Chapter 14: A Growing Connection

The midsummer sun blazed down on the colorful stone-paved path, making even the birds on the rooftops seem to pant with exhaustion. The sycamore trees lining the road cast thick shadows, their broad leaves reflecting the searing light, while countless cicadas chirped incessantly, their cries growing hoarse under the oppressive heat. The earth, scorched and arid, held onto the only remnants of coolness under the shade of these trees.

Inside the "Fairy Cake Shop," the fans turned slowly, offering a gentle breeze that brought some relief to the sweltering summer day. The customers seated on wooden chairs chatted softly, occasionally breaking into laughter, or savored the delicious cakes on their plates. Some carefully selected their favorite treats from the display cabinet. Despite the scorching afternoon heat, the shop was bustling with patrons, with a steady stream of people pushing through the doors.

Lydia Moore stepped out from the back, now dressed in her work uniform. The uniform fit her perfectly and was crafted with great attention to detail. She couldn't help but smile, as the light green color of the uniform was her favorite. Her aunt had truly outdone herself—after three years apart, she not only estimated Lydia's size accurately but also remembered her favorite color. Watching her aunt and uncle, who were busy attending to customers with sweat on their brows yet full of joy, a sense of happiness welled up in Lydia. Not wanting to interrupt their work, she quietly sat on a chair nearby, admiring the cozy atmosphere of the cake shop.

Outside, the empty road seemed to shimmer with a transparent haze of heat rising from the ground.

In the distance, a silver convertible roared into view. The gust of wind it created sent green leaves swirling in the air, the vibrant foliage dancing around the gleaming sports car, creating a scene that was as powerful as it was picturesque, like a frame frozen from a vivid comic.

The sports car, traveling at over 320 km/h, suddenly came to an abrupt stop, accompanied by the sharp screech of brakes. The girl in the passenger seat lurched forward, nearly hitting her head on the windshield. She looked at the handsome boy beside her with a mix of fear and confusion, only to see him staring through his dark sunglasses at an unremarkable little cake shop by the roadside, a cold smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

The bell on the shop's door jingled softly as it swayed, producing a few clear and pleasant "ding" sounds.

The boy who stepped into the doorway was tall and lean, with a perfect physique. He wore a black t-shirt and uniquely designed pants. His chiseled features and cool black sunglasses made him look both handsome and aloof, perhaps even a bit arrogant.

His presence immediately drew the attention of everyone in the shop, with several girls letting out excited whispers and gasps of admiration. They hadn't expected to see Aaron King, the star model from LEV, and the girl by his side, Tina, who was also a model. It seemed the rumors of them dating were true, and the two of them indeed made a striking couple. However, no matter how you looked at it, Tina paled in comparison to Aaron King. After all, he was born into one of the top elite families, with an inherent princely charm.

To be lucky enough to see them here today—it seemed that the "Fairy Cake Shop" truly was a place that brought happiness.

Despite the crowded afternoon, Aaron King frowned with irritation and chose the most secluded corner of the shop to sit down. He picked up the menu from the table and glanced at it before beckoning to Lydia Moore, who had been daydreaming nearby: "You, come here."

Aaron King, here? Lydia Moore finally snapped back to reality, accepting the fact before her. In her opinion, the always proud and picky young master should only dine at high-end, elite restaurants and would never be seen here. Considering that her aunt and uncle were busy with other customers and had no time to attend to this side, Lydia had no choice but to get up and approach, a smile on her face. Whatever his reason for being here, now that he was a customer, it was her duty to make him satisfied, to help him find a sense of happiness in this place.

"May I ask, what kind of cake would you like?" Lydia Moore dutifully handed the menu with the latest offerings to Aaron King.

Her again? Aaron King's eyes flickered with a trace of recognition. It seemed that she had been appearing around him more and more frequently lately, even to the point of running into her here. If she wasn't so plain-looking, he might have considered it fate. Was she working here part-time?

"May I ask, what kind of cake would you like?" Seeing that he hadn't answered, she smiled again and repeated the question.

Aaron King cast a cold glance at the menu and asked, "What cakes do you have?"

"We have Tiramisu, Chocolate Castle, Sunny Summer, Melody of Beauty, Sydney Breeze, Winter's Pure Hue, Loch Ness Secret, Bali Romance, Graceful Lady, and Green Stream," Lydia Moore replied smoothly. These cakes were all handcrafted by her father and had always been the most popular items at the "Fairy Cake Shop." She was confident that one of them would be to their liking.

"If it's for a girl, I'd recommend either Sunny Summer or Graceful Lady," Lydia Moore said, looking at Tina on his right. "They are fruit-based cakes, which are not only fresh and delicious but also low in fat. You can enjoy a few slices without worrying about feeling greasy or gaining weight. They're perfect for girls in the summer."

"Really?" As a model, Tina rarely indulged in cakes due to her profession. When she first entered the shop, she had been concerned about gaining weight, but Lydia's introduction put her mind at ease. Besides, she did have a soft spot for cakes: "Then I'll have the Sunny Summer." She recognized Lydia as the girl who played the violin that day. Tina had a good impression of her from the start and was pleasantly surprised to find that she not only excelled at playing the violin but also knew so much about cakes. Tina couldn't help but look at her with admiration.

In the past, whenever she and Aaron King dined out, the waitresses would flock to him like annoying flies, paying little attention to her. But this girl was different... Not only did she not lose her head over Aaron King at first sight, but she also introduced the products to her first. Although this girl had caught Aaron King's attention twice now, Tina was not one to hold a grudge. In fact, she found herself rather fond of this girl.

"Sunny Summer, got it." Lydia Moore quickly noted it down. "And you?" She turned to Aaron King. Did he also enjoy eating cakes?

"Loch Ness Secret." Aaron King removed his sunglasses, revealing a pair of deep, captivating eyes as he looked at her. "It's a type of cheesecake, right?"