I Really Didn’t Want to Increase My Favorability!

After finishing dinner and chatting intimately for over half an hour, Xu Lin prepared to head out and deliver desserts to the other girls. It was already close to 9 PM, and if he delayed any longer, they might have already gone to bed. He didn’t want to disturb anyone too late at night.

“Are you sure you’re wearing enough?”

By the door, Qin Yunhe tugged on his coat and gently pressed it with her fist to check.

Xu Lin looked at her adorable gesture and lightly held her hand.

“Qin-jie, you’re turning soft. You never used to fuss like this.”

“Get lost!”

“Haha, I’m heading out now. Really, it’s not cold—I’m layered up.”

“But don’t catch a cold. Wanwan told me before that you went to school with a fever, and she had to take you to the infirmary.”

“My constitution’s way stronger than back then. I’m leaving now—you should get some rest too.”

“No matter what’s going on, take it slow and stabilize things first. If you really run into trouble, you can reach out to me—or even Chu Qingchan and Chu Fengyi.”

“Why would I ask them for help…”

“They’re amazing, honestly. They’re both really good people. Don’t hold anything against them just because of me.”

“I’m not that petty,” Qin Yunhe rolled her eyes at him.

“Alright, I’m off.”

“Be careful on the way.”

Watching Xu Lin step into the elevator, Qin Yunhe finally closed the door and went back inside. Seeing the empty couch, a sudden wave of loneliness washed over her.

When he wasn’t here, she missed him—wanted to eat with him, chat with him. But when he came and then left, she felt even lonelier.

No, no, romance isn’t your entire life! Qin Yunhe, Xu Lin is right—you’re going soft! You haven’t been to the gym in two weeks and haven’t exercised at home for two days. Get back on track now!

But before she could even pull out her yoga mat, her stomach started to feel uncomfortable. Resigned, she plopped back onto the couch.

“Ugh… You really can’t fight your body’s limits… How does that Chu woman manage it? They say she’s Xu Lin’s mentor. She must be amazing. Maybe I should ask her for advice.”

Meanwhile, Xu Lin had switched to a shared bike and was heading toward Zhu Zhaoxue’s house. After all, Qin Yunhe’s place and her shop were just three intersections apart, so taking a taxi wasn’t necessary.

As the bakery came into view, Xu Lin suddenly realized—how ridiculous was it to bring desserts to someone who ran a pastry shop? It felt like he was trying to challenge their business.

Still, he had already made it this far and had no choice but to go in. Fortunately, the shop hadn’t closed yet, and there were still a few customers inside.

Carrying the box of snow princess cakes, Xu Lin snuck in like a thief.

“Hey, Xiao Xu?”

“Hello, sir.” Xu Lin nodded politely in greeting.

“Looking for Xue’er?”

“Yeah.”

“She’s not back yet—working overtime.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Have you eaten? I’m about to close up. Stay and have a bite.”

“I already ate. Could I grab six egg tarts instead?” Xu Lin figured he couldn’t just walk in and leave without buying something—better to support the shop a little.

“Sure.”

Xu Lin reached into his pocket to get money, but Mr. Zhu waved him off and handed him the bag.

“No need to pay. It’s just a few egg tarts.”

“I can’t accept that.”

“Take it.” His money was promptly tossed into the bag. Mr. Zhu clearly wasn’t planning on taking it.

“Thank you, sir.”

“No problem. If it’s urgent, you can call her. Unless she’s in surgery, she’ll answer.”

“Thanks, sir. I’ll head out now.”

“Alright.”

Xu Lin left the pastry shop, holding the egg tarts. Not only did he fail to deliver his snow princess cakes, but he also ended up with a free snack.

He could’ve just left the cakes there, but with other customers around, it didn’t seem appropriate.

“The hospital’s only about 4 kilometers from here. Let’s call it exercise for the night,” he muttered, hopping back on the bike and pedaling toward the distant glow of the streetlights. The sky grew even darker as he rode.

Ten minutes later, Xu Lin arrived at the hospital’s east gate, parked the bike, and sent a message. After waiting a few minutes without a response, he noticed the chill creeping into his body and glanced toward a nearby noodle shop.

He suddenly remembered the first—and only—time he’d shared a meal with Zhu Zhaoxue, which was right there. The food had been delicious, and the cheerful, straightforward shop owner and his kind wife had left a strong impression.

Should he wait inside? But it felt rude to sit in the shop without ordering anything. Then again, he was already full.

As he debated, he sensed someone approaching from behind. His instincts kicked in, and he tensed, ready to counter. But a soft, familiar fragrance reached him, and he relaxed.

A pair of cool hands covered his eyes from behind, and a warm body leaned against his back.

“Guess who?” came a deliberately hoarse voice. Xu Lin couldn’t help but laugh.

“That voice is far too sweet. No way I couldn’t tell—it’s Dr. Zhu.”

“If it were sweet, the department head wouldn’t keep scolding me.”

Zhu Zhaoxue dropped her hands, and Xu Lin turned to face her. She looked tired, her face a little worn down by exhaustion. The usual alluring glint in her eyes had softened, leaving her with a delicate, fragile beauty reminiscent of Lin Daiyu.

“Enough about that. What brings you here?”

“I came to deliver something. I stopped by your bakery earlier but heard you weren’t back yet.”

“What could be so urgent that you had to find me now?”

As she looked at him, her thoughts began to wander. What if he confesses to me? she thought. But wait—he has a girlfriend. What if he insists on confessing anyway? Should I lecture him? Tell his girlfriend? Or…

“Snow princess cakes,” Xu Lin said, pulling out a box and handing it to her. Zhu Zhaoxue, lost in her spiraling thoughts, froze for a moment before taking the box, utterly confused.

“I’ve been learning how to make snow princess cakes at home. I ended up making too many and thought I’d share them with everyone.

But then I remembered you’re from a family that runs a bakery, so I wasn’t sure if I should even bother bringing these.

When I passed by your shop, I figured, why not let the pastry shop heiress have a taste?”

“Why overthink it? You could’ve just left them at the shop—my parents wouldn’t have minded. Anyway, thanks. I’ll try them when I get home.”

“How are you getting home, Dr. Zhu?”

“I’m riding my e-bike. I left it by the noodle shop.”

“Be careful on the way. It’s late.”

“Mm.”

Xu Lin decided to grab a ride to Bai Xiaoxiao’s place. Just then, the noodle shop owner came out, spotted the two of them, and waved enthusiastically as he approached.

“Hey, you two here for some noodles?”

“Haha, I already ate at home. You should get some rest, Uncle.”

“Alright. Wait, you’re not leaving together?”

“He’s heading off on his own. I’m going home.”

“Hey, young man! It’s past 9 PM—how can you let a girl go home alone at this hour?”

As the older man spoke, he walked right up to Xu Lin, grabbed him, and dragged him over to Zhu Zhaoxue’s e-bike. Xu Lin, completely baffled, found himself standing next to the bike, unsure of what to say under the man’s insistent gaze.

“Uh… Uncle, he’s not my…”

“Not your boyfriend? Doesn’t matter! He can still see you home. Go on, go on!”

Caught off guard by the old man’s rapid-fire comments, Zhu Zhaoxue gave Xu Lin a helpless look. Xu Lin nodded.

“I’ll take you home—it’s only a few minutes, no trouble at all.”

“Sorry to trouble you.”

Zhu Zhaoxue felt a little embarrassed. The uncle was well-meaning but a bit too forward. Still, it ended up inconveniencing Xu Lin.

When she settled onto the back seat of the e-bike, Zhu Zhaoxue found herself gazing at Xu Lin’s back. Sitting there, she felt a surprising sense of safety that she hadn’t expected.

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