Huh? Tangtang actually noticed?
Ye Tong nodded slightly, found a small blanket inside, gently covered Ji Ning, and pulled Bai Xiaotang out of the living room.
It was almost noon, Bai Xiaotang had ordered delivery, and the two prepared to go out to pick it up.
This neighborhood doesn't allow outsiders to enter, so every time either the security helps deliver it, or you have to pick it up at the entrance yourself.
Just as they got off the elevator, they saw Lin Yuanyang in a dark tracksuit, carrying back two portions of food.
Clearly, he had brought theirs back too.
"Xiao Yang, you're so considerate," Bai Xiaotang praised without hesitation.
Xiao Yang was indeed as her mother said, cold in appearance but warm at heart.
Ye Tong stepped forward to take the food, also thanked him, but wasn't as familiar with Lin Yuanyang as Bai Xiaotang was.
Opposite them, Lin Yuanyang wore a stern expression, his young face reflecting a maturity beyond his years, frowning with a hint of irritation in his eyes, saying somewhat harshly, "What kind of madness are you guys up to so early in the morning?"
The morning's news of Bai Xiaotang and Ye Tong running 20 laps around the neighborhood had already spread in the residents' group.
Especially the unflattering photos of Bai Xiaotang in the latter part of the run were being frantically shared within the community.
From initial praise, somehow it turned, and in the end, people started questioning Bai Xiaotang's identity.
[Is the physical condition of this young lady from Beijing really that poor? Just a few laps and she's worn out?]
[That physique is even worse than my 10-year-old grandson.]
[I heard that the big families in Beijing have very strict requirements for their younger generation, with the best resources. This one's physique doesn't quite match.]
[Who told you that someone from Beijing must be from a big family? (smile)]
[Do you have some insider information?]
[It's not insider information, but from what I know, those from the big families in Beijing have far more resources and power than we do in Anhe. Even if naturally weak, they wouldn't fail to reach C1 level. This young lady's identity is worth questioning. (smile)]
[Agree with the above, what kind of big family would let their young ones transfer to an unfamiliar small city by themselves? Isn't that akin to exile?]
[Don't you find this familiar? Given enough money but not properly nurtured, sent far away...]
[Oh my gosh, could she be an illegitimate child who's kept out of the public eye?]
...
In just half a day, the rumor that Bai Xiaotang was an illegitimate child spread throughout the neighborhood, even Lin Yuanyang, who usually avoided gossip, heard about it while fetching the delivery.
This troublesome...
Blissfully unaware, Bai Xiaotang replied with pride, "I'm in special training for the military school exam."
Lin Yuanyang glanced at Ye Tong, who nodded in agreement, frowning more deeply, adjusting the plain glasses on his nose, he asked affirmatively, "Is that Sister Ning training you?"
Bai Xiaotang nodded eagerly, her eyes filled with admiration, "Sister Ning is amazing, at first, we were so tired we couldn't even lift our arms, but after Sister Ning casually pointed at our arms a few times, we didn't feel any pain at all. It's incredible, I feel like I could run another 10 laps..."
Come on, keep boasting...
"Run more? Do you know you're already famous in the neighborhood?"
Lin Yuanyang impatiently interrupted her, pressing his arm's Smart Brain, thrusting the light screen in front of Bai Xiaotang and Ye Tong.
The image stopped precisely at the words, "Bai Xiaotang is an unpopular illegitimate daughter of the Beijing Bai Family."
"What is this..."
"Outrageous! How can they talk nonsense?" Bai Xiaotang's eyes widened in shock, her delicate doll-like face puffed, the fair skin turning crimson with anger.
Even when fuming, there was a certain cuteness about her, making people want to poke her face.
But Lin Yuanyang wasn't in the mood, he scoffed coldly and put away the light screen.
Bai Xiaotang was genuinely angry, fists clenched, her whole body slightly trembling.
This was an insult to her father...
"Which resident group is this? I want to file a complaint against them."
Lin Yuanyang rolled his eyes again.
Is this a problem that a complaint can solve?
A rumor starts with a single mouth, but disproving it breaks a leg. The harder you try to prove your innocence, the more others think you're guilty.
Because people only want to see what they believe, like trying to wake someone who's pretending to sleep.
"I'm calling Uncle He now..."
Just as she finished speaking, the elevator beside them suddenly dinged.
"Ding—"
They saw the driver step out, hair meticulously groomed, a tailored suit, polished boots.
The slight smile on his face turned to concern upon seeing Bai Xiaotang.
"Young Miss..."
He hesitated to continue.
Bai Xiaotang's heart sank to the bottom.
With a fallen face, she asked, "Uncle He, does my brother know?"
The driver's face showed a hint of seriousness, as if sighing, "Young Miss, President Bai doesn't wish for any negative news surrounding you. This would affect the Bai Group's image externally."
"I know, but they're too..."
"President Bai suggests you refrain from making any indecent actions in public in the future," the driver said heavily, cutting off Bai Xiaotang's unfinished words.
Bai Xiaotang hung her head, feeling extremely uncomfortable, wanting to argue yet afraid to speak out.
Since their parents passed away, the Bai family had been supported solely by her brother, who was already very tired, and she was always causing trouble for him.
She wished she could inherit some of the Bai family's excellent genes.
Why isn't she exceptional, not even a little?
Could it truly be as those people say, that she's not a Bai, but an adopted child?
...
"Ha... Just running is considered indecent?"
Lin Yuanyang's cold snigger brought Bai Xiaotang's increasingly drooping head back up.
He looked at the driver with indifference, but the driver didn't even spare him a glance as he stated formally, "That's President Bai's decision."
"Really? I'll make a call to ask."
The driver still didn't look at him, maintaining pressure on Bai Xiaotang, "President Bai is extremely busy, Master Lin, if it's nothing urgent, please don't disturb him. Our President Bai is somewhat different from you."
"You..."
"Don't... don't bother brother..." Bai Xiaotang sobbed, cutting off Lin Yuanyang's words, her spirit seemed drawn out of her, losing all her luster.
She just...
Just wanted to quickly enhance her abilities, to bring glory to the Bai family.
She didn't want to be called the Bai family's incompetence any longer, relying only on her brother.
Why doesn't her brother understand her...
Lin Yuanyang was so mad, he wanted to rip open Bai Xiaotang's mind, to see what's missing inside.
To fall for such petty tricks, she deserved to be deceived round and round.
Stupidity might as well claim her...
The driver's lips curled up slightly, unnoticed except by Ye Tong, who felt a shiver run down her spine, suddenly feeling a chill.
Was he smiling? Why was he smiling?
Before she could figure it out, the elevator doors opened again.
A languid voice came from inside, "When's lunch?"
Ji Ning appeared, dressed in a fluffy, black-and-white cow-patterned pajama, yawning in the elevator, with a tuft of messy hair sticking up.
"Sister Ning... boohoo..."
Bai Xiaotang, as if finding her backbone, quickly rushed over, wrapping Ji Ning in a bear hug, tears streaming down as she buried her head on her shoulder, filled with grievance.
After a moment of surprise, Ji Ning's fists clenched hard.
Her sharp gaze swept towards the driver.
The driver was terrified, instinctively stepping back half a step, a fear from the depths of his soul washing over him, as if just another glance would send him to his grave.
Who... who exactly is she?
"Can anyone tell me, what's up with her?"