Chapter 23: The First Kiss

Chapter 23: The First Kiss

Aaron King, already irritated, was clearly not in the mood to appreciate Lydia Moore's efforts. Did she really think those awkward, misshapen lines she insisted on calling "embroidery" would earn his forgiveness? His expression remained neutral, but there was a flicker of scorn in his eyes.

He let out a derisive snort, his finger hooking onto a light blue apron adorned with a childish, garish Garfield pattern. The disdain in his eyes deepened. "And what's this supposed to be? A clown costume?" Did she really expect him to wear this ridiculous outfit?

"It's not a clown costume! The apron is to protect your shirt from getting dirty," Lydia Moore retorted, her temper flaring as she saw him so casually dismiss the hard work her aunt had put into making the uniform. How could he be so cruel and dismissive of someone else's effort? It was infuriating.

Seeing her face flush with anger, Aaron King felt a surge of satisfaction. But he wasn't done with her yet. His presence radiated danger as he slowly advanced on Lydia Moore, his gaze intense. "I think it's time I clarify three things for you," Aaron King said, using his height to tower over her, casting her small frame entirely in his shadow.

Under the pressure, Lydia Moore instinctively stepped back, fearing that this angry devil in front of her might just lash out and knock her unconscious. And if he happened to hit her face, would she end up with her features rearranged? That was a terrifying thought. She quickly covered her face in fear.

Did she really think he was going to hit her? Aaron King, ever perceptive, saw right through her thoughts. D*mn it! Was that really how she saw him? Her reaction ignited his anger once more, his voice turning even colder. "Listen carefully. First, I'm here to learn how to bake, not to do some ridiculous part-time job, so don't think you can order me around. Second, if you tell anyone about this and let the rest of the school find out, the consequences will be severe. Third…" Aaron King suddenly stopped, placing his hand against the wall, leaning in closer. His gaze locked onto her frightened face, his brow furrowing deeply.

What was he planning to say next? Lydia Moore, with her back pressed against the wall, looked up at him with a mixture of frustration and fear. Why did he always have to corner her like this? It made her feel incredibly uncomfortable, as if her brain had stopped functioning.

Just as she was about to spiral into panic, Aaron King casually reached out and untied the simple, light blue hair ribbon she had used to pull her hair back.

Lydia's long, jet-black hair fell softly over her shoulders, releasing a faint olive scent into the air. She stared at him in shock, her hand instinctively moving to the spot where her hair had been neatly tied up. What was he doing? She had spent nearly half an hour styling her hair for work—did he find that offensive too?

This is much more tolerable, Aaron King thought coldly as he tossed the ribbon back at her. He hadn't expected her hair, though she looked so plain, to be so silky and smooth. As it had brushed against his fingers, a strange, sweet sensation had washed over him. "From now on, don't tie your hair up in front of me. Your face is too big—it's ugly and it scares me." Aaron King delivered the insult with brutal honesty, not caring how it would affect her.

His blunt words made Lydia Moore's anger bubble up. Was she really that unattractive? Even if he had dated countless supermodels, that didn't give him the right to say something so hurtful. Didn't he realize how much his words stung? She began to wonder if, after a month, he would find his happiness while she would be driven insane by his relentless cruelty.

The sky was filled with drifting clouds, hanging between the open spaces of the streets below. The autumn breeze was crisp, carrying a hint of chill as it blew past. As Lydia Moore busied herself clearing away the white porcelain teacups and crystal plates, she glanced out the window at the sky and the colorful storefronts lining the streets. The earlier unpleasantness with Aaron King quickly dissipated from her mind. Perhaps she had been too hasty. After all, turning a devil into an angel wasn't something that could happen overnight. But she still believed that if she kept trying, a miracle might occur.

The large sycamore trees lining the streets, their leaves a mix of yellow and green, contrasted beautifully with the bright blue sky. Lydia Moore extended her hand, moving it slowly through the golden sunlight as if trying to grasp a bit more motivation to find happiness.

On a sunny autumn day at Sakura, clusters of trees surrounded the tranquil lake. The osmanthus trees by the shore had begun to produce tiny, fragrant blossoms hidden beneath their glossy green leaves. The air was filled with a sweet, intoxicating scent, and the fallen osmanthus petals on the ground revealed delicate, lace-like veins under the sunlight, emitting a fragrance that was both fresh and soothing.

In the serene, almost otherworldly beauty of the campus, a girl in a cotton dress, her features soft and delicate, walked along the stone-paved path covered with colorful fallen leaves and pale purple and white wildflower petals, making her way toward the silver-gray multimedia building.

Though it wasn't even eight in the morning, a long line had already formed less than a hundred meters from the building. Each person in line had an expectant gleam in their eyes, eager to be among the first to receive an application form to join the music club. To these students, almost everyone regarded Julian Reed as their idol, and in a way, they had all come to the music club "for his sake."

To them, Julian Reed, who had started learning piano at the age of four, won numerous awards, and remained the most popular "Piano Prince" among young people even while studying abroad, was nothing short of a legend. The opportunity to join the music club he had founded was an irresistibly tempting chance.

Attracted by the crowd, Elena Rivers paused, her gaze involuntarily drawn to the banner announcing the club's recruitment. A glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes but quickly dimmed. She averted her gaze with a heavy heart, a strange emptiness spreading within her.

But she knew she had no choice, and she never did.

"Are you thinking about joining the music club?" A bright, energetic voice suddenly called out from behind her. Without turning around, Elena Rivers already knew who it was. She quickly masked her emotions and resumed walking.

Accustomed to Elena's behavior, Lydia Moore wasn't bothered. She shrugged and caught up to walk beside her. Undeterred, she asked again, "Do you want to join the music club?" Lydia had noticed that every time Elena passed this spot in the past few days, she would stop and look at the club's recruitment table, then straighten her back and walk away without a trace of hesitation, though her departing figure always carried a hint of sadness.

But Lydia couldn't understand—if Elena wanted to join so much, why was she hesitating? What was holding her back?