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

Bai Ci followed Bai Yanzhi out of the side hall and walked along the corridor toward the main hall. The corridor from the side hall to the main hall was not long, and it was covered with a thick, dark red velvet carpet.

The wall lamps on both sides of the corridor were dimmed to a soft light, and the halo of light spread along the walls, making the dazzling lights pouring out from the main hall entrance even brighter.

The noise from inside the hall drifted in faintly—the clinking of glasses, the buzzing of conversations, all mixed with the band's lively strings, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

Bai Jiheng walked to his left, hands in his pockets, his steps leisurely. Shen Tinglan walked to his right, unhurried, the hem of her trench coat swaying gently with her steps.

Bai Ci was caught in the middle, and the scene seemed strangely familiar. Oh, right, it was the same thing in the corridor just now, one on the left and one on the right, like guardian deities.

He looked down at his position and found himself sandwiched right in the middle, his steps involuntarily synchronized with the two of them.

He whispered, "Can you two please stop putting me in the middle every time?"

Bai Jiheng casually replied, "Then you go first."

"Walk alongside my older brother? No way." Bai Ci immediately shook his head.

"Then let's go to the back."

"It looks even stranger to be left out at the end."

Bai Jiheng turned his head to look at him, a slight smile playing on his lips: "That settles it then. The middle is the most suitable spot for you, so stay put."

Shen Tinglan suddenly spoke up: "If you don't want to be caught in the middle, choose one side yourself next time. Left or right, you can choose now."

Bai Ci paused in his steps.

Left or right? He subconsciously glanced at Bai Jiheng, then at Shen Tinglan, feeling that no matter who he chose, the other would make him regret it in some subtle way.

"...Let's stick with the middle ground," he said resignedly.

Shen Tinglan's lips curved into a very slight smile, as if she had expected this answer. Bai Jiheng clicked his tongue but remained silent.

As Bai Ci got closer to the main hall, his steps unconsciously slowed down by half a beat.

"Xiao Qi".

Xiao Qi immediately responded, "Yes! Bye-bye, your stamina has recovered to 40%. You ate strawberries and almond cookies earlier, so you replenished your sugar levels quite well. However, your heart rate has increased again, it's about 20 beats per minute faster than in the side hall. Hmm, let me see, it's about 20 beats per minute faster. Are you nervous?"

"……No."

"Who are you kidding? Your ears always turn red when you say 'no,' and they're red again now."

Bai Ci softly said "Oh".

Xiaoqi's tone softened as she awkwardly tried to comfort her: "Actually, you don't need to be too nervous. Although a lot of things happened tonight, we resolved them all. Your eldest brother helped you check your living expenses, your third brother helped you deal with the people who were bullying you, and your roommate—well, Shen Tinglan isn't really your friend, but he helped too. Tonight was already pretty good."

Bai Ci's initial unease subsided slightly.

"Besides, you're no longer the Bai Ci who gets overtaken and leaves exhaust fumes on the mountain road; you're someone who can sit at the head table."

Bai Ci lowered his eyes and pursed his lips. He let out a soft breath and quickened his pace to catch up with Bai Yanzhi.

The main hall's entrance consisted of two double, ornately carved bronze doors, which were now wide open, revealing the grand scene inside. Upon seeing Bai Yanzhi approach, the attendants at the door immediately stepped aside to make way, bowing respectfully.

Bai Yanzhi paused briefly at the door, turned around, and looked past Bai Jiheng and Shen Tinglan, his gaze landing on Bai Ci.

He didn't say a word like "don't be nervous," he just slightly raised his chin, which inexplicably made people feel at ease.

The silent admonition was clear and straightforward: Stay close to me, don't fall behind.

Bai Ci nodded, and Bai Yanzhi withdrew his gaze and stepped into the main hall.

The main dining hall was even more spacious than Bai Ci had expected, and the brightness of the giant crystal chandelier overhead was several levels higher than that of the other side. The light refracted by millions of crystals illuminated the entire hall as bright as day.

Dozens of round tables were covered with snow-white tablecloths, with fresh flowers and silver candlesticks placed in the center. Guests had already taken their seats one after another, and waiters moved among them, carrying drinks and appetizers with light and orderly steps.

The moment Bai Yanzhi stepped into the main hall, the guests at the nearby tables almost simultaneously stopped talking.

Eyes converged from all directions, first on Bai Yanzhi, then on Bai Jiheng and Shen Tinglan, and then on the unfamiliar boy sandwiched in the middle.

The sight of the three Bai brothers traveling together with the heir of the Shen family is quite rare in the social circles of Yunliu City.

Bai Ci could feel those gazes on him, just like when Zhou Yan brought him in during the rest area.

Curiosity, inquiry, deliberation, and a touch of cautious apprehension. He tried hard to keep a straight face, his back ramrod straight, and his steps deliberately steady, so as not to appear timid.

Xiaoqi mentally encouraged herself: "Yes, yes, that's it! Stay confident and don't back down. You're super aloof and intimidating right now, they're all probably wondering which mysterious person you are."

Bai Ci maintained her facial expression, silently thinking, "They saw everything in the hallway just now, they know I was being chased and beaten. What's the point of pretending to be fierce now?"

"...Well, at least you have your eldest and third brothers protecting you now! It's different from before!"

Bai Yanzhi walked through rows of round tables toward the main table at the front. Along the way, people kept getting up to greet him, and he nodded in response without stopping.

Bai Jiheng followed behind, already used to this scene. He glanced at Bai Ci's tense profile and suddenly lowered his voice, saying, "If you're nervous, count the tables to distract yourself."

Bai Ci turned her head to look at him, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

"There are thirty-six seats in total," Bai Jiheng said. "Each seat seats eight to ten people, so there will be about three hundred people tonight. Just think about it, out of more than three hundred people, after tonight, every single one of them will remember your face."

Bai Ci paused for a moment: "Are you trying to comfort me, or are you deliberately trying to scare me?"

"Yes, we have them all." Bai Jiheng's lips curled into a slight smile. "How are the results?"

"...I'm even more nervous now."

Bai Jiheng chuckled softly and stopped teasing him.

The main table, located at the front of the hall, was slightly larger than the other tables. A whole bunch of white roses and baby's breath were placed in the center of the table, and candles were lit on silver candlesticks, their flames dancing among the glasses.

Bai Yanzhi took his seat in the main seat. Bai Ci was about to walk around to the seat next to him when Bai Yanzhi gently pressed his wrist against the back of the chair.

"Sit here." Bai Yanzhi pulled out the chair to his right, gesturing for him to sit down.