Bai Suxiang turned her head and glanced, her eyes meeting those of the girl.
"Bai Xiaoxiao!"
The three words surged to the forefront of her mind, but before she could speak, the girl said, "New here, aren't you? It's best not to wander around here!"
Her words were filled with a warning.
"Oh, really? I was just strolling by. Are you preparing to go out?" Bai Suxiang asked.
"Hmph."
The girl didn't answer yes or no, only her lips moved, emitting an ambiguous sound.
"Where are you from? Your accent sounds like it's from Sandong City." Bai Suxiang spoke first.
When you're away from home, even if you don't know each other, meeting a fellow townsman can instantly bridge the distance.
"Hehe, yes. Are you from Sandong City too?"
"Mhm. Hehe!"
In a place like this, having someone to talk to was a good option.
"Come in and sit down!"
"Is that okay? Weren't you going out?"
"Come on, it's the same if I go out later!"
Bai Xiaoxiao invited Bai Suxiang into the house, unaware that the girl before her was her cousin.
Bai Suxiang didn't rush to reveal herself; she needed to understand Bai Xiaoxiao's situation first. If she immediately suggested taking her away, it might have the opposite effect. There must be a reason why Bai Xiaoxiao hadn't left for so long. In Taohuayuan, Hong Yi had said that leaving the island was actually easy, requiring only a sum of money and signing a non-disclosure agreement.
Bai Xiaoxiao and Bai Suxiang chatted in a mixture of Sandong dialect and Mandarin, which quickly dissolved the initial awkwardness. It was evident that Bai Xiaoxiao had not had an easy time over the years. Yet, even so, she insisted on staying.
"Why don't you choose to leave? Perhaps you could develop better elsewhere?"
"Hahaha, I wish I could! But think about it, almost all the wealthy and influential people in China are here. Where else could be better for 'fishing'?" Bai Xiaoxiao said, taking out a pack of ladies' cigarettes from her pocket and offering one to Bai Suxiang.
"I don't, thank you!" Bai Suxiang declined; she had no such habit.
Bai Xiaoxiao wasn't particularly embarrassed by Bai Suxiang's refusal; she was accustomed to it. Many girls start by not smoking, then gradually become addicted, especially on this isolated island. Their purpose for being here was the hope of one day soaring to success. No matter how hard it was, they had to endure.
As they talked, Bai Xiaoxiao suddenly checked the time.
"Oh no, time is running out! Let's talk again another time. You're new, so you have plenty of time. Come by when you're free, and we'll have a good chat!"
Bai Suxiang asked, "Are you going to work?"
"Yes, of course. Otherwise, who would pay for expenses on the island?" Bai Xiaoxiao said, standing up and escorting Bai Suxiang towards the door. She quickly locked it and then jogged towards the lower part of the island.
Bai Suxiang strolled leisurely back to her own accommodation. It was a row of small houses, but they appeared newer and brighter than Bai Xiaoxiao's.
"Where did you go?" Before she could even open her door, Wang Xiaohong's voice appeared.
Bai Suxiang didn't reply, offering a strained smile as she prepared to close the door. They weren't familiar with each other, and considering she had been followed before, Bai Suxiang was already wary, so she responded to the question with indifference. To her surprise, as she was about to close the door, Wang Xiaohong stuck her hand in the way.
"What are you doing?"
"I asked where you went?" Wang Xiaohong's tone was somewhat interrogative, which annoyed Bai Suxiang. She wasn't close to her, nor was Wang Xiaohong her superior, so there was no need to report her every move.
"Hong Yi instructed us to keep an eye on you! Say, where did you go, and who did you meet?" Wang Xiaohong seemed to be acting under orders, speaking with an official air.
"I have nothing to say. Hong Yi told you to monitor me? I'll go ask her!" Bai Suxiang retorted. During the training, Hong Yi hadn't said anything like that, nor had she mentioned that one couldn't freely roam between the first and second islands.
"No, no, no, sister, I was just joking with you! I saw you disappear after training, so I was worried and asked where you went. Don't mind me, don't mind!" Wang Xiaohong changed her tone, her face breaking into a smile again.
"Hehehe, I'm tired. You should go back and rest early. See you tomorrow!" Bai Suxiang forced a smile and then, with a "bang," closed the door. She had no interest in chatting with Wang Xiaohong. Regardless of whether she was joking or not, Bai Suxiang felt an unbridgeable distance between them.
Now that she had met Bai Xiaoxiao, she needed to understand her situation thoroughly before making any plans. With Liu Sandao arriving, and Na Qianlai also present, the situation on the island was more complex than just persuading Bai Xiaoxiao to return. Bai Suxiang had to prepare herself, possibly finding answers on Red Island. She had to consider how to navigate the island's rules and adapt to the role she would have to play. Although it wasn't what she truly wanted, it was the only thing she could do at the moment.
Liu Sandao also took this opportunity to observe Red Island closely. He discovered that many of the guests who came to Red Island were not merely wealthy and influential figures from the mortal realm; they bore traces of the Heavenly Court. This imbued the "Taohuayuan" island with an air of mystery. Although he didn't know who such important figures were to warrant Na Qianlai's considerable investment, it was certain that a great secret lay hidden within. According to the Su Dan Novel Network, after many days of observation, Liu Sandao also noticed that although Na Qianlai had set up a barrier, the entrance to Red Island was left open, allowing even minor deities who were not "in the know" to enter. This seemed to present an opportunity.
Bai Suxiang's activities and schedule over the past few days had become rather fixed and monotonous. Apart from training, she would visit Bai Xiaoxiao's residence.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, look, look, she's gone to that substitute team again!" Yu Xiaoman said disdainfully.
"Hehehe!" Wang Xiaohong echoed with a laugh.
In their eyes, many of the girls living in Bai Xiaoxiao's residence had already lost their chance to enter Red Island. After all, recruitment happened periodically. There were so many newcomers with good looks, and they were younger and prettier than them. Furthermore, it was rumored on the island that the girls there were no longer "girls," and most had lost their eligibility for Red Island. Those who managed to survive among that crowd were likely past their prime, their glory faded. To avoid being tainted by these negative influences, they no longer followed Bai Suxiang to such places. This gave Bai Suxiang the opportunity to interact with Bai Xiaoxiao without hindrance.