Chapter 58: Why Should Everyone Pay for Her Mistakes?

Bai Lu had only a small suitcase. Apart from her undergarments, which needed changing every day, she brought just two sets of clothes. She also carried a backpack stuffed with snacks, which had been confiscated earlier.

Huo Yanfang, on the other hand, had two extra-large suitcases. Bai Lu shoved her tiny suitcase at him. “A’Sui, you’re not well. You take this one.”

She then pushed the two giant suitcases that nearly reached her chest.

Her fate, truly miserable.

At home, she was her father’s little maid; on this variety show, she was A’Sui’s little maid.

She could cry her eyes out.

Qiao Qianyi was over there, bossily ordering everyone to help her.

Lin Ye, ever blunt, said, “We only have two hands. We can’t carry all this.”

Shen Xinlu seized the chance to show off. “It’s fine, it’s fine, I’ll do it. I’m everyone’s housekeeper, so I have to take care of everyone.”

Bai Lu sneered, “You’ll do it? How? Can you manage? We’re about to take the subway. If you go back and forth carrying things, how long will it take? Is the subway your family’s? Does it run just for you, Miss Shen?”

Shen Xinlu’s eyes reddened with grievance. “Xiao Lu, I just wanted to help.”

Earlier in the waiting lounge, Di Jia’er had already overheard Shen Xinlu’s words. Bai Lu hadn’t said a thing, yet Shen Xinlu kept begging her not to send her away.

She was a white lotus in the extreme.

So Di Jia’er didn’t bother being polite and spoke directly, “Do what you’re capable of. If you want to help, fine, but don’t take on things you can’t handle and hold up the team.”

Having come from a boy band, teamwork was everything to him.

Qiao Qianyi retorted, “Can’t you boys help out and make a few more trips?”

“Handle your own affairs. Boys can look after girls, but don’t take it for granted and treat them like your private servants.” Bai Lu pointed at her nose. “Either you carry your own bags, or you streamline your luggage right now. No one here—besides Shen Xinlu—is willing to wait on you.”

Qiao Qianyi stamped her foot. “Bai Lu, you’re targeting me!”

Bai Lu let out a cold laugh and ignored her.

Turning away, her voice softened immediately. “A’Sui, have some water.”

She handed the children’s water bottle hanging from her neck to Huo Yanfang.

Uncle Gu had really packed for her as if she were a grade-schooler off on a spring outing—not only had he packed her a pile of snacks, but he’d also bought her this insulated kids’ bottle.

Huo Yanfang didn’t want to take off his mask, so he shook his head. “Not thirsty.”

Bai Lu said, “Let me know if you do want some water.”

He nodded in response.

No one paid Qiao Qianyi any mind.

Zu Xin’en and Di Jia’er were searching for transportation routes and affordable hotels on their phones, while Lin Ye hovered nearby, more of a hindrance than a help.

Shen Xinlu, having just been put in her place, didn’t dare speak again.

Qiao Qianyi, on the verge of tears, felt the whole group was against her, excluding her.

“I quit! I want to go home!”

Bai Lu nodded. “Then let’s go.”

Everyone pushed their suitcases and left.

Only Shen Xinlu lingered, watching the others walk away, then turned to Qiao Qianyi. “Qiao, just cut down your luggage. Everyone’s really leaving.”

Qiao Qianyi insisted, “I’m not filming anymore! Give me my phone, I’ll buy my own ticket home!”

Shen Xinlu hesitated for a long moment, stomped her foot, then finally pushed her suitcase and hurried after the group.

The subway was packed—people pressed together, face to face.

They were quickly scattered by the crowd.

“Get off at the final stop!” Di Jia’er shouted before they were separated.

Bai Lu was squeezed into a corner, and Huo Yanfang shielded her with his body.

Her cheek was pressed tightly against his chest, and she could feel his temperature rising. “A’Sui, you feel even hotter. Let’s go to the hospital when we get off, don’t force it.”

“...I’m fine, it’s just stuffy,” Huo Yanfang replied.

Bai Lu reached out, wrapped her arms around his waist, and during a brief pause as passengers got off, quickly switched their positions.

She moved Huo Yanfang to the corner and used her small frame to shield him. “Tang Xing said you’ve never endured hardship, never traveled alone, and told me to take good care of you.”

Another wave of passengers surged in, giving Huo Yanfang no chance to switch back. He could only protect her head with his hand, drawing her closer.

There were so many people that Bai Lu was pressed completely against his chest.

Thank goodness it was winter and she was bundled up.

Otherwise, how embarrassing would this be!

Huo Yanfang only had to glance down to see the fluffy head pressed against his chest.

It looked like it would feel nice to touch.

He bent down and rested his chin on her fluffy hair. “Very comfortable.”

Bai Lu: “……”

Was her head being used as a hand rest by this celestial man?

These damned short legs!

She made up her mind—another bottle of milk a day, five bottles in total, until she grew taller.

Even at the final stop, the crowd didn’t thin at all.

Bai Lu was so dazed from being jostled that Huo Yanfang practically carried her off the subway.

Soon, everyone regrouped.

They were all in a sorry state, battered and bruised.

Jia’er saw Bai Lu in Huo Yanfang’s arms, barely breathing, and asked, “A’Sui, what happened to Xiao Lu?”

Huo Yanfang pursed his lips, hugged the little black rabbit tighter, and rubbed her head. “She kept hitting her head.”

Di Jia’er: “……”

Zu Xin’en: “……”

Lin Ye teased, “Sister Xiao Lu, you’re just too short, that’s why you kept bumping your head. Look at us tall guys, at worst we just get hit in the chest.”

Bai Lu was so angry she saw stars, clutching Huo Yanfang’s collar with both hands, too embarrassed to lift her face from his chest.

“Ten bottles! From now on, I’m drinking ten bottles of milk a day!”

The boys couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Where’s Shen Xinlu?” Zu Xin’en, who’d been a team leader for years and was used to looking after others, was the first to notice her absence.

Di Jia’er shook his head. “Didn’t see her after we got separated.”

Zu Xin’en said, “Let’s look for her along the platform. She knows to get off at the last stop; she can’t be lost.”

Lin Ye, exhausted, said, “Brother En, just call Shen Xinlu and let her find us.”

Zu Xin’en pulled out his phone and realized Shen Xinlu had already called him over ten times.

As soon as he answered, Shen Xinlu sobbed, “I got pushed off the train early by the crowd. I don’t even know where I am! What should I do?”

Lin Ye pointed out, “That was the last train.”

Di Jia’er suggested, “Maybe the production team can send a car to pick her up—”

Before he could finish, the filming director cut in, “No way, you’ll have to figure it out yourselves.”

Shen Xinlu’s crying grew louder.

Zu Xin’en held the phone away. “The crew won’t send a car, and we don’t know the way. The subway’s closed—you’ll have to take a taxi and find us.”

Di Jia’er winced. “Brother En, do you know how expensive taxis are? My old teammate once left something at the hotel, took a cab there and back to the airport, ten kilometers, and his performance fee was gone. Shen Xinlu won’t have enough to cover the fare on her own.”

Zu Xin’en sighed. “There’s nothing else we can do. We can’t have her walk—if she gets lost, it’ll be worse. Everyone, let’s pool some money for her taxi.”

Di Jia’er turned away from the camera and muttered a curse.

Bai Lu asked coldly, “Why should all of us pay for Shen Xinlu’s mistake?”