After being kicked out of the wealthy family along with her yandere childhood friend

Pei Jin's expensive cell phone was replaced with two cold stainless steel basins, and his suitcase was opened, revealing neatly folded clothes inside.

Bai Tao squatted next to the box, her hands resting on her knees, looking very well-behaved.

Pei Jin glanced at her sideways and felt that she wasn't as annoying as before.

Pei Jin flipped through it.

He pulled out his ID card from the hidden compartment. Fortunately, those people probably only searched the surface of the box after they robbed it.

Bai Tao squatted there and remained silent for two seconds.

"this one?"

Bai Tao looked up at him, her eyes filled with confusion.

Is he going to a fashion show with so many clothes on?

She thought Pei Jin would be like her, having been kicked out but at least secretly hiding some valuables.

She also had a piece of imperial green jade under her suitcase.

Pei Jin shook his head.

He brought these things with him.

But it's alright, after so many days, he can finally change out of the big pair of shorts Bai Tao bought for him. He really hasn't worn a decent pair of pants for days.

Bai Tao glanced at him, her tone tinged with helplessness:

"Okay. We'll go out and buy you a new phone first, then you can look for a job."

Pei Jin nodded.

The two rested for a short while before heading out.

Bai Tao wore a white sun hat, the brim of which was blown backward by the wind, revealing her smooth forehead and a strand of hair stuck together with sweat.

The service center next to the residential area is very close; it only takes less than five minutes to get there by bike.

Pei Jin parked the car on the side of the road. Bai Tao looked up at the shop sign. It was made of plastic, faded, and looked grayish in the sunlight.

She frowned.

The phones inside look like pirated ones.

"How about... we go to the mall to buy it?"

Pei Jin glanced at her but didn't ask why.

He chooses to keep quiet when it's not his time to spend money.

"Let's go."

The two of them got back on their bikes and, following the navigation, headed towards SKP.

It's really not that Bai Tao insisted on going to such an expensive place.

She had never been to those cheap places when she was a pampered young lady.

Later, she worked as a hostess in a nightclub and slept in the hotel during the day, never going out.

SKP.

The first floor of the mall has many mobile phone stores, as well as many big-name cosmetics and jewelry stores.

Bai Tao passed by a Harry Winston store and her eyes practically popped out of her head.

Behind the glass of that shop window was a diamond bracelet.

Each tiny diamond is perfectly cut, refracting delicate light under the lamp, like a frozen galaxy.

She could even picture the bracelet on her wrist—a thin strand that nestled perfectly beneath her wrist bone, shimmering as light shone from different angles when she raised her hand.

Pei Jin stood behind her; Bai Tao was not his girlfriend.

He also doesn't like white peaches.

Anything Bai Tao wants should be none of his business.

But at this moment, as Pei Jin looked at the back of Bai Tao's head, a strange emotion welled up inside him.

They live together now.

Subconsciously, he felt that Bai Tao should be his.

This idea came out of nowhere and made no sense whatsoever.

He's incompetent for making it impossible for her to go in and buy anything she wants.

Pei Jin looked at the back of Bai Tao's head and made a promise in his heart that he himself was unaware of.

If he could climb to Pei Shengli's level, he would be willing to give Bai Tao anything she wanted.

It's not about repaying money, nor is it about repaying a debt of gratitude.

I just want to.

Bai Tao stared for a while before looking away.

She turned her head and smiled at Pei Jin, the light in her eyes not yet completely gone, curved like two crescent moons.

"Let's go."

Perhaps this is what they call "enemies meeting on a narrow road".

Bai Tao and Pei Jin had only taken a few steps after turning around when they bumped into two people.

Bai Shen.

He and Yu Xiaozhen.

This is Yu Xiaozhen's second time visiting such a large shopping mall.

The first time she came, she knew nothing. Standing in front of the luxury stores, she only dared to enter each store after getting Lin Meng's permission.

She dared not touch anything, afraid of breaking it and not being able to afford the compensation; she even accepted the water handed to her by the sales assistant with both hands.

Lin Meng told her not to be so careful, saying that now that she was a young lady of the Bai family, she should still act the proper way.

But Yu Xiaozhen couldn't do it.

She had just arrived at the Bai family, and although she was linked to Bai Zhongjing's secondary card, she wasn't very familiar with using it.

Every time she swipes her card, she subconsciously glances at the price tag and mentally calculates how many hours she had to stand when she used to work at the supermarket.

She wants to go shopping again today.

She wanted to buy a dress suitable for summer, but she was too scared to come alone, so she specifically asked Lin Meng to find Bai Shen to accompany her.

Bai Shen is very busy.

If his mother hadn't insisted that he come out, he wouldn't have had much time.

He didn't have any feelings for this new younger sister; they were just superficially agreeable. When Yu Xiaozhen spoke, he would nod, neither objecting nor being enthusiastic.

Yu Xiaozhen walked beside him, keeping a distance that was neither too close nor too far.

She wore a pale yellow dress with a fitted waist that accentuated her slender figure. Her hair was tied in a low ponytail, making her look well-behaved and quiet.

But compared to the other girls walking in SKP, she lacked something—that nonchalant ease that only children who grow up surrounded by money possess.

Bai Shen walked ahead, his expression unchanged.

He was wearing a dark gray suit jacket with a white shirt underneath, no tie, and the collar was slightly open.

He walked very fast, and Yu Xiaozhen had some difficulty keeping up, but she didn't dare to say anything, so she could only follow him with small, quick steps.

"Brother, thank you for coming out shopping with me today."

Yu Xiaozhen's voice was soft, with a hint of cautious ingratiation.

"My family has been busy with the matter of me changing my name these past few days, so I haven't had much of a chance to talk to my brother."

Bai Shen nodded without saying anything.

He really doesn't have much time.

Lin Meng was in charge of the name change. Yu Xiaozhen's new ID card, new household registration book, and everything else needed to be processed one by one.

Bai Zhongjing meant that the sooner the better, ideally all the procedures should be completed before the end of the month, so that this matter could be put to rest.

Bai Shen had no opinion on these matters.

Yu Xiaozhen is the biological daughter of the Bai family, so it is only natural for her to change her surname back to Bai.

As for Bai Tao—his steps suddenly slowed down.

Yu Xiaozhen followed his gaze and saw Bai Tao and a tall man standing in front of a high-end brand store that she didn't recognize.

Bai Tao wore a peach-pink dress today, looking like a tender, juicy peach that looked like it could be pinched and burst with juice.

The man standing next to her was handsome, with a nonchalant air about him, and an air of languidness that others couldn't imitate.

He was wearing a white shirt with the top few buttons undone, paired with white and brown wide-leg pants.

Even if they don't have money now, they don't look as destitute as Yu Xiaozhen.

The relaxed feeling of growing up surrounded by money is like a thin layer of light enveloping them, attracting the attention of many people coming and going in the mall.

Yu Xiaozhen's gaze shifted from Bai Tao to Pei Jin, and then back to Bai Tao.

Her fingers secretly tightened around Bai Shen's suit jacket.

Bai Shen glanced down at the crumpled hem of his clothes, paused for half a second, then looked up and continued to look at Bai Tao standing in the distance in front of Harry Winston's store.

Bai Tao was staring blankly at the diamond bracelet in the shop window, her eyes shining like two stars.

Bai Shen looked at her without moving.

Bai Tao finally looked away from the bracelet, turned her head, and glanced in their direction unintentionally.

She paused for a moment.

When Bai Tao saw Bai Shen, she also noticed Yu Xiaozhen standing next to him.

Her first reaction wasn't embarrassment, but rather an inexplicable sense of surprise.

Bai Shen was very busy and had never accompanied her shopping; she always went to art exhibitions by herself.

When she got into university, Bai Shen only sent a congratulatory message in the family group chat, then sent a few red envelopes and a necklace.

She never intended for Bai Shen to accompany her shopping.

But seeing Bai Shen standing next to Yu Xiaozhen, expressionless as he walked around SKP with her, Bai Tao found herself feeling a pang of sadness.

Just for a moment.

Is this the bond of blood between siblings?

So, even someone like Bai Shen goes shopping with others?

Bai Shen knows Pei Jin.

The chosen ones of heaven.

The Pei family spent a fortune and resources to cultivate their heir.

If these unexpected events hadn't occurred, Pei Jin would have been a powerful figure in the business world, and he might even be the one trying to curry favor with Pei Jin now.

It's a pity that good luck tricks people.

They were separated by a distance, not too far, not too close, about ten steps apart.

The mall was bustling with people: wealthy ladies carrying shopping bags, parents holding hands with their children, and couples walking hand in hand.

Bai Tao nodded to Bai Shen, then reached out and grabbed Pei Jin's wrist, who was still standing behind her, trying to move him to the side.

Pei Jin looked down at Bai Tao holding his wrist.

Her slender, cool fingers rested on his wrist, just above his wrist bone, where he could feel his pulse.

A strange sense of satisfaction rose from some corner of his heart.

His lips twitched slightly, and he followed Bai Tao.

"White peach."

Bai Shen's voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for those around him to hear.

"Shouldn't you greet your older brother when you see him?"

Bai Tao paused for a moment, then turned her head to the left, her face turned towards Bai Shen.

"Big brother."

Bai Shen looked at her without saying a word.

Bai Tao couldn't explain her feelings for Bai Shen.

They weren't very close growing up.

Bai Shen is busy with school, various competitions, activities, and internships; his schedule is always packed. She also has various art classes to attend.

Moreover, Bai Shen is four years older than her.

At four years old, while she was folding paper airplanes in kindergarten, Bai Shen was already learning advanced math in elementary school.

While she was still adjusting to the new environment in junior high school, Bai Shen was already preparing to go abroad for an exchange program.

Especially after Bai Shen went to university and she went to high school, the two of them could hardly see each other even on holidays.

On a few occasions, and always very late, Bai Tao would bump into him as she passed by his room in the corridor.

Bai Tao often wondered what her relationship with Bai Shen really was.

They're said to be siblings, but they don't seem like it.

Calling them strangers would be too much.

Just like now, Bai Shen is standing in front of her, with his new younger sister Yu Xiaozhen beside him, and she is standing in front of Bai Shen, with Pei Jin beside her.

Bai Tao thought about it, but still couldn't figure it out.

In fact, just looking at the circle of the wealthy, her relationship with Bai Shen is already better than many others.

In this circle, when a brother treats his sister well, it's often just because the sister is a tool for a marriage alliance, something that can help the family business prosper.

They give each other a bag during holidays and transfer money on birthdays, appearing amicable on the surface but harboring their own thoughts behind the scenes.

Bai Tao has seen too many of those superficial brotherly and sisterly relationships. If you peel back the layers, you'll find nothing but calculations of self-interest.

But Bai Shen is different.

Ever since he gradually took over the Bai family, it was always Bai Zhongjing who came up with the idea of ​​using white peaches for marriage alliances.

Bai Shen has never expressed his opinion on this issue.

Even when he encountered difficulties, he never tried to please her or give her any expensive gifts to try and win her over.

There was no hint that she should know so-and-so's son.

He just... doesn't really care about her.

It neither flatters, nor exploits, nor gets too close. It's not warm enough, but it's not cold either.

Not enough, but there is.

"Big brother."

Hearing Bai Tao call his name, Bai Shen went over.

When he walked up to Bai Tao, he glanced at her first. She was wearing a peach-pink dress, her hair was loose, and her eyes were bright.

Then his gaze shifted to Pei Jin beside her.

Bai Shen wanted to ask, "How did you end up with him?"

But before he could finish speaking, he felt the hem of his suit jacket being tugged.

Yu Xiaozhen stood half a step behind him, her fingers gripping the hem of his clothes tightly until her knuckles turned white.

She was stopping him from going over.

Bai Shen glanced down at Yu Xiaozhen's hand, then looked up again, his gaze returning to Bai Tao.

He neither shook off Yu Xiaozhen nor stopped following her force.

Bai Tao felt that the atmosphere was a bit off.

Bai Shen's gaze was different from usual. She couldn't quite put her finger on what was different, but it sent a chill down her spine.

Yu Xiaozhen stood next to Bai Shen, her lips pressed tightly together, her gaze sweeping back and forth between Bai Tao and Bai Shen like a wary cat.

Pei Jin stood half a step behind Bai Tao, his expression blank, as if nothing had happened.

Bai Tao decided not to linger here any longer.

"Brother, if there's nothing else, we'll be going now."

After saying that, she reached out and grabbed Pei Jin's wrist, then turned and left.

Pei Jin didn't struggle and obediently followed her without even turning his head back.

Bai Tao led Pei Jin into the largest fruit mobile phone specialty store.

She gritted her teeth and spent a long time mentally preparing herself.

"This one will do."

She handed the phone to the salesperson; it was the latest model, the same one she owned.

Thirteen thousand.

Pei Jin glanced at Bai Tao.

"Just buy a cheap one."

"It doesn't need to be that expensive."

He didn't know how much money Bai Tao had, but he felt it couldn't be much, otherwise she wouldn't have let herself live in such a small basement.

Thirteen thousand is a huge expense for them now.

"That won't do,"

Bai Tao blurted out, "I can't exactly buy you a camera phone, can I?"

Pei Jin was stunned for a moment.

The sales clerk next to him glanced at Pei Jin and slightly turned down the corners of her mouth.

This guy is just a little handsome, isn't he?

He's just a gigolo being kept by a rich woman.

Just buy a cheap one, why pretend? If you don't want to spend other people's money, then don't come with them. And then you come and say things like that.

Dead green tea.