Lin Qinghe temporarily set aside the matter of Xu Yiyi, focusing her attention on managing the small restaurant.
Lin Qinghe wanted to earn money quickly so she could purchase the small restaurant, then buy a house nearby and have Mother You move in, saving her the trouble of traveling back and forth daily.
Lin Qinghe had initially thought Xu Yiyi was just a minor character, but she soon realized she was mistaken.
Two days later, Xu Yiyi reappeared at the small restaurant.
Xu Yiyi was exquisitely made up, dressed in flowing white robes, looking pure and captivating. Upon seeing You Rong at the small restaurant, she immediately smiled and called out softly, "Young Master You."
You Rong instinctively glanced at Lin Qinghe. Seeing her expressionless face, he quickly took a few steps back and replied coldly to Xu Yiyi, "Miss Xu, what business brings you here today?"
Xu Yiyi smiled shyly, took a food box from her maid, and handed it to You Rong. "Young Master You, these are pastries I made myself, especially brought for you to thank you for saving my life that day."
You Rong remained indifferent. "Miss Xu is too kind. That day was just a small effort, Miss Xu need not concern yourself with it. These pastries... I cannot accept them. Please take them back."
"They are just a few pastries, not something valuable. Please, Young Master You, accept them."
You Rong stated directly, "I'm sorry, I dislike sweets."
Xu Yiyi looked disappointed. "Is that so? I didn't know... Then, does Young Master You have any other favorite foods? I can bring them to you another day, may I?"
You Rong's brows furrowed tightly. Without even looking back, he knew Lin Qinghe's expression had darkened. He wished he could distance himself from Xu Yiyi immediately.
You Rong said directly, "Miss Xu, many guests at the small restaurant require my attention. Please return quickly. I must excuse myself."
"Alas! Young Master You, wait..."
Xu Yiyi tried to grab You Rong's sleeve, but he swiftly retreated two steps and dodged her. Xu Yiyi grasped at empty air, her small face looking awkward. She withdrew her hand, fiddling with the handkerchief in her hand, and said pitifully, "Young Master You, aren't you the proprietor of the small restaurant? You can have others attend to the guests. I came specifically to thank you today, and I haven't even spoken a few words to you yet..."
"Miss Xu, please, you really don't need to worry about it. I'm truly unable to get away. I must excuse myself."
"Young Master You, wait..."
Xu Yiyi once again blocked You Rong's path, looking at him with a dejected expression, clearly blaming him for being unfeeling.
Just as You Rong was contemplating whether to directly tell her to leave, Lin Qinghe arrived. With a bright smile, she took the food box from Xu Yiyi's maid. "These are pastries handmade by Miss Xu. They look quite good... Since Miss Xu wishes to give them, I shall accept them on behalf of You Rong. Thank you, Miss Xu."
Xu Yiyi frowned slightly, displeased. "Young Master You said he dislikes sweets."
Lin Qinghe raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Is that so?" She turned to look at You Rong, casually picked up a pastry, and held it to his lips, smiling. "Eat."
Xu Yiyi was about to reprimand Lin Qinghe for being rude and forcing You Rong to eat something he disliked. Before she could speak, she saw You Rong unhesitatingly lower his head and eat the pastry from Lin Qinghe's hand.
Xu Yiyi was stunned. "Didn't Young Master You say he dislikes sweets? Then why..."
Lin Qinghe smiled with satisfaction. "Miss Xu, whether my proprietor dislikes sweets depends on who is offering them. Do you understand?"
Xu Yiyi was not foolish. She naturally understood the meaning behind Lin Qinghe's words. Her face paled, and mist gathered in her eyes, forming tear drops that swirled. Xu Yiyi looked as though she was about to cry.
Lin Qinghe remained unmoved and continued, "Miss Xu, I have accepted your gift on behalf of our proprietor. You need not worry about the matter of him saving you. Please leave!"
Xu Yiyi looked up at You Rong. He lowered his gaze, his eyes gently fixed on Lin Qinghe beside him, not sparing Xu Yiyi another glance from beginning to end.
Xu Yiyi finally couldn't hold back. She turned and ran away crying, her maid rushing to follow her.
Watching Xu Yiyi get into her carriage and drive away, Lin Qinghe let out a cold snort and withdrew her gaze.
Lin Qinghe looked up and met You Rong's smiling eyes. Annoyance flared up again, and she punched his chest, scolding him unreasonably, "You just ate it when I told you to! Were her pastries that delicious!"
The smile in You Rong's eyes deepened. He took Lin Qinghe's fists, his large, warm hand enclosing her soft, small one.
Lin Qinghe glared at him angrily. "What are you doing! Let go!"
You Rong chuckled, spat out the pastry in his mouth, and threw it away. Then he smiled at Lin Qinghe again. "Like this... are you satisfied?"
Lin Qinghe hadn't expected You Rong to not actually eat the pastry. Although her anger had lost its justification, and she ought to be angry, she inexplicably felt very happy.
She tilted her chin slightly and huffed, "Consider yourself sensible."
You Rong, even more sensible, took the food box from Lin Qinghe's hand. "I'll go and throw it away."
Lin Qinghe's lingering anger completely dissipated. She burst into laughter and said playfully, "Why throw it away? It's rare for someone to send such good pastries. You couldn't even buy them with money outside."
"Throw it away, lest you taste something sour instead of sweet," You Rong teased.
"You..." Lin Qinghe snatched the food box back. She felt it was a pity to throw it away, but eating it felt rather unpleasant. She said, "I'll take it back to Aunt Zhang and Aunt Li for their children to eat!"
After Lin Qinghe left, You Rong stood in place, unable to refrain from a soft chuckle. His handsome face was filled with doting affection for Lin Qinghe.
Lin Qinghe had expected that after today's incident, Xu Yiyi would retreat and no longer bother You Rong.
However, just three days later, Xu Yiyi returned.
As soon as Xu Yiyi entered, You Rong frowned. Seeing Lin Qinghe's unhappy expression, he immediately said, "I'll go talk to her and make her leave."
Lin Qinghe stopped You Rong. "She rushed here to see you. If you go, it will just play into her hands. You go to the kitchen and stay there. I'll handle it!"
You Rong watched Lin Qinghe walk towards Xu Yiyi, shaking his head helplessly, but his face was full of indulgence.
As Lin Qinghe had said, he turned and went into the kitchen to help.
Lin Qinghe walked over with a smile. "Miss Xu, I recall telling you a few days ago that we accepted your gift and you need not concern yourself with our proprietor saving you. So... why have you come again today? Could it be you have other intentions?"
Lin Qinghe directly exposed Xu Yiyi's hidden agenda, making Xu Yiyi's face turn red with shame and anger.
Xu Yiyi looked around. Not seeing You Rong in the front hall, she could only grit her teeth and say, "I heard the food at this small restaurant tastes very good, so I came specifically to try it. I didn't come to see anyone in particular!"
Lin Qinghe said, "Oh? Is that so? Did I say you came to see anyone in particular?"
Lin Qinghe's smile seemed to see through everything, her gaze making Xu Yiyi extremely ashamed. She glared at Lin Qinghe with red eyes for a long moment, finally unable to bear it, and turned to run away.
Lin Qinghe let out a cold scoff, unconcerned by this.
No matter how sharp her tongue, it was because Xu Yiyi kept thinking about You Rong!
She would absolutely not let anyone jeopardize her mission!