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

Just as Bai Li closed the security door, the doorknob of the second bedroom turned downwards.

With a click, the door opened.

Tongtong rubbed her eyes and yawned as she came out.

The broken glass on the living room floor is gone.

The bald man's henchmen were very shrewd; when they took the man away, they casually wiped up the blood on the floor with a mop.

Apart from a lingering smell of cigarettes and alcohol, there was no indication of what had just happened inside.

"Big brother."

Tongtong walked up to Bai Li and looked up at him.

"Mom and Sister Qianqian were listening behind the door just now."

"Tell me you're playing a game with your uncle."

She tilted her head, her face full of curiosity:

"What game is it? Why is Da Hu crying?"

"Well..."

Bai Li didn't expect that the brutal scene just now didn't make him break a sweat, but this little girl only needed to say a few words.

Fortunately, Zhang Qian and her aunt also came out of the bedroom.

Upon hearing Tongtong's question, the two quickly stepped forward and covered Tongtong's mouth.

"Waaah..." Tongtong thrashed about, struggling for a moment.

"Good girl, Tongtong." Zhang Qian squatted down to look her in the eye.

"You'll understand when you grow up."

My aunt stood to the side, nodding repeatedly, rubbing her hands on her clothes to hide her unease.

She looked at Bai Li sitting on the sofa.

This young man is handsome and speaks politely, yet he is ruthless in his actions.

But this is also what she is most grateful for.

If Bai Li softens his heart and lets Zhang Jirong go back today, that bully will bring people back to take revenge in less than three days.

Then she and Tongtong will face hell again.

"Qianqian."

"You really found a good partner."

My aunt's tone was very honest.

A woman marries someone who will care for her and understand her needs.

This young man not only protects Qianqian, but he also has money and connections.

Her niece's life is pretty much set for her now.

Zhang Qian smiled sweetly when she heard her aunt praising Bai Li.

She took Bai Li's arm.

"Yes." Zhang Qian rested her head on Bai Li's shoulder, her blue hair sliding down her arm.

"Meeting my older brother is the greatest luck of my life."

Zhang Qian looked up and glanced at the floor that had been mopped clean.

She lowered her voice and asked:

"Brother, will that old bastard really start getting marbles stuffed into his hands every now and then?"

Bai Li looked at Zhang Qian.

"Absolutely."

"I've already explained everything to Da Hu."

"Besides, the people over there only trust me. If Da Hu doesn't insert it on time, the doctor will give him a good shock."

"I believe he will complete the task with great professionalism."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qian burst out laughing.

This was the first truly relaxed smile she showed today.

Tongtong finally pried Zhang Qian's hands off.

She tilted her head back, tugged at the hem of Bai Li's trench coat, and asked softly:

"Big brother."

There was still a hint of fear hidden in Tongtong's big eyes:

"Is Uncle... really not coming anymore?"

She was traumatized by Zhang Jirong and hasn't been able to sleep well lately.

Bai Li lowered his head and looked at the little girl.

He pulled a box of strawberry cookies from the gifts, tore open the packaging, and handed it to Tongtong.

"It's true." Bai Li reached out and ruffled her hair twice.

"He went to a very far place to play games. He'll never come back."

"You can live happily with your mother now."

Tongtong looked at the cookie in her hand, then at Bai Li.

She opened her arms and hugged Bai Li's legs tightly.

"Thank you, big brother!"

The aunt stood aside, watching her daughter cling to Bai Li and act coquettishly.

Her eyes reddened again, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.

"It's finally over..."

The aunt raised the back of her hand and wiped away her tears.

During this period, Zhang Jirong came to the door every day demanding money, and he also set his sights on Tongtong.

Her husband drives a truck in another city and can't come back for ten days or half a month at a time.

They do jobs that involve driving while fatigued. If they knew something like this had happened at home, and got into a car accident in a panic, their family would be completely ruined.

So she gritted her teeth, swallowed all her bitterness, and didn't even dare to make a phone call.

Today, the dark clouds overhead have finally dispersed.

"Little Bai." Auntie wiped away her tears, her tone sincere:

"Thanks to you today. Otherwise, I really don't know how I would survive."

Bai Li patted Tongtong on the back:

"Auntie, you're too kind. Qianqian's affairs are my affairs."

The gloom in the room was completely swept away.

Bai Li sat down on the sofa, and Zhang Qian sat down next to him.

Tongtong hugged the Lego box and dumped the remaining blocks onto the carpet.

"Big brother, sister Qianqian, let's build a castle."

Bai Li patiently helped her find the parts one by one.

Zhang Qian provided guidance from the sidelines:

"This green one is in the garden. Yes, right there."

The three of them sat on the carpet and spent more than an hour piecing together a large castle.

Tongtong clapped her hands and circled around the castle.

Bai Li glanced at the watch on his wrist.

It's 5 PM.

The matter is settled, it's time to go back.

He stood up, dusted off his trousers, and greeted them:

"Auntie, it's getting late, we should head back now."

Zhang Qian also stood up:

"Yes, Auntie, we'll come to see you and Tongtong again another day."

My aunt peeked halfway out of the kitchen.

She held a rolling pin in her hand, and a row of round dumplings were laid out on the cutting board.

"Where are you going?" Auntie stopped them.

"I didn't even let you have a proper drink of water."

She pointed to the cutting board with her flour-covered fingers:

"The dumplings will be ready soon. They're pork and scallion filling, which was Qianqian's favorite back then."

"Have a meal before you leave. Otherwise, your aunt will feel bad."

Zhang Qian turned to look at Bai Li.

Bai Li did not refuse.

If she doesn't eat this meal, my aunt probably won't be able to sleep soundly all night.

"Okay." Bai Li nodded, "Then I'll try my aunt's cooking."

Half an hour later, two large plates of steaming dumplings were served.

The dipping sauce is aged vinegar and chili oil.

Bai Li picked up a dumpling and took a bite.

Thin skin, generous filling, and juicy filling that bursts in your mouth – the flavor is just right.

"Delicious," Bai Li commented.

Zhang Qian sat next to her, eating one after another until her cheeks were bulging.

Tongtong held a small spoon and poked at the dumpling wrappers in the bowl, her face covered in oil as she ate.

The meal was quite lively.

After the meal, Bai Li and Zhang Qian did not stay any longer.

Auntie led Tongtong by the hand and escorted them all the way to the Panamera store at the entrance of the residential area.

"Xiaobai, Qianqian." Auntie stood by the car door:

Drive carefully on the road. Come back and visit more often when you have time.

Tongtong raised her greasy little hands and waved them vigorously:

"Goodbye, big brother! Goodbye, sister Qianqian!"

"Let's go back." Bai Li opened the car door.

Zhang Qian sat in the passenger seat, rolled down the window, and waved to them.

Even after the car started and the two left, there was no further development in Zhang Qian's situation.

Bai Li gripped the steering wheel, and couldn't help but think:

Unlike Xiaoshuang and Jiaxin, Qianqian's family is truly a tragedy stemming from within...

Most people who grow up in such an environment would have become psychologically distorted, or simply given up on themselves and gone astray.

But Zhang Qian did not.

She possesses only the vitality of wild grass, along with optimism and a strong capacity for love and hate.

Now, the thorn that had been stuck in her heart for over a decade has been removed.

She also managed to pull the only aunt who had ever shown her warmth out of the mire.

Bai Li turned her head and glanced at the passenger seat.

Zhang Qian neither used her phone nor spoke.

She leaned back in her chair, tilting her head to look at the receding street scene outside the window.

The wind blew her blue hair back.

At this moment, Zhang Qian felt an indescribable sense of ease.

The car was stopped at a traffic light intersection.

Zhang Qian looked away.

She turned her head and looked at Bai Li in the driver's seat.

Eyes facing each other.

Zhang Qian smiled gently.

That smile was absolutely radiant.

She didn't say thank you, nor did she mention what had just happened again.

"Big brother."

She reached out and placed her hand on Bai Li's right hand, which was gripping the gearshift.

"Let's go home."

Bai Li looked at her smiling face, grabbed her hand in return, and squeezed it hard.

"Okay, let's go home."

The green light came on, and the Panamera sped through the intersection.

Just then, a crisp notification sound rang in Bai Li's mind.

[Ding! Target: Zhang Qian, Devotion Points have reached 100! (Unwavering until death). Congratulations, Host, this target has been soul-bound and will never betray you.]

[A key milestone has been detected; the daily investment limit has been increased by 1000.]

[Special reward for reaching 100 points of affection is being distributed...]