CHAPTER 154: CHAPTER 154: BAI FAMILY

"Sister Ning, come quickly, this is Aunt Zeng."

Not far away, Bai Xiaotang waved to Ji Ning.

Although it was already early morning, the Bai Family Villa was brightly lit, and there was even a middle-aged woman wearing an apron standing at the entrance.

Bai Xiaotang had already run over at some point and was standing next to the middle-aged woman, introducing her identity to Ji Ning.

Aunt Zeng was the housemaid who helped out in the Bai household when Bai Xiaotang’s parents were around; she took care of the Bai siblings when their parents were busy with work.

She treated the Bai siblings very well, and even for their sake, she never got married or had her own children, truly cherishing the siblings as her own.

"Aunt Zeng, this is Sister Ning, my best friend," Bai Xiaotang proudly introduced Aunt Zeng to Ji Ning as she walked up.

Aunt Zeng was naturally introverted and seemed not to interact much with outsiders, so she shyly nodded to Ji Ning with a simple smile.

Ji Ning thoughtfully looked at her for a moment, then greeted as Bai Xiaotang did, "Aunt Zeng, my name is Ji Ning."

Aunt Zeng seemed startled by the name, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but quickly regained her composure.

This woman’s identity is not simple.

Despite her best efforts to conceal it, the aura she exudes is strong. She is a powerful superpower user.

Ji Ning could discern this because her superpower was unique, her Spiritual Ability exceptionally sharp, able to perceive everything.

She dared say that in this world, only her spiritual power could reach such a degree.

Otherwise, the enemy forces wouldn’t be so eager to eliminate her.

Aunt Zeng brought slippers for Ji Ning and Bai Xiaotang, then went to the kitchen to serve them hot soup noodles to stave off hunger.

"Sister Ning, come on, my room is on the second floor."

Bai Xiaotang’s room was on the left of the second floor, with a window facing southwest. Although the room was large, compared to the rooms facing directly south, it wasn’t the best for lighting.

Ji Ning glanced at the closed door next to them, and Bai Xiaotang awkwardly explained, "This is Sister Ru’s room. Ahead is my brother’s room..."

Bai Xiaotang went ahead and introduced all the rooms in the villa. The villa had four floors in total.

The first floor had the living room, kitchen, dining room, study, and entertainment room.

The second floor was mainly bedrooms, with eight rooms in total. Besides the rooms for the Bai Family, Chang Ru, and Aunt Zeng, the other rooms were guest rooms.

The third floor was the attic, with only rooms for Bai Xiaotang and Bai Yusen, connected to a small garden on the rooftop.

Finally, there was the basement—spacious enough not only for a garage but also a wine cellar and storage room.

Of course, Ji Ning also knew that beneath the basement was a bomb shelter.

After introducing the rooms, Bai Xiaotang led Ji Ning into her room.

The room was very tidy, with freshly changed sheets and duvet covers emitting a faint fragrance.

Ji Ning squinted slightly at the incense burning on the desk.

The incense was harmless; it just had a calming component. It was uncertain if the person placing the incense always used this amount.

Ji Ning checked the room’s arrangement. Under Bai Xiaotang’s guidance, she was pulled up to the attic.

The attic room wasn’t big, about half the size of the room below, and the roof was slanted.

Bai Xiaotang pressed a remote, and the wooden panels on the roof slid away, revealing a huge transparent glass window.

You could clearly see the sky outside the window.

A telescope automatically moved out from the wooden cabinet, setting itself up at the best observation point.

"Sister Ning, come look, you can see the North Star from here."

Bai Xiaotang, like a child showing off a toy, continuously introduced the fun things in her room to Ji Ning.

It was clear that she was homesick.

Ji Ning patiently accompanied her, touring around until Aunt Zeng’s voice came from downstairs.

"Miss, Miss Ji, the Family Head is back, come down to eat."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiaotang immediately responded, "Coming."

Bai Yusen had returned after dropping Lin Yuanyang off at the hotel.

By the time they got downstairs, he had already taken off his coat and tie and was sitting at the dining table.

The dining table in the Bai family was rectangular, accommodating four people on each long side and one person, or two if squeezed, on the short sides.

Bai Yusen sat at one end.

Aunt Zeng set the bowls and chopsticks for Bai Xiaotang and Ji Ning beside Bai Yusen. It was unclear if this was intentional, but it made the three sit closer together.

Due to the rush, Aunt Zeng had only had time to make a pot of hot soup noodles with meat and eggs, which looked quite hearty.

Bai Xiaotang naturally sat on Bai Yusen’s right. When she saw Ji Ning moving to the opposite side, she was displeased, "Sister Ning, sit next to me."

Bai Yusen raised an eyebrow, puzzled, "Isn’t that seat for Chang Ru?"

Anyone can sit, right?

Bai Xiaotang really wanted to roll her eyes, who said that was Chang Ru’s exclusive seat?

She just didn’t like Ji Ning sitting where Chang Ru often sat—not because she sided with Chang Ru, but because she didn’t want Ji Ning to touch even a fragment associated with Chang Ru.

Ji Ning didn’t mind; it was the same wherever she sat. So she diverted her steps and circled around to sit beside Bai Xiaotang.

Bai Yusen had been observing Ji Ning. Seeing her calm expression, without a hint of anger or joy, although her actions seemed to respect his sister’s wishes.

Bai Yusen passed Ji Ning’s bowl and chopsticks to Bai Xiaotang, who eagerly invited Ji Ning to eat, piling her bowl high with noodles.

The kind of heaping that was hard to miss.

Almost all the meat and eggs from the pot ended up in her bowl.

Bai Yusen felt a bit saddened.

His sister had never served him such preferential noodles.

The Bai family’s meals used to be very quiet; no talking during meals, utensils never clanged against plates.

But today, Bai Xiaotang didn’t remain as silent and well-behaved, acting lively at the table as if she were a different person.

Not only did she serve Ji Ning the hot soup noodles from the pot, but she also asked Aunt Zeng to cook two more pots, giving all her attention to Ji Ning and ignoring him as if he didn’t even exist.

Who exactly was the birthday person?

Bai Yusen was a bit displeased, eating quickly. When he put his bowl and chopsticks down, he intentionally made a sound, yet Bai Xiaotang still didn’t pay him any mind.

It wasn’t until Bai Yusen left with a stern face.

Ji Ning swallowed the noodles in her mouth and cast a sidelong glance at Bai Xiaotang, "Are you happy?"

"No. It feels a bit uncomfortable." Bai Xiaotang’s smile turned to frustration.

She thought ignoring her brother would relieve some anger, just like how he often ignored her, making him feel as she did.

But now she realized it didn’t bring her much joy.

Ji Ning took another big bite of noodles, swallowed, and said two words, "Childish."

Bai Xiaotang pouted, dissatisfied, "Why does he treat eating with me like a task to complete, finishing and leaving without a word..."

Ji Ning glanced outside the dining room, casually saying, "For some people, eating is just a task."

Outside, Bai Yusen’s fist clenched instantly.

Bai Xiaotang asked, "Why?"

She felt a bit aggrieved.

"Because his mind is occupied with things he deems important. Eating is merely a process to ensure normal bodily functions. If humans could live without eating, he probably wouldn’t want to eat."

Bai Xiaotang was suddenly amused, "Then he’s like a robot?"

As she laughed, Bai Xiaotang suddenly couldn’t laugh anymore.

Her eyes gradually reddened, losing her appetite.

Then Aunt Zeng’s voice suddenly came from outside, "Young master, do you want anything else to eat?"

A clear sound of a head hitting the wall, followed by Bai Yusen’s sharp intake of breath; enduring the pain, he said, "No need, I just finished."

Bai Xiaotang abruptly stood up and ran towards the door.