Baozi looked at the one-yuan bill stuffed in his hand and Dao, who was walking hurriedly ahead, then looked up at Xu Ancheng with a smile in his eyes, "Dad, that uncle is kind of cute. You should treat him to a good meal tomorrow, and I’ll keep this."

Xu Ancheng rubbed Baozi’s head and nodded, after which Baozi carefully folded the bill and put it in his small pocket.

"Xu, Baozi, what are you doing here? Where’s Roujing?" After the people left, Zhang Yaen finally ran over, smiling at Baozi, eager to pick him up.

"We’re visiting relatives." Xu Ancheng replied with a smile, "Roujing went shopping at the Department Store with a friend. You can hang out with her if you have time. We are staying at the City Government Courtyard, or you can call her—let me give you the number..."

Zhang Yaen was taken aback upon hearing this. Those who live in the City Government Courtyard are not ordinary people. Although he knew Yi Roujing’s family was well-off, he didn’t expect they had such influential relatives in the East Province. "I’ll call Roujing later. It’s rare for her to visit my hometown; I should host her and her friend for a tour. Baozi should come too."

Yaen’s last sentence was spoken with the most emotion. Looking at the adorable Baozi, his heart melted.

"Yaen, is this one of your relatives?"

A delicate voice sounded, and Zhang Yaen realized Wang Manling was still there.

"This is a teacher from Jing University," Zhang Yaen truthfully introduced, "and the spouse of one of our dormmates. This is their beloved son."

Thanks to Yi Roujing, sometimes those in their dorm would call Xu Ancheng Brother Xu.

"So young and already a teacher at Jing University." Wang Manling was truly surprised, her eyes fixed on Xu Ancheng. Of course, it wasn’t only his job, but his looks too. She had never seen someone so good-looking.

"Your eyeballs are about to fall out." Zhang Yaen realized now that he had been fooled by Wang Manling and wouldn’t show her a friendly face again.

Wang Manling’s face went a bit pale at his words, then she secretly gave Zhang Yaen a glare and said, "Yaen, can I join you tomorrow? I haven’t met your college friends yet."

"What’s it got to do with you, who are you to meet them, have some decency." Zhang Yaen said with a snort, "You should first pay back the money you owe."

He didn’t expect Zhang Yaen to bring up the earlier matter again in front of others. Though she knew they witnessed everything, she intended to cover it all up, but...

"Yaen, I didn’t expect you to be like this. You believe a stranger’s words but not mine." Wang Manling’s tears instantly rolled down, and then she ran off bashfully.

Zhang Yaen was a bit unsure after being told off, just as he wanted to chase after her, Baozi suddenly spoke, "Auntie Enen, that lady is a liar, I don’t like her."

Zhang Yaen was successfully stopped from chasing after her.

"Mom said children’s likes often reveal a person’s character. I feel those uncles were good; that aunt was wrong." Baozi borrowed Yi Roujing’s words directly.

"If you’re uncertain, check out the situation yourself." Xu Ancheng added, "Alright, we’re heading back now. You can contact Jing later."

"Oh, okay, goodbye, Brother Xu, Baozi." Zhang Yaen acknowledged, waving to the two.

"Dad, can I go with you for the meal tomorrow?" Father and son faced each other with matching expressions.

"No."

"Why? I won’t cause any trouble."

"That’s grown-up stuff, you’re still a kid." Xu Ancheng refused.

The group talked about by father and son was also discussing them.

"Dao, why did you do that? They haven’t even invited you for a meal, yet you gave away one yuan." One of Dao’s younger gang members couldn’t help but speak up.

"Who’s dumb?" Dao instantly raised his volume.

"Dao, was that one yuan your last?" another member whispered.

"I have money, no need for you to worry." Dao huffed, "Alright, disperse, let’s go back. Time for lunch. I’m starving."

"By the way, don’t forget about tomorrow at noon at the Dongji State-owned Restaurant. Only a fool wouldn’t take advantage of a free meal." Dao looked back at his five little brothers and reminded them.

"Got it." The five answered in unison.

"How’s your sister doing?" a member asked another.

"Appendicitis, she’s already had surgery. Dao covered the cost." The other whispered, "So Dao really has no money left now. He’ll surely get a beating from his parents when he gets back."

"You’d think with Dao’s family’s conditions, why’s he hanging out with us?" a new member, curious, asked.

"Ah, Dao has a soft heart, can’t stand seeing others suffer." Another sighed, "We’re all from struggling families. I’ve been with Dao for five years now, we used to be classmates. He looks fierce, but there’s no one better. If it weren’t for him, I’d be dead by now. You’re new, but you’ll understand in time."

The member patted the new one on the shoulder, then walked away.

Meanwhile, Dao walked towards the City Government Courtyard.

"Little Dao is back." The old gatekeeper of the courtyard smiled as Ji Yongdiao approached.

"Mr. Qin." Ji Yongdiao called back with a smile.

"Here, here’s a pancake your aunt made this morning, knowing you love them, she asked me to bring it." Mr. Qin looked down, found an oilpaper package, and handed it over.

"Aunt’s pancakes are the best, thanks, Mr. Qin." Ji Yongdiao accepted it with a smile, praising him, "Mr. Qin, I’ll head in first."

"Hey, straighten your clothes, your mom’s here." Mr. Qin quietly reminded him.

"Oh." Upon hearing that, Ji Yongdiao adjusted his clothes before entering.

Ji Yongdiao was twenty-one, not fond of studying, stopped after middle school because he couldn’t get into high school. His father, Ji Huaijun, a leader at the Dongji City Public Security Bureau, pulled some strings to get him into high school, thinking a diploma would help him find a job.

However, Ji Yongdiao gave the spot to a friend in secret. When his father found out, he was beaten up. His father even threatened to cut ties, but it was Ji Huaijun’s wife who intervened and mediated, preventing him from being kicked out.

Ji Huaijun’s wife wasn’t Ji Yongdiao’s birth mother; his biological mother passed away during childbirth. His current mother was his late mother’s younger sister.

Ji Yongdiao was raised by his stepmother, who was also his aunt. He often clashed with his father but couldn’t bear to see his stepmother hurt, as she married into the family for their sake. Despite twenty years of marriage, she never had children of her own.