Chapter Three

Song Bai doesn't quite look like a typical boy from the northeast region, as he is not tall and has a frail bone structure. His head is dropped slightly with a slight blush that extends from his earlobes to his neck. He has a fair complexion, and that hint of redness immediately catches the eye.

Ji Suiyun's gaze lingered for a few seconds on the area around Song Bai's neck and waist, his eyes revealing a subtle admiration. However, without saying a word, his gaze naturally shifted away, displaying restraint and gentlemanly behavior.

He left. He motioned for the girl to come over and there was a hint of sternness in his expression: Don't wander off on your own anymore.

(Note: In translating from Chinese to English, it is important to consider the cultural and linguistic differences between the two languages. As a general rule, I aim to translate into American English and preserve the intended tone, meaning, and context of the original text.)

Song Bai quickly said, The little girl's dress is stained. Please tell me how much it will be to clean it. I'll pay for the dry cleaning.

No need, it's not a big deal, said Ji Suiyun in a gentle and peaceful tone. The indifferent attitude that naturally emanated from someone who had been in a high position made others feel ashamed and embarrassed. There's nothing to worry about. Let's go.

After Song Bai finished bidding farewell to Xie, he waited until they turned around before he tightly gripped his bag and ran off into the distance.

He patted his heart and felt that he had been subjected to a considerable mental pressure.

Once Song Bai arrived at the restaurant, he only realized that his colleagues were more enthusiastic than ever before, with all of them having already arrived and gathered.

Wow, you're so slow, Song Bai. Even when it comes to eating, you're not enthusiastic at all, a colleague greeted him with a laugh.

Just now, I was looking down at my phone and bumped into a little girl... Song Bai had a depressed look on his face.

Hahaha, you should think about it positively. At least you hit a little girl. If you had hit an old lady, I don't think you could have handled it.

Song Bai just smiled without saying a word. He poured himself a glass of mango juice and took a big gulp to calm his mood.

Oh, my little brother, you're not doing well. You drank water till you're full, but are you going to eat vegetables later? Li Yang smacked Song Bai's shoulder, almost making him spit out his juice.

In that case, I won't drink, Song Bai quickly set down his glass. Quickly, quickly, let's order some dishes. Get me a few large prawns.

Hahaha, we're going for it tonight, let's have a blast!

A group of colleagues from the South felt brainwashed after listening to their conversation, and they wanted to imitate what they said when they spoke.

Liu Fucheng also accompanied Song Bai and Li Yang for dinner, and on the way back home, he pinched Song Bai's little finger and advised her: 'Baby, you need to speak Mandarin in the future.'

Song Bai might be too familiar and relaxed with Li Yang, so he behaves naturally and does as he pleases, but he still adheres to proper etiquette when dealing with others.

He had only eaten half full before remembering that he hadn't replied to Lu Fucheng's WeChat.

After clicking on it, Lu Fucheng had already sent several messages. Perhaps he was afraid of annoying Song Baixin by asking too much, so these messages were simply a reminder to be careful when returning home at night, not to drink, and to call if anything happened.

After taking a short video on his phone, Song Bai sent it to Lu Fucheng before finally feeling at ease enough to eat. It was only then that he felt like he had some sense of clarity.

When they ate almost enough, Li Yang felt a little embarrassed and raised his cup to toast with Song Bai, saying hesitantly, Uh...do you have any plans during these days off?

Song Bai bumped into him and let out a yelp, his cheek puffing up like a balloon. 'Are you okay? What happened?'

We cleaned up our store pretty quickly, and the boss thought... it would be great if you could come to work earlier.

Song Bai choked and coughed until tears came out. His colleagues next to him hastily handed him some fruit juice to help him feel better.

It took Song Bai a while to catch his breath and he muttered with a grimace, 'So this is the Hongmen Banquet happening today?'

Li Yang pat his head and said: 'During the holiday, we will get triple pay, and we'll receive a bonus at the end of the month. If you don't want to work, someone else will do it.'

Let's do this! This is nothing. Even if it's Chinese New Year, as someone who loves my job so much, I will work my hardest and exhaust myself completely for my boss!

Then you can be poor. Li Yang laughed, But let's make a deal, come report tomorrow afternoon.

Song Bai also laughed along with everyone else, but he couldn't seem to fully enjoy himself. When he checked his phone and saw that there were no replies, he felt even more disheartened.

However, this slight feeling of disappointment cannot completely change the attitude of our small-town citizens towards buffets, which is somewhat paranoid and insists on a 'eat to break even' mentality. Songbai felt uncomfortable about it, and after eating a dozen or so cheese-infused prawns to vent, his stomach felt a bit uneasy after the event had ended.

Li Yang and the others had other activities, but Song Bai lacked interest and declined. He wanted to take a walk by himself, have a light meal, and enjoy the gentle and pleasant evening breeze brushing against his body.

Song Bai could actually refuse Li Yang's invitation to work early. He knows himself well enough to understand that he is not an indispensable figure in the shop. Song Bai is a peculiar individual who is born with a lack of interest in money and material possessions. When he hears that overtime pay will be doubled, his first thought is that it will be easier to choose a birthday gift for Lu Fucheng in November with a wider range of prices to choose from.

He walked along the narrow inner roadside of the auxiliary road, like a child, struggling to maintain balance. The warm yellow light filtered through the cracks between the leaves of the French plane trees, casting a fine golden hue on the ground. Song Bai paused in his tracks.

He raised his head and stared without blinking for a long time, until his eyes started to ache. Song Bai then took out his phone and snapped a photo to send to Lu Fu Cheng.

Look, aren't the sycamore leaves under the streetlight beautiful?

Lufucheng replied to the text message quickly: 'Have you finished your meal? Does it suit your taste?'

Song Bai naturally didn't dare to tell him that he had stuffed himself with too much buffet food and felt bloated, as it was too embarrassing. Before he even had a chance to think about how to respond to the message, the other side sent an invitation for a video call.

Song Bai's conditioned reflex kicked in and he quickly answered the call.

Checking the patrol? Song Bai laughed, squinting his eyes.

Lu Fucheng was in the studio, working and chatting with Song Bai on video at the same time. He was lowering his head and responding in a low voice while revising the drawings. The camera's resolution was so low that no one looked good on it, but it was oddly flattering to this man. Song Bai couldn't help but itch to touch Lu Fucheng's long, insect-like eyelashes hanging down.

Chengcheng...look at me, the blueprint doesn't look as good as I do. He pouted at the camera with his round eyes. Song Bai had slightly round almond-shaped eyes, which didn't quite match his usual lack of presence, but when he puts on a sweet act, his eyes become dewy and watery, capable of drowning people in them.

Liu Facheng's paintbrush fell onto the desk with a 'pat'. He looked at Song Bai with a tenderness that couldn't be blocked even through the screen: 'If I glance at you once more, there won't be any more blueprints. Aren't you the one who drew them all?'

Song Bai's mood completely improved. He picked off the leaf he thought was very beautiful and gave it to Lu Fucheng to look at again, saying, Isn't it pretty?

Nice, but you should go home. Lu Fucheng saw the street behind Song Bai: It's getting cool at night.

Song Bai carefully tucked the leaves into the Chinese cooking recipe book she had purchased, holding her phone in her hand as she slowly made her way out. I'm heading back. I'll make you a new dish when you come back, she said.

... Cheng Cheng, kiss me.

Liu Fucheng felt a sense of helplessness, but more so a feeling of being subtly electrified by the most delicate thing in the world. Every cell in his body trembled and tingled with excitement. In fact, this feeling was often brought on by Song Bai - the little thing was practically his life.

Honey, love you, Ah Bai.

After the call, Song Bai kept laughing and briskly made his way to the subway station.

... Mr. Ji? The female assistant in her twenties whispered softly in his ear. She was a bit confused as to what could have caused Ji Suiyun to make such a distracted gesture.

He naturally withdrew his gaze and calmly adjusted his sleeves with ease. He ignored his assistant and turned his head to calmly greet, Ji Sui'an, I don't have time next week to take care of you.

I wouldn't trouble you anyway. Ji Sui'an fearlessly hugged Ji Suiyun by the waist. Brother...

Ji Suiyun pulled out her hand and handed it in the direction of her assistant. Ji Suian finally became anxious: 'My birthday is next week...'

Ji Suiyun's grip weakened for just a moment, and Ji Suian rushed over to the Maybach that the driver had brought over. Ji Suiyun couldn't do anything but silently agree.

He pushed open the door and got into the car, and Ji Suian sweetly smiled at him.

Ji Su Yun also found the blood relationship to be very strange. He was not a patient person when it came to coaxing children, his face was cold and he didn't speak much. But strangely enough, this little princess, whom no one liked, kept sticking to him.

I just saw it. Jì Suí Ān whispered mysteriously, Did you see the brother who got my clothes dirty?