Chapter 1 The Magical Cake Shop

She shook her head, stamped her foot in frustration, and walked straight out the door, turning left.

Brittany gazed at Chiba with sparkling eyes. For some reason, Chiba suddenly felt very reluctant to let anyone know about that unremarkable cake shop. She lowered her head, as if her mind was momentarily blocked by something, and casually remarked, "Oh, really? It's not store-bought..."

Overall, this is a cake shop that is so small that it is quite unremarkable. In the densely populated and commercially prosperous metropolis of City H, a cake shop located in a narrow and winding alley like this one has absolutely no appeal

The surroundings of the hutong are entirely composed of two-story old residences, and the exterior layout of the cake shop is no different. The windows on the second floor still feature a European style, with a gilded copper carved railing outside the window sill, and the wall beneath the window is covered with lush green vines. The windows remain tightly closed, with a white curtain drawn inside.

The thermos has a quite large capacity, enough to fill more than four paper cups, and the aroma of tea fills the break room. Brittany carefully examined the amber liquid in the coarse disposable paper cup and sighed, "What a waste, I must apply to purchase a set of bone china cups next time."

No, there is none. After all, Brittany is a seasoned professional, and although Jamaica Blue Mountain is expensive, it is not enough to make her lose composure in front of her subordinates

You ... ... hello

Brittany never calls Chiba by her English name; more often, she prefers to call her by her nickname "Little Leaf." To call her Nicole in such a serious manner can only mean one thing—someone important has arrived.

Clang clang

"Are you coming back?" he continued to ask, "Is it not possible to come back?"

It is so beautiful. Chiba's impression of cakes has always been associated with large, round birthday cakes; how could such a delicate and exquisite cake be meant for eating?

The reason it is described as a mass of white is that after he emerged from the door, he immediately crouched down, approximately one meter away from Qianye. He wore a white turtleneck cashmere sweater on his upper body and a pair of white casual pants on his lower body, with even his sports shoes being white. The only contrasting feature on his entire body was his shoulder-length black hair, with long bangs covering his entire forehead, rendering his gaze inscrutable. He simply crouched there, neither helping her pick up her handbag nor showing any intention of assisting her to stand up, merely tilting his head slightly to look at her. The only contrasting feature on his entire body was his shoulder-length black hair, with long bangs covering his entire forehead, rendering his gaze inscrutable. He simply crouched there, neither helping her pick up her handbag nor showing any intention of assisting her to stand up, merely tilting his head slightly to look at her.

The windows are bright and clean, yet the overall lighting in the shop is rather dim. Only the area with the sofa and coffee table faces the window, which is made of colored glass. Light streams in from outside, casting a layer of dancing, multicolored spots on the sofa, bright and dazzling. Qianye finds herself increasingly feeling as if she has entered a fairy tale world. Before long, a rich aroma of coffee gradually fills the living room, refreshing and delightful.

During work, Chiba often loses focus. Brittany, in her three-inch high heels, walks over and taps on her desk, "Nicole, have you finished this month's report? There is an export order on the 20th that needs to be filed for a tax refund. Have you completed it?"

Is there a problem? In contrast to Brittany's shock, Chiba is concerned that the coffee bought from an unknown small cake shop is not up to standard

Chiba hurriedly lowered his head and quickly put on his shoes

She gazed intently, moving back and forth on the shelves inside the display window, filled with admiration and reluctance. Just as she was captivated, a flash of light and shadow appeared on the glass. At first, she thought she was seeing things, believing it was merely a reflection from the glass. After focusing her attention, she realized that a pair of eyes was reflected behind the glass, closely pressed against the other side, staring at her.

Chiba frowned: "Is there only one copy?"

A corner of the white gauze curtain fluttered out from the glass window, resembling a sprite dancing in the air. In that moment, Qianye truly believed she had seen a fairy. Leaning against the window was a figure that appeared to be a man, yet the person's hair was very long, with bangs nearly covering half of the face, the ends of the hair reaching the shoulders, and the strands swaying in the wind.

A man dressed in a silver-gray casual suit is seated in Brittany's seat, looking down at the materials. Brittany is standing beside him, bending over to point at the materials and explaining them to him

The middle-aged woman was clearly taken aback, and just as she was about to say something, an old voice came from inside, chuckling: "What does the young lady want to buy?"

The office was buzzing as everyone discussed where to go for leisure after work, and then they either left in groups or walked out alone with their bags. Chiba closed her computer, stretched, and was just about to leave when she suddenly felt something strange around her. She turned her head and saw an additional person in front of the empty office door.

The person quickly appeared in Qianye's line of sight, wearing a thin white cotton shirt, likely having just come out of the kitchen. The rolled-up sleeves of his shirt were dusted with white flour, and even flour was scattered on his face and head

Chiba did not explain, but took the cake and coffee to the break room, retrieved three eco-friendly paper cups, and unscrewed the lid of the thermos.

Chiba felt somewhat uncertain

The elder sister clearly got overly excited, while Qianye stood by, feeling utterly exasperated.

In the early morning, it was suddenly said: "It's alright, if Qianye likes it, I can make it fresh."

After walking about twenty to thirty meters, Qianye felt as if someone was watching her from behind. When she turned to glance, she saw Ivan had turned around and seemed to be staring at her. She was startled, and just then, a taxi pulled over to the curb to drop off a passenger. Without waiting for the car door to close, she bent down and directly got into the car

This is a small cake shop with a very modest facade. The display window at the entrance can only accommodate a small showcase, and beside it is a small door. The European-style vintage door handle, made of gilded bronze, is shaped like a peculiar Pixiu. The door is unpainted, made of natural cedar wood.

Where is Starbucks

Hmm? She struggled to lift her eyelids, arching her back while stretching her arms in a big yawn

As Chiba took the elevator, he deliberately glanced at his phone, which read 4:13. When the elevator doors opened on his floor, he happened to run into Brittany, who was coming out of the pantry with a cup in hand. Upon seeing her, he couldn't help but exclaim: "My Miss Su, did you go to the moon to buy coffee?"

It should be ... ... watching her.

There are actually such boys in the world! They are beautiful and innocent, like untainted angels

Chiba closed her eyes, leaning against the soft sofa. Even with a severe cold, she could still strongly feel the warm fragrance.

Stepping out from the door, the light before her suddenly brightened, and the air inhaled into her lungs turned distinctly cool. If it were not for the coffee and cake still in her hands, Chiba would truly feel that everything she had just experienced was merely a dream

"It is ... ... just a slight cold." Her voice was very nasal, and as she spoke, the fluid in her nasal cavity seemed to be descending, prompting her to quickly cover her nose with a tissue

In the early morning, at the doorstep: "Will Qianye come again?" A very ordinary sentence, yet combined with his tone and demeanor, it unexpectedly made her heart tremble.

Brittany looked up at Chiba, whose expression was calm and unruffled. Prior to this, Brittany did not have a deep impression of the new female college student in the company; she only knew that Chiba was diligently performing her duties, without any outstanding performance, but also without any major faults to criticize. However, now, what does it mean for a girl to casually afford Jamaica Blue Mountain? No, this is not merely a question of affordability; such pure coffee beans are essentially priceless and hard to come by. But now, what does it mean for a girl to casually afford Jamaica Blue Mountain? No, this is not merely a question of affordability; such pure coffee beans are essentially priceless and hard to come by.

Chiba ... ... Chiba ... ... '' In a daze, someone was softly calling her name in her ear

An elderly man with a head full of white hair emerged, leaning on a black cane. Although he appeared quite old, his demeanor exuded a gentlemanly charm. When he spoke, he seemed particularly spirited, especially his eyes, which were sharp like an eagle's when he looked at others, making it difficult for anyone to meet his gaze easily

"It's alright, it's alright," he said, happily waving his hands covered in flour. "I can do it."

The door swung open with a clang, striking the wind chime. Inside, one half was dim while the other half was bright. The space within the shop was larger, deeper, and wider than she had imagined. The decor was similarly inclined towards a European antique style. Upon entering, there was an unexpected foyer, where she surprisingly spotted a shoe cabinet, accompanied by an umbrella stand.

Chiba took three steps and then two steps to the elevator and went downstairs, waiting at the company entrance for a full fifteen minutes without being able to hail a taxi. Occasionally, he caught sight of one or two taxis, but they were all occupied with passengers.

Hmm. She involuntarily responded, and thus the morning smiled

Only one thing! There is one thing she is very unaccustomed to and does not like at all. Foreign companies prefer to use English names for internal communication, but Qianye is very fond of her Chinese name. Her English proficiency is quite poor, so she never intended to rise to a high position. Initially, she submitted her resume to this company simply because she had printed too many personal resumes. At the job market, she employed the most common tactic—scattering flowers like a celestial maiden.

After swiping the card, he escaped downstairs and bid farewell to the security guard. Just as Qianye stepped out of the door, he saw a silver Audi A8L parked twenty meters to the left at the alley entrance. Even if Qianye was not familiar with luxury cars, he recognized the four-ring logo on the front of the car and the man leaning against the car door, lighting a cigarette with a lighter.

His gaze was exceedingly gentle, and when he looked at others, he was very focused. That expression was pure and earnest, like a child filled with hope. Qianye unconsciously blushed: "No, my superior asked me to go out to buy coffee and cheesecake, but I don't know which kind of coffee is good..."

By the way, before leaving, Ivan asked me where I bought the cake, it seems he has developed a taste for it

Qianye anxiously glanced at her phone; twenty minutes had already passed. How much longer would it take to travel to the city and back?

Brittany's gaze fell on her hand, and she raised an eyebrow, saying: "A thermos? Did you go home to brew coffee?"

She smiled brightly: "This month's devilish audit has finally been endured. How wonderful it would be if every month could go as smoothly as today!" Although the finance department of this company operates independently, the financial director from the headquarters brings a team to review the accounts every month. If the audit fails, the consequences can be severe. Not only does it jeopardize the bonuses of the finance staff, but it also signifies that they will soon face countless nights of overtime.

Out of curiosity, she began to pay attention, and even one day when she took a sick leave at noon, a colleague offered to help her hail a taxi at the company entrance. She politely declined and, almost as if by fate, turned into this alley once again

The handbag in her hand was flung far away, sliding to the entrance of the cake shop. She felt a sharp pain in her coccyx and was just about to get up when the door made a "clang" sound, swinging open from the inside. The door hit the wind chime hanging from the eaves of the corridor, producing a pleasant sound

The nearest one should be in the city center, which means you have to cross half the city. The company's vehicles have already been dispatched in the morning, so you can take a taxi from the entrance.

Hehe. That voice laughed, "Qianye looks very tired, you should take good care of your health."

Then I shall take my leave! With one hand holding a paper box and the other a thermos cup, she looked up at the standing wall clock in the shop as she stood up. The hands had surprisingly already passed 4:00, and she hoped that at this time, she could still make it back in time for the so-called afternoon tea

If it were not for the fact that this alley was only occupied by the two of them, in any other place, faced with such an unexpected display of enthusiasm, she would certainly not dare to respond so readily

She clutched her chest and lowered her head, taking a deep breath. When she looked up again, the window on the second floor remained tightly shut, unchanged in the slightest.

Inside the transparent glass display case, the showcase is divided into three tiers, with each tier featuring five different types of cakes, each with unique shapes and vibrant colors. Even the thin paper lining the cakes gives a sense of elegance.

Familiar with the way, she arrived at the small alley, where the cake shop's display window showcased today's new varieties. Seeing this, Qianye felt a surge of joy in her heart and immediately rushed to the door, pulled it open, and walked inside

The elderly person also invited, saying: "Come in and sit down, it will take a little time."

Chiba rarely eats sweets, so the chocolate mousse that she brought back to the office was naturally taken by her colleagues from her desk. The beautiful packaging, the exquisite cake, and the evenly sprinkled black chocolate shavings on the surface of the cake made it look more like a work of art than something to eat

"This... this..." Is there a takeaway coffee packaging that uses a thermos? Qianye looked confused in the morning, but from that beautiful and elegant face, no answer could be discerned. Thus, she had no choice but to take out 300 yuan from her wallet and hand it to him, "Is this enough?"

She took a small sip, and for someone like her who was not accustomed to drinking coffee, it only felt slightly bitter on her palate. She chuckled to herself in self-mockery, stood up, poured the remaining coffee into the sink, and tossed the paper cup into the trash can

Chiba smiled and cleverly avoided the question

Are you coming again

"Is that so?" he said with a gentle smile. When he uttered "Is that so?" in that soft tone, combined with his pure and flawless expression, it momentarily took Chiba's breath away.

Time passed second by second, and in the end, she remained in the same place, unable to go anywhere. The security guard of the office building could not help but come over to ask: "Miss Su, is there anything I can assist you with?"

Ah?

Chiba felt a bit dizzy, "Um... my surname is Su, Su Chiba." Uncharacteristically, she suddenly stammered out her name.

This is the coffee that Chiba wants. He turned around and picked up a thermos from the coffee table

The voice initially sounds very much like a female voice, as its quality is exceptionally clear. Although it is light, it is very sweet, rich, and pleasant to the ears. Chiba is quite enamored with certain voice actors from Japan, so when she hears this voice, it feels as if her entire body has been electrified and shivers slightly.

The middle-aged woman was just about to speak when the old man interrupted her: "Coffee, may I ask what kind of coffee would you like? Latte? Cappuccino? Macchiato? Or Con Panna? By the way, would you like it hot or iced?"

Hi. A cluster of white objects at the door is speaking to her

On the second day at work, she took the usual path through the small alley and deliberately paused in front of the cake shop. Unfortunately, there were no unusual occurrences; only the attentive Chiba noticed that the cake samples displayed in the window had not been changed, still the same ones as yesterday.

Chiba glanced at the pure white blanket and shook his head, saying: "No need, I can wait here just the same"

A beautifully crafted paper box was presented before her. Although her nose was congested and she could hardly breathe, she seemed to catch a whiff of a faint milky fragrance, which was particularly enticing

Upon seeing that mousse, Chiba's appetite was naturally aroused by it; however, she could only indulge her eyes and not her palate

The middle-aged woman replied somewhat excitedly: "Yes, in the early morning ... ... "

Chiba quickly got up from the ground, staggered over to the boy's side to pick up her handbag, and then ran away without looking back

The old man spoke with a constant smile, but Qianye felt as if she had been doused with a bucket of cold water, standing at the door feeling so embarrassed that she wished she could disappear into the ground. She never drank coffee; during her university days, in order to cram for exams, she had indeed consumed a few cups late at night to stay awake, but those were all instant coffee.

Chiba could not clearly see the person's appearance, but felt that glance was incredibly stunning. The person seemed like a sprite hidden behind the curtain, only briefly flashing by before quickly disappearing from her sight

"I am going crazy, going crazy..." She pulled out a tissue from her bag to blow her nose, her face pale and expressionless. "The symptoms are worsening; it seems I must go to the hospital."

I recognize you," the boy chuckled lightly, his voice still as clear and transparent as ever. "Would you like to have some coffee?"

The hall behind the entrance was covered with a soft white carpet, and Qianye gasped in surprise. This was hardly the kind of decor one would expect in a store. Not to mention a bustling shop filled with customers, even in a residential apartment, no one would tarnish their space with such a stain-prone carpet

I... I came to buy something

Is my sister ill

The old man curled his lips, neither expressing satisfaction nor dissatisfaction; he simply took the money, then turned and walked away with his cane. It was only then that Qianye noticed that his left foot was slightly lame, causing a slight wobble in his walk. Fortunately, the carpet was thickly laid, and when the cane touched the ground, it made no sound at all

Today, Ivan is in an unusually good mood, and you, Xiaoyezi, are undoubtedly a significant contributor to that. At first, I was genuinely worried that he intended to stay overnight. Brittany remarked, "However, after having afternoon tea, he seemed to remember that he had some urgent matters to attend to, and the review process became much more lenient. He actually managed to finish everything before the end of the workday. Haha, it seems the intelligence was correct; I never would have imagined that a big man like Ivan enjoys cheesecake. I thought only children would eat something with such a strong flavor."

Whenever Chiba walked here in high heels, she would instinctively glance up at that window. The reason for this was something she could not articulate, perhaps it started out of curiosity, but over time it became a habit

Chiba was surprised as Brittany walked over with a beaming smile: "Xiao Yezi, you haven't finished work yet?"

Her colleague's response left her speechless. Traveling across half the city to buy coffee, even the hottest coffee would cool down on the way, Brittany really posed a dilemma for her

The silver-gray suit was tailored very closely, perfectly accentuating his calm intelligence. A pair of rimless glasses rested on his nose, further highlighting his meticulous demeanor. Although Qianye was not familiar with him, she was aware of Ivan's renowned reputation. Just as she was about to stand up from her seat, he gave her a slight nod in a gesture of politeness, which seemed like a rather perplexing greeting, and then turned to leave.

What initially caught Chiba's attention was not this unremarkable cake shop, but rather the variety of cakes that changed daily in the display case. Every morning as she passed by, she would notice that the cakes showcased in the window had been replaced with new ones. This piqued Chiba's curiosity; how could a cake shop, which didn't even have a name, located in such a sparsely populated alley, possibly attract so many customers?

The cake is so beautiful, where did you buy it? The large cardboard box for the outer packaging is not a product of Starbucks, and Brittany turned it over several times but did not see any brand logo.

The middle-aged woman seemed more anxious than Chiba, her eyes constantly glancing at the elderly man beside her. The old man stood there with a cane, seemingly lost in thought, his gaze shifting back and forth between Chiba and the boy.

Ah, is that so?" He smiled, "They call me Morning." Turning his head to the other two, "Is that right?"

Thank you very much

In this way, Brittany turned back, took out three pink one-hundred-dollar bills from her wallet, and said, "You go to the Starbucks in the city as fast as you can and buy three cups of coffee and three slices of cheesecake"

Chiba couldn't help but glance over at Ivan, whose gaze seemed oddly focused on the entrance of the building, as if he were waiting for someone. Chiba dared not linger or approach him, nor did he want to take a shortcut through the alley to the bus station. He simply wished to quicken his pace and steer clear of that vehicle.

Before she could refuse, the girl had already stuffed the box into her hand and then waved at her, saying, "Goodbye, sister"

Unable to refuse the warm hospitality, Qianye had no choice but to take off her shoes and tiptoe onto the excessively white carpet, making her way to the sofa in the corner of the room to sit down

She was fortunate to be hired by this foreign trade company. After being hired, she learned that it was actually a joint venture, with a larger parent group above it, and that the company she worked for was merely a small branch. The size of the enterprise did not hold much appeal for Qianye; the ultimate reason she willingly adopted an English name and stayed here to pass the time was the generous salary and benefits offered by this company

Miss Su, please come in and have a seat for a while; I will make you some coffee

"Sister, please take care of your health." The little girl, with a backpack on her shoulder, caught Chiba's attention as she noticed that she was wearing the uniform of H City's Private First High School, which is the most expensive private school in the city. "Sister, you haven't had breakfast yet, have you? Here, this is for you."

This fragrance is faint... somewhat peculiar. Brittany rushed over in surprise, snatched the thermos cup, first bringing it close to her nose to sniff, then poured a little out into a paper cup and gently took a sip.

However, Brittany is a capable woman. Although she is only thirty years old, under her leadership, the company's financial accounts have not encountered significant issues. Nevertheless, the notorious reputation of the Chief Financial Officer at the headquarters still spreads among the employees of the subsidiary companies.

Good morning! Leo shouted loudly in the hall

Handing the report to Brittany, she smiled and said, "Thank you, could you please bring three cups of tea to my office?" As she reached the door, she paused and asked, "Nicole, do you know where there is a place nearby that sells Western-style cakes?"

Chiba then felt relieved and continued to open the cardboard box, taking out three portions of cheesecake. The takeout cakes were packaged very delicately, each portion contained in a small transparent plastic box, with thick cheese adorned with vibrant red strawberries.

The pale-faced boy before her was exceptionally beautiful, akin to a cake displayed in a shop window, exuding a blend of delicacy and splendor. Qianye had never seen such a beautiful boy; his actual age was indiscernible, but he should be quite young. This question did not linger in her mind for long, as Qianye soon found herself ensnared in an awkward silence of unspoken gazes, forgetting the moment of daze that had just passed.

His hands have been thoroughly washed, and his long fingers hold out a beautifully packaged box to Chiba.

Chiba held the cake, feeling a bit dazed, as she recalled the innocent and delicate smile from the morning. A wave of warm joy surged within her, and she suddenly broke into a smile

Just about to leave

"Ahem." The old man cleared his throat and politely bowed slightly to Qianye, "I apologize, we only have one of each type of cake. We... the pastry chef," he quickly glanced at Qingchen, "makes only one of each variety every day; uniqueness is the philosophy of our shop."

Returning to the office to organize some materials, before I knew it, it was five o'clock. A colleague quietly went out for a stroll and, upon returning, announced with a hearty laugh: "The review is over, comrades can disperse on time!"

Chiba put on her shoes and looked up, directly meeting the hopeful gaze of the morning. That delicate and pale face surprisingly revealed such a pitiful expression.

This was Chiba's first time seeing a customer visiting this store. After brushing past each other, she couldn't help but turn back for another glance. The girl, noticing her looking back, unexpectedly smiled sweetly at her and politely greeted, "Sister, good morning"

Due to a severe cold causing a low fever, she could no longer endure it in the office and requested leave. As she walked to the cake shop, her dizziness intensified. Leaning against the wall, she instinctively looked up again and unexpectedly noticed that the window on the second floor was open

No ... ...

The quality of employees in the company varies significantly, and there are quite a few individuals, like Qianye, who possess only a superficial understanding of English. As a result, a unique blend of Eastern and Western styles has formed a peculiar landscape within the company. Here, everyone has an English name, but not everyone necessarily addresses each other by their English names. Generally, as long as there are no higher-ups coming down to inspect, everyone is happy to engage in this casual and somewhat haphazard manner.

The two people in the store expressed their opposition, and he quickly walked back to the kitchen. The old man's expression was somewhat grim, and Chiba speculated that he might be the owner of the establishment. Her rude request had made the morning particularly exceptional, and it had also angered the owner. She couldn't help but feel a bit worried; what if this morning faced difficulties because of her actions?

It is truly ... ... Blue Mountain. Moreover, it is the exquisite Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee!

Ivan's act of lighting a cigarette is incredibly cool, with the cigarette held between his lips, complemented by his composed and aloof demeanor. He epitomizes the quintessential elite among elites, a fighter jet among aircraft.

Once again... goodbye... When she came to her senses, the cake box was firmly held in her hands, and the girl had long vanished from the alley

Faced with such a fantastical encounter, Chiba felt a wave of inexplicable emotions while holding the cake box

After running all the way to the station, she panted heavily while slapping her chest, and suddenly found herself amused by her earlier frantic escape.

She spent the entire afternoon receiving an intravenous drip at the hospital. The next day, she forced herself to go to work as usual, despite having little appetite and skipping breakfast. As she walked in front of the cake shop, the door suddenly swung open from the inside, and a girl about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a round face, a doll-like hairstyle, and a sweet appearance, walked out holding a beautifully packaged box.

Chiba took this alley to cut through, as it saves five minutes on the route to her company. This unintentional discovery led her to choose this path for her daily commute.

Perhaps due to working in the kitchen, his attire today is simpler and more streamlined compared to yesterday. His long hair is gathered and tucked neatly under a white chef's hat, and his bangs are styled high, revealing a broad and fair forehead. His eyes are as clear and bright as his voice. However, his complexion remains quite pale, and his pointed chin gives him a somewhat frail, childlike appearance.

Completed. She rummaged through the folder to find the report

What is this for? I haven't done anything shameful, so why should I escape

She suddenly jolted, her chaotic mind becoming clear in an instant

Ah! She was so startled that she stepped back, her heel caught in the gap between the broken stones and the blue bricks. Her center of gravity shifted backward, and with a twist of her foot, she fell down onto the ground.

Good morning

Chiba was taken aback by the money; just as he was about to say that he didn't know where Starbucks was, Brittany had already clacked her heels and exited the door

In front of the sofa, in the early morning, he knelt on one knee, half-squatting and looking up at her, his gaze clear, with a knowing smile at the corners of his lips: "Here, this is the three portions of cheese that Qianye wanted!"

Chiba did not know how to respond, so she could only smile back at him

"May I ask, is there something wrong?" As she stood in the doorway, dumbfounded, a middle-aged woman dressed in a white staff uniform walked out, wearing a friendly smile and inquired kindly and politely.

She fumbled through her handbag for her phone, just about to call Brittany, when a light voice suddenly floated through the store: "Who wants some coffee?"

Chiba enjoys her current job very much, working as a small accounting assistant in the finance department. She only needs to clock in and out on time every day, without having to bear too much risk. Unlike the marketing department, which she has heard has business targets every month, failing to meet them not only results in bonus deductions but also carries the constant possibility of being fired.

Brittany found a tray and then brought the coffee and cake into her office. Chiba shook her thermos, finding some remnants inside, and casually poured them into a paper cup. She then placed the thermos in the sink to wash it clean, tightened the lid, and returned it to the table. Next to the thermos, half a cup of coffee remained, the amber liquid clearly reflecting Chiba's eyes. Steam rose gently, accompanied by a unique aroma, evoking a myriad of tender emotions.

Sighing, she tucked away her slightly disappointed feelings and immersed herself in her work. However, as the day went on, the image of that cake seemed to take root in her mind, occasionally surfacing. After enduring the day, she rushed to the cake shop, searching for a long time in the display window at the entrance, but she could not find the chocolate mousse that the girl had given her that morning.

Cake ... ... cheesecake, oh, is coffee sold here? I would like three portions of cheesecake and three cups of coffee

Chiba simply tidied up, picked up her handbag, and prepared to go downstairs. As she passed by Brittany's office, she looked through the floor-to-ceiling glass, which had never had the blinds drawn. Inside, besides Brittany, there were three unfamiliar men in suits.

She stood anxiously at the entrance, while the middle-aged woman had become much more enthusiastic than at the beginning, inviting her, "Miss Su, please come to the living room and sit for a while"

Did you really do it yourself

Chiba chuckled lightly: "There is no way, the company's vehicles are all unavailable..."

In the early morning, I received the money and casually handed it to the elderly man behind me, "Leo, is this enough?"

Brittany is the manager of the finance department, known for her astuteness and competence. She is well-liked by upper management and is the object of flattery from lower-level employees. Gossip about her circulates daily within the company, and the luxury car waiting for her outside the office after work has also provided Chiba with considerable knowledge about high-end vehicles

Ah, it is... Ah." Chiba, feeling guilty, hurriedly grabbed her handbag from the table and said flusteredly, "I have an appointment with someone, I'm in a hurry, I can't talk anymore, goodbye!

He stood in the corridor, his hands dusted with flour. Upon seeing Qianye, he was momentarily taken aback, then wiped his hands on his faded white jeans and smiled shyly, saying, "Hi"

"Yes, the three portions of cheese you requested, I am afraid we do not have in our store"