You are all bad women! Don't come over!

Shen Mochen curiously leaned forward.

Yuncui had highly praised her teammates as being more beautiful than herself, and though it was a modest statement, at least they weren't unpleasant to look at.

In the photo was a young girl in a white dress, standing beside a willow tree, a smile on her face.

Her thick, glossy hair almost reached her waist—it was styled in a simple middle part, yet it did nothing to hide her beauty and elegance.

Her face was as delicate as a painting, radiating a unique, demure beauty, comparable even to Yin Huailian, Caiyu, Yuncui, and Catherine.

Even though it was just a photo, one could still perceive the scholarly aura of a well-bred lady. She appeared innocent and graceful, like a quietly blooming white lotus, her demeanor distinct. Read exclusive adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

For some reason, Shen Mochen's heart suddenly "thumped."

It wasn't that the girl in the photo had captivated him, but rather, he felt a sense of familiarity.

Had he seen her before? Yet he had no recollection. A girl this pretty wouldn't be easily forgotten after just one encounter.

"Tehe, are you spellbound?" Yuncui, somewhat proud, retrieved her phone and tapped Shen Mochen's nose, "But it's no use, she's already engaged!"

Shen Mochen snapped out of it and waved his hands, "No, no, I just felt like I've seen her somewhere."

"Do you know her from before?"

"I shouldn't, how could I possibly know such a young lady?"

"Oh, I see…" Yuncui nodded, not dwelling on it, and returned to the previous conversation with a proud tilt of her nose, "See, didn't I tell you? Our Chaoyan is a real beauty!"

Shen Mochen nodded seriously, "Yes, indeed, you're right. Zhao Yuji really doesn't match up to her!"

"Hahaha, that's not necessarily true, not necessarily…"

Shen Mochen chuckled along, but for some reason, ever since he saw Zhao Yuji's fiancée, he felt somewhat uneasy.

It wasn't jealousy over Zhao Yuji having such a beautiful fiancée; it was the conjured memories of the past—Donut and the girl in the white dress—each stirring his distant recollections.

In his childhood, he couldn't afford cakes; in his poverty, even mice would shake their heads at his home—a luxury like that was beyond his reach.

He would often pause at the doorstep of cake shops, envying the well-dressed people coming and going.

The decoration inside the cake shop was as romantic as a fairy tale world, filled with endless chocolate and cakes, and yet he would lower his head, cautiously peeking into this fairy tale world.

At a young age, he had learned a cruel truth: there were many wonderful things in the world, yet none were meant for him.

He could only gaze through the glass at another world, gulping down his saliva, then walk away somberly.

Until one day, a little girl about his age came out of the cake shop. Her black hair was neatly combed, her skirt as white as snow, as beautiful as a fairy tale princess. She looked at him and smiled—it might have been a scornful smile, but it was friendly too. Seemingly aware of Shen Mochen's longing, she handed him the half-eaten Donut she had.

Shen Mochen stared at the Donut for a long time—or at least, he thought it was a long time. Then, halfway between taking and grabbing, he took the half-Donut from the girl and ran away, too embarrassed to lift his head.

He had forgotten the taste of that Donut, remembered only that it was sweet. He ate it while he cried, the tears salty. After so many years, he still vividly remembered the girl's smile.

It was devoid of malice, yet the pain it induced was precisely because of that. Every time he recalled it, it felt like a sharp thorn fiercely stabbing into the young boy's pride.

Since then, Donuts had become the food he was most reluctant to touch, an unforgettable memory over the years.

Occasionally, Shen Mochen would also remember the princess-like girl in the white dress, but each memory brought overwhelming shame. He didn't know what expression she had as he ran away.

Was it with sympathy and pity? He would have rather it been disgust and disdain.

"I'm going home to do my homework now, see you tomorrow, Sister Cai."

He didn't continue the conversation on this topic and after finishing his meal, Shen Mochen stood up to say goodbye.

"Oh, alright, finish early and rest early too!" Yuncui smiled as she walked Shen Mochen to the door.

Shen Mochen smiled and nodded, then gently closed the door.

Don't think too much about it, it's just a tiny dark history, why care so much? Many things done in childhood were worse than this, it's been so long, surely that little girl has forgotten by now. It's not like seeing a girl in a white dress would remind him of her!

Upon returning home, Shen Mochen settled down to do his homework. But before long, there was a knock on the front door.

"Who is it?" Shen Mochen walked out of his room.

"Little Mochen, it's me!" Yuncui's crisp voice sounded from outside.

Shen Mochen relaxed and hurried to open the door, where he saw Yuncui holding a fruit plate, looking at him with a beaming smile.

"Little Mochen, I cut some fruit. I can't finish it all by myself, so I brought some over for you."

"Oh, thank you, Sister Cai." Shen Mochen knew these were his own fruits that she had cut and brought over, and he felt a warmth in his heart. He took the fruit plate and invited her in, "Do you want to come in and sit for a while?"

"Sure... but won't I be disturbing your homework?"

"It's no bother, we don't have much homework today, and I'm almost done!"

"Alright then, I'll just stay for a little while." Yuncui pursed her lips, brushed the hair by her ear, and stepped in after taking off her shoes.

Shen Mochen hurriedly said, "You can come in directly, no need to change shoes..."

Yuncui laughed but did not follow his suggestion, took off her shoes, and walked barefoot into Shen Mochen's house.

"Wow, your place is so tidy!"

Yuncui walked into the living room, looked around, and couldn't help but commend him.

Shen Mochen's home had only simple furniture and decorations, but it was very tidy, like a newly renovated house that no one had lived in yet. But it was even cleaner than a new house, with not a speck of dust on the floors or walls.

Yuncui exclaimed with surprise on her face, "Do you clean all this by yourself?"

Shen Mochen nodded: "Yeah..."

"I never expected a guy to be so capable; your room is even tidier than mine! Even Chaoyan, who is a clean freak, wouldn't find a fault here. I really wish Qingrou would learn from you!"

Shen Mochen smiled modestly, "It's nothing special, just the early responsibilities of a poor kid!"

"Ha ha, I was even thinking, if your place was messy, I'd help you clean… But it seems like there's no need for that, it's great!"

Yuncui reached out and patted Shen Mochen on the head.

Shen Mochen gently pulled away, placed the fruit plate on the dining table, and turned to get her slippers, "Sister Cai, come eat as well!"

"Sure." Yuncui nodded.

The two sat quietly eating fruit, with Yuncui occasionally glancing at Shen Mochen, until she couldn't hold back anymore, "You seem to be in a bad mood, do you feel tired from doing chores all the time?"

"Not at all, my classmates are all good people, they won't let me handle chores for too long... I guess they'll take over in a couple of days." Shen Mochen speared a piece of pineapple and put it in his mouth, speaking indifferently.