Chapter 101: Cracks Beneath the Surface
After Bai Xia and Bai Gin got into the car, they drove straight to the beauty shop. From the outside alone, the shop looked extremely luxurious. The glass walls reflected the sunlight brightly, and the golden logo at the top of the building shone dazzlingly. Even the door handles were carved with delicate floral patterns, making the entire place look elegant and expensive.
Mu Yen hesitated the moment she stepped out of the car. Her clothes were clean and neat, but compared to the glamorous atmosphere of the shop, she still felt out of place. She stood stiffly beside the car, clearly reluctant.
But when she saw Bai Xia and Chu Sun enter without any burden or hesitation, she straightened her back quietly. She clenched her fists slightly and followed them in, secretly resolving in her heart to only get cheaper items.
The moment they entered, the soft fragrance of skincare products filled the air. The interior of the shop was warm and bright, with crystal lights hanging from the ceiling and rows of shelves filled with countless luxurious beauty products. Sales attendants dressed in neat uniforms greeted them with polite smiles.
They all shopped for a long while.
Chu Sun bought many things — face masks, lotions, serums, and many anti-aging creams. She moved from one shelf to another with great interest. Ever since her life had turned for the better, she no longer hesitated when spending money on things that made her happy.
Bai Xia only bought creams for scars. She carefully chose the best ones, paying special attention to their ingredients. Even though she could use the river water to heal Fu Jian, she still had to be careful not to look suspicious.
Bai Gin, on the other hand, bought a lot of things. Even though Mu Yen warned her repeatedly, she simply couldn't resist the temptation of all the luxurious goods. Her hands kept reaching for expensive bottles, one after another. The beauty, the packaging, the promises written on the labels — everything made her heart itch.
Mu Yen's face turned red with embarrassment several times as she tried to stop her daughter. But Bai Gin pretended not to notice and continued selecting more items.
Chu Sun naturally noticed Mu Yen's awkwardness. Instead of exposing it, she smiled gently. In the past, she hadn't liked Bai Gin very much, but it now seemed that without Bai Ai's influence, Bai Gin had changed a bit. At least, she no longer felt as sharp and hostile as before.
When they reached the front desk, Chu Sun took out her card and paid for everyone without hesitation.
Mu Yen immediately refused. "No, no, how can I let you pay for all this?"
But Bai Gin and Chu Sun persuaded her together. Mu Yen truly didn't have enough money, and in the end, she had no choice but to accept with red eyes and heartfelt gratitude.
After settling the bill, they finally left the shop.
Bai Xia walked a few steps ahead toward the car. Just as she was about to open the door, Bai Gin suddenly stopped her.
Bai Xia's eyes narrowed slightly.
So… she had finally made her move.
Bai Gin stood stiffly in front of Bai Xia, clearly nervous. Her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her sleeves. Bai Xia looked at her coldly and said only one word, her tone icy and sharp:
"Speak."
Bai Gin was startled by that single word. She forced herself to calm down and squeezed out a small smile. "Well… Bai Xia, in a few days, the class will hold a reunion. It'll be at a very expensive hotel. But I was thinking… maybe we can skip it. I don't have much money, but I can treat you to some street food instead. I know a few really good places."
Bai Xia was completely dumbfounded.
What… was she saying?
According to what the boss of Chilly had told her, she would definitely have to go to that hotel for Bai Ai's plan to work. Bai Xia looked at Bai Gin carefully, her expression softening ever so slightly — just a little.
"Why don't you want me to go to the hotel to celebrate?" she asked calmly. "Could it be that you're planning something?"
Bai Gin instantly choked. Her eyes widened, looking extremely helpless. "Didn't your mum say you already have a fiancé? You can bring him along when you go."
Bai Xia looked at Bai Gin in a new light.
"So that's what you're worried about?" she said softly. "You don't have to worry. I'll go. Nothing will happen to me."
Bai Xia turned to leave.
But Bai Gin suddenly blocked her again.
"Bai Xia, please…" her voice trembled. "Just come with me. Do you look down on me? Is that why you don't want to go? I said I'll pay for the food."
Bai Xia stared at her deeply.
Why couldn't she just say directly what Shang Shan and Bai Ai were planning?
After a few seconds of silence, Bai Gin suddenly spoke again, her voice much lower.
"Actually… Bai Ai got a new boyfriend lately. He's very powerful. I wanted to stick to you so she won't bully me in the future."
Bai Xia finally understood.
She was afraid of Bai Ai.
"If Bai Ai finds out that I ruined her plan, she'll definitely take revenge on me," Bai Gin added nervously.
Bai Xia's eyes darkened slightly, but her tone was calm. "Don't worry. Bai Ai doesn't scare me. I'll handle her. You don't have to be scared of her."
Bai Gin was shocked.
Why did it suddenly feel like Bai Xia was… doting on her like a younger sister?
She stared at Bai Xia in disbelief. In the past, Bai Xia had always been cold and distant. Bai Gin had tried many times to build a relationship with her before.
Back then, Bai Gan was still very young, and there was no one for Bai Gin to play with. So she set her target on Bai Xia.
She would approach Bai Xia with toys and snacks. At that time, her father still had a stable job, and she had many things. But every time she got close to Bai Xia, Bai Xia would run away.
The village children always called Bai Gin fat and ugly because she was a little chubby back then. She thought Bai Xia ran away because she found her ugly.
She was unhappy but still tried again and again.
After a full month of offering snacks, Bai Xia still ran from her. There was even one time when Bai Gin chased after Bai Xia, and Bai Xia tripped, fell, and hit her head. Bai Yan blamed Bai Gin fiercely and even hit her on the head.
After that, Bai Gin gave up on Bai Xia and turned to Bai Xuan instead. But Bai Xuan was too cold and strict.
Finally, she went to Bai Ai.
But Bai Ai was a bad influence.
Bai Gin did everything Bai Ai told her to do. At first, she didn't feel good about it, but when she thought about how Bai Xia and the others seemed to hate her so much, she could only cling to Bai Ai.
Over time, doing bad things no longer felt wrong to her.
Especially when she was facing Bai Xia.
Bai Gin had always felt that Bai Xia hated her. So she also didn't treat her well. She treated her as an enemy.
But now…
Bai Xia wasn't what Bai Ai had described.
Bai Xia also had memories from the past. She knew Bai Gin had once tried to reach out to her, but at that time, she was too timid and had pushed her away. That was also why she hadn't done anything extreme to Bai Gin's scheming yet.
Bai Gin lowered her head. "Don't you hate me? Why did you tell Li Guyan and Gu Yin not to bother me before?"
Bai Xia didn't know what to say at first.
She had originally wanted to say that she was thinking of what her father would think. But she stopped herself.
Instead, she chose to kill two birds with one stone.
"Actually, Bai Gin," Bai Xia said gently, "I never hated you. It was Bai Ai who told me to treat you like an enemy."
It was a lie.
But half of it was true. She really didn't hate Bai Gin. She was just foolish back then and didn't acknowledge her.
Bai Gin looked up at her with a strange expression.
So it was Bai Ai… that bitch…
Her heart trembled. The anger that had been buried deep inside her slowly began to awaken.
Bai Gin suddenly felt a newfound courage.
"Actually, Bai Xia…" she said softly, "if you could forgive me… in the future, I won't bother you again."
Bai Xia sighed quietly. She didn't want that — but it was fine.
Suddenly, Bai Gin's expression turned serious.
"Bai Xia… Shang Shan and Bai Ai are planning to do something to you," she whispered. "I think they are planning to ruin your reputation. I think they want to frame you for something… maybe stealing."
Bai Xia chuckled softly.
If it was only framing her, Bai Gin was truly too naive.
"These people…" Bai Xia murmured.
They were never that simple.
They were definitely planning something…
Something very big.