Red Envelopes Have Been Prepared for Everyone

The massive body of the Land Rover Defender OCTA drove smoothly on the provincial highway of Yun County, like a black battleship cutting through the waves of traffic in the dusty county town.

Inside the car, the top-tier Meridian sound system played soft instrumental music, isolating the noisy honking outside and the county's unique hustle and bustle mixed with dust and the smell of everyday life.

Ke Yujia sat in the passenger seat, her hands placed neatly on her knees. Although her body was no longer as tense as it was at the rest stop, her eyes still hid some complex emotions.

She secretly turned her head, her gaze tracing the profile of Su Bai's face as he focused on driving.

Essentially, Su Bai had not recognized who she was.

Are you disappointed, Ke Yujia?

She asked herself silently in her heart.

Of course she was.

The reunion she had originally fantasized about should have been more romantic, more beautiful, perhaps even with a little spark of ambiguity.

Instead of being like this, where he drove a multi-million-yuan luxury car, followed by a peerless beauty like Zhou Jialu driving her beat-up POLO, escorting her, the Cinderella, home like a savior.

That huge class gap and status divide made her swallow back the words Actually, I've always remembered you that had reached the tip of her tongue.

What are you thinking about?

Su Bai suddenly spoke, his voice gentle, breaking the silence in the car.

Ah? N-nothing!

Ke Yujia hurriedly withdrew her gaze, twisting the hem of her clothes with her fingers. Just... just that we're almost home, and I'm a little nervous.

Nervous about what? Feeling timid as you get closer to home?

Su Bai smiled, steering with one hand as the car turned into a slightly crowded street. Or are you afraid your parents will scold you for wasting money on a car?

Having her mind read, Ke Yujia's face reddened, and she whispered, A bit of both... My parents always felt there was no need for a girl to buy a car, and... and this car is secondhand, so they'll definitely say I got scammed.

Don't worry.

Su Bai glanced at the white POLO following closely in the rearview mirror, a confident curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. Since I'm the one bringing you back today, no one will be able to scold you. Whether it's that bald guy, or your parents.

These words were spoken with absolute dominance, warming Ke Yujia's heart once again.

Although there was no enchanting romance, this sense of security from being protected behind powerful wings made one sink even deeper.

...

Yun County, Textile Factory Family Quarters.

This was a typical old residential compound built in the 1990s.

The red brick exterior walls were mottled, and the stairwells were piled with clutter and randomly parked electric scooters.

Because the Spring Festival was approaching, a few somewhat faded red lanterns were hung at the entrance of the compound. A group of uncles and aunties were gathered in the open space at the gate, basking in the sun, cracking melon seeds, and gossiping about whose child brought how much money back this year.

Hey, isn't that Old Ke's daughter?

The sharp-eyed Auntie Wang pointed at the approaching convoy in the distance and exclaimed.

Everyone's attention was instantly drawn over.

They saw a black SUV, as majestic and domineering as an armored vehicle, driving slowly toward them. Its massive size and gleaming paint looked entirely out of place at the gate of this dusty old compound. And behind it, a small white sedan followed.

Goodness, this car is huge! It must cost hundreds of thousands, right?

Hundreds of thousands? You're dreaming! That's a Land Rover! A Defender! Looking at these specs, it's at least over a million! The knowledgeable Grandpa Li pushed up his reading glasses, his face full of shock.

Under everyone's envious gazes, the Land Rover Defender stopped steadily at the entrance of the building where Old Ke's family lived.

The car door opened.

A long, slender leg stepped out.

Su Bai wore that dark gray cashmere coat. His posture was upright, his temperament noble. As soon as he got out of the car, it was as if he brightened up the dilapidated surroundings.

Immediately after, Ke Yujia also jumped down from the passenger seat, standing beside Su Bai like a frightened little rabbit.

But what made the neighbors stare even harder was the person who stepped out of the white POLO behind them.

Zhou Jialu took off her sunglasses, tossed her long wavy hair, and walked to Su Bai's side in her high heels. Her designer coat and innate boss-lady aura instantly crushed the few young wives who were hailed as the flowers of this compound.

Dad, Mom...

Ke Yujia looked at her parents, who were standing at the entrance of the stairwell with bewildered expressions, and called out softly.

Father Ke and Mother Ke had originally been preparing to go out grocery shopping, still carrying their vegetable baskets. Seeing this scene, they were both stunned.

Of course, they recognized their own daughter, and they recognized the newly bought secondhand car behind her. But who was this young man driving a luxury car to bring their daughter back, accompanied by a great beauty?

Yujia, this... who is this?

Father Ke looked at Su Bai, his tone unconsciously becoming reserved. As a worker who had been honest and simple all his life, facing such a big shot with a powerful aura, he instinctively felt a bit intimidated.

Hello, Uncle and Auntie.

Su Bai stepped forward and smiled, extending his hand. I am Yujia's boss, my name is Su Bai. I happen to be heading back to Ancheng for the New Year, so I gave Yujia a ride on the way.

B-boss?!

Mother Ke's eyes widened as she looked Su Bai up and down. Oh my! Such a young big boss! Quick, quick, come inside and have a seat! Don't catch a cold out here!

The scolding about the prodigal daughter wasting money she had prepared was instantly thrown out the window.

A boss driving a multi-million-yuan luxury car personally escorting their daughter home—this face-giving gesture was even bigger than winning the lottery!

The surrounding neighbors also gathered around, stretching their necks, their eyes full of envy and curiosity.

Old Ke, your Yujia has really made something of herself! This boss looks so impressive!

This car is amazing! Yujia must have struck it rich in the big city, right?

Hearing the discussions around them, Father and Mother Ke's backs instantly straightened, and they couldn't stop beaming with pride.

Not at all, she's just working for a living... Father Ke said modestly, but his smile almost reached his ears.

Uncle, Auntie, I won't go in. I still have to hit the road.

Su Bai politely declined the invitation to go upstairs for tea. Then he turned around, took the keys to the POLO from Zhou Jialu, and pulled out a thick stack of cash from his coat pocket—that was the car repair fee compensated by the bald man at the rest stop, about twenty thousand yuan.

Yujia.

In front of everyone, Su Bai handed the car keys and the stack of cash to Ke Yujia.

Here are the keys to your car. Miss Zhou drove it back for you, perfectly intact.

Also, this stack is the year-end bonus the company is giving you.

Su Bai's voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for the surrounding neighbors with pricked ears to hear clearly.

Your performance in the dance troupe has been excellent. You are the backbone of our business and the most hardworking among this batch of newcomers. This bonus is what you deserve.

As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd was in an uproar.

Wow! So much cash? That must be tens of thousands, right?

A year-end bonus of tens of thousands? This dance troupe's benefits are that good?

"I've always said Yujia was a capable child since she was little! Look, even her boss praises her as a core employee!"

Holding the heavy stack of cash, Ke Yujia's eyes instantly turned red.

She knew very well that this wasn't some year-end bonus.

This was Su Bai helping her.

Not only did he help her solve the trouble at the rest area, but he was also helping her save face in front of her parents and neighbors. He was giving this money a legitimate source so she could stand tall and tell her parents: I bought this car with my own ability, and I earned this money with my own hard work!

"Boss... thank you..."

Ke Yujia choked up, her thousand words ultimately turning into just these two.

Looking into Su Bai's gentle eyes, the slight regret in her heart about not being recognized was instantly filled with immense gratitude.

Regardless of whether he recognized that little crybaby or not, right now, he was her hero.

"Take it, buy some New Year goods for your parents."

Su Bai reached out and naturally rubbed her fluffy hat. "Next spring, remember to rejoin the team early. The dance troupe can't run without a core member like you."

This intimate gesture drew another round of low gasps from the bystanders.

Mother Ke looked at Su Bai as if she were looking at a future wealthy son-in-law, her gaze incredibly eager.

"Alright, we're leaving."

Su Bai didn't linger. He gave a slight nod to Father and Mother Ke, then turned and walked toward the Land Rover Defender.

Zhou Jialu also smiled and waved at Ke Yujia, "Happy New Year, little sister! Make sure to practice your driving skills more!"

With that, the powerful and elegant woman turned gracefully and got into the passenger seat.

"Vroom—"

The engine roared.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the black behemoth slowly drove out of the residential area, leaving behind only a string of red taillights and lingering gasps of amazement.

Ke Yujia stood in the cold wind, tightly clutching the stack of cash that still carried his body heat, her gaze following the car until it disappeared at the end of the street.

"Yujia! What are you spacing out for! Hurry upstairs!"

Mother Ke excitedly pulled her daughter, "Tell mom, what exactly does this boss do? He's so rich? Is he interested in you? I think he treats you pretty well..."

"Mom! What are you saying!"

Ke Yujia blushed, but a bittersweet sweetness welled up in her heart.

Was he interested?

Perhaps not.

But the dignity and gentleness he gave her were enough to let her dream of spring in this cold winter, in this rundown neighborhood.

"Su Bai..."

She silently repeated his name in her heart.

"Next time... next time we meet, I will definitely become better."

...

After leaving the textile factory family compound, the Land Rover Defender once again merged onto the main road heading toward downtown Ancheng.

Inside the car.

Zhou Jialu touched up her lipstick while looking at Su Bai through the vanity mirror.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk."

She let out a meaningful sigh. "Young Master Su, your methods of winning people's hearts are truly getting more and more masterful."

"What do you mean by winning people's hearts?"

Su Bai kept his eyes on the road and said calmly, "That is an employee benefit."

"Come on."

Zhou Jialu closed the mirror and turned sideways to look at him. "Don't think I couldn't tell. The way that little girl looked at you, it was practically dripping with affection. Your whole 'hero saving the beauty' plus 'throwing money around' act just now will probably make her remember you for the rest of her life."

"What? Is Senior Zhou jealous?" Su Bai glanced at her with a half-smile.

"Why would I be jealous?"

Zhou Jialu snorted proudly, but then her tone softened, carrying a bit of lazy coquettishness. "I was just thinking... the way Ke Yujia's parents looked at you just now, they looked like they wanted to tie you up and drag you straight to the bridal chamber. Say... when we go see Auntie Jiang later, will she be like that too?"

"Hard to say."

Auntie Jiang was quite an eccentric character; her behavior was very hard to predict.

...

Half an hour later.

The car drove into a high-end residential area in downtown Ancheng.

The environment here was quiet and secluded, with nice landscaping. It was a new house that Su Bai had specially paid for at the end of last year to help Auntie Jiang upgrade her living situation.

Now that he had money, he definitely had to help Auntie Jiang enjoy life. Although Auntie Jiang had made some money from her own business, she surely wouldn't dare to spend it lavishly.

"We're here."

Su Bai parked the car and took out bags of gifts from the trunk.

Zhou Jialu took a deep breath, adjusted her expression, and even deliberately pulled up the collar of her coat to cover a bit of her form-fitting knit sweater, trying her best to look more proper and demure.

She hadn't met Auntie Jiang yet, and she didn't know what kind of impression the other woman would have of her.

According to Su Bai's description, she probably wouldn't have any negative opinions.

Auntie Jiang was very tolerant of the younger generation.

However, because Zhou Jialu cared too much about Su Bai, she still felt somewhat nervous inside.

"Let's go."

Su Bai took her hand and walked into the elevator.

"Ding-dong."

The doorbell rang.

Soon, the heavy solid wood door opened.

A middle-aged woman wearing an apron with a charmingly naive face appeared at the door. She didn't look old; instead, her expressions were lively and animated. As soon as she saw them, she started winking and making faces.

"Oh my! Xiaobai is back. Let me see, which wife number is this? She looks really nice, a bit different from the one you showed me in Jiangcheng last time, but... they both match you perfectly!"

Such outrageous words instantly made Zhou Jialu's pretty face blush red.

Auntie, what are you saying!!

Although the fact that Su Bai had many female confidantes was already a tacitly accepted situation among them, but, but... having an elder say it so bluntly still made Zhou Jialu incredibly shy.

Su Bai had anticipated this and said, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, "Auntie Jiang, restrain yourself a bit, don't be too out there."

"What do you mean out there? Xiaobai, didn't you tell me everything? Your girlfriends, although I haven't met all of them yet, I do know their basic situations. I've prepared a red envelope for each of them. Come on, come inside first, I'll go get the red envelopes..."

Prepared a red envelope for each of them??

What kind of wild statement was that!

Now Zhou Jialu finally understood why Su Bai always had a complicated expression every time he mentioned Auntie Jiang.

This aunt's personality was truly too eccentric.

But overall, she was a very kind, lively, and easy-to-get-along-with person.

Compared to her daughter, they didn't seem like the same kind of person at all.

Indeed, human personality is a very magical thing.

The mother is a good person, but the daughter might not be.

Then again, this Auntie Jiang's mindset was way too open-minded, to actually accept "Su Bai having a group of female confidantes" as a matter of course.

Looking on the bright side, this instantly made the nervous tension lingering in Zhou Jialu's heart dissipate completely.

Sure enough...

By junior Su Bai's side, it seemed like everything in the world was relaxed and joyful. This guy, Su Bai, probably possessed some kind of wonderful infectious charm.