Homeward Bound

“Are we heading home, Mo Bai?”

“Any other ideas? You can always eat out if you prefer.”

“Forget it, let’s go home.”

Bai Xia shook her head hurriedly, her long, white hair swaying gently with the motion, her flustered and adorable appearance drawing a soft chuckle from Mo Bai.

“Old Chen is already waiting by the door. Let’s go straight home for dinner.”

Mo Bai pulled the girl closer to him, taking her small hand as they walked towards the school gate. Although Bai Xia felt a bit resistant about holding hands in such a public place, the comforting presence of Mo Bai overcame her shyness. Her delicate fingers cautiously wrapped around Mo Bai’s hand, like a timid kitten testing the waters with a cautious paw.

As for Mo Bai, his palm was warm and firm, completely enveloping her small hand with an unyielding gentleness. Bai Xia simply allowed him to lead the way.

After all, even if she resisted, the outcome would be the same—being led by Mo Bai.

“Mo Bai…” she began softly, her voice sweet and uncertain, “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t bully me outside?”

Mo Bai chuckled, his warm hand gently squeezing the small hand he was holding, “Is this bullying? Isn’t it natural for me to hold my personal maid’s hand?”

Well… maybe it made sense… there was some logic to it…

Perhaps it was because she didn’t truly want to escape Mo Bai’s grasp, or perhaps it was the instinctual influence of being bound to the blood jade, Bai Xia found herself unable to come up with a counterargument. She could only let Mo Bai gently squeeze her hand while pretending not to care.

Unfortunately, her flushed cheeks and the way she slightly lowered her head gave her away, and Mo Bai noticed her embarrassed demeanor, his amusement deepening.

“Remember, you have to keep your promises to your master once you’re home.”

Mo Bai remembered the verbal agreement they had made in the cafeteria.

Of course, if Bai Xia wasn’t willing, Mo Bai wouldn’t force her. It was just that in their daily interactions, Bai Xia would inevitably be teased until her face turned red.

In the fading light of the sunset, Bai Xia felt her heart pounding so loudly it seemed the entire world could hear it. Although the negative effects of the blood jade had been suppressed, being teased by Mo Bai stirred up a familiar warmth that spread throughout her body, causing her to bite her lower lip shyly.

That night, she had been thoroughly teased…

Hearing Mo Bai mention it, Bai Xia suddenly regretted ever agreeing to those terms. If this continued, her body would inevitably be shaped to Mo Bai’s desires.

“Mo… Mo Bai…” the girl’s soft voice trembled slightly, “Can you… let me go?”

“Depends on your performance.” Mo Bai’s deep voice was tinged with laughter.

****

They arrived at Mo Bai’s usual residence in Old Chen’s car, where a sumptuous dinner was already prepared by the maid. After serving the meal and cleaning the house, the maid left the apartment to the two young masters.

After all, their personal space should not be disturbed.

The exquisite array of five dishes and one soup gave off an enticing aroma, making Bai Xia’s eyes glaze over with hunger, though she dared not pick up her chopsticks. Instead, she fidgeted nervously, watching Mo Bai.

Bai Xia hadn’t forgotten her usual duties as a maid for Mo Bai, even though he seemed to treat her as something more special now.

Though… this meal was certainly extravagant…

Five dishes and one soup—even for her own birthday, Bai Xia had never enjoyed such a lavish meal. Usually, after school, she would have a few cups of instant noodles or a simple meal of rice with side dishes.

Money really does make a difference…

“Go ahead and eat what you like.” Mo Bai watched his little maid struggling with her hunger, unable to resist a light chuckle.

Although in high-society families, maids were not allowed to eat at the table, Mo Bai didn’t mind such formalities. After all, the arrangement of Bai Xia as his maid was just a pretext for her to stay.

“R-really…?” Bai Xia was so hungry she felt her mouth watering, but as the host, she wouldn’t dare eat before Mo Bai.

Although she was always poor, it didn’t mean she lacked manners, and she knew the basics of etiquette.

Unless…

“You don’t need to worry about those rules here. Go ahead and eat.”

Seeing her struggle, Mo Bai reached out to gently ruffle her white hair, then placed a piece of sweet and sour pork rib in her bowl.

Although he hadn’t paid much attention to Bai Xia’s life before, after visiting her home, he finally realized how difficult her life had been.

She was too thin; she needed to gain some weight to look better.

As Mo Bai continued to add dishes to Bai Xia’s bowl, she no longer hesitated, taking small bites.

However, she still wanted to maintain some decorum, even if the food was delicious. She didn’t want to appear too greedy in front of Mo Bai, as this place was not yet fully her home.

“You don’t need to hold back around me. Just eat as much as you want. Look at how weak you are.” Mo Bai added another piece of braised pork to her bowl, “Let’s focus on improving your health for now.”

“Okay…” Bai Xia softly responded, blushing as she lowered her head to eat.

It had to be said, the food at Mo Bai’s place was indeed delicious, and there was plenty of it, unlike her usual experience where she would often go to bed hungry.

“You don’t eat instant noodles every day, do you.”

“Well… not exactly, but it’s pretty much the same…”

“Ah…”

Seeing the girl’s hesitant glance, Mo Bai’s words trailed off with a sigh.

His little maid certainly had a tough life.

“Rest well these next few days. When we have time, I’ll take you to my family home.” Mo Bai added a few more pieces of braised pork to Bai Xia’s bowl, leaving her both puzzled and curious.

“Your family home…? Isn’t this it?”

“This is just a convenient place for me to commute to school and live temporarily.”

“Ah… Ah Ah Ah”

It turned out… poverty really limits one’s imagination, huh?

With just one simple sentence, Bai Xia’s mind went blank. How could such a large apartment be considered a temporary residence by Mo Bai?

“Mo Bai… this is… a bit too much, isn’t it…” Bai Xia’s adorable face showed disbelief, suddenly making her realize that the wealthy she saw on the streets weren’t really that impressive after all.

It was definitely better to cling to a brother’s leg, she thought. If Mo Bai offered to be her adoptive father, she would probably agree.

Watching the girl’s confused expression, Mo Bai couldn’t help but chuckle, reaching out to gently ruffle her hair, “You think this is a lot? Wait until you see my family home; there’s even more to come.”

More? How could this not be the limit?

At least for Bai Xia, her mind couldn’t even imagine anything more extravagant.

What could a little blood jade want? As long as she could eat her fill and drink to her heart’s content, even if it was just instant noodles with an extra egg, it would be luxurious enough for her.