Going home for Chinese New Year, I squeezed onto a bus with three energetic young women.

Bai Li's mind stirred slightly.

In high school, he and several close friends were frequent visitors to the billiard hall.

An ice-cold Coke and a few bad shots are all it takes to while away an afternoon.

It's just that at some point, this sport gradually became labeled as a social activity for "spiritual young men" and "spiritual young women," becoming their exclusive social space.

Those once-familiar billiard halls had become a chaotic mess, and he never went there again.

"What's wrong, brother? Are you scared?"

Seeing that Bai Li didn't speak, Chen Tingting nudged him with her elbow, her tone laced with provocation:

"Don't you dare witness Sister Ting's ball skills?"

"Let's go." Bai Li snapped out of her daze, a playful smile playing on her lips.

Perfect timing! The daily investment limit has just been refreshed, so it won't hurt to spend some money.

"Okay!"

Upon receiving an affirmative reply, Chen Tingting excitedly waved her hand, displaying the demeanor of a big sister, and led the way with familiarity.

The night in Ping County is not quiet. The hustle and bustle of the snack street has not completely dissipated, and groups of young people ride by on modified ghost fires.

Bai Li was surrounded by three girls as they walked through several dimly lit alleys.

A cool breeze swept by, and Lin Xiaoshuang, wearing a JK skirt, subconsciously shrank her neck, her exposed calves shivering.

Bai Li noticed this detail, and he subtly adjusted his gait, his tall figure blocking Lin Xiaoshuang's path and shielding her from most of the chill.

Lin Xiaoshuang didn't notice at first, but after walking a few steps, she felt that the wind seemed to have subsided a lot.

She looked up in confusion, only to meet Bai Li's gentle gaze.

A warmth filled her heart, and a blush rose to her cheeks. The arm that was holding Bai Li's tightened unconsciously.

Li Jiaxin, walking on the other side, still maintained her cool and sassy demeanor, her hands in her leather jacket pockets, remaining silent.

Bai Li's gaze fell on her legs, and he asked:

"Why isn't the rose on your ankle colored?"

His tone was casual, as if he were asking a question off the cuff, without any sense of scrutiny or judgment.

Li Jiaxin paused for a moment, not expecting Bai Li to notice this.

The rose on her ankle was a design she created herself, and it held special significance for her.

Because she didn't have enough money, she only completed the outline, which has always been a regret in her heart.

"I'm out of money," she answered softly, her voice carrying a disappointment she herself didn't realize.

"It's quite beautiful," Bai Li said frankly. "The lines are smooth, and the composition is good. It should be stunning once it's colored."

He paused, then added, "You have good taste."

Li Jiaxin looked up at Bai Li.

She had heard far too many criticisms and comments about her outfit: frivolous, improper, not learning good things...

This is the first time someone has praised her taste.

And these words came from the mouth of a man who exuded an air of sophistication.

A strange emotion spread through her heart, rippling outwards.

Her cheeks flushed, so she turned her head to the side, hiding her awkward expression with her hair, and muttered something under her breath:

"……Neuropathy."

Although he was cursing, he secretly tightened his grip on Bai Li's arm.

Bai Li sensed the different forces coming from the left and right sides and understood.

For these girls who lack love, a simple word of recognition or a casual act of care is far more effective than simply giving them money.

As the group walked through the alley, a bright and open space suddenly appeared before them.

The words "V8 Billiards Club" flashed in the darkness, and music drifted from the windows on the second floor.

"This is it!" Chen Tingting pushed open the glass door with the sign "Go to the second floor" on it, seemingly familiar with the place.

A smell of smoke and perfume wafted towards me.

Bai Li followed them up the stairs, where the walls were covered with all sorts of crooked graffiti and QQ numbers.

The second floor is spacious, with more than a dozen billiard tables arranged in a staggered manner, and almost every seat is occupied.

Inside the venue, there were energetic young men wearing tight pants and sporting bowl cuts, and energetic young women wearing heavy makeup and dressed in revealing outfits.

They gathered together, laughing and talking loudly, amidst swirling smoke, the sounds of billiards and music rising and falling, creating a vivid picture of everyday life in the city.

"Boss, set up a table!" Chen Tingting shouted at the bar.

A young man with dyed blond hair, standing at the bar, said without looking up, "Twenty a hour."

Just as Chen Tingting was about to take out her money, Bai Li had already walked over and pulled out two red banknotes from his wallet, slapping them onto the bar counter:

"Give me 200 now, I'll refund you when I leave!"

The blond-haired youth then looked up, saw Bai Li's clothes and appearance, and glanced at the three stylish young women behind him. A look of understanding and envy flashed in his eyes.

"Okay, brother! Channel 12!" He quickly took the money, and his attitude became much more polite.

Money is a hard currency everywhere.

Chen Tingting excitedly picked up the golf club, twirled it in her hand, and winked at Bai Li:

"Big brother, let me show you what I'm capable of!"

She leaned forward on the pool table and pushed the cue stick hard.

The white ball moved, but the target ball remained motionless.

"Damn, my hand slipped." Chen Tingting straightened up nonchalantly and handed the golf club to Li Jiaxin: "Jiaxin, you take this!"

Li Jiaxin's posture was much more standard than hers, but perhaps her leather pants were too tight, which affected her performance. She also failed to score on her first shot.

When it was Lin Xiaoshuang's turn, the little girl looked a bit lost, holding a golf club that was thicker than her arm.

She glanced at Bai Li, her face flushed as she stood by the pool table, unsure of how to play.

Bai Li smiled, walked over, and naturally took her hand from behind.

"Don't be nervous, lower your body and shift your weight forward."

His voice was soft, and his warm breath brushed against Lin Xiaoshuang's earlobe, making her already flushed face burn even hotter.

He stood behind her, his chest almost touching her back, his large hands enveloping her small hands, guiding her to grip the cue stick.

"Look here, yes, at this angle."

Bai Li leaned forward slightly, his chin almost resting on her shoulder.

From Lin Xiaoshuang's perspective, she could smell the clean scent emanating from Bai Li, a mixture of faint tobacco and the fabric of his trench coat.

She froze, her mind went blank, and she felt her heart pounding so hard it was about to jump out of her throat.

Bai Li, however, did not notice the girl's unusual behavior. He adjusted the angle and patiently guided her:

"Okay, that's it, push it out gently."

boom.

With a crisp sound, a red ball went into the pocket.

"It's in! I scored!" Lin Xiaoshuang turned around in surprise and joy, meeting Bai Li's smiling peach blossom eyes.

Their eyes met, so close they could see themselves reflected in each other's eyes.

Lin Xiaoshuang quickly lowered her head and whispered:

"Thank... thank you, brother."

Just then, an untimely voice broke in.

"Hey, isn't this Xiao Shuang? Haven't seen you for a few days, and you've hooked up with a rich guy?"

His voice was flippant, with a hint of sleazy swagger.

Bai Li frowned slightly and looked in the direction of the sound.

Next to them, by the pool table, stood a tall, thin young man with dyed green hair. He was wearing a jacket with a huge tiger head printed on it and was looking at them with a mocking expression.

He was surrounded by several equally mismatched young men, each with a cigarette dangling from their lips, their eyes scanning the three girls with ill intent.

Upon seeing the person who arrived, Lin Xiaoshuang's face turned pale instantly. She instinctively hid behind Bai Li, her small hands tightly gripping the hem of his clothes.