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

what?

Sweat poured down his companion's forehead.

"I...I didn't mean that!"

His body started to tremble.

That's not what I meant!

"Brother, kill me if you must, but please don't hurt the mother and daughter!"

Hearing these absurd lines, which were comparable to a melodramatic soap opera, Bai Li was speechless and her temples throbbed.

He raised his hand, bent his index finger, and gave Jiang Ruyue's smooth forehead a sharp rap.

"Ouch."

Jiang Ruyue covered the spot where she had been hit with both hands, her pure and fair face filled with grievance, and her lips were pouting.

Bai Li withdrew her hand and explained to the man with the briefcase who was crying and wailing.

"The child is just talking nonsense without understanding, please be understanding."

"Also, I'm not that kind of person. This is a normal crew dinner."

The man stopped begging for mercy and looked up, half-believing.

Before Bai Li could continue to prove his innocence...

Chen Tingting had already stepped onto the empty plastic stool next to her.

She was still holding an iron ladle that had just been used to scoop out scalding hot duck blood.

"What are you yelling about!"

Chen Tingting's red high ponytail swung in the night wind, and her colored floral arm slammed heavily onto the table.

"He knocked over our older brother's water cup and is still yelling about it!"

"Believe it or not, I'll wash your brain with hot soup!"

On the other side, Li Jiaxin casually picked up a bottle of pineapple beer that was still unopened.

She gripped the edge of the bottle cap with her thumb and slammed it hard against the corner of the table.

"Sizzle—"

White foam gushed out.

Li Jiaxin held the foaming bottle of liquor and pointed it at the man on the ground.

Beneath her purple hair, her eyes were filled with coolness and a warning:

"Can't you understand human language?"

I was startled by these two strikingly dressed young women.

The man's expression froze on his face.

He glanced at the iron spoon dripping with red oil in Chen Tingting's hand, and then at Li Jiaxin's skillful bottle-opening technique.

Those eyes were practically screaming: "If you get those two old ladies to put down all their gear, I might believe you."

Bai Li raised his hand and pressed down Chen Tingting's arm, too lazy to waste any more words on this coward.

His gaze shifted to Ai Tianbi, who stood uneasily to the side.

"Stop talking nonsense, why would you come to this roadside stall to eat so late at night?"

Ai Tianbi bent over very low, waving her hands in front of her.

"Actually, no, Young Master Bai. I came here specifically to see Wang Wei."

Wang Wei was gnawing on a lamb bone, his mouth dripping with oil.

Upon hearing this, he stood up, looked down at Ai Tianbi, and sneered.

"Looking for me? Wasn't that green tea bitch Zhao Min already in jail?"

"What are you doing here? Showing off your glorious achievements to me?"

Ai Tianbi was so annoyed by these words that she waved her hands repeatedly, her face full of flattery:

"No, no, no, Brother Wei, I wouldn't dare even if you gave me eight lives!"

Ai Tianbi quickly explained the whole story.

It turns out that after Zhao Min was arrested, the money he had previously taken from the studio was seized and verified through official procedures, and was returned to him a couple of days ago.

He found out that Wang Wei was involved with Bai Li and that their web series studio was located in Ping County, so he rushed over overnight to repay the money.

"I was just thinking of transferring the money to you as soon as possible."

"And all the old equipment from the studio has been loaded onto that truck at the intersection outside."

"I was also quite hungry, and seeing how popular this food stall was, I thought I'd grab a bite."

Wang Wei leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.

"You can transfer the money directly to my account, it's mine."

"As for those junk pieces of equipment, you can take them and sell them as scrap metal yourself."

Wang Wei patted the glass panel on the table.

"Now we have all the top-of-the-line cinematic equipment that Brother Li has provided for the studio."

"Those old guys who moved here before are no longer of any use."

Ai Tianbi readily agreed and took out her phone to scan the QR code and transfer the money.

Wang Wei pursed his lips, his eyes darted around, and his gaze returned to Ai Tianbi.

"Hey, I'm talking to Xiaotianbi."

"Back then, you were tricked by Zhao Min into taking out those shady online loans. If it weren't for Brother Li taking pity on you at the bar that day and exposing that woman's true colors..."

Wang Wei tapped the table with his short, stubby fingers, raising his voice.

"You can't even see through Zhao Min, let alone get your money back."

"Shouldn't you show your gratitude to Brother Li for this immense kindness?"

These words were spoken.

The girls next to them all started to assist them.

Lin Xiaoshuang was chewing on a fried fish ball that was golden brown.

The little blond tuft of hair swayed back and forth with the chewing motion.

She swallowed the food in her mouth and mumbled a reply.

"That's right. Our eldest brother helped you so much, can't you even say a kind word?"

Lin Xiaoshuang straightened her back proudly, her baby face full of protectiveness.

Zhang Qian, who had been sitting quietly to the side, was more of a doer.

With her blue hair flowing down her shoulders, she naturally picked up the kettle on the table and poured herself a cup of hot tea.

She held the cup in both hands and placed it in front of Bai Li, then leaned half her body over to help Bai Li straighten the collar of her trench coat.

In Ai Tianbi's eyes, this was definitely the kind of pomp and treatment that only top-tier figures in the underworld would receive.

Ai Tianbi, being a perceptive person, immediately realized what was going on.

"Snapped!"

He slapped himself on the forehead, the sound loud and clear.

"Oh dear, look at my stupid brain!"

Ai Tianbi hurriedly unzipped her handbag.

Two bundles of brand-new red banknotes were pulled out from inside.

He held the money in both hands and respectfully handed it to Bai Li.

"Brother Li, I'm so grateful for your guidance that night. This is a small token of my appreciation."

Ai Tianbi bent over, her tone extremely sincere.

"Consider this protection money I'm paying! I'll need your help in Ping County from now on!"

Bai Li just picked up the cup of hot tea that Zhang Qian had poured and took a sip.

I heard the words "protection fee".

"Pfft, cough cough..."

A mouthful of water sprayed out, spilling all over the ground.

Chen Tingting hurriedly grabbed a few napkins, leaned forward, and reached out to wipe Bai Li's mouth.

"What are you yelling about!"

Chen Tingting, the boss, couldn't control her fiery temper and started yelling at Ai Tianbi.

"What protection money?!"

"My brother is a legitimate businessman! Don't make baseless accusations and break the rules!"

Bai Li pushed Chen Tingting's hand away, took a tissue to wipe her mouth, and couldn't hold it in any longer.

He's just a law-abiding citizen with impeccable morals, yet he drives his Panamera all day to invest and collect rebates.

How come this reputation is getting worse and worse in the mouths of these people, and it looks like he's about to become the leader of a criminal gang?

Bai Li pushed the money on the table back.

"Take it. This money has nothing to do with me."

"I only pointed out Zhao Min's affair that day to let my brother vent his anger. I didn't mean anything else."

When Ai Tianbi saw Bai Li pushing the money back, his legs went weak, and he almost knelt down with his companion.

"No, Brother Li!"

Ai Tianbi's voice changed completely from anxiety.

"If you don't accept this, I won't be able to sleep at night! I'll feel uneasy!"

Ai Tianbi's eyes were bloodshot, and he looked as if he would kill himself on the spot if Bai Li didn't take his money.

Bai Li rubbed his throbbing temples.

What kind of situation is this?

This morning, in order to appease Jiang Ruyue, I spent money to buy her a gift, and the system rewarded me with a huge amount of gold coins.

These days, even if you eat a street-side hot pot meal for 18 yuan late at night and haven't paid yet, people are eager to give you cash.

This money is so abundant that it seems to never run out; it just keeps flowing into my pocket.

Looking at Ai Tianbi's face, which was on the verge of tears, Bai Li sighed helplessly.

He could only reluctantly put the 20,000 yuan into his coat pocket.

The money was accepted.

Ai Tianbi felt as if she had been granted a pardon; her tense shoulders relaxed, and she let out a long sigh of relief.

He grabbed his companion, who was still trembling on the ground, and pulled him up.

"Then please enjoy your meal, Brother Li. This meal is on me! We won't disturb you any longer, we'll be leaving now."

Bai Li was too lazy to get close to this kind of person.

Ai Tianbi poached Wang Wei's girlfriend and even tried to seduce him; she's a shameless scoundrel at heart.

However, given the current disparity in status, Bai Li doesn't want to be a bully.

"Alright, stop with the nonsense." Bai Li stood up and buttoned up his trench coat.

He kicked Wang Wei's chair leg.

"Someone has already paid for this meal. You two can eat here; the food is pretty good. We're full and about to leave."

Wang Wei was about to pick up a piece of lamb chopstick with cartilage when he heard this, and his chopsticks stopped in mid-air.

"No way, Brother Li! There's still plenty of meat in the pot. I've only just started eating, I'm not even full yet!" Wang Wei protested.

Bai Li completely ignored him and told the girls to grab their bags and leave.

If you're not full, then sit here and eat.

Bai Li pointed to Ai Tianbi, who was bowing and scraping beside him, and teased her.

"Perfect timing, you guys are kindred spirits, you should exchange experiences sometime."

Done.

Bai Li walked at the front.

Jiang Ruyue followed obediently by her side.

Lin Xiaoshuang, Li Jiaxin, Chen Tingting, and Zhang Qian, four spirited young women, surrounded her in a lively and affectionate manner.

The group left the food stall in a grand procession and disappeared into the night.

Under the greenhouse.

The previously stagnant atmosphere began to liven up.

Watching Bai Li walk away, Ai Tianbi tore off the cowardly mask she had worn earlier and let out a long sigh of relief.

He sat down on the empty plastic stool next to Wang Wei, his inherent Jiahao nature finally coming out of his chest.

"Brother Wei, everything that happened before was my fault, no matter what."

Ai Tianbi opened a bottle of beer herself, filled Wang Wei's glass, and looked heartbroken.

"But ultimately, we're all victims in this!"

Wang Wei rolled his eyes, picked up a lamb chop, took a bite, and ignored him.

Ai Tianbi leaned close to Wang Wei's ear, lowered her voice, and her eyes were shining.

"Brother Wei, let's put everything else aside for now. I need to tell you all about this bitch."

Ai Tianbi swallowed hard, her tone excited.

"That Zhao Min, her tongue is truly amazing! It's so flexible, she can even weave ropes and tie knots inside it!"

Wang Wei stopped chewing the lamb chop completely.

Ai Tianbi took a big gulp of beer, patted Wang Wei's thigh, and asked a question with the curiosity of someone seeking academic knowledge.

"When she came up to me and did that, I almost couldn't help but tremble."

"Dude, you've been talking to her for so long..."

"How many seconds could you hold that position?"