Bai Yin carried a light blue embroidered canvas shoulder bag and weaved through the crowded pedestrian traffic like a fish, jogging to the dance studio.
The studio was empty and had not been "occupied" by anyone else.
She could not help but breathe a sigh of relief, wiping away the fine beads of sweat on her forehead, and took out her dance shoes from her backpack.
It was at this moment that Zhou Yingxuan and several other girls from the dance troupe walked in one after another.
When Zhou Yingxuan saw Bai Yin, a look of disgust appeared on her face: "Here you are again, every day you're here, isn't it annoying?"
Bai Yin paid them no attention. After changing into her dance shoes, she leaned against the railing to stretch and warm up her legs.
Behind her, the girls whispered among themselves:
"As thin as a monkey, acting like a big star, it's laughable."
"That's right. Nowadays, to make it in the entertainment industry, you need some background. But her..."
Bai Yin expressionlessly practiced her dance moves, ignoring their hushed gossip.
The girls plugged in a stereo and turned up the music extremely loud.
The rhythm she was humming along to was disrupted, and she frowned at Zhou Yingxuan.
Zhou Yingxuan raised her chin as if to show off, clearly intentionally antagonizing her.
Bai Yin didn't want to argue with them anymore. She wiped away her sweat with a towel, picked up her bag, and decisively left the dance studio.
On her way out, she kicked over their black stereo.
Zhou Yingxuan shrieked at the top of her lungs: “Bai Yin! What the hell is wrong with you!”
Bai Yin didn't look back, and flipped her the middle finger with one hand.
...
Her feud with the dance troupe went back to the freshman talent show in 10th grade, when she won first place that should have belonged to these girls who had been dancing since childhood and came from well-off families.
Since then, led by Zhou Yingxuan, those girls in the troupe had never thought highly of Bai Yin, and were constantly finding fault with her.
Bai Yin had never been the type to suffer in silence, so they had never gained any advantage over her.
With her bag on her back, she stomped angrily along the stone paths of the old town, kicking pebbles all the way.
A gust of wind blew by, and the intoxicating aroma of the osmanthus tree at her front door drifted over, with tiny fragmented petals fluttering down.
Bai Yin noticed there seemed to be a figure standing under the osmanthus tree.
She couldn't help but slow her pace, carefully walking over and peeking out from the shade of the flowers.
She saw a youth in a white shirt leaning against a motorcycle, with refined and handsome features. His tall nose and deeply set brow bones made his profile look very masculine.
Seemingly noticing her arrival, he suddenly turned his head, casting an impassive glance at her with his tranquil dark eyes.
Bai Yin felt his gaze...was like sparks that set her skin ablaze.
Her heart gave an inexplicable thump, and she quickened her pace, hurrying up the stairs to the old house.
Before going inside, she couldn't resist taking another look back at him.
The youth had already averted his eyes, bowing his head to check the instrument panel of the motorcycle, with the fluttering osmanthus petals drifting down and landing on his vehicle.
...
Her grandma was washing apples by the courtyard well. Bai Yin immediately put down her bag and took the apples from her grandma's hands, "Let me do that. Your eyes aren't good, you shouldn't be doing this."
"It's no problem, I can still see."
"I'll do it."
After Bai Yin washed the apples, she carefully sliced them into pieces on a plate for her and her grandma to eat together, "Grandma, did you see a stranger outside?"
"Who?"
"A guy."
"You mean little Huai?" Her grandma nodded knowingly, "Old man Chen's grandson next door. They say he's a university student who comes to visit on weekends."
"Oh."
Bai Yin nodded and went to fetch another apple from the basket, rinsing it clean in the well water before heading out the door.
The youth was squatting in front of his motorcycle, seeming to be checking something, occasionally getting up to press buttons.
Leaning against the door, Bai Yin soundlessly eyed him.
He had a tall figure, and the black pants outlined his long, perfectly sculpted legs with beautiful lines.
Apple in hand, Bai Yin walked up to him and took the initiative to ask, "Is your motorcycle broken?"
The youth still tried stepping on the ignition, ignoring her completely.
She added, "I know a place in town that can fix vehicles."
The young man still didn't respond to her. His entire being emanated an aura that said 'do not disturb', with a frosty look in his eyes.
Having gotten nowhere with him, Bai Yin grimaced and didn't bother giving him the apple either, turning around to head back inside.
...
At dusk, she changed into loose workout clothes and turned on a boombox in the courtyard, practicing a new classical dance she was learning, "Yearning for the Beloved".
With no mirrors around, she could only watch her shadow cast by the daylight and use it to judge if her moves were up to standard.
"You are beyond a thousand mountains, I await your return..."
She hummed the melody softly, moving gracefully and fluidly. In the final backbend during an over-the-shoulder gaze, she saw the youth in the white shirt leaning against the wooden gate.
The sparks flickering in his intense stare struck her heart with a crackling burst once more.
Flustered, Bai Yin stopped her motions and stood up, somewhat awkwardly meeting his eyes.
Finally, the youth spoke, "Grandpa told you and granny to come over for dinner."
His voice was low and magnetic, like cracking timber.
Having said that, he didn't wait for Bai Yin's response and turned to leave through the gate.
Bai Yin grimaced. She went to shower and change.
As she was getting dressed, she deliberately picked out the prettiest embroidered white dress she owned, and told her grandma who was washing rice, "Old man Chen invited us over for dinner."
"Why keep going over there for dinner, it's not right to always eat at someone else's place."
"Then I'll tell old man Chen we won't be going."
Knowing the neighbor had taken a liking to Bai Yin and wanted to look after her, and worried about her own declining health...that she might not be around to see the girl grow up, her grandma immediately said, "You go on, I'll just eat at home. It'd be wasteful not to finish yesterday's leftovers."
"If you're not going, I won't go either. I'll keep you company and we can eat dinner together."
Bai Yin took out the previous day's leftovers from the fridge and efficiently reheated them.
Not long after, the youth strolled back to the doorway. Seeing Bai Yin cooking, he coldly remarked, "Why didn't you hear what I said earlier?"
"Because we still have leftover rice and dishes at home..." Flustered by his presence, Bai Yin explained awkwardly, "It doesn't seem right to always go over and eat."
Chen Huaixiao looked at the greens in the girl's hands, and after a brief silence said, "Uncle Mu has already prepared a full spread for guests. Grandpa will be very upset if you don't come."
Having said that, he left again without waiting for Bai Yin's response.
Her grandma urged Bai Yin, "Go on, go on. Who knows if the old master has advice for you."
Bai Yin knew her grandma definitely didn't want to intrude. She also didn't want to defy old man Chen's wishes, so she could only help her grandma finish cooking and eating first before going next door to the Chen residence.
Although the Chen house was right beside hers, its furnishings and decor were vastly different from her home.
Everything was made of precious redwood, and the walls and shelves were adorned with...all sorts of invaluable antiques and artworks.
In the dining room, Mu Ying brought out the final dish, freshly steamed fish, and set it on the table.
The old master slowly walked out with the aid of an intricately carved dragon head cane, with Chen Huaixiao respectfully following behind. Once the elder was seated, he too took his place.
"Little girl, you sit too," the old man was less formal with Bai Yin, casually beckoning, "Sit beside San."
Bai Yin looked at the youth in the white shirt.
With no one else in the hall, San must be referring to him.
Obediently, Bai Yin sat down next to the young man.
The moment she got near him, she felt the powerful aura he exuded, and grew somewhat nervous.
"Why didn't your grandma come along?"
"Because we still had leftover lunch at home, grandma said it'd be wasteful not to finish it."
Knowing what she meant, old man Chen didn't probe further. Pointing to the youth, he introduced, "This is our third son, Chen Huaixiao. You can call him elder brother."
Bai Yin cautiously stole a glance at the young man beside her.
His dark eyes were tinged with a cold detachment, and he didn't seem interested in getting acquainted either.
Although displeased, Bai Yin didn't want to defy old man Chen, and politely addressed him, "Elder brother."
Only then did the youth lightly acknowledge her.
"From now on, your elder brother Huaixiao will be coming over every week, so get to know each other well."
"Okay."
"Oh right, are you struggling to keep up with high school classes? I saw your grades last month were very unsatisfactory."
"Yes, a little. My English isn't too good, listening comprehension especially."
"You have to bring your academics up first." Old man Chen said sternly, "No matter if you want to sing, dance, or become a celebrity in the future, knowledge is something you can never lag behind in."
"I understand, Grandpa Chen. I will focus on my studies," Bai Yin said.
"Can you make it into the top ten of your grade before senior year?"
"I...I'll try my best."
"I don't want to hear 'I'll try'. Can you or can't you?"
"I can! I can do it!"
Only then did the sternness on Chen's face soften slightly. He put another slice of braised beef on Bai Yin's plate, "The future is yours to take. Make the most of it."
"Mm."
Chen Huaixiao ate silently, listening to the conversation between the old master and the girl beside him. He thought he understood what was going on.
The old man was grooming her, no doubt about it.
Of course this wasn't just a spur of the moment act of kindness or charity on the master's part.
Chen Huaixiao could guess at his motives after this one meal.
The first half of Chen Huaixiao's life had been dictated by the old master. He was trapped in the old spider's web, helpless to break free. Chen Huaixiao's expression grew colder.
"Xiaosan, after the meal, have the girl take you around the old town to have a look," the old master said.
"Alright."
...
Chen Huaixiao walked silently down the lamp-lit stone streets of the old town.
Bai Yin could tell he had no interest in shopping. She chatted away enthusiastically about the various sights and foods... But he didn't respond at all, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
The little girl couldn't hold in her temper any longer. Clutching the strap of her bag, she quickened her pace and walked away.
Seeing the girl leave without a word, Chen Huaixiao chased after her in three long strides. "What are you doing?"
"Since you're not interested in shopping, I'm going home to do my homework!"
The cold expression on Chen Huaixiao's face finally thawed a little. An appreciative smile touched the corners of his lips. "You've got quite the temper."
"I never waste time on pointless things," Bai Yin huffed.
"Grandpa said you want to be a celebrity?"
"Mm."
"Then your dancing is awful."
Bai Yin's cheeks flushed red. She retorted, "You can't even dance! What makes you say that?"
"I may not be able to dance, but I know how to appreciate it." Chen Huaixiao said casually, "When you can satisfy me, then you'll have entered the door."
Bai Yin didn't believe his words. She just snorted and turned her head away.
Chen Huaixiao walked with his hands in his pockets down the quiet alley. The summer night breeze was cooling.
"Do you know why Grandpa treats you so well?"
"Grandpa Chen is a good person, the best person in the whole world. Without him...I would have starved to death." Bai Yin said firmly, "I will definitely make something of myself in the future to repay him."
Chen Huaixiao swallowed back the words that had nearly left his mouth.
This girl didn't know anything.
"Oh right, my bike broke down. You said there's a repair shop in town, take me there."
"You were ignoring me!" Bai Yin was still sulking over his earlier aloofness. "I changed my mind, I don't want to take you anymore."
Chen Huaixiao reached out and tugged on the long braid at the back of her head. "You're such a dog with your temper."
Seeing him grab her hair, Bai Yin's face immediately flushed crimson. She kept her head low and walked in the direction of home. "The repair shop is going to close soon. Hurry if you want to go."
Ten minutes later, Chen Huaixiao pushed his motorcycle into a shabby-looking repair shop in town.
This shop fixed bikes and electric scooters. Chen Huaixiao felt a little uneasy about bringing his motorcycle worth six figures in here.
"Bai Yin is here." The shop owner was a young man in his twenties, wearing a leather apron. He briskly pushed Chen Huaixiao's motorcycle into the shop. "Your friend?"
"Mm." Bai Yin replied cheerfully, "His bike broke down. Can you fix it?"
The young man squatted down to inspect it, then opened up the engine compartment. "Wow, nice bike."
Just as Chen Huaixiao was about to remind him to be careful, Bai Yin also bent down worriedly to look it over. "What's wrong with it? Why can't it start?"
"It can start, but the carburetor is a bit old. I'll replace it for you." With that, he swiftly removed the cylinder in seconds. "Go get me the lubricant."
Bai Yin obediently handed him the needed parts, helping him fix up the motorcycle. After testing it, it could start up again.
"Come listen to the sound." The young man patted the motorcycle and said to Chen Huaixiao, "Guaranteed it's as good as new."
Chen Huaixiao paid no attention to the motorcycle. He glanced sideways and saw the little girl's dirty, oil-smeared hands as she wiped the sweat from her face.
He was about to stop her but it was too late. Her fair, white cheeks were suddenly smudged black.
Chen Huaixiao rolled his eyes and dragged her by the sleeve over to the faucet by the door. "Wash your hands."
"Oh."
Bai Yin obediently washed her hands, scrubbing for a long time, but unable to wash off the black oil stains.
Chen Huaixiao took the soap from the box and lathered up her small hands. Then he held them under the water, scrubbing vigorously at her fingers.
His hands were large with strong, slender knuckles, yet the skin of his palms was delicate and smooth.
Bai Yin's heart thumped wildly in her chest once more.
"He's doing his job. Why are you so eager to help when you don't get a cut of the repair fee?"
"It's okay, we know each other."
"Very well?"
"Um...not that well."
After washing her hands, Chen Huaixiao used a damp paper towel to carefully wipe the smudges from her face.
Bai Yin gazed blankly at the handsome face before her, holding her breath.
His features were quite masculine, yet up close, they seemed gentle.
"Are you hot?"
"N-no..."
"Your face is so red."
"Oh, it's so hot!"
