Chapter 11: Outwitted by a High School Student

Jiang Ye pushed open the glass door of Qingyuan Bakery, his hands full with luggage, making it somewhat inconvenient.

He addressed the young girl standing by the display case. “Little miss, could you help me open the cabinet door?”

Tian Xiwei looked up slightly, her round apricot eyes curiously examining him.

Without a word, she quietly opened the cabinet door.

“Could you also help me pick a few strawberry mousses?” Jiang Ye shook the luggage in his hand. “I really can’t free up my hands.”

The girl eyed him warily, her gaze lingering on his handsome face for a moment, seeming to conclude he wasn’t a bad person.

“You want to buy these?” Her voice was soft and sweet. “I’ve tasted them—they’re really delicious!”

“Really?” Jiang Ye raised an eyebrow. “Then please help me grab a few more.”

Tian Xiwei picked up the tongs carefully and almost dropped a cake because her hand trembled.

“Do you know how to use those?” Jiang Ye suppressed a smile.

“I do, I do!” she hurriedly said, cautiously picking up a cake and placing it on the tray Jiang Ye was holding.

“Thanks. Are they really that good?”

Tian Xiwei nodded vigorously. “They’re delicious—I just tasted them!”

Jiang Ye glanced at the staff member cutting samples nearby. “You’ve been tasting those? Want more?”

The girl rubbed her nose, embarrassed. “I’ve eaten quite a few already... I feel bad asking for more.”

“So, are you planning to buy some?” Jiang Ye noticed the way she kept staring at the cakes.

Suddenly, Tian Xiwei made a cute gesture, forming a “7” with her fingers and resting her chin on it. “Can you really eat that many by yourself?”

“I can just put the leftovers in the fridge. What’s the matter?”

“Can you really finish that many?”

“How could I eat so many alone? I’m not a pig! I’ll eat one today and one tomorrow, that works, right?”

“That’ll spoil!”

Jiang Ye couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh? That’s true! They would spoil!”

“So, what do you mean? You want me to buy only one?”

“Let’s be friends!” Tian Xiwei suddenly broke into a sweet smile, the dimple on her right cheek faintly showing. “Then you can share one with me.”

“Trying to trick me into giving you a cake, huh?” Jiang Ye pretended to be stern.

“I didn’t bring enough money...” The girl pouted pitifully. “I’m just a high school student!”

Jiang Ye pretended to walk away. “If you want it, buy it yourself.”

Tian Xiwei hurried after him. “It’s really super delicious!”

She clasped her hands together. “Please buy me one~”

“Do we even know each other for me to treat you?”

“I’m Tian Xiwei!” She introduced herself energetically and suddenly pointed at an eight-inch cake in the display. “Now we know each other, right? How about you buy me that one!”

Jiang Ye nearly burst out laughing. “You sure know how to pick the expensive ones.”

“Aren’t we friends now?” Tian Xiwei blinked her big eyes, her eyelashes fluttering like little fans.

Seeing her craving expression, Jiang Ye finally relented. “Alright, I’ll buy you a strawberry mousse.”

“That eight-inch cake...”

“Don’t even think about it!”

At the checkout, Jiang Ye said nonchalantly, “Do you have a phone? Let’s add each other on WeChat. I need to verify if you’re really a high school student.”

“Just to check your Moments, I don’t want to be fooled!”

“I do, I do!” Tian Xiwei’s eyes sparkled as she quickly pulled out her phone.

After Jiang Ye scanned her friend code, she asked eagerly, “Are you really not considering that eight-inch cake? We could eat it together tonight...”

What???

What does that mean?

Jiang Ye was stunned!

Girl, you’re still underage!

Tian Xiwei had already placed the eight-inch cake on the counter, blinking at him with innocent eyes.

In the end, Jiang Ye somehow ended up paying.

Tian Xiwei took the cake and suddenly made a deep bow. “Thank you, mister!”

Then she darted out of the shop like a startled rabbit.

Running incredibly fast...

Jiang Ye stood there in a daze, looking down at his phone.

[Sweet Tianquan has declined your friend request.]

“......”

The first defeat of a rebirth soul came at the hands of a food-loving high school girl???

...

The taxi entered Longteng Yujing, the most upscale residential complex in the TL district. These garden villas had just been handed over this year.

A European-style fountain gushed loudly in the central landscape area.

Dragging his suitcase, Jiang Ye reached Building 8. Before he could ring the doorbell, the unit door was flung open with a bang.

“Brother!”

Lin Xiaoman burst out like a little firecracker. She leapt onto Jiang Ye, snatching the cake box from his hands. “My strawberry mousse!”

“You little glutton.” Jiang Ye ruffled his cousin’s hair. “All you ever think about is food!”

He was very close to this cousin.

Although his father was from Zhejiang, Jiang Ye had lived with his mother in the mountain city until he was six.

In his memories, this cousin always had crooked little braids and followed him around, calling, “Brother! Brother!”

Later, when the whole family moved to Hangzhou, every winter and summer vacation she stuck to him like glue.

“Uncle, Auntie.” Jiang Ye greeted casually after entering.

Uncle Lin Jianjun was brewing tea, while Auntie, wearing an apron, peeked out from the kitchen. “Xiao Ye is here! Go wash your hands, dinner’s almost ready!”

“I heard you’re doing well in the film crew?” Uncle handed over a cup of tea, wrinkles forming at the corners of his eyes as he smiled. “Old Gao praised your talent a lot on the phone last time.”

Jiang Ye took the tea and couldn’t help but boast, “That’s right. The crew can’t run without me now. Director Su even has me draw the storyboards...”

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Lin Xiaoman secretly digging cream with her finger at the dining table. He tossed a pair of chopsticks at her. “Lin Xiaoman!”

“Bleh~” The little girl stuck out her tongue and dodged, clutching the cake even tighter.

Uncle chuckled and shook his head. “Don’t get cocky. Your mom called yesterday, worried you’d neglect your studies.”

He suddenly lowered his voice. “What’s going on between you and Chen Duling? Are you two dating?”

?????

What does Old Gao mean by that? Why does he say everything?

Isn’t there any privacy left?

“No, just regular colleagues,” Jiang Ye hurriedly explained. “My focus is still on my studies.”

Lin Jianjun sipped his tea, his gaze sharp. “I’ve looked into Chen Duling. She’s a top science student at Southern Airlines University, and her family background is clean.”

He paused. “In the entertainment industry, such good prospects are rare.”

“Dad!” Lin Xiaoman suddenly interrupted, “Don’t say any more. How could my brother not like her? He probably just didn’t manage to win her over!”

“Adults are talking. What are you, a child, butting in? Go back to your room!”

“Jiang Ye, you’re only two years older than me! Dad, you’re bullying me again!”

“Xiaoman, be good. I need to talk to your brother. You go help your mom in the kitchen.”

“Okay...” Lin Xiaoman pouted and headed to the kitchen.

After she left, Lin Jianjun suddenly got serious. “Xiao Ye, since you call me uncle, there are some things I have to say upfront.”

“Mm, go ahead, Uncle.”

“When you start at Beijing Film Academy, you’ll officially be part of the circle.” Lin Jianjun popped a peanut into his mouth, then lowered his voice. “Xiao Ye, I’ve been in this industry for twenty years. There are some things you need to learn in advance.”