Chapter 112

Lucy White's eyelashes fluttered as she turned her face away from Ethan Smith's suggestive remark.

"Why don't you ask the group what they'd like to drink?" she murmured, deftly changing the subject.

The corner of Ethan's lips curved upward. He knew she was dodging the topic but played along. "Sure."

His slender fingers tapped across his phone screen as he sent the question to their production crew's group chat.

The pair walked side by side into the ice cream parlor, greeted by a refreshing blast of air conditioning.

"What would you like?" Lucy asked as they approached the counter.

"Lemonade," Ethan answered without hesitation.

Lucy turned to him in surprise. "You like that too?"

His gaze softened as it rested on her. "Always have."

Truthfully, he'd grown to love the sweet-tart flavor only after learning it was her favorite.

By the time they placed their order, Ethan had already received responses from most of the group. For those who hadn't replied, they selected popular drinks by instinct.

The large quantity meant they had to wait, so they settled at a table by the window.

"Oh my god, it's Lucy and Ethan!" A group of girls behind the counter whispered excitedly, barely containing their squeals.

"They're even more gorgeous in person!"

"Look how perfect they look together—our ship is sailing!"

"Did you see how Ethan looks at her? So tender..."

Though they spoke in hushed tones, every word reached Lucy and Ethan's ears.

A ponytailed girl stealthily raised her phone, snapping several photos of the pair.

Ethan noticed from his periphery but didn't stop her. Instead, he subtly leaned closer to Lucy.

Catching his move, Lucy couldn't help but chuckle softly.

When their order was ready, Ethan gathered most of the bags, leaving only the lightest few for Lucy.

"I'll take the heavy ones," he said, as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

The ponytailed girl quickly captured this moment too before rushing over, cheeks flushed, to ask for autographs. She confessed honestly about taking their pictures.

"That's fine," Lucy said warmly as she signed, giving the girl a playful wink. "Send me the good ones."

The girl nearly jumped with excitement. The moment Lucy and Ethan left, she posted the photos in the fan group chat.

Three images instantly set the fandom ablaze:

The first showed Lucy's profile by the window, sunlight gilding her silhouette.

The second captured the pair sharing a smile, Ethan's gaze overflowing with affection.

The third was their retreating figures, Ethan's hand hovering protectively behind Lucy's back.

"I'm deceased! This is too sweet!"

"That look from Ethan just ended me!"

"They're totally real! That protective stance—I can't!"

Amid the squealing, one dissenting voice emerged:

"They don't match at all. Lucy is clearly better with Michael Johnson."

The chat froze for a second before erupting:

"??? Girl, wake up!"

"That jerk Michael doesn't deserve our Lucy!"

"Childhood friends means nothing after how he hurt her!"

Michael Johnson, reading these responses, nearly threw his phone in frustration.

Just then, a knock sounded at the practice room door.

The trainees cheered when they saw Lucy and Ethan carrying drinks.

"Thank you, Mr. Smith! Thank you, Ms. White!"

Olivia Davis accepted her grape milk tea with a grateful smile. Michael stood to the side, watching Lucy intently.

Ethan casually offered him a juice, which Michael ignored.

"I want lemonade," Michael said pointedly to Lucy, his tone bordering on petulant.

Lucy sighed. "Since when do you like sour things?"

"I do now," he insisted stubbornly.

"None left." She pushed a watermelon juice into his hands. "Take it or leave it."

Michael's eyes lit up. "You remembered I—"

"Ethan chose it," Lucy cut him off.

His smile vanished instantly, glaring at the juice as if it had personally offended him.

Ethan bit back a laugh. "Shall we visit the next practice room?" he suggested to Lucy.

After they left, Michael slammed the untouched drink onto a table.

Olivia gave him a pitying look and shook her head.

When Lucy and Ethan approached Lily Green's practice room, Vanessa Knight's icy voice carried through the door:

"What, you think you're some princess everyone should obey?"

This was followed by Lily's tearful reply: "I was just making a suggestion..."