Chapter 85: Bai Bai Returns Home

Madam Bei could not bear to listen any longer. It was only because several other ladies had suddenly sought her out for something urgent that she hadn’t gone to fetch Bai Bai as usual. And the one time she missed it, trouble befell Bai Bai. She blamed herself entirely. The thought alone brought tears streaming down Madam Bei’s cheeks.

Principal Bei stepped forward and gently embraced his wife, speaking in a soft voice, “Darling, you mustn’t feel guilty. None of us could have known Bai Bai would be in danger.”

Even upon returning to the Bei household, Su Bai Bai refused to leave the car, and it was only through the combined efforts of Qianyin and Mo Lan that she was forced out. They were at a loss; after all, Bai Bai had chosen to go with Madam Bei, and now, she could not simply go back on her word—they couldn’t decide for her.

An Feng and Coldblood stood quietly to the side, watching as their beloved companions forcibly dragged a small girl into someone else’s home. Somehow, the scene felt strange and out of place.

A young maid, seeing her mistress return, dashed excitedly toward the rear, only to realize Madam Bei was still waiting at the doorway.

“Bai Bai!” Madam Bei suddenly caught sight of Bai Bai, thinking for a moment she must be dreaming. Yet even if it was a dream, she wanted nothing more than to embrace her.

Seeing Madam Bei running toward her, eyes streaming with tears, Su Bai Bai felt a warm current fill her heart. Although Madam Bei was not her birth mother, ever since she had come to this home, Madam Bei had cherished her as a true daughter.

Qianyin and Mo Lan stepped back slightly, quietly witnessing this moving scene. All four present were children who had grown up without mothers; how fortunate it was to have someone to love you like this.

Principal Bei also stepped forward, wrapping both Bai Bai and Madam Bei in his arms. Madam Bei was the woman he loved most, and Bai Bai would soon be the daughter he treasured above all.

It was a scene of pure happiness. Truly, no one could understand why Bai Bai had chosen to run away; that matter would have to wait until she herself explained, for outsiders could not interfere.

Once he had finished embracing them, Principal Bei noticed the four awkwardly standing in the background. He quickly stood up, smiling as he addressed them, “Please, come in and have some tea. I truly appreciate your trouble in helping to bring Bai Bai home.”

“Not at all,” the four replied in unison, following the trio into the hall. Madam Bei and Principal Bei walked ahead, each holding Bai Bai’s hand as they entered.

The servants promptly brought out tea. Each person sat quietly, glancing at those present from time to time, lest the silence become too uncomfortable.

“Bai Bai, what happened to you? Look, I had to trouble your sisters to bring you home.” Madam Bei spoke, her tears falling once more, her hand never letting go of Su Bai Bai’s.

Su Bai Bai grew anxious, uncertain how to explain. In truth, she had run away because someone had told her classmates she was not Principal Bei’s biological daughter, but a wild child picked up from the streets. That remark wounded her pride and made her ashamed to stay at school.

Thinking of this, Su Bai Bai lowered her head, her eyes turning red once again. If only her father were still alive, none of this would have happened. But she couldn’t blame Mo Lan; after all, it was fate that had taken her parents. She had long since come to terms with Mo Lan’s situation.

Everyone waited for Bai Bai to speak, but seeing her shoulders trembling, on the verge of tears, none could fathom what had happened.

Madam Bei, seeing Bai Bai so distraught, simply pulled her into a tight embrace, refusing to let go.

Qianyin and Mo Lan understood then: Madam Bei truly adored Bai Bai. Compared to themselves, Bai Bai, though unfortunate, was very blessed.

Steeling herself, Su Bai Bai decided to speak out—at worst, she could transfer to another school. She looked up at Madam Bei and said, “Someone said I was a wild child picked up from outside. All my classmates mock me. I don’t want to stay at that school.”

Everyone was stunned. Few knew Bai Bai had been adopted, so who was spreading such rumors?

“Who is spreading this nonsense? Husband, you must find out!” Madam Bei’s anger flared instantly. She had finally found a girl she liked and treated her as her own daughter, only for malicious gossip to drive her away. Whoever started this, she would see them punished.

Principal Bei stood up, immediately calling his private bodyguards. “Find out for me who at Guizhou Academy is spreading these rumors—that our Bai Bai is a wild child picked up from outside.”

The bodyguards were startled; Principal Bei had never been so furious. Clearly, trouble was coming for someone.

Mo Lan and Qianyin were furious as well—who was the busybody spreading such lies? Bai Bai belonged to their family; they were simply too busy to care for her themselves, so they entrusted her to Madam Bei.

But since Bai Bai’s new parents could handle the matter, they decided to let it go for now.

Seeing everyone so concerned for her, Bai Bai stopped crying, clinging tightly to Madam Bei and quietly savoring the moment.

The four friends bid their farewells and swiftly returned to the Mo family. Bai Bai was reluctant to see them go, but understood how busy her sisters were—their visit was only because of her disappearance.

Meanwhile, the police chief summoned Xiao Qi and Liu Fei.

“I want you to take some men and guard West Road. I have a feeling this matter isn’t as simple as it seems.” The chief spoke with an uneasy expression; his brows had been twitching for days, as if some great event was about to happen.

Xiao Qi took a deep breath, reminding himself that this was his duty and not to get angry. He looked calmly at his uncle and said, “Alright.”

Liu Fei saluted and withdrew to select his men; he chose twenty-five of the most loyal officers. Xiao Qi gathered them all and led them away.

Xiao Qi and Liu Fei shared a car, while the others drove separately, heading briskly toward West Road.

The police officers were puzzled; guarding a road seemed odd. Was the precinct so idle that they had nothing better to do?

Xiao Qi and Liu Fei offered no explanation, simply arranging their men along the road at regular intervals. Then they toured the temple, finding it nearly demolished, only an empty shell remaining.

The two sighed and prepared to leave. The other officers watched, bewildered—what kind of place was this?

Some had wanted to ask their captain, but he and Liu Fei were already gone, leaving them no choice but to stand their posts. Other officers would come to relieve them later; they wouldn’t be stationed there all day.