As Long as There Are Leaves Pairs

The role Bai Meiling played was merely one of occasional pity—checking in on Bai Yuyou from time to time to confirm her well-being and the status of the money.

"Where is Bai Laoqi’s wife now?" After roughly understanding the situation, Ye Shuang sat on the sofa, lost in thought for a moment before asking.

Regarding her sister-in-law’s whereabouts, Bai Meiling could only shake her head—she truly didn’t know.

The only thing she knew was that the woman might have taken ten to twenty thousand in cash and fled, leaving the excess money behind out of fear of implicating herself. As for Bai Laoqi, he had long been in prison.

When she finally spoke of these things, Bai Meiling seemed as if a weight had been lifted from her heart—she was free.

Carrying a secret, especially one tied to crime, was a burden that gnawed at one’s conscience.

"She…" Bai Meiling hesitated but eventually said, "She’s been well taken care of by you."

"Is that so? She deserved better." Ye Shuang’s tone was indifferent. In the dimly lit room, half of his figure was shrouded in shadow, making his presence feel even colder.

Bai Meiling’s expression grew awkward.

Ye Shuang didn’t want to blame her too harshly. After all, her role had been that of a bystander—not everyone could bring themselves to turn against family. It was only human nature.

Perhaps those occasional visits to check on Bai Yuyou had been her final act of redemption.

Moreover, it seemed she had also worked with the community to help Bai Yuyou enroll in school.

"It’s getting late. You should head back," Ye Shuang said.

Bai Meiling was taken aback.

"I didn’t buy groceries. Unless you’d like to stay the night?"

"That’s not it…" Bai Meiling hesitated before finally asking, "May I ask… who are you to her?"

"Her husband," Bai Yuyou answered instantly from the side.

Bai Meiling blinked. "?"

"That’s none of your concern. Besides, we’ll be moving soon—leaving this place," Ye Shuang said.

"This isn’t her home."

"It’s a cage. One that trapped her for over a decade."

At his words, Bai Meiling seemed to want to say something, but she lowered her head and barely managed to force out a whisper:

"I’m sorry…"

After seeing Bai Meiling off, Ye Shuang immediately reported the case to the police and took the girl to the station.

To combat human trafficking, every city’s police station had free blood-testing services. After drawing Bai Yuyou’s blood for records, the officers helped organize the paperwork.

By the time they finished, it was already the middle of the night when they left the station.

Filing charges against Bai Laoqi would also take time, so they’d likely be making frequent trips there in the coming days.

"It’s a bit chilly tonight." Ye Shuang walked hand-in-hand with Bai Yuyou under the streetlights. Noticing her prolonged silence, he knew the sheer volume of information was difficult for her to process all at once.

Though he didn’t want to hurt her again, she had the right to know.

"Yuyou, don’t worry. We’ll find your birth parents," Ye Shuang reassured her softly.

"Ye Shuang…"

"Hm?"

"After we find them… will you leave me?" Bai Yuyou suddenly asked in a small voice.

Under the dim glow of the streetlights, her question carried the weight of someone who already knew the answer. Her beautiful eyes, half-hidden behind her bangs, were unreadable.

"I…"

Ye Shuang wanted to tell her, as he always had, that he wouldn’t. But the words caught in his throat. Holding her cold little hand, he could only offer a faint smile.

"Yuyou, if your parents don’t agree… I might not be able to stay by your side forever."

"Why?"

"There are many reasons. What if your birth parents live far away? Or what if they don’t like me?" Ye Shuang continued gently. "But don’t worry. We just might not live together in the future…"

Before he could finish, Bai Yuyou, in a rare interruption, lifted her chin slightly.

"No!"

"I don’t want Ye Shuang to leave…"

"If they don’t like you… then I don’t like them either…"

"I don’t want my birth parents… I only want Ye Shuang…"

Under Ye Shuang’s stunned gaze, fat teardrops rolled down her cheeks, dripping onto the pavement.

She clutched his hand tightly. "We’re husband and wife…"

"Husband and wife stay together forever…"

"You and me…"

"Don’t want to be apart…"

It was the first time Ye Shuang had ever heard Bai Yuyou speak so much in one breath. Seeing her cry like this made everything else in the world feel insignificant—as if the entire universe had wronged her.

Helpless, Ye Shuang could only pull her into his arms. Under the streetlights, their shadows slowly merged into one.

Holding her close, he rested his chin atop her head, a bitter ache rising in his chest.

What a bastard I am, making her cry like this…

She never even cried when she was bullied.

Bai Yuyou quieted the moment Ye Shuang embraced her. She nuzzled her damp cheek against his chest, as if clinging to his warmth.

Ye Shuang sighed inwardly.

What do I do? I’m sinking deeper and deeper.

I could be selfish—keep her by my side for real. But… she doesn’t understand. Could I really do that to her?

Feeling her warmth in his arms, Ye Shuang found himself lost in uncertainty.

His original plan had been to leave once she became independent. But now, that resolve was wavering.

Under the streetlights, the two remained entwined for a long time.

……

In the days that followed, Ye Shuang received news that Bai Yuyou’s blood type hadn’t matched any records in the anti-trafficking database. Meanwhile, the paternity test results for Bai Laoqi confirmed they weren’t biologically related. However, given how much time had passed, even with Bai Laoqi’s confession, finding Bai Yuyou’s birth parents remained a challenge.

But Ye Shuang no longer seemed in a hurry. He chose to stay by Bai Yuyou’s side for now, focusing on building a life together.

"Growing up" felt like a false premise, but Ye Shuang was willing to accompany her through it.

Even…

If it meant time could slow down a little.

Another weekend arrived, and Ye Shuang took Bai Yuyou to their new home.

Thanks to Chen Hai’s help, they rented a nice apartment in a well-located building. The place had excellent transportation links, and since it was part of the Chen family’s property, there was no risk of being scammed—utilities were even covered.

Though "rented" was more like "given."

"This is our new home from now on." Ye Shuang swiped the keycard and pushed the door open—

A warm, inviting space greeted them. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a soft glow over the wooden floors. A cream-colored sofa and pristine white curtains complemented the bright, airy feel.

The compact kitchen and bathroom followed the same theme—white and wood.

The apartment had a loft-style layout, with the bedroom upstairs, accessible via a spiral staircase.

Two beds were placed in separate alcoves on either side.

"Do you like it?" Ye Shuang asked, smiling at the girl beside him.

Bai Yuyou's gaze fell upon an object hanging by the distant window—a seashell wind chime, swaying gently in the breeze.

Beneath the seashell wind chime stood Yi Wan, her little head tilted upward.

The warm sunlight spilled over them, as if it had also lit up the young girl's heart.

"I like it..."