Chapter 57

It was the weekend again, and Ye Bai was walking out of the school gate with Lin Miaomiao. "Where's Deng Xiaoqi? I thought you were supposed to travel together?" Ye Bai asked.

Lin Miaomiao walked with a sense of loneliness. "Yesterday, someone wanted my autograph, and I agreed, but she also wanted Sanyi's autograph, so I agreed to that too. Then I accidentally told Xiaoqi, and now she won't talk to me," she explained.

"Don't worry too much about it. You know Xiaoqi, after this weekend, she'll be back to her normal self," Ye Bai reassured her, linking his arm through Lin Miaomiao's shoulder.

Lin Miaomiao subconsciously leaned on Ye Bai, but realizing they were still on the school grounds, she gently removed his hand from her shoulder. "I'll go to the nearby shop. I want to buy something first. Xiaoqi always buys some scallops there," she said.

"You're still on the diet route? Lin Miaomiao, how long are you going to stick to that beauty routine?" Ye Bai asked curiously.

"I'll stick with it as long as I can. Just look at my face; I've been using Xiaoqi's beauty products," Lin Miaomiao responded, displaying a hint of pride and playfulness as she showcased her glowing skin.

In recent days, Lin Miaomiao has been experimenting with vegetarian meals and diligently following Deng Xiaoqi's skincare regimen. Xiaoqi had graciously shared her beauty secrets and allowed Lin Miaomiao to borrow her products.

Ye Bai couldn't help but notice the transformation in Lin Miaomiao's complexion, which seemed to radiate even more without her glasses.

Ye Bai gently poked her cheeks. "You're always beautiful," he said.

Lin Miaomiao blushed and shyly walked beside Ye Bai. As they exited the school, Ye Bai spotted a vendor selling scallion pancakes and decided to buy some for them to eat on the journey. "Miaomiao, I'll just buy some pancakes, and then I'll escort you home. It's risky not having your glasses; you might take the wrong bus," he said, showing concern for her.

Lin Miaomiao felt touched by Ye Bai's thoughtfulness. "Okay," she replied, quickly walking to the shop near their school.

...

Qian Sanyi and Jiang Tianhao sat leisurely in the cozy milk tea shop, sipping their drinks as they chatted when Lin Miaomiao entered the shop. Without her glasses, she didn't notice the two of them sitting there.

Observing Lin Miaomiao's movements, Qian Sanyi nudged Jiang Tianhao and subtly motioned toward her as she approached the counter.

"Lin Miao–" Jiang Tianhao began, but Qian Sanyi swiftly halted him, silently urging to see what Lin Miaomiao was up to.

As Lin Miaomiao approached the counter, she ordered some scallop snacks.

"Do you have a WeChat?" the crew member asked, prompting an unexpected response from Lin Miaomiao.

Surprised by the question, Lin Miaomiao pondered before humorously remarking, "Has my influence spread to this place too?"

"I just wanted to ask about your WeChat," the crew member clarified, slightly taken aback by her witty response.

"Realizing the misunderstanding, Lin Miaomiao apologized, "Oh, I'm sorry. I already have a boyfriend," leaving Qian Sanyi and Jiang Tianhao momentarily stunned by her unexpected revelation, especially Qian Sanyi, who felt like his heart shattered into pieces.

"You misunderstood. There's a discount for everyone," the crew member clarified.

Squinting her eyes to see the poster, Lin Miaomiao took her phone to scan it. "Oh, I'm sorry. One more box," she requested.

"Girls these days like these scallops and want to look beautiful. Your boyfriend is lucky because you take care of yourself," the crew member remarked.

Feeling a bit shy, Lin Miaomiao asked, "Do you think so?" before noticing Ye Bai outside the shop. "Hurry, he's already here," she said, grabbing her purchase and heading outside.

Qian Sanyi stared at Lin Miaomiao, feeling like she was now distant from him, even though she was standing so close.

Upon hearing that Lin Miaomiao's boyfriend had arrived, Jiang Tianhao and Qian Sanyi glanced outside and spotted Ye Bai. "I knew it, there's something between them," Jiang Tianhao remarked. "From the first day of class, their closeness was evident. I'm not surprised they'll end up together."

Qian Sanyi observed the scene outside silently as Lin Miaomiao happily showed Ye Bai what she had bought, and he fed her a snack. Feeling drained of energy, Qian Sanyi decided it was time to leave.

"Sanyi? Sanyi? Are you okay?" Jiang Tianhao asked, noticing his friend's unusual silence.

"I'm just a little tired. I'm heading out too," Qian Sanyi replied before gathering his things.

Jiang Tianhao nodded. "Alright, I also want to talk to Ye Bai about what we heard. He knows about my relationship with Yunshu, but he hasn't shared anything about his own. He doesn't treat me like a brother," he said, laughing.

Qian Sanyi stood up and bid farewell before leaving the shop.

Jiang Tianhao furrowed his brow, noticing Qian Sanyi's change in mood, but he decided not to dwell on it and focused on his conversation with Ye Bai instead.

...

Lin Miaomiao and Ye Bai sat comfortably on the bus, enjoying the simple pleasure of each other's company. Ye Bai held a pancake, playfully feeding Lin Miaomiao as they traveled. Lin Miaomiao's heart swelled with happiness, wishing that every weekend could be as delightful as this.

"I wish every weekend could be like this," Lin Miaomiao expressed her thoughts with a smile.

Ye Bai smiled back. "Why not? I'm happy to be with you. I feel more relaxed traveling with you than alone," he said honestly.

"Really? You promise!" Lin Miaomiao exclaimed excitedly. "Okay, from now on, you have to drop me off at home every weekend," she said eagerly.

Lost in their enjoyment of the journey, they didn't notice the time until they suddenly arrived at their destination, surprising them.

Realizing they'd arrived, Ye Bai quickly got off the bus with Lin Miaomiao. As they stepped onto the pavement, Ye Bai hailed a taxi to take go back home.

Lin Miaomiao waved goodbye to Ye Bai as the taxi drove away, feeling a bit sad but grateful for the wonderful day they'd shared.

...

Wang Shengnan observed her daughter quietly as she ate her dinner, her gaze falling on Lin Miaomiao's empty face. "Where are your glasses?" she inquired, noting their absence.

Lin Miaomiao paused in her meal, her expression momentarily troubled. "One of my classmates accidentally broke them during a playful moment," she explained softly, continuing to eat. "But he's already sent the money for repairs, so I'll be getting new ones tomorrow."

"Why don't you let your father accompany you?" Wang Shengnan suggested.

"Ye Bai offered to come with me, so it's fine," Lin Miaomiao replied, glancing up at her mother. "Mom, what do you think about me trying contact lenses?"

"No, you're too young, and they could hurt your eyes," Wang Shengnan replied, casting a look at Lin Dawei. "She's becoming more conscious of her appearance. We should discuss this with Ye Bai."

"Why involve Ye Bai? I just asked about contact lenses. If you don't want me to, you could simply say 'no'," Lin Miaomiao retorted, helping herself to more food. "And my grades are still good."

"But your math hasn't seen much improvement," Wang Shengnan pointed out.

"It's not failing, though. You know math has always been my weak spot," Lin Miaomiao countered, her tone defensive.

"Let's focus on enjoying our meal for now," Lin Dawei interjected diplomatically, trying to diffuse the tension. "Our daughter is making progress and moving forward, which is what matters most."

"But she still needs to address her weaknesses," Wang Shengnan insisted, her eyes fixed on Lin Miaomiao. "Remember, after the New Year, you'll be entering your 2nd semester of 2nd year of high school. Time waits for no one."

"Because time waits for no one, I can't afford to waste any opportunities during my school years," Lin Miaomiao replied, her voice tinged with determination as she took another bite. "You've always focused on my weaknesses since I was a child. But do I have any strong points?" She gestured towards the trophy on the shelf. "There's a big trophy over there. That's the first prize I won at our school's New Year Party."

Wang Shengnan arched an eyebrow in surprise. "Is this some kind of miracle? How did you suddenly become interested in dancing?" she remarked, addressing her husband. "You were never much of a dancer as a child, and your coordination was lacking."

"It's because I've unlocked a new skill," Lin Miaomiao declared proudly, rising from her seat to retrieve her phone. "Ye Bai captured this video. What do you think?" she asked eagerly, showing her parents a recording of her performance.

Lin Dawei and Wang Shengnan watched the video, their expressions a mix of surprise and disbelief. "That's me," Lin Miaomiao declared with a grin, demonstrating her unique dance moves. "What's your verdict?" she inquired, her eyes shining with anticipation.

Wang Shengnan watched the video silently for a moment before speaking. "How did you manage to win first prize with that performance?" she asked teasingly.

Disheartened, Lin Miaomiao closed the video, her disappointment evident. "I won't show it again," she murmured softly.

"You won't show it?" Wang Shengnan teased.

"I was the chief planner and director of the performance," Lin Miaomiao explained, disappointed that her mother didn't offer encouragement. "Instead of motivating me or praising me, you make fun of my dance."

"I think it's a wonderful expression of your creativity," Lin Dawei interjected, trying to uplift his daughter's spirits with a smile.

Lin Miaomiao nodded appreciatively at her father's words, feeling a little more encouraged. "Thank you, Dad," she murmured.

"Let's make plans to buy new glasses tomorrow," Lin Dawei suggested, changing the subject to something more positive.

"And let's make sure they have black frames," Wang Shengnan added firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

"I—"

"Enough. As a student, you shouldn't be thinking about getting contact lenses or experimenting with different frame colors," Wang Shengnan declared firmly, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at her daughter.

"I agree. Stick to black frame glasses," Lin Dawei concurred, wanting to support his wife's decision.

...

As Ye Bai arrived home, he was greeted by Wu Qian with a joyful smile. "Ye Bai, your father is coming home. I'll pick him up from the airport."

Ye Bai's eyes sparkled with excitement upon learning that his father, Ye Feng, was returning. He couldn't contain the happiness and anticipation of seeing his father again. Growing up without a father figure on Earth, Ye Bai missed out on the guidance and warmth that a dad could provide. So, discovering his father on Bluestar filled him with immense joy.

He and his newfound father had developed a strong bond, with Ye Feng imparting valuable life lessons and wisdom along the way. However, tragedy struck when his father passed away in a car accident, leaving Ye Bai heartbroken. Despite the loss, Ye Bai's mother admirably managed to raise him single-handedly. Fortunately, Ye Bai's mature thinking allowed him to handle the situation with resilience, and the substantial inheritance left by his father provided financial stability for the family.

"I'll come with you, Mom, to the airport," Ye Bai replied, his voice filled with anticipation.

...

Wu Qian enveloped her husband in a swift yet warm embrace, her hands gently cupping his face as they met. "Have you been taking care of yourself?" she inquired, her eyes searching his for any signs of weariness.

Ye Feng simply scratched his head with a mixture of relief and affection. "You never change," he chuckled softly, drawing her into a tighter hug before turning his attention to Ye Bai, a proud smile gracing his lips. "You've grown so much, Ye Bai."

Ye Bai's smile widened, his heart swelling with emotion as he stepped forward to embrace his father, feeling the weight of their separation melt away in that moment. "I missed you, Dad," he admitted, his voice soft but filled with sincerity.

Ye Feng returned the embrace with a firmness that spoke of both love and longing, his hand patting Ye Bai's back affectionately. "Have you been looking after your mother? I hope you haven't been causing her any trouble," he teased gently, his eyes twinkling with paternal concern.

"With my size, do you think I'd still cause trouble for Mom?" Ye Bai retorted with a playful grin, a hint of mischief dancing in his eyes as he glanced towards his mother.

"Enough of that. Let's head home now. I've prepared dinner," Wu Qian interjected with a smile, her voice infused with warmth and a touch of maternal authority as she ushered her family towards their home.

...