In a moment of impulse, I forcibly kissed my brother's best friend.

"Is Miss awake?"

Bichun came in carrying a copper basin, speaking very softly.

"Mmm~" came a lazy voice.

Bichun knew that her young mistress had woken up, so she went forward and lifted the curtain.

Xie Yige's nightgown collar was slightly open, like the corner of two peeled, tender white fruits, puffing out in an alluring curve.

Looking at her eyes and brows, which seemed to hold spring in them, her face was flushed, and her languid posture was both charming and alluring.

Her daughter looks very different today?

"Miss, did you sleep well last night?"

Xie Yige choked on her yawn, her face instantly turning even redder, as if his body heat still lingered on her lips.

She blushed and gave a vague reply.

"Where is Mother? Is she awake yet?"

Bichun smiled and said, "Madam got up very early today, which is rare for her. She even gave special instructions that you can sleep in as late as you want. She also said... she's going to make you that 'little cake' today."

As Bichun spoke, she helped Xie Yige change her clothes. She was skillful and styled her young mistress's hair into a trendy "Suiyun" bun, adorned with a hairpin decorated with pear blossoms in a rainstorm. Countless tiny beads fell from her hair like a downpour, making it look extremely beautiful.

Xie Yige sat in front of the mirror, her eyes opening and closing repeatedly. Just as Bichun was combing her hair, she dozed off again.

Just then—

A sweet and enticing aroma wafted in through the crack in the door.

Xie Yige's small nose twitched, her sleepiness instantly vanishing: "What's that smell?"

"It smells so good!" Bichun exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "Could it be the little cakes Madam mentioned...?"

Xie Yige jumped up: "Quick, I need to go check the kitchen!"

Outside the east kitchen, the aroma was even stronger.

Xie Yige lifted her skirt and ran over, the light green dress swaying gently in the morning light. Just as she reached the door, she heard her mother's hearty laughter from inside:

"It's done! It's definitely going to work this time!"

"Mother!" Xie Yige poked her head in, her eyes curving into crescents. "It smells so good!"

Xie Wanqing was taking a plate of golden-brown food out of the oven when she heard the voice. She turned around and her face lit up with a big smile: "Come here, darling! It's fresh out of the oven, try it while it's hot!"

The thing was round, with a golden and fluffy surface, steaming hot, and exuding a rich aroma of eggs, milk, and rice—clearly, Xie Yige had never smelled such a fragrance before.

Like a curious kitten, she first sniffed it closely before carefully taking a small bite.

The soft texture melts on the tongue, delicate, sweet, and the warm feeling spreads all the way to the stomach.

"Mmm!" Her eyes lit up instantly, and she took another big bite, saying indistinctly, "Delicious! Mother, I like this!"

Xie Wanqing looked at her chubby cheeks, put her hands on her hips and laughed three times triumphantly: "How about that? Your mother is no longer a kitchen killer! From today onwards, please call me a kitchen master, comparable to the imperial chefs!"

Bichun and the other cooks also received a small piece, and they all ate with happy expressions, praising the food repeatedly.

"Quick, quick, quick!" Xie Wanqing packed another plate into a food box and stuffed it into Xie Yige's hands. "Take this to your brother while it's hot. Let him see how quickly his mother's cooking skills have improved!"

"Shall we go now?" Xie Yige hadn't finished the piece in her hand yet.

"Let's go now! It won't taste good if it gets cold!"

The sweet taste of the little cake was still lingering on her tongue when Xie Yige was shoved into the carriage. Only when the wheels started rolling did she belatedly realize she was in a panic.

"Bichun," she tugged at her maid's sleeve, her voice tense, "look quickly, is my hair messy? Are my clothes neat?"

Bichun carefully tidied her sideburns and said softly with a smile, "You look so neat. Miss, you are the most beautiful young lady in Donglin City today. You look good no matter what."

"You're so sweet-talking." Xie Yige's face flushed, but the inexplicable panic in her heart intensified.

The carriage stopped at the entrance of Donglin Academy.

Xie Yige helped Yu Chun out of the car. Her feet had barely touched the ground when she looked up—

Cardiac arrest.

The figure in sky-blue robes emerged from the academy gate. The morning light bathed him, clearly outlining his tall and imposing frame. His eyebrows were like ink paintings, his nose straight, further emphasizing the deep, restrained depth of his phoenix eyes.

Cui Yutang also saw her; she looked so beautiful today!

His breath hitched, his steps faltered, and he stood frozen in place. The instant their eyes met, the color drained from his face and quickly returned to an unnatural flush, his ears turning almost blood red.

The absurd images from last night's dream—her flushed cheeks, her watery eyes, her lips slightly swollen from his kisses—rushed into my mind like a tidal wave.

The body moves faster than the mind.

He almost stumbled forward, reaching out to steady her arm as she nearly missed a step on the stone steps. His fingertips touched her slender wrist; the soft, warm touch seeped through her fabric, burning him so much that he jerked his hand away as if he'd been scalded.

"I'm sorry to offend you..." His voice was terribly hoarse.

Xie Yige panicked as well.

Her breathing became erratic, and her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would jump out of her throat. Fortunately, Bichun caught her steadily, preventing her from actually falling.

"Thank you, young master..." She lowered her head, not daring to look at him, "I've caused you trouble again."

Cui Yutang took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. But when his gaze fell on her reddened earlobes, he looked away as if he had been burned.

"You…" he began, his throat tightening, "Have you come to see Brother Xuan'an?"

Xie Yige's eyes lit up, and she looked up at him, her eyes sparkling like countless tiny stars: "How did you know?"

"I'm his roommate and best friend," he said, looking into her bright eyes, his heart pounding like a drum, his voice softening unconsciously, "Cui Yutang."

He wanted her to remember this name.

Xie Yige's face flushed instantly. In the morning light, her delicate and bright face was tinged with a light blush, breathtakingly beautiful. She hurriedly curtsied and said, "This humble girl, Xie Yige, greets Young Master Cui."

"Thank you for your kindness, Madam." Cui Yutang returned the greeting, his gaze sweeping over the food box in Bichun's hands. "Is there anything... I can help you with?"

"I……"

"Yi Ge?"

A clear male voice came from the academy, growing louder as it approached.

Zhou Xuan'an strode over, a delighted smile on his face. "What are you doing here?" His gaze fell on the food box, his eyes brightening. "Did Mother send me something good again?"

Xie Yige's smile instantly brightened when she saw her brother: "She personally made some new desserts and asked me to bring them over while they're still hot!"

"Made by your mother?" Zhou Xuan'an's expression became subtle. "This... is it edible?"

"This is really delicious, it definitely won't poison you!" Xie Yige stomped her foot and glared at him. "I've tried it!"

The two chatted and laughed, and the curves of their eyebrows and eyes were somewhat similar.

Cui Yutang stood quietly to the side, watching their intimate interaction, and that familiar bittersweet feeling welled up in his heart again, making him feel suffocated.