A Gentle Rebuke and a Warm Touch

After toying with the girl’s small feet in his palm for a while, Mo Bai finally let go of Bai Xia, who was now blushing fiercely in his arms. He gently placed her back on the sofa.

“I wasn’t bullying you; I just wanted to check your knee scrape.”

Looking at Bai Xia, who was now utterly flustered, Mo Bai explained with a hint of amusement. He couldn’t resist reaching out to lightly tap her small head, as if scolding her for her wild thoughts.

“What’s this foot fetish nonsense? I’m not a foot fetishist. What on earth is in this little classmate’s head?”

Bai Xia, who had been tapped on the head, covered her forehead, revealing her eyes filled with grievance through her falling hair: “Mo… you’re just being…”

Her voice grew softer, and her toes curled inward. It seemed that even mentioning this made the girl feel extremely embarrassed.

“Being what?” Mo Bai leaned in suddenly, his handsome face inches from Bai Xia’s, causing her to shrink back further: “Then tell me, who thought I had strange habits just now?”

“…”

“I didn’t…”

Bai Xia’s voice was barely audible, her fingers unconsciously twisting the hem of her nightgown. She wanted to refute Mo Bai, but recalling the strange thoughts and words in her head, she found herself speechless, burying her head even lower, hoping her classmate would let her off.

What’s wrong with me today?

Bai Xia felt something was off. Those embarrassing thoughts were pouring out like a flood, especially when facing her classmate Mo Bai. Her heart raced uncontrollably.

It wasn’t like this before…

Reflecting on her interactions with Mo Bai at school, they were usually just discussing homework or borrowing stationery. But now, as a girl with Mo Bai, she felt like a completely different person.

Well, it’s just for today. Mo Bai did save my life, so there’s nothing to be ashamed of.

Yes, there’s nothing to be ashamed of! I’m just repaying my kind classmate!

After some thought, Bai Xia attributed her strange behavior to a sense of gratitude.

She was just repaying Mo Bai, so what was wrong with that?

At this thought, her snow-white ears turned a deeper shade of red, and her slender fingers twisted the hem of her skirt even tighter. Just as she was lost in self-justification, a warm sensation touched the top of her head. Mo Bai’s hand had found its way to her head, gently massaging it with a hint of affection.

“Again with the strange thoughts?”

“I wasn’t thinking anything! And you, Mo, stop bullying me…”

Although her words held a hint of resentment, knowing that Mo Bai had only wanted to check her knee injury, Bai Xia felt a spark of joy.

“Let me treat you to dinner tonight…” she said, mustering the courage to look up at the boy beside her. But Mo Bai’s expression was one of surprise.

“You’re treating me? Are you sure?”

Mo Bai raised an eyebrow, his eyes filled with disbelief.

It wasn’t that he didn’t believe her, but he knew Bai Xia well. She worked part-time jobs to pay for her school fees, living expenses, and rent. Did she really have the money to treat him?

Moreover, seeing Bai Xia’s modest living conditions, he felt a pang of guilt at the thought of letting her treat him, even to a cup of milk tea.

“Yes,” Bai Xia nodded. “Now I’m a rich girl.”

She pulled out her phone, showing Mo Bai her bank balance of over five digits. Although this amount might not mean much to Mo Bai, it was the most money she had ever seen.

??? Mo Bai’s mind was filled with question marks. If she had this much money, why did she borrow from him last week? That didn’t add up.

Connecting the dots from last night, Mo Bai figured out where Bai Xia’s money came from. It must have been from tips at the bar, those creeps giving her extra for her company.

But he had been to bars before, and tips were usually a few hundred at most. No one would give this much unless they had other intentions, clearly trying to buy her favor.

Looking at Bai Xia, still happily showing off her money, oblivious to the danger, Mo Bai felt a mix of exasperation and worry. He opened his mouth, then closed it, unsure of what to say. Finally, he reached out and tapped her head again.

“Ouch! Mo…”

“No more working at bars.”

Mo Bai’s voice turned serious. If it hadn’t been for his lucky timing last night, who knows what might have happened to his little classmate. If the drugs had kicked in, and she had been taken away by strangers…

Sigh… forget it.

Seeing Mo Bai’s hesitant expression, Bai Xia shrank back, softly murmuring, “Okay.”

She knew what Mo Bai wanted to say, but what was done was done. She was just grateful for her lucky escape, rescued by Mo Bai at the crucial moment.

“And don’t get too excited. I’ve gotten you out of trouble today, but that doesn’t mean you’re safe. I’ll ask my parents if they can help you get a new identity.”

Hearing that Mo Bai could help her get a new identity, Bai Xia’s eyes widened with hope: “R-really?”

If she had a legal identity, everything would be so much easier. She wouldn’t have to pretend to be a boy all the time.

Mo Bai looked at Bai Xia’s hopeful eyes and sighed softly: “I warn you—” His long fingers suddenly grasped her small chin, leaning in to whisper in her ear: “If you dare use this identity to do strange jobs for money…”

“N-not like that!”

Bai Xia blushed and waved her hands, her long white hair shimmering in the sunset. At least now, she wouldn’t have to worry about her identity being discovered.

“Well, let’s go eat then.” Mo Bai stood up, straightening his clothes, which had become disheveled from holding Bai Xia. His once plain clothes now carried a hint of her sweet fragrance.

Sigh… I guess this will do for now.

Looking at the flustered girl sitting on the bed, he knew he couldn’t rush things. He had to take it one step at a time. As for payment, he could always collect it later.

“Change your clothes, and don’t turn back. You look better this way.”

“Okay, Mo…”