Mu Rongfeng didn't notice Mu Bai's shocked, speechless expression.
He got out of the car with his son, made his way through the crowd, first greeted Old Mr. Zhang, and then asked, "Where's Miss Zhang?"
"She went to see someone off," Old Mr. Zhang replied, then continued discussing the case with the police.
"See someone off?" Mu Rongfeng was stunned, thinking to himself that at a time like this, how could that young girl still have time to see someone off?
After getting in the car and fastening her seatbelt, Xiao Ya asked, "Sheng Yuxiao, weren't you supposed to take the morning flight? Why did you change it to evening?"
Sheng Yuxiao glanced back in Mu Bai's direction, then said quietly, "After thinking about it, the evening flight seemed more appropriate. I can sleep on the plane and arrive refreshed, so I changed the ticket."
"Is that so?"
Sheng Yuxiao didn't answer this question.
He just said in a slightly cool tone, "Good thing I came." Then he immediately lowered his head and asked, "For such a dangerous task, why did you choose that fool Mu Bai?"
"He's not that foolish."
"You're still defending him?"
"I borrowed his help, so it wouldn't be right to speak ill of him behind his back."
Sheng Yuxiao's tone finally normalized: "Why didn't you call us? Even your uncle would have been fine."
"You're all adults, your presence would have been too intimidating, and the event was almost over. If we delayed too long, they would have gotten suspicious."
Sheng Yuxiao fell silent.
They were still too far removed from her life.
And as she said, they were adults now.
In many moments to come, she wouldn't need them anymore.
There would be more people her age, like Zhou Xiaoshu and An Ying, who would come into her life, become her friends, and occupy parts of her world.
And there would be slightly older ones, like Mu Bai.
Sheng Yuxiao had no doubt that Xiao Ya would have plenty of friends.
She was so likeable.
Anyone who didn't like Xiao Ya must lack taste!
"Sheng Yuxiao, are you unhappy?" Xiao Ya looked up at him.
Sheng Yuxiao lowered his eyes, his gaze meeting hers directly, but still said nothing.
Xiao Ya said softly, "I can protect myself now. I've grown up, you don't need to worry."
"Yes, you've grown up." Sheng Yuxiao patted her head and told the driver, "Let's go."
Xiao Ya felt confused.
She could sense that Sheng Yuxiao still wasn't happy.
But why?
Even after Sheng Yuxiao boarded his flight, Xiao Ya still couldn't figure out the answer to this question.
The next day, the nursing home incident made the news.
Mu Rongfeng seized the opportunity to make a donation to the nursing home on behalf of his company and specially invited New Domain Medical doctors to conduct comprehensive health examinations for the elderly.
Mu Bai and Xiao Ya became trending topics, sparking nationwide discussions about nursing homes, and the Mu family's company benefited from the positive publicity.
[The elderly were really suffering, thank goodness someone rescued them from that hell]
[My opinion of Universal Connection has improved, they're quite proactive in charity work]
[+1, I heard the chairman's son also helped a lot at the scene. Such a brave act, well done!]
[Young people are really fearless, did anyone see the police report? That guy surnamed Jin had four murder cases on his record. Yet none of these students showed any fear.]
[What? Four murder cases?]
[Yes, Jin used to be a middle school teacher. After accumulating huge gambling debts, instead of paying them back, he killed his family members and fled. Then he pretended to be an illiterate villager, claimed he lost his ID, and got a job at the nursing home.]
[How did he get hired?]
[He was good at pretending, and the director later became his accomplice. They say the director had a sadistic streak. Her parents died early, and when her grandmother became bedridden, she took care of her for a few years before getting fed up and killing her. She developed a taste for it and found new targets. Those two were birds of a feather, of course they covered for each other.]
[Oh my god, even the director was evil, that was really dangerous! I'm suddenly curious how these students managed to subdue them...]
Mu Bai read through the online discussions repeatedly.
He had to admit, being a hero felt pretty good.
Looking back at his elementary school bully days now, Mu Bai wanted to go back in time and slap himself.
More and more netizens were asking questions.
[How did they subdue them?]
[+1, curious how they managed it]
Mu Bai scanned through the numerous questions and started typing, while his mind wandered back to Zhang Ruoshui's appearance at that time... making his feelings even more complicated.
But while he was lost in thought, someone else had already provided an answer.
[There's footage from the scene online, you can search for it. A seventh-grade girl subdued them. Apparently, she planned and mainly executed the whole thing. The police confirmed she was both brave and clever, and she's a top student too]
[? Girls are this fierce nowadays?]
[After watching the footage, she looks familiar, isn't she the little girl from that reality show a few years ago?]
[Did some more research, the girl's name is Zhang Ruoshui]
[That name sounds familiar too!]
[Oh wow! Isn't she the long-lost granddaughter of the Zhang family who made headlines recently? From a martyr's family!]
[I looked it up too, before being recognized by her family, she was called Xiao Ya, and she was indeed that little girl from 'Exchange Lives']
[Ah, she was the first internet daughter I ever followed! She hasn't changed! After all these years, she's still just as outstanding!]
As the discussion continued, netizens went to watch the scene footage, and after being amazed by the young girl's strength and skillful handling of the situation, they weren't satisfied and went to dig up the first season of "Exchange Lives."
Even the director was shocked: "Damn, Li Xiao Ya, I mean, Zhang Ruoshui, am I going to be living off this show forever? How many times has it been rewatched by everyone now? How is the viewership still increasing?"
The second season of "Exchange Lives" wasn't nearly as popular as the first, and after two more seasons, it was completely cancelled.
Now the director was sitting on the sidelines of another variety show.
The director's assistant couldn't help saying, "We should really thank Miss Zhang."
As long as the young girl was alive, they might trend again, right? Then they could use the viewing numbers to attract new investment! In any case... thank you, Miss Zhang!
The news spread widely, even her second uncle, aunt, Dou Dawei, and others... all called to ask about the situation.
And amid all this discussion and attention, Xiao Ya still went to school as usual with her backpack, unwavering as ever.
Her classmates couldn't help but say, "Awesome!"
The end-of-school bell rang.
Xiao Ya walked out with An Ying.
There were more furtive glances and whispers around them.
But An Ying noticed: "Seems like fewer people are passing you notes."
Xiao Ya responded with an "Oh," showing little interest.
An Ying looked up at someone in the distance: "Mu Bai, is he here for you?"
Xiao Ya still showed little interest, saying, "Don't know."
Just then, Xiao Ya's phone rang.
She took it out, answered smoothly, and said to the caller: "Yes, that was me in the news, I'm completely fine, I'm safe, don't worry."
"News?" Qin Sui's voice came through, he paused, his tone unusually deep and hoarse, "What happened back home?"
Xiao Ya realized and said: "Nothing much." Then she quickly asked: "Qin Sui, did something happen there?" After thinking for a moment, she added: "Is it related to that phone call the other day?"
"Yes, Xiao Ya, I need your help with something."
"Do I need to fly overseas?"
"Yes." Qin Sui sounded somewhat helpless, "You need to leave immediately, I'll arrange the flight... if it's convenient for you."
Xiao Ya didn't hesitate: "It is."
Qin Sui was speechless for a moment, finding himself at a loss for words.
Xiao Ya said softly, "When my uncle and I were stopped outside the banquet, you didn't hesitate either."
Qin Sui thought to himself, but that was because you walked towards me first, which led to my concession.
But the little one seemed to remember others' kindness more, while forgetting that when others extended their hands, there were usually conditions attached.
Before Qin Sui could finish his call, another call came through to Xiao Ya's phone.
Since Qin Sui's message wasn't suitable for phone discussion anyway, he quickly ended the call.
Xiao Ya answered the other call: "Ke Muning?"
"Playing hero, are you?" Ke Muning's tone was cold, "While I'm here taking care of business, you're over there doing good deeds?"
Xiao Ya was already used to his way of speaking, and replied without any ripple in her heart, "Mm, let's earn some good karma for Ke Muning."
Ke Muning: "..."
"Not even pretending to be the bad guy anymore?" the man asked on the other end.
"Being a bad guy is easy. Next time we meet, I'll just put on another wig, and Ke Muning, you can try guessing who I am again."
"..." That was pretty wicked indeed.
