The kitchen maid had little contact with Jian Yang, so she avoided the sudden intrusion of the person. Whenever Jian Yang asked her something, she would respectfully call him “young master” before answering. Her tone was different from the driver’s; the driver’s was light and joking, which Jian Yang found amusing.

The maid’s way of speaking made it feel like Jian Yang had exploited her ancestors for thirteen generations.

Jian Yang was explaining: “…I’m just here to stay for a while, you don’t have to be so polite.”

When Uncle Zhang returned from his walk, he was surprised. “Young master, how can you be cooking?!”

Jian Yang panicked. “Ah, aren’t I allowed in the kitchen? I’m not going to poison anyone!”

Uncle Zhang rushed over and started undoing Jian Yang’s apron. “Quick, go out, young master, how can you be doing this kind of work?”

Jian Yang crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Stop calling me young master, I can’t bear such wealth!”

“Young master, just tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll get it for you.” Seeing that Jian Yang was resisting, Uncle Zhang didn’t force him to take off the apron.

Jian Yang started to get busy again. “I’m making a cake for the sir, it’ll be ready soon, it won’t delay dinner.”

“I see,” Uncle Zhang chuckled. “Then please, the maid will assist you.”

“Maybe not, she’ll make me look like I don’t know what I’m doing.”

Guan Ciyan finished early this morning, and when he opened the door, Summer rushed at him and knocked into him. The dozens of pounds of dog meat rubbed against his body, and his black suit quickly picked up fur, which made them look like father and son. Guan Ciyan swatted his head. Summer ran back to his toy area and began pressing the conversation button frantically.

“Eat, eat, eat.”

Guan Ciyan asked Uncle Zhang, “Didn’t you feed him?”

“The young master gave him some snacks, and he ate until he threw up.”

A smile flickered in Guan Ciyan’s eyes as he slapped the dog’s head. “Is he reporting to you?”

Summer clung to Guan Jingyu as they walked to the living room, noticing the person in the glass window.

As his gaze passed, Jian Yang had just turned around, leaving his back to Guan Ciyan. The apron’s tie cinched at his slender waist, the string swaying with his movements. The blue tint of the glass door cast a cool tone on his ivory sweater, making Jian Yang look very thin. The sweater almost hung like it was on a hanger. When he bent slightly, the fabric clung to his back, and his shoulder blades almost poked through like a bird ready to fly. As he reached for the icing bag, a smile flickered across his brow, and his pale cheeks flushed from his smile.

Guan Ciyan’s hand hovered near the second button of his suit for two minutes, unmoving. His brow furrowed when he suddenly thought, “What’s he doing in the kitchen?”

Uncle Zhang hurried to explain. “Originally, we didn’t want the young master to do these things, but he said he had troubled the sir for so long and wanted to make a dessert as a token of thanks. The young master was wronged outside today; you can praise him later.”

Guan Ciyan lowered his eyelids, took off his suit jacket, and handed it to Uncle Zhang before heading to the dining room.

Jian Yang had been busy in the kitchen for two hours, covered in flour and cream. While the cake was cooling, he went to change clothes. As he walked to the stair landing, he caught a glimpse of the dining table and called out, “Sir! What are you doing here?”

Guan Ciyan’s eyes briefly scanned the flour on Jian Yang’s waist. “Bring it over.”

Jian Yang: “Huh?”

Did Guan Ciyan know he made a cake for him?

Isn’t this the wrong process for giving a gift?

Huh??

Jian Yang was a bit confused. “Aren’t you… going to thank me?”

Guan Ciyan rested one hand on the table, raising his eyes slightly, his dark gaze meeting Jian Yang’s. “I’ll reluctantly accept your gift, shouldn’t you thank me?”

Jian Yang’s eyes widened: ???

Guan Ciyan’s dog could shatter his worldview.

Jian Yang gave up on changing clothes and returned to the kitchen, bringing the cake to Guan Ciyan. “You can eat it now.”

With every glance and every frown, Guan Ciyan only felt relaxed, a sense of satisfaction in returning the favor.

It was, after all, a way to get back at him.

The smooth animal cream was topped with orange chocolate shavings, and even from a distance, you could smell the orange scent from the cake base. Guan Ciyan picked up a fork, and Jian Yang suddenly pressed his hand. “Sir, I’ll go upstairs first, you eat slowly.”

Guan Ciyan put down his fork, thought for a moment, and scooped up a bite, bringing it to Jian Yang’s lips. “You eat first.”

Jian Yang took two steps back. “No need, this is for you.”

Guan Ciyan looked at him, “Hmm?”

Jian Yang stuck out his tongue to gather the cream, tasted it, and then opened his mouth to show Guan Ciyan. “I’m done, sir.”

“Stay here and don’t move.” Guan Ciyan changed forks and scooped up another bite.

The cream still tasted like cream, and the cake was still cake. The carrot bits scattered in his mouth, and the sweet and sour taste filled his entire mouth.

Guan Ciyan’s expression shifted dramatically. His pupils showed the shock he couldn’t hide, followed by a pained expression as he closed his eyes. His good upbringing made him swallow the carrot bits covered in cream.

Jian Yang retreated, retreating again, wanting to see Guan Ciyan’s expression but too afraid to look. His almond-shaped eyes squinted into a slit.

Guan Ciyan grabbed Jian Yang by the collar, pulling him close. Jian Yang, already short, now had his legs go weak, and with his collar in Guan Ciyan’s grasp, he was almost completely forced to tilt his head back, exposing his face to Guan Ciyan’s gaze. He pouted and almost cried, “Sir, I don’t know what you like to eat. Should I make another one next time? What kind do you want?”

His golden pupils were rimmed with red, as though they were always on the verge of tears, sparkling in the light. His delicate features were twisted in a pained expression, full of youthful vulnerability.

Guan Ciyan was about to get angry but suddenly remembered something. He let go, “Jian Yang, wait for me here.”

Jian Yang staggered back, his heart trembling.

He had already offended Guan Ciyan so much; could he really be seen through now?

“What did the sir say?” Jian Yang pulled at his clothes.

He caught a glimpse of the flour on his waist and some more on Guan Ciyan’s shirt, but he dared not look there.

“Nothing,” Guan Ciyan said casually as he sat down. “The cake’s not bad, the rest is for you.”

Jian Yang knew it was over. “I’ll go change.”

Guan Ciyan grabbed the back of Jian Yang’s collar and pressed him back into the chair. “Finish eating before you go.”

Jian Yang sat there motionless, staring at the cake.

“Eat, why aren’t you eating?”

Jian Yang said with a sad face, “Sir, you’re bullying me.”

“How am I bullying you? Wasn’t it you who did it? I gave it to you, and you’re still not satisfied,” Guan Ciyan laughed.

“I don’t like carrots!” Jian Yang said directly. “It was for you.”

“Do I like carrots? What’s going on in that brain of yours…,” Guan Ciyan said, too lazy to continue.

Suddenly, Jian Yang brightened up, leaning half his body on the table, his little head moving closer to Guan Ciyan’s face. “Do you like strawberry chocolate?”

Guan Ciyan lowered his head, the tips of their noses only a few centimeters apart. He softly said, “Why should I tell you?”

Jian Yang withdrew, pouting and silent for a while before standing up. “I’ll go pour out the cake and get the meal ready.”

As he passed by Guan Ciyan, the latter grabbed his wrist. “If I don’t tell you what I like to eat, what are you going to do?”

“Process of elimination,” Jian Yang said, “Make 100, and eventually, I’ll find one you like.”

Guan Ciyan paused. “100?”

Jian Yang furrowed his brows. “Can’t you find one thing you like among 100? It can’t be that hard, Sir.”

Guan Ciyan’s pitch-black eyes reflected some uncertain emotions. He released Jian Yang’s wrist, a faint smile lingering on his lips. “Make strawberry chocolate then.”

Jian Yang didn’t understand. Looking at Guan Ciyan’s face, he saw emotions that shouldn’t be there. It was hard to describe, like loneliness or desolation.

It was like the few remaining leaves on a tree before winter, waiting to be blown away.

He was so rich, how could he have such emotions?

Jian Yang shook his head. “Strawberry chocolate was my suggestion. You have to choose for yourself, Sir.”

This time, Guan Ciyan genuinely smiled. “Do I really have to choose?”

“Of course,” Jian Yang raised his eyebrows. “If I don’t make something you love, how will I show my sincerity?”

Guan Ciyan’s hands itched. He couldn’t resist pinching Jian Yang’s cheek again. The cheek that hadn’t been treated this way for a long time immediately turned red.

“Sir,” Jian Yang naturally pulled Guan Ciyan’s hand away, holding it with both hands. “Stop pinching me, just hurry up and tell me.”

Guan Ciyan spoke softly, “I don’t have any particular preferences.”

“None at all? With all those flavors like mango, durian, chocolate, and more, there’s nothing you like?” Jian Yang was shocked. This was a disaster for the cake world.

How could anyone not like cake?

“No,” Guan Ciyan said.

“Then I’ll make the one I like best, maybe after you try it, you’ll like it too,” Jian Yang said proudly. “Because, I’m really good with food.”

“Go ahead,” Guan Ciyan nodded slightly.

Jian Yang went back to the kitchen with his carrot cake. Although it wasn’t what he expected, the goal was achieved. Guan Ciyan would know his intentions.

Watching Jian Yang hum a little tune as he walked away, Guan Ciyan smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Now, Jian Yang finally didn’t have that useless look anymore.

“Xia Tian, come here.”

Guan Ciyan scratched the dog’s head, his gaze deepening, seemingly lost in thought.

At dinner, Jian Yang’s gaze kept drifting to Guan Ciyan, fidgeting on his chair like a pin.

Guan Ciyan directly looked back. “Say what you want to say.”

Jian Yang moved his lips.

The thing he should have said right after finishing the cake was pushed back by Guan Ciyan’s lonely expression. Jian Yang felt that bringing up his intention to contact Guan Jingyu for literary work would disappoint Guan Ciyan.

But if he didn’t say it, he’d be betraying Director Xu, who had given up on the Jian family cinema collaboration, betting on him.

“What’s going on?” Guan Ciyan asked again.

Jian Yang tried to speak several times, then finally blurted out, “I hit Jian Buqing today.”

“I know,” Guan Ciyan said without changing his expression. “Handled it well, what’s the matter?”

“Aren’t you going to scold me? Doing things in your name… misbehaving outside,” Jian Yang had originally wanted to say “bullying others,” but felt it wasn’t quite right.

“Think for yourself, why do you have the ability to mobilize people?”

When someone gives you something, it’s to be used.

“But it’s not good at all,” Jian Yang said, his tone completely sincere. “I made Director Xu lose the Jian family cinema collaboration. It feels like I messed things up. Director Xu is still waiting for me to contact Teacher Wenye.”

Jian Yang’s gaze fell on Guan Ciyan, who pretended not to notice. The sharp and clear line of his jaw made Jian Yang nervous. He swallowed hard and said, “Sir.”

Guan Ciyan calmly replied, “Don’t make what I said last night pointless. Jian Yang, you have to make your own decisions.”

Jian Yang quietly pinched the corner of the business card in his pocket.