Chapter 29: The Inn Under City Lights
By the time Bai Sung and his family reached the inn, the evening sky had already sunk into a dim violet hue. The city lights flickered to life one after another, reflecting faintly against the small glass windows of the inn. The time was around 7:30 p.m., and exhaustion painted every face.
At the counter, Bai Ling had given over 10 yen. Bai Sung explained politely to the innkeeper that he was Bai Ling's brother. After a short exchange, the innkeeper—an older man with a kindly but calculating gaze—agreed to give them two rooms for 10 yen each, covering two nights.
The arrangement was simple:
Bai Xuan, Bai Xia, and Bai Xin would share one room, while Bai Sung, Chu Sun, and Bai Yang shared the other.
By that time, the two youngest, Bai Yang and Bai Xin, had already dozed off, their small heads resting against their siblings' shoulders. Bai Xia gently lifted Bai Xin into her arms, while Bai Xuan did the same for Bai Yang. Their father and mother carried the luggage, moving quietly through the narrow corridor of the inn.
When the soft creak of the door closed behind them, the small rooms were filled with a faint warmth. The clock on the wall ticked steadily—8:40 p.m.
The younger ones slept peacefully, leaving Bai Sung, Chu Sun, and the two eldest daughters awake.
---
Bai Sung sat down heavily on the side of the bed, rubbing his forehead. "Tomorrow," he began, "your mother will take some money from the bank to buy us a new house. Bai Xuan, you'll go with her. Bai Xia, you'll stay behind and take care of your siblings while I go to work."
Bai Xia frowned slightly. "Dad, one of my classmates' fathers owns a real estate company. If I go with Mother, we might get a discount."
Her tone was soft yet confident, the glint in her eyes showing calm reasoning.
Bai Xuan quickly joined in, pouting, "Dad, I don't want to stay behind either! I want to go with you guys."
Chu Sun, whose patience had already been tested by the long trip, pinched her daughter's ear. "Why can't you be reasonable? Who will take care of them if we all go? This isn't our hometown, it's a new place!"
Bai Xuan puffed her cheeks, looking wounded.
Bai Xia couldn't help but laugh quietly at her sister's childish expression. Her laughter, soft as a bell, drew Xuan's glare.
"What are you laughing at?" Bai Xuan huffed. "Just wait—I won't help you with your English homework anymore!"
Pretending to panic, Bai Xia quickly clasped her hands together. "Big sister, I'm sorry! I'll be good from now on, I promise."
A triumphant smile spread across Bai Xuan's face. "Then you'll help me with a few more chores later," she said sweetly.
Chu Sun rolled her eyes and waved them both away. "Enough, both of you. Go to sleep before I lose my patience."
The sisters giggled as they left the room, the soft laughter fading into the quiet hum of night.
---
When morning came, it was like a new world had opened.
For the first time since her rebirth, Bai Xia stood inside a proper bathroom—one with polished tiles, a clear mirror, and an actual shower. The warm water ran down her skin like silk, washing away the exhaustion from their long journey.
Last night, before they were sent out by Chu Sun, her father had asked if she still had the money he'd given her earlier. Bai Xia had quietly handed over 800 yen, keeping only a small portion for herself.
By sunrise, Bai Sung had already gone to work, leaving the others to prepare for the day.
---
Chu Sun, still feeling strange about city life, decided to order breakfast from the inn's front desk. The meal came neatly arranged on a small wooden tray:
Steamed buns filled with pork and vegetables,
Soy milk served warm,
And a plate of pickled radish with a drizzle of sesame oil.
The aroma was light but comforting, carrying the familiar scent of home even in this unfamiliar city.
Bai Xia smiled faintly as she ate, "It's simple, but nice. It reminds me of the mornings back in school."
Chu Sun nodded in agreement, her heart swelling with quiet pride as she looked at her daughter's calm demeanor.
After breakfast, both mother and daughter dressed neatly, preparing to visit the bank.
---
Their outfits reflected two generations and two different kinds of grace.
Chu Sun, now thirty-eight, wore a simple black dress with long sleeves and a modest collar. The fabric was smooth but not flashy, her hair tied neatly in a bun. She looked like a woman of dignity—humble, but respectable.
Bai Xia, on the other hand, wore a knee-length black gown with a white belt accentuating her slim waist. The design was modern, yet carried a professional tone. Her long hair was half-tied, and the faint gloss on her lips gave her an air of quiet sophistication—young, but composed.
As they walked out of the inn, their appearances drew a few passing glances. Even without luxury, their aura stood out.
---
At the bank, the air was cool and scented faintly of polished metal and ink. Bai Xia helped her mother through the process before asking to register for an ATM card.
At that time, such cards were rare—symbols of wealth and credibility. The banker raised an eyebrow at the young girl's confident tone but processed her request without question. When Bai Xia received the sleek silver card, her mother could only stare, half-proud and half-worried.
Outside, as Bai Xia tried to hail a taxi, Chu Sun's voice hesitated behind her.
"Xia'er… isn't it too expensive to take a taxi? Let's just take a motorcycle instead."
They had already taken one to the bank, and Bai Xia could still feel the soreness from the bumpy ride.
She turned back with a patient smile. "Mum, it's more convenient. I really can't handle another motorcycle ride. Besides, we're going to live in the city now—we have to get used to it."
Chu Sun fell silent, a little embarrassed, then nodded. "Alright… I'll learn quickly. I don't want to embarrass you kids."
---
When they got into the taxi, Chu Sun's nervousness slowly melted into excitement. She looked out the window, her eyes reflecting the passing scenery. The soft hum of the car, the gentle breeze through the window—it was all new to her.
"This… this is my first time in a taxi," she murmured with a small laugh. "It really does feel… different. Like I'm one of those rich ladies from TV."
Bai Xia chuckled, resting her chin on her hand as she watched the road ahead. For a brief moment, her heart softened.
Her mother, simple and kind, deserved this peace—this small taste of luxury.
As the taxi curved around the next street, a tall, modern building came into view. Silver glass windows gleamed in the sunlight, and golden characters decorated the front—Rongyu Real Estate Group.
And so, as the car slowed to a stop before the grand entrance, the next chapter of their story began.