly at Bai Henan, afraid that if she did, her emotions would be too obvious.
The air between them felt unreal, almost like a dream—yet one she couldn't ignore.