{Take Xingxing to KTV for some “learning.” 2}

The new outlet was large, with Zone B still under renovation. However, this did not affect the mall’s bustling and noisy atmosphere.

With giant Brown Bear mascots and various sparks and decorative flowers everywhere, the scene, although utterly fake, inspired the once-bored group to guide Yixing’s poses in front of the camera.

“Yes, make a heart shape.”

“Try putting your hands on your hips again!”

“Is it done yet? I want to take a photo with Yixing too!”

The group eagerly posed with Bian Yixing against a backdrop they once thought was just commercial and stiff. The excitement and climax of their dormitory’s fun quickly attracted attention and led to misunderstandings from others.

“Is this child a celebrity?”

Although Yu Suye wanted to laugh, she proudly corrected, “She’s not a celebrity; she’s my sister.”

This did not dampen the enthusiasm of passersby.

The onlookers were amazed by the child’s looks and wanted to queue up for photos with her, even lingering to wait for their turn. As the line continued to grow, Yu Suye, concerned that Yixing might get too tired from holding the same pose, politely declined the remaining photo requests.

The little one, rescued from beneath the sparkling silver tree, snuggled closer to Yu Suye and beamed a radiant smile.

Yu Suye then took her to a highly-rated KTV that was reportedly one of the top three 5.0-rated ones in Jing City.

It was Qi Mei’s idea, saying that the neighboring dorm had already come to sing at this outlet and that “they have a lot of fruit inside, which can help Yixing get some vitamins.”

This was Yu Suye’s first time hearing that one could get nutrients from going to KTV.

Bian Yixing, who had never experienced karaoke before, happily danced along.

However, Yu Suye remained uneasy about the place.

She worried that if the big boss knew she was spending his money and taking his daughter to a flashy, gaudy place like this, he might get very upset with her.

But deep down, another voice reassured her.

After all, how could the big boss know her exact whereabouts? Besides, she had been wandering around the mall with his daughter for so long and her legs were already sore.

She needed to find a place to rest for a while.

During the New Year, it was common for relatives to take their kids to sing karaoke to entertain the adults.

But as soon as this thought crossed Yu Suye’s mind, she noticed that the dorm’s leader had already settled Bian Yixing beside the microphone, ready for Yixing to showcase her singing talent.

Was it a bit too much to let the boss’s daughter entertain a bunch of poor students?

Yu Suye felt uneasy, but once Bian Yixing started singing,

“I’ve been reading books of old, the legends and the myths.”

—a popular Coldplay and Rihanna collaboration—

It sounded like an angel had kissed the melody. The soothing and touching quality of the child’s voice, hitting every note with an unexpected brilliance, turned the ordinary KTV room into something like a magical realm.

“Who taught you this song?”

Yu Suye was curious. She thought Bian Yixing would usually listen to more niche and somber music, not expecting a child of such a well-to-do family to focus on soft, melodious tunes.

Wasn’t he more likely to be driven by ambitions or trying to win someone over?

“It was my mom.”

The child’s eyes sparkled.

Despite her curiosity, Yu Suye refrained from probing further, considering Yixing’s feelings.

But Bian Yixing suddenly lifted her chin, with a hint of pride, and said, “Aren’t you going to ask how my mom is?”

The room fell silent for a moment.

Perhaps because Yu Suye had given a heads-up, or due to the intensity of Yixing’s feelings about her family last night, everyone chose to remain silent about Yixing’s family.

But today, with a different subject, the little one immediately brightened up, answering her own question.

“She’s as wonderful as Su Su.”

The words were like cotton candy floating in the air.

Sweet and soft.

Yu Suye was so flattered today that she momentarily forgot her surroundings.

Just as she picked up the microphone, before she could even speak, she suddenly received a WeChat message from Bian Bian.

“How is she?”

Yu Suye nervously cut off all the sound sources and signaled everyone to be quiet, though she still felt uneasy.

After a long pause, she replied, “Yixing is doing well, don’t worry, Mr. Bian.”

The leader, who was not particularly inclined, happened to notice something suspicious on her phone.

Yu Suye explained in a low voice, “The message is from Yixing’s guardian. Do you think they would prefer their child to sing karaoke with us or to study with us?”

The few female college students immediately felt downcast.

If Yu Suye’s employer found out they were using the money to take the child out for fun, the consequences would be dire.

Those who had done tutoring knew that some parents could be quite strict.

Moreover, Yixing didn’t look like the daughter of an ordinary family.

Yu Suye hoped that the boss was merely doing a routine check and didn’t want to dig deeper. It seemed that after her reply, the boss took a long time to respond, which likely meant he wasn’t going to probe further.

With the alarm off, the room full of female college students breathed a sigh of relief, while the unaware Yixing took off her shoes and continued to hum on the couch.

Just as Yu Suye thought the crisis had passed and everyone could continue to enjoy themselves, she received another WeChat message.

Yu Suye had a bad feeling about it.

And sure enough, it was just as before, emotionless, “Come out.”

Bian Yuan was standing outside the wall, leaning against it, listening to the noise inside. He then extinguished the cigarette he was holding at the right moment.

Author’s Note:

Yu Suye: The emotionless “Come out.”

Bian Yuan: I disagree; the emotion this time is much richer.