The landlord has multiple personalities and wants everyone to pay him.

After tidying up the room, Ye Shu also neatly folded An Suxue's small quilt and placed it on the cabinet next to the bedroom door opposite.

Then he went into the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.

Bacon and eggs, toast, and hot milk. The aroma of breakfast dispelled the awkwardness from before.

He had originally intended to call Xia Qing to have breakfast, but judging from the situation just now, Xia Qing wouldn't be coming out anytime soon.

I ate a little something, put the rest on the dining table, and then went to the bedroom door and knocked.

"Xia Qing, breakfast is ready and on the table. I've folded your blanket and put it on the cabinet by the door. I'm going to work now."

"I know—! Cough, cough! I know, I understand!"

Xia Qing's voice came from inside the door, sounding a little nervous, which caused her voice to crack as soon as she opened her mouth. She coughed a few times before finding her voice again.

Ye Shu found it somewhat amusing, her lips twitched a few times, and she replied, "Then I'm leaving," before quietly closing the door and leaving home.

Only after hearing the front door close and waiting a while to make sure there was no more noise outside, was the master bedroom door carefully opened a crack.

Xia Qing revealed her still flushed face. She first peeked out like a thief and looked around to make sure Ye Shu was really gone before she slipped out. She immediately saw the quilt on the cabinet that was folded into a block like a tofu block.

Why fold it so neatly? Showing off your dexterity?!

She muttered something to herself for no reason, but her face grew even hotter. Nevertheless, she carefully picked up the quilt and put it into An Suxue's wardrobe.

Then, she slowly and reluctantly moved to the dining table.

The fried eggs are golden brown, the toast is crispy and fragrant, and the milk is steaming hot. The aroma of delicious food can indeed soothe the soul.

She sat down in the chair, picked up her chopsticks, but had no appetite.

My gaze fell on the empty seat opposite me, and in my mind, it was as if there was a disobedient projector that automatically began to replay that incredibly clear scene from when I woke up this morning.

His face, so close to mine, the warmth he radiated, and the inexplicable feeling of dependence I felt while holding him...

A familiar surge of heat rushed straight to my head once again.

Xia Qing shook her head violently, trying to shake those images out, but they seemed to have taken root in her mind, becoming clearer and clearer, and even... an extremely subtle... lingering feeling uncontrollably rose in her heart?

It seems...it's not that bad? In fact...it's kind of...

"Snapped!"

A crisp, loud slap abruptly interrupted this dangerous train of thought.

Xia Qing covered her burning right cheek, her eyes wide with shock, completely stunned.

Xia Qing! Are you crazy?! What are you thinking?!

A red handprint slowly appeared on her fair face, indicating that the slap had been quite forceful.

Her breathing quickened slightly, and her heart began to pound.

She lowered her head and wolfed down several mouthfuls of the now-cold fried egg, unable to taste it. Drinking the milk couldn't quell the chaotic, hot, and anxious emotions churning within her.

Oh no... Xia Qing, it seems you're really... in big trouble.

The sun was shining brightly outside the window; it was a beautiful morning after the rain.

But Xia Qing's heart is probably not going to be calm anytime soon.

Ye Shu arrived at the entrance of "Corner Tea House", took out her key to open the door, and the familiar sound of wind chimes rang out.

He quickly turned on the light, then picked up a rag and began cleaning.

The streets outside the window were gradually waking up, but the shop was still filled with the tranquility of the early morning.

Not long after, the shop door opened again, and Chen Xing came in carrying her large canvas bag. Seeing Ye Shu busy at work, a smile immediately spread across her face.

"Good morning, little lucky cat! You're so diligent! Good job, keep it up!"

Good morning, Sister Chen Xing.

Ye Shu turned around and smiled, without stopping what she was doing.

Chen Xing put down his bag, walked behind the counter, and began preparing his first cup of coffee of the day.

She usually drinks Americano herself, and lattes for Ye Shu.

The shop gradually filled with the aroma of coffee beans. As she worked, she seemed to remember something, her eyes lit up, and she said to Ye Shu across the bar:

"Hey, by the way, Xiao Ye, did you pass by that Mirage store at the street corner when you got off work last night? Did you see all those cars parked in front?"

Ye Shu paused in wiping the table, then nodded:

"Yes, I saw it. When I passed by, I saw someone come out of there. A woman in a black dress, with several men in black, shoved a young man who looked drunk into a car and drove away."

"Right, right! I knew it, a lot of people must have seen it!"

Upon hearing him respond, Chen Xing's gossip-loving spirit instantly ignited. She simply put down the coffee pot, leaned over the bar, lowered her voice, and gave him a mysterious look:

"I heard that the kid... apparently owed some money and couldn't pay it back, which is why he was taken away."

Ye Shu grinned, stopped what he was doing, and looked somewhat incredulous:

"Owes money? Are the mafia chasing after debt collectors? Such a big fuss? Could it really be like what's online, they kidnapped... you know?"

He made a rather unseemly gesture, tugging back and forth on his waist twice.

"screw you!"

Chen Xing was amused by him:

"What are you thinking! This is a society governed by law; it's not that exaggerated. Besides, do you even know who the woman who took him away is?"

"Who is it? They're so amazing."

Ye Shu was also a little curious. Judging from their entourage, they certainly didn't seem like ordinary thugs.

Chen Xing turned around and took two clean coffee cups from the shelf:

"You know Qianxue Group, right?"

Ye Shu stopped wiping the table completely and looked up in surprise.

Qianxue Group? Of course I know! It's a top-tier, multi-industry behemoth in Nancheng, a name that resonates throughout the city. What local doesn't know it? It's not just about being "rich"; it represents a social class and influence that's difficult for ordinary people to access.

"I know."

"Good to know."

Chen Xing was satisfied with his reaction. While pouring the brewed coffee into the cup, he continued speaking in a lower voice, as if afraid of being overheard:

"I've heard, just heard, that the woman in the black dress you saw last night is very likely... the current president of Qianxue Group herself."

"The CEO himself?"

Ye Shu was genuinely shocked this time; her eyes widened in surprise.

"The CEO himself came out... to collect debts?!"

The scene was so impactful. He imagined the aloof and haughty woman in the black dress from last night—was she really the president of such a vast business empire? And personally arresting a young man in debt? How much did he owe, or what serious crime did he commit?

"I don't know about that."

Chen Xing shrugged and poured the frothed milk into Ye Shu's cup. She was too lazy to make latte art anyway, since the kid probably wouldn't care.

"Family feuds run deep. It could be about money owed to the company, or some other entanglement... Anyway, that kid being personally asked to leave by that person means he's probably in big trouble."

As she spoke, she pushed the latte towards Ye Shu:

"Here, this is for you. But these things have nothing to do with us ordinary folks, let's just watch the show. Hurry up and drink up and get to work, the guests will be here soon."

"Too."

Ye Shu accepted the coffee and thanked him.

"We should just live our own lives; those kinds of things are none of our business."

"That's right! Little lucky cat, you'll bring me good fortune today too!"

Ye Shu sipped his coffee, glanced at the sky outside the window, and thought to himself that it was better to think about his own family than to meddle in other people's business...