Two days later, at the same bun shop where Lin Xinyan had taken Shi Ji to eat char siu bao.

Early that morning, the bun shop was as busy as ever.

Most of the regulars knew everyone who worked at the shop. Just two days ago, a handsome young man had started working there. He was tall, good-looking, easygoing, and had a way with words.

And who else could this new arrival be but Shi Ji?

Shi Ji had made it clear he had no interest in the practical assignment, but since he was staying under someone else’s roof, he ought to show a little willingness. He remembered what Lin Xinyan had said: no matter how he spent this week, he had to help at least one person. That was the bare minimum.

Shi Ji didn’t set the bar very high for himself, so that morning, after Lin Xinyan left, he went to the owner of the bun shop and asked if he could stay and help out.

The bun shop did good business, but it already had enough staff and didn’t need another employee. If it had, the owner would’ve hired someone already. At first, he turned Shi Ji down outright. But then he learned that Shi Ji was from Silver Frost Academy and would only be staying for a week. All he wanted was room and board, no wages. In return, the owner just had to write him a letter of proof at the end of the week. The owner happily agreed. It was a bargain—why turn down free help?

And just like that, Shi Ji secured himself a place at the shop. He wouldn’t have to worry about food or a roof over his head, and he’d taken care of both his livelihood and the Academy’s practical assignment.

What a sly, underhanded guy.

Over the past two days, Shi Ji’s abilities had quickly become clear. He might look carefree and unruly, but when it came to getting things done, he was dead serious.

The bun shop, naturally, sold buns. And selling buns meant making them—that was a must. The owner had planned to teach Shi Ji himself, but it turned out Shi Ji already knew how. He could make more varieties, too, and work faster than even the seasoned hands.

The owner was stunned. Damn, he’d thought he was getting a good deal—but now he realized he’d struck gold.

In just half a day, Shi Ji had hit it off with the owner and the rest of the staff.

Shi Ji wasn’t just skilled—he was great at buttering people up, too. He had the owner grinning from ear to ear. And whenever he handed buns to customers, he’d slip in a few compliments. Some of them could barely handle all that enthusiasm.

The owner couldn’t have been happier. This was exactly the kind of employee the shop needed.

“Hey, Shi Ji! Another basket of char siu bao over here!”

Look at that. It hadn’t even been long, and already the regulars knew Shi Ji by name.

Shi Ji hurriedly called back, “Just a moment, Second Bro! Coming right up!”

He worked fast. Before long, he’d brought over the char siu bao.

After serving Second Bro, Shi Ji turned to take care of the other customers.

“Hey, one basket of char siu bao over here!”

A female customer called out.

“You got it! Just a moment!”

Shi Ji didn’t think anything of it. Without even turning around, he went to get a basket of char siu bao and quickly carried it over. But as soon as he reached the woman, he couldn’t help grinning.

“Haha! So it’s you!”

As he spoke, he turned and called over to the owner. When the owner saw it was Lin Xinyan, he didn’t say anything.

Yes, the female customer was Lin Xinyan.

Shi Ji hadn’t contacted her in two days, which meant things on his end must be going smoothly. So Lin Xinyan stopped worrying about it.

She’d gotten up early to grab something to eat. By chance, she ran into the police working a case and helped them catch a wanted suspect. Afterward, she realized she was already near the bun shop. She’d come out to eat anyway, so she might as well get some char siu bao. When she arrived, she was just about to sit down when she heard a familiar voice. Looking over, she spotted someone in a white apron carrying a basket of char siu bao. Wasn’t that Shi Ji?

For a moment, Lin Xinyan’s feelings were complicated.

…