Chapter 7

"You actually played me!" LenXiao Merrill realized, reaching out to pat Karl Jess with a smile. "But you're being considerate—you still remembered your promise to teach me all the techniques of bread-making. Now you want to escape? No way!"

"I understand, I understand, my employer," Karl Jess said with a smile as he stepped aside. "I'm off to the bakery to make bread right now—but don't try to peek at my secret recipe!"

"I must see it! This is my territory—I want to be wherever I please!" LenXiao Merrill watched his retreating figure, her smile impossible to conceal. In truth, she knew deep down that she couldn't bear to see Karl Jess leave; even if only in words, she wished he would remain by her side forever.

As Karl Jess entered the bakery, his smile gradually faded. He actually loved this place called Bread Tree—free from the city's hustle and bustle, filled with warmth and tranquility, and above all, with LenXiao·Merrill. He needed that salary, but more importantly, he needed a reason to stay by LenXiao·Merrill's side.

The summer vacation had ended, and LenXiao·Merrill must return to school for classes. Dragging her luggage back to the dormitory, she was suddenly embraced by a petite figure as soon as she reached the door.

"Lun Xiao Merrill! You're finally back!" A familiar voice called out. Without even looking, Lun Xiao Merrill recognized her as Isolde Soyer—her closest friend since childhood, who had been by her side throughout elementary school, middle school, high school, and even managed to secure the same dorm room for her during college.

Isolde Søye was petite in stature yet an outstanding student excelling academically and morally, making her the object of admiration for many boys at school. Yet when it came to LenXiao Merrill, she never put on airs, always attending to her needs with meticulous care. Even during her years living with autism, Isolde Søye remained by her side unwaveringly.

"Where have you been all summer?" Isolde Søye asked, releasing her hand while frowning. "I waited for you the entire summer, yet you didn't call me once. Could it be that you were too busy with your romance to think of my best friend?"

The other two girls in the dormitory, Mu Xue and Viola Hicks, also joined in, cheering along: "That's right! LenXiao Merrill, come clean—have you got a boyfriend? Otherwise, why have you been nowhere all summer?

Len Xiao Merrill's face turned red instantly, and he quickly waved his hand: "No, no—I'm just busy running my family's bakery. How could I have a boyfriend? Don't speculate."

"I'm shy! Shyness is just being natural! the three girls exclaimed in unison, deliberately teasing her.

"Stop this!" Lunsiao Merrill grabbed the pillow beside him and threw it at them. "It was you who didn't contact me, yet now you're blaming me—how heartless of you."

The dormitory instantly filled with laughter and joy. As LenXiao·Merrill looked at her closest friend beside her, a warm feeling washed over her. Since being diagnosed with autism, she had rarely experienced such lively moments; it was Isolde Soyer and others who gradually brought her back to a normal life and allowed her to feel the warmth of friendship.

On the first day of university, there are no scheduled courses—only a Club Activity Festival. The school organizes this event to enrich freshmen's extracurricular lives and help them make new friends. A university offers a wide variety of clubs, each unique and diverse, leaving visitors utterly amazed.

The four of them had originally planned to visit the club together, but then Viola Hicks suddenly had a sudden idea and suggested, "Let's go see some handsome guys! I've found out that most of the attractive members at University A are in the Music Instrument Club—those guys there are both talented and handsome; they'll definitely not disappoint us!

Lensoe Merrill rolled his eyes: "You said the same thing last year, and when we went there, we didn't even see a single handsome guy."

"This time is different!" Viola Hicks said confidently, pounding her chest. "I've done my research—there are several handsome new members joining the instrument club this year, and they're absolutely stunning!"

Isolde Soyer and Muxue were instantly convinced; they pulled Viola Hicks toward the Music Instrument Club. Before leaving, they quipped to LenXiao Merrill, "LenXiao Merrill, if you want to see your photography work at the Light and Shadow Club, go ahead on your own—we're here to admire handsome guys and will bring you photos later!"

Len Xiao Merrill shook her head helplessly as she watched the three of them walk away, muttering to herself: "What a bunch of flowerheads." Yet she genuinely loved photography and had long heard that University A's Light and Shadow Society was exceptional—why not go see it for herself?

Len Xiao Merrill approached the Light and Shadow Society's booth and was instantly captivated by the photographic works displayed on the screen. The images showcased everything from mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas to everyday scenes of human life—each one rendered with such vivid detail that she felt as if she were right there in the scene.

Lensoe Merrill rarely travels alone, yet she has always dreamed of one day exploring every place she loves. These photographs have fueled her boundless imagination and strengthened her commitment to photography. Whenever she feels down, viewing these beautiful images instantly dispels all her worries.

As she was lost in the world of photographs, a clear microphone voice interrupted her thoughts: "Hello everyone, welcome to A University's Light and Shadow Society. I'm sure all of you are photography enthusiasts. Now, please welcome our president—Carl Jies."

"Carl Jass?" Len Xiao Merrill suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with shock. "Impossible! They must share the same name and surname. The Carl Jass she knew was merely a baker—how could he possibly be the president of the A Light and Shadow Society?"

A round of enthusiastic applause erupted around them as a familiar figure slowly ascended the stage. When Len Xiao Merrill looked closely, his heart skipped a beat—the person on stage was indeed Karl Jess!

On stage, Karl Jess wore a pristine white shirt and meticulously groomed hair; his face had shed its usual carefree air, replaced by confidence and composure. Standing there, he radiated an extraordinary presence—a stark contrast to the Karl Jess who usually engaged in playful banter with her beneath the Bread Tree, his face covered in flour.

Len Xiao Merrill was stunned. She had worked with Karl Jass for two months without ever knowing he was also a student at University A, let alone that he was the president of the Light and Shadow Society. When she mentioned her time studying there to him earlier, he had shown no reaction whatsoever—clearly, he had been deliberately keeping it secret from her!

She suddenly recalled the meticulous care Karl Jess showed whenever he made bread, the profound insights he occasionally shared, and the complex emotions that would flicker in his eyes when he looked at her. It dawned on her that she had never truly understood him—his being held within him countless secrets she was unaware of.

Lensoe Merrill stepped back quietly, his heart filled with mixed emotions. Why had he kept her in the dark? Who was he really? Had he come to Bread Tree merely to work? Countless questions arose in her mind, making it even harder for her to understand Carl Jess.