Vоlumе 1 Сhapter 16: Тhе Art of Рlaying Наrd tо Gеt
It wаs hаrd to imаginе thаt somеonе could turn а dеssert shоp intо sоmеthing resеmbling а luxurу bоutiquе in thе mоst uрsсalе cоmmеrcial district of Сity В.
Evеn thоugh thе dеsserts and сakes insidе wеrе рricеd ordinаrily, the sеrviсе wаs trulу impеccablе.
Sраnning thrее floors, the dесоr was minimаlist, feаturing floor-tо-сеiling high-trаnsparеnсy glass, gеntly curvеd wаlls, аnd sоft warm уеllow lighting. The soothing music crеatеd а соzу atmоsphere thаt warmеd the hеart.
“Wеlcome!”
The shop was spacious, with at least twenty or more staff members across all levels.
Apart from the burly men handling heavy items, the rest were all young women dressed in custom uniforms, each wearing a smile that made a favorable impression.
As a regular customer, Jiang Xining was immediately greeted by a staff member who took her umbrella and bag, then handed her a tablet.
“Miss Jiang, welcome back to ‘Yihuan.’ Here are our newly launched dessert series. You can sample them first and decide whether to purchase them if you’re satisfied. What would you like to have today?”
In front of outsiders, Jiang Xining always spoke cautiously, adhering to the principle of saying as little as possible.
Her sister had told her that this would make others think she was aloof and not dare to slight her, and they wouldn’t call her foolish.
“I’d like to order a birthday cake,” she said, pointing to the exquisitely crafted fondant cake on the cover of the brochure. She pursed her lips, trying hard to hide her drooling anticipation. “Something like this.”
The staff member looked slightly troubled. “Well… you might need to wait a moment. This cake is handmade by our owner, and he’s usually very busy, so he may not have the time.”
“However, I can help you ask the manager.”
Jiang Xining felt a little disappointed at first, but upon hearing the latter part, she nodded reservedly.
“Alright, thank you.”
After the staff member left, Jiang Xining continued browsing the tablet, adding items to her cart.
This one looks delicious, and so does this one. I need to get some for Grandpa and Grandma, Mom and Dad, my sister, and save a few for Zhuzhu…
However, this tranquility didn’t last long. The shop door opened again, and a disdainful, arrogant male voice rang out, “Women are so troublesome, always making demands even when eating desserts. Waiter!”
He glanced around, his tone filled with dissatisfaction with the shop’s layout. “What do you sell here? Nothing’s even displayed.”
Rude and impolite, his voice drew many sidelong glances, and Jiang Xining also looked over.
A staff member maintained a professional smile and patiently explained, “You can browse and order directly on the tablet. What you see is what you get. Our staff will pack it for you and bring it down, or you can go to the second floor to make your selection in person.”
The man’s expression was already extremely impatient, and he reeked of alcohol. “Just pack me something worth a few hundred or even a thousand yuan. I’m in a hurry.”
The staff member wanted to say something but ultimately gave up. “Alright, please wait a moment.”
Foolish, rich, and lacking sense.
With items averaging just a few dozen yuan, did he want to eat until he exploded?
Jiang Xining remembered him. At Dou Dou’s birthday party, he was one of those who had spoken ill of her that night.
Han Shun’s gaze swept around the shop, playful and lewd. All the women here were beautiful—the owner certainly had taste.
Suddenly, his eyes paused, meeting Jiang Xining’s direct stare.
“Well, if it isn’t Young Master Fu’s little fiancée. What, not playing the sidekick today?”Jiang Xining didn’t speak, she just looked at him.
Her gaze was clear, pure, and direct, the disgust within it flowing out without any concealment. A surge of anger suddenly rose in Han Shun’s heart.
After returning home last time, he and his brothers had been severely criticized, their faces swollen and their cards frozen.
All because of this fool.
“I remember you can speak, why aren’t you opening your mouth today?” Han Shun walked up to Jiang Xining, a malicious grin hanging on his face.
“I’m your fiancé’s best brother, you should at least call me ‘brother,’ right?”
Jiang Xining ignored him and continued looking at the tablet.
Han Shun, still under the influence of alcohol, let his gaze wander freely over Jiang Xining. He had to admit that although Jiang Xining had intellectual issues, she was indeed beautiful—no wonder the Jiang family treasured her so much.
He suddenly plopped down beside Jiang Xining, his gaze lecherous and vulgar. “Buy whatever you like, big brother will pay for you today, how about that?”
Seeing the situation turn sour, the shop assistant immediately stepped in to defuse it. “Sir, your desserts have been selected. Please proceed to the counter to pay.”
“What’s the rush? I’ll pay together once this young lady has chosen.”
Jiang Xining stood up with the tablet in hand, taking two steps back. “You don’t need to pay. I have a lot of money.”
“Don’t be polite, we’re all good friends. Young Master Fu invited us brothers to play golf today. Later, I’ll take you to find him—” Han Shun was used to these coy tactics. He leisurely stood up, closing in step by step, and was about to snatch the tablet from her when someone grabbed his wrist with a fierce grip.
“Ah! Let go, it hurts, it hurts!!”
Ye Mu didn’t release her grip. Instead, she exerted force, then kicked him flying.
“Crack—” Everyone present swore they heard the sound of bones breaking.
“Young Master Han, please behave yourself.”
“Ah!!” Han Shun’s body crashed into a row of transparent decorations by the entrance, shattering them into pieces.
Clutching his limp arm, he staggered a few steps before barely managing to stand up, his eyes bloodshot. “You bitch, do you know who I am?”
Ye Mu shielded Jiang Xining behind her, her expression cold. “I know, so what?”
The shop immediately erupted into commotion. The manager hurried out, trying to calm the situation.
“I’m sorry, sir, it was our oversight… Is your arm alright? I’ll arrange for someone to take you to the hospital right away.”
Gritting his teeth through the pain, Han Shun said, “I’m not going to the hospital! I’m calling the police! In broad daylight, you won’t get away…”
Jiang Xining tugged at Ye Mu’s sleeve, suppressing the tremor in her voice. “You were the one who disturbed me first. I ignored you, and you still came closer!”
“Sister Mu, don’t be afraid. At worst, we’ll compensate him. I have money…” Even though she was scared inside, Jiang Xining steadied herself, not completely losing her composure.
Ye Mu was often called expressionless by others, but hearing this, the corner of her lips twitched slightly.
“Hello, police?” Han Shun snarled, his voice filled with rage.
“I want to report an assault. Someone at ‘Yihuan’ Dessert Shop attacked me unprovoked—”
Just then, a woman’s voice rang out.
“Such a small matter, why trouble the police?”
The voice was gentle, carrying an effortless calm. Everyone was drawn to it, turning to look.The newcomer was dressed in a white coat, her skin so pale it almost dazzled, with features as delicate as a painting. Her naturally curly long hair was casually tied up at the back of her head, exuding an intellectual elegance—a beauty that was difficult to put into words.
The shop manager’s eyes lit up, and she hurried forward to greet her. “Boss, you’re here?”
“It’s fine, I’ll handle it.” The woman gently patted the manager’s shoulder, her tone gentle yet carrying weight. “I’m Xu Jinhuan, the owner here.”
“Sir, if you have any issues, you can discuss them with me.”