130: Chapter 130 Bai Yuyan was moved to tears.

Wang Yang glanced at Qin Xiaoran.

Wang Yang withdrew his gaze, picked up his teacup, and took another sip. His face remained impassive, but his mind was filled with a hint of calculation.

He wondered if there was a chance to win over this Bai Yuyan and make her his woman.

...

The dishes arrived quickly.

Braised beef brisket, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, pan-fried cod, Mapo tofu, and a bowl of mushroom chicken soup were spread across the table.

It was steaming hot, and the aroma wafted straight into their noses.

Bai Yuyan sat in her chair, her fingers still clutching the collar of the coat, unable to let go.

She looked at the table full of food, her eyes lighting up for a moment, before she lowered her head, not daring to reach for her chopsticks.

Places like this, dishes like these—she had only ever seen them on her phone before.

Wang Yang picked up his chopsticks and placed a piece of beef brisket into her bowl.

"Eat. Don't be polite."

Bai Yuyan gave a soft hum, picked up her chopsticks, picked up that piece of brisket, and ate it in small bites.

The brisket was stewed until tender and flavorful, the sauce rich and mellow, melting in her mouth with a gentle press.

Her eyes grew warm again, and she kept her head down, not daring to look at anyone.

Qin Xiaoran picked up a piece of cod, removed the bones, and put it into Bai Yuyan's bowl.

"Yuyan, eat more. You've lost weight."

Bai Yuyan nodded, put the cod in her mouth, chewed twice, and tears suddenly fell.

One by one, they dripped into her bowl, onto the brisket, and onto the rice.

Qin Xiaoran was stunned.

"What's wrong?"

Bai Yuyan shook her head, wiped her tears, and shook her head again.

Her lips trembled; she wanted to say something but couldn't get a single word out.

She just cried, very softly, her shoulders shaking gently like a wounded little animal.

Wang Yang put down his chopsticks and watched her.

Bai Yuyan cried for a good while before lifting her head.

Her eyes were red, teardrops hung from her lashes, her nose was red, and her lips were trembling.

"I, I just feel... I haven't had such a good meal in a long time..."

Her voice was intermittent, filled with a sobbing tone.

"I live alone in Yuntian City, renting a place. Every day, going to and from work, no one cares about me... No one asks if I've eaten, no one picks the fish bones for me..."

She looked at Qin Xiaoran, and her tears fell again.

"Xiaoran, thank you, thank you for coming to find me..."

She looked at Wang Yang again, and her tears flowed even more fiercely.

"Brother Yang, thank you, thank you for saving me. Thank you for treating me to this meal..."

She wiped her tears and took a deep breath.

"I, I don't know what to say... I'm just too touched."

Qin Xiaoran's eyes also reddened, and she reached out to pull her into a hug, gently patting her back.

"Okay, okay, don't cry. You have me from now on. And Brother Yang is here too."

Bai Yuyan leaned on her shoulder, crying for a while before slowly stopping.

She wiped her tears, pulled away from Qin Xiaoran's embrace, and looked at Wang Yang, blushing.

"I'm sorry, I lost my composure..."

Wang Yang smiled and placed a piece of tofu into her bowl.

"It's fine. Let's eat; the food is getting cold."

Bai Yuyan nodded, picked up her chopsticks, and continued eating.

This time, she ate very slowly, chewing every bite thoroughly.

It was as if she were carefully savoring the taste of every grain of rice and every bite of food.

She didn't know if she would ever be able to eat such a good meal again, so she wanted to remember this one well.

Qin Xiaoran watched her from the side, the corners of her mouth curling up, her heart feeling both sour and warm.

...

The meal took nearly an hour.

The dishes on the table were mostly finished. Bai Yuyan was full and leaned back against the chair.

She rubbed her stomach, a satisfied smile on her face.

Her eyes were still red, but she looked much more spirited. The tear stains on her face had dried, and her hair was smoothed out.

Wrapped in Wang Yang's coat, curled up in the chair, she looked like a well-fed kitten.

Wang Yang glanced at his phone; it was past three in the afternoon.

He put down his phone and looked at the two girls.

"It's about time. I'll take you back."

Qin Xiaoran looked at Bai Yuyan.

"Yuyan, don't go back to your place. Those people know where you work. If they go there to cause trouble for you..."

Bai Yuyan's face paled, and her fingers clutched the collar of the coat so hard her knuckles turned white.

Qin Xiaoran held her hand.

"How about you come live with me? My place is small, but we can squeeze in."

Bai Yuyan hesitated, glancing at Qin Xiaoran and then at Wang Yang.

She bit her lip, unsure if she should agree.

Wang Yang thought for a moment and spoke up.

"How about this. I'll book a hotel for you both to stay in together. It'll be safer."

He looked at Qin Xiaoran, his tone becoming serious.

"Xiaoran, don't go to that barbershop anymore either. There's no business anyway."

Qin Xiaoran stuck out her tongue and nodded obediently.

"Okay. I'll listen to Brother Yang."

Bai Yuyan lowered her head and said softly.

"Brother Yang, this is too much trouble for you..."

Wang Yang smiled.

"It's no trouble. Let's go."

He stood up, picked up his car keys, and walked out of the private room.

The two girls followed behind; Qin Xiaoran linked her arm with Bai Yuyan's, and the two walked close together.

Next, Wang Yang took them to a hotel and booked a presidential suite.

He booked the room for a full month.

After getting them settled, he left.

...

Wang Yang exited the hotel and sat in his car.

Just as he started the car, his phone vibrated.

He picked it up and saw a message from Ye Xueying.

[ "Brother Wang, are you ready? I'm coming to pick you up." ]

Wang Yang typed a reply.

[ "Ready. Where are you?" ]

Ye Xueying sent a location and another message.

[ "I'll send you the address. Just wait for me there." ]

Wang Yang glanced at the location—an intersection not far from here.

He replied with an "OK," placed his phone on the mount, and started the car.

In less than twenty minutes, he arrived at the intersection.

There was a large locust tree by the side of the road with a thick trunk and bare branches.

He parked the car under the tree, turned off the engine, and leaned back in his seat to wait.

Not long after, a black Passat turned the corner and slowly stopped beside him.

The window rolled down, and Ye Xueying poked her head out and waved at him.

"Brother Wang!"

She was wearing a light gray wool coat today.

Underneath was a white turtleneck sweater, and her hair was worn down.

Her face had light makeup, her lips were rosy, and her eyes were bright.

She looked much more spirited than yesterday, as if she had specifically dressed up.

Wang Yang raised an eyebrow, pushed open the car door, and walked over to the Passat.

He opened the back door and sat inside.

Ye Xueying sat next to him and closed the car door.

"Brother Wang, sorry to trouble you."

Wang Yang smiled.

"No trouble."

His gaze fell on the driver's seat.

The driver was a man in his thirties with a crew cut.

He had a square face, was wearing a dark jacket, and sat with a straight back.

His hands gripped the steering wheel; there were thick calluses on the web of his thumbs, and his temples were slightly bulging.

His gaze was very calm, but Wang Yang could feel it.

Those eyes were constantly observing the surrounding environment, scanning every corner through the rearview mirror.