Chapter 21

Xiao Bing returned home, lay down on the bed, and took out his phone to send a text message to Yezi: "Good night."

The phone quickly received a reply: "Call me baby."

Xiao Bing couldn't help but smile, imagining Yezi's cute and innocent appearance, and quickly typed: "Baby, good night."

"Good night."

Ye Bancheng is fifty-five years old, and by all accounts should be in the prime of his life. Unfortunately, his health has taken a serious turn for the worse this year, and even a trip to Europe to seek out renowned doctors has failed to provide a cure.

Someone suggested he seek out China's top doctor, Zhang Yizhi, in Kyoto. However, after sending people five times, he received no results. Zhang Yizhi had long retired and no longer treated patients. Ye Bancheng had no choice but to give up on this plan.

Today, the Ye family suddenly received some good news: Zhang Yizhi had appeared in Jiangcheng and immediately dismissed the director of the city's top hospital. The Ye family quickly sent people to gather more information and learned that Zhang Yizhi had come to Jiangcheng at the invitation of a man named Xiao Bing.

Ye Bancheng has one son and two daughters. His eldest daughter is Ye Xinyi, her younger brother is Ye Tianming, and the youngest princess is 'Yezi' Ye Xiaoxi. Because Ye Xiaoxi is the youngest, she is the most pampered by Ye Bancheng, but her relationship with her father is not good. At this moment, Ye Xinyi and Ye Tianming are standing by his bedside.

With a weak voice, Ye Bancheng said, "Zhang Yizhi has arrived in Jiangcheng. This is our last chance. No matter what the cost, we must invite him to treat me."

Ye Tianming replied, "Zhang Yizhi is stubborn. I don't think begging him will work. Father, I have a suggestion."

Ye Bancheng looked at his son and said, "Speak."

"Since he was invited by this outsider named Xiao Bing, it proves they have a special relationship. Why not take an indirect approach? Xiao Bing is just an outsider working in Jiangcheng. If we are willing to pay a price, it should be easier to ask him for help than to ask Zhang Yizhi."

A glint of hope appeared in Ye Bancheng's cloudy eyes, and he said urgently, "Do as you suggest. Find Xiao Bing. If he is willing to help, we will pay any price. Who will go?"

Before Ye Tianming could speak, Ye Xinyi said, "I will go."

Ye Tianming looked at his sister but said nothing.

Ye Bancheng's gaze fell on his daughter. Even in simple clothing, Ye Xinyi's noble beauty could not be concealed. After a moment, Ye Bancheng said, "Very well. If you go, the chances of success might be greater."

A flicker of emotion crossed Ye Xinyi's eyes, and she smiled, "Father, don't worry. No matter what, I will make him agree to help."

"Good." Ye Bancheng slowly closed his eyes, looking exhausted, "It's late. Go back to your rooms and rest. I need to sleep."

Ye Tianming and Ye Xinyi exchanged a glance and then left together.

After they walked out the door, Ye Tianming suddenly said, "Sister, when I was investigating Xiao Bing, I heard that he had a conflict with the Xie family, and it seems you were involved too."

"Um." Ye Xinyi smiled faintly.

"Then... is it appropriate for you to go?"

"How will we know if we don't try?" Ye Xinyi said confidently, "Besides, it was the Xie family who offended him, not me. What do you think?"

Hearing his sister's words, Ye Tianming knew she was planning to compromise with Xiao Bing. He had always known his sister's excellence, not just in academics but also in knowing when to advance and when to retreat. In today's society, even among ordinary families, few children possess this quality.

The next day, just as dawn broke, Xiao Bing got out of bed.

Su Xiaoxiao is also an early riser, but not this early. After Xiao Bing quietly finished washing up, he went to the kitchen to start cooking.

Around six o'clock, Su Xiaoxiao groggily walked into the bathroom, washed her face, and brushed her teeth. She then went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and found that Xiao Bing had already made it.

Xiao Bing placed two steaming bowls of egg custard on the table and a few hot steamed buns on a plate. Seeing Su Xiaoxiao come in, he pointed to the breakfast and smiled, "Up already? Sit down and have breakfast."

When Su Xiaoxiao's gaze fell on the two bowls of egg custard, her drowsiness vanished. Her eyes widened, and tears welled up in them.

Xiao Bing smiled, "You said that since your sister left, no one has made egg custard for you in the morning. I've made it a few times before, but I don't know if it's as good as your sister's."

"Thank you." Su Xiaoxiao sat down, scooped a spoonful, but tightly pursed her lips, afraid that her tears would spill. That moment reminded her of her sister and the years when her sister was at home.

Xiao Bing smiled and gave Su Xiaoxiao a steamed bun, "I used to eat egg custard a lot when I was young, but it was the aunt at the orphanage who made it for us. It was better than what I can make."

"Um." Su Xiaoxiao finally took a bite and nodded. Her hair fell onto the table, obscuring her face, but she didn't care, continuing to eat in large bites, one steamed bun, one bowl of egg custard.

Seeing Su Xiaoxiao eat so happily, Xiao Bing also smiled with relief. Su Peiya was gone, and he wanted to take care of her family as much as possible, even this Su Xiaoxiao who had been hostile towards him.

After finishing her meal, Su Xiaoxiao put down her spoon, combed her hair back, and looked up. Xiao Bing noticed her red eyes, but she was smiling, and her voice was gentler than usual, "Grandpa Zhang said he can operate on my mom today, so I'm taking the day off to go to the hospital. My mom said to take care of the business, and we all trust Grandpa Zhang's skills. I'll come to the shop as soon as the operation is successful to tell you the good news."

Xiao Bing smiled, "Good."

Su Xiaoxiao pushed her chair back and stood up, "I won't wait for you. If anything happens, remember to call me."

"You too."

"Um." Su Xiaoxiao agreed and left the kitchen, went to the door, put on her shoes, and walked out.

After Su Xiaoxiao left, Xiao Bing's gaze fell on the spot where she had eaten. There was a puddle of water on the table.

Because he got up early, when Xiao Bing arrived at the noodle shop, no one was there yet.

He opened the door, went in, and tidied up a bit. Wang Guifang was the first to walk in and, seeing Xiao Bing, said in surprise, "Xiao Bing, you're here so early?"

Xiao Bing smiled, "I woke up early and couldn't sleep, so I came over after breakfast."

"Too bad you already have a girlfriend. Otherwise, I have a distant niece who is just the right age to find a partner. Young men like you who are down-to-earth are rare."

Xiao Bing laughed, "Aunt Wang, don't tease me. I'm just a worker. If your niece were to follow me, she would suffer a lot."

Wang Guifang scolded, "You young man, why do you speak so poorly of yourself? As long as you work hard and are honest, you can always earn a living. Believe in Aunt Wang's judgment. You will eventually make a name for yourself. Besides, if you were so bad, how could the school beauty have fallen for you?"

Xiao Bing smiled but didn't argue.

As they were talking, Zhang Jing and Li Hong also arrived. Seeing Xiao Bing, they immediately gathered around and started asking about yesterday's date. When they learned that Xiao Bing and Yezi had officially started dating, their eyes lit up, and they asked excitedly.

The morning business was indeed slow. It was said that this was because the small noodle shop was relatively famous, so there were a few customers. The other snack shops on the street usually didn't open until noon.

Before ten o'clock, Su Xiaoxiao ran in from outside. Seeing Xiao Bing, she said excitedly, "Brother Bing, the operation was successful!"

There were only two tables occupied in the noodle shop, and it was relatively quiet. When Su Xiaoxiao came in, Xiao Bing was talking to Li Hong and Zhang Jing. Seeing Su Xiaoxiao, Xiao Bing was very happy, and a weight was lifted off his shoulders. He smiled, "That's great. Now you don't have to worry anymore. Focus on your studies. I'll visit the hospital this afternoon."

Su Xiaoxiao looked at Xiao Bing seriously, "Thank you. If it weren't for you, my mom might have..."

Xiao Bing smiled and shook his head, "As long as you don't kick me out, I'm fine."

Zhang Jing and Li Hong were surprised, "Xiaoxiao, are you going to kick Brother Bing out?"

Su Xiaoxiao sighed. Some things couldn't be said. Although Xiao Bing had helped her family a lot, and her impression of him had gradually improved, she couldn't just let go of her grudges. Everything was because of the deceased Su Peiya. The deeper her feelings for her sister, the deeper the grudge.

Just as Su Xiaoxiao was about to speak, the sound of police sirens came from outside. Xiao Bing and the others looked out and saw several police cars parked outside. A group of young police officers, led by a fat middle-aged police officer, burst in. The two tables of customers eating in the noodle shop stopped their chopsticks and stared in shock at the sudden intrusion. The middle-aged police officer showed his work ID and said sternly, "I am Chief Chang Huai'an of the Jiangcheng Jinsha District Public Security Bureau. Who is Mr. Xiao Bing?"

Su Xiaoxiao and the others were stunned, especially Li Hong and Zhang Jing, who wondered if the boy Xiao Bing had kicked out yesterday had died. Everyone was filled with unease, but Xiao Bing remained calm and said, "I am."

Chief Chang Huai'an said, "You are suspected of a home invasion and murder that occurred three days ago. You are under arrest!"

Xiao Bing raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you sure you want to arrest me?"

Chief Chang Huai'an maintained his stern and righteous demeanor, giving the impression of a clean and upright official. He said seriously, "We have sufficient evidence to prove that you are the primary suspect in this case. You must come with us now. Regardless of your identity, who you know, or your relationship with the Ye family... If you resist, we have the right to use lethal force."

"Before the law, all are equal!"

No matter how strong a person is, they cannot stand against the state. Xiao Bing would not resist and would not give Chief Chang Huai'an an excuse to use force.

Chief Chang Huai'an felt that his words were righteous and inspiring, but Xiao Bing looked at him with a mocking and derisive gaze, clearly unafraid and unconcerned. This made Chief Chang Huai'an somewhat irritated.

A police officer next to Chief Chang Huaihan took out handcuffs and was about to cuff Xiao Bing when the door to the noodle shop opened again. Ye Xinyi walked in and said in her confident and pleasant voice, "Chief Chang, what are you doing here? What's going on?"

Chief Chang Huai'an turned around and saw Ye Xinyi, dressed fashionably and nobly, walking in on her deep blue high heels. As soon as she entered the noodle shop, almost everyone's attention was on her.

She was dazzling and radiant.

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