Cai Keke asked with anticipation, "So, when can we start this plan?"

After a moment of thought, Xue Yang replied, "First, get familiar with the entire process with Cui Hao. When the time is right, he’ll notify you."

When Cai Keke learned she would be working with Cui Hao, a flash of disappointment crossed her mind, but she quickly composed herself.

"Okay, I understand. I’ll wait for Cui Hao’s notification then."

"Mm," Xue Yang replied simply.

After hanging up, Xue Yang arrived punctually at the school gate, quietly waiting for Lin Xi to finish her classes.

Soon after, Lin Xi and Si Wen appeared together, laughing and chatting.

Lin Xi spotted Xue Yang waiting and her face broke into a radiant smile. She ran toward him like a cheerful little deer.

Just as she was about to throw herself into his arms, Xue Yang deftly reached out, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her to his side.

Although Lin Xi didn’t manage to throw herself into his arms, she quickly understood his intention. This is the school gate, with people constantly coming and going. He’s probably concerned about my public image.

"Xue Yang, I heard you’re going to do a livestream?" Si Wen asked curiously.

Xue Yang smiled slightly, replying with a raised eyebrow, "Is Miss Si also interested in this?"

Xue Yang wasn’t surprised that the well-informed Si Wen already knew. He hadn’t planned on keeping it a secret anyway; in fact, he hoped more people would find out, which would save on publicity costs.

"I’m not particularly interested," Si Wen explained, "but you helped me before, so I figured I could return the favor if you need it."

"Xue Yang, I want to help, too," Lin Xi chimed in. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

It felt like she hadn’t really done anything for Xue Yang yet, and she hoped she could finally contribute this time.

Xue Yang knew Lin Xi’s involvement would make the livestream plan run more smoothly, but he had his own concerns. "I’m planning to invite several streamers for a PK battle and let the audience vote for their favorite. If you participate, it might make the competition unfair. So, it’s better if you just join as a member of the audience."

"Why?" Lin Xi asked, puzzled.

"Of course it’s because you’re so gorgeous," Si Wen said irritably. "The moment you appear, you’d steal the entire spotlight."

"Huh? That’s really the reason?" Lin Xi was exasperated, her cheeks puffing out slightly.

Xue Yang consoled her, "That’s just one factor. You have a more important role to play, and you’ll understand when the time comes."

Hearing this, Lin Xi’s mood began to improve. The tension in her face gradually eased, and her eyes sparkled with joy.

Just as they walked out of the school gate, Si Wen waved goodbye. "Alright, I’ve got something to do, so I’m not coming with you guys. Bye-bye!"

"Si Wen," Xue Yang called out to her.

"What’s up?" Si Wen asked, turning back.

"It’s nothing. Just wanted to remind you not to take things too far."

"You know?" Si Wen seemed surprised.

"Cui Hao was one of the ’victims’ once," Xue Yang explained.

Si Wen didn’t remember Cui Hao well, but her expression grew complicated when she heard what Xue Yang said.

"I haven’t told Xiao Xi about this, nor do I plan to. Since you brought it up, you can explain it to her yourself." With that, Si Wen hurried away.

Xue Yang watched her retreating figure and shook his head helplessly. Knowing Si Wen’s personality, he just hoped she wouldn’t take things too far and cause unnecessary trouble down the line.

As soon as Si Wen left, Lin Xi asked curiously, "Xue Yang, what did Si Wen mean just now?" She had already asked Si Wen earlier but had only received an evasive answer. Now that Xue Yang had brought it up again, Lin Xi was even more desperate to know.

Xue Yang had no choice but to tell Lin Xi what Cui Hao had gone through.

After hearing the story, Lin Xi was stunned for a long moment before she finally processed it.

"So, Si Wen and Senior Yu Fei went to teach a ’scumbag’ a lesson?"

"That’s a fair way to put it."

Lin Xi was at a loss for words.

...

"Cui Hao, try this new fruit tea flavor and tell me what you think."

Ever since Cui Hao found out that Xue Yang owned the Creek Tea milk tea shop, he started coming down almost every day for afternoon tea. Over time, he and Song Fan became familiar with each other. Since she happened to be experimenting with new fruit tea flavors, she didn’t hesitate to ask him to be her taste-tester.

The taste-testing had been going smoothly until the day he tried a cup of durian fruit tea, which nearly sent him to his maker. From then on, before he drank anything she gave him, he always had to ask, "Umm... this isn’t durian-flavored again, is it?"

"Relax, it’s definitely not durian," she replied, muttering under her breath, Durian’s expensive, anyway.

"As long as it’s not durian, I can handle pretty much any other flavor." In the very next second, he would live to regret those words.

"This... Who in their right mind would use photinia flowers to make fruit tea? Are you serious?"

After that bizarre durian tea, I should have known. When Song Fan is involved, there’s no ’weirdest,’ only ’weirder.’

"Uh, is it really that bad?" Song Fan was a little hurt by Cui Hao’s reaction.

When I tried it myself, it seemed perfectly fine. Why is it a culinary disaster now that he’s drinking it?

"Forget the ’is it?’ Just be confident and say, ’It’s truly awful.’ This fruit tea belongs in a book of Bizarre Recipes. I’m just saying, if you can’t whip up any other new flavors, the honey pomelo tea and grape bubble tea from before were perfectly fine."

I should have asked one more question. Then I wouldn’t have this foul taste in my mouth.

"What are you guys drinking?"

Xue Yang pushed open the glass door to see Cui Hao looking like he’d lost the will to live and Song Fan fraught with self-doubt. Can drinking milk tea really expose a person’s inner soul?

"Uncle, you’re here! Quick, try this milk tea. It’s delicious. I hereby declare it the best milk tea in history."

Seeing Xue Yang, Cui Hao scurried over and eagerly handed the photinia flower fruit tea to him, acting as if it were some incredible delicacy.

"If it’s so good, you can keep it for yourself. Song Fan, get me a regular fruit tea."

"Right away, Boss."

Song Fan immediately returned to the counter. Coincidentally, she had also been experimenting with another new concoction: a fruit tea made from perfume lemons, cola, and honey. The recipe was simple, and she had it ready in less than two minutes.

"Boss, this is the new Lemon Cola fruit tea. Give it a try."

Cui Hao leaned in for a sniff. The refreshing scent of lemon combined with the thrilling sweetness of the cola made his mouth water. A sip of this in this scorching heat would be absolutely exhilarating.