Chapter 72 Chapter 72 First Stirring Of The Heart
Chapter 72 First Stirring Of The Heart
Her heart quickened slightly, her pores opened, and the biting cold wind, rather than making her shiver, instead dispersed a trace of warmth from within her heart.
Both her mind and body were relaxed, enjoying this moment.
What kind of feeling was this?
Was it a stirring of the heart?
Her smiling face, her delicate features, her exquisite nose, her small mouth, her flowing hair—all so adorable.
But I myself am a girl; how could I possibly feel my heart stir for another girl...?
Su Tao averted her gaze, a purely subconscious act of self-preservation.
No, perhaps it was just that Xiaocheng's actions reminded me of something from my childhood.
Falling into recollection and a daze would naturally elicit such a reaction.
Just then, Chi Xiaocheng's voice suddenly rang in her ear, “Do you like it?”
“What?”
Su Tao paused, flustered once more.
What did Xiaocheng mean by that question?
Did she mean, 'Do you like *her*?'
It wasn't just this time; she had asked several times before.
Would she demand an answer? What if she showed her unnervingly possessive side again?
Her mind raced, when Chi Xiaocheng's voice spoke again, “Xiaolongbao, Taotao, do you like them?”
What? Oh, she was asking about the xiaolongbao!
Su Tao quickly nodded, “Mm-hm, I like them.”
“Is that so? It's good as long as Taotao likes them~”
Chi Xiaocheng glanced back with a smile, then strode forward again.
Her strange tone, her slightly drawn-out cadences—Chi Xiaocheng's every action consistently puzzled Su Tao.
She was only talking about xiaolongbao, so what did she mean by that?
Walking beside Chi Xiaocheng, Su Tao's gaze rested on her. After a couple of steps, she suddenly paused.
The gentle rise and fall of her chest—those were 'xiaolongbao' too...
Her steps quickened.
Chi Xiaocheng, utterly unaware of Su Tao's thoughts, was simply overjoyed at the moment.
For the system had just delivered a long-awaited notification.
[Detected that the female lead, Su Tao, has developed feelings for the Host]
[Emotion Points +100...]
As it was the first time such an emotion had been generated, the Emotion Points gained were undoubtedly a considerable sum.
Her half-month of effort hadn't been in vain; Taotao had finally changed her perspective!
If she could resolve the issue with Ye Liang next, she would have even more time.
But for Taotao as she was now, this kind of date could only serve as a mere appetizer.
She needed to pull off something more drastic.
At the very least, she needed to put more pressure on her, just like on the rooftop back then, or in the small dark room.
—What should she do then?
They didn't chat idly as before on the way. Both preoccupied with their own thoughts, they soon arrived at Moonlight Cafe.
Perhaps it was the constant air conditioning, but compared to its usual chilliness, the cafe finally had a few customers.
Chu San saw the two approaching and greeted them with a smile, “Miss Chi, Miss Su, what kind of coffee would you like?”
“Coffee starting at 100? I can't afford that,” Chi Xiaocheng said, shivering slightly and squinting at the air conditioning unit blowing warm air.
Shopping in winter was truly suffering.
Immediately afterward, a hearty voice spoke up beside them, “I'll treat you to coffee, but Chi Xiaocheng, aren't you being a bit too lazy? I asked you to look after the cafe, and you've skipped work three out of five days.”
Dongfang Yang descended from the cafe's second floor, arms crossed over his chest, feigning displeasure as he looked at Chi Xiaocheng.
Seeing Dongfang Yang, Chi Xiaocheng, with her intermediate acting skills, reined in the slight dependence she had been showing towards Su Tao. Instead, she answered timidly, “I was sick those days. If you don't believe me, ask Taotao; she was taking care of me.”
Su Tao's smile stiffened for a moment.
Those days she skipped work... weren't they spent in the 'small dark room'?
“Is that true, Su Tao?”
Su Tao didn't dare meet Dongfang Yang's gaze, nodding softly, “Mm... Xiaocheng, she... has always been a bit frail.”
She wasn't actually good at lying. If it were Si Chen, with just a little attention to her micro-expressions, he would have been able to tell that Su Tao was trying to hide something.
Dongfang Yang, however, merely looked helplessly at Chi Xiaocheng, not showing the slightest suspicion towards Su Tao's concealment. “Though the cafe runs just fine whether you're here or not, next time you need to take leave, remember to inform Chu San in advance, got it?”
Chi Xiaocheng nodded like a pecking chick, then cautiously asked, “Boss, are you... worried about me?”
“Huh?” Dongfang Yang retorted mockingly, “I'm just afraid you'll actually get into trouble and then try to extort money from me! Anyone who didn't know better would think I'm a cruel boss.”
At his words, both Chi Xiaocheng and Su Tao looked at him strangely.
Dongfang Yang's expression faltered, a little flustered. “Why... why are you looking at me like that? What I said was the truth!”
He quickly changed the subject. “I hear Ye Liang has been bothering you two?”
Su Tao gently shook her head. “Not exactly. We just had a small disagreement with him.”
“He *is* bothering me!” Chi Xiaocheng gathered her courage, adopting the air of someone complaining to a parent. “Boss, you don't know, Ye Liang actually said he wanted to snatch Taotao away! I... I wish I could beat him to death!”
A glint of ruthlessness flashed and vanished in her eyes, as her intermediate acting skills made Chi Xiaocheng appear soft and adorable.
Seeing this, Dongfang Yang was greatly touched.
That little jerk Ye Liang, still claiming Chi Xiaocheng liked Su Tao and that she'd be dangerous?
It was clear at a glance that Chi Xiaocheng liked *him*, this young master!
She knew he liked Su Tao, and she was even willing to sacrifice herself to stop Ye Liang from approaching Su Tao!
If this wasn't liking him, then what was it?
She liked him so much, yet she still hid herself in the background, supporting his feelings for Su Tao.
Truly, it brought tears to his eyes.
Dongfang Yang's heart was bittersweet. Ever since he had confirmed Chi Xiaocheng's true nature as an adorable little airhead, he found her increasingly agreeable.
Emotions surged within him. Dongfang Yang immediately clenched his fist and thumped his chest. “Chi Xiaocheng, you're my employee! Next time Ye Liang dares to bother you, just tell me! He has the audacity to bully my people!”
Then he looked at Su Tao. “Su Tao, you too. Next time Ye Liang starts throwing his weight around, just ignore him. I'll take care of everything.”
After speaking, he quickly added, “Of course, don't get the wrong idea. It's not that I care *that* much about you two. It's just that I can't stand Ye Liang. As your boss and friend, I'm just supporting you both, that's all.”
“That's that. If anything comes up, just message me on WeChat. I have to go now, I have other things to do.”
Dongfang Yang, hands in his pockets, walked out of the cafe with a light step, humming a tune happily.
Clearly, he was in an excellent mood.
Watching his retreating figure, Chi Xiaocheng dropped her act and couldn't help but exclaim, “Dongfang Yang really is a good person!”
Su Tao nodded beside her, “He's always been a warm-hearted but outwardly proud person.”
Their young master being praised by two beautiful women, Chu San, sitting at the counter, couldn't help but reveal a proud smile. “The Young Master has always been like that. Usually, when his family gives him a large sum of money, he donates a considerable portion to mountainous regions.”
Chi Xiaocheng nodded subtly.
Such a character, if not on the opposing side, would truly be beyond reproach.
But even if this Dongfang Yang was a little foolish, it seemed he still had some feelings for Taotao.
Chi Xiaocheng ordered a coffee from Chu San, then leaned in close to Su Tao's ear and quietly asked, “Taotao, you don't like Dongfang Yang, do you?”
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