Chapter 15

Chapter 15

Nono will protect Daddy.

This babyish sentence, which Bai Sheng had once dismissed as an ordinary, fleeting remark, now echoed in his mind.

Thinking of the little one who had stood in front of him amid the roar of the car engine, an electric shock seemed to shoot through Bai Sheng's spine, thighs, and arms, sending a tingling sensation that made his hair stand on end. His hands, already trembling slightly, began to shake even more.

For Bai Sheng, this was a strange, overwhelming emotion—not from a fully rational adult whose motives he would need to scrutinize, but from a tiny cub who depended on him wholeheartedly, trusted him, and saw him as his guiding light.

The little cub was terrified—even a young child with a weak sense of danger couldn't withstand such a shock, let alone Xiaobai Nuo, who was naturally cautious and quick to dodge at the first sign of trouble. Now, a car far larger than the cub itself charged at them without hesitation, pushing the cub past his threshold of fear.

Xiaobai Nuo's body trembled with instinctive fear, but the little cub hugged his father's neck, burying his face in the hollow of his father's neck, wondering if this counted as protecting Daddy.

Daddy is fine; the Daddy from the dream was fake, not lying in a pool of blood at the accident scene.

Bai Sheng opened his mouth, but the man who was usually eloquent, sarcastic, and sharp-tongued suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

In such a chaotic situation, clearly, this wasn't the time for more talking.

He tightened his arms around Xiaobai Nuo and stepped forward.

The out-of-control car was boxed in by Assistant Li and the bodyguard vehicles. It tried to escape but couldn't break free. The tires screeched harshly as white smoke rose. Someone had already smashed the car window, pulled open the door, and dragged the man out, pinning him down.

Bai Sheng glanced at the man's wild, hateful eyes. The man was screaming, ranting, cursing the Bai Corporation, cursing Bai Sheng.

To be honest, Bai Sheng didn't even recognize him.

Bai Sheng turned, looked at Assistant Li stepping out of the car, and asked, "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Boss. The custom vehicle was designed with this in mind, with comprehensive safety measures."

Assistant Li remained calm, rolling up his sleeves, his black hair slightly disheveled from the impact. He glanced at the little cub in Bai Sheng's arms with a complicated expression.

"To be safe, we'll all go to the hospital for a check-up later. The bonus will be credited to your cards. If you have any trouble, let the company know in time."

Bai Sheng's voice was icy, brimming with anger—completely unlike his usual slightly teasing, careless tone.

"Check if anyone's injured, and see who else is behind this. Get to the bottom of it."

Bai Sheng naturally recalled Bai Jingyun's earlier warning, but knowing Bai Jingyun, he wouldn't do something so thankless. At most, he'd just tip him off about something. The real puppeteer, beyond this madman's own insanity, was likely those families hoping for the downfall of the Bai family.

They'd better hope their actions were flawless, leaving no trace.

Bai Sheng lowered his eyes as the sky was just starting to darken. The sound of police sirens grew closer in the distance. Amidst the noise, he looked down, his side profile cold and fierce, but his eyes softened slightly when they met the little cub in his arms. He gently stroked the little one's back.

Assistant Li watched, let out a slow breath as he looked at their little young master.

Before, Bai Sheng had taken the little cub in out of pity and because he was well-behaved, thinking it would be easy. But now, this Newbie Dad, angered by the near-accident involving his own child, had fully revealed his emotion, tenderness, and vulnerability.

Of course, that was only natural.

Assistant Li thought.

No one could dislike such a obedient little cub. He had expected it, but the Boss had fallen for the kid faster than he expected.

The Federal Government moved quickly, handcuffing the man and sending him to the police station. Since the specifics needed investigation, and because Bai Sheng and the others had to cooperate with statements, the police asked a few questions and had someone from the Bai Corporation assist them. Then they let Bai Sheng take the little cub to dinner first, before returning for a statement later.

They hadn't even finished their meal when Bai Sheng received the news.

They had found the man's information and motive.

He was a paranoid man with a genetic condition, like some online crackpots—a true madman. Since childhood, he believed himself extraordinary, confident, arrogant, and thought he could easily rise to the top in business. He looked down on the Bai family, believing their current success was just due to the accumulation of past generations. He tried to compete with the Bai family, throwing all the money he'd earned in other areas into the attempt.

But the result was obvious. Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot, Bai Sheng didn't even remember the man before he was crushed by the Bai Corporation's relentless momentum. Frustrated, he attacked and slandered Bai Sheng online, only to receive several legal letters from Bai Sheng's formidable legal team. Coupled with his all-or-nothing gamble and heavy debts, his partner left him, and his family went from praise to disdain. So he went off the deep end.

According to surveillance, the man was somewhat clever. He had been patiently lurking in some blind spots near the Bai Corporation building for weeks, waiting for Bai Sheng to let his guard down.

But he hadn't expected Bai Sheng's security to increase day by day. Even with easily trackable schedules, Bai Sheng never traveled alone. As the days passed, it became harder to make a move, so he finally took the reckless decision to act when Bai Sheng was leaving the office building but hadn't yet gotten into his car.

"Psycho."

Bai Sheng had seen too many conspiracies and schemes. Faced with such a simple, violent, and unpredictable attack, he curled his lip and muttered a curse.

Two seconds later, he realized his little cub was still beside him. Cursing didn't seem appropriate. He frowned involuntarily, glancing at the little one eating obediently.

Assistant Li, meanwhile, felt a lingering fear. Sometimes no matter how many precautions you take, you can still be caught out by such a straightforward approach.

Assistant Li also knew that Bai Sheng's previous security hadn't been strong. Bai Sheng himself was a top-tier Alpha, unbeatable in close combat. But after bringing this little cub back, his schedule had become more complicated because of the child. If not for the little young master insisting on sticking to Bai Sheng at work recently, prompting Bai Sheng to beef up security, today's situation would have been much harder to control.

The man's car was modified, with strong power and tough materials. Ordinary cars couldn't have stopped it.

Assistant Li also looked at the little cub.

Xiaobai Nuo had relaxed a little, but he was still scared. Even though he usually loved eating more than anything, now he wasn't enthusiastic. He just held his tiny spoon, mechanically shoveling rice into his mouth.

"If you can't eat, then don't," Bai Sheng said, pulling the little cub back into his arms. "Should Daddy take you home first?"

"No."

The little cub glanced at the leftover food on his plate, then shook his little head, reaching out to hug Bai Sheng's neck, and said softly, "Nono wants to stay with Daddy."

"Young Master, the Boss has to give a statement and take care of some things. How about I take you back?" Assistant Li suggested.

Xiaobai Nuo blinked.

His little hands loosened. Daddy was busy, so...

The little cub instinctively made himself small.

Because he was used to it.

Almost unconsciously, he was about to say his usual obedient lines.

But Bai Sheng cut him off.

"Book a room at the Bai Corporation hotel nearby."

Assistant Li asked, "Just one?"

"Yeah."

Bai Sheng nodded, picking up the little cub. He ignored the messages from his Bai family members and spoke to the little one.

“Daddy can let Aunt Feng come over to watch you, okay? The hotel is very close to where Daddy is. You can rest there. If I finish early, I’ll take you back; if it’s late, we’ll stay overnight at the hotel.”

The little cub blinked again, then nodded his small head with effort.

Bai Sheng let out a chuckle, in his usual tone as if nothing had happened, poking the cub’s cheek and saying casually, “Clingy little thing.”

Aunt Feng had already heard the news and arrived quickly.

Bai Sheng went to handle the remaining matters. Aunt Feng watched the little cub eat two pieces of fruit; he seemed either frightened or tired, and the cub went to bed early.

Before Bai Sheng finished dealing with things and came to the hotel room, he had been watching the little cub on the monitor.

And before Bai Sheng arrived,

Xiaobai Nuo was having a nightmare.

He dreamed of his own wretched life in the apocalypse, where they called him a little burden and some saw him as a food source.

Even when he received brief kindness, it wasn’t safe. He had to stay on constant alert, always feeling completely alone.

He also dreamed of those researchers casually saying the Bai family had fallen and Bai Sheng had died early.

The little guy was drenched in sweat.

Then he was shaken awake by Bai Sheng.

“Nono?”

Bai Sheng knew the little cub had nightmares, and with today’s fright, he was mentally prepared. But just a moment ago, the monitor showed the cub was fine; barely a minute after Bai Sheng sat down, the cub’s expression turned pained, and Bai Sheng was startled.

Then the cub, opening his eyes and blearily making out Bai Sheng’s face, couldn’t tell dream from reality for a moment. He hadn’t cried when scared earlier, but now he burst into loud sobs, reaching out for a hug: “Daddy, Daddy—”

Bai Sheng bent down to let the little guy hug his neck. Before he could panic, he heard the cub sob, “Villain, Daddy, don’t die… Wuwu… Nono doesn’t want to be alone…” Don’t be alone anymore; Nono is actually… a little afraid of loneliness.

Bai Sheng: …Huh?

“I’m a capitalist, sure, but I’m still a person, right? I’m not exactly a villain, am I??”

Bai Sheng, torn between laughter and tears, was about to ask the little guy what nightmare he had, and thought it looked like he’d have to sleep with this frightened cub tonight. Sigh, cubs are so clingy, can’t help it… But the next moment, his cheek touched the little cub’s forehead, and was startled by how hot it was.

He lifted the little guy up and quickly said, seeing Aunt Feng’s slightly panicked expression, “Quick, grab the clothes. We’re going to the hospital.”

When a child is frightened, it can cause a fever, and a child’s fever can get serious.

About ten minutes later, the evening calm of the Bai family hospital was broken in an instant.

Meanwhile, in the special instrument room, the assessment of the cub’s pheromones was a complex and rigorous task. Doctor Xu Chuan, fully suited in protective gear, was performing the final procedure. Hearing the machine ding, he left the inner room and walked outside. When the machine stopped, Xu Chuan took off his mask and cap, and said to the nurse beside him, “Are the results out? Transfer them to the computer, and also bring me the printed copies.”

Author’s note:

Nuo Zai: Daddy, the big villain! Wuwuwu

Dad: ????? You’re such a filial son!