OL CH26 [Arc2]

Chen Tian sat inside the car, watching his beloved in silence.

They were the same captivating single-eyelid eyes he knew so intimately, bright with pitch-black pupils, yet the boy’s appearance differed slightly from his previous life.

The youth in the distance had slightly curly short hair and sun-kissed, light wheat skin. In this lifetime, his lover possessed two canine teeth that lent his smile an endearing, sunny radiance.

Yet however bright that smile was, seeing how thin his frame remained beneath that bulky black sweater revealed that his life was far from easy.

Regrettably, Chen Tian could not show himself right away; doing so would be far too abrupt. Bai Su would likely lead the children away in a vigilant retreat just to protect them.

Once the children filled their bellies and departed with the leftover bread, disappearing from view, Chen Tian finally withdrew his gaze.

He said to the driver up front, “Drive. Back to the old family estate.”

As the vehicle rolled smoothly along the road, Chen Tian closed his eyes, replaying Bai Su’s image in his mind.

He had arrived in this world only recently. Hearing from 009 that his lover was nearby, he had rushed over to check on Bai Su’s condition, leaving quite a few matters untended.

However, having digested the host’s memories, he found his current identity exceptionally convenient.

The host was named Qin Yichen, the head of the Qin family, one of the foremost prominent clans in Country Z. Though not yet thirty, he wielded an iron-fisted authority, governing the family’s internal and external affairs with impeccable order, standing as a formidable figure in high society.

Unfortunately, brilliance often invited misfortune; the host suffered from a congenital heart defect. Just as Chen Tian crossed over to replace him, Qin Yichen had collapsed and died from overwork.

His dying wish in exchanging his identity was for Chen Tian to protect the Qin family on his behalf. After all, the main lineage of the Qin clan now consisted only of himself and his young nephew, Qin Fei.

009 had readily granted the request, sending the host into the reincarnation cycle and arranging for him to be reborn into a wealthy household, ensuring a smooth and peaceful future life.

Having verified that Bai Su was relatively well, Chen Tian could finally spare the attention to examine this world’s storyline in detail.

Taken on its surface, this was a conventional urban campus romance, reminiscent of a modern fairy tale between Cinderella and a prince.

The female protagonist, Su Zhaozhao, was an orphan. Diligent, hardworking, and academically brilliant from childhood, she was accepted into prestigious B University with stellar grades.

There, she met the male protagonist, Qin Fei, a scion of the noble Qin family.

The handsome youth and lovely maiden crossed paths on campus, developing mutual affection through fortuitous encounters, navigating a series of shared trials together.

Naturally, malicious supporting characters and cannon fodder stirred up crises and misunderstandings along the way, but thanks to Su Zhaozhao’s orphanage friends providing timely assistance, Qin Fei and Su Zhaozhao resolved every hardship and ended up together.

At the story’s conclusion, following graduation, Qin Fei inherited the Qin family enterprise, while Su Zhaozhao graduated with distinction to enter the family business and assist him. The two remained devoted to each other, living out a happy life.

Chen Tian’s current identity was the paternal uncle of the male protagonist, Qin Fei.

The host’s father, Qin Xingxian, was an unreliable wastrel who had indulged in wine and women from his youth. His only redeeming grace was that he had never produced illegitimate children.

Seeing that Qin Xingxian was beyond redemption, the old patriarch arranged a political marriage with a lady of equal standing.

The couple shared little affection, and the mother of the host and his older brother passed away shortly after giving birth to them. Following her death, Qin Xingxian’s decadent behavior grew worse.

The old patriarch simply bypassed him, focusing on grooming his two grandsons as potential heirs.

However, Qin Yichen’s older brother was an artistic romantic by nature, holding no interest in corporate governance. Thus, before passing away, the old patriarch entrusted the Qin empire to Qin Yichen.

The older brother enjoyed his freedom, holding art exhibitions abroad where he met a partner who shared his passions. They were deeply in love and eventually had Qin Fei.

When Qin Fei was ten, his parents flew overseas to sketch landscapes and celebrate their wedding anniversary, only to perish in a tragic plane crash. Consequently, it was no exaggeration to say that Qin Yichen had raised Qin Fei with his own hands.

In the original plot, following Qin Yichen’s sudden death from overwork, Qin Fei sank into prolonged dejection, while his good-for-nothing grandfather, Qin Xingxian, caused endless trouble.

Fortunately, as the world’s male lead, Qin Fei was blessed with luck. The loyal retainers Qin Yichen left behind supported him wholeheartedly, allowing the boy to mature rapidly past his grief.

Yet his uncle’s death had deprived him of warmth at home. It was only when he met the gentle, resilient Su Zhaozhao and fell in love that he rediscovered the beauty of life.

Unfortunately, when the minor world was corrupted by dark taint, the storyline warped: the malicious female supporting character, Ji Yirou, was reborn.

In her childhood, Ji Yirou had lived in the same orphanage as Su Zhaozhao, perpetually jealous that Su Zhaozhao was prettier and more popular. During her time there, she constantly found ways to torment her.

Ji Yirou’s true identity was the lost illegitimate daughter of the affluent Ji family. In the original plot, she was taken back by the Ji family very early on.

Looking down on the orphanage children from the bottom of her heart, she naturally refused to associate with them afterward.

Growing up, she fell for Qin Fei. To pursue him, she had her family donate an entire building to secure her admission into B University, only to encounter Su Zhaozhao once more.

Upon discovering that Qin Fei loved Su Zhaozhao, Ji Yirou was driven mad with jealousy, employing every underhanded scheme imaginable, including drugging drinks and hiring thugs to harm her. Yet her schemes backfired, and her true colors were exposed by Su Zhaozhao’s orphanage companions.

Having committed countless evils and ruined her own reputation, she was cast out by the Ji family. Fearing retribution from the Qin family, she attempted to flee abroad, only to die in a car crash on her way to the airport.

Opening her eyes again, Ji Yirou had returned to the year she was about to leave the orphanage.

Having been reborn, Ji Yirou sought to seize this opportunity to eliminate Su Zhaozhao, her future stumbling block.

Yet as the world’s female protagonist, Su Zhaozhao was protected by substantial karmic fortune. Ji Yirou attempted to harm her multiple times without success, only earning public reprimands when caught bullying her.

Consequently, Ji Yirou shifted her target toward the orphanage children who would aid Su Zhaozhao in the future. The foremost target she needed to remove was their leader, Bai Su.

In the original plot, though Bai Su delayed his studies to work and provide for the younger children, he possessed remarkable business acumen. Even starting from street stalls, he built his own empire from the ground up.

Later on, the successful Bai Su helped his orphanage siblings considerably, repeatedly foiling Ji Yirou’s schemes.

The present timeline of Ji Yirou’s rebirth coincided precisely with the orphanage’s financial crisis. To save the orphanage, Bai Su had been desperate for money.

Initially, he had considered staging a traffic accident against a luxury car to extort compensation.

Later on, the Ji family discovered Ji Yirou at the orphanage and gave them a sizable gratitude donation, resolving the crisis.

Bai Su had only mentioned that desperate idea to his closest companions after the danger passed, and Ji Yirou had learned of it by chance.

Now, however, the reborn Ji Yirou refused to let the Ji family donate any funds. She proactively egged Bai Su on to stage an accident, and while he hesitated, she feigned clumsiness and pushed him into oncoming traffic.

Bai Su suffered catastrophic injuries and was rendered a vegetable. Moreover, because Ji Yirou manipulated the Ji family behind the scenes, the children received not a penny in compensation.

Reading to this point, Chen Tian’s expression turned terrifyingly dark.

Hiding deep within the sea of consciousness, 009 shivered, knowing its boss was thoroughly enraged.

Taking a few deep breaths, Chen Tian continued reviewing the remaining plot.

Lacking funds to sustain itself, the orphanage collapsed. The children ended up on the streets, surviving on petty theft and occasional odd jobs. Bai Su perished shortly after due to a lack of medical care.

As for Su Zhaozhao, though she was fortunate enough to be taken in by an ordinary household, she was merely a child whose help was a drop in the ocean.

She began working odd jobs early on to assist her former companions, compromising her studies. Failing to enter B University, she attended an ordinary college and lived an unremarkable life.

Meanwhile, Ji Yirou still failed to win Qin Fei’s heart even without Su Zhaozhao around. Whenever she was in a foul mood, she would flaunt her wealth before Su Zhaozhao and the others.

She even hired people to secretly create endless difficulties for them, leaving Su Zhaozhao and her friends to live destitute, miserable lives.

By the time the car pulled up to the Qin family estate, Chen Tian had reviewed the entire plotline.

Having learned of Bai Su’s tragic fate in that altered timeline, an icy aura clung to Chen Tian, as though he were enveloped in dark storm clouds, leaving the driver terrified of uttering a single word, sensing that the CEO was far more intimidating than usual.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Tian stepped out of the vehicle.

He knew none of that had transpired yet, but learning of his lover’s suffering in that twisted timeline made him loathe that reborn schemer from the start.

If Ji Yirou dared make a single move, he would ensure she regretted it.

Calculating the timeline, Ji Yirou had likely already returned. Chen Tian’s immediate priority was determining how to approach his lover step by step.

It happened to be dinner hour. Entering the estate, Chen Tian spotted Qin Fei in the dining room, just about to begin his meal.

Sweeping a glance over the male protagonist, though only fifteen and not yet fully grown, the boy possessed sharp sword-like brows and starry eyes, cutting an undeniably handsome figure. Looking at Chen Tian, his gaze was brimming with filial admiration.

Seeing his uncle return, Qin Fei rose excitedly. Qin Yichen was always swamped with work, frequently staying late at the office, rarely making it home for dinner.

Facing his only living elder, though Qin Yichen was merely a dozen years older than him, the man’s years of steady care and dependable nature had led Qin Fei to view his uncle as a father figure.

“Uncle, you’re back! Have you eaten dinner yet?” Qin Fei asked expectantly.

Seeing Qin Fei’s eager look, Chen Tian shook his head: “Not yet.”

“That’s wonderful!” Qin Fei cheered, turning toward the elderly butler nearby. “Uncle Qin, please have them prepare Uncle’s dinner right away! I’ll eat with him!”

Before long, a steaming dinner was served. Uncle and nephew sat together in harmony, a contented smile resting on Qin Fei’s face throughout.

Meanwhile, Bai Su’s group returned to the orphanage with the bread, met with enthusiastic cheers.

Director Mama looked at them with complicated emotions. Though she wanted to tell them that stealing was wrong, seeing the children’s hollow, hungry faces, she could not bring herself to scold them.

She despised her own helplessness. The children currently survived on thin porridge every day; being in their growing years, how could their bodies withstand such deprivation in the long run?

Seeing the director’s reddened eyes and hesitant sorrow, Bai Su walked to her side and whispered gently, “Mama, I’ve memorized that vendor’s face. Once I earn money from working, I will definitely repay him.”

The greying director nodded, gazing into Bai Su’s eyes with guilt: “It’s Mama’s fault for being useless, making you all suffer!”

“No, Mama, everything will turn around,” Bai Su consoled her, lowering his head as determination flashed through his eyes. “There will always be a way.”

The following morning, after drinking his single bowl of orphanage porridge, Bai Su slipped out alone.

What he planned to do today was dangerous, so he could not bring his younger siblings along, unwilling to drag them into trouble.

Tucked in his pocket were twenty-odd yuan, his entire life savings, yet he could not bear to spend it on bus fare.

Bai Su walked all the way to the city center on foot, arriving at a commercial district, the most bustling area in City B.

The youth lingered in a corner. At sixteen, he had not yet reached his full height. Clad in plain clothes with a grey hood pulled over his head, he drew no attention from the crowd.

Watching the passersby, Bai Su appeared composed on the surface, but his palms were slick with sweat.

This was his first time attempting overt theft, and he was targeting money, not scraps of food like the day before.

Though guilt gnawed at his conscience, he had to take this desperate first step.

After a long time, he still had not found a suitable target. Suddenly, a strange stir tugged at his heart, as if some soul-deep pull were guiding him forward.

Without realizing it, he found himself beneath a towering skyscraper. Standing beneath the dense shade of a roadside tree, he stared fixedly at the building’s entrance, sensing that something he had long yearned for was about to appear.

Just when he began to think his intuition was merely a foolish delusion, the building’s glass doors pushed open.

A group of people emerged. The man at the lead wore a tailored black suit, his tall, imposing figure commanding immediate attention.

He possessed a chiseled profile, a prominent nose, sharp brows, and deep, piercing eyes, his pale lips pressed into a firm line, exuding absolute authority.

Even without speaking, the overwhelming aura radiating from him was palpable.

The entourage around him treated him with utmost deference, proving his formidable status.

With just a single glance, Bai Su’s pupils constricted. An inexplicable chord struck within his chest, leaving him utterly unable to look away.

Though situated in a bustling district with heavy pedestrian traffic, an invisible boundary seemed to form around the man, with no one daring to step too close.

The car dispatched to fetch him had already pulled up, but the man seemed to have other plans, instructing the driver to wait by the curb. Walking to the roadside alone, he retrieved a pack of cigarettes and casually lit one.

Pale wisps of smoke drifted lazily into the air. Bai Su had never known that a man standing by the street holding a cigarette could look so breathtaking.

He watched the man in silence. After a moment, as if bewitched, he crossed the street and walked straight toward him.

Though the man was by no means an easy target for theft, and was very likely someone he could never afford to offend, Bai Su found his feet moving entirely outside his control.

Driven by an irresistible urge to draw closer, Bai Su quickened his pace, deliberately bumping into the man with clumsy technique before pretending it was an accident and continuing forward.

He failed to notice the man behind him staring deeply after his retreating silhouette, lingering for a long time without moving.

Only after rounding the block did Bai Su break into a sprint. Ducking into a quiet street corner, he stared blankly at the object in his hand.

Whether the man was simply unobservant or something else, Bai Su had actually succeeded, though all he had managed to pilfer was the man’s handkerchief.

Panic fluttered in Bai Su’s chest. Having lost the nerve to linger, he hurried away from the district.

By the time he came to his senses, he had walked back to the orphanage without realizing it.

His outing had yielded nothing today, failing to gain anything of value beyond a seemingly useless handkerchief.

Yet for some reason, he felt a quiet sigh of relief.

Upon his return, he found his companions waiting by the entrance of the old building, clearly watching for him.

“Brother Bai Su, you’re finally back!”

Seeing Bai Su, Su Zhaozhao stood up with a bright smile, clutching a worn biography in her hands.

Beside her, Heipi and Xiao Lei rushed over, asking curiously, “Boss, where did you go today? We haven’t seen you all afternoon!”

Hearing their questions, Bai Su squeezed the handkerchief in his pocket, shook his head, and offered his trademark sunny grin: “Nowhere special, just felt like going for a walk alone.”

“Whoa! Going out to play without us, that’s not fair, Boss!” Heipi teased playfully.

Bai Su swatted the back of his head with a laugh, then ruffled Su Zhaozhao’s hair: “Heipi, you talk too much. What about you guys? Why are you waiting outside in the cold?”

“Zhaozhao insisted on waiting for you,” Heipi shrugged.

Then Bai Su watched as Su Zhaozhao pulled a small, wrapped handkerchief from her pocket. Unfolding it revealed two biscuits, her portion from yesterday’s shared pastries.

Clearly, the little girl had not eaten them yesterday. She had saved them until Bai Su returned, dividing the two biscuits evenly into four pieces to share with her three older brothers.

Bai Su and the others did not decline. To them, food was precious; they took the pieces and savored them slowly.

Heipi even took the handkerchief Su Zhaozhao used for wrapping and tipped the crumbs straight into his mouth.

The four of them had entered the orphanage around the same time, sharing the closest bond. They looked after one another daily, sharing whatever food and necessities they had.

Watching his younger siblings behave so sensibly, Bai Su pressed his lips together and sighed inwardly, yet guided them indoors with a smile.

In a shadowy corner, a pretty girl watched the four youngsters chatting and laughing, malice flashing through her eyes.

These four are just as detestable as ever!

Looking at Bai Su and calculating the timeline, Ji Yirou guessed he was currently agonizing over how to secure money for the orphanage, just as he had in her previous life.

This time, however, having been reborn, she would never allow them to comfortably enjoy the Ji family’s funding.

Since she could not easily lay a hand on Su Zhaozhao for now, she would start with this damned Bai Su.

After turning several venomous schemes over in her mind, Ji Yirou turned and departed in satisfaction.

At night, having no entertainment, the orphanage children typically went to sleep early. By nine o’clock, the lights were extinguished.

Before long, the other occupants of the room drifted into deep sleep, leaving only Bai Su tossing and turning, unable to find rest.

Aside from fretting over the orphanage’s survival, he could not stop thinking about the man he had encountered today.

Pulling the brown handkerchief from beneath his pillow, its fabric was remarkably soft, clearly of premium quality.

That man appeared so wealthy; perhaps this handkerchief had even been custom-made by hand. In the corner rested an embroidered capital letter ‘Q’, its meaning unknown.

Could it be the man’s surname?

What was his name, then? Was it Qi? Qin? Or perhaps Qian?

A faint smile touched the youth’s lips amidst his wandering thoughts. Bringing the handkerchief closer to examine it, he twitched his nose reflexively, catching a faint scent lingering on the fabric.

It was not perfume, but a clean, crisp aroma that defied easy description.

Could this be that man’s scent?

As if possessed by some inexplicable impulse, Bai Su…

…spread the handkerchief out completely, tossing it lightly into the air. Then, breathing a gentle puff of air beneath it, the cloth settled entirely across his face.

The wonderful scent enveloped him, making Bai Su’s eyes glaze over in a daze.

He took deep, steady breaths, longing for the fragrance to sink deeper and more intensely into his senses.

It was not that he failed to realize how strange his behavior seemed, but in the silence of the dark night, a person’s defenses were always fragile, making it far easier to surrender to one’s true impulses.

Bai Su had never imagined a day would come when he would become infatuated with a scent. In the past, whenever he passed people on the street, the expensive perfumes on their bodies had only struck him as pungent.

Yet the scent on this handkerchief was different. It smelled so clean and comforting, and he loved it far too much. How could such a pleasant fragrance exist, filling his entire heart to the brim?

That night, wrapped in that soothing aroma, Bai Su drifted into a deep sleep, tumbling into sweet dreams.

When he woke the next morning, he found the thin handkerchief still resting over his face. Blinking, he expressionlessly lifted the cloth away, his earlobes burning red as he folded it swiftly and tucked it back beneath his pillow.

Perhaps because he had slept so soundly the night before, Bai Su felt in remarkably high spirits. Yet once he finished his bowl of porridge and caught sight of the sorrow etched onto Director Mama’s face nearby, his mood turned heavy once more.

Reflecting on the orphanage’s dire predicament, his earlier notions had likely been far too naive. Even if he threw caution to the wind, how much money could he actually make through petty theft? Against their current crisis, it would be nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

Standing outside the orphanage gates and watching the flow of traffic, a fleeting thought crossed his mind once again. He gritted his teeth. If he truly went through with it, he might end up crippled, or even dead. Of course, if he were careful enough, he probably would not lose his life.

Although he knew doing this was wronging the driver, he had no other way out. Once they lost the shelter of the orphanage, older kids like him might manage, but what about the younger siblings who were only a few years old? It went without saying that they would either end up begging on the streets or get snatched away by human traffickers to be sold off.

He knew staging an accident for extortion was wrong, that it was a crime. Yet with his meager abilities, robbing a bank or a jewelry store was impossible. He could only think of finding a luxury car, hoping that even if the owner paid out a substantial sum of compensation, it would not place too heavy a burden on them. As long as he had breath left in him, he swore he would find a way to make it up to them in the future.

Guilt tore at his conscience, making it agonizingly difficult to steel his resolve.

Over the following days, Bai Su wandered the streets with his companions as usual, hoping to stumble upon opportunities. Yet as expected, it was all in vain. It was not as though he had not tried reaching out to the media or charity organizations for help, but whoever had set their sights on the orphanage’s land clearly wielded immense influence. The other party refused to let the matter gain publicity or allow them to receive any donations, rendering every effort utterly futile.

During these days, aside from his closest companions, Heipi, Xiao Lei, and Su Zhaozhao, Ji Yirou uncharacteristically clung to their side every single day, insisting on joining their outings. Her abrupt behavior struck them as odd, but she was still a younger sister from the same orphanage after all. Although this girl usually carried herself with disdain toward them and constantly looked for excuses to slander or bully Su Zhaozhao, she was now putting on an ingratiating display, showering them with sweet words, claiming she had been immature in the past and had learned from her mistakes. They could not truly give her the cold shoulder. At the end of the day, they were all young children, and how much scheming could they really possess? Even after a squabble, they might end up playing together again before long.

Ji Yirou, of course, shadowed them with deliberate purpose. Seeing Bai Su guide them to upscale districts lately and constantly stare blankly at luxury cars, she knew he was contemplating the same scheme as in her previous life. In the beginning, Bai Su had seemed hesitant, but recently several waves of thugs had caused trouble at the orphanage. Director Mama’s health was visibly deteriorating, signaling to Ji Yirou that the time to strike had finally arrived.

On this day, seeing Bai Su weighed down by heavy thoughts, preparing to head out without calling his usual companions, whether by accident or design, Ji Yirou hurriedly ran after him. Hearing the commotion, the others caught up as well, leaving Bai Su feeling helpless. For reasons unknown, this little sister who usually ignored them had become exceedingly clingy lately. Yet upon second thought, if something truly happened to him, having no one nearby to witness it would indeed be risky. After weighing it, he relented and let them come along, setting out together.

The journey took quite some time before the group finally reached the most bustling commercial street in the city center. Unlike the others, who routinely ran errands to assist Director Mama, Ji Yirou lacked their physical stamina. Her legs ached with every step, yet she could not voice complaints, lingering at the back of the group and glaring venomously at Bai Su ahead. Watching Su Zhaozhao carry a small water bottle along the way, untying it to offer sips to the older boys one by one, Ji Yirou rolled her eyes when no one was looking. When Su Zhaozhao tried to hand the bottle to her, Ji Yirou waved her hands hurriedly, smiling sweetly: “Sister Zhaozhao, I’m not thirsty. You drink it yourself.”

Watching Su Zhaozhao drink, Ji Yirou was filled with revulsion. To share a single bottle among so many people, all of them filthy orphans. Even though the boys had merely poured the water into their mouths from a distance, she still found it sickening. Malice churned in her mind: Su Zhaozhao, keep acting like an innocent white lotus while you can; your time to cry will come soon enough. Once something happens to your Brother Bai Su, let’s see who backs you up in the future!

Unaware that Ji Yirou was plotting his downfall, Bai Su unconsciously gravitated toward the vicinity of that skyscraper once more. The city center was far from the orphanage, and he had not visited over the past few days. Standing here now, the youth reflexively touched the handkerchief in his pocket. For reasons he could not explain, he remembered that man from that day again. It was merely a fleeting encounter; perhaps the man had forgotten him entirely, or perhaps he did not even realize he had lost a handkerchief. Shaking his head lightly, he tried his best to banish that irrelevant person from his thoughts. Though largely unsuccessful, Bai Su knew his focus should not linger on that man or a piece of cloth resting in his pocket.

Luxury cars sped past along the road. In this district, the chances of spotting fine vehicles were vastly higher than elsewhere. Bai Su pressed his lips into a tight line, lingering by the curb, hesitation gnawing at his heart. He was merely a sixteen-year-old youth after all; how could he not fear injury, how could he not fear death? More importantly, he could not cross the hurdle of his own conscience. This was not snatching scraps of food to survive. What if the person driving was merely a hired chauffeur? Would it plunge an innocent family into ruin and tear them apart? Might they have young children at home just like them, reduced to misery as a result? Even if the driver was not a chauffeur, but someone of considerable wealth, would his injury or death cast a lifelong shadow over that person’s conscience?

Bai Su never believed that being disadvantaged granted an excuse to commit wrongful deeds. To be blunt, the only illicit things he had ever done were taking those pastries last time and stealing that handkerchief. With that thought, he pulled back the foot he had already stepped forward with. He realized just how terribly misguided his previous decision had been. Even if they ended up on the streets, those scheming against the orphanage would likely lose interest in them by then. He could collect recyclables, or work on construction sites. He would look after these younger siblings with utmost care, and they would surely pull through together.

Just as Bai Su found peace in his resolve, a quarrel broke out behind him. For reasons unknown, Ji Yirou, who had behaved herself recently, began hurling barbed insults at Su Zhaozhao. Seeing Su Zhaozhao’s face turn crimson, she even shoved her. Infuriated, Heipi, who was fiercely protective of his little sister, stepped forward to push her back. Yet before Heipi even touched her, Ji Yirou let out a shrill scream and threw herself against Bai Su, knocking him flat onto the road.

Right at that moment, a car came speeding toward them. Spotting Bai Su’s perilous situation, a gleeful smile flickered in Ji Yirou’s eyes. Unexpectedly, the speeding car seemed to have anticipated someone dashing into the street; while driving at high speed, it executed an eerily smooth lane change, missing Bai Su completely. Immediately following it, an understated black sedan approached at a slow pace, coming to a gentle halt right in front of the fallen youth.

The driver, Xiao Liu, broke out in a cold sweat. He scrambled out of the car to check on the boy. He had found his boss rather peculiar today, repeatedly instructing him to drive slowly, keeping this short stretch at a snail’s pace. Seeing the youth before the bumper, he felt intensely relieved; had he not heeded the CEO’s instructions, he surely would have struck someone. Even so, he remembered clearly that the boy had tumbled out and landed on the asphalt on his own, entirely untouched by the car. Looking at the boy’s handsome face, could such an attractive kid really be staging an accident for extortion? Their vehicle had dashcams installed, after all.

Seeing that the other party appeared unhurt, Xiao Liu exhaled a sigh of relief. As an experienced chauffeur, he had encountered his share of scammers before. Just as he prepared to dismiss the boy with a few sharp words, the rear door swung open. Bai Su remained sitting on the asphalt in a daze. From his angle, he could see a long, straight leg step out from the rear cabin. Then, a tall silhouette emerged, walking toward him against the sunlight.

Squinting, Bai Su raised a hand to shield his eyes from the glare. The light was dazzling, and only when the figure drew near did he clearly distinguish the man’s features. His eyes widened in shock: was this not the very man whose handkerchief he had stolen beside the skyscraper that day? A flicker of panic ran through his chest, eclipsed by the sheer mortification of being suspected of staging a scam, even though he had already repented and discarded that notion entirely. Deep down, he desperately wished to hide this pathetic state from the man. Forgetting everything else, Bai Su scrambled to pick himself up from the ground, but the man stepped forward and gently restrained him.

His gaze snapped upward. Before he could process what was happening, he was lifted horizontally into the tall man’s arms. Beside them, Xiao Liu stared in open-mouthed astonishment, unable to believe that this figure scooping someone into his embrace was his usually cold, unapproachable CEO. Snapping out of his momentary stupor, Bai Su immediately began to struggle.

“Don’t struggle. You’re hurt; I’m taking you to see a doctor,” Chen Tian said in a deep voice that brooked no argument, carrying Bai Su forward and placing him directly into the car.

Only then did Chen Tian turn around, looking toward the children who stood frozen by the sudden turn of events. “Your brother is injured. I am taking him to see a doctor, and my secretary will escort you home.” As he spoke, his gaze swept casually across Ji Yirou. The bone-chilling hostility and killing intent contained within that single glance sent a violent shudder through her, freezing her to the spot. She felt as though an invisible hand had gripped her throat tightly, suffocating her. Yet when she pulled herself together and looked again, the man appeared calm and impassive, as though that freezing glare had been nothing more than an illusion.

Hearing Chen Tian speak, the other children noticed a fox-eyed man holding a briefcase stepping down from the passenger seat with a pleasant smile. Clearly, they were worried about Bai Su and unwilling to leave just like that. Su Zhaozhao in particular plucked up her courage, braving Chen Tian’s icy poker face, and scurried to the back door, determined to ask after the brother who cared for them the most. Glancing at his worried siblings, then at the man standing by the open door gazing intently at him, Bai Su gave a subtle nod and told Su Zhaozhao, “Go on back first. I’ll return once the doctor checks me over.”

Although Heipi and Su Zhaozhao desperately wanted to accompany Bai Su, the tall man was simply too intimidating, so they did not dare insist, obediently following the secretary instead. Even Ji Yirou seemed cowed, not uttering another peep and causing no further trouble on the journey back.

Inside the vehicle gliding smoothly toward the Qin family estate, Bai Su sat stiffly beside the man. Chen Tian watched tenderly as the youth edged toward the far side of the seat, keeping as much distance as possible. Internally, he felt immensely fortunate that he had kept close tabs on his lover’s movements. Sure enough, the plan had unfolded just as smoothly as envisioned. Now he had the perfect pretext and image to entwine his life with his darling once more. He had no doubt this would be an unforgettable first impression.