Why is she looking at me?
Shen Mo immediately activated the All-Seeing Eye to probe her information:
[Target: Xia Ying — Action: Observing the Host — Relationship: Jiang Baibai's classmate and roommate.]
A friend of Baibai?
Just then, Xia Ying stood up from her seat and walked over to the counter.
"Dude, she's coming over," Xu Chang whispered as he elbowed Shen Mo again.
Can you stop with the elbows already?
"Don't just stare. Go serve her." Shen Mo shoved Xu Chang forward and stayed behind to watch.
Xu Chang straightened up, plastered on a professional smile, and said, "Hello, miss. What would you like to order?"
Xia Ying gave the menu a quick glance. "One latte. Extra milk."
"Coming right up." Xu Chang printed the receipt and handed it over. "Here's your number."
"Wait."
Xia Ying didn't leave. Instead, she called out to Xu Chang just as he was turning toward the prep area.
"Is there anything else, miss?" Xu Chang asked, puzzled.
"You have a staff member named Shen Mo, right? I'd like to speak with him. Just a few minutes—I won't keep him long."
As she spoke, her eyes darted toward the back, stealing a glance at Shen Mo.
Xu Chang turned and looked at Shen Mo, his face a twisted mess of envy.
Bro, when did you manage to score someone like her?
Shen Mo rolled his eyes. Don't look at me—I seriously don't know her.
He walked out and followed Xia Ying to the customer area.
They sat across from each other.
Xia Ying began with a polite introduction. "Hi, I'm Xia Ying, Baibai's classmate."
So casual with her name? Guess they're close.
"I'm Shen Mo. Nice to meet you."
Xia Ying took a sip of her latte. "I've heard about you from Baibai. I came because I wanted to talk."
"Go ahead."
She didn't speak right away. Instead, she took a deep breath, like she was about to make a life-altering decision. Then she looked at him, completely serious.
"Do you like Baibai?"
...???
Shen Mo was stunned. What kind of opening line was that?!
You don't even know me and you're diving straight into romantic interrogation? Zero frames of delay!
It took him five seconds to process.
"Baibai and I are just friends—at least for now. I think there's been some misunderstanding, Xia... Miss Xia."
"Just call me Xia Ying," she replied casually. "We're both college students, same year."
Shen Mo nodded.
"Then here's my second question," she continued. "Do you know that Baibai likes you?"
That one hit differently.
He hesitated. Was this a trap? Still, after a pause, he nodded.
"You do?" Xia Ying looked genuinely surprised. "Then do you know she confessed to you two days ago?"
"Uh… I actually just realized that yesterday. I hadn't paid attention to the restaurant she mentioned."
"..."
Xia Ying looked unimpressed.
Shen Mo rubbed his nose awkwardly.
Come on, girls speak too subtly. Unlike us guys—we say what we mean. Loud and proud.
"I want to ask you for a favor," she said seriously.
"Name it."
"I want you to accept her confession. Even if it's just pretending."
Shen Mo blinked. What?
"Only for a short while," she added. "She'll leave on her own afterward."
What the hell?
A sudden irritation rose in his chest.
What do you think I am, a USB drive? Plug in for love, unplug when done?
Xia Ying must've sensed his annoyance and quickly waved her hands. "No, that's not what I meant."
Sure sounds like it.
"I just… I just want her to experience being in love. Even if it's only for a few days."
Shen Mo frowned. "Why?"
Xia Ying hesitated. Then she said:
"Because... she's getting married soon."
*****
Five minutes later, Xia Ying left with her coffee.
Shen Mo returned to the prep area, visibly unsettled.
"Yo, what's with the long face?" Xu Chang nudged him. "Don't tell me you got dumped."
"Screw off. You're the one who got dumped."
"Seriously though. Everything okay?"
Xu Chang might've acted like an idiot most days, but when it came to friends, he had a surprisingly good heart.
"It's nothing urgent," Shen Mo replied. "Someone else's business, not mine. I could walk away."
"Got it." Xu Chang backed off and resumed his work.
Shen Mo's eyes drifted toward the petite figure in the back—Jiang Baibai.
Her backstory unraveled in his mind.
Her parents divorced when she was young. Her father failed in business, racking up debt. Her mother left, and Baibai grew up with her father, who juggled raising her and repaying loans.
Then, just recently, her mother came back—with a marriage proposal in hand.
The groom? A thirty-year-old son of a corporate executive. Ten years older than Baibai.
Her father initially refused. But her mother was persuasive, claiming the man's family could wipe their debts and provide a stable life for Baibai.
Burdened by guilt, her father eventually gave in.
The plan was simple: once summer ended, Baibai would drop out of college and get married.
So that's why Xia Ying wanted him to go along with a fake relationship. Even a fleeting romance would give Baibai something to remember before her future was taken away.
Shen Mo sighed.
Yeah, the situation was absolutely insane, but... Baibai really didn't deserve this.
What should I do? I'm actually considering saying yes.
But I've still got a world to save...
He frowned-how can he get her family to back off from this marriage?
According to Xia Ying, the debts were nearly paid off—there shouldn't be so much pressure left.
Then it hit him.
Why did her mom suddenly return? And with a marriage deal that didn't even seem to benefit her directly?
Something doesn't add up.
Time to investigate. After all... I do have the All-Seeing Eye.
He stepped into the back and approached Baibai gently.
"Jiang Baibai."
She flinched at the sound of his voice and turned around, blushing faintly. "Y-Yes?"
"I have a favor to ask."
"S-sure. What is it?"
Shen Mo looked into her shy but hopeful eyes, took a deep breath, and said clearly:
"Can I come to your place?"