During the golden autumn, a gentle breeze blew by, and the golden ginkgo leaves fell like rain from the branches, covering the red and white pedestrian path.
Two young women walking their dogs stood chatting by the Half Moon Fountain in the Ming Residence Garden.
"I heard that the young lady from Beijing who just moved into building No. 8 recently brought back a fallen girl," said a woman with bright red nails, slightly curled hair, and a plump face, pulling a slim cigarette from her case and handing it to her companion.
Her companion's face showed disdain upon hearing this, her voice rising slightly, "It's cheap. She gets a good reputation for free. Why not?"
"Yesterday, I saw her and her driver buy all the dog food from a nearby supermarket. It looks like she plans to feed the stray dogs nearby long-term. Truly, burning money. Now, many families in the community are keeping an eye on her, secretly inquiring about her family background, wanting to connect with her."
"Heh..." Her companion sneered, lit the cigarette and took a puff.
"What's the situation?" the plump woman asked curiously.
"Have you ever seen a young lady from a powerful family in Beijing transfer schools to here?" Her companion glanced at her meaningfully.
The plump woman's eyes lit up, "She transferred?"
Her companion glanced to the side and suddenly lowered her voice, "A few days ago, I accidentally heard someone beside her on the phone; it seems this young lady was abandoned by her family and 'exiled' here."
"Really? She wouldn't be..."
"Woof woof woof—woof woof woof—"
The urgent barking suddenly interrupted their gossip.
"Xiaoxue, what is it?" The plump woman ran over in surprise to find her normally good-tempered Samoyed barking madly at a certain ginkgo tree.
Beside it, a small Teddy was also howling, its voice trembling as if it had encountered something terrifying.
Her companion went up quickly, picked up the Teddy, and comforted it tenderly.
The little Teddy was shivering and urinating, its voice whimpering, clearly very frightened.
What on earth happened?
She was curious, involuntarily looking towards the base of the ginkgo tree.
There was a pile of fallen leaves, about half a meter high, and there seemed to be something black moving among the gaps.
"Oh my God, could it be a wild animal?"
Her companion backed away in fear, but the plump woman, being more daring, cautiously walked forward with the Samoyed.
"Don't go..."
"Let me see what it is."
At this moment, the Samoyed's barking grew louder, even trying to escape the leash.
The plump woman released the leash, gathering her courage. When she was about five steps away, she picked up a dry branch from the ground, ready to poke forward, "What's pretending to be a ghost here?"
But suddenly her ankle sank, and when she looked down, she saw her timid Samoyed biting her trouser leg to hold her back.
"Damei, come back. Let's quickly find security."
Her companion called to her in a trembling voice, and the plump woman instantly deflated, retreating with the Samoyed, "You're right, let's go find security."
Both left hurriedly with their dogs, completely missing the changes in the ginkgo leaf pile.
***
Ming Residence Garden is a well-known affluent neighborhood in Anhe City.
Beautiful environment, convenient transportation, surrounded by large malls, parks, and hospitals.
The community's privacy and security are top-notch, with even the security guards being highly paid professional bodyguards.
When Bai Xiaotang arrived in Anhe City, she was arranged to live here.
"Miss, I've reported your recent rescue of the fallen girl to President Bai. President Bai is very pleased and praised you for having grown up." The chauffeur, dressed in a black suit, looked respectfully forward.
His features were serious, his hair meticulously combed, his posture straight, his suit smooth without a crease, his shoes polished and shiny.
At first glance, one might think he was an elite executive of a large company.
In front of him walked a young woman wearing a white dress, holding a recently born stray puppy in her arms.
Upon hearing, Bai Xiaotang turned happily, her delicate baby face showing an innocent smile, and her eyes filled with an expectation of recognition, "Really? Did Big Brother really praise me for growing up?"
The chauffeur managed a perfectly adequate smile: "Indeed, President Bai not only praised you but also believes your good deeds bring glory to Bai Group, asking you to keep doing good to pray for the deceased master and madam."
"Okay."
Receiving affirmation, Bai Xiaotang turned around, her steps lighter than before, her joyous mood almost making her feel like flying with wings.
The chauffeur's mouth curled into a smile with an uncertain meaning.
Approaching the Half Moon Fountain, several shrill female voices caught her attention.
"Oh my God, how did this vagrant get into the community?"
"What are the security guards doing, letting a vagrant in?"
"Exactly, hurry and drive him away—"
Bai Xiaotang paused, curious, and looked over.
"Miss, it seems someone is in trouble." The chauffeur timely reminded.
Bai Xiaotang immediately handed the puppy to the chauffeur, "I'll check it out. Take care of it."
Under the forefront ginkgo tree among the crowd sat a ragged young person of indeterminate gender.
She... he... hmm...
This vagrant is overly attractive.
The beautiful peach blossom eyes were slightly drooping, looking at the ground.
Deep-set brows, high nose, vibrant like a peach and plum yet strikingly wild.
The gaze carried a sharpness, easily deterring approach despite not looking at the crowd.
The short, disheveled hair had some crushed golden ginkgo leaves, with a corner flared up, revealing a bit of smooth forehead.
The hair barely reached the earlobes, faintly showing a silver earring.
The vagrant's body was somewhat thin, the exposed arms bony, clearly malnourished.
The ragged black clothing was severely worn, with different colors in places.
Clearly patched up with scraps of fabric from poverty.
Even so, there was no sign of humility; the face was expressionless and lips lightly pursed as if pondering.
Bai Xiaotang had never seen someone so impoverished looking so destitute; her eyes suddenly welled up with tears. Before the security chased him away, she quickly ran in front of him, extending a hand, "My name is Bai Xiaotang. Come with me. I can support you."
The surrounding people's eyes widened, seemingly disbelieving her words.
Sponsor a vagrant and take him home, she must be out of her mind?
The scene quieted substantially.
The crowd tacitly looked at the vagrant, waiting for his reaction.
But the vagrant didn't move his gaze or his sitting posture, one leg bent, one straight.
From afar, it looked like an art installation.
Only when Bai Xiaotang extended her hand did the vagrant's gaze sweep over her face.
After pausing momentarily, he asked, "Is there food?"