Several Million in Cash

After the locksmith finished changing the lock, he left.

Ye Shuang stared thoughtfully at the small lock-picking advertisement pasted on the white wall nearby.

But soon, his doubts about the ad faded. After all, the liquid traces inside the lock cylinder suggested it wasn’t the first time someone had poured chemicals into it.

With so many households living here, if the locksmith were really trying to drum up business, it wouldn’t make sense to target just this one home.

Could it be some mischievous kids from the neighborhood?

Ye Shuang pondered for a moment. Kids might stuff tissues or something similar into locks, but using chemicals to corrode them didn’t seem like something a child would do.

"Besides, calling the police wouldn’t help. This old neighborhood doesn’t even have surveillance cameras, and there’s no actual loss to report yet."

In the end, Ye Shuang decided installing a security camera would be the safest option. However, Bai Yuyou’s home didn’t have an internet connection, so he’d have to arrange for broadband first.

"Let’s get broadband set up," Ye Shuang thought. To live comfortably here, both the internet and a computer were essential.

At dinner, Ye Shuang brought up the idea with Bai Yuyou. The girl seemed clueless about such things and only asked one question:

"Will it cost a lot of money?"

Hearing this, Ye Shuang’s lips twitched slightly before he patiently explained the basics to her. But Bai Yuyou didn’t just lack internet or a phone—her home didn’t even have a television.

Living like this in the digital age was practically primitive.

Ye Shuang suddenly realized that Bai Yuyou’s sheltered, clueless lifestyle was likely the reason for her personality.

"What do you usually do to pass the time at home?" Ye Shuang asked.

"Sleep, and then..." Bai Yuyou thought for a moment before pointing at the small stool on the balcony, "Sit there until it’s morning again."

Countless nights had passed like this for her. Occasionally, she’d gaze at the neon lights and the moon outside.

"Don’t you get bored?" Ye Shuang looked at her.

Bai Yuyou shook her head lightly. She didn’t know what boredom felt like—this was simply how she had always lived.

In that dim little room from her past, with only a slightly cracked window, she would sit by it, hugging her knees as she waited for dawn.

Sometimes, she’d spend entire days lost in thought.

Sunlight would spill in as she sat in the shadowy corner of the attic, listening to the bustling sounds of traffic outside.

Perhaps recalling those memories, Bai Yuyou suddenly reached out and tugged at Ye Shuang’s sleeve, whispering, "Will you disappear?"

Despite their brief time together, an unfamiliar emotion had taken root in her heart—one she was too clumsy to express.

Ye Shuang looked at her but didn’t answer. He realized he couldn’t even bring himself to comfort her with a white lie.

Bai Yuyou’s hand slowly dropped.

After a moment of silence, Ye Shuang finally spoke. "I won’t disappear."

After all, how could a living person just vanish? He figured this wasn’t exactly a lie.

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Bai Yuyou’s mood seemed to brighten as she resumed eating, her cheeks puffed up like a little hamster’s.

After dinner, while taking a short break, Ye Shuang browsed the news on his phone. Then, he ordered a new smartphone for Bai Yuyou online.

Since it was for a girl, he chose a higher-end model—a mid-range flagship priced around three thousand, capable of smooth performance.

With fast delivery these days, it would arrive the next day.

Of course, he didn’t forget to order a security camera too.

After setting up a broadband plan and scheduling an installation, Ye Shuang realized just how much work lay ahead.

Bai Yuyou’s lifestyle was too outdated. His first priority was to help her adapt to modern living, teaching her basic life skills and how to access information.

He wasn’t entirely sure why he felt compelled to do this—he just knew he couldn’t leave her to fend for herself.

And then there was the matter of her cash. Keeping that much money at home was far too risky.

"How much cash do you have?" Ye Shuang asked as Bai Yuyou started undressing for a bath. He quickly added, "Not that it’s any of my business, but keeping money in the bank is safer."

"And no stripping in the living room!"

Bai Yuyou blinked innocently before obediently pulling her dress back down.

She retreated to her room and soon returned dragging a suitcase—filled with stacks of cash. The sight made Ye Shuang doubt his own eyes.

A rough estimate put the amount in the millions.

"There’s this much?"

Ye Shuang couldn’t help but wonder if Bai Yuyou’s mother had really left it all behind.

"We should deposit it all. It’s too dangerous to keep at home," he said.

Bai Yuyou nodded obediently and pushed the suitcase toward him. "All for you."

Ye Shuang sighed. "You’re way too trusting. Aren’t you afraid I’ll take the money and never come back?"

Bai Yuyou tilted her head slightly. "Would you?"

The question struck him like a bolt to the soul. Ye Shuang chuckled helplessly. "You’ve got me there."

Looking at the stacks of cash, Ye Shuang pulled out his phone and made a call.

A man’s voice answered gruffly, "Who is it?"

"Me."

A few seconds of silence passed before the man exploded. "You bastard! Where the hell have you been? Your phone’s been dead—do you have any idea how worried I’ve been?!"

"Save it. I need to deposit some money. Set up a large-denomination certificate for me."

"Deposit? Didn’t that woman bankrupt you? Our bank’s minimum for those is 800K. A couple thousand won’t cut it."

"I know."

Another pause. The man’s voice lowered. "You back on your feet? Or did some sugar mommy adopt you?"

"Not back, and no need to be. Just helping someone else out," Ye Shuang said dryly, glancing at the suitcase. "A few million in cash. Too heavy to carry."

"A few million?! Holy shit, you into crime now?"

"Piss off. My record’s clean as a whistle. Send me an address—pick me up tomorrow for the bank."