Chapter 29

Chapter 29

“Okay, the light has been turned on for you. Would you like constant light, flashing light, or color-changing light?”

As that mechanical female voice fell, the small monitor that Xiaobai Nuo had stuffed into his aunt’s hand suddenly lit up around its rim, even supporting multiple modes.

Huh?

Xiaobai Nuo blinked at the glowing monitor, curious. “Dou Dou, what’s color-changing light?”

“Alright, adjusting to color-changing light now.”

The monitor immediately began flashing and shifting colors, giving off a vibe like an old-school dance hall. Its multicolored light shone on Bai Qi’s face, making her look as if she were holding a “sparkling disco ball.” In the darkness of the main building of the Bai family’s old mansion, Bai Qi stood out brilliantly, drawing everyone’s attention.

Beneath the rainbow glow, Xiaobai Nuo blinked and stared at his aunt, face to face.

Bai Qi: …

“Don’t just shove something like this into my hands and then switch it to this mode without asking!”

The little cub whispered, “Seems a bit too flashy...”

Dou Dou: “Yes. I recommend pairing it with a song. What song would you like me to play?”

Bai Qi: … What is this? Turning the place into a retro disco? If you start playing music, that’d be the last straw!

Flustered, Bai Qi fumbled to turn off the AI voice button on the monitor in her arms, then restarted it and adjusted it to constant light mode. By now, any fear of the darkness had vanished, replaced only by her amazement at this artificial intelligence.

Her third brother really had unique taste.

But still.

“Auntie, Dou Dou lit up the whole area! Isn’t it convenient? Now you can see!”

The little cub stepped into the light, tilted his head up, and looked at Bai Qi with a soft expression.

Amid the howling storm, the entire house felt like a small boat adrift under the roaring sky. No other words could be clearly heard, only the cold white glow from the machine. In that glow, the small face before her seemed exceptionally gentle.

Her fingers grew warm again, and Bai Qi even had the leisure to think back to that kidnapping.

She and Bai Liang had been targeted together, but Bai Liang escaped halfway, completely ignoring her. She was locked in a tight, solid box, feeling the confined darkness and the suffocating despair, until she lost consciousness and was nearly dead before being found.

Because of that experience, despite her constant pretense, Bai Qi had an instinctive aversion to enclosed and dark environments.

She often wondered what Bai Liang was thinking when he tricked the kidnappers and left—did he think she was useless? That she couldn’t even escape, that she wasn’t worthy of being a Bai family alpha?

Of course, no one knew the exact answer.

Even later, she learned that Bai Liang had also been in a tough spot, and leaving her behind was just a temporary measure—after all, they were still children then. But in the Bai family, who cared? After all kinds of disharmonious struggles, pretending to be a loving sibling? That was really too much to ask. She didn’t want it, and none of the Bai siblings in any generation had ever gotten along particularly well.

What she needed was to be stronger than any brother or sister, so she wouldn’t be the one left behind as a temporary solution. She didn’t need those hypocritical emotions. So, whether toward the Bai family, the Liu family, or anyone else trying to cling to her, she saw through things clearly. But perhaps because she was the alpha who had the roughest upbringing in the Bai family, some things were different from her brothers and sisters. Occasionally, she turned a blind eye.

But this time, when darkness hit, the light came on quickly, even in a ridiculous, funny, and lively way, completely dispelling Bai Qi’s dark mood.

Bai Qi wasn’t sure if the little cub had noticed, but he earnestly expressed: It doesn’t matter if you were startled by the dark or afraid of it—Nono will find a way to light things up.

—It would have been better without that rainbow light show, though.

Bai Qi slowly hummed in reply, looking down at the glowing monitor. Its cool casing gradually warmed from the warmth of her warming fingers.

She thought about all this just to say—even so, she didn’t care about this little gadget.

The tiny cub had already been scooped up by Bai Sheng, who walked over and held him. Bai Sheng glanced at the gift Bai Qi had given the kid, then casually swept his gaze over Bai Jingyun, who was deep in thought on the other side.

The first-time dad was very open-minded: Go ahead, give gifts, compete all you want. This is my cub anyway.

Bai Qi stood up as well. Bai Sheng held the cub and looked outside for a while; Bai Qi said nothing. In just a few minutes, the chandelier above hummed softly as the backup generator kicked in, and the lights came on fully.

The wind and rain outside seemed to lose some of their fury under the returning light.

“Auntie, auntie,”

The little cub, hugging Bai Sheng’s neck with one hand, leaned over toward Bai Qi and said.

“Auntie, put Dou Dou down. Hey Dou Dou, you can turn off the light now.”

“Okay. You can wake me whenever you need me.”

The light in her hand went out. Bai Qi stood in the bright light, bent down a little, and set the small monitor on the floor.

It was only a few minutes of darkness. She had long been used to it; it was just a minor reaction, nothing she couldn’t handle.

Bai Qi thought.

But why was she so rattled? Was it because this little cub was so small, his emotions so real?

… She couldn’t figure it out.

But, he was pretty cute.

“The storm is too strong tonight. Don’t send anyone to check until the rain stops tomorrow.”

Bai Qian, who had eaten a lot of food he disliked at dinner, still looked unhappy. He gave instructions to the butler.

“Yes, sir.”

Meanwhile, Bai Sheng carried the cub back to the sofa and took a seat. The little monitor rolled along behind Bai Sheng until he sat down. Then Bai Jingyun suddenly walked over.

Bai Sheng: …?

Bai Sheng eyed Bai Jingyun suspiciously from head to toe.

But Bai Jingyun ignored Bai Sheng.

Bai Jingyun had stopped being stubborn. He admitted it: he was a bit jealous. He just didn’t understand why a bad-tempered, snobbish guy like Bai Sheng could suddenly have a cub like this.

And besides the great-grandfather who drew everyone’s resentment, Bai Jingyun hadn’t yet found anything more outrageous than the “Lemon Attack” incident.

Watching the interaction between Bai Qi and the little cub, and seeing that his own standing with the cub was still shaky and hadn’t turned around yet, the eldest uncle’s mental alarm blared.

He took out the gift boxes he’d brought for the little one, one by one, and unwrapped them right in front of the child.

“These are fruit snacks and preserves made from special fruits of Y province... This imported snack has a very clean ingredient list...”

Clearly, Bai Jingyun had looked into every brand before bringing these gifts. He explained each one and handed them to the dazed little cub.

Having never received gifts before, suddenly getting so many stunned the little cub. Unable to hold them all, Xiaobai Nuo could only nod earnestly and thank him politely.

A moment later, as if remembering something, the little cub poked his head out of the gift pile and said seriously to his uncle, “Uncle, from now on, will you and Dad be villains with me? Can we be on the same team?”

Bai Jingyun: "...What villain?"

Bai Jingyun didn't quite understand, but he looked up and exchanged a glance with Bai Sheng. Teaming up with that guy Bai Sheng?

The two top Alphas, both highly aggressive and always at odds with each other, sat together and exchanged glances for a few seconds. Then they looked away, each with visible disgust for the other.

It was almost a silent exchange.

Bai Sheng: "Don't look at me. Disgusting. Psychopath."

Bai Jingyun: "If it weren't for Nono, who would want to look at you? Disgusting. Freak!"

If it weren't for the little kid staring at them eagerly, the two of them might have gone to the gym's boxing room for a fight.

But the uncle wasn't about to give up this chance to salvage his image. He nodded somewhat stiffly, his voice cold and rigid, and said to Xiaobai Nuo, "I'm on your side."

And at that moment, Bai Qi suddenly stomped up and stood in front of the sofa that held two brothers and a child, looking at them.

The confrontation between Bai Sheng and Bai Jingyun was interrupted, and both of them looked up at Bai Qi.

Bai Qi slightly bent down and said seriously to the little kid, "Those gifts are not good enough. Just wait, your aunt will give you better ones next time. Then you'll know your aunt is better than your uncle."

Bai Jingyun, who was already trying to boost himself by putting others down, was suddenly put down instead. Bai Jingyun was taken aback: '?'

"Hey! Is that how you treat your brother? I haven't provoked you lately."

But Bai Qi was very proactive and acted with great energy and speed. She looked cold and hard to approach, but many of her decisions were aggressive. After saying this, she straightened up and glanced at the weather outside. The backup power of the entire Bai family mansion had been turned on, and the streetlights were all lit. "I'll head back first."

"It's raining so hard. Why not wait until it lets up a bit?"

Cen Zhi had finished watching the "performance" of these stubborn top Alphas of the Bai family. Hearing Bai Qi say that, she couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"No, my building is the closest. It's just a few steps away."

She couldn't stay here any longer.

Bai Qi thought, it was too strange. She was clearly not a sucker for cuteness or swayed by looks.

But in just this short while, she found that this little one was indeed very cute.

This was really too strange. If she stayed any longer, she might become even stranger.

Besides, she would prepare a better return gift.

Yes, a return gift. Bai Qi naturally regarded those few minutes of light as a kind of gift.

Having said that, Bai Qi didn't say anything more and quickly left the main building.

Leaving behind a bewildered Xiaobai Nuo.

Xiaobai Nuo had just recovered from a serious illness and couldn't withstand such strong wind, so he had to wait until the wind and rain died down a bit. Fortunately, it was a thunderstorm—strong for a while but would weaken after some time.

Bai Jingyun didn't leave either. He had already separated from Bai Sheng and sat on opposite ends of the sofa, watching TV news with Bai Qian and the old master who had been silent all along.

And a little farther from the TV, Cen Zhi was holding Xiaobai Nuo and looking at a picture book.

At that moment, the old master stood up and walked to the staircase. Then he looked back at Bai Sheng sitting on the sofa, and then at Xiaobai Nuo far away. "Bai San."

The old master finally spoke up to express his stance again.

"Come with me for a moment."

Bai Sheng looked up at him.

Since the last "conflict," Bai Sheng hadn't talked much to his grandfather. Now, he was about to stand up indifferently.

But Xiaobai Nuo, who had been watching his dad closely, suddenly raised his head and was about to jump out of Cen Zhi's arms to the ground—"Dad, don't be afraid! Baby is coming to protect you!"

Cen Zhi instinctively caught the kid and then laughed as she realized what was happening.

The little kid hadn't even touched the ground yet, but his two short legs were already trying to run forward. Now held by Cen Zhi, he was like a fully wound-up toy spinning in the air.

Bai Sheng looked back and gestured for Cen Zhi to put Xiaobai Nuo down.

As soon as the little guy landed, he pattered over to his dad, his short legs moving quickly. He immediately stood in front of his dad, clearly regarding the great-grandfather who had hit his dad with a cane as a terrifying monster.

Bai Sheng didn't go any further. He picked up the kid with one arm, glanced at the weather outside, and said, "Alright, it's about time. The rain outside isn't as heavy anymore. It's almost his bedtime, so I'll take him back first. As for the conversation, Grandpa, you know my personality. No matter how many times we talk or how long we wait, my decision won't change."

The old master's face immediately darkened.

He tapped his cane on the ground. "You spoil him too much!"

The old master looked at the little one in Bai Sheng's arms. "You know that spoiling a child is like..."

The old master's voice stopped just in time. But even if he hadn't stopped, Bai Sheng, holding the kid with one arm, pulled Xiaobai Nuo closer, letting the child sit sideways on his arm with one ear pressed against his chest. Bai Sheng covered the kid's other ear with his other hand. The little one hadn't yet realized what his great-grandfather was about to say, but with pursed lips, he stared seriously at the old master and whispered, "Great-grandfather, you're not allowed to bully Dad anymore."

Great-grandfather doesn't care about Dad, but Nono does.

"Grandpa."

Bai Sheng let out a breath.

"You should just go fishing when you have nothing to do. Don't worry about other things. If I'm not qualified, I'll step aside anytime. Also—"

Bai Sheng was still covering the little one in his arms. He lowered his eyes, his tone unclear—whether it was admiration or displeasure.

"Nono won't be spoiled."

Bai Sheng had never seen such a well-behaved child. Besides, although the old master still had an extensive network in Ang City, he would soon be returning to his retirement place, and it was uncertain when they would meet again. Bai Sheng felt what he said was already quite polite.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take Nono back first."

The old master was slightly speechless. Finally, he gave up arguing with this guy on this matter. After all, this little one was way too protective of his father—it was turning the world upside down.

He watched Bai Sheng wrap Xiaobai Nuo up tightly and carry the kid out of the main building. Before he could let out the suffocating breath he was holding, he saw Bai Jingyun, who hadn't left yet, silently give a thumbs up with a cold face.

Old Master Bai: ...

You little rascal, what do you mean by giving a thumbs up?!

Of course, Bai Jingyun thought that the grandfather was doing a great job of taking all the heat. He hoped the old man would keep it up—sacrificing one grandfather could benefit many people. But he couldn't say that out loud. With a cold face, Bai Jingyun quickly made an excuse and slipped away.

Leaving the furious old master to go upstairs. He returned to his room, heard his assistant remind him to take his medicine, and swallowed the pills with warm water.

"The children of the Bai family have never been worry-free."

He said this, his tone still stubborn. But in the end, he walked to the window and looked at the lights from Bai Sheng's residence in the distance, muttering softly.

"Why are you so sure I was going to say those things? There's no need to guard against me like a thief, right?"

The old man finally felt the same kind of anxiety Bai Jingyun felt, where everything he did was wrong ever since the little one started holding a grudge.

A heavy rain gave way to a light drizzle that dragged on for most of the day.

Today, Xiaobai Nuo's parents didn't take him to the main building.

Since foreign business partners were coming tomorrow, and business talks would be held at upscale venues, so naturally they couldn't have Xiaobai Nuo tagging along the whole time.

But kindergarten was closed the next day, and Xie Yu's company was nearby, so Bai Sheng planned to let the kids meet and hang out.

To share with his new friends, Xiaobai Nuo packed the cookies he'd helped bake, plus a bunch of snacks his uncle had given him.

Although the little one liked gifts, this little foodie was especially hyped about the snacks.

Meanwhile, at the Xie house.

Although Xie Yu had anticipated this day would come—having to pawn off his two little rascals to hang out with the other family's sweet little Omega—now that it was actually happening, he couldn't shake the guilt.

School let out early, so Shi Lin picked up Xie Qing and Xie Yue, and she also brought Yu Chuyan with her. The three little ones always played well together, and they lived close by. Old Master Yu's legs ached on rainy days, and Yu Chuyan's big brother Yu Chen wasn't out of school yet, so Yu Chuyan went home with Shi Lin instead.

Shi Lin smiled as she watched her two boys clutching a bucket of fried chicken, their mouths and faces greasy—it wasn't a happy smile—it was the smile of someone who'd totally given up.

She didn't even expect her little hellions to be as well-behaved as that other family's Omega, or at least like Yu Chuyan—couldn't they keep from getting so filthy for once?

Xie Yu was about to say hello when he saw his two sons hit the brakes, but it was too late.

"Daddy!"

"Daddy!"

The two little ones ran over all excited, holding up chicken nuggets.

They got oil all over Xie Yu while playing the dutiful sons.

"We got extra!"

"For you, Dad!"

Facing his kids' shiny eyes, Xie Yu wiped the grease off their faces with a napkin. It's fine, it's fine—they're his own. Don't focus on what they did, just focus on their adorable little Alpha faces. He held it together.

"Quit smearing! Both of you, go take a bath!" Shi Lin commanded.

"Hold on."

Xie Yu snagged the two little ones who were about to bolt at the word 'bath', then glanced at Yu Chuyan at the door.

"Remember what Dad told you last night?"

The twin Alpha boys stared back with wide, innocent eyes.

"Huh? Dad talked last night?"

"What did he say? I was listening to Mom's story, didn't hear Dad."

Xie Yu: ...

"Does Dad's word mean nothing?! You little punks!"

Xie Yu 'fumed,' 'furious,' he reached out and tickled his two Alpha sons' armpits.

"Aah! Dad's cheating!"

"I'll wipe my mouth on Dad's shirt!"

"Oh! So you hugged me just to wipe your mouth?! You thought getting Dad dirty would stop me from making you bathe right away?!"

Watching the three of them roughhouse, Shi Lin massaged her temples in frustration.

She really felt her two boys' wildness was mostly Xie Yu's fault.

Shi Lin couldn't be bothered with the father-son trio. She knelt down and looked softly at Yu Chuyan.

This usually cool, handsome, smart little kid was watching the father-son play, with a faint flash of envy in his eyes.

"Xiao Yan, want some fruit? How about staying for dinner?"

Yu Chuyan could be rowdy, but he was wildest around his own brother. In front of others, he was a polite little Alpha, especially around sweet Auntie Shi Lin. He pulled out a little handkerchief, wiped his hands, and said in a soft, serious voice, "Thank you, Auntie."

A little handkerchief? Shi Lin remembered Yu Chuyan didn't usually carry one.

Why? Because Alphas are tough and rowdy and don't bother with stuff like that. Did he bring it for someone in particular?

After wrestling down his two Alphas—who had endless energy and had left his stomach sore from their roughhousing—Xie Yu winced as he dragged them toward the bathroom, he asked offhandedly.

"Hey, Xiao Yan, you got any plans tomorrow? Wanna come with Xie Qing and Xie Yue to meet that little friend from the other day?"

"You guys can play all morning. I asked his dad, and he said it's fine to bring you. There's a playground near Uncle's office with tons of fun stuff. While the adults are busy, you can play there with a sitter."

A while back, Yu Chuyan's caretaker had an accident, so Yu Chen handled things himself and didn't hire a new one. Now the only people around Yu Chuyan were bodyguards and drivers Old Master Yu trusted.

Yu Chuyan blinked and suddenly gripped the little handkerchief in his hand.

That little friend from the other day? The cute Xiaobai Nuo immediately popped into his head.

The little Alpha's ears turned a bit red, but he clutched the handkerchief tight.

Exposed by the twin Alphas, Yu Chuyan immediately shot them a look, his little fists clenching with a crackle.

But soon the two little ones got hauled off to the bathroom, and Shi Lin took Yu Chuyan to wash his hands.

Shi Lin watched the little Alpha try to keep a straight face and thought: That sweet little Nuo—her two little monsters came home blabbing about him nonstop. Could Yu Chuyan not like him? She wondered if he would come tomorrow. If Yu Chuyan was there, her two sons might behave just a little bit more and not be total hellions.

But where Shi Lin couldn't see, Yu Chuyan's eyes lit up slightly, and he secretly turned around to pump his fist.

The next day.

Of course, he came.

Xie Yu and Shi Lin arrived at the meeting point with the three little ones and saw the Bai family's car. Bai Sheng stepped out, holding the little one in his arms.

The little one had already seen them. Politely patting his father's arm, he asked his father to put him down, then toddled over and said gently, "Hello, Uncle and Aunt. Good morning, Big Brother."

He also took out several beautifully packaged small bags from the little backpack he was carrying.

"These are cookies that Nono helped make, for Uncle, Aunt, and Big Brother."

Shi Lin was flattered and surprised and took them—other people's kid gives homemade cookies, but her own kids only end up covering their parents in oil and dirt.

Boo hoo...

No matter how many times I see it, I still feel so hard done by.

Xie Qing and Xie Yue, on the other hand, took the cookies generously, thanked him, and then gathered around chattering to the little cub, especially curious about the little camera behind him. Although the little one wasn't used to interacting with peers, he turned back to look at his father, then obediently turned back and answered their questions.

They had already introduced themselves before.

Yu Chuyan, who hadn't introduced himself to the little cub, stood a little farther away. He didn't approach, just watched, like how he used to watch other parents interact with their children. He was thinking about what his first words should be.

But soon, Xiaobai Nuo turned around, met his eyes, paused for a moment, then curved his brows and said to him, his soft, babyish voice as light as cotton candy, shaking the cookie bag in his hand: "There's one more bag. Big Brother, let's share it together—Nono and me, okay?"

Author's note:

Uncle: Well, well, Grandpa, you keep up the sarcasm, that's awesome.

Great-grandfather: ...

Yu Chuyan, who is about to fly: He called me big brother he called me big brother he called me big brother "I'm very calm."

Dad: ... [?]