Ke Xue: The thief Cao is actually myself

Chapter 713 I Need Your Help in My Cultivation! (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
Soon after, the waiters began serving the dishes.

The first dish served was a vegetable salad, with fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers paired with brightly colored carrots and purple cabbage, drizzled with a special salad dressing, which looked refreshing and delicious.

Next, a steaming bowl of spaghetti was placed on the table, the noodles coated in a rich meat sauce, its aroma irresistible and mouthwatering.

Finally, the exquisite tiramisu made its appearance. Its delicate texture and the perfect blend of coffee and cocoa powder were simply mesmerizing.

Ran Mouri's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she eagerly picked up the delicate fork and gracefully and skillfully twirled a few strands of pasta into her mouth. In an instant, the chewy texture of the pasta and the rich flavor of the meat sauce collided passionately on her tongue, as if playing a beautiful symphony of taste, and an ultimate feast for the senses was about to begin.

She couldn't help but close her eyes slightly, a look of extreme satisfaction on her face, and murmured softly, "Mmm, it's really delicious, Bai Ye Jun, you should try some too."

As she spoke, she used her fork to pick up some spaghetti covered in meat sauce and held it to Bai Ye's lips, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Bai Ye smiled and opened his mouth to eat a bite of spaghetti. Seeing Ran Mouri's happy expression, he nodded with satisfaction, his eyes full of doting and gratification, and said, "I'm also very happy to see that you like it, Ran."

Ran Mouri smiled happily and said, "Yes, it's so delicious! Every bite feels like it's filled with happiness. And eating it with you seems to make it even more delicious."

Her voice carried a hint of shyness and sweetness, as if the deliciousness had gained a unique flavor because of Bai Ye's company.

After saying that, she scooped up another spoonful of tiramisu and put it in her mouth. The delicate texture slowly spread in her mouth, like a soft feather brushing against her taste buds, making her look intoxicated.

Seeing Ran Mouri's blissful expression, Bai Ye couldn't help but be infected by her joy and said, "This restaurant certainly didn't disappoint me. It seems we can come here often in the future."

Ran Mouri's eyes lit up, like stars twinkling in the night sky, and she nodded, saying, "Yes, we can bring Sonoko here next time. She'll definitely love the food here."

"And this tiramisu is amazing too, Baiye-kun, you have to try it."

As she spoke, she scooped out another spoonful of tiramisu and offered it to Bai Ye, her eyes full of enthusiastic invitation.

The two enjoyed their meal while chatting quietly, sharing their thoughts and anecdotes.

The music in the restaurant continued to play softly, and sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a golden outline on their figures. The scene was warm and beautiful, as if time itself had stopped, freezing this beautiful moment forever...

After enjoying the delicious meal, Ran Mouri leaned back in her chair contentedly, let out a soft burp, and smiled happily. "I'm so full, Byakuya-kun. This restaurant is amazing, thank you for bringing me here."

Looking at Ran Mouri's incredibly cute appearance, Bai Ye couldn't help but laugh out loud. His laughter was full of affection as he said, "Why are you being so polite with me? As long as you're happy, that's all that matters."

As he spoke, he raised his hand to look at his watch, the hands slowly turning. "It's still early. Xiaolan, where else would you like to go for a stroll?"

Ran Mouri's eyes lit up, and after thinking for a moment, she said, "I heard that a new park has opened nearby. Let's go there for a walk, soak up the sun, and digest our food. It would be very pleasant."

"Okay, whatever you say." Bai Ye replied with a smile, then waved to the waiter to settle the bill.

The two walked hand in hand to the newly opened park nearby.

The park was bustling with people. Elderly people were strolling leisurely, children were playing and laughing, and couples were cuddling and enjoying their sweet moments together.

They strolled along the park's paths, surrounded by shady trees, blooming flowers, and fragrant aromas.

Occasionally, a few birds would fly overhead, chirping as if singing for their happiness, adding a touch of life and vitality to this beautiful scene.

Reaching the lakeside, Ran Mouri stopped, captivated by the breathtaking scenery before her. The tranquil lake surface, like a giant mirror, reflected the blue sky, white clouds, and surrounding green trees, creating a picturesque scene, like a beautiful scroll slowly unfolding before her eyes. "This place is truly beautiful, Byakuya-kun," she murmured, her voice filled with praise for nature.

Bai Ye stood beside her, gently putting his arm around her shoulder. The gesture was tender and natural, as if they were meant to be together like this. "Yes, but no scenery is as beautiful as you by my side."

He turned to look at Ran Mouri, his eyes filled with deep affection and tenderness, as if Ran Mouri were the most dazzling star and the most beautiful scenery in his eyes.

Ran Mouri's cheeks flushed crimson, as luscious as a ripe apple. She gently punched Byakuya's chest and said coquettishly, "You're just saying sweet words to make me happy."

Even so, the undisguised smile on her lips betrayed the sweetness and happiness in her heart.

The two sat down on a bench by the lake, continuing to enjoy the peaceful and beautiful moment. Ran Mouri leaned on Byakuya's shoulder, feeling his warm body temperature and strong heartbeat, as if she had found a home for her soul, her heart filled with peace and contentment.

Everything around them seemed to stand still, with only their heartbeats and each other's breathing weaving into a beautiful melody.

After a while, Ran Mouri spoke softly, as if afraid of breaking the tranquility, "Baiye-kun, do you think we will always be this happy?" Her eyes flickered with a hint of worry and expectation, filled with longing for future happiness, yet also carrying a trace of uncertainty.

Bai Ye held her hand tightly, those hands seemed to convey endless strength and unwavering faith, and said firmly, "Of course I will, Lan. I will always be by your side, no matter what difficulties we encounter, I will never let you get hurt. We will go through every spring, summer, autumn and winter together and create more beautiful memories."

Ran Mouri looked up into Byakuya's eyes, and in his deep gaze, she saw determination and commitment. She nodded gently, tears of emotion glistening in her eyes. "Yes, I believe you, Byakuya-kun."

After strolling around the park for a while, Ran Mouri and Byakuya got up, held hands, and slowly walked out of the park.

Linking arms with Byakuya, Ran Mouri strolled along the bustling street. The cheerful laughter emanating from the shops added a touch of everyday life to the street.

On the street, people come and go, some choosing their favorite items, others enjoying delicious snacks, and everyone's face is filled with the joy of life.

As Ran Mouri passed by a boutique, her eyes were drawn to a pair of exquisitely crafted couple dolls displayed in the window. The dolls were incredibly cute; the boy doll wore a handsome suit, his sharp lines highlighting his dashing good looks; the girl doll wore a beautiful dress, the skirt flowing lightly like a flower. The two held hands, their faces beaming with happy smiles, as if whispering sweet nothings, a perfect embodiment of their own happiness.

"Baiye-kun, look at those dolls, they're so cute!" Ran Mouri pointed at the shop window, her eyes full of affection. She's always had little resistance to cute things, especially since those dolls looked so much like her and her boyfriend!

Bai Ye looked in the direction she was pointing and said with a smile, "It really is cute. Shall we go inside and take a look?"

The two entered the boutique, which was filled with all kinds of exquisite jewelry and trinkets, a dazzling array that was hard to look away from.

Ran Mouri walked straight to the pair of couple dolls, gently picked them up, and her eyes sparkled with joy. "These dolls feel just like us."

She held the doll up to her eyes and said playfully to Bai Ye, her face beaming with a happy smile.

Bai Ye looked at Ran Mouri with eyes full of affection and said, "If you like it, buy it. It's a memento of our wonderful time today." He hoped to leave a special keepsake for their beautiful memories.

Ran Mouri hesitated for a moment, a hint of conflict flashing in her eyes, "But it feels a bit expensive..."

Moreover, having only two dolls for the two of them feels a bit unfair to her best friend, Sonoko Suzuki.

After all, Sonoko Suzuki is also a member of their big family!

Bai Ye gently flicked her nose, a gesture that was intimate and tender. "It's okay, as long as you're happy, what's a little money?"

With that, he took the doll from Ran Mouri and went to the cashier to pay.

Ran Mouri accepted the beautifully wrapped doll, as happy as a child receiving a beloved gift. A blissful smile graced her face, and tears of emotion welled in her eyes. "Thank you, Byakuya-kun. I will cherish it."

She held the doll in her arms as if it were the most precious treasure, her careful movements suggesting she was afraid of losing this precious thing.

As time passed, the sun gradually sank in the west, and the sky was painted with a magnificent sunset. Ran Mouri and Byakuya also began their journey home.

Along the way, they continued to hold hands, talking about the day's events, their laughter echoing in the air.

After arriving home, Ran Mouri carefully placed the pair of couple dolls on her bedside table, looking at them with a happy smile on her face.

She knew that these were not just a pair of dolls, but also a testament to her beautiful love with Bai Ye.

In this peaceful night, filled with anticipation for the future and deep love for Byakuya, Ran Mouri drifted into a sweet dream. In her dream, she was still with Byakuya, strolling through a world filled with sunshine and happiness...

……

As dusk falls, the lanterns of the hot spring inn sway gently in the breeze, casting ambiguous shadows.

Yukiko Kudo stood in front of the Japanese-style room, her slender fingers gripping the cuffs of her yukata tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force.

She had been pacing in the corridor for a full twenty minutes. In those twenty minutes, she paced back and forth, her mind in turmoil, yet she still lacked the courage to open that paper door, as thin as a cicada's wing, seemingly ordinary yet seemingly leading to an unknown abyss. Every time she raised her hand, it felt as if she was being blocked by an invisible force.

Just then, the phone screen suddenly lit up again, displaying the last message received twenty minutes earlier: [If you don't come soon, I'm leaving, or do you want me to come pick you up in person, Yukiko? —Byakuya]
Yukiko Kudo took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart.

However, the scent of cherry blossoms mixed with the sulfurous smell unique to hot springs filled her nostrils, making her increasingly flustered.

She subconsciously pursed her pink lips, then raised her hand to adjust the neckline of her yukata, the edge of her red lace lingerie faintly visible—she had inexplicably put it on before leaving the house.

Even she herself didn't understand why she would do such a thing. Could it be that deep down, she actually had a slight expectation for meeting Bai Ye that she herself was unwilling to admit?

The moment the thought crossed her mind, she felt her cheeks burning, as if all the blood in her body was rushing to her face.

“Crack.”

She gently pulled the paper door open a crack, and warm yellow light flowed out along the crack, casting a narrow strip of light on the floor. That strip of light resembled a mysterious entrance to a forbidden place, inspiring both fear and a hidden curiosity.

"Finally willing to come in?" Bai Ye's voice drifted from inside, carrying a deliberately lazy smile, mixed with a hint of mockery. "I thought I'd have to go out and catch you myself."

Having not received a reply from Yukiko Kudo for a long time, Byakuya almost thought that the Teitan princess was planning to break her promise.

Just as he was pondering whether to use other means to teach this former famous actress an unforgettable lesson, to make her understand just how serious the consequences of standing him up were, or simply abandon this "hot spring rendezvous" and go back to focus on accompanying his young girlfriend, intending to "settle accounts" with this Princess Teitan later, he unexpectedly received her response.

So, after dropping Ran Mouri off at the detective agency and spending some quality time with her, he drove to this secluded hot spring inn, waiting for Princess Yukiko Kudo of Teitan to "deliver herself" to him.

Yukiko Kudo's fingers tightened unconsciously on the doorframe, her nails almost digging into the wood grain. Reason kept reminding her that she should turn and leave immediately, delete all of Byakuya's contact information, and sever all ties with this person forever…

But her body seemed to be pulled by invisible threads, and she slowly opened the door as if out of control.

However, the moment she flung open the door and saw the scene inside, she froze on the spot as if struck by lightning—

Bai Ye was leaning against a low table, his yukata hanging loosely on his body, revealing a large expanse of his honey-colored chest. The afterglow of the setting sun shone through the window lattice, casting dappled light and shadow on his sharply defined profile.

On the table sat an open bottle of Burgundy red wine, the deep red liquid swirling gently in the glass, its rhythmic rise and fall mirroring the rapid beating of her heart at that moment…

(End of this chapter)