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

Bai Zhenzhen stood there, her face still bearing a docile expression, her eyes still red.

Like a small flower that has just been battered by wind and rain, still covered with water droplets, it looked pitiful under the crystal chandelier in the living room.

She sat down on the sofa, hugging her legs and resting her chin on her knees, looking like a frightened kitten curled up in a corner.

She placed the new phone on the coffee table. Several nannies, unaware of what she was doing, stood at a distance, their hands clasped in front of them, heads bowed, trying to minimize their presence.

The group exchanged glances. "What is she up to?"

The hall was so quiet that you could hear the ticking of the second hand on the antique clock on the wall, one tick at a time, neither too fast nor too slow.

The sound of a car being locked came from the garden.

As Bai Shen entered the room, he was untying his tie. His movements were practiced and casual, and the tie slipped from his fingers, which he then casually picked up.

It's already past nine o'clock at night. Usually, only two lights are left on in the lobby, making it dimly lit.

Today, the lights are on full display, and the crystal chandelier illuminates every corner.

Bai Shen subconsciously frowned. The last time the lights were left on this late was the day Bai Tao wasn't the Bai family's biological daughter.

He stood in the porch, his gaze sweeping across the entire hall, lingering on Bai Zhenzhen for a moment before looking away.

As soon as he entered the room, he saw Bai Zhenzhen sitting on the leather sofa with her legs drawn up to her chest, her shoulders swaying.

Two nannies stood a short distance behind her, dozing off.

That's how it is in the Bai family; if the master doesn't rest, the servants can't rest either.

They had been standing for hours, their legs were aching and their eyelids were heavy, but none of them dared to leave.

When the two nannies saw the young master return, they immediately bowed to him from a distance, their movements quick and synchronized.

Bai Shen waved his hand, raising it from his side and gently waving it to indicate that they could leave.

The two nannies, as if granted a pardon, quickly left the hall.

Bai Shen withdrew his gaze, not lingering on Bai Zhenzhen any longer. He didn't slow his pace as he passed by her, intending to go straight upstairs.

"elder brother."

Bai Shen stopped.

He stood there, hands still in his pockets, head slightly turned, looking at her coldly.

"What's wrong?"

Why are you so cold?

Seeing your own sister crying, shouldn't you feel sorry for her?

Bai Zhenzhen secretly clenched the fabric of her skirt on her knee, then let go.

She looked up, her eyes still red, her voice carrying a suppressed, just-right amount of grievance, like someone who didn't want to worry others but simply couldn't hold back anymore.

"It's nothing, brother."

Bai Zhenzhen's voice was soft.

"I saw Sister Bai Tao outside at noon today. She was with three men."

"Um."

Bai Shen didn't care; he lifted his foot to continue walking uphill.

The next second, Bai Zhenzhen's voice came from behind, choked with sobs, as if she could finally hold it in.

"Brother, I was bullied today."

My sister snatched my phone and threw it into the hot pot. My phone is broken, boohoo!

Bai Zhenzhen's cries echoed a few times in the empty hall, as if amplified by the crystal chandelier, or perhaps just like an echo in her own ears.

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, her shoulders trembling, her voice broken and intermittent, as if she was trying hard not to cry too uncontrollably.

This is the third time she's cried this afternoon; she doesn't have that many tears.

Bai Shen stopped in his tracks.

He stood on the steps, turned around, and looked down at her.

He had one hand in his pocket and the other behind his neck, looking very relaxed.

"You can't beat her?"

Bai Zhenzhen was stunned for a moment.

She hadn't expected Bai Shen to ask that question.

Her expression shifted, her rhythm disrupted by the question.

Her voice was softer than before, carrying a sense of being offended but not daring to retaliate.

"Brother, I've been bullied since I was little, and I don't know how to argue with people..."

Bai Zhenzhen's voice grew softer and softer, the last note fading away like a leaf falling onto the water's surface.

After listening, Bai Shen gave her a knowing look.

"Since you can't beat her, then don't provoke her anymore."

After saying that, Bai Shen left without looking back.

Bai Zhenzhen was left alone, still clutching the hem of her skirt in her hand.

Her expression froze on her face.

What did he say?

Did she mishear?

Are all members of this family normal?

On the other side, Bai Tao was holed up in the basement.

Pei Jin went to find He Yilong across the street, and He Fan went to work. He didn't want to stay with those two men, so Bai Tao stayed in the basement by herself to watch dramas.

It's 22:00 now.

Pei Jin hasn't returned yet.

She glanced at the time, 22:06, yawned, rolled over, and was about to sink into a more comfortable position when a dialog box suddenly popped up at the top of the screen.

News of Bai Zhongjing.

Bai Tao stared at her father's nickname for two seconds, feeling as if something had stabbed her in the heart.

She suddenly felt wide awake.

She sat up, staring at the words: "Did you and Zhenzhen have a fight today?"

Bai Tao's finger hovered above the screen for a moment, but she didn't reply immediately.

Her carefree demeanor in the afternoon was all an act, but she did consider the consequences afterwards.

If Bai Zhongjing insists on calling the police and sending her to jail, there's really nothing she can do.

Even if she had to pay compensation, her heart would still bleed.

I already told her today that she's not allowed to bother you anymore.

Bai Tao stared at the line of text, blinked, and then blinked again.

It's bizarre, so very bizarre.

Why would Bai Zhongjing, with his cold and calculating nature, speak up for her?

Then she realized what was going on.

Bai Zhongjing felt that cultivating Bai Zhenzhen was too much trouble and that she couldn't be cultivated well in a short time, so he wanted to keep Bai Tao.

He might take her back and arrange another marriage when the Bai family needs her.

Bai Zhongjing didn't care whether she was doing well or not; he only cared about whether she had any value.

Bai Tao curled her lips into a mischievous smile.