Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Bai Sheng had heard too many words of flattery and congratulations.

But none had ever satisfied him like this one.

That look in his eyes made it seem as if he were the only hero in this little one's world.

Even though Bai Sheng had already been raising this little guy for a while, seeing such sparkling, shining eyes still got to him. He looked away, a bit awkward, the corners of his mouth lifting on their own, though his tone stayed lazy and light: "Dad told you, it was simple, no need to cry."

Meanwhile, the little one was already gleefully hugging the little monitor that had started singing.

Bai Sheng patted his little guy's head: "Still sleepy?"

Xiaobai Nuo shook his head: "Nono's all done sleeping. Dad, do you want to sleep a bit more?"

"I..."

"Dad, rest easy, Nono will ask Dou Dou to set a timer, and later Nono will come wake Dad up!"

His little one, who never slept in, cut off Bai Sheng's unfinished words in a baby voice, tapping his own little chest.

Bai Sheng thought for a moment: Okay, that works.

So Bai Sheng picked up the barefoot little one and carried him back to the room, putting on his little socks—no matter how many times he saw them, Bai Sheng was still amazed at how tiny children's socks were, needing to pinch them with two fingers to put them on, his other fingers had no use.

And this monitor was way too noisy? Did it have to finish this song?

Bai Sheng lay down, watching as Xiaobai Nuo eagerly pulled a thin blanket from the headboard and draped it over him.

This little thing was especially attentive today.

Yeah.

Bai Sheng thought.

This is what I deserve for being dragged out of bed by Grandpa early in the morning to fix this little dummy.

As he closed his eyes, he mumbled vaguely.

"Your great-grandfather had someone send the parts over."

Xiaobai Nuo blinked, a bit confused, then turned to look at the little monitor he had set aside, still singing with abandon.

Great-grandfather?

Xiaobai Nuo stayed obediently in bed for a while. When the sky was fully bright and the live-in staff at home should be up and working, he took the little monitor and pitter-pattered downstairs.

"Grandma Feng! Look, Dou Dou is fixed!"

"Uncle! Dou Dou can talk again! Dad fixed it! Dad is super amazing!"

"Dad fixed it in no time!"

In the early morning, the little one's sweet baby voice chattered as it made a round of the house, showing off the fixed monitor to everyone.

Bai Sheng couldn't fall asleep in the end.

Though he didn't want to admit it, the second he closed his eyes, he could hear that little one's voice, so admiring, ringing in his ears, 'Dad, super amazing!'

So he didn't sleep after all. He just got dressed, stood on the second-floor balcony, and watched downstairs while looking at the little monitor feed, watching the little guy show it off everywhere.

Look at how happy he is.

Bai Sheng watched as the little one put on his outdoor shoes.

So the indoor showing-off was done; it was time to go outside.

But outside?

Bai Sheng glanced at the old man who seemed to have finally finished his morning exercises and was about to head back.

And downstairs, Xiaobai Nuo pitter-pattered over and opened the door. As soon as his little head peeked out, he saw his great-grandfather.

Instinctively startled, the little one immediately pulled back—a little cub retreating.

Bai Yan: ...

Bai Yan only glanced over, confirming that this little fellow was full of energy again, not looking pitiful and tearful like yesterday, and decided not to say much. He was about to leave.

Just then, remembering what Dad had said this morning, the little one suddenly poked his head out again.

"Great-grandfather."

His baby voice crossed the courtyard and reached Bai Yan's ears.

Bai Yan's steps paused. The assistant behind him instantly softened his expression. Then he turned his head, watching as the one who had just retreated worked up the courage, picked up Dou Dou, and trotted over.

Xiaobai Nuo had never been this close to Bai Yan before.

Everyone in the Bai family was really tall. When the little one got close, he had to tilt his head all the way back to look at him.

And for the first time, Bai Yan truly felt how tiny this little guy really was.

Bai Yan kept a stern face: "What is it?"

"Good morning, Great-grandpa."

The little one spoke in a soft voice, then held up Dou Dou.

"Nono thanks Great-grandpa for helping Dou Dou."

The little monitor, which the little one held up, focused for a second. It seemed to catch a key wake word from '...good...Dou Dou' and immediately said, "I'm here. Speak."

"I just happen to know a parts supplier."

The old man's tone was still gruff, but his gaze had already fallen on Xiaobai Nuo's round, soft little face.

Then the little monitor started analyzing in all seriousness.

"The word 'happened' can mean a few things: first, it really was just convenient or on the way, usually, you had something to do and helped on the way; second, it's polite modesty to show off your connections; third, it's awkward concern, often meaning no one actually asked for help and it wasn't really convenient. Which one are you? Do you want me to give more examples?"

Bai Yan: ...

Xiaobai Nuo blinked.

Huh?

Upstairs, watching the surveillance feed, Bai Sheng almost burst out laughing.

He could hear Bai Yan’s voice losing his cool: “Terminate this conversation.”

Mini monitor: “Okay, if you need a specific analysis later, just say ‘Hello, Dou Dou’ to wake me up.”

Xiaobai Nuo hugged the mini monitor back down, looked at it, then looked up at his great-grandfather in confusion: “Great-Grandpa, were you waiting for Nono here? Do you have something to tell me?”

The little one woke up early and was used to taking a stroll in the small garden before breakfast.

Today was the first time Xiaobai Nuo had run into Great-Grandfather in the garden.

“I just finished my morning exercise and was heading back to get my fishing gear. I wasn’t waiting for you here,” the old man said.

The little one tilted his head: “Fishing?”

“Mm,” Bai Yan’s tone softened as he watched the little guy’s soft, curly hair sway slightly in the morning breeze. “There’s a big reservoir on the outskirts of Ang City, full of fish, and the scenery around it is beautiful. Want to come take a look?”

Among his fishing buddies, it seemed he was the only one who hadn’t brought his great-grandson along to show them.

But.

A big, big reservoir?

Xiaobai Nuo instinctively tensed up.

Then the little one shook his head firmly, clearly still shy around his great-grandfather.

“Great-Grandpa, you go ahead. Nono won’t come. Nono still has to go to work with Dad. Goodbye, Great-Grandpa!”

The little cub, who had been standing in front of him holding the mini monitor, pulled off a smooth series of moves, quickly said goodbye, and scampered back into the small garden, waving him off.

Bai Yan: …

Bai Yan looked in confusion at his assistant, who was equally confused.

“What’s wrong with fishing?”

Why though?

Did that little guy just get scared off again?

He hadn’t done anything.

The assistant grimaced this time: “Don’t ask me, I have no clue either.”

Upstairs, Bai Sheng raised an eyebrow as he watched the surveillance feed.

Though he didn’t know why yet, if the little one was afraid of bathtubs, that meant he’d also be scared of the reservoir—to him, it was probably just a giant bathtub.

Thinking about it, Bai Sheng felt his grandfather was a bit unlucky.

—Everyone else was raising cubs, but Grandpa was playing minesweeper.

At Liu Corporation.

Bai Sheng’s moves yesterday had been so aggressive that even companies with no prior ties to the Bai family noticed the shift in the Liu family, making their cooperation more conservative. It was worthy of the Bai family, and worthy of Bai Sheng, the most ferocious and formidable top Alpha of his generation. Liu Dong had expected to put up some resistance, but in reality, within half a day and a night, Bai Sheng had left the entire Liu family on the brink of collapse.

Liu Dong couldn’t fathom it. Had Bai Sheng lost his mind?

He didn’t care about his own interests at all, only focusing on crushing him. And the other Bai family members competing with him made no moves—neither attacking nor kicking him while he was down.

Liu Dong simply couldn’t understand. A minor squabble between kids—wasn’t escalating it to this level a bit childish?

But in the end, he could only frantically seek help from everywhere, playing every card he had, useful or useless.

When Liu Sen arrived, Liu Dong was still on the phone, furious, with a tense atmosphere hanging over the whole company.

“What did the Yu family say? They’re only providing necessary help? Tell the Yu family, I still have ways to make trouble for Bai Sheng, to grab more market share from him. Several of those employees Bai Sheng specially recruited are time bombs. With a little push, we can cause a big PR disaster for the Bai family again! I’ve already put things in motion!”

Liu Dong slammed his phone face down on the desk, biting a cigarette, and glared at the doorway.

“Brother,” Liu Sen called out instinctively.

“Sister Qi hasn’t replied to me.”

“Hah, did you make it clear to her? What’s up with these Bai family people? Bai Jingyun, Bai Qi—are they just letting Bai Sheng run wild without stepping in? And Bai Liang is just watching the show.”

Liu Dong stood up furiously.

“And why are you only showing up now?!”

“I was dropping Dudu off at kindergarten…”

“Kindergarten, my ass! It’s all that little jinx Liu Du’s fault, and yours too! Without him, none of this would’ve happened today.”

Liu Dong cursed, and Liu Sen’s already pale face sank lower.

“Keep asking! Tell her it’s Liu Du’s doing. She likes clever kids, right? If you can’t beg, have Liu Du do it, have him cry. I’m telling you, Liu Sen, don’t forget who knew about Bai Si’s weakness by accident and gave you that chance. You’re a fraud, you know that? I can expose you anytime and send you back to the life you had before.”

Liu Sen’s expression grew even paler, looking like he was on the verge of breaking down: “But I think Sister Qi might already know.”

“If she’s still willing to help you, then she doesn’t know.”

Liu Dong watched coldly as Liu Sen pulled out his phone and sent a message with trembling hands.

But Bai Qi didn’t reply. Just as Liu Dong was about to say something else, his phone rang.

It was an unfamiliar number.

Liu Dong paused, then answered instinctively: “Hello.”

“Liu Dong.”

A clear, cold voice sounded on the other end.

Inside Bai Qi’s office.

Bai Qi held her phone, leaning casually against her chair, examining her freshly trimmed nails. She narrowed her eyes, looking a bit weary, and glanced out the window.

Her voice was indifferent, slow and aloof.

“I didn’t mind you causing trouble for Bai Sheng or anyone else in the Bai family before, but that doesn’t mean you can cross my line. You know I can’t stand idiots.”

The subtext was pretty damn clear: I already know what's going on, and whatever Bai Sheng intends to do, you just gotta take it.

Bai Qi left it at that, saving Liu Sen some face, then hung up and put her phone down.

Bai Qi narrowed her eyes but didn't step in. As for the Yu family's reaction, she didn't plan to help Bai Sheng deal with it either. If her third brother couldn't handle such a small matter, he might as well get knocked out of the competition ASAP.

As for Liu Sen?

Bai Qi had complicated feelings about this guy. Back in that incident, they encountered a revenge attack at a banquet venue. She was young back then and thought she was untouchable as a top Alpha. Her guard was down, and she was injured while dodging. She ended up trapped in an elevator in some remote building with Liu Sen, supposedly by accident. Eventually, she blacked out and woke up to people finding her.

It was Liu Sen who screamed her lungs out, slamming her hands and body against that old elevator door until it was covered in blood, attracting attention. Liu Sen also got cut by rusty metal, and even though it was treated in time, she caught some weird infection, ran a high fever, and spent seven days in the ICU.

Maybe the other party had deliberately followed her, making it seem like an accident, though that's not quite the right word. However, probably because that kidnapping with Bai Liang when she was young had messed her up, and she was less mature back then, it did get to her.

"Too bad she's dumb."

Bai Qi closed her eyes and muttered softly.

She had no backbone, was crushed by her family, and was both scared and couldn't break away. Bai Qi had tried to help her stand on her own two feet, but it was pointless. When told to ask for something, all she ever asked for was for the Liu family. And Bai Qi also figured out that Liu Sen really didn't have the brains for it. Since the Bai family was never peaceful on the inside, and Liu Sen skimmed some off the top, Bai Qi looked the other way. Good thing Liu Sen's kid was at least smart.

She meant to keep an eye on them and give them a bit more of a chance. But whether they could take it or not was on them, for the Bai family, who'd always lived in a cutthroat world.

And now?

Her bottom line?

Bai Qi opened her eyes, a little surprised she'd even said that.

What even was her bottom line?

That little kid?

They'd only met a few times.

But yeah — pretty cute.

No wonder Bai Sheng was pissed, making that kid cry.

"Liu Dong is seriously messed up."

Bai Qi muttered under her breath, figuring she'd have to go home tonight.

She scrolled through her phone.

Then she saw that last night, a bunch of Bai family members had all posted on Moments at the same time.

Bai Sheng: Handmade [image]

Bai Jingyun: Poor thing [image]

Dad: Not bad shaping [image]

Mom: My super cute baby Omega grandson made this!! For Grandma! He got treated badly today, but he's still so good. Grandma can't handle it [image]

Grandpa: [image]

Bai Qi: ... ?

Bai Qi, confused, opened each image one by one, looking at the colorful little polymer clay Dou Dou in the pictures.

Except for Cen Zhi, the Bai family didn't really post on Moments. Apart from some daily promotions and official statements, they could go years without posting a single private matter.

This was the first time they'd all been this in sync.

Bai Qi's first thought: "What the hell, are you all crazy?"

Second thought: "How does Grandpa have one? Good thing Bai Liang doesn't."

Finally, she made a weird face, sat up, and touched her nose.

Was the gift she gave that day not good enough?

Why didn't Auntie get one?!

Bai Group, Bai Sheng's office.

After lunch, the little one was still enthusiastically holding the small monitor, with no intention of taking a nap.

Bai Sheng connected the little one to Xie Yu's call.

Xie Yu's three little ones were all there. While Bai Sheng looked over the file reports below, he listened to Xiao Bai Nuo over there showing off the Dou Dou in a babyish voice.

"Mm-hmm, it's fixed. Brother, look, you can't tell it was dropped before. Daddy fixed it for Nono. Daddy is super amazing!"

The old father, who had been praised all morning, couldn't help but straighten his back slightly.

"Nono, I'll learn how to fix it too. I'll fix it for you in the future."

Yu Chuyan looked seriously at this side of the screen.

Upon hearing this, the newbie dad immediately looked over.

Nono has him to fix it, that's enough. No need for others, huh.

"Little Brother Nuo Nuo, we've discussed it. Tomorrow we'll go pour boiling water on their money tree!"

"Mm-hmm, I've already scouted the route to leave the kindergarten."

The two Alphas from the Xie family always bring unexpected surprises.

Xie Yu was originally smiling as he watched Xiao Bai Nuo happily showing them his fixed monitor on the screen, thinking to himself: 'As expected of Bai San, a versatile god, fixed it in no time.'

Then he suddenly heard that sentence.

"Didn't I already tell you that you can't?! You're still planning to run away from kindergarten?"

Wouldn't the kindergarten principal and teachers faint from shock upon hearing this?

Xie Yu raised his hand and gave each of them a knock on the head.

The two little Alpha cubs from the Xie family howled and held their heads.

"And don't think you can run away when we get home. You each need to take another bath. Where did you go play this morning... Wait, you weren't scouting how to escape from kindergarten, were you?"

Xie Yu squinted his eyes, looking at his two cubs.

His two cubs looked up, each with a more innocent expression than the other.

"How could that be? Dad, how could you think that?"

"No way, Dad. I don't want to take a bath. If I don't bathe today, I won't tell Mom about you hitting me."

Hey! You little brat, you're threatening your own dad now?!

"Look at your little brother. He's so good, unlike you two dirty little monkeys."

Xie Yu pointed at the fair-skinned Xiaobai Nuo and said.

And Xiaobai Nuo blinked, hesitated for a while after hearing this, and then the tiny little one whispered, "Uncle Xie, Nono doesn't like taking baths either."

Nono is a truthful kid.

"See, Dad!"

Xie Yu held down his little rascal who was about to jump up.

Exhausted in both body and mind, Xie Yu heard Yu Chuyan on the other side speak up: "By the way, my brother said that if you hold a mouthful of water while bathing, you'll be smarter when you grow up! Nono, I'll be even more awesome!"

The little guy with a cool-dude look said in a cute baby voice. As soon as he finished, the other three babies couldn't help but look over curiously.

Xie Yu: ?

What?

Xie Yu blurted out instinctively, "Is that really a thing? Or does Yu Chen just think you talk too much in the bath?"

Yu Chuyan: ...What?!

The little one, who trusted his brother completely, widened his eyes.

The baby's whole world—shattered.

Xie Yu: ...Whoops. Sorry, nephew Yu Chen. Uncle wasn't thinking.

Bai Sheng also choked back a cough, almost laughing out loud.

Finally, things were getting chaotic over there, with some wanting to tattle to their mom, some wanting to immediately message their brother to ask if it was true. Bai Sheng looked at his own bewildered baby, who couldn't follow who said what. He stood up, took the phone from the little one's hand, and ended the video call.

The little one only had time to hurriedly say goodbye to the other side.

In an instant, the noise was gone, and it was nice and quiet.

Bai Sheng looked down at his own baby.

Xiaobai Nuo also looked up at him.

The little one indeed had a habit of collecting little trinkets.

Bai Sheng's office had been cleaned just this morning, but the odds and ends hadn't been cleared out yet. The little one had been sitting here rummaging through them all morning, playing quietly by himself.

He used little cardboard boxes to collect shiny things, along with some coins Bai Sheng had left lying around. With so many payment methods nowadays, these things were mostly useless.

And this little one was picking up the coins one by one, putting them into a small iron biscuit tin. When he shook it gently, it rattled.

Bai Sheng watched the little baby holding the small monitor and that little box, like a little squirrel hoarding food, his big eyes sparkling.

Bai Sheng thought for a moment and decided he really should give this little one some "pocket money" to play with. He had completely overlooked this before.

The biscuit tin wasn't cute enough. Maybe he should get a custom piggy bank for the little guy.

"Dad! Nono will take care of you!"

Xiaobai Nuo held up the biscuit tin in his hand, showing Dad what he thought was really useful.

Metal can be traded for resources, and rich adults like shiny things.

Nono is really good at picking up little trinkets; he can support Dad!

Bai Sheng was stunned for a moment, then took the "loot" the "little squirrel" had worked hard to gather all morning.

He looked at the little one's expectant eyes and softly said, "Nono is so awesome."

Then he watched the little one's eyes light up even more.

Ever since Bai Sheng fixed the little monitor for him in the morning, the little guy had gotten more attached to Dad. It wasn't that he showed it in actions very obviously, but his gaze at Bai Sheng became more admiring and affectionate, and he particularly wanted to gain his approval and praise, as if he'd finally realized someone would make his wishes come true.

It didn't feel bad at all.

Bai Sheng thought.

Just then, there were two soft knocks on the office door.

Assistant Li's voice came through: "Boss, the fruit ordered today has arrived. It's strawberries. Would the little prince like to come help set them up?"

The little one was very happy to put candies, snacks, pastries, fruits, and the like in the break room on their floor.

Hearing this, Xiaobai Nuo climbed up, hugged his dad's neck, and with his big eyes sparkling, while Bai Sheng was stunned, he gave his dad a kiss on the cheek: "Dad, Nono will bring you fruit later!"

The little one nuzzled affectionately, a bit shy, then ran off with a pitter-patter to open the door.

Bai Sheng stood frozen for several seconds, instinctively raised his hand to touch his cheek. He watched the little monitor running after the little one, and couldn't help but think to himself: You're so bad—but in the best way.

Meanwhile, employees from the secretariat and assistant's office, who already knew what had happened yesterday, were peeking into the break room.

Xiaobai Nuo was too short; to help arrange things, he had to sit on the table.

Assistant Li took the strawberries packaged in plastic boxes from the side and handed them to Xiaobai Nuo, who carefully arranged them on the table.

He was still a little neat freak who had to arrange everything perfectly.

Then he admired his work, satisfied.

This was just too cute for words.

All the frustration melted away. It was magical. The usually bitter office workers now felt that coming to work was restoring their sanity. Boss, the kid's great, bring him around more—we love it.

Someone in the crowd said, "The world could do without me, but it can't do without a baby this cute!"

Xiaobai Nuo was taken aback. The little one turned around, his eyes curving into crescents. Still holding the box of strawberries he had picked for his dad, his little voice piped up: "But the world can't do without uncles and aunties."

Uncles and aunties are super important too.

Author's note:

Baby: Picking up junk to support Dad. Just in case, Nono saves up his "treasures".

Dad: "Already on cloud nine" "Haven't even started bragging yet": Dou Dou, you're bad but good.

Dou Dou: ?