Joan Alden wanted this effect, and impatiently urged, "I don’t care, Serena Sterling, quickly go clean up." Serena grabbed Shania, "Okay, I’ll go clean up." Seeing Serena take the tools, Shania still argued, "Group Leader Alden, I think this is not Director Pace’s intention, but yours, right? You’re deliberately making things difficult for Serena!" Joan Alden looked at Shania’s chubby figure with disdain, "Shania, how did you become friends with Serena Sterling? Sure enough, birds of a feather flock together. I don’t care about your affairs, but don’t call me in front of others. Look how fat you’ve become. How could I ever like you? You embarrass me in front of everyone!" Shania’s eyes quickly turned red, "Joan Alden, so this is what you think. Since I embarrass you, let’s cancel the engagement!" "You said it, no backing out!" Joan Alden quickly seized her words, afraid she might regret it. "I said it, and I won’t regret it!" With that, Shania also ran to pick up the tools, "Serena, I’ll help you, let’s clean up together!" Shania liked Joan Alden. He was handsome, had a good family background, and was an outstanding medical student. All aspects were good, and now that they’ve called off the engagement, Shania cried her heart out. Serena consoled, "Shania, don’t be sad over Joan Alden. He’s not right for you. You’ll find someone much better in the future." Serena didn’t tell Shania that Joan Alden had fallen for Yasmine. His character is flawed and not suitable for the pure and lovable Shania. Shania forced herself to hold back her sorrow, wiped her tears, "Mm, Serena, I won’t cry. It’s not worth being sad for him!" The two started cleaning from noon and continued until evening, managing to clean only one building. Shania was too tired to even feel sad, both of them were exhausted. The research institute was closing down for the night. Shania packed her things to go home, "Serena, let’s leave together." Serena shook her head, "Shania, I need to go back to the pharmacy to review the herbs. You’ve been exhausted all day, go home and rest." Shania wanted to stay, but on second thought, she had no interest in medicine and staying wouldn’t be worthwhile, so she dragged her weary legs and waved, "Serena, then I’m heading home." After bidding farewell to Shania, Serena returned to the pharmacy. The lights were already off, and it was pitch dark. Serena had only just come here today and hadn’t had the chance to find the light switch, so she groped her way forward. Then "thud," she bumped into a wall. Her forehead hurt a lot. Serena covered her forehead and looked up, seeing a handsome face in the darkness. Serena screamed in fright, "A ghost, a ghost is here!" Just then, with a "snap," the light was turned on, and the dim light poured down slowly. Serena saw clearly the "ghost" in front of her wasn’t actually a ghost, but rather was the man who had been doing nothing but sleeping in the pharmacy. Serena looked at him. The man was very young, perhaps around twenty-two or twenty-three, and strikingly handsome, with a clean and clear aura, like a noble gentleman straight out of a comic. "You... why don’t you make any noise when you walk? You nearly scared me to death." The man had a pair of extremely cold black eyes and said nothing, just glanced at her indifferently, then returned to his chair to continue sleeping. How could he still sleep after a whole day of napping? Also, is he not speaking because... he’s mute? Serena felt this man was strange, but she quickly looked away and began reviewing the 12,800 kinds of herbs. Even geniuses need to burn the midnight oil, and all talent requires diligence and hard work. There are no shortcuts in this world. Serena started memorizing the herbs, but she was too tired and fell asleep in the chair after a short rest. The entire pharmacy became silent. The man who was napping woke up, opened his eyes, and slowly took out a medical book to read. "Second Young Master," a black-clad subordinate came in, "this is the supper you requested." The subordinate respectfully presented... a cup of instant noodles. The man didn’t lift his head and said indifferently, "Leave it." "Second Young Master, there are quite a lot of delicacies in Bayside, although they may not compare to those in the City of Aethelgard. They’re still better than instant noodles. You often eat these instant noodles, and if the madam knew, she’d be heartbroken. Also... Second Young Master, you’ve returned to the country for quite some time now, isn’t it about time you went home...?" The subordinate cautiously observed the man’s expression. The man never lifted his head, "Leave." The subordinate quickly ran out. The man flipped through the medical book in his hands, perhaps finding its contents too dull, so he tossed the book aside and walked over to Serena. The girl’s face was covered with a veil. Exhausted, she had fallen into a deep sleep, her pure, jet-black hair spread across her cheek, adding a touch of softness. The man reached out to remove the veil from her face. But just then, a string of melodious phone chimes rang, a call was coming through on Serena’s phone. The man looked down at the phone on the table, with the name Mr. Crawford flashing on the screen. The man slowly withdrew his hand. Serena was awakened by the phone’s ringtone. She sat up, and the man who was sleeping there earlier had disappeared. Updates are released by NoveI(F)ire.net Mr. Crawford was calling. Serena quickly picked up the phone and answered, "Hello, Mr. Crawford." Hayden Crawford’s deep, magnetic voice slowly transmitted to her ear, "Why did you take so long to answer my call? If you were any later, I’d have thought about coming over to catch someone in the act." "...Mr. Crawford, your imagination is running wild again. I’m still at the research institute. I dozed off for a bit because I was too tired. Are you going to hold that against me too?" She used "too," her sweet, youthful voice slightly rising, very charming, mimicking how he usually spoke. Hayden Crawford curled his thin lips, his voice turning soft and gentle, "Should I come pick you up?" "No, don’t come and disturb me. You should have seen the news, right? Director Pace is going to conduct a spot check on me in three days. Everyone’s waiting to see me make a fool of myself. I’m working overtime to make sure they don’t underestimate me!" Hayden Crawford didn’t insist, he smoothly changed the topic, chatting nonchalantly, "Have you met any handsome guys today? I’ve heard there are quite a few well-born handsome men in the confidential department..." Serena felt that besides being assertive and domineering in his actions, Hayden Crawford was also particularly possessive and controlling over her. She kept emphasizing that she wanted to take her revenge personally, and he let her have her freedom, but he kept strict control over the male friends around her.