Yu Xiaoduo’s resistance didn’t anger Bai Ji. Instead, it made her see Gu Wan’er as a girl with real character. Anyone else wouldn’t dare put on airs in front of her.
Bai Ji let out a soft sigh and actually got up and sat down across from Gu Wan’er. Yu Xiaoduo secretly rejoiced. Sometimes movies really don’t lie — with a strong-willed woman, you have to do the opposite of what she expects.
“I’ve come all the way over to sit across from you, and you’re still not happy?” Bai Ji said with a helpless little smile, coaxing her as if she were a younger sister.
Yu Xiaoduo immediately conjured up some sad thoughts — like being chopped up by Gu Wan’er, stuck in a body that was neither male nor female. Her eyes instantly reddened.
“Master Bai, what did I say wrong that day? I just didn’t want to accept my fate, and you stormed off without even giving me a chance to explain.” Yu Xiaoduo confronted Master Bai directly. It was a bold move, and of course, a case of using a woman’s tactics to defeat a woman. Either way, it’s all your fault.
Bai Ji was taken aback. She thought back carefully to what had happened that day. She had gone to chat with her, but the conversation hadn’t gone the way she’d expected. She had overlooked the fact that the girl was talking about rebelling against fate. It was her own oversight.
“You weren’t wrong. I was the one who neglected your feelings,” Bai Ji said gently.
Yu Xiaoduo didn’t plan to push it any further. Master Bai had offered her an olive branch, so it was time to stop while she was ahead. She had to play it just right — overdoing it would only make things worse.
“Master Bai, I was actually really happy when you came to see me that day. I just wanted to tell you everything I was thinking, nothing more.” Yu Xiaoduo’s tone carried a hint of apology. After all, Master Bai was still Master Bai. When she gave you a way out, you had to be gracious enough to take it.
Bai Ji’s smile widened a little at these words. “Today we have all the time in the world to talk. We can talk about anything you like.”
“Really?”
Bai Ji nodded seriously. “Of course, really.”
“Master Bai, do you have a boyfriend?”
Bai Ji froze for a second, then scolded playfully, “You’re asking for a smack.”
“Haha, Master Bai, you’re blushing.”
“I am not blushing. Look at you — you were just tearing up a moment ago.”
Under Yu Xiaoduo’s efforts, the atmosphere gradually lightened and grew cheerful, nothing like the oppressive silence from before. Every now and then, Bai Ji’s girlish laughter could be heard.
Say what you will, but I, Yu Xiaoduo, have plenty of ways to make a girl laugh. So what exactly is it that’s kept me single all these years?
Could it be that changing bodies has let me loosen up? Am I really that inhibited in my own skin?
Half an hour later, the plane touched down in Fengyang City. Two Land Rovers were already waiting.
Yu Xiaoduo and Bai Ji both sat in the back seat. Curious, Yu Xiaoduo asked, “Master Bai, where are we going today?”
“Delivering some warmth.”
Yu Xiaoduo didn’t quite get it at first, but soon the cars were traveling along county roads, the pavement gradually growing rougher. Behind the two SUVs were two container trucks.
Then it clicked — Master Bai was heading into the mountains to deliver supplies.
President Gu had previously described Master Bai as ruthless and cold-hearted, but looking at her now, she seemed nothing like that. She was so caring, even coming all the way out here personally to bring supplies.
The mountain roads were winding and bumpy, the car rocking back and forth the whole way. Yu Xiaoduo noticed that Master Bai had no complaints at all. Clearly, this wasn’t her first time doing this.
At noon, the group had a quick bite of some bread and pressed on. A little past two in the afternoon, they finally reached their destination.
Yu Xiaoduo gazed at the village before her. She hadn’t imagined places like this still existed. The houses were built from clay bricks, and figures dotted the fields working the land. When they saw the convoy approach, they set down their tools, wiped the sweat from their brows with the towels around their necks, and their sun-peeled faces broke into genuine, heartfelt smiles.
As soon as they entered the village, older children led the younger ones racing after the vehicles. Though they were poor, these children’s eyes were so pure and clear.
After they parked, Bai Ji grabbed the prepared plastic bags from the car. Inside were all kinds of candies.
The moment she stepped out, the children shouted with glee, “Hello, Sister Bai!”
“Line up, little ones. Sister’s going to give you some candy.” Bai Ji seemed to set aside her usual commanding presence, looking at the children with warmth and approachability.
Standing nearby, Yu Xiaoduo felt deeply moved and quickly walked over to help.
The scar-faced man called his men to start unloading the goods. The shipping containers were packed to the brim with daily necessities.
Before long, an elderly man with white hair came hobbling over with a cane, accompanied by some other villagers. But they were all on the older side — most of the young people had gone elsewhere for work.
“Miss Bai, thank you so, so much for coming all this way to a little place like ours,” the village chief said, deeply moved, tears glistening in his aged eyes.
“It’s a small effort. Please, you should go and rest, Chief. Let the others come and help unload,” Bai Ji said warmly.
The village chief expressed his thanks over and over, and the nearby villagers joined in to help with the unloading. Bai Ji held the inventory list and called out the items. “Miss Gu, could you record what each household is short of? That way we can distribute things properly later.”
“Sure, no problem.” Yu Xiaoduo was more than happy to help.
One person took inventory while the other distributed, and they worked together quite well. Within a few hours, they had given out everything in the shipping containers. By then, the sky was gradually darkening.
“You’re not worn out, are you?” Bai Ji walked over to Yu Xiaoduo with a bottle of mineral water, concern in her voice.
Yu Xiaoduo took the water, twisted it open, and gulped it down. She was hot and thirsty — thank goodness she’d dressed coolly today.
“Master Bai, do you come here often?”
“Call me Sister Bai.”
Yu Xiaoduo’s heart leaped. Looks like all her effort hadn’t been wasted. “Alright, Sister Bai.”
Bai Ji chuckled softly and said evenly, “When I have the time, I come here myself. Partly to check on them, partly to relax a bit.”
“Do you have something weighing on your mind, Sister Bai?”
Bai Ji just smiled and said nothing. Was she supposed to admit she was being pressured into marriage by her grandfather? That would just make her a laughingstock in front of Gu Wan’er and cost her all her dignity.
Yu Xiaoduo didn’t press further. Just then, a villager approached with a shy smile. “Miss Bai, Miss Gu, dinner’s ready. Why don’t you come and eat first?”
Bai Ji nodded, then whispered to Yu Xiaoduo, “Actually, there’s a third reason. The food here is delicious — it’s all homegrown.”
Yu Xiaoduo never would have guessed. They had flown all the way here just for a meal.
Led by the villager, the group arrived at the place where the village usually held events. The ground was paved with uneven flagstones, worn smooth by time so no one would trip. Beside it stood an old locust tree, its branches and leaves lush and full of life.
Long wooden tables were arranged neatly, leaving an open space in the center. Bai Ji and Yu Xiaoduo were invited to sit at the head of the table, and the village’s key figures all took their seats as well.
With the old village chief’s call to begin the feast, four strong men carried over a roasted suckling pig, the aroma of the meat filling the air.
Bai Ji said softly, “This is the kind of pork you simply can’t get in Haishi.”
“Sister Bai, so it turns out you’re a fan of the pork here,” Yu Xiaoduo teased. Now that they were closer, their banter had loosened up considerably.
The carving of the roast pig was the village’s way of welcoming guests, and at the same time, a few young girls in traditional dress sang and danced, creating a wonderfully festive atmosphere.
