"Bao Shaojin." Her soft pink lips parted, a thin layer of sweat glistening on her forehead. When a faint sound echoed from the staircase, Bao Shaojin stopped in his tracks, waiting in place until he saw the young girl rushing toward him. When the young girl called his name, her tone was soft and timid, with a trace of murmur. The sound stirred a sudden restlessness in his heart. His voice was clear and transparent, his tall figure casting a long shadow under the light. "You’re driving back now?" The young girl stood on the staircase, appearing taller than the man, yet his gaze sweeping toward her made her feel timid. "Hmm." Bao Shaojin let out a soft hum. "You’ve already been driving for so long. If you head back now, it would be fatigued driving. You might as well..." An Yin looked earnestly at the man, only to see his eyes darken, and realizing she was meddling too much, she hastily shut her mouth. "Might as well what?" Bao Shaojin asked, his eyes fixed on her. An Yin bit her lip, her lively eyes slowly lowering under his intense gaze. "About fifty meters from the district, there’s a motel. You can rest there for a bit before driving." For the sake of his safety, An Yin finally mustered the courage to voice her thoughts. An Yin told herself: She wasn’t really concerned about the man, just making this suggestion because he helped send her mother home. Yes, that must be it! An Yin’s eyes were resolute. "Worried about me?" Bao Shaojin looked at her frankly, giving her no chance to avoid his gaze. He stepped closer to the staircase, and only when they were at eye level did he stop. The man, clad in a black trench coat, exuded a chilly aura that made him seem even more cold and solitary. "I-I just think it’s not safe to drive so late at night." An Yin stammered, her pretty eyes falling upon the man’s rain-soaked black leather shoes. This reminded her of how he had spent the entire evening attending to her family’s affairs. Her heart softened, and she met his deep, dark eyes. "Bao Shaojin, I’ll take you to the motel." If these words had come from another woman’s mouth, Bao Shaojin would definitely have overthought. But the young girl, blinking with clear and innocent eyes, uttered such ambiguous words, yet Bao Shaojin felt not a shred of impure motive. Just when An Yin thought the man would refuse, a slightly hoarse voice sounded. An Yin froze for a moment, then a serene smile appeared on her face. "Okay, wait here, I’ll go tell my mom." Before Bao Shaojin could reply, he saw the young girl turn and head up the stairs. The young girl was bundled up tightly, waddling like a hefty little penguin, endearingly clumsy. When she came back downstairs, she was holding an umbrella. Seeing him glance over, An Yin explained, thinking he was staring at the umbrella in her hand, "I’m afraid it might rain on the way home." Dıscover more novels at 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⚑𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⚑𝕟𝕖𝕥 Bao Shaojin listened to her words but didn’t respond. Seeing his silence, An Yin quietly followed behind him. As she descended, An Yin looked at the brightly lit stairwell, her face filled with joy. Seeing the young girl’s joyous demeanor, Bao Shaojin asked aloud, "What’s making you so happy?" Upon hearing his words, An Yin tilted her head, her starry eyes spinning, "This is an old neighborhood. Ever since I can remember, the stairwells and downstairs have always been pitch black, except when the moon came out, casting light in the corridors." Saying this, An Yin looked up at the incandescent light hanging on the corridor wall. Though somewhat glaring, it illuminated the place brightly, lifting one’s spirits. "Now, there’s light on every floor, and walking in the staircase at night has put me in a better mood." As she spoke, the young girl’s eyebrows curved, and her long lashes fluttered, making her autumn-like clear eyes appear even more bright and transparent. Bao Shaojin hadn’t imagined that such simple things could bring her satisfaction. It was evident that the young girl had lived a protected life since childhood. "Do you like it here?" Bao Shaojin’s gaze moved to her profile. "I do." An Yin yawned, covering her mouth with her hand, her voice lazy. Watching her somewhat weary face, Bao Shaojin’s aloof visage clouded slightly with concern. Once they reached the asphalt road, a pungent smell lingered in the air, hinting that the road had been paved not long ago. An Yin thought they would walk over. Unexpectedly, the man approached the car and opened the passenger door, "Get in." An Yin bent down and got in, sitting obediently. As the man returned to the driver’s seat, An Yin reminded, "The motel is just ahead; we can walk there." "Guide me." The man spoke as the car started. The commanding tone of his voice left no room for rejection, and An Yin puckered her lips in displeasure. The surroundings of the neighborhood were quiet. Most of the residents in these old buildings were elderly, who retired early for the night, with lights long out in their homes. As the car moved, An Yin thought of the grand, opulent places the man had previously stayed in and wondered if he could endure staying in a modest motel. "What are you thinking about?" Bao Shaojin’s keen gaze caught her troubled expression as he watched the road intently. "You can check the accommodations at the motel before deciding whether to stay," An Yin said hesitantly. Bao Shaojin’s dark eyes narrowed, "Do you think I wouldn’t be able to get used to it?" An Yin grunted, not daring to lie, "Yes." Bao Shaojin lightly tapped the steering wheel, the corner of his eye showing a hint of playfulness. "We’re here." An Yin, always observant of the outside, pointed as the motel came within a few meters, "Turn into the right alley to park." Bao Shaojin followed her instructions and parked the car. It was late, and the small shops lining the road had long closed, save for a few barbecue joints at the nearby intersection, smoke rising in curls, visible from afar, and the aroma wafting a considerable distance. An Yin, unable to resist the allure of good food, eagerly sniffed the barbecue scent, peering toward the brightly lit venue. "Want to eat?" Bao Shaojin could easily see through her little thoughts. "N-no." An Yin’s tension revealed her lie. "I’m just hungry too, let’s eat together." The man left these words and walked directly toward the smoky place. An Yin trotted after him, her delicate face lifting with a gentle smile, even her drowsiness dissipating. The two walked side by side on the sidewalk, lined with towering trees, barren in winter. In the cold wind, the young girl’s cheeks were flushed red.