But it’s the most delicious in the entire universe.

Joanna received a call from Li Cheng. On the other end, Li Cheng’s voice was low and serious: “Miss Joanna, Director Lin has been investigating how that video got leaked. I’m afraid he might trace it back to me.”

All parties were smart; Li Cheng’s call was clearly a request for help.

If she refused, she would lose her only informant.

So Li Cheng was certain she would assist him.

“What do you want me to do?”

Li Cheng replied, “The investigation report is in Director Lin’s office. You just need to retrieve it before he returns. I could have taken it myself, but the office’s security system was recently upgraded—it now requires Director Lin’s fingerprint for entry, so…”

Joanna frowned. “There’s no way I can get his fingerprint.”

“Miss Joanna, I know you’ll find a way. Helping me is helping yourself.”

After hanging up, Joanna’s slender fingers lingered on the screen for a long moment.

#

Yiyang noticed Xiaoqi sitting silently, which was unlike her usual self.

“Xiyang, what’s wrong?”

Xiaoqi bit her lips. “Nothing, just that I have something I want to tell you, but I’m afraid to.”

“Then tell me. I’ll keep it a secret.”

Looking at him made it easier for her to speak. “Actually, I’ve been searching for a familiar magnetic sensation for a long time. Just yesterday, I found it on Lin Yichen, but only once—it disappeared immediately after.”

“Xiyang,” Yiyang glanced at her, “Did something come to mind?”

Xiaoqi was puzzled. “Why do you say that all of a sudden?”

“What you just described is the feeling of falling in love,” Yiyang’s eyes watched the traffic ahead as he said, “Love is that sudden flutter in your heart, fleeting yet unforgettable.”

A sudden flutter?

Xiaoqi recalled hearing something when Yichen spoke...

A rapid heartbeat.

He was not someone who showed emotions easily, so an accelerated heartbeat was nearly impossible for him.

But that day...

He liked Ye Xiyang. It was cold, and he worried she might catch a chill, so his concern made his heart race?

Or was it the typhoon?

Could it be that whenever his heartbeat quickened, she could sense the signal?

“Xiyang, we’re here. Get out of the car.”

“Oh!”

Xiaoqi stepped down and looked up to see a large, beautiful dessert shop.

She was immediately drawn in, about to step inside, but then noticed the sign above the entrance.

“Lovers’ Sweet Shop.”

That name...

#

“What are you looking at, Xiyang?” Yiyang put an arm around her as they walked inside. “I’ve been here before, and the desserts are absolutely delicious. I guarantee you’ll want to come back again.”

Before Xiaoqi could reply, they had already entered.

A polite waiter greeted them, “Sir, Miss, I’m sorry, but our Lovers’ Sweet Shop has been fully booked today. You might want to try…”

Another waiter hurried over and whispered in her ear, “That customer just called to cancel the reservation. They won’t be coming.”

“Really? But they already paid!”

“The customer is probably a wealthy boss. He said no need to refund.”

The waiter immediately understood, smiling politely at Yiyang and Xiaoqi. “You’re very lucky today. Since the customer cancelled, you two can enjoy our desserts and activities for free. Are you a couple?”

Xiaoqi was about to say no, but another waiter interrupted, “This shop is exclusively for couples. The reservation was for a private event, but since it was cancelled, the prepared items are free for you two. However, if you’re not a couple…”

“We are,” Xiaoqi quickly raised her hand and linked arms with Yiyang. “What have you prepared for us?”

The waiter smiled, “Our manager’s secret desserts, free for you to taste. They’re the best in the universe.”

At the mention of “best in the universe,” Xiaoqi’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Where are the desserts?”

“Please follow me.”

The waiter led them to an open terrace.

Xiaoqi’s eyes brightened even more at the view. “Wow, sitting here and looking out at the sea below, it’s such a beautiful setting—nestled between mountain and water.”

She bounced excitedly, tugging Yiyang’s arm, pointing at the distant sea. “Look, Yiyang, from here it feels like we’re floating on the ocean, surrounded by the vast blue sea. It’s so peaceful.”

Yiyang glanced over; golden sunlight shimmered on the blue waves, the sea sparkling like a jewel under the breeze.

Yet, his gaze held a trace of melancholy.

Xiaoqi sighed with admiration, “The sky is blue, the sea is blue, they blend into each other, boundless and magnificent. What a stunning sight!”

The waiter placed the desserts on the table, then took out a camera. “Let me take a photo of you two. Then you can write your names on it and stick it on our ‘Three Lives’ wall. After a short speech, you’ll receive a souvenir from us.”

A souvenir too.

Xiaoqi eagerly linked arms with Yiyang and posed. “Hurry, take it!”

“Alright.”

Seeing her joy as if discovering treasure, Yiyang teased, “Xiyang, you’re even more of a foodie than a foodie. You’d give up anything for food. Aren’t you afraid people will laugh at you?”

“Oh, they don’t know us,” Xiaoqi whispered, “And it’s free, so why not?”

After the photo, they wrote their names on it.

The waiter smiled, “Enjoy our best desserts first. After you finish and give your speech, you’ll get the souvenir.”

“Okay,” Xiaoqi pulled Yiyang to sit at the table, eyeing the desserts hungrily. “Wow, these desserts look so beautiful, I almost don’t want to eat them.”

Yiyang joked, “Then feast your eyes first, then eat.”

“Hehe, I can’t wait,” Xiaoqi drooled, picking up her fork.

The waiter brought juice and a bouquet of roses — except...

“Miss, this flower was ordered by a customer this morning. Since they didn’t come, it’s for you.”

Flowers?

Xiaoqi immediately thought of the last time Yichen gave her flowers, which made her sneeze nonstop. She shook her head. “No, no, I’m allergic to flowers.”

Surprised, the waiter set the bouquet beside her. “Don’t worry, miss. These are artificial flowers. The gentleman said his girlfriend was allergic to flowers, so he ordered plastic ones. I didn’t expect you’re allergic too. These suit you perfectly.”

“Oh, I see. Thanks.” Xiaoqi looked at the plastic flowers, which looked almost real.

The waiter put down the juice. “Enjoy the desserts. Later, we’ll serve some delicious egg tarts.”

“Do you have milk tea?” Yiyang suddenly asked.

The waiter shook his head. “If you want milk tea, there’s a new shop right across the street. But it’s very popular, so you’ll probably have to queue.”

Yiyang looked at Xiaoqi. “Xiyang, I’ll go get two milk teas. You start eating.”

Xiaoqi pointed at the juice. “But there’s juice here.”

“I prefer milk tea,” Yiyang stood and headed downstairs.

Ten minutes later, Xiaoqi had nearly finished the desserts, but Yiyang still hadn’t returned.

She called him. He answered.

“Yiyang, why haven’t you come back yet? I ate almost all the desserts myself.”

“There are so many people, and the line is long,” Yiyang said, looking at the snake-like queue. “This milk tea must be amazing. The line’s even outside the shop.”

Curious, Xiaoqi said, “So many people? I want to see.”

“Great, you can pick your favorite flavor.”

After hanging up, Yiyang’s phone rang again. He looked at the screen, stunned, then slowly answered.

“Yiyang,” Joanna stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the mirage over the sea, her voice low, “I was the one who instigated the staff in the research department to leak the Sapphire video.”

“What did you say?” Yiyang was stunned, confused. “The research department is confidential. How do you know about Sapphire? And that video...”

“Yiyang, please don’t ask me about it. Can you... help me?”

Yiyang’s expression darkened. After a long pause, he said, “How do you want me to help?”

Joanna sighed in relief and quickly explained, “The investigation report is in Yichen’s office. His office requires his fingerprint to enter. Only you can get that.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Yiyang,” Joanna pleaded softly, “I’ve liked your brother for many years. I can’t let this ruin everything. I’ve never asked you for anything. Please, just this once.”

“Anna,” Yiyang muttered slowly, “You’re a stranger to me now.”

“I haven’t changed,” she smiled, “I’m still the same me—the one who loves milk tea. And the video is real. I haven’t done anything terrible. Yiyang, just help me once. Like before, you used to buy me milk tea no matter how far or what the weather was, right?”

Memories of their past together swirled through his mind.

He tightened his grip on the phone, voice heavy. “Anna, I’ll only help you this once...”

Meanwhile, Xiaoqi was happily hopping out, about to cross the street, when a cold hand grabbed the back of her neck. A chilling voice came from above.

“Where are you going?”

Turning his gaze sideways, a cold, dark, handsome face appeared.

“What are you doing here?”