Returning Home, The Little Pitiful at the Service Area

The twenty-sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, Jiangcheng.

This massive city, known as the Thoroughfare of Nine Provinces, gradually saw its normally congested streets empty out as the Spring Festival approached. Red lanterns hung all over the streets and alleys, and the air was filled with a mix of the smell of firecracker smoke (even though firecrackers were banned, someone always set them off secretly) and the festive atmosphere of impending reunions.

For Su Bai, this was also a temporary pause in his life as a billionaire in Jiangcheng.

In the underground parking lot of the Qintai Grand Theatre, a black Land Rover Defender sat quietly in a VIP parking space.

Inside the car, the heater was turned up high.

"Boss... how long will you be gone?"

In the passenger seat, Lin Qingyu curled up in Su Bai's arms like a clingy kitten. She wasn't wearing her practice clothes today, but instead had changed into a cream-colored down jacket and a red scarf, looking both festive and gentle.

Over the past few days, with Su Bai's daily special physical therapy and the arrival of the expert team from Shanghai, Lin Qingyu's physical condition had become incredibly good. Her back no longer ached, her legs no longer hurt, and even her skin had a rosy, nourished glow.

"Just about half a month."

Su Bai toyed with her slender, fair hands—hands that had endured countless hardships for the sake of art. "I'll be back after the New Year. During this time, you lead those little girls in their practice. When I get back, I want to see the results."

"Mhm, I know."

Lin Qingyu nodded obediently, then looked up, her usually aloof eyes now filled with reluctance. "But... half a month is so long. What if... what if I miss you?"

"Miss me?"

Su Bai smiled and pointed to his phone. "If you miss me, we can video call. But, if you want me to treat you, you'll just have to hold it in. After all, that kind of therapy can't be transmitted over the cloud."

Lin Qingyu's face instantly flushed bright red.

She knew exactly what Su Bai meant. That shameful yet addictive treatment process had already become her most desired dream before falling asleep every night.

"Boss, you're so bad..."

She playfully punched Su Bai's chest, then leaned in, offering a proactive kiss tinged with the sorrow of parting.

The kiss was long and deep.

It wasn't until Lin Qingyu was breathless, feeling like she was about to melt into this man's arms, that Su Bai finally let her go.

"Alright, go on up."

Su Bai helped her straighten her slightly messy scarf. "Remember what I said. You are the principal dancer, so act like one. Don't let those newly arrived experts treat you as a joke."

"Yes, Boss!"

Lin Qingyu reluctantly pushed open the car door, looking back repeatedly as she walked toward the elevator lobby.

Watching the elevator doors close, Su Bai withdrew his gaze, the smile on his lips fading.

Parting is always for a better reunion.

Moreover, for someone like him with numerous female confidantes, an appropriate amount of separation was also a necessary time management tactic.

...

Ascott Apartment.

When Su Bai pushed the door open and walked in, the living room was a scene of bustling activity.

Several large suitcases were spread open on the floor, packed to the brim with clothes, cosmetics, and various New Year's goods.

"Brother Su Bai! Do you think this color looks good?"

Wan Xinyan ran over excitedly, holding a red sweater in her hands.

"It looks good, very festive." Su Bai smiled and rubbed her head.

After the Wan sisters' grandmother was brought to Jiangcheng from their hometown, she essentially took root here. After all, the only relatives the grandmother cared about were the two of them.

The elderly, after all, always follow their children.

Originally, Grandma Wan had already settled down in the house Su Bai bought for them, but Chen Yusheng suggested that since Su Bai was going back to his hometown, the Ascott apartment would be empty, so it would be better for the two families to get together for a lively New Year.

Chen Yusheng's mother's condition had stabilized, and she happened to need company as well.

The two families coming together made for a very harmonious and joyous atmosphere.

This was also one of the rather peculiar functions of his team of female confidantes...

"Su Bai, your luggage is all packed and ready."

Chen Yusheng, wearing a cozy turtleneck sweater today, looked at him with the gentleness of a perfect wife and mother.

"Not bad, Shengsheng is so thoughtful."

Su Bai took the thermal bag, smoothly wrapped an arm around her waist, and kissed her on the cheek. "While I'm away, I'll leave the house to you. Please take good care of the Wan family's uncle and aunt too."

"Don't worry."

The corners of Chen Yusheng's mouth turned up slightly. "With me here, nothing will go wrong. As for you..."

She glanced at Zhou Jialu, who was standing on the balcony lost in thought, and lowered her voice. "Take good care of Sister Jialu on this trip. She... is actually quite afraid of being lonely."

Su Bai nodded, his gaze turning toward the balcony.

There, Zhou Jialu was wearing a black cashmere coat, looking out at the heavy traffic below, her back looking somewhat lonely.

Su Bai was not returning to his hometown of Ancheng alone this time.

Accompanying him was this endlessly charming senior.

Zhou Jialu's relationship with her family had always been very strained.

She hadn't spent the New Year at home in previous years; for example, last year she spent it at school.

This year, having Su Bai, she made the request for the first time: "Can I go home with you?"

That cautious look, terrified of being rejected, made it completely impossible for Su Bai to say the word "no."

"Let's go."

Su Bai walked out to the balcony and gently wrapped his arms around her waist from behind. "What are you spacing out for? If we don't leave now, the highway is going to be jammed."

Zhou Jialu's body trembled slightly before she relaxed, leaning back into Su Bai's embrace.

"I was just thinking... going back with you like this, does it count as the ugly daughter-in-law meeting the parents-in-law?"

She turned her head, her alluring fox-like eyes carrying a hint of teasing, but also hiding a trace of nervousness.

"I don't know about an ugly daughter-in-law, but meeting the parents-in-law is out of the question."

After all, Su Bai's parents had passed away long ago. Returning to his hometown for the New Year was firstly because of Auntie Jiang, and secondly because of a few elderly people who had been good to him when he was young... well, plus a few bad friends from his high school days that he absolutely had to see.

In truth, Su Bai didn't have too many attachments to his hometown of Ancheng.

But Senior Zhou Jialu was a very important attachment to him.

Su Bai smiled wickedly and whispered something in Zhou Jialu's ear, causing her face to flush crimson.

"Smooth talker."

Zhou Jialu smiled, and her charm in that instant made the winter sunlight pale in comparison.

"Let's head out~"

...

At 10:00 AM.

The black Land Rover Defender OCTA roared like a steel behemoth as it merged onto the highway heading toward Ancheng.

Soft jazz music flowed through the cabin.

Zhou Jialu sat in the passenger seat, having taken off her heavy coat. Wearing only a form-fitting black knit shirt that traced her breathtaking curves, she had on a pair of sunglasses and held a peeled orange that Su Bai had prepared for her, looking incredibly relaxed.

"This car really is comfortable to ride in."

Zhou Jialu adjusted her seat back and stretched out her long legs clad in black stockings. "The visibility is great, and so is the soundproofing. It's way better than my C260L."

"Of course, this was prepared specifically for long journeys."

Su Bai rested one hand on the steering wheel, looking relaxed.

Ancheng wasn't too far from Jiangcheng; it was only about a four or five-hour drive.

Along the way, the two of them chatted, talking about everything from Zhou Jialu's childhood anecdotes to the bizarre customers she encountered during her internship.

Su Bai was a great listener. He would occasionally chime in with a joke or two, always managing to make Zhou Jialu laugh so hard she trembled like a flower in the wind.

That warm, natural, and completely stress-free atmosphere made Zhou Jialu feel as if her long-wandering heart had finally found a safe harbor to dock.

...Well, she hadn't actually been wandering for that long. She was lucky to have found her Mr. Right right before graduating from college.

Compared to many girls who ended up with the wrong guys, she was already incredibly lucky.

"Junior..."

As the car drove past a rolling stretch of tea plantations, Zhou Jialu suddenly spoke up, her voice a little low.

"Hmm?"

"Thank you."

"Thank me for what? Letting you hitch a ride?"

"Thank you... for being willing to take in a homeless person like me."

Zhou Jialu took off her sunglasses and turned to look at Su Bai's sharp, chiseled side profile, her eyes full of tenderness. "You know what? In the past, whenever the New Year approached, I would get especially scared. That feeling of seeing thousands of homes lit up, yet knowing not a single light was left on for you... it really hurts."

"But this year... I feel incredibly warm."

Su Bai freed up one hand and grasped her slightly cool palm.

"Every year from now on, as long as you want, the doors to my home will always be open for you."

"Of course, the prerequisite is that you have to help Auntie Jiang and me with the chores."

"Hehe, not only can I do chores, I can also do..."

...

At two o'clock in the afternoon.

The car pulled into the Yunmeng Service Area.

This was the last large service area before entering the Ancheng territory. Because the Spring Festival was approaching, the place was already bustling with heavy traffic and a cacophony of voices.

Various vehicles of people returning to their hometowns packed the parking lot to the brim. The air was filled with a mixed scent of instant noodles, grilled sausages, and car exhaust.

"I'm going to take a leak and buy something to drink. Want to wait for me in the car?" Su Bai unbuckled his seatbelt.

"I'll go get some fresh air too. My back is sore from sitting so long."

Zhou Jialu followed him out of the car. Dressed in a designer coat, wearing sunglasses and sporting red lips, she immediately drew a lot of attention the moment she stepped out. Coupled with that domineering Land Rover Defender, they gave off a strong vibe of a rich woman and her toy boy.

Of course, if one looked closely at Su Bai's aura, they would realize that this toy boy was even more domineering than the rich woman.

After the two finished using the restroom, Su Bai went to the supermarket to buy a bottle of water and was about to head back to the car.

Right at that moment.

A noisy argument broke out in a corner of the parking lot not far away.

"Are you blind?! You couldn't see a car this big?!"

"You hit my car and think you can just walk away? No way!"

"Cry! What are you crying for?! Does crying make you right?!"

A crowd had gathered in that direction, seemingly because a minor scraping accident had occurred.

Su Bai originally didn't want to meddle in other people's business. Who knew how many of these minor scrapes happened in service areas every day.

But just as he was about to turn and leave, a timid, tearful voice caught his ear.

"I'm... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to... It was you who suddenly changed lanes..."

This voice...

Su Bai paused his steps.

It sounded a bit familiar?

He frowned, stopped walking, and looked through the gaps in the crowd of onlookers.

He saw a petite girl standing between two cars.

It was a very old white Volkswagen POLO, with a Novice Driver sticker on its rear. And next to it was a brand-new BMW X5.

At this moment, there was a visible scratch on the rear bumper of the BMW.

And the girl was surrounded by three burly men in leather jackets with fierce, fleshy faces.

She was wearing a pink puffer jacket and a fluffy hat. She was very short, probably only around one meter fifty-eight. She was curled up into a ball, keeping her head down and wiping her tears, looking like a little white rabbit surrounded by a pack of wolves.

"Ke Yujia?"

Su Bai recognized the girl at a glance.

Wasn't this the most inconspicuous and shyest little invisible member of the dance troupe?

She was a substitute member of the dance troupe. She rarely spoke, and every time she saw Su Bai, she would blush and lower her head, like a startled quail, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

Su Bai's impression of her, besides being short and socially anxious, was that she always silently practiced until the very end in the dance studio.

Her level of diligence was on par with Lin Qingyu.

To think he would actually run into her here?

"What's wrong?" Zhou Jialu walked over and linked her arm through Su Bai's. "Run into an acquaintance?"

"Yeah, you could say she's my employee."

Su Bai narrowed his eyes, looking at the men who were shoving and pushing Ke Yujia, his expression turning serious.

"Come on, let's go take a look."

...

In the center of the crowd.

Ke Yujia was on the verge of a breakdown.

She had gritted her teeth and spent thirty thousand yuan to buy this secondhand POLO just to make it easier to go home for the New Year.

Just now, when entering the service area, this BMW X5 suddenly crossed a solid line to cut in front of her. She couldn't react in time, and although she hit the brakes, she still lightly scraped the other party's bumper.

It was clearly the other party's full responsibility, but the moment these men got out of the car, they aggressively surrounded her, insisting that she rear-ended them and demanding twenty thousand yuan in compensation.

Twenty thousand yuan!

For her, who had just gotten a raise but hadn't even received her paycheck yet, this was simply an astronomical figure.

"Mister... I really don't have that much money..."

Ke Yujia said through her tears, so terrified she couldn't even hold her phone steady. "And... and it was clearly you who changed lanes..."

"Cut the crap!"

The bald man leading the group pointed at her nose and cursed, "So what if I changed lanes? If I change lanes, you have to yield! Look at you driving a crappy POLO, you look pathetic! You don't have money, right? If you don't have money, leave the car! Or..."

The bald man looked Ke Yujia up and down with malicious intent.

Although this girl was short and dressed thickly, her round little face was pure and cute. Crying like a pear blossom bathed in rain, she gave people an urge to bully her.

"Or you can accompany us uncles for a meal and a few drinks, and we can talk this over."

Saying that, the bald man reached out to grab Ke Yujia's arm.

"Ah! Don't touch me!"

Ke Yujia screamed in terror and tried to dodge backward, but her retreat was blocked by the other two men.

Although the surrounding onlookers pointed and whispered, seeing the ferocious looks of these men, no one dared to step forward to help.

Just as Ke Yujia closed her eyes in despair, thinking she was going to be in deep trouble today.

A slender, powerful large hand suddenly reached out from the side.

Like a pair of iron tongs, it firmly clamped down on the bald man's wrist.