In fact, Ji Shushu and Ji Ziqian arrived ten minutes early, before the agreed time.

Ji Shushu looked around and, seeing that Bai Xiaoruo hadn't arrived yet, prepared to call and ask where she was.

After all, Bai Xiaoruo now has a mobile phone, making it easier to stay in touch.

Just as Ji Shushu took her phone out of her bag to dial Bai Xiaoruo's number, a black Cayenne pulled up to the side of the road not far away. The person who got out of the car made Ji Shushu's eyes widen. She quickly put her phone back in her bag and pulled her brother Ji Ziqian to look at the Cayenne.

"Brother! Brother, look! Isn't that Xiaobai?" Ji Shushu hurriedly tugged at Ji Ziqian's sleeve.

When Ji Shushu first saw this scene, she couldn't believe it and wondered if she was seeing things.

Not long after, he changed to another luxury car, and it was that same middle-aged man who opened the door. The person who got out of the car was his good friend Bai Xiaoruo.

What exactly happened?

What exactly is the relationship between Bai Xiaoruo and that driver?

Following the direction Ji Shushu pointed, Ji Ziqian also saw the Cayenne and Bai Xiaoruo, who had just gotten out of the car.

She seemed to be standing rather unsteadily and needed the older man to help her up. Then, she smiled and said something to him.

Ji Ziqian frowned. Although he believed in Bai Xiaoruo's character, the fact that the same uncle had picked her up and dropped her off time and time again, and in different luxury cars each time, suggested that even if Bai Xiaoruo was innocent, there was definitely more to the story.

However, since Bai Xiaoruo didn't take the initiative to talk about it, they couldn't force her to tell them.

"How could Xiaobai do this! Brother, you like her so much, and she actually..." Ji Shushu couldn't finish her sentence, and angrily walked over, "I have to go and ask Xiaobai what happened!"

"Don't go yet!" Ji Ziqian grabbed Ji Shushu's arm and pulled her back. "Shushu, you and Xiaoruo are friends. If even you don't trust her, how will she face others in the future?"

"But...but I'm just standing up for you, brother! I only want to ask Xiaobai because I consider her a friend. Don't you think Xiaobai has been acting really strange these past few months? And she hasn't been back to the Bai family home since."

“I know… but don’t push her too hard. I believe that one day, Xiaoru will tell us the whole truth. From now on, don’t mention what happened earlier to her again, understand?”

"Oh." Ji Shushu wanted to say something more, but in the end, she swallowed it all.

My brother is right. With my years of friendship with Xiaobai, how could I not know what kind of person she is?

You must believe in Xiaobai; she might really have some reason for her distress.

Just as Bai Xiaoruo noticed Ji Ziqian and Ji Shushu, they waved to her.

They arrived so early; it seems I was the one who was late.

To avoid letting them see the injury on her leg, Bai Xiaoruo pretended to be relaxed as she walked towards Ji Shushu and Ji Ziqian.

"I'm sorry, I'm late. My home is a bit far from here."

"It's not even seven o'clock yet, we just arrived a short while ago. Xiao Ruo, you look beautiful tonight." Ji Ziqian's gaze lingered tenderly on Bai Xiao Ruo.

Aside from the school uniform skirt, Bai Xiaoruo rarely wore skirts out at school. However, in the past few months, she has been wearing many designer clothes and skirts, and she pays more attention to her appearance than before, no longer just wearing ordinary black-rimmed glasses and a simple ponytail.

"Ah, thank you..." Bai Xiaoruo lowered her head shyly after being praised by Ji Ziqian.

"Okay, let's go eat quickly, I'm starving." Ji Shushu took Bai Xiaoruo's arm and muttered.

To ensure a better and more comfortable environment, Ji Ziqian had booked a private room at the restaurant well in advance; all he had to do was show his name when he arrived.

The restaurant wasn't far from the intersection, just a few minutes' walk away. Ji Shushu and Bai Xiaoruo walked hand in hand in front, while Ji Ziqian followed behind them as their protector.

***

The food at this restaurant is indeed quite good; it's not too spicy or too bland.

Ji Shushu was still her usual carefree self, and she and Bai Xiaoruo always had endless things to talk about. Bai Xiaoruo just listened quietly, occasionally offering her own opinions. Ji Ziqian sat to Bai Xiaoruo's left, watching the two girls chatting and laughing, unable to get a word in edgewise.

She probably sensed her older brother's awkwardness, since inviting Bai Xiaoruo out tonight wasn't just about having dinner together; she also wanted to create some opportunities for the two of them to be alone together.

Ji Shushu suddenly clutched her stomach, groaning and unable to straighten up, and prepared to take the opportunity to run to the toilet.

"Ouch, my stomach hurts so much! It hurts so much!" Perhaps Ji Shushu was really good at faking it, because Bai Xiaoruo and Ji Ziqian couldn't help but worry.

"What's wrong? Why does your stomach hurt? Did you eat something wrong? Should we go to the hospital?" Bai Xiaoruo was flustered and afraid that something had really happened to her friend. After all, seeing Ji Shushu in so much pain was painful for her to watch.

"No, no, no need to go to the hospital. I probably ate too much at noon and can't digest it," Ji Shushu said, picking up her bag from behind the chair and putting it on her back. "Brother, you and Xiaobai keep eating. I'm going to the restroom to digest. You guys eat slowly, don't worry about me." With that, Ji Shushu clutched her stomach, opened the door, and rushed out of the private room.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!