Chapter 114 – Sentinel & Guide: Becoming Your Exclusive Guide – The Female Lead Appears, and Tangtang Gets a Little Jealous (04)
Since the original plot event that would have sparked public outrage hadn’t occurred, the Bai family was still very attentive and loving toward Bai Tang, their only child. However, to preserve the family’s honor, they were ultimately forced to abandon him.
Now that it’s still early in the plot, the news from Herslet that Bai Tang has been found made the Bai family restless, eager to bring him back immediately. But Herslet covered for Bai Tang, and the Bai family thought, since the two children are about to get married anyway, it might be good to let them build their relationship first. Only by spending time together can they know if they’re truly compatible.
Under the pretense of being concerned about Bai Tang’s disappearance, Simona arrived, clearly displeased, though her face still wore a warm smile like that of the friendly girl next door.
“It’s such a relief that Tang Tang is okay.” Why couldn’t he have just died out there? Simona set down her coffee cup. Under the Bai family’s care, she had learned quite a bit about the manners and etiquette of the upper class.
“Yes, he’s such a worrisome child,” said Madam Bai. Bai Tang had been her only child for over a decade, and she had spoiled him too much, which led to his overly unrestrained personality.
Madam Bai had always wanted a daughter. Simona’s gentleness and obedience made Madam Bai grow fonder of her with every interaction, to the point where she practically regarded her as her own daughter. Lately, she had even been considering finding the right moment to ask Simona if she’d be willing to become her adopted daughter.
“We don’t even know where Tang Tang is. How could he not come home? So thoughtless…” Simona’s words echoed Madam Bai’s own motherly frustration. Still, knowing Herslet was with him gave her some peace of mind.
“I heard from Herslet that he opened a small dessert shop in a nearby city. But that might not be a bad thing. Sooner or later, Tang Tang will inherit his father’s position. Starting to learn early is probably a good thing…” Amid Madam Bai’s rambling, Simona picked up on the key information about Bai Tang’s whereabouts.
She gave a flawless smile and gently interrupted Madam Bai’s attempts to reminisce about Tang Tang’s childhood. It was bad enough hearing about it from Tang Tang himself—having to listen to it all again from Madam Bai was simply too much.
“Madam Bai, Tang Tang is still young and not very mature. I’d like to go to that nearby city to see him. If he’s truly doing well, I’ll feel more at ease too.”
“That’s fine. I have a business banquet in a few days, so I won’t be able to visit Tang Tang myself. If you go check on him for me, I’ll feel more at ease.” Such an understanding child was rare—if only Tang Tang could be half as thoughtful as Simona, she would have no worries at all.
“Here’s an unlimited shopping card. Take it—it’ll be convenient when you’re out and about.” Madam Bai handed her a card.
A flash of triumph flickered in Simona’s eyes, though she continued to politely decline. “Oh, I couldn’t possibly. Madam, you already take such good care of me. How could I accept your shopping card on top of that?”
Simona’s true intention, however, was to get Madam Bai to cover her travel expenses. After all, ever since Herslet rescued her, her food and clothes had all been supplied by government aid. If not for her status as a Guide, she would barely have enough to get by. Only by relying on Bai Tang’s wealthy and powerful background could she hope to live a prosperous life.
“Why be so polite with me, child? After I attend the banquet, I’ll seek the patriarch’s approval to formally adopt you as my goddaughter.”
Madam Bai’s words filled Simona with delight. She stood up in excitement. “Really?”
“Of course.” The more Madam Bai looked at Simona, the more satisfied she felt.
“I’m sorry, Madam—I lost my composure.” Simona quickly regained control of her emotions, though her slightly trembling hands betrayed her inner excitement.
This… this was perfect. Bai Tang, everything you depend on will one day belong to me.
“You’re still calling me ‘Madam’?” Madam Bai smiled.
Simona beamed. “Mother.”
…
Neighboring City.
After Bai Tang and Herslet’s tireless efforts, Tangtang Dessert Shop finally opened!
The shop’s signature item was the system’s favorite—Bingtanghulu1—followed by all sorts of snacks that Bai Tang loved.
Herslet, a sentinel who was good for nothing but brute force, made a complete mess of things while trying to help, especially with the nuts. He wasted so many of Bai Tang’s ingredients that Bai Tang was too angry to even speak. All the favor he had just earned from helping renovate the store vanished in an instant.
Bai Tang gave him the silent treatment. The male lead looked pitiful, while the system laughed gleefully.
“Heeheehee! Too much dog food2 can turn people weird—welcome to the hellish road of winning him back!” said the system.
Anything the system produced was guaranteed to be top-notch. Even a simple recipe couldn’t be matched by anything this world had to offer.
Following the recipe step by step, Bai Tang made a batch of bingtanghulu. The unique style of this never-before-seen dessert instantly won over the crowd. Paired with Bai Tang’s sweet smile, Tang Tang Dessert Shop quickly became wildly popular. The store couldn’t even seat all its customers, and a long line stretched out the door.
When Simona arrived in the neighboring city, this was the scene she saw.
At first, she didn’t know it was Bai Tang’s shop. After walking around and asking a few passersby, she confirmed the address—it was indeed the dessert shop in front of her. A flash of jealousy and resentment crossed her eyes.
Suddenly, she spotted a tall figure at the cash register—it was Herslet.
Simona panicked, but quickly calmed herself down.
When the situation is unclear, don’t lose your composure.
She walked forward, intending to greet Bai Tang, when suddenly someone yanked her ponytail hard, jerking her backward.
She turned her head—and came face to face with a fierce, intimidating face.
“You trying to cut in line?” The man’s biceps gleamed in the sunlight.
Aside from having stronger mental strength and the ability to soothe a sentinel’s spiritual overload, Guides weren’t all that different from regular people.
Ever since living under the Bai family’s protection, Simona hadn’t encountered anyone this brutish in a long time. But the situation wasn’t in her favor, so she swallowed her pride. Amid the disapproving “shhh” from other customers, she walked to the back of the line.
There were always people chatting while waiting in line each day, but Bai Tang was too busy making candied hawthorn skewers to pay any attention to what was happening outside. Instead, it was Herslet at the register—thanks to his sentinel sensitivity—who noticed the scene from earlier with perfect clarity.
He didn’t care at all. Simona was just someone he had rescued by chance—her affairs were now under government management. His duty was to protect his lover and safeguard the alliance. Everything else? None of his concern.
Still, when he glanced back, he saw Tang Tang carefully spinning sugar threads, a fine layer of sweat forming on the tip of his nose.
After swiping a customer’s card, Herslet walked over behind Bai Tang and gently wiped his sweat away with a tissue.
“Want me to help?”
“You don’t even know how~” Bai Tang said, finishing a skewer and setting it aside.
“I can learn. Teach me,” Herslet said, noticing the slight softening in Bai Tang’s expression and pushing his luck. “I’ll go learn it. Once I master it, you won’t have to work so hard anymore. Whenever you want to eat it, I’ll make it for you.”
Bai Tang’s heart stirred—not because of Herslet saying “you won’t have to work so hard,” but because of “I’ll make whatever you want to eat.” It had been so long since he’d had food lovingly made by his hubby, and he missed it terribly.
“Okay,” Bai Tang agreed softly, his voice sweet and glutinous. Two little dimples formed on his cheeks.
Herslet felt a bit intoxicated. Every time he saw Tang Tang smile, his heart grew hot, and his mind could only think about pulling him into his arms and doing the most intimate things with him.
“Open your mouth. Aaah—”
Without thinking, Herslet obeyed Bai Tang’s command. A round treat was popped into his mouth—hot sugar coating the hawthorn inside. Sweet and tangy, and absolutely delicious.
“Tang Tang—” Herslet’s gaze burned with affection as he stepped forward, enclosing Bai Tang within the small cooking station.
“This is your reward. Now get back to the front, go on~” Bai Tang’s cheeks were flushed. It was unclear whether it was from Herslet’s closeness or from standing over the hot fire for so long.
Herslet turned around, releasing the aura unique to a sentinel. The restless customers waiting outside instantly quieted down, not daring to make a sound.
He turned back again and, moving as fast as lightning, brushed a kiss against Bai Tang’s lips—some of the sticky sugar smeared on them as well.
“Delicious. Very sweet.”
Whether he meant the candied hawthorn or Bai Tang himself was unclear. After speaking, he stared intently at Bai Tang’s reaction.
Bai Tang’s face turned so red it looked like it might start dripping blood. Puffing out his cheeks, he gave the man in front of him a gentle push.
“The customers outside are getting impatient—go already~”
With that, he turned around and busied himself with his work, back facing Herslet.
Herslet, completely satisfied, returned to the front counter with a smile tugging at his lips.
Out behind the back door, the two spirit animals were basking in the sun.
The white wolf, sensing its master’s excitement, decided to imitate him and pounce on the little squirrel. But the squirrel, annoyed by the sudden lack of sunlight, lashed out with a swipe of its paw.
The white wolf looked down at its now messy (but uninjured) front leg, feeling aggrieved. Why didn’t it go like it did for my master…?
Simona finally reached the front of the line. After standing in the blazing sun for so long, her once flawless makeup had started to melt.
A faint shadow of smudged black framed her eyes—she no longer looked like the noblewoman carefully styled by Madam Bai.
“Herslet,” she said softly, voice timid as her eyes glanced inside, clearly wary of Bai Tang.
“You and Tang Tang… are you two doing well?” she asked in a near whisper—low enough that Bai Tang inside couldn’t hear her.
Herslet had never felt anything for Simona. No—he had never felt anything for anyone before, not even as the original host before Bai Tang came into his life.
“Mm.” Herslet’s replies to outsiders were always curt and to the point.
Simona hadn’t expected Herslet to be so indifferent toward her. Biting her lower lip, she put on a silent, suffering expression—the same pitiful look that had won her plenty of sympathy from others in the past.
Unfortunately, today, her appearance stirred no compassion at all.
“My—my mother, that is, Madam Bai, is very worried about Tang Tang…”
“I’ve already sent Madam Bai a message. Do you need something? If not, please don’t block the customers behind you,” Herslet replied in a businesslike tone.
“Yeah, exactly! Are you buying something or not? If not, stop holding up the line!” the customer behind her complained, clearly annoyed that this woman was chatting with the handsome guy instead of buying anything.
“Tang Tang, the female lead has appeared. She’s talking to the male lead,” the system reported to the host the moment Simona started speaking to Herslet.
Bai Tang’s hand trembled, and the sugar he was spinning veered off course.
Turning his head, Bai Tang saw Herslet and Simona “chatting and laughing” across the counter.
He immediately recalled that slap, then remembered Herslet’s promise to treat him well and his words about wanting to marry him—rage welled up in his chest.
Anyone who makes friends with my enemies is my enemy.
In Bai Tang’s eyes, Herslet was now chatting with Simona as if they were friends—even though the customers behind them were growing increasingly restless, he made no effort to stop.
Putting down what he was working on, Bai Tang walked straight to the front counter.
He apologized to the customers, then, as Simona opened her mouth but said nothing, he flung open the counter door and forcefully tried to push Herslet out, shouting loudly, “Go with her, then!”
However, the strength difference between a sentinel and a guide was clear—Bai Tang couldn’t move Hersltt at all, and his eyes turned red with frustration.
Herslet didn’t know why Bai Tang’s mood had shifted so suddenly, but his instincts told him something was seriously wrong. As Bai Tang tried to slam the door shut, he used his years of training to slip back inside just in time.
BANG. The door closed.
The remaining customers looked at one another in confusion. Was that whole wait for nothing?
The shop owner usually had a great temper. Clearly, it was this woman’s fault—they had all wasted their time in line because of her.
Simona stared at the tightly shut door and silently cursed it in her heart. Faced with the angry stares of those around her and the whispers and criticisms being thrown her way, she felt deeply uncomfortable. Under their judgmental gazes and muttering, she quickly left.
Author’s Note:
System: I told you the male lead chasing his wife would be like a crematorium3—total burn! Hehehe. All this dog food is driving me nuts.
Notes:
- candied hawthorn skewers
↩︎ - “狗粮” (gou liang) literally means “dog food,” and in this context, it’s slang for public displays of affection that make single people feel like they’re being force-fed sweetness. ↩︎
- “追妻火葬场” (zhui qi huo zang chang) is a popular Chinese internet slang that refers to the “chasing wife in a crematorium” trope—where the male lead suffers greatly while trying to win back the love interest after hurting them. ↩︎