Chapter 23

Chapter 23

The little milky voice was straightforward and innocent, stirring emotions.

The Bai Family, generally experienced and well-traveled, had faced more targeted attacks than the average A since childhood. The increasingly outstanding next generation made their competition fiercer and more ruthless, making harmonious coexistence impossible.

They were like beasts fighting over territory, usually only maintaining a facade of calm.

Only their own interests were truly worth caring about—that was how they often thought.

So when a cub like Xiaobai Nuo, who was completely out of place with the Bai Family, entered the household, it was normal for him to feel unaccustomed and lost.

The Bai Family now consisted of a group of single As, none interested in marriage or romance, and completely inexperienced with children. So they had no idea what the soft, little one was thinking about all day.

Bai Liang remembered that when he was four or five, he already understood the logic of exchange—trading for what he needed from elders, remembering every promise, and using them to achieve his goals at certain moments.

Promises made in childhood could probably be exchanged for an item, an opportunity... The Bai Family knew this well.

But they would never exchange it for a strange request like hugging a small pillow and wanting to sleep together.

No matter what he had seen before, Bai Liang thought he should be used to watching such innocent, almost 'foolish' behavior from the sidelines.

But today was truly strange. Bai Liang glanced at Bai Sheng and thought to himself: If Bai Sheng is so into this, then what was I, who laughed at him for having a cub, thinking?

Bai Sheng immediately turned off the video. The faint traces of furious pheromones emanating from him were instantly withdrawn. He stood up, his expression shifting, and quickly walked to the door to pick up the little one: "Is this the wish?"

The little one held a pillow in one arm and a small monitor in the other, with no free hand to wrap around his father's neck. He just nodded vigorously and snuggled into his father's arms.

Bai Sheng took a deep breath and looked at Bai Jingyun and Bai Liang, who had been silent all along.

"Still not leaving?"

Did he have to 'invite' them to leave?

After quickly shooing away his two older brothers, Bai Sheng composed himself.

To be honest, compared to the direct shock just now, the video had a greater lingering effect. Perhaps because the little one had grown on him over time, Bai Sheng would occasionally have a flash of that little one cautiously and tremblingly reaching out his hand.

"Dad, Dad—"

Just as Bai Sheng was lost in thought.

The little cub, wearing bear pajamas and having been bathed and put to bed by his father, had already set up his small monitor, arranged his pillow, and obediently lay down. When he noticed his father was still spacing out, he scrambled up again, puzzled, and waved his little hand in front of his father's eyes.

Bai Sheng came back to his senses, expression unchanged, hummed in response, and pressed the little one down onto the bed with a thud. He pulled up the covers and lay down himself, saying, "Close your eyes. Sleep."

Last night, because of the unfamiliar environment and Bai Sheng's high tension, he hadn't rested much, so it hadn't felt so obvious. Now, with the soft little lump snuggled beside him as if finding a safe harbor, his breathing gradually steadied and became even.

But Bai Sheng couldn't sleep.

He opened his eyes again.

Indeed, he still felt stifled!

If it were him, even at four or five, he wouldn't have let those guys off easy.

Bai Sheng knew his frustration was irrational.

But he couldn't help sitting up.

The handsome, cold man, wearing thin pajamas, stretched out his arm and retrieved the tablet. He had deleted the training plan for A-cubs because AO cubs develop differently. He hadn't yet understood O-cubs, and with many other matters, he had only thought to fatten up the little thing first, without making new arrangements.

But now, Bai Sheng felt he needed to plan ahead.

The old father, suddenly struck by a sense of crisis and anxiety, put on a stern face and started creating 'Nono's Training Plan' as if it were a billion-credit project.

Unconsciously, it grew late. The little one, who had been curled up beside him asleep, draped a small arm over him. Bai Sheng was startled. The drowsy cub, still half-asleep, seemed unaccustomed to someone sleeping beside him. He blinked groggily, and when he saw it was his father, he curled even closer to Bai Sheng, turning sideways so his back was pressed against his father, mumbling in a milky voice.

Bai Sheng's stylus paused. Finally, he set the tablet aside.

Was he having a nightmare because of his experiences in the lab?

But Bai Sheng leaned down to listen, catching fragments: "Nono... big villain... happy... um, Dad..."

What was all this?

Bai Sheng smiled helplessly. Finally, as the little one frowned and tried to press closer, he lay down properly, wrapped one arm around the little one, and despite still being unaccustomed, the newbie dad closed his eyes.

Bai Sheng woke up not too late that morning—or rather, he was jolted awake by a dream that he had rolled over and squashed the little thing.

The new dad, sleeping with his cub under five, jerked upright, breaking out in a cold sweat. He instinctively searched the bed for the cub.

...Where was the cub?!

"Dad?"

Xiaobai Nuo's questioning voice came through.

Bai Sheng immediately looked over. At the head of the bed, Xiaobai Nuo, with his black curly hair tousled, was wrapped in a thin blanket. Because he had slept with his father, he hadn't gone out this morning. Like a little blanket ghost, he was curiously peeking out from the gap in the drawn curtains at the scenery outside the window.

The view from his father's room was different from the one in his own room.

Bai Sheng, who had almost thought he had flattened his cub into a pancake and had even checked under himself, let out a sigh.

The 'blanket little ghost' had already come over.

Obviously, it was a bit chilly by the window in the early morning. The little one was still wearing yesterday's thin pajamas without a jacket. He remembered what Grandma Feng had said, so he obediently wrapped himself in the blanket, blending in with the curtains and scaring Bai Sheng into a cold sweat.

Why doesn't this little one sleep in? He's practically a clockwork saint.

The 'capitalist' thought to himself, casually rubbing the little one's head before picking him up to wash up and get ready for breakfast.

"First, go to work with Dad. At noon, we'll go to the Federal Information Center to register your accurate information. In the afternoon, we'll pick up Grandma."

Bai Sheng said while brushing his teeth. Xiaobai Nuo, now used to the routine, imitated him, holding his little toothbrush handle and brushing hard. He mumbled an 'oh-oh' in response.

When Bai Sheng saw the little one was almost done, he handed him his drinking cup and picked up his own.

Then he noticed the little one was holding his cup and looking at him—waiting for him?

Bai Sheng tentatively took a sip of water, and saw the little one do the same. Bai Sheng gargled loudly, and the little one gargled loudly too. Then they both spat out the water together. The little one looked up with big bright eyes at Bai Sheng, only to have his face wiped with a wet towel Bai Sheng was holding.

The newbie dad clumsily worked on the little one's soft face.

The cub's face was wiped twice with the hot towel. Aunt Feng, who had been waiting outside after hearing them wake up, finally couldn't help saying, "Third Master, gently, gently."

You're wiping a child's face, not the dust off a watermelon.

The new dad let go, noticing the little guy’s cheeks were a bit flushed, still blinking up at him, which made him feel a bit guilty.

Raising a little one was indeed a real art—every aspect needed careful attention.

But before Bai Sheng could ask if it hurt, the toddler patted his own face and looked at himself in the mirror: “All clean!”

Then he turned to Bai Sheng: “Daddy, put on the smelly-good cream.”

Bai Sheng dutifully applied the ointment to the little one’s hands, watching as the toddler rubbed real ceremoniously his treated hands against Bai Sheng’s, ‘sharing’ the smell with him.

Honestly, Bai Sheng couldn’t figure out what this little thing was thinking.

But… what a weirdly cute little thing.

Having successfully ‘independently’ gotten the toddler up, the new dad felt a small sense of accomplishment as he took the little one’s hand to breakfast.

He remembered the plan he’d set for the toddler.

“We’re gonna start some lessons and training soon. I made you a new schedule.”

“Okay!”

The toddler gripped his spoon, hurriedly chewing and swallowing his breakfast before responding to his dad.

“Nono wants to be a super strong villain Omega cub! Just like Daddy, a big villain!”

Bai Sheng: …Where the heck did you get that your dad’s a big villain?!

Bai Sheng had no words. In the end, he just picked up the stuffed little guy to head to work.

But just as they stepped out, they spotted Old Master Bai out doing his morning exercise nearby.

Some of the Bai family were into morning workouts, while others, like Bai Sheng, liked the afternoon gym. Old Master Bai clearly belonged to the former. Whether he was here by accident or on purpose, Bai Sheng couldn’t care less to figure out.

But the little one still held a grudge. Bai Nuo clutched his little monitor, looked away right away, and shifted his little body to block Bai Sheng’s view, trying to block his dad with his tiny body.

And he whispered real quiet in his dad’s ear: “Daddy, if Great-Grandpa hits you again, Nono will scratch him up.”

Dou Dou was right! Nono learned that one! And Nono can even take care of Daddy by picking up trash, so he’s not scared of Great-Grandpa no more!

Xiaobai Nuo even waved his hand and bared his tiny sharp teeth.

So fierce!

Well, his fighting skills were about as good as a brand-new kitten’s.

Bai Sheng: …

Bai Sheng gently pinched Bai Nuo’s cheek.

Assistant Li, opening the car door for Bai Sheng and the little one, caught that. His usually blank face showed a flash of surprise as he looked at Bai Sheng, his face clearly saying, ‘Boss, what junk did you teach the kid yesterday?’

Bai Sheng hurried off with Xiaobai Nuo.

But Old Master Bai, who had gotten up early specifically to exercise and had unknowingly circled Bai Sheng’s residence several times, had a dark look on his face.

The servants taking care of Bai Yan kept their mouths shut, feeling sorry for themselves.

The old man was already weird enough, and now they had no clue what he was thinking.

Bai Yan wasn’t overthinking things. He was mad when he heard what Bai Sheng said yesterday, but he hadn’t intended to do anything to that little thing, and he hadn’t expected the kid to spot him.

He couldn’t really say why he was hanging around here early in the morning. Maybe it was because he couldn’t sleep, thinking about how the kid clung to Bai Sheng yesterday, crying all pitiful.

But today, it didn’t seem to bother him.

So, he didn’t need to care about this little one anymore.

And as for his great-grandson hating him? Bai Yan didn’t figure he had to care if some kid liked him or not.

“Old Master,” the servant behind him said softly, “time for your pills.”

The old master had heart disease and some chronic conditions. Coming back to himself, he grunted okay, turned around and walked back using his cane. He walked at a steady pace on the sunlit path, always ahead of everyone else, alone, just like the Bai family he dreamed of.

But he also looked… just as lonely.

Having followed his dad to work for a few days, the little guy already knew his way around. He skillfully greeted the uncles and aunties in the secretarial and assistant departments of Bai Group, then obediently went to Bai Sheng’s lounge to work on a puzzle.

At that moment, in Bai Sheng’s office.

Bai Sheng was quickly reviewing the documents that needed his attention.

“Follow up on this international contract.”

“Got it, boss.”

Tao Fei nodded promptly, taking the reviewed documents away. Just then, Assistant Li entered through the side door.

“Boss, I’ve inspected the Canghua Kindergarten we discussed and talked with the principal. The situation is decent. It’s a small-class system, typically twelve students per class with six teachers. The teachers’ qualifications are all solid. If the young master enrolls, it should be suitable.”

Assistant Li spoke quickly.

“As for the Xie twins’ class, two kids were taken abroad by their parents, so there are openings. The principal said we can bring the young master to see the environment, and he can start anytime if it’s fine.”

Bai Sheng paused his pen briefly, glanced toward the lounge, and responded after two seconds.

The kid was so easy to care for, and after being so used to this little one clinging to him these past few days, the thought of sending him to school stirred a bit of resistance.

Even the idea of letting the little one meet more strangers brought a strange parental anxiety—what if he got bullied?

This anxiety lingered until after lunch, when Bai Sheng took the little one to the Federal Information Management Center to complete all the procedures, and it still hadn’t faded.

The sudden appearance of a little Omega cub caused a small stir.

“Secondary sexual characteristics mature after eighteen, and pheromone scents can only be determined after that. Here’s a manual on raising Omega cubs. If you have any questions, feel free to call this number.”

The staff member suppressed her auntie smile, bent slightly, and looked at the cub sitting obediently on a high stool, his little short legs dangling.

“Wishing the little one a healthy and happy growth.”

Xiaobai Nuo blinked his big eyes, soft and sweet: “Thank you, Auntie.”

The auntie at the counter: …She was dying of happiness.

The world couldn’t live without cute little cubs!

The cub was lifted down by his dad.

Both father and son were strikingly handsome, with bodyguards around them, drawing extra glances from everyone who came in to handle business.

Especially when the little one toddled after his father, reaching out his little hand: “Dad, Dad, hold hands.”

And that alpha, who looked so imposing that no one dared speak to him, took that tiny hand and even adjusted his walking pace.

“Gosh, who is that? Why does he look so familiar? Is he a celebrity?”

“That can’t be right. A face like that, if he were a celebrity, he’d be huge.”

“Is that his kid? That’s just too adorable, right?”

Amid such chatter, someone sitting in the waiting area as if waiting for service actually pulled out a phone and sent a message.

At the same time, at the Liu family company, which was competing with Bai Sheng for a foreign contract.

The young heir, Liu Dong, who had just taken over his family’s business, looked at his phone.

“Those messages have all been suppressed?”

“Yes, boss. After all, the Cen family is the biggest news and entertainment media company in the country. Since the Bai and Cen families united through marriage, it’s always been hard for news about the Bai family to get out.”

“How long until that foreign client arrives?”

“Just two or three days. They’ve already booked their tickets. Against the Bai family, we don’t have much of a competitive edge.”

“That’s fine. Those foreign clients are always chasing after something strange. Let’s shift the battlefield of public opinion. Didn’t Bai Sheng suddenly get a child with no known other close relative? We’ve basically confirmed it’s an omega pup. Plus there’s that photo of him taking the pup to the hospital. If we steer things a bit—well, we’re just stating facts.”

Liu Dong thought for a moment.

“That’s enough to deal with those foreign capitalists who only pretend to care about pups. Before the storm settles, we still have a chance to compete.”

On Bai Sheng’s side, since it was still early, he took the little one back to the company.

Meanwhile, at Angshi Airport.

The rhythmic click-clack of high heels hit the floor.

Cen Zhi, wearing a pair of large sunglasses, left the airport with her assistant, got into a car, and opened her phone to check messages. Then she sent a message to Bai Qian.

Originally, her flight was a few hours later, but she couldn't help herself. She rushed to rebook, took two extra connecting flights, and took a detour, arriving in Angshi a few hours earlier than she had told Bai Sheng.

Cen Zhi: Where is the baby?

In the main building of Bai Corporation, Bai Qian saw the word “baby” in the message and started for a moment before realizing Cen Zhi meant Xiaobai Nuo.

But at this hour?

Bai Qian: Shouldn’t you be on a plane right now?

Cen Zhi: Never mind that. I’ve landed. Where is the baby?

Where is Grandma’s little omega baby?

Bai Qian: …Bai Sheng took him to work.

Cen Zhi: Then I’ll head straight to San’er’s company.

Bai Qian: Now?

No reply from her.

Oh, she didn’t even bother to ask him. Good for her.

Bai Qian put on a straight face and snapped his phone shut.

Of course, he didn’t need her greetings either.

And Cen Zhi had already told her assistant to turn toward Bai Sheng Company. She couldn’t help feeling a little excited.

But Grandma had to be dignified, reliable—couldn’t leave a bad impression on the little darling.

Still, Cen Zhi couldn’t hold back. She had rushed back so suddenly that even her group chat with her close friends didn’t know what was going on.

Restraining her urge to show off, Cen Zhi thought primly.

Once Grandma’s little omega gets used to her, then she’ll show off.

On the way, Cen Zhi scrolled through her phone messages.

She saw a message from her brother’s only child, Cen Liu.

Cen Liu: Aunt, the platform recently flagged quite a few messages about our third cousin. I’ve blocked them here. For other sources, you can assess when you’re back.

Cen Zhi: Got it. Probably just some business rivalry again. I’ll check later. Want to come over for dinner tonight?

Cen Liu: You’re back in the country, Aunt? Can’t make dinner today. We’ve got a few popular online shows launching, so the company is very busy. I’ll come in a few days.

Cen Zhi: Okay.

Cen Zhi sent the message, then looked up—she was already at the Bai Corporation entrance.

It was lunch break.

Cen Zhi’s arrival startled the front desk staff. After all, their boss said he’d be picking her up at the airport in three hours, and the flowers ordered for the little young master’s flower crown hadn’t even arrived yet.

They called the top floor. Bai Sheng wasn’t in his office.

“The boss took the little young master to the second-floor gym. A message was sent to the boss but no reply yet. Should I go up and inform him?”

“No need,” Cen Zhi smiled. “I’ll go up myself. You all continue with your work.”

Cen Zhi waved her hand and let the assistant behind her, who was carrying bags, come forward.

“These are gifts for Xiaonuonuo. Have someone take them to the top floor first.”

Cen Zhi didn’t know what Xiaobai Nuo liked, so she just brought a bit of everything back.

“Sure.”

The front desk responded quickly and took the items.

Cen Zhi had already headed upstairs, her steps so light they almost floated, as if she were humming a tune.

Yet on the surface, she maintained her cool, elegant look.

A dignified, reliable grandma was about to make her entrance.

Cen Zhi walked briskly toward the room where she could faintly hear a little baby voice.

Meanwhile, inside the room, the anxious father, troubled by a video and the fact that the little one would soon start kindergarten, was worrying about whether his son would be bullied in kindergarten.

After all, this little one looks too soft and too easy to push around.

The training plan was immediately kicked off.

“If you get bullied, don’t be afraid. First, call for help. If someone keeps coming at you despite that, Dad will teach you—just trip him like this, then call for help again. You can also use your smartwatch to call Dad.”

Bai Sheng held the little one’s hand, demonstrating with his own fighting experience, surrounded by soft mats.

“See? Stick out your leg, trip him here, place your hands here, then push hard here—you’ll flip him over.”

As Bai Sheng spoke, he guided the bewildered little one through the motion.

“Wow!”

Nono got it!

Xiaobai Nuo tried the move on a practice dummy, then looked at his dad and trotted over with outstretched little hands, mimicking the technique—clearly just playing around.

“Dad! Watch out!”

Bai Sheng raised an eyebrow, watching the little one approach. Just as the child reached out to trip him, Bai Sheng subtly shifted his weight, countered with a trip of his own, grabbed the child’s clothes, and gently laid the now-dizzy little one down on the soft mat.

Just then, a knock sounded at the gym door—and it swung open.

Cen Zhi peered inside. “Let Grandma see Grandma’s baby…”

Cen Zhi watched Bai Sheng lay the little one down. Hearing the noise, the child lifted his head—dazed, confused, pitiful, like a tiny toy cradled in a parent’s hands.

Silence. Cen Zhi’s gaze slowly shifted to Bai Sheng’s face.

Bai Sheng, puzzled by her sudden appearance, thought: …?

Wait—Mom, I wasn’t *playing* with him!

Author’s note:

Federal medical staff: Kindly sent a video, hoping the little one would enjoy it—and find it useful.

In fact, it was *too* useful—it nearly gave the little one’s dad PTSD.

Cen Zhi, “composed” and “rushing back in a flash,” witnessed a parent playfully sparring with their child. (#￣皿￣)