Why did she feel like Ningning seemed a little unhappy today…?

Did she have something on her mind?

Dou Yuwei found herself thinking about it for no particular reason.

She still felt that there must be some kind of story between Ningning and that handsome guy.

Xu Yecheng stayed busy for a while longer and finally made it to the end of her shift.

Dou Yuwei pulled Xu Yecheng along to the back to collect desserts.

When she was dragged along, Xu Yecheng was actually resisting inside.

“Isn’t Ningning going to get dessert?”

Xu Yecheng shook her head. Right now, all she wanted was to hurry back to the dorm and collapse.

“But the desserts the shop manager makes are really delicious.” Dou Yuwei looked a little regretful. “It’s really a shame if you don’t try them.”

Xu Yecheng let out a helpless sigh. Seeing Dou Yuwei gently shaking her arm like that, acting all coy, she couldn’t bring herself to refuse and finally agreed.

Xu Yecheng first changed out of her work clothes, then followed Dou Yuwei to the back to get dessert.

When they pushed the door open, Xu Yecheng saw the shop manager busy at work.

The manager was holding a piping bag. When she saw Xu Yecheng and Dou Yuwei, a smile immediately appeared on her face.

“You’re here. I made chocolate cream cake for you today—I didn’t know what else to make,” the manager said, pointing to a small plate with a slice of cake.

“Wow, long live chocolate! Thank you, boss!” Dou Yuwei picked up the small plate of cake. The manager then glanced at Xu Yecheng and noticed the hint of helplessness in her expression.

“Ningning, give it a try? It’s really delicious,” the manager said with a smile. “You have to trust my skills.”

Xu Yecheng smiled helplessly. “Alright, thank you.”

“How was the chocolate flavor last time? I made that one myself.”

Xu Yecheng nodded. Hearing that, she was a little surprised. “It was really good.”

The manager grinned happily. Beside her, Dou Yuwei immediately became dissatisfied.

“Hey, boss, you’re playing favorites. I want some too.”

The manager piped a swirl of cream onto another slice of cake. “It’s on my desk. Go get it yourself later~”

“Hehe, boss, you’re the best.”

The manager laughed. “Little glutton. Every day you’re just thinking about what to eat after work.” As soon as she finished speaking, the other part-time employees also came in.

Dou Yuwei kept smiling. “That’s because your baking is just that good.”

“Alright, alright. Go eat already—don’t crowd this little room,” the manager said gently.

Holding the cake, Dou Yuwei pulled Xu Yecheng upstairs.

Looking down at the hem of her skirt, Xu Yecheng suddenly remembered that she needed to buy a couple of new outfits…

And this dress would need to be sent for cleaning…

Her head immediately started to ache.

Seriously, it all felt so troublesome.

Seeing Xu Yecheng looking unhappy, Dou Yuwei’s expression filled with curiosity.

“Does Ningning have something on her mind? You look really unhappy.”

Xu Yecheng let out a helpless sigh. To be honest, she didn’t even know why she was so unhappy herself.

It just felt like her heart was blocked, like something was weighing on it.

What exactly was the reason?

The exhaustion from work, and that hollow feeling inside—was it because of Ji Qingying?

Xu Yecheng still felt like she was completely useless…

Just then, warmth spread through her hand. Dou Yuwei grabbed her hand and laughed softly. “Eating something should make you feel a lot better.”

As she spoke, Dou Yuwei pulled Xu Yecheng to sit at a window seat. Xu Yecheng subconsciously glanced at He Xiaohan at the opposite table, then lowered her head to look at the small, delicate plate of cake.

Dou Yuwei scooped up a small bite with her fork and put it into her mouth. She immediately showed a look of enjoyment and urged, “Hurry up and try it. It’s really super good.”

Xu Yecheng gave a bitter smile and also picked up her fork, scooping a small bite.

He Xiaohan closed his book, and his gaze accidentally fell on the girl sitting across from him.

She brought a small bite of cake to her mouth and instantly showed an amazed expression. Light poured down from above her head. Her eyes were deep and clear, the corners slightly lifted. On one side of her jewel-like eyes was a small teardrop mole.

A bit of cream stuck to the corner of her mouth. Her slightly moist red lips looked almost translucent under the light.

He Xiaohan’s gaze flickered for a moment, but quickly dimmed.

He gathered his book, stood up, and went downstairs.

“So good,” Xu Yecheng exclaimed, eyes widening.

The smoothness of the cream, the rich yet mildly sweet chocolate flavor, and the softness of the cake filled her mouth. The slight bitterness slowly brewed into a gentle sweetness.

“Right? It would’ve been such a shame not to try it,” Dou Yuwei said. Seeing Xu Yecheng’s entire face brighten, her mood seemed to lift as well.

“Yeah,” Xu Yecheng said with feeling, scooping another small bite into her mouth. “This café is really nice.”

Dou Yuwei chuckled. “Even though work is a bit tiring, after eating a small plate of dessert like this, all the fatigue just disappears.”

Xu Yecheng nodded, looking at the girl in front of her, feeling a wave of emotion again.

The heavy, stifling feeling in her heart really had eased a lot after all this.

Xu Yecheng let out a breath and slowly finished the small piece of cake.

Sweets really were nice. She had always had a good impression of them, but because they cost money, she rarely ate them.

“Um… Ningning, why did you start working part-time?” Dou Yuwei stood up and asked softly.

Xu Yecheng sighed helplessly. Seeing her expression darken slightly, Dou Yuwei’s beautiful eyes dimmed as well.

“Because I don’t have enough money. The living allowance my family gives me every month isn’t enough,” Xu Yecheng said quietly, her tone full of complaint.

“Huh?” Dou Yuwei seemed to understand a little why Xu Yecheng was so unhappy. “Why is that?”

“Well… my family’s financial situation isn’t very good,” Xu Yecheng said as she followed her downstairs. Dou Yuwei took the small plate from her hands as well.

“I’ll take this inside. Ningning, wait here for me, okay?”

A strange ripple rose in Xu Yecheng’s heart. Her eyes flickered, and she hesitated for a moment before nodding.

“Okay,” she replied softly.

“Ningning…”

Dou Yuwei’s voice echoed in her mind, making something feel oddly warm inside.

She really was a nice girl…

If only she truly had a friend like this.

Xu Yecheng thought about it, her gaze falling again on the hem of her skirt.

“I’m back. Let’s go,” Dou Yuwei said as she came out and looped her arm through Xu Yecheng’s.

Xu Yecheng’s body stiffened instinctively, and Dou Yuwei’s expression once again filled with curiosity.