It was eleven o'clock at night, and Bai Yanzhe was still at the company, with a cup of cooled coffee beside him. He was dressed in a black suit, his profile exuding a refined and steady demeanor.
The private phone on his desk vibrated. Bai Yanzhe picked it up, his brows softening slightly.
He answered the call.
A young girl's voice came through the phone.
"Mr. Bai."
"It's me." His deep, magnetic voice was tinged with a softness that matched the night.
"...Can you lend me some more money?"
The girl must have thought for a long time; her tone was very low.
Bai Yanzhe: "How much do you want?"
Shen Yue stated a considerable sum.
Bai Yanzhe said, "Okay."
"Thank you."
Bai Yanzhe frowned. He felt that the girl's emotions seemed a bit off at the moment. He tapped his long fingers anxiously on the desk, hesitated, and then asked, "Where are you now?"
There was silence on the phone. After a long while, the girl's voice came through.
"I'm outside."
Still outside this late?
Bai Yanzhe's tone became involuntarily a little anxious: "Why aren't you home yet?"
"It's hard to get a taxi nearby."
Bai Yanzhe didn't hesitate: "Send me the address."
After saying that, he added with a touch of lingering concern, "Stay where you are and wait for me, don't talk to strangers."
He drove over. The girl was standing under a streetlamp, her shadow stretched long. Her slender figure exuded a sense of loneliness.
Shen Yue opened the car door and got in. Her face was a little pale. Bai Yanzhe turned up the car's temperature a bit.
Without a second thought, Bai Yanzhe took the girl back to his villa.
Shen Yue had been to this villa many times. A room on the second floor was clean; it was evident it was cleaned regularly.
Shen Yue took a hot shower, changed, and went downstairs. Bai Yanzhe was just coming out of the kitchen, carrying a freshly cooked bowl of porridge.
He called Shen Yue over to eat.
The girl was wearing the new pajamas he had given her last time. The black color made her appear even more slender and fair. Her lips were lusciously red, and her soft hair cascaded over her shoulders. Her eyelashes fluttered lightly.
She glanced at the man, said thank you in a low voice, and quietly ate the porridge.
Bai Yanzhe sat beside her. He held a book in his hand, but his mind was nowhere on the pages; his gaze was uncontrollably drawn to the girl.
The porridge was fragrant, and after eating it, Shen Yue's stomach felt warm.
Bai Yanzhe noticed that every time he saw the girl, she seemed particularly distressed.
After finishing the porridge, Shen Yue felt a little full. She looked at the man, her expression a bit nervous.
Bai Yanzhe looked at her, his voice magnetic: "Are you full?"
Shen Yue lowered her head: "Yes."
Bai Yanzhe smiled, his gentleness like a warm lake, capable of embracing everything.
She had never been treated so kindly before. She was hesitant to meet Bai Yanzhe's eyes, even feeling a little self-conscious.
Bai Yanzhe walked over. His hands were large, broad, and warm. He stroked the girl's hair. "Why are you out alone so late? Have you forgotten what you promised me?"
Shen Yue remembered. She had promised Bai Yanzhe that she would study hard.
But for some reason, she no longer wanted to go to school.
It was a feeling of confusion, of helplessness.
"Mr. Bai, I don't want to study anymore."
She knew that saying this would anger the man, but she couldn't help but say it.
A silence fell upon the air.
Then Shen Yue's face was cupped in his hands. She dared not look into his eyes, fearing she would see disappointment or any negative emotion there.
The corners of her eyes turned red, making her look pitiful.
Her delicate and beautiful features were like vibrant camellias. The mole on her nose was captivating, and her lips were full and luscious. Her beauty almost transcended gender.
Her eyelids drooped, like a lost and innocent lamb.
Bai Yanzhe's voice remained gentle: "Why?"
He said, "If you have any difficulties, you can tell me."
He would help her; he would always be there for her.
The girl looked at him quietly, her eyelashes long and dark. A faint light seemed to glimmer in her pitch-black pupils.
Bai Yanzhe knew she was beautiful. Her fair complexion, her smiling eyes that crinkled at the corners, were so sweet.
But the girl had smiled so rarely lately, which made his chest feel a little tight.
"Shen Yue, I want you to be well."
The older, steady man's shoulders were broad. The shadow he cast enveloped the girl, yet it carried no sense of oppression.
His fingers were a little rough, causing a slight sting as he touched her face, but Shen Yue smiled. When she smiled, all other things in the world seemed to fade into insignificance.
Shen Yue reached out and touched the man's face. "Mr. Bai, thank you."
She deeply wished to fulfill Bai Yanzhe's expectations. She felt that her very life belonged to him.
Mr. Bai's requests were somewhat difficult, but she would try her best.
To try her best to live.
Bai Yanzhe drove Shen Yue to school. As Shen Yue got out of the car, she saw Bai Qingzhen.
Bai Qingzhen was walking with Song Yan. They both looked over. This time, Shen Yue was the one who averted her gaze.
The weather was growing colder. Shen Jiayi's condition was stable, and they were now searching for a suitable bone marrow donor. Everything was still salvageable.
About half a month later, they were fortunate enough to find a compatible bone marrow donor. His HLA matched Shen Jiayi at all nine points, and he was in good health, making him perfectly suitable for donation.
Upon receiving this news, Shen Yue displayed the first genuine smile she had had in many days.
Recently, Shen Jiayi's condition had been deteriorating. Due to the side effects of the medication, her appetite was very poor. She could only eat a small amount at a time before vomiting, eventually requiring nutritional drips.
Shen Yue let out a deep sigh, her smile growing wider.
She couldn't help but share her joy with Bai Yanzhe, taking out her phone to send a message.
Shen Yue: Mr. Bai, are you free this afternoon?
The reply came instantly.
Bai Yanzhe: Yes.
Shen Yue: Then may I treat you to a meal?
Bai Yanzhe: It would be my honor.
Shen Yue tightened her grip on her phone. As she looked up, she saw Bai Qingzhen casting a lingering gaze at her. Shen Yue looked away.
As soon as the class bell rang, Shen Yue packed her belongings. There was a bus stop near the school. Stepping on the fallen leaves on the ground, Shen Yue's footsteps were somewhat light.
There were not many people on the road at this time. Shen Yue walked along the road, and with a sense of premonition, she glanced back. Two people were following her not too far behind, their eyes fixed on her.
Shen Yue nonchalantly turned her head and continued forward, quickening her pace.
The crunching sound of shoes stepping on dry leaves grew clearer, and besides hers, there were the sounds of the two people behind her.
Just as Shen Yue was about to bolt, the two men reached her first, grabbing her shoulders from either side.
"Little sister, would you mind chatting with us for a bit?"
The girl's eyelashes fluttered. Her phone was snatched from her pocket. They semi-forcefully pushed her by the shoulders, guiding her towards a small alley.