"Wait, Zane! I have something really important to tell you!"
Zhu Yuan quickly called out to stop Zane, hurrying up to him with a serious expression, like she absolutely needed him to agree.
She understood what Zane was thinking. Honestly, like he said, her mission probably would've gone just as well with or without his help.
That was the whole point—it was just an excuse to bring him here!
"Something important?"
"Well then... I guess I'll oblige."
Zane raised a brow, intrigued by Zhu Yuan's mention of something important. Curious, he nodded and agreed.
He hadn't wanted Zhu Yuan to go out of her way or spend money on him, but at this point, there wasn't much point in arguing.
What he didn't get was why Zhu Yuan would need to treat him to a meal just to say something important. Was their relationship really that formal?
Soon, after Seth said his goodbyes, only Zane and Zhu Yuan were left in the Special Response Team office.
"So, where are we going?"
"You've already got something in mind, right?"
Zane turned to her and asked.
"Ah... well…"
Zhu Yuan gave a sheepish smile. Her original plan had already fallen apart, and this meal idea had been a last-minute save. She hadn't thought that far ahead.
"Zhu Yuan, seriously..."
Zane sighed and rubbed his forehead, then offered a suggestion.
"Just pick a place with good food. I'm not picky or anything—whatever's convenient works."
Good food…
Zhu Yuan began thinking.
Before long, she remembered a place.
So, a short while later...
...
"Uh… Zhu Yuan, are you serious?"
Zane stared at the breakfast shop in front of them, just as it was about to close. He honestly hadn't expected Zhu Yuan to pick this place.
In the afternoon? At a breakfast shop?
"Ahem, you said to pick somewhere with good food. I don't go out much, so..."
Zhu Yuan scratched her cheek with an awkward smile, realizing this probably wasn't the best choice. She was already considering going somewhere else instead.
Inviting someone to a breakfast shop for a meal—yeah, that was a bit much.
"It's fine. There's no rule saying you can only eat breakfast at a breakfast place."
Zane waved it off, not minding at all. In fact, the choice put his earlier doubts to rest.
After all, if their relationship wasn't close, there's no way Zhu Yuan would instinctively choose a breakfast shop for something like "treating someone to a meal."
"Huh? You really don't mind?"
Zhu Yuan blinked. Compared to her usual work persona—serious and focused—she now seemed much more spirited and lively. After all, she was still just a young girl at heart.
"Really. It's fine."
Hearing Zane confirm it again, Zhu Yuan's face lit up. She tossed aside her hesitation and stepped into the breakfast shop.
The shop wasn't very big, and judging by her actions, Zhu Yuan wasn't planning to eat inside. So Zane waited outside.
Zhu Yuan and the shopkeeper auntie seemed familiar with each other. After a quick exchange, she smoothly placed her order.
A moment later, she came out holding two paper bags, handing one to Zane.
"Here, I wasn't sure what you liked, so I just picked out some of my favorites."
Zane took the bag, curious.
"You come here often, huh? You're so familiar with everything—must be good."
Zhu Yuan smiled.
"I wouldn't say it's amazing or anything, but it's decent. I guess... I've just gotten used to it."
"This is the road between my home and the Public Security Bureau. I'm always rushing in the morning, no time for a proper breakfast—but I still need to eat. So I stop here often and grab something on the way."
"It's convenient. I get my breakfast sorted while I walk."
As she spoke, Zhu Yuan took a bite of a still-steaming bun. The next second, her mouth burned and she started blowing on it repeatedly.
"You don't actually go to work while eating like this, blowing on your food the whole way, right?"
Zane raised an eyebrow, amused. Zhu Yuan quickly shook her head.
"N-no way! I'm not usually this clumsy, okay? I just didn't think about it this time…"
She blinked, finally swallowing the bite. With a long exhale, her face softened with relief.
Seeing that the bun had finally cooled to a reasonable temperature, she smiled a little. No more heat problems this time...
Just then, Zane asked from beside her,
"So, Zhu Yuan, what was that important thing you wanted to talk about?"
"Mm-mm-mmm…"
Zhu Yuan tensed up again the moment she heard that. She was just about to respond—but with food still in her mouth, she choked on it.
"You…"
Zane sighed, exasperated, a few black lines practically forming on his forehead. He reached out his hand, and an Ether crystal water cup formed instantly, warm water filling it at the same time.
"Here, drink this."
Zhu Yuan grabbed the cup, took a few sips, and finally calmed down. But as she looked at Zane's curious expression, her nerves only spiked even higher.
She froze in place.
And the longer they locked eyes, the redder her face grew—visibly flushing with embarrassment.
Her mind went completely blank.
Then—ding! A message notification rang like a lifeline, snapping her attention away.
"Hold on! I need to answer this real quick!"
Zhu Yuan quickly pulled out her flip phone. Seeing who the message was from, she glanced at Zane, then stepped aside to check it.
Moments later, she returned.
This time, she seemed determined. Standing in front of Zane, she looked him in the eye and spoke seriously.
"Zane, um…"
"I…"
She knew herself well—this kind of thing wasn't easy. So she had to get it out while she still had the nerve.
Just as she was about to blurt it out, Zane reached up and pressed a hand lightly over her mouth, hesitating a little.
"Zhu Yuan... wait... You're not about to confess, are you?"
Zhu Yuan's eyes flew wide open.
Wait—how did he guess?!
Was it that obvious?
And from Zane's reaction… he didn't seem that surprised?
Did… did she just mess this up?
That thought barely flickered through her mind before the nerves came crashing back in full force. It might have been fake, but Zane didn't know that!
So what was the difference?!
Even so, deep down, part of her was curious…
What would Zane do?
How would he respond?
Seeing Zhu Yuan's stunned reaction, Zane became certain of what he'd suspected. Until this moment, he hadn't realized the "important thing" Zhu Yuan wanted to say… was this.