"Unless it's real?"
Bo Xiyun was taken aback.
Does that mean Senior Yi only dislikes fake rumors?
Bo Xiyun didn't know why Yi Zhongshen added the second half of the sentence, but he thought it made sense and nodded in agreement.
"False rumors are indeed not good and can affect real relationships."
However, he didn't understand why Yi Zhongshen didn't show much positive reaction to his agreement.
Yi Zhongshen gazed at him with deep eyes and became even more silent.
Bo Xiyun thought Yi Zhongshen was always aloof, so he didn't think too much about it and decided to apologize for the trouble caused by the note he sent earlier.
"I'm sorry for the trouble with the note in the evening caused."
"... "
Yi Zhongshen remained silent, and his cold expression seemed even more inscrutable.
But he eventually said one more thing.
"It's not your fault."
The car started, and the two of them didn't talk much. Bo Xiyun continued to sit quietly with his legs crossed, trying to minimize his presence.
Not long after leaving the campus, another phone call rang.
This time, Yi Zhongshen directly opened the car's screen and answered the call.
"Zhongshen, have you arrived at No.1 Middle School?"
On the other end of the phone was a young voice that sounded extremely refined and elegant. Even Bo Xiyun, who had been looking at his own fingers, couldn't help but be attracted and glanced at the screen.
Perhaps sensing his gaze, Yi Zhongshen lowered the volume a bit to not disturb anyone.
He replied, "Yes, I'm out."
"Oh, you're done already?" The young man on the other end sounded surprised. "I'm still stuck in traffic. It's raining on the east side of the city, and it'll probably take me another half an hour to get there."
The caller's name was displayed on the car's screen.
[Gu Er]
(Tn: Er is used at the end of a person's name like cheng er yuan er. it is used when two people are very close and are friends or close family members.)
The young man asked, "Where are you heading now?"
Yi Zhongshen answered, "The Bai family, to pick up some documents."
"That's a coincidence." The young man remembered something. "By the way, it seems like they are hosting a banquet there, celebrating the finding of their true son."
Yi Zhongshen furrowed his brows slightly and tapped his finger on the screen, cutting off the other person's words. "Hmm."
"We'll talk when we meet."
After speaking, he hung up the phone.
The car interior fell silent again.
Yi Zhongshen's gaze shifted to the side, where the young boy sat quietly without showing any unusual reaction to the last conversation.
His slender back was straight, knees together, and he sat so obediently that it was endearing. The car continued its smooth journey, and the faint light from the street lamps outside cast a warm and serene glow inside the car, painting the young boy's soft features with a gentle hue.
He looked warm and tranquil.
However, after driving for a while and coming to a stop at a red light, Yi Zhongshen suddenly spoke, "Feeling uncomfortable?"
Bo Xiyun took a moment to register his voice, "Hmm?"
He blinked slowly, and his long eyelashes seemed to glisten in the light, making him appear even more golden. He didn't catch the words clearly, "What...?"
Though he hadn't realized it himself, the other person in the car had already noticed.
Yi Zhongshen said, "There's motion sickness medicine in the storage compartment in front of your legs."
The boy felt a bit unwell, and he became even more obedient, complying with everything. He followed the advice and opened the compartment, finding the spray and unopened disposable mask inside.
"Thank you."
He tore open the packaging, covered his nose and mouth, and sprayed twice. The motion sickness spray took effect quickly, and Bo Xiyun soon felt some relief, and his complexion finally regained some color, no longer as pale.
Yi Zhongshen's fingertips rubbed the steering wheel as he asked, "Do you get motion sickness in the front seat too?"
Bo Xiyun looked up at the sound of his voice, and his light-colored eyes had a hint of moisture.
He softly replied, "I didn't before, but maybe these past few days have been too cold, and I feel a bit tired."
The boy's constitution was never strong, and with recent days of constant rushing around, his condition had worsened noticeably. His homeroom teacher had noticed when he asked him to come along earlier.
In fact, it had been only a few days since Bo Xiyun had a high fever of forty-one degrees last time. His body and mind were still a bit weak.
"It's okay."
Bo Xiyun had a plan to take good care of his body and recover properly, but he wasn't used to making others worry about him, so he answered as casually as he did with his homeroom teacher.
"The motion sickness medicine works well, thank you."
Moreover, Yi Zhongshen drove very steadily, and there were no unpleasant gasoline or leather odors in the car. Instead, the space had a mild, cool fragrance that seemed to match its owner, creating a warm atmosphere.
Within this gentle scent, Bo Xiyun gradually felt more at ease.
He noticed Yi Zhongshen's gaze on him again, but when he looked back, the other person had already withdrawn his gaze and said, "There's a blanket and an eye mask in the compartment."
The eye mask was a disposable one for sleep, and the blanket was new, carrying a warm and sunny scent from being aired out.
However, compared to the simple and steady decor inside the car, these items felt somewhat out of place, and Bo Xiyun didn't expect that young master Yi's car would be equipped so comprehensively.
Yi Zhongshen's voice lowered, but it still didn't sound negotiable, "There might be traffic, take a rest."
Feeling a bit dizzy, Bo Xiyun didn't refuse and followed his advice, wrapping himself up tightly.
Being slender, the eye mask was a bit large for him and couldn't cover him completely. Through the small gap, Bo Xiyun could vaguely see the armrest of the person beside him, holding the steering wheel, and the elegant curve of the wrist bone revealed by the neat cuff of the coat.
The skeletal lines were also sculpted into a handsome and sharp arc.
Yi Zhongshen graduated last year, and although he and Bo Xiyun were only one year apart, the gap between them was already the distance between adulthood and non-adulthood.
Outside the window, winter rain started falling at some point.
In the cold night, that faint, cold fragrance seemed to provide a sense of security, enough to shelter from the wind and rain.
Amidst the rhythmic sound of raindrops, Bo Xiyun gradually fell asleep peacefully.
*
At the Bai family mansion.
Despite the cold winter, the Bai family was bustling with activity. Under the shining lights on the outer walls, the multi-story spacious villa looked like a luxurious ballroom, decorated with exquisite details. Even the path from the gate to the main mansion was covered with a bright red carpet.
It is evident that the Bai family has put in a lot of effort and preparation for this banquet.
All the guests have arrived, especially some distinguished ones who have been escorted to the VIP lounge and received impeccable treatment from dedicated servants.
Therefore, when an unfamiliar car that was not registered appeared outside the Bai family's gate, the security guards' first reaction was to stop the incoming person.
The rain had subsided, and through the windshield, they could see the driver's face, but the security guards didn't recognize this person. Moreover, the car had come to a stop, and the windows remained closed.
The security guards couldn't help but feel skeptical.
However, despite not recognizing the driver, they could not overlook the luxury car - a Maybach. Therefore, their attitude was friendly, and shortly after the car stopped, a welcomingly dressed servant rushed over to communicate with the visitor.
But the moment the servant saw the driver's face, he was stunned.
He couldn't help but rub his eyes, thinking he must be mistaken.
"Yi... Yi Shao?!"
(Tn: it means young master Yi. I used Yi shao because it's. easier in this case)
Even though the Yi family had moved to B City, they were once an absolute force in Q City. Now, the Yi family's influence was even stronger in the capital city, and the servant naturally wouldn't mistake the only son of the Yi family.
He hurriedly approached the car, but the window didn't roll down. It was then that the servant noticed there was another passenger in the front seat who seemed to be asleep, with half of their face covered by an eye mask, revealing only a pretty pointed chin.
"Hurry, quickly escort the VIP inside!"
The servant signaled the security guards to make way and decided not to disturb young master Yi since the person inside seemed to be asleep. The car was allowed to enter the premises.
"Why did they...?" The security guards couldn't help but be puzzled.
The red carpet from the gate to the villa's entrance was quite long, and that was the path the guests were supposed to walk on. Normally, other vehicles would stop before the red carpet, and the guests would walk, while the cars were parked in the parking lot outside the gate.
However, with this Maybach, the servant didn't bother mentioning those rules and directly ushered the car inside.
As a result, everyone watched in surprise.
Under the bright lights, the silver-black Maybach drove smoothly over the luxurious red carpet.
The servant was too busy to explain to the security guards and quickly used the intercom to contact his colleagues inside the villa, informing them that the young master of the Yi family had arrived.
This unexpected excitement over young master Yi's arrival puzzled the security guards.
Was young master Yi's presence really that thrilling?
Little did they know that inside the villa and the banquet hall, the commotion caused by young master Yi's arrival was even more intense than among the servants.
"Really?!"
"The Yi family has sent someone? They are truly prestigious guests..."
"This is so rare!"
In the bustling banquet hall, as the news spread, the guests who were previously engaged in elegant conversations expressed surprise, and the lively atmosphere of the hall became even more animated.
Among those present in the banquet hall was Bai Song, who had returned from school early to attend the Bai family's banquet. He naturally skipped his evening study session to be present. Just a moment ago, Bai Song had been introduced to several guests by his parents.
However, tonight's guests were all from wealthy and distinguished backgrounds, especially those in the VIP lounge, who carried an air of superiority and didn't show much interest in Bai Song's parents' enthusiasm.
After all, Bai Song's family was at best distant relatives, and it was mainly through the head of the family, Bai Gelei, that the Bai family had prospered.
Nevertheless, Bai Song knew that this was a rare opportunity. After all, he was a member of the Bai family, and only then did he have the chance to meet so many important figures.
Unlike that impostor who was already kicked out by the Bai family.
Thinking of Bo Xiyun, Bai Song couldn't help but sneer.
The discussions about young master Yi continued around him. Bai Song knew that in Q City, the Bai Corporation ranked among the top, and as a result, most of the city's prominent figures were invited to the event tonight.
It was precisely this group of people who understood the Yi family's status better.
Among those present, many had, to some extent, benefited from the Yi family's patronage.
In conversation, everyone praised Yi Zhongshen.
"Is the young master of the Yi family here, the one who just went to T University last year?"
"Yes, that's him! Excellent grades, mature personality, his future is simply immeasurable!"
"Young master Yi also inherited Mr. Yi's looks, absolutely top-notch..."
Bai Song was waiting for this kind of opportunity.
He took the chance to raise his voice and said to those around him, "Such an outstanding person like young master Yi, yet there are still people who foolishly try to climb up to him. It's ridiculous."
The people around Bai Song were all his followers, and they immediately followed suit.
"Who are you talking about? Isn't it that fake young master?"
"Isn't it him?" Bai Song sneered, "Everyone knows that young master Yi is focused on his studies and dislikes rumors. Yet, Bo Xiyun went out of his way to bother him. I find it annoying on young master Yi's behalf."
With each of them talking loudly and mentioning Yi Shao, they quickly caught the attention of the others in the room.
Soon, everyone became aware of the situation - the fake young master of the Bai family, who had just been kicked out, was delusional enough to pursue young master Yi.
Seeing many eyes turning towards him, Bai Song felt even more pleased.
He knew that the guests wouldn't fully believe his words, but he had intended to plant a seed of doubt and leave a shallow impression on everyone.
The real excitement would come when the incident at school spread later in the evening.
Bai Song thought to himself, and a cold smile appeared on his face.
This time, Bo Xiyun would be thoroughly dragged into the mud.
By the way, why haven't the people from the school sent any messages yet?
Bai Song took out his phone, but there were no unread messages on the screen.
However, it wasn't convenient to use the phone at the moment, so he didn't actively contact them and decided to wait a bit longer.
Bai Song continued to add fuel to the fire with his followers, discussing Bo Xiyun's unrequited love and his attempts to climb up the social ladder, which led to hushed discussions among the other guests in the banquet hall.
The banquet hall only quieted down when the Bai family's patriarch appeared.
Bai Gelei had arrived.
Tall and imposing, Bai Gelei's commanding presence was slightly softened by his expensive and exquisite three-piece suit, adding a touch of elegance to his demeanor.
As soon as he entered, the guests greeted and saluted him, and Bai Gelei nodded calmly, his handsome face exuding an aura of authority.
His secretary approached, and Bai Gelei asked, "Has young master Yi arrived?"
The secretary nodded, "He's already at the gate, preparing to park. He should be inside in one or two minutes."
Upon hearing this, the guests were finally convinced that young master Yi had indeed arrived.
They exclaimed in amazement.
"Is he here specifically to congratulate Mr. Bai's real son's return?"
"Young master Yi hasn't been back to Q City for quite a while, at least half a year, right?"
"Mr. Bai's reputation is truly remarkable, even the Yi family can be invited!"
Bai Gelei remained serious, without any extra expression.
However, it was evident that he was quite pleased with the praise.
"Notify Xiao Xiu," Bai Gelei instructed his secretary, "ask him to change into his formal attire and come over as soon as possible, don't make young master Yi wait too long."
The secretary responded, "Yes, I'll go find Young Master right away."
After giving the instructions, Bai Gelei turned and walked towards the main entrance.
The banquet hall was designed from the double-height living room of the villa, and the main entrance coincided with the entrance to the banquet hall.
Seeing this, the guests followed Bai Gelei, gathering towards the direction of the main entrance.
The highly anticipated young master Yi didn't keep everyone waiting for long.
With a soft click, the intricately carved wooden door slowly opened, and a welcoming servant led the way, followed by a slender and tall figure.
The crowd turned their heads to look in that direction. The person didn't let the servant do the job and instead held a large black umbrella himself. Under the umbrella, the young man had a handsome and aloof face, with a pair of indifferent pale eyes resembling a deep and cold pond.
As he stepped into the hall, it felt as if he brought in the chilling frost of a rainy winter night.
What surprised everyone even more was that there was another figure by young master Yi's side.
Under the gaze of everyone present—
Young master Yi was personally holding the umbrella, protecting someone as they walked in together.
______________________________________
Tn: Updated
Bai Song is the most annoying character in this novel...