Chapter 39

Chapter 39

He's just satisfying your curiosity after all. Isn't it just a little omega pup? Two eyes, one nose, one mouth—what's so special about it?

"Brother Bai can change his avatar anytime he wants, right, Brother Bai?"

Bai Yan: You guys are way too chatty.

Bai Yan didn't want to deal with them, so he closed the chat. But he couldn't help enlarging the photo Cen Zhi had just sent to take a closer look.

On the other side, Bai Liang, who was arranging lab activities and having his students redo their plans, slowly lifted his head and glanced over.

He had stayed up for several nights. He slept until noon yesterday and had just woken up. Now, lounging lazily, he had even taken off his glasses and set them aside, leaning against the sofa with interest, sneaking glances at the old man's actions.

Huh? He remembered that Grandpa didn't treat Little Bai Nuo very well, did he?

Bai Liang stroked his chin.

At least from the few times he had seen, when it came to factors that might "hinder" the Bai family's development—like Little Bai Nuo now—the most stubborn grandpa should have taken various measures to force San'er into submission.

There's no way he'd be staring at the pup's picture and... sulking, right?

Bai Liang wasn't sure if he had misjudged. After all, even though he had stepped back from the front lines, this former master strategist of the Bai family had never shown such an expression.

Should he check with someone?

Bai Liang tapped his cheek lightly, his smile unchanged, then glanced toward the kitchen.

Not Bai Sheng. He seemed to be off today, and Bai Liang didn't want to talk to someone who was having a fit.

But honestly, Bai Liang felt he wasn't quite normal either.

Logically, even if he wasn't going to the lab, he shouldn't be at the main house at this hour, let alone sitting around idly thinking about all sorts of random nonsense.

Not to mention that compared to yesterday, his keychain now had an extra little polymer clay piece the color of the sky.

Then Bai Liang heard the door open.

Bai Liang looked up in confusion and met Bai Jingyun's gaze as he walked in.

Both saw surprise reflected in the other's eyes.

"Why are you here?"

"Why are you back at this hour?"

Meanwhile, the little pup, who had finished talking with Grandma and opened a book on origami, also looked up. He was holding a pink square piece of paper—a book on folding various flowers—but hadn't decided which one to fold yet. Hearing the sound, he tilted his head in confusion: "Big Uncle?"

"Mm." Bai Jingyun quickly averted his gaze from Bai Liang, came over to the little one, and deftly pulled out a box of chocolates from his pocket to hand to Xiao Bai Nuo.

"Just finished a business dinner. This is the signature item from a shop near the venue."

Bai Jingyun handed Xiao Bai Nuo some fruit freeze-dried chocolates. The colorful packaging instantly captured the little pup's heart: "Thank you, Big Uncle."

As a member of the Bai family who, besides Bai Sheng, had the earliest contact with the little one, Bai Jingyun had already settled into his role. Whether giving food or gifts, he was very adept, and he no longer held the same jealousy toward Bai Sheng... Well, maybe he still did, but watching Bai Sheng, who seemed to have his head in the clouds and raised the pup clumsily yet meticulously, his feelings were rapidly shifting.

Thinking, 'Bai San, you've got this coming,' and also, 'Why does Bai San get all the good stuff?'

Now Bai Jingyun no longer made moves against Bai Sheng—after all, what if this guy brought the pup to the company to work overtime?

Cen Zhi, however, was a bit worried.

"He's been eating too many sweets lately. Bai Sheng already spoils him. Give him less."

But even as she said that, she couldn't control it either. The little one was like a little kitten, curious about all kinds of food. With his little tracker, he trotted around going 'da da da' through every corner of the Bai residence. Except for entertainment rooms that the Bai family rarely used, the pup had explored both his home and his grandparents' home thoroughly. He knew all the servants on both sides, and his remarkable memory showed here—he could accurately call each person by their proper title.

So often, the tiny pup would curiously approach, speak softly, calling out 'Dad! Grandma! Uncle! Auntie!' and the like, look up with eager eyes, and whisper, "What's this? Is it good?"

Even the most hard-hearted person couldn't resist taking fruit candies or snacks from the plate and handing them to him, watching him eat until his eyes curved into smiles.

But isn't his intake a bit too much?

Bai Jingyun hummed in acknowledgement, then watched Xiao Bai Nuo's actions.

The little one had originally lifted the box curiously and shook it by his ear. Then, hearing Grandma's words, he obediently placed the box back on his lap. He looked up, licked his lips: "Grandma, Nuo Nuo is good. Today, Nuo Nuo can skip candy."

Waiting to be praised.

Cen Zhi: ...

Cen Zhi only lasted a few seconds under that bright-eyed gaze.

"Nuo Nuo is great, but go ahead and eat. Grandma means you just can't eat too much."

But giving the little one a whole box like that meant there was no worry about him eating too much.

Cen Zhi watched the little one tear open the wrapper. The beautiful freeze-dried chocolates made his eyes light up. He picked a strawberry one, then climbed up and shared the few exquisitely wrapped chocolates with everyone: Dad in the kitchen, Great-Grandpa and Second Uncle on the sofa, and Cen Zhi, who got one stuffed into her mouth.

The tangy freeze-dried fruit with the rich chocolate was indeed delicious.

As for Big Uncle?

The little one carefully selected and finally gave the chocolate with a lemon slice to Bai Jingyun.

Big Uncle's taste is different from others—Nuo Nuo knows!

"Big Uncle, here!"

Bai Jingyun: ... I really don't like sour! Really!

Big Uncle is not a trash can for sour things! When will this impression ever change?

But in the end, he ate it with a blank expression.

Just don't care about irrelevant people... Bai Liang, holding a fig freeze-dried chocolate, sighed inwardly. Enjoying Bai Jingyun's strange expression, he couldn't help chuckling. He popped the chocolate into his mouth, stood up, walked over to Bai Jingyun, and lightly patted his shoulder.

Bai Jingyun didn't look up, coldly reached out, and slapped Bai Liang's hand away, then stood up.

"So cold."

Bai Liang withdrew his hand, smiling courteously, but without his glasses, his eyes inevitably showed sharpness and indifference.

Although only Bai Jingyun and Bai Sheng put their petty squabbles out in the open, it didn't mean Bai Jingyun and Bai Liang got along.

But he really wanted to confirm something. Bai Liang deliberately lowered his voice, as he thought about how to say it.

"Did something happen while I was away?"

Bai Jingyun turned his head and raised an eyebrow wordlessly, as if asking "Why do you say that?"

"Grandfather was just looking at this little one's photos. That's weird."

Bai Liang spoke thoughtfully, in a low, hoarse voice, then watched Bai Jingyun's expression change visibly.

Bai Liang was totally lost.

Wait, why the face?

Meanwhile, Bai Jingyun was indeed thinking: No, no good! Grandpa's not gonna lose his edge, is he?

Old Ginger! Hold steady! Don't lose your kick!!

Bai Jingyun looked at his grandfather, who was sitting on the sofa, holding a piece of freeze-dried chocolate and staring at it with a serious expression.

He seemed no different from before.

But being here stressing over a piece of chocolate was already quite abnormal, right?

Thinking this, Bai Jingyun came over and sat down on the sofa.

"Grandfather."

Bai Yan came to, grunted in reply, set down the chocolate, and snorted, "Fancy schmancy stuff."

"Yeah."

Bai Jingyun nodded.

Bai Yan: ...Ah?

Then Bai Jingyun spoke, sounding relieved: "Grandpa's always hated flashy stuff."

Grandpa just doesn't like Nono's chocolate.

Good, keep it up. You're the best at this.

Bai Yan: ...?

It seemed okay, but something was off.

The atmosphere around them seemed a bit stiff.

Bai Yan instinctively turned his head and saw the little one, who had already chosen a paper-folding pattern, with his cheeks puffed out and looking over. Clearly, he had heard.

Xiaobai Nuo blinked and mumbled, "Great-grandfather."

His voice was soft and sincere, and he quickly swallowed the chocolate in his mouth.

"Nono thanks Great-grandpa for fixing Dou Dou, but you can say no. Nono doesn't care, as long as you don't bully my daddy."

Nono knows you don't like him. You help because he's a kid, not 'cause you're bad. Nono understands that too. He can take it. Xiaobai Nuo has been helped by many people before, and of course, he has also received dislike from many, being called a burden and a drag. Maybe he is. The little one tugged at his shirt, but... Daddy is awesome. He's not a burden. Don't bully my daddy.

Bai Yan: ...

Bai Yan opened his mouth to speak, but the little one had already lowered his head and began folding paper seriously.

Bai Jingyun went quiet too.

The Bai family isn't exactly big on morals, and Bai Jingyun himself didn't mind stepping on others to get ahead, but making the kid unhappy just felt wrong.

"Dad."

Cen Zhi shot him a dirty look.

If Bai Sheng had heard, he'd have made a scene.

Cen Zhi also didn't get it: if you can't stand him, just don't stay in the same room. There are tons of rooms in the old house; you could totally avoid him. But no, you come over and still run your mouth. You Bai folks are something else.

With that, she went to comfort Xiaobai Nuo.

"Don't mind what Great-grandpa said..."

But before Cen Zhi could even finish, the old master, who'd been sitting aloof, stood up.

This stubborn old man wasn't used to these feelings, but he knew he couldn't just sit there.

He really hadn't meant to pick on the kid.

But he always stepped in it without meaning to.

The old master holding his cane walked over to the little one.

He paused a moment and said, "I don't hate it."

What? Everyone looked over.

"Let's say Great-grandpa was wrong. I don't hate it."

This arrogant top Alpha of the Bai family, in his increasingly stubborn and cold phase—actually admitted he was wrong? And in front of so many people?

In the awkward silence, the old master walked back to the sofa and sat down.

His movements stiff and awkward, like he couldn't find a way out. Bai Yan wasn't good at this and had never dealt with these feelings; he was basically the poster child for Bai family coldness.

But a way out came quickly, from the little one, who always melted at the slightest kindness.

Xiaobai Nuo blinked, peeked out from behind Grandma, and said, "Then you can have a taste, Great-grandpa. It's yummy."

Bai Yan picked up the chocolate again. His face didn't change, but he grunted in reply.

"...Mm."

Then the little one started folding paper, and the mood relaxed.

Bai Liang saw Bai Jingyun come back and distinctly heard him tsk softly.

Bai Liang had been watching, but let's ignore everyone else's reactions for now.

Bai Liang was a little stunned to see the little one glance at the origami steps, then just start folding. The steps were correct, and his spatial imagination was strong.

This floral origami book wasn't kid stuff. Even adults get tripped up on the tricky steps and have to refer back constantly.

But the little one had already folded a flower.

As Grandma clapped, he held it up high, eyes shining—Nono, big success!

Then he scrambled up and trotted to the kitchen to give the first flower to his dad.

Bai Liang watched and thought: Damn, Bai Sheng's genes are really something.

Then the little one folded a second flower and gave it to Grandma.

Then a third flower—

Who should he give it to?

Xiaobai Nuo, getting the hang of it, finished folding this flower. When he looked up, he was a bit confused.

Huh? Why is everyone looking at Nono?

Author's note:

The second uncle, blown away by the kid: Should I snatch him away to do research with me? "Heart pounding" "Glancing at Bai Sheng"

The eldest uncle: Old Jiang, danger!

Great-grandpa, the mine-sweeping master: Finally starting to try and turn over.JPG

Newbie Dad: Handing the baby off to Mom, focused on wrecking the kitchen.

So now there's only one Bai family member who hasn't gotten the kid's gift or joined the baby competition!

The youngest uncle, off in another province: ????? This is unfair!!