Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Mmm..."

His head hurt, throbbing as if it would split open. His body too—his hands and feet were restrained, and even the slightest movement of a finger sent waves of pain through him.

Bai Nuo's breathing was labored, his thoughts muddled. He struggled to open his eyes, but everything before him was a blur. What had happened? He remembered being tired and hungry, falling into a lake, and then... what?

Chaos reigned outside. Noises buzzed around him, yet they seemed muffled, as if coming from far away, like a membrane separating him from the world.

"How is he?"

"Those bastards are just beasts—they could lay hands on such a small child. Luckily, we acted suddenly and caught them off guard. The toxic drugs they injected haven't fully taken effect yet; he can still be saved. He's already waking up. Have you found his records? Have the genetic tests been done? In a case this big, the big families in Ang City are all watching closely."

"We've found the records, and preliminary genetic testing is done. The detailed ABO test has been sent for analysis; we need to wait. This child is a little over four years old, born in this lab. The experimental notes show he reacts slowly to external stimuli; no one was sure if there was a defect at birth. The other side acted too fast—most of the lab's data was destroyed. The mother's genetic data was wiped; we only have the paternal one. The police are still interrogating them."

"Four? He doesn't look four. The preliminary test confirmed the father? Then notify him and see how we should proceed. What's wrong? Why are you hesitating?"

"We don't even need to notify him—his identity is special. When the results came out, we and he received them simultaneously. He's already on his way. But..."

"A big family? It's already good that he's coming all the way for such a troublesome matter. The child will be easy to arrange after this. What's there to hesitate about?"

"The match shows the child's father is Bai Sheng of the Bai family."

"...Those guys are really bold. Picking a fight with the Bai family? Where did they get the genes? Messing with a top alpha, are they insane? And Bai Sheng of all people—haven't those fools learned from the Lu family's quick downfall in Ang City?"

These jumbled words kept pouring into Bai Nuo's ears.

The little one whimpered softly in discomfort.

From the fragmented sentences, the little cub caught several key words: Ang City, Bai family, Bai Sheng, genetic experiments, father...

The little cub was even more confused. There were many people around him. This place didn't seem like where he had been before, but these words sounded familiar. He must have heard them somewhere, and the place looked familiar too.

Though he was young, he had experienced a lot. Bai Nuo was a cub who had genuinely lived through an apocalypse. Born in a lab, he had lived alone since the age of two, surviving mutated plants and animals, extreme weather, and harsh environments. Little Bai Nuo had managed on his own for nearly three years without anyone to care for him.

To survive, the little cub had tried his best, but he was still too small, too weak. His last memory was being tired, hungry, and running a high fever, fleeing from a mutated plant and falling into a polluted lake.

So, did he die? Did he come to a new world?

In a daze, the cub's past memories seemed to clear up a bit, as if the world was deliberately telling him his current situation. Little Bai Nuo finally understood why these words felt familiar—this was a story he'd heard from some researchers before he left the lab in his past life.

The Bai family in Ang City. In this ABO world, they were a villainous family. Cold-blooded and ruthless in business, they showed no mercy to those they disliked, caring only about interests, never about feelings. The entire family were all top alphas, and they were obstacles in the future path of the main characters, both in business and romance. In the end, some died, some were crippled, and the Bai family vanished from Ang City, replaced by a new family.

Bai Sheng was the third heir to the Bai family, exceptionally capable, outshining his siblings in every aspect. In that story, it was mentioned that after destroying an illegal lab, Bai Sheng briefly had a cub, but the cub soon died in the Bai family. Even though it was a stroke of bad luck for Bai Sheng, it became an excuse for the main characters to use regular people to boycott the Bai family later.

Had Nono come to this world now? The little one turned his head and looked at his own hand. The lingering scars on it proved he had come entirely to this world, taking on this identity. But his family... it seemed they didn't like him.

In this new world, was Nono still alone? Would no one ever come to Nono?

...It's okay. Nono isn't sad. Nono is used to it.

The restraints on the hospital bed had loosened. The cub, pale and weak, with sweat soaking his forehead, looked much smaller than an ordinary four-year-old. He turned slightly, as if to cover the wounds on his hands, curling into a ball, completely insecure.

The voices around him quieted. Everyone was looking at this little one.

For no other reason than this little one was incredibly cute and beautiful.

Thin and frail, he didn't look four—more like two or three. His big, round, black eyes were full of confusion and moisture when they opened. Soft, slightly curly dark hair clung to his forehead. His face, delicate and pretty like a doll's, had a bit of baby fat. His breath was soft, his body temperature slightly elevated. His hands were cold, but his cheeks were faintly flushed.

He looked at them, wary and a little scared.

Anyone who saw this would have their heart melt.

How could anyone lay a hand on such a little one?

"Little friend?"

A gentle female beta doctor leaned over the bed and called softly, her voice as gentle as possible.

"Are you awake? Your temperature is going down. Would you like to sit up and have some water, eat a little something? Shall I help you up?"

The voice was very soft. Little Bai Nuo fluttered his lashes a few times, then was helped up by the adults around him. He thanked her so quietly that almost no one heard. When a warm cup of water was placed in his hands, the little guy froze for a second, staring at the water in the cup.

The water here was clean and hot.

And food...

Aww, this world is amazing?!

---

On the corridor leading to the temporary rescue station of the destroyed lab.

The man walked neither fast nor slowly. His dark eyes were icy and devoid of any emotion. He wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, looking as if he was in a bad mood. Li followed behind him, accompanied by a team of bodyguards, also frowning deeply.

Li reported quickly.

"Boss, the caretakers are ready, and the smart AI butler is set up, ready for your review at any time."

"Mm. Wait here."

Bai Sheng responded casually. If not for his strong self-control, which kept his intense mint-scented pheromones from leaking at all, his irritable 3S-level alpha pheromones would have flattened everyone present.

After all, who would feel good receiving news out of the blue that, due to some illegal experiments, they had a child?

The documents said the little one was four years old. Bai Sheng was thinking about when and who had managed to pull off such a thing.

But there were traces to follow—the Bai family's genes were dominant and powerful. Every Bai family member is, without exception, a top alpha. They were strong, outstanding, and ambitious.

There were crazy people who wanted to replicate the glory and power of the Bai family.

And now, someone had actually created a four-year-old cub of his own.

Of course, the federal government had various solutions for such situations.

No matter what happened afterward, it was safer to keep a cub carrying Bai family genes under his watch. After all, it's not like he couldn't afford to raise one.

Bai Sheng made a quick decision and arrived before the other members of the Bai family could react, determined to arrange everything and take the cub away.

But when he entered the room and saw the scene before him, Bai Sheng paused.

A federal medical team was crowded around a mobile bed. A small figure sat with his back to him. Hearing the sound, the little cub, clutching a small bowl with a little egg custard on his lip, turned to look back. The ridiculously cute little guy blinked, staring blankly at him.

Similar soft curly hair, similar features—softer and cuter, like a tiny, adorable version of himself.

*He had to speak softly, or he might scare this little thing.* That was Bai Sheng's first thought.

Bai Sheng had never felt this way in his life. All his plans and strategies ground to a halt in an instant. As the medical staff approached him, Bai Sheng was still somewhat bewildered, thinking—*Did I look like this when I was little?*

Xiaobai Nuo was a little nervous.

Especially the moment Bai Sheng entered the door, the little cub couldn't help but inwardly gasp.

He's so tall! As tall as several Nonos stacked on top of each other!

Is this the family in this world? What should Nono say? Should he call him Dad?

But... but he looks a bit fierce, like he really doesn't like Nono.

The little guy set down his bowl reluctantly, licked his lips, and thought nervously: It's so delicious, Nono wants another bowl.

"Mr. Bai Sheng, right?"

The beta doctor who had spoken softly to Bai Nuo just a moment ago walked over, a bit amazed by how quickly Bai Sheng had handled the matter.

"According to the genetic test, this child is related to you. Someone should've briefed you on the situation on your way here. We saw that you've already completed the relevant procedures and have taken on the role of guardian. The child's treatment is finished, and a full check-up has been done. There are no major issues, just that he's still weak and needs rest and regular follow-ups."

The doctor stepped aside, letting the intimidating alpha pass. She took a deep breath before adding, "The other suspects are still being questioned. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions."

Bai Sheng acknowledged and walked up to the little cub. He bent down slightly, his cold eyes met the cub's round ones, and said in an official, businesslike tone: "Bai Sheng, your father."

Is... that how you introduce yourself?

The little cub stared up at him blankly, introducing himself in a tiny voice: "Bai Nuo." As for that, it was the name given to him by the kind old lady who had helped him, saying he was cute and soft like sticky rice.

Bai Sheng's presence was too strong; everyone around instinctively fell silent. Thinking of the Bai family's situation, they looked at the little cub with subtly changed expressions.

They felt the Bai family wouldn't be good at raising children, and this generation was all single alphas, right? Would that be okay?

But the very next second, that doctor watched Bai Sheng stare at the little cub as if trying to solve a puzzle, as if wondering whether the kid could walk at all. When the cub didn't respond, he didn't mind. He reached out and—lifted him up (still in a sitting position).

Really lifted him completely horizontally, still in a sitting position!

"Ah!"

Suddenly airborne, the little cub yelped instinctively, flailing his hands to brace against Bai Sheng's shoulders.

Xiaobai Nuo's eyes went wide. He was at a height that didn't belong to him, and the whole cub almost bristled.

The little cub stiffened along with Bai Sheng, who had lifted him casually but was now awkward due to inexperience.

Wait, no! That's not how you hold a child!

The beta doctor was surprised at first, then quickly moved to correct Bai Sheng's posture.

Bai Sheng pressed his lips together, adjusting his hold. He felt the soft, warm little thing clinging to him.

It was too close. He had originally planned to just carry him off like this, or maybe he should have called Assistant Li in.

But despite the surprise, Bai Sheng found he wasn't too repulsed.

He hefted the cub—way too light.

Was this kid really four years old?

He sneered inwardly.

Hah. Those bastards actually managed to raise a Bai family child into such a weak little alpha.

He'd already decided the cub was an alpha.

Bai Sheng gently shifted the cub, burying his face in Bai Sheng's chest. He looked up, still a bit weak and pale.

Bai Nuo's small hands slowly grasped Bai Sheng's shirt. His big eyes cautiously looked up at Bai Sheng, curled up in his arms, watching his cautious, clumsy moves and serious expression.

The auntie doctor beside them said, "Mr. Bai, being a dad suddenly can be hard to adjust to. Hold him like this, and your cub will be comfortable."

Family... Dad...

Can he have that?

Finally, feeling anxious and uncertain since arriving, Bai Nuo gathered all his courage and whispered in a babyish voice: "...Dad?"

Bai Sheng stiffened slightly and looked down at the cub who resembled him.

After a moment, Bai Sheng, who had everything planned out, averted his gaze and uttered a quiet "Mm."

First, blood ties were undeniable. He hadn't hesitated after receiving the news, planning to take the child and sort out everything else later. Second, this little thing was pitiful. And finally, he had to admit seeing the cub's eyes light up was kind of cute.

...That was all.

Author's note:

Dad: Such a weak little alpha (frowns)

Cute omega cub: ?

Dad:!

Pre-reading notes:

① This is a long, daily-life healing story about a cub growing up. ABO modern world with many private settings and lots of foreshadowing. Use your imagination—don't question the logic too much.

② There is a couple, listed in the main characters. Childhood friends, no romance until adulthood, slow burn after, and they're destined for each other.

③ The synopsis shows that not all characters are perfect. If the free chapters feel uncomfortable, please leave promptly. Don't bring up other stories or announce you're dropping it. Thank you very much! Wishing you a pleasant read! "Check the story announcement for update schedule and chapter count."