Chapter 28: Is There Anything More Unforgivable Than This?

The 14th floor received a cake—a special afternoon tea mille-feuille, adorned with a fondant piano. The cake occupied half the table, a gift from Wen Li to the entire 14th floor, signed “Thank you, dear Jiang Huan.” She was an incredibly generous friend, also sending over a catalog of her newly signed designers’ collections. The white cover read WL PRESS 2023 S/S , proof she was now a successful businesswoman. The entire floor praised Jiang Huan’s connections, but she simply placed the electronic candle on the table and muttered, “It was unexpected.”

Her feelings toward Wen Li were complicated—she found her ostentatious spending irritating, yet there was a subtle familiarity in her sharp comments during the car incident. This cake felt like a challenge, sealing their newfound friendship.

Bai Jingchuan entered from outside, his eyes glowing with an inscrutable light as he approached the cake. He leaned in to smell it, his body trembling slightly. Jiang Huan inexplicably grew angry. “Do you really like cakes that much?”

“Not particularly.”

“What about the catalog she sent…”

Bai Jingchuan swallowed hard. “These designs are too avant-garde. Think about our original intent—to accompany, not create a dress-up game.” As the cake flashed before his eyes, he still managed a compliment. “The cake looks good. How was it made?”

Jiang Huan’s face visibly darkened.

「Jiang Huan’s Favorability -500.」

Bai Jingchuan froze mid-step, halting his path to the office. “What did I do?”

“The brand box from Wen Li was just a gesture. When it comes to thoughtfulness, you’re clearly more impressive.” Akira’s words carried hidden meaning as she turned to introduce Bai Jingchuan. “She has a natural sense for desserts. Maybe it’s because she’s the daughter of a bakery owner. Even if she casually bakes something, it tastes delicious.”

Jiang Huan forced an unnatural smile. “Don’t flatter me.”

“Sweetheart Bakery?” Bai Jingchuan immediately took the bait.

“Yes, Jiang Huan’s father owns a bakery. ‘Sweetheart’ was Jiang Huan’s childhood nickname. Don’t let her current slim figure fool you—back then, she was a happy little girl who got chocolate cake every day after school, always smiling sweetly. What about you, Teacher Bai? Did you have sweets when you were young?”

“It seems I’ve always been searching for good desserts, but unfortunately, I never found any.” Bai Jingchuan spoke the truth.

Akira pressed on with the topic. “Jiang Huan, since you love making others happy so much, why don’t you bake a cake for Bai Jingchuan?”

“I don’t have time off, and honestly, I’m not in the mood. I’ve been busy fighting against people.”

Another reference to the previous producer. Bai Jingchuan suppressed his craving. “Work is more important—I understand. I’m not that into sweets anyway.”

On the screen, a dessert tutorial video played, demonstrating how to make simple chocolate lava cakes. Jiang Huan avoided praise, but her eyes didn’t leave the process. When the finished cake was sliced onto a white porcelain plate, her eyes lit up. She didn’t want to talk about her childhood bakery—her father’s desserts paled compared to modern sweets—but with an oven, she would love to try again. Unfortunately, there was no space for one at home. Pretending to glance casually, she accidentally caught Bai Jingchuan’s gaze and quickly turned away—

Bai Jingchuan stared hungrily at the dessert, as if he’d never seen a lava cake before. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, and he licked his lips, catching Jiang Huan’s fleeting glance. His collar was buttoned neatly, but the slight constriction only made him appear more… sensual.

Jiang Huan’s thoughts, however, were spiraling. She had accidentally noticed his fingers holding a cookie, instinctively licking them to prevent jam from sticking to the corner of his mouth. The image was unexpectedly… erotic. For some reason, scenes kept flashing in her mind: Bai Jingchuan with two unbuttoned shirt buttons, bathed in golden light, blinking softly. Even swallowing chocolate seemed seductive.

She must be going crazy…

「Jiang Huan’s Favorability +200.」

Bai Jingchuan calmly adjusted his glasses. “What’s wrong? Why are you looking at me like that?”

________________________________________

Two days later, Bai Jingchuan returned to the office to find Jiang Huan portioning out molten chocolate cakes. Seeing her wearing disposable gloves while cutting the cake and arranging equal portions on trays made his bones itch. The dice sighed sympathetically. “Bai Jingchuan, this flaw alone should make you drop the sweet-tooth persona. You’re a proud Executor, yet your bones feel cheap right now.”

The tray was pushed toward him. Bai Jingchuan feigned nonchalance. “I don’t eat sweets—it’s fine, give them to others.”

But as the last piece remained, his eyes kept darting toward the table. A hand reached for the final slice—it belonged to a programmer. Just as he picked it up, Akira shouted, “No way! You promised to drink my bubble tea—I already ordered it for you…”

The programmer was dragged away, and Bai Jingchuan stood nearby, his stomach finally easing from its earlier tension. Jiang Huan said dismissively, “If you don’t appreciate it, then forget it.”

How could he? Bai Jingchuan wanted to bury his head on the table, but instead, he carefully unfolded his fork and slowly placed the bite into his mouth. The flavor explosion struck his brain like lightning. The aroma of cocoa paired with rum shattered his last psychological defense.

He felt defeated. In thirty years, he had never tasted such a delicious dessert. Just one bite left him lamenting: why hadn’t she made a cake big enough to embrace? He would’ve happily devoured it all, willingly surrendering to the rich fragrance.

His spine melted along with the chocolate in his mouth. What kind of chocolate had Jiang Huan used? And how was it made? It created a smooth, silky sensation, like a soft tongue entwining briefly, curling around his taste buds and tempting him to greedily swallow. Terrible—the uncontrollable madness returned. He tried to stay silent, ensuring he didn’t appear out of control in front of others; it would be embarrassing.

The dice couldn’t resist teasing. “Li Bode, I found a phrase that describes your current state: ‘To capture a man’s heart, first capture his stomach.’ I think you’re hooked—you’re intoxicated, like you’re high.”

Each word was drawn out, and Bai Jingchuan furrowed his brow deeply. Jiang Huan was confused by his unpredictable expressions. “Is it good or bad? Do my desserts have top, middle, and base notes?”

“It’s delicious—the best dessert I’ve ever had. I’d love to see you make it sometime.”

“It’s just chocolate cake—don’t exaggerate.”

“I’m complimenting you. Why won’t you look at me?”

「Jiang Huan’s Favorability +50.」

She couldn’t let him keep looking at her like this. Was the producer, at thirty years old, really so inexperienced? He must be fooling her. But Bai Jingchuan followed up earnestly. “Why doesn’t your cake leave an odd aftertaste? It must be premium chocolate—what brand?”

“A friend brought it back from abroad. I’ve kept it in the fridge—it might’ve expired.”

“…”

Jiang Huan wouldn’t admit it was imported chocolate specifically brought back for her, which she hadn’t dared to touch until now. She stayed up all night baking just to surprise Bai Jingchuan. But his reaction was too intense—if she explicitly stated it was prepared for him, the dim room would escalate into a passionate kiss. The way he looked after eating sweets, as if ready to pledge himself, made her unsure whether he was insane or if something was wrong with her.

The dice despised Bai Jingchuan’s naivety. “Li Bode, you’re being foolish. You can’t act like a submissive man in the real world—it’s about learning restraint. If you give your heart away so easily, even the proudest cat will end up dangling by its whiskers…”

「Jiang Huan’s Favorability +200. Notice: Your reality experience level has risen to D, granting permission to select missions and dates independently.」

「Side Quest 2-4: Judgment of Malicious Events—Use your prior identity experience to judge players violating the rules of Realm of Gods . The reward for this mission is a fragment of Mowu City’s story. Use it wisely.」

The dice nearly jumped with joy. “Li Bode, you can start judging again! Executor风采再现 (Executor’s glory returns)!」

Bai Jingchuan remained silent, confirming in the interface that the mission’s reward was still a fragment of Mowu City’s story—he needed to uncover his relationship with Jiang Huan.

________________________________________

Once again, Jiang Huan saw Bai Jingchuan in her dreams. He wore the attire of a judge, standing coldly in a high courtroom. Below him were gray shadows, their features and expressions indiscernible. He passed judgment on these phantoms, and Jiang Huan observed quietly, soon discerning the rules of the verdicts. The shadows were those who had violated game rules and awaited judgment. Bai Jingchuan’s voice was detached, even cruel. Some shadows grieved, others resisted, and a few attempted to attack him, but he effortlessly dodged, reducing them to ashes that vanished under the lamplight. He glanced toward her direction, and Jiang Huan shrank back, but he didn’t see her.

The surroundings were cold and oppressive. Jiang Huan faintly heard Bai Jingchuan’s verdict: “Foolishness and kindness are another form of malice. By failing to make timely decisions, you waste everyone’s time, which is a bad choice for the majority. Precisely because most people are hard to restrain, we need rules. The difficulty of resolving the trolley problem lies in empathizing with those lying on the tracks, but as a judge, I only consider which direction benefits the entire train.”

Hearing such ruthless words, Jiang Huan couldn’t help but ask, “What if someone you care about is lying on the tracks?”

Bai Jingchuan visibly paused. After a moment of silence in the cold courtroom, he replied, “I’ll do my best not to have anyone I care about.”

“What if you do? What if someone you truly care about appears?”

Bai Jingchuan didn’t answer. Instead, he walked toward Jiang Huan, trying to locate her. She thought, he still chose to obey the game’s rules.

Exiting the Hall of Judgment, the wind blew crows off the eaves, and the sky gradually brightened.

Jiang Huan woke up with a mix of regret and helplessness. It was just past nine o’clock, though perhaps due to exhaustion, her nap had lasted longer than usual. She knew nothing about Bai Jingchuan’s background or family—only what Akira had mentioned: Bai Jingchuan had no parents, and there was no information online about any relatives. Indeed, he didn’t seem like someone who had experienced familial bonds; otherwise, how could he lack empathy and compassion? Hesitating, she considered knocking on his door, but didn’t know where to begin in the chat box. Even if she knocked, she couldn’t bring herself to discuss her dream.

With mixed emotions, she baked a batch of cupcakes, piping fresh cream onto each one. Her distracted mind caused her to whip the cream past its optimal texture, leaving it wet and slippery on the cake bases.

When someone suffers a major trauma, their emotional development often freezes at that age, struggling to mature with time. Since her mother’s death, Jiang Huan had found it hard to believe anyone could love her unconditionally. Most people in her dreams lacked affection, and perhaps Bai Jingchuan answered the way he did only in dreams. But his merciless demeanor saddened her. Those who haven’t been loved or experienced tenderness often cling to rules, using logic as a weapon.

She picked up her phone to message Bai Jingchuan. Just as she opened the chat, she saw “…typing…” above his name. Instinctively reaching to open the door, she peeked through the peephole—Bai Jingchuan stood outside, looking as though he were carrying burdens from the recent trial.

Excitedly, she opened the door. Bai Jingchuan’s hand froze mid-knock—he hadn’t misseen; he had come specifically for her. She took the initiative. “You weren’t in the office all day.”

“Did you need something?”

He turned the tables on her.

The scent of cream filled the air. Jiang Huan noticed Bai Jingchuan’s obsession with the aroma, suppressing greedy deep breaths. His fatigue tugged at her heartstrings. Softening, she waved him in. Bai Jingchuan struggled to rein in his rising desire, steadied his breathing, and stepped forward, stopping at the doorway without removing his shoes. “I won’t come in.”

“Why? Are you being so distant with me?” Jiang Huan, wearing a sleep dress covered by a sweater, came over to leave slippers for him, padding barefoot into the kitchen to tidy up. Peeking her head out, she teased, “Are you distrustful, standing at the door like that?”

Bai Jingchuan bent down to pick up the slippers, walked in barefoot, and carefully placed his shoes beside hers. Straightening up, he looked at Jiang Huan from the same angle. She reached out to cover his eyes. “Teacher Bai, don’t look up—I’m wearing a sleep dress.”

「Jiang Huan’s Favorability +100.」

Bai Jingchuan grasped her wrist, pretending to be aggrieved. “Do you really think I’m that kind of person?”

As he spoke, his breathing grew heavier, warm puffs brushing against her palm as it slipped slightly. Jiang Huan felt her composure waver. “Would you ever break the rules?”

It was a test of the dream. Bai Jingchuan feigned ignorance. “What are you talking about?”

“What if someone you couldn’t let go of was in danger, but you had your own principles? Would you change for them?”

Bai Jingchuan, the lofty producer, had ensured Romance Continent ran smoothly by cutting away all time-wasting branches in its progress. His decisiveness earned him respect. Facing this question, he remained calm. “What about you? What do you think?”

“I’d definitely protect the person I love, without hesitation. When you have someone important, you’ll realize that a significant part of life is safeguarding those you love.”

“I would never think that way.”

“Not necessarily.” Jiang Huan attempted one last push with the remaining cream. “You’ll understand eventually.”

“You think I’ll be swayed by you?”

“We’re at different stages and mindsets. I lost my mother, but I know she loved me deeply. You haven’t experienced that yet. And perhaps someday, I’ll come to understand that achieving greater success requires sacrifice—making others’ efforts meaningful. We’re just out of sync, but with time, our souls will resonate. Just try to accept it.”

“What does that even mean?”

Jiang Huan thought of her mother in the dream, forever stubborn and refusing to acknowledge her. Smiling softly, she replied, “If it’s good, call it an echo across time. If it’s bad… call it aftershocks.”

The final cupcake was ready. The cream stood upright in peaks, exuding a delicate sweetness. Jiang Huan blushed slightly. “I tried a new recipe—just experimenting. The cream didn’t whip well, so I added some lemon juice after chilling it. I planned to make six to eight, but only ended up with one. It was meant for me, though I suppose I could give it to you.”

“Why save it for me?”

“As the producer, you’ve guided the project skillfully and taken care of me. Plus, you didn’t get to eat the molten chocolate cake the other day. A grown man looking at me with such longing eyes—it’s like seeing a child craving sweets. Yes, exactly that look you’re giving me now—”

Under his intense gaze, Jiang Huan grew nervous. Fearing her fingers might smudge the cream puff, she used only her fingertips, but they slipped, sending the dessert tumbling to the floor with a soft plop . Her heart sank. Picking it up wouldn’t do—it was dirty. But there was only one, and she had intended it as a playful tease… Sighing, she decided he simply wasn’t destined to taste her desserts.

She crouched down to retrieve it. “Dirty things won’t harm you if eaten—but I’ll eat this one. I’ll make another batch soon and invite you over.”

“Wasn’t it for me?”

“It fell on the floor—it can’t be eaten.” Jiang Huan gestured toward the trash bin. “It’s not valuable. I’ll bake you another one later.”

Changing plans was wavering; making promises without immediate fulfillment was issuing empty checks. For an Executor, nothing could exist outside his control. His craving for sugar had driven him nearly mad. Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed Jiang Huan’s wrist. Her fingers were still coated with cream, and his uncontrollable sweet tooth pushed him over the edge. Jiang Huan protested, “Wait, it fell on the floor. You’re squeezing too hard—the cream puff will burst…”

「Jiang Huan’s Favorability +500.」

The cream exploded in his hand. Childlike Bai Jingchuan got a dab of cream on his nose as he finally savored the long-awaited bite. It was unlike anything from Mowu City or any real-world bakery—a sweet, ethereal flavor that captivated every taste bud, making them dance joyfully. He finally tasted it, even rolling his tongue slightly in satisfaction. But then he realized—

He was gripping Jiang Huan’s wrist, and his mouth encased not just the cream but also—her finger.

________________________________________

PS: Xiao Zhang is here! Another late-night update, but after reading the comments from the previous chapter, I now understand everyone’s tastes… Welcome to add this story to your bookshelf and vote for recommendations. Today is another day waiting for all of you to join the fun!