Pretending to be a Couple to Eat Cake! (Read On, Yanzu!)

The midday sun remained scorching, so Yang Teng found a patch of shade under a tree to hide.

The iconic blue-and-white gate of Tianshui Academy was currently at the peak of student traffic.

When Yang Teng's figure appeared there, it immediately drew the gazes of many female students—gazes filled with curiosity, amazement, and even a hint of worship.

"Look, it's Yang Teng!"

"Is that him? The freshman who defeated Captain Shui Bing'er and Vice-Captain Xue Wu single-handedly while only at the Soul Elder rank?"

"Shh, keep your voice down... though he doesn't look as fierce as the rumors say."

"He is a bit... roguish, with a bad-boy vibe?"

The girls' whispers were not intentionally lowered, and with Yang Teng's keen hearing, he caught every word clearly.

He kept his hands in his pockets, tilting his head slightly as his gaze swept casually over the female students who were looking at him, some boldly and others shyly.

Occasionally, he would return a brilliant smile and a nod to the bolder upperclassmen who took the initiative to greet him.

"Hello, Junior Yang Teng!"

"Junior, do you have time to provide some guidance during this afternoon's practical combat class?"

"Yang Teng..."

Greetings rose and fell one after another. Yang Teng turned none of them away, responding with a grin while his feet remained planted.

A cold, aloof figure walked out from deep within the academy, and the lively atmosphere surrounding him seemed to freeze instantly.

Gu Yena was still wearing her simple yet extraordinarily textured silver robes. Her silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, her face was breathtakingly beautiful, and she radiated an aura of indifference that kept others at a distance.

She walked to Yang Teng's side and glanced at him with her silver eyes, showing no reaction to the surrounding clamor.

"Let's go."

Yang Teng turned naturally and walked side-by-side with Gu Yena toward the street outside the academy.

The female students who had originally wanted to approach him stopped in their tracks, only daring to watch their retreating backs from afar.

"Where are we going?"

Walking along the bustling street, Gu Yena asked.

"The Spirit Hall branch."

Yang Teng answered crisply.

"The Spirit Hall branch?"

Gu Yena's brows furrowed slightly.

As the Sovereign of Soul Beasts, she held no affection for Spirit Hall, one of the highest power structures representing human soul masters.

"What are we going there for?"

Yang Teng shrugged, a mysterious smile appearing on his face.

"You'll know when we get there. Don't worry, we aren't going there to wreck the place."

He deliberately kept her in suspense, offering no further details.

Gu Yena glanced at him, and knowing she wouldn't get more out of him, she fell silent and simply followed along.

The streets of Balak Royal City were prosperous and lively, lined with shops and filled with a dazzling array of goods.

The two wove through the crowd—one roguish and unrestrained, the other cold and ethereal—a rather peculiar combination that drew many eyes.

As they passed an enticing dessert shop, Yang Teng's pace slowed.

His gaze was drawn to a small sign standing at the shop entrance.

The sign was written in a cute font: "New 'Heart-to-Heart' cake now available! Couples get half off!"

Yang Teng's eyes darted around, and an idea formed in an instant.

Without a moment's hesitation, he reached out his right hand and swiftly grabbed the cool, smooth hand of Gu Yena beside him.

"Hey?"

Gu Yena was caught off guard, a flash of astonishment and faint anger crossing her silver eyes.

"What are you doing?"

"Don't speak, just follow me."

Yang Teng lowered his voice, a smile of "successful mischief" spreading across his face.

The clerk behind the counter was a young girl with a sweet smile who watched as Yang Teng pulled Gu Yena inside.

After her gaze lingered on Gu Yena's stunning beauty and her clearly reluctant expression, she immediately offered a knowing and supportive smile.

"Hello, guests. What can I get for you?"

The clerk asked enthusiastically.

Yang Teng held tightly to Gu Yena's hand as she tried to pull away, pointing at the advertisement with his other hand and speaking loudly.

"We'll take that 'Heart-to-Heart' cake. It's half price for couples, right?"

"Yes, sir."

The clerk's smile grew even sweeter, her gaze darting between Yang Teng and Gu Yena.

"You two are truly a match made in heaven, a perfect couple! This cake carries a beautiful sentiment; it's most suitable for enjoying with a girlfriend."

"Girl, girlfriend?"

Only then did Gu Yena fully process the words. A flush of red swept across her cheeks, and she hurriedly waved her hands, her voice urgent.

"No! You've misunderstood! We aren't in that kind of relationship! I am with him..."

As she spoke, she tried even harder to pull her hand from Yang Teng's "clutches," even channeling a bit of her soul power into the effort.

But Yang Teng's hand remained as immovable as an iron clamp, his face still wearing that same innocent, matter-of-fact expression.

Seeing that Gu Yena was truly about to lose her temper, Yang Teng leaned close to her ear and whispered quickly, in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Just play along! Only a fool would pass up a bargain! It's half-price, Xiao Na!"

Gu Yena's movements faltered, her gaze drifting involuntarily toward the sample cake displayed in the glass cabinet.

It did look... very tempting. Yang Teng had already figured out her weakness for sweets.

Still, she pursed her lips and glared at Yang Teng with her silver eyes, her expression clearly saying, "Let go, or I'll beat you up."

Yang Teng's eyes darted again, and he pointed to the paper placed on the table beside the clerk.

"See that? That's exclusive to the couple's set. We might not get this flavor or this promotion next time."

"It's a limited edition!"

Gu Yena blinked twice, her long silver eyelashes fluttering.

The force of her struggle faded away before she even realized it. Although her cheeks remained flushed, she turned her head away and hummed in a voice so soft it was almost inaudible.

"Then let's try it!"

Yang Teng chuckled inwardly, knowing the tactic had worked. He loosened his grip slightly but didn't fully let go of her hand, smiling at the clerk.

"We'll take this cake!"

"Very well, please wait a moment!"

The clerk began preparing it with nimble hands.

While they waited, Gu Yena felt the palm held by Yang Teng growing hot, and the occasional envious or well-wishing glances from those around them made her feel incredibly uneasy.

Soon, the cake was ready.

The two sat at a table by the window, the sweet aroma of the cake wafting toward them.

She picked up a small fork and, unable to wait, dug out a small piece and popped it into her mouth. Her eyes immediately narrowed in bliss, and she quickly dug out several more bites, eating with haste and eagerness.

Yang Teng sat across from her, watching her eat in a way that contrasted sharply with her usual cold demeanor, and a gentle curve involuntarily tugged at the corners of his mouth.

He also picked up a small fork and tasted a piece; the flavor was indeed excellent, sweet but not cloying.

As Gu Yena was enjoying herself, a cherry coated in cream from her fork brushed against the corner of her mouth and fell, looking as if it were about to land on her silver robes.

"Careful."

Yang Teng was quick-witted; he used his own fork to steadily catch the cherry and then, with extreme naturalness, held it out to Gu Yena's lips.

Gu Yena was completely focused on the deliciousness of the cake. Seeing a cream-covered cherry appear by her mouth, she didn't even think, subconsciously opening her lips slightly.

"Ah-woo," she took the cherry and the tip of Yang Teng's fork into her mouth and ate it.

The sweet juice burst in her mouth, and she narrowed her eyes in satisfaction, letting out a faint, short sigh.

However, this sense of satisfaction lasted less than a second.

She suddenly realized what had happened! She had just used her mouth to eat a cherry off the fork Yang Teng had been holding! That was the same fork Yang Teng had just used!

"Boom!"

A wave of heat instantly rushed up to Gu Yena's cheeks and neck. Her entire face turned bright red, and even her earlobes and snow-white neck were stained with pink.

She stared at Yang Teng with wide, disbelieving eyes, then looked at the fork in his hand, which still had a bit of cream on it.

Yang Teng, however, didn't care at all. He put the fork into his own mouth with complete naturalness, his tongue seemingly giving the tip a light lick.

This guy! He definitely did that on purpose!

Gu Yena was both embarrassed and annoyed.

Doesn't this count as an indirect kiss?! This jerk! To think he would use such a despicable method!

She was about to blow up right there and then; even if they were in a shop, she was going to teach this lecher a lesson!

However, just as her aura began to shift, an untimely male voice, dripping with obvious obsequiousness, sounded from nearby.

"Greetings, beautiful lady. I felt you were breathtaking the moment I saw you in the shop. Might I have the honor of making your acquaintance?"

A young man wearing a well-tailored, high-end red suit had appeared before them at some point.

The man was passably handsome, wearing a smile he clearly thought was dashing. He stared intently at Gu Yena, completely ignoring Yang Teng, who still had the fork in his mouth.

He held a vibrant, dew-kissed red rose that had appeared from nowhere, ready to offer it to her.