On the fifth floor, right opposite the stairwell, was a hot pot restaurant.
Fang Bai stopped, glanced at the sign, and asked, "How about hot pot?"
Ji Yuning: "Mm."
Seeing that Ji Yuning wasn't in a good mood, Fang Bai walked to the other side of the hot pot restaurant. A flyer was handed to her, and after glancing at it, she handed it to Ji Yuning. "Want some duck head?"
A soft "Mm" came from behind.
The two continued walking, passing a less crowded shop, and Fang Bai casually asked, "Want some noodles?"
The person behind him responded again, "Mm."
After visiting several restaurants, Fang Bai couldn't muster any appetite.
She turned to look at Ji Yuning, "Is there anything you particularly want to eat?"
"No."
Fang Bai pressed on, "Then you don't have anything you like to eat?"
Ji Yuning met Fang Bai's gaze and said, "Eating is just to replenish nutrition and prolong life."
So you can eat anything.
"?"
Looking at Ji Yuning's thin frame, Fang Bai thought to himself, "You haven't been getting any nutrition either..."
The two then returned to the hot pot restaurant where they had started.
Fang Bai didn't hesitate any longer, "Then this one will do."
There weren't many people eating hot pot, and the two were led to a corner by the waiter.
When it came time to order, Fang Bai simply handed the paper to Ji Yuning and let her choose. After Ji Yuning finished ordering, Fang Bai also checked off a few more dishes she wanted to eat.
After preparing the dipping sauce, Fang Bai played on his phone.
A new message popped up on WeChat. When she opened it, she saw that Ji Yuning had transferred money to her.
Fang Bai looked up at the person opposite him in confusion: "Why are you giving me money?"
Ji Yuning: "The rest."
The money left over after buying the underwear.
Fang Bai didn't click on it, but instead shifted his attention to something else, "Should I change my WeChat profile picture?"
Ji Yuning looked at the gray humanoid figure in the box; she didn't care much about it.
Fang Bai only mentioned it briefly, not caring whether Ji Yuning changed it or not. She put away her phone and said, "You can take your phone to school. You can take it out to look at it at night. It won't affect your studies."
It would be best if you could send me a message from time to time.
Ji Yuning did not reply.
The dishes were served quickly. During the meal, Fang Bai didn't say anything and ate his food quietly.
Ji Yuning didn't say anything either.
Compared to the laughing and joking atmosphere at the other tables, their table was extremely quiet, but they didn't feel uncomfortable at all and ate very comfortably.
After dinner, the two went downstairs.
As they descended the escalator to the third floor, Fang Bai inadvertently noticed Ji Yuning's delicate brows furrowed, as if she were deep in thought.
After hesitating for a moment, Fang Bai asked, "What are you thinking about?"
Ji Yuning looked down at Fang Bai and calmly said what she had just been thinking: "Would I die if I rolled down from the top of the escalator?"
"..." She didn't ask any unnecessary questions.
Fang Bai blinked: "A head injury could be fatal, or at worst, result in permanent disability."
Fang Bai hadn't forgotten how much Ji Yuning hated the original owner.
Fang Bai added, "Don't even think about pushing me; you've already missed your chance."
The two were no longer at the highest point.
Ji Yuning was stunned.
She didn't intend to push Fang Bai; she just naturally had doubts after seeing the escalator.
But seeing Fang Bai's darting eyes and the slightly tense expression on his face, Ji Yuning half-opened her eyelids and lowered her voice, saying, "There's another layer."
A chill ran down Fang Bai's spine as the original owner's fate came to mind.
Fang Bai calmed down, suppressing his fear, and admonished, "You're supposed to be a vibrant high school student, can't you have some positive and optimistic thoughts?"
As Fang Bai was talking, he didn't notice that the escalator was almost at the end.
Ji Yuning saw it, and normally she wouldn't have reminded Fang Bai. But perhaps it was because of what Fang Bai said, or perhaps she found Fang Bai's nervous expression because of her words amusing, Ji Yuning softly reminded him, "We're here."
Fang Bai turned to leave, but it was too late; the escalator had already reached the second floor.
Fang Bai stumbled and fell.
It's hard to maintain your balance in stiletto heels; when you try to stand up straight, your body sways.
Fang Bai instinctively reached for the railing beside her, but a hand grabbed her faster, and Fang Bai's body immediately leaned towards Ji Yuning.
The next moment, Fang Bai's hand, which was about to reach for the railing, instead grabbed Ji Yuning's arm.
After regaining his footing, Fang Bai felt ashamed.
Especially in front of Ji Yuning.
Fang Bai suppressed his embarrassment, released his grip on Ji Yuning's arm, took a step back, pulled his other arm out of Ji Yuning's grasp, and looked up at Ji Yuning with a calm expression, saying, "Thank you."
After saying that, Fang Bai turned and walked towards the next escalator.
Fang Bai, in his haste to leave, failed to notice the thoughtful look in Ji Yuning's eyes.
As Fang Bai leaned towards Ji Yuning, a delicate fragrance wafted into her nose.
…I smelled it a second time.
Within a few seconds of pausing, Ji Yuning had already remembered why it felt familiar.
To be precise, this is the third time I've smelled it.
Chapter 12
Once they reached the first floor, Fang Bai stood a few steps away from the escalator and waited for Ji Yuning.
On the escalator, Ji Yuning was wearing a blue and white school uniform with a high ponytail. If it weren't for her expressionless face, Ji Yuning could have perfectly captured the youthful beauty of a high school student.
Fang Bai didn't know whether Ji Yuning's words were true or false, whether it was a mischievous joke or her true thoughts. Only when she watched the person slowly descending from the height did Fang Bai realize that she had been frightened by a child's words.
Of course, the biggest reason was Fang Bai's fear of the original owner's death scene.
The escalator quickly reached the first floor, and Ji Yuning slowly walked towards Fang Bai.
Fang Bai wasn't sure if it was just her imagination, but amidst the interplay of light and shadow, she seemed to see a smile in Ji Yuning's eyes.
laugh?
Fang Bai stared at it for a couple more times, but saw nothing. The other person's eyes remained distant.
Ji Yuning approached, her eyes meeting Fang Bai's, and asked questioningly, "What is Aunt Fang looking at?"
Seeing that Fang Bai was frightened by her, Ji Yuning called out "Aunt Fang" in a good mood.
Fang Bai looked away and said awkwardly, "It's nothing, let's go, Uncle Li has been waiting for a long time."
Ji Yuning followed behind Fang Bai.
After taking two steps, Fang Bai slowed down and waited until Ji Yuning was shoulder to shoulder with her before resuming her normal pace.
On the way home, Fang Bai closed his eyes to rest, while Ji Yuning remained seated, looking out the window at the fleeting scenery, lost in thought.
They arrived home quickly. Fang Bai had fallen asleep in the car and was woken up by Uncle Li. He was still sleepy and his tone was much more languid.
"Xiao Ning," Fang Bai called out.
No response was received.
Fang Bai looked to the side and saw Ji Yuning, only to find that Ji Yuning had already gotten off the bus.
“…”
Fang Bai picked up his bag and slowly got out of the car.
Wu Mei stood behind the car, looking at the large pile of bags in the trunk, and asked, "Miss, are these for your room or your walk-in closet?"
Fang Bai glanced at Ji Yuning and said, "These were all bought for her. Just send them back to her room."
Wu Mei's eyes widened suddenly, as if she had heard something unbelievable. She looked at Fang Bai and asked, "They...they were all bought for Xiao Ji?"
"No." Fang Bai said before leaving the garage, "There are two pieces of clothing inside that I bought for you and Uncle Li. Take them out and give them to Uncle Li."
Wu Mei's eyes suddenly reddened. She turned to look at Ji Yuning and asked in a trembling voice, "Did you really buy me clothes too, Miss?"
Ji Yuning thought for a moment and realized that she had indeed bought two sets of elderly clothing: "Yes, I bought them."
Wu Mei was touched. The young lady had always treated her well, but this was the first time she had given her something.
Putting her thoughts aside, Wu Mei bent down to get the bag from the trunk. Seeing this, Ji Yuning quickly bent down and said, "Aunt Wu, I'll take it."
“Let’s go together.” Wu Mei said to Ji Yuning with a smile, “Little Ji, Miss is treating you so well now.”
Is buying some things enough?
Ji Yuning lowered her eyes, her gaze unfathomable, and replied, "Mm."
Wu Mei meant that Fang Bai had indeed treated Ji Yuning much better than before. He not only gave her more living expenses, but also took her shopping for all these things, and he no longer scolded her.