Chapter 591 - 352: The Bet with Lin Aoxue; Legal Loli
Chapter 591: Chapter 352: The Bet with Lin Aoxue; Legal Loli
The floor-to-ceiling windows offered the best view of Golden City’s commercial street, with Golden City Port even visible in the distance. It was the perfect spot for a chat or a date.
Zhang Yi walked into the tallest building on the commercial street, pushed open the door, and went straight to the top floor. He swiped the Wealth Faith Value Sub-Card his mother had left him and booked the largest private room—the one right by the window with the best view.
Barely five minutes later, at 11:50 AM sharp, Lin Aoxue appeared at the entrance of Yundong Cafe.
Today, Lin Aoxue wore a white short-sleeved blouse paired with a sky-blue skirt. Her long hair was tied back in a single ponytail, giving her a vibrant look—the very picture of the girl next door. She seemed much less aloof and far more gentle than she was at school. If Zhang Yi’s old classmates were to see her like this, their jaws would drop.
After entering Yundong Cafe, Lin Aoxue began looking around while checking her phone for a message from Zhang Yi. She soon found it, sent two minutes earlier: "Yundong Private Room One."
Lin Aoxue relayed the information to a nearby server, who then led her to the private room Zhang Yi had booked.
The door to the private room was gently pushed open.
"Mr. Zhang, your guest has arrived."
The server stepped aside to let her pass. Lin Aoxue walked into the private room.
Zhang Yi’s hand, which was lifting a cup, froze mid-air.
Before this moment, Zhang Yi had seen Lin Aoxue many times. In the classroom, she was aloof; while signing the contract, she was cautious; during the final exam, she was stern... Almost every time, Lin Aoxue gave off an aura that kept everyone at arm’s length.
But the sight before him now was completely different.
In Zhang Yi’s eyes, Lin Aoxue wore a white short-sleeved blouse and a knee-length, sky-blue skirt that accentuated her long, straight legs. Her long black hair was tied in a single ponytail that cascaded down her back. A few loose strands fell beside her ears, swaying gently with her movements. She was also carrying a small, ivory-white bag. She was bursting with youthful energy!
The midday sun was bright, and the light pouring in from the floor-to-ceiling windows cast a golden halo around her.
In that instant, a phrase suddenly came to Zhang Yi’s mind to describe the Lin Aoxue before him—the girl next door. She was just like the idealized girl next door from a fantasy, with the pure, innocent air of a childhood sweetheart. And she wasn’t just any girl next door, but the absolute top-tier version.
But besides admiring her beauty, Zhang Yi was also observing her state. Pure, vibrant, gentle... and a little bit nervous?
He noticed her nervousness because her hand, clutching the small ivory-white bag, was clenched tight.
"You’re here?" Zhang Yi put down his cup. "Have a seat."
Lin Aoxue nodded.
The perceptive server who had guided Lin Aoxue to the room promptly took their leave. After the server left, the private room fell silent for a few seconds.
"You... go first."
They both spoke in unison. Realizing they had spoken at the same time, Zhang Yi and Lin Aoxue looked at each other and smiled. The awkwardness from six months of no contact instantly vanished. The same thing had happened the last time they met, during the final exam. They had spoken in unison then, too.
After they finished laughing, Zhang Yi spoke first. "Long time no see. Compared to the last time we met, you seem a lot more lively now."
Lin Aoxue looked up. "So is that a change for the better, or for the worse?"
Zhang Yi smiled slightly. "Since when have you been so lacking in confidence around me, Lin Tongxue? That doesn’t sound like a question you’d ask."
"What kind of question should I have asked?" As she said this, Lin Aoxue’s face turned a faint shade of red.
"Of course you look better than before!" Zhang Yi’s words were filled with praise. "Much better than you did at school!"
Hearing this, a slight smile touched Lin Aoxue’s lips.
Just then, a knock came at the door. A server pushed the door open, carrying a tray laden with the snacks and treats Zhang Yi had ordered earlier: Tiramisu, soft and fragrant pastries, desserts from the Gourmet World, and a summer-flavored fruit tea.
The server placed these items on the table one by one. After arranging everything, the ordinary-looking, smiling waitress let her gaze fall upon Zhang Yi and Lin Aoxue. After scanning them a couple of times, she put on a professional smile.
"You two look so good together. We have a couple’s special today, would you like to..."
"That won’t be necessary," Zhang Yi cut her off abruptly. "We’ve already ordered."
Hearing the undeniable refusal in Zhang Yi’s tone, the waitress immediately stopped her sales pitch. "Of course, of course. I hope you two enjoy your meal."
The waitress, knowing she had misspoken, tactfully withdrew.
The door closed, leaving Zhang Yi and Lin Aoxue alone.
They exchanged a look before Lin Aoxue spoke. "Did she just misunderstand?"
"Mm."
"Why didn’t you explain?"
"Explain what?" Zhang Yi picked up his fruit tea. "Explaining would just make it more awkward. It’s better to let her misunderstand."
Lin Aoxue didn’t say anything, just picked up the hot cocoa in front of her and took a sip. But Zhang Yi could see that her ears were even redder than before.
Suppressing a smile, Zhang Yi took another sip.
As they talked, the sun shifted its position, and the light from outside the window came to rest perfectly upon their table.