Bai Xi had no intention of going to Ye Jun’s house; she just wanted to tease Ye Yunyun a little.
Ever since that day she accidentally laughed out loud, the little girl’s deadpan expression had finally started to crack. Although she still didn’t speak, she was beginning to react to the world around her.
It might also have something to do with Hong Xue’s way of interacting with her.
The Bai family could hear her thoughts. Even when they wanted Ye Yunyun to speak, hearing the little one’s soft chatter in her mind made them second-guess themselves. ’It’s not like we can’t hear what she’s thinking, so why force her to talk?’
Wu Chen, on the other hand, spoiled her rotten. If she ignored him, he could talk to himself for ages. And with just a small movement from Ye Yunyun, he could guess what she was thinking. Even if he guessed wrong, he’d adjust on his own.
When she was in his arms, Ye Yunyun didn’t even have to think.
’So happy... I’m just going to lie back and enjoy it!’
Only Hong Xue was different. Ever since witnessing those people get a brutal beating, she had completely let go of her burden.
"I’ve come to terms with it, Auntie," Hong Xue said, a cold glint in her eyes. "Even if the retribution they’re facing now isn’t enough to quell my anger, I can wait until I’m grown up and beat them to death."
Beside her, Bai Jiao silently took out her e-reader, opened the "Civil Code," and handed it to Hong Xue.
Hong Xue was confused. "?"
"Little one, you shouldn’t always be thinking about an eye for an eye. Maybe they can be sentenced to death and executed by firing squad, right?" Bai Jiao comforted her.
Hong Xue looked thoughtful. Behind her back, Bai Xi breathed a sigh of relief. ’If I ended up being a bad influence on the kid, I’d be a sinner!’
Hong Xue began training and practicing Martial Arts with Wu Chen and the Bai family every day. Her personality grew more lively, and she became more and more at ease in the villa.
...And so she started pestering Ye Yunyun.
She had seen many withdrawn children at the orphanage; Ye Yunyun was actually one of the more communicative ones. Although Hong Xue had no formal training in psychology, she had her own methods for dealing with Ye Yunyun.
"If you don’t nod or shake your head, how am I supposed to know what Bao Bao is thinking?"
"Does Bao Bao want this little cookie?"
’Yes! Yes!’
"No reaction? I guess Bao Bao isn’t interested. In that case, I’ll eat it! Thanks for the cookie, Bao Bao. You’re the bestest Bao Bao in the whole world!"
Before Ye Yunyun could even get angry about the cookie’s departure, a barrage of sweet talk came crashing down, leaving her completely dazed.
’I am! Of course I’m a good Bao Bao! Hey, where did my cookie go?’
The Bai family watched as Ye Yunyun’s eyes slowly widened. She stared in disbelief at the cookie crumbs around Hong Xue’s mouth, then looked at her mom, then back at the remaining cookies.
Hong Xue ate one cookie after another. No matter how hard the little girl tried to act cool and unfazed, the corners of her mouth started to droop.
"Hey, what’s wrong, Bao Bao? Why are you unhappy?" Hong Xue immediately leaned in and scooped her into her arms to comfort her.
As Hong Xue spoke, the sweet scent of cookies wafted over, making Ye Yunyun even more desperate for one.
’I want a cookie QAQ’
Her little eyes involuntarily drifted toward the cookies on the table.
Hong Xue knew to quit while she was ahead. She smacked her forehead and said, "Does Bao Bao want a cookie too? I’m sorry, I didn’t know! You didn’t move at all, so I thought you didn’t like them. Luckily for me, I have the kindest, most forgiving, cutest, and most considerate little Xiao Yunduo Bao Bao in the whole world, who’s willing to forgive me for being a little silly this one time."
Ye Yunyun held a cookie in her two little white hands, nibbling on it slowly by her small mouth, her eyes still a bit dazed and weary.
’Ah, yes, a good Bao Bao will forgive her big sister.’
’Something seems off, though...’
At this point, the snickering Bai family members would step in to distract her, keeping her little brain from dwelling on it.
Unfortunately, a good life is always interrupted by trash.
Seeing that Bai Xi hadn’t replied, Ye Jun started a video call.
"Hey, honey. Yunyun." He smiled harmlessly, but his eyes greedily scanned the decor of the Bai family’s home visible in the video feed.
"When are you coming home? Do my father-in-law and mother-in-law have any other properties? Why don’t I just move in with you?"
Bai Xi played dumb. "Honey~ my family’s house is far from your company. Your commute would be so inconvenient."
Ye Jun smiled faintly. "It’s fine. We’ve started working from home now. Who knows when the temperature will go back up, sigh."
"Xiao Xi, have you guys gotten any inside information?"
Bai Xi shook her head. "Anyway, since you’re working from home, there’s no need to worry about the weather. We have heating indoors."
Ye Jun added, "That’s true. I was thinking, since we finally have the chance, we could all be together as a family and cherish our time."
Bai Xi narrowed her eyes. Ye Jun had never liked interacting with the Bai family, yet now he was offering to come over. ’Could it be...?’
Bai Xi readily agreed. "Sure, why don’t you drive over? You know my family’s address. Honey, on your way here, could you stop by the supermarket and pick up a few bags of rice and some snacks?"
Ye Jun was puzzled. "Is your family short on food too? Aren’t you getting any deliveries?"
’Too? Looks like Ye Jun is the one running out of food.’
Bai Xi quickly pulled out her phone and did a search. News alerts were popping up: as the temperature dropped, residents’ sense of crisis and desire to hoard supplies had increased. Many supermarkets were already empty.
Bai Xi recalled the measures she’d taken before leaving—to ensure that if Ye Jun didn’t freeze, he’d at least starve to death. She waved her hand dismissively on the call.
"Honey, don’t even mention it. The weather’s too cold. They’re saying there’s turbulence on the flight paths, so air freight has stopped. As for local supplies... sigh, you know how it is. My family gathered a lot of supplies before, but we donated it all a few weeks ago! Now we only have enough for about half a month."
"But hey, you have to trust the country. We just have to tough it out."
"You donated it all?!" Ye Jun couldn’t help but raise his voice.
Bai Xi feigned confusion. "Yeah, is something wrong, honey?"
Ye Jun’s tone grew agitated. "Do you have any idea how expensive food has gotten?"
Bai Xi adopted a nonchalant tone. "It’s fine. My parents have plenty of money."
’Idiot!’ If he didn’t still have a use for Bai Xi later, Ye Jun would have started cursing her out right then and there.
According to news from his colleagues, they would be stuck for at least a month before the authorities could open up disaster relief channels. Besides, this was a global disaster. The temperature here had only just dropped below freezing; aid would surely be prioritized for people in more critical regions.
He said perfunctorily, "Honey, as long as you have a solution on your end, that’s good. I have an urgent matter at the company, so I have to go. Bye-bye honey, love you."
The moment the video call ended, everyone burst out laughing.
’I didn’t even dare to breathe while Mom was talking to Scum Dad. I was so scared he’d find out we’re living the good life. This time, without Mom and me paving the way for him, I bet he and that Su Mian will become a miserable, resentful couple.’
Bai Xi’s expression also held a hint of worry. Mr. and Mrs. Bai were contentedly farming at home, but Bai Chen was still out and about, hustling to make final preparations.
Meanwhile, the butler had also contacted Mr. and Mrs. Bai to discuss resuming work.