The sickly one in F4 was the group's darling.

At the corner at the end of the corridor, a tall and slender figure walked steadily towards the scene.

The person who arrived walked with composure, each step revealing the experience and discipline of someone who had been immersed in the inner workings of a wealthy family for many years.

The sound of leather shoes striking the ground was crisp and rhythmic, echoing in layers in the empty corridor.

Zhou Yan's smile deepened, and he nudged Bai Ci beside him with his elbow, lowering his voice to say, "Hey, your brother sent the butler, Uncle Chen, to 'pick us up'."

Bai Ci looked up and, against the light, saw a man with a refined face and a tall, upright figure, who was about fifty years old and possessed a composed demeanor cultivated over decades of immersion in a wealthy family.

Uncle Chen turned the corner of the corridor and stopped in his tracks, glancing over at the scene.

Zhou Yan, the young master's best friend and the youngest captain in the Order Enforcement Bureau, usually has a lukewarm attitude towards everyone, but at this moment he is walking side by side with someone and they are having a very pleasant conversation.

The boy next to her, with his well-behaved face and delicate features, stood under the stained glass like a painting.

He looked at it for two seconds before recognizing it as the young master.

Unlike his previous gloom and depression, Uncle Chen's heart softened. The young master had finally shown his face, and he looked so energetic. None of the Bai family's young masters were bad-looking.

But as his gaze fell downwards, all the "normal attire" images he had rehearsed in his mind instantly crumbled into dust.

Uncle Chen's face, which was usually as still as water, twitched very slightly and very quickly.

He instantly understood the deeper meaning behind the young master's words, "quite special."

Anyone who sees this young master, who has been silent and forgotten for many years, return in such a simple and vibrant manner, so out of place with the atmosphere of a wealthy family, will have their previous perceptions completely overturned.

Uncle Chen suddenly had a completely new, profound, and empathetic understanding of the young master's series of inappropriate behaviors in the tea room.

Bai Ci was unaware that he had already "sunk" the Bai family's butler.

"Uncle Chen." Zhou Yan spoke first, his tone relaxed and lazy, a faint smile playing on his lips, his eyes full of understanding.

He observed the whole thing and naturally caught the old butler's momentary lapse in composure.

As expected of a seasoned butler with thirty years of experience in managing the rules of wealthy families, Uncle Chen quickly suppressed all the turmoil in his heart, concealed the strange look in his eyes, and his face quickly returned to its usual gentle, proper, and professional demeanor, as if the person whose facial muscles had been twitching just now was not him.

He bowed slightly, his posture respectful and measured, his tone calm and even: "Mr. Zhou, young master. The eldest young master is waiting for you both in the tea room. Please follow me."

Xiaoqi couldn't help but say, "Bai Bai, did you notice?"

"What?"

"The way that butler looked at you just now, first the tiger on your clothes, then the dinosaur, then your shoelaces, and finally the plastic bag. He looked you over in a few seconds, and then the light in his eyes flickered."

Bai Ci: "..."

"Do you think he also thinks you look great?"

"Xiao Qi".

"Um?"

"Could you please say less?"

"Okay, okay."

A brief pause.

"But I'm stating the truth," Xiaoqi added.

"Hello, Uncle Chen." Bai Ci greeted him proactively, his voice clear and relaxed, his eyes bright and open, without a trace of the awkwardness, restraint, or evasiveness one might expect when first entering a wealthy family estate.

Uncle Chen's gaze lingered on his face for a moment, his eyes brimming with undisguised satisfaction: "Young Master has grown up and looks much more energetic."

Bai Ci nodded: "Mm."

Xiao Qi's voice rang out softly: "Bai Bai, your big brother's housekeeper is such a good person, much better than a miser."

"...Could you please stop calling him a miser? It's out of character."

If he were to accidentally be influenced by Xiao Qi's way of addressing him, what would happen if he accidentally called her that to her face one day? The image was too beautiful to contemplate. Bai Ci shook his head.

"What's it called?"

Bai Ci thought for a moment and said, "...Should I call him Big Brother?"

"Oh. He's not my older brother..."

Uncle Chen led the way.

Zhou Yan followed slowly beside him, subtly probing, "Uncle Chen, how is Yanzhi's mood today?"

Uncle Chen didn't stop walking, and his answer was watertight and perfectly measured: "The young master personally prepared tea for you early this morning. When I came out to greet the guest, the second brew had just been prepared, and the tea tasted the best."

"So you're in a good mood then," Zhou Yan chuckled softly, a deep meaning surging in his eyes. He glanced at Uncle Chen's back. Bai Yanzhi knew perfectly well whether he was "in a good mood" or "in a terrible mood" when he saw that photo, but Uncle Chen just wouldn't say—that's professionalism.

Uncle Chen did not respond.

He couldn't very well say, "The eldest young master knocked a mark on the sandalwood tea table after looking at the young master's photo," because the eldest young master's dignity still needed to be maintained.

Bai Ci followed quietly behind, her gaze sweeping over the scenery on both sides of the corridor.

Exquisitely crafted stained glass, evergreen precious flowers and trees, heavy bronze sculptures, and priceless oil paintings by famous artists—these things, which are priceless in the eyes of others, are just "pretty good-looking" in Bai Ci's eyes.

Bai Ci had no concept of money, wealth, or the pomp and circumstance of a wealthy family.

On the contrary, several pots of unidentified hardy flowers on the right side of the corridor were blooming vibrantly, attracting his attention several times.

"Is it all true?" he asked Xiaoqi in his mind.

"What's real or fake?"

"Those flowers are still blooming even in this cold weather."

Xiaoqi's tone carried a hint of scientific interest, "Of course it's true! This is a rare variety that the manor has specially cultivated at great expense. Its flowering period can be controlled and can last until late November. The annual maintenance cost of just these few pots is enough to buy you thousands of sets of the 'Tiger Descending the Mountain' outfit."

Bai Ci turned her gaze back.

"The tea room area is just around the corner." Xiao Qi's voice suddenly lowered, tinged with genuine nervousness. "Bai Bai, are you ready? We're about to meet your cold-faced, cunning, stingy, and awkward super-duper tightwad older brother! Do you need me to activate my aura filter beforehand to help you stay calm and fit into the atmosphere of a wealthy family?"

"No need, he's not Huang Mao," Bai Ci thought to herself.

"Are you sure? That's Bai Yanzhi! The decisive and imposing president of the Bai Group!" Xiao Qi was still worried.

"He said to dress presentably." Bai Ci lowered her head slightly, glanced at her adorable tiger-patterned outfit, and said earnestly, "I tried my best."

Xiao Qi remained silent for a full two seconds, then sighed helplessly, "...Bai Bai, are you serious, or are you telling a lame joke?"

"Seriously."

"That's even more terrifying." Xiao Qi secretly rubbed her forehead, already foreseeing the subtle atmosphere inside the tea room.

Are you nervous?

"...A little."

"Want me to sing you a song to give you courage?"

"don't want."

"Two tigers, two tigers, running fast..."

"Xiao Qi".

"Um?"

"Stop singing."

Xiao Qi chuckled: "Alright, if you're in a bad mood, I'll sing again."

Bai Ci took a deep breath, trying to banish the "Tiger" song that she hadn't managed to finish singing from her mind.

Zhou Yan walked to Bai Ci's left and glanced at him sideways. The boy's profile was tense, his lips pressed into a thin line.

"Nervous?" Zhou Yan asked in a low voice.

Bai Ci glanced at him: "...A little."

Zhou Yan's lips curved slightly: "Don't be afraid. He just looks fierce."

He paused, then added, "Actually, she's quite fierce too."

Bai Ci: "..."

"But you'll get used to it."

"...Thank you." Bai Ci said expressionlessly, "It was very helpful."

A hint of a smile flashed in Zhou Yan's eyes.

Uncle Chen walked at the front without turning around, but his ears twitched slightly.

He heard every word of Bai Ci and Zhou Yan's conversation, and the corners of his mouth curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

Even Mr. Zhou knows that you're "just like that," young master.

Ahead, Uncle Chen stopped in front of a simple and heavy rosewood double door, turned to the side and raised his hand in a standard welcoming gesture: "Mr. Zhou, young master, please come in."

Bai Ci stared at the door, took a deep breath, and wondered what awaited him behind it. But since the tiger had already come all this way, there was nothing to be afraid of.