No longer a pushover (Noelle and Cedric)

Noelle stared blankly at Cedric's message for a long time.

Grace walked out of the bathroom after her shower. "Noelle, what's got you spaced out?"

"If a guy tells you, 'Let's not talk about money, let's talk about love,' what does that mean?"

Grace's eyes lit up with excitement. "There are two possibilities."

"Let's hear them."

"The first possibility: He likes you and is trying to hint at it."

Noelle shook her head. "Impossible."

"Then the second possibility: He wants to sleep with you but doesn't want to

spend money-basically trying for a no-cost strategy."

Noelle couldn't help but laugh. "That's even more impossible."

She glanced at the chat again and responded with just an ellipsis.

Meanwhile, Cedric saw her response and turned to Zachary. "Have someone deliver another batch of those cream from last time."

Zachary nodded and kept driving.

Cedric went straight to his usual hangout with his friends. After sitting down, he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Alfred walked over. "Well, well, Cedric, did you hurt your arm? You've got a bunch of Band-Aids on, and they're pink too."

The others gathered around, laughing. "They really are pink!"

One guy reached out to peel off a Band-Aid, only for Cedric to smack his hand away. "Don't touch."

"Oh, come on your Band-Aid's peeling at the edges, and you still won't let anyone touch it?"

"You're guarding it like a treasure. Who put it on for you? Must've been a girl."noveldrama

"And it's pink. I bet she's really young. Is she even an adult yet?"

Cedric frowned. "All of you get lost. Don't ask any more questions."

Alfred waved the curious crowd away and sat beside Cedric. "Nelly put it on, didn't she?"

Cedric didn't deny it.

Alfred continued, "Why did you suddenly message me, asking me to block Justin's card and keep him out of L Bistro?"

"To teach him a lesson!"

Cedric recalled Xenia's smug, bitchy act from earlier and wanted to stand up for Noelle.

He explained the situation, and Alfred clicked his tongue. "That scheming little bitch just won't quit, huh? Don't worry; this is an easy fix. My aunt has always hated women like her—especially ones from humble backgrounds."

Cedric sipped red wine and added, "There's one more thing."

"What is it?"

"Never mind."

Cedric stopped himself. He couldn't bring up the image of Noelle standing with Magnus. They were both young, about the same age-especially since Noelle had taken the initiative to ask about Magnus.

The wine in his mouth suddenly tasted much more bitter.

Noelle received the new batch of cream the next day, and there were many more this time. She took a photo, sent it to Cedric, and then transferred the payment. After doing that, she headed to class.

Grace leaned in and whispered, "Is he your boyfriend? Or someone pursuing you?"

"Neither; just a friend," Noelle replied, quickly changing the subject. "There's a gaming community banquet this weekend. Quite a few industry insiders will be there. Are you interested in going?"

"Sure, I'd love to check it out."

"Then, let's go together."

Noelle had her own reasons for attending the banquet-she needed to secure sponsorships.

Not long after, Noelle's phone chimed. She instinctively grabbed it, thinking it might be Cedric's reply. But it wasn't.

Michael had messaged her. "Don't forget about the banquet this weekend."

"I know," she replied, then glanced at her chat with Cedric. As expected, there was still no response.