Cui Hao looked extremely dissatisfied. "This is so unfair!" he whined. "Song Fan gave you a regular, new-flavor fruit tea, while I was forced to taste that awful Photinia flower fruit tea. Song Fan, you’re obviously playing favorites!"

Xue Yang took a light sip of his lemonade, the cool drink seemingly washing away his irritation.

He looked up slightly when he heard Cui Hao’s complaint and asked in confusion, "Photinia flower fruit tea?"

Cui Hao guiltily avoided Xue Yang’s gaze and explained defensively, "Song Fan tricked me first! I was just trying to see if I could pull the same prank on you. If you’re going to blame someone, blame her. I’m telling you, the moment this Photinia flower fruit tea launches, I bet it’ll scare away the shop’s only loyal fan."

The "loyal fan" he was referring to was, of course, Miss Deng Baoling, who had a particular fondness for Song Fan’s durian fruit tea. She visited the tea shop almost every day just to get another taste of that unique fruit tea.

Because of this, Song Fan decided to go ahead and launch the durian fruit tea, though for now, it was available exclusively to Deng Baoling.

Though initially disheartened by Cui Hao’s words, Song Fan now seemed to find a renewed sense of hope. She said proudly, "Baoling is my most loyal fan. I’m sure she’ll love this Photinia flower fruit tea."

Cui Hao shook his head helplessly and sighed. "Song Fan, you’re giving me a headache. I seriously see no future for your Photinia flower fruit tea. You’d better not bring your boss down with you." Then, he turned to Xue Yang. "Godfather, you aren’t really planning to put this tea on the market, are you?"

Just then, a crisp, pleasant voice came from outside. "I think I heard someone talking about me."

The three of them looked toward the voice just in time to see the shop’s loyal fan, Deng Baoling, push the door open and walk in, her presence immediately capturing everyone’s attention.

Upon seeing her, Song Fan greeted her warmly, "Baoling, you’re here!"

Deng Baoling gave her a sweet smile, then turned to Xue Yang, her cheeks flushing slightly. "...Hello," she said softly.

Cui Hao teased from the side, "What? Only a hello for the Godfather? Am I invisible over here?"

Only then did Deng Baoling notice Cui Hao, hastily adding, "Oh, hello to you too." Her voice was a bit rushed but still gentle and pleasant.

Cui Hao continued to tease her. "That was a bit of a rushed hello, don’t you think? After all, I’m a regular witness to your visits."

Deng Baoling became even more embarrassed by his joke and lowered her head in silence.

Cui Hao was already used to this. Whenever Xue Yang was around, his own presence would diminish until he was just part of the scenery. But it wasn’t just him. Anyone who stood next to Xue Yang—with the sole exception of Lin Xi—would fade into the background. Somehow, that thought made him feel a little better.

"Song Fan, I remember you mentioned a newly developed fruit tea. Could I perhaps try it?" Deng Baoling asked Song Fan with a smile.

"I wouldn’t try that if I were you," Cui Hao interjected, shooting a sideways glance at Song Fan. "Otherwise, I’m afraid you’ll suffer from some serious aftereffects. Just look at me—I’m a complete wreck. Only a fresh, fragrant new fruit tea can possibly cure me now."

"Cui Hao," Song Fan warned, "if you keep talking nonsense, you’ll be paying for your own milk tea from now on."

"Pay? How could I possibly pay? This is the Godfather’s tea shop!" Cui Hao retorted.

"Boss, look at his attitude!" Song Fan turned to Xue Yang and complained.

Xue Yang smiled slightly and slowly said, "Hmm, pay up."

"Godfather, are you serious?" Cui Hao asked incredulously.

"I wasn’t planning on being this serious," Xue Yang teased, "but considering how ’dutifully’ you tried to set me up just now, I think paying for your own tea might make you even more ’dutiful’."

Hearing this, Cui Hao couldn’t help but let out a howl of anguish. He inwardly regretted ever trying to mess with Xue Yang.