Chapter 42

Chapter 42

Before the 'summoned one' arrived.

Quick as a flash, Bai Jin had already completed a series of actions; he didn't use much force, but he still couldn't quite gauge it. He looked at this adorable little guy in front of him, curiously poked its little hand, touched its small face, and then casually ruffled its hair a couple of times—wow, so soft.

Bai Jin thought to himself, still wondering if Third Brother's head was this soft too.

But no one dared to actually check, after all, no one wanted to pull a tiger's whiskers.

Bai Jin's hands were itching, so he found himself a 'stand-in'.

This guy has a really aggressive personality, as can be seen from his obsession with extreme sports. And because he is several years younger than Bai Qi, Bai Jin kind of feels like he can't talk to his older siblings on equal footing, so he naturally acts rebellious and loves causing trouble.

Unlike Bai Liang, who's just in it for the drama, Bai Jin genuinely loves stirring up all kinds of shit, wanting to try everything and see how others react.

He really didn't use much force; he just thought it was amusing that this little thing was being chased by a butterfly, wanting to tease it. Besides, he'd already carried the little guy away from that butterfly, so taking a little reward shouldn't be a problem, right? Bai Jin conveniently forgot that he's scared of butterflies too.

So when Little Bai Nuo came to, with a mop of messy curls, his little hands kept pushing against Bai Jin's face and he whined "Daddy, daddy!" in a whimper, Bai Jin tensed up for a split second and instinctively held the little one a bit tighter.

He could mess around with the kid for a bit and still be alive, but if he dropped the kid from this height—judging by his third brother's recent posts—he'd be a dead man.

But before Bai Jin could think more, he saw Bai Sheng walking out the door.

Bai Jin smoothly dodged a kick from Bai Sheng, and the kid on his shoulder was already snatched into Bai Sheng's arms.

That cute little thing, like a doll, was clinging to its father's neck still scared shitless, looking back with teary, reproachful eyes.

"Daddy, daddy, bad guy! A big bad guy, he lifted Nono way up high—"

The little guy wailed, pressing against his dad, tattling.

Bai Jin took a few steps back, totally flabbergasted.

How long had he been away?

Wasn't this a little too scary? His third brother turning into a doting dad? Look at how naturally he holds the kid.

In the time since his third brother brought the kid back, how many times had he held the kid to build up that kind of muscle memory?

But 'lifted way up high'?

"Wasn't Little Uncle just helping you get away from the butterfly?"

"Bai Jin, you looking for a beating?"

Bai Sheng set Little Bai Nuo on the new little swing next to him and was already rolling up his sleeves.

Because of the age gap, Bai Jin had never been able to beat his older siblings since childhood. And because he was rebellious and liked to go against others, while the top four heirs had already grown up enough not to brawl over every little thing, Bai Jin's siblings still stuck to their original approach with him—Bai Sheng would actually throw hands.

He had already rolled up his sleeves and was coming over.

Bai Jin raised a hand and rubbed the tip of his nose, looking at his pissed-off third brother. While stepping back, he gave a bright smile, reached out his long arm, grabbed the railing behind him and vaulted over it nimbly, and as he landed and ran off, he waved his hand.

"Third Brother, I still have to go greet Grandpa, so I won't stay long."

He really wanted to say: Let me play with him, I'll give him back when he cries.

But saying that right now would definitely get him a beating, wouldn't it?

He was tired from the journey and didn't want to fight Bai Sheng.

Bai Jin chuckled lightly, jogged away, burst in in a whirlwind and left just as fast, like a gust of wind 'sweeping' toward the main house.

Sure enough, there were no normal people in this family.

Bai Jin thought, and soon arrived at the main building.

The old butler spotted him and couldn't help turning to the person next to him: "Old Master, the Fifth Young Master's back."

The Old Master's mood was not very good today either, judging by the fact he was searching for the biggest seafood market in Ang City—though he didn't actually plan on going—still, he was kind of pissed and embarrassed.

When the Old Master heard this, he looked at Bai Jin who pushed the door open.

Bai Jin saw the old man there and couldn't help raising an eyebrow. He laughed, "Grandpa, weren't you out fishing? Back so early?"

"Finished fishing, so I came back."

The Old Master was still pretty calm with this biggest troublemaker.

"Where are the fish?"

Bai Jin looked around curiously, then touched his chin with understanding.

"Grandpa, want me to hire a diver for you next time?"

Old Master: ...

looking at that face, the Old Master's hands itched to grab his cane and whack someone.

But the Old Master calmed down, too lazy to bother with this punk. The Old Master let Bai Jin slide—after all, no matter how you looked at it, Bai Jin could never outshine his four older siblings.

Bai Jin looked at the Old Master's reaction and laughed with the same expression. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, and a few leaves from his vault over the fence were still stuck to him, looking wild and reckless.

He was about to speak.

Bai Yan had already spoken first: "Did you go see your third brother?"

Bai Yan just took a look at Bai Jin's clothes.

Bai Jin came back to his senses, looked down at the dust and leaves on himself, and shrugged: "I happened to run into it when I came back, but that little thing my third brother brought back is quite fun."

Oh?

The Old Master listened without a word, waiting for him to go on.

"He's fun to mess with, but Third Brother was there, so I didn't mess with him much."

Tease...?

The Old Master pondered the meaning of these words, then looked at the guy in front of him. After a moment, the Old Master spoke.

"That's good."

Huh?

What?

Bai Jin heard clearly what the old man said, but he didn't react immediately—what was good about that?

"Having fun teasing that little guy?"

Bai Jin, seeing the old man leave him to his own devices, waved his hand and headed upstairs. He rubbed his chin, still pondering: Could it be that even though Grandpa sent that weird polymer clay thing, he's actually a normal person after all?

"Uncle lifted Nono up so high—"

The little guy sat on a small stool, said in a babyish voice, clutching Bai Sheng's phone in his hands.

The phone was still on a video call, as if with echoes from the other kids.

"That's right."

"Exactly."

"That's too much!"

Bai Sheng sat behind him on a chair, holding a comb, gently smoothing out the little guy's mussed-up curls.

From Bai Sheng's angle, all he could see was the slightly rounder profile of the little guy's face, a bit chubbier from being well taken care of.

"Yeah, next time Dad will give him a spanking."

Bai Sheng combed slowly, chiming in.

The little guy was obviously still angry. After a few seconds, he suddenly added, "Uncle also squeezed Nono's hand!"

Scary! Like when Uncle was checking if Nono was worth selling.

"Exactly!"

"He's a bad guy!"

"Next time, put glue on his chair!"

"Give him a good beating."

Bai Sheng responded without hesitation.

After a few seconds.

"Uncle messed up Nono's hair so badly."

"I'll get a sack!"

"I'll find a stick!"

"Nono, wait for me!"

Bai Sheng: ...

You little guys, why are you all chattering one after the other? And ready to put someone in a sack at the drop of a hat? Is that how Xie Yu, Shi Lin, and Yu Chen taught you?

If it were him—he'd hire someone to put them in a sack.

Typical alpha, I guess.

Over there, Xie Yu said, shocked, "Hold on, you little rascals, what are you up to now?"

With a "whoosh," they all scattered, mainly the Xie family twins. Yu Chuyan, that always-serious little cool guy, didn't think he'd done anything wrong, until Uncle Xie ruffled his head extra hard.

Nono suddenly saw Xie Yu's face on the screen, blinked, and said, a little shyly, "Uncle Xie."

"Nono."

Xie Yu was also fond of this little omega, after all, he was the only little omega cub he could get close to—who else gets the luxury of being surrounded by all alpha cubs? He smiled and greeted the little guy.

Just moments ago, the little guy had been firing off complaints one after another, clearly startled by how rough Bai Jin was. Now he seemed a little less huffy.

Bai Sheng finished combing the little guy's hair, poked his round little cheek, and was still pondering whether he should go beat up Bai Jin when he heard Xie Yu speak.

"Bai San, tomorrow is still the kindergarten holiday—the last day. Do you want to bring Nono over to our place? We can go over some details from our last collaboration, including the Liu family. You know Yu Chen's situation; he should've already messaged your assistant. Want to chat in advance?"

After a few playdates, the four little ones had clearly gotten much more familiar, and it wasn't weird to invite them over.

Xie Yu said this, then glanced at the little guy. He smiled, "Nono, want to come to Uncle's house and play with the older brothers?"

"Huh?"

On the screen, a bunch of little heads popped up, only to be pushed back down like whack-a-mole by Xie Yu.

Go to someone else's house?

The little guy was stunned for a moment and instinctively looked at Bai Sheng.

Bai Sheng had long noticed that this little fella, when making many decisions, instinctively looked to him for approval.

That's why he was so obedient—maybe a bit too obedient. And if you told him not to, he'd just obey and not do it.

That was indeed well-behaved and easy for parents.

But Bai Sheng didn't really want that kind of easy, especially after reading the briefs the Federation sent.

So Bai Sheng spoke up, "Nono, do you want to go? It's up to you, kiddo."

"But Dad will be busy."

The little guy obediently looked up, his little voice crisp.

That sweet voice made Xie Yu's eyes practically light up on the other side of the screen.

"Don't worry about that."

Bai Sheng set the comb aside.

"You think I can't handle it?"

Bai Sheng wanted the little guy to understand that he was never a burden to his dad, so he didn't have to be so perfectly behaved.

Seeing the little guy shake his head, Bai Sheng smiled. "So, does Nono want to go play?"

The little guy looked at the other side of the screen—the three little ones, whose heads were all he could see since Xie Yu was holding them down—then looked up at his dad, and said in a tiny voice what he wanted.

"I want to go. Nono wants to go."

"Tomorrow afternoon."

Bai Sheng nodded, speaking directly to Xie Yu on the screen.

"We'll come over."

……

It was evening by then.

The little one had never been a guest at someone else's home before, and he was clearly a bit excited. Chattering away, he carried his little monitor and followed Aunt Feng to pick out clothes for tomorrow's outing.

Then, leaning against his father, he asked him one question after another what he should do to be polite and likable.

What should he do to be likable?

Bai Sheng was lounging on the sofa. It was rare for him not to be working. He wore blue-light-blocking black-framed glasses and pajamas, reading on his e-reader. Hearing the question, he reached up to adjust his glasses, then turned his head to look at the little one.

Bai Sheng's reading speed was actually very fast, but because this book was about parenting, he had slowed down, reading each word carefully and thoughtfully.

The little one had been flipping through his picture book for a while, still a bit excited. Now, hugging his book, he snuggled up next to Bai Sheng, tilting his head up to ask him a question.

His big eyes sparkled as he leaned in softly, asking in his babyish voice what else he could do to be even better behaved.

He sighed.

Bai Sheng stared at Xiaobai Nuo for a few seconds before reaching out and patting him on the head.

This kid didn't need to do anything to have people completely wrapped around his finger, did he?

Bai Sheng had already acknowledged the "power" of his own child.

Even he had been feeling a bit distracted lately.

This little guy's praise had gone to his head.

"You're already very well-behaved," Bai Sheng said.

"Really?"

"Yeah. They'll all like Nuo Nuo. You'll make more friends in the future."

Bai Sheng moved his hand from the little one's fluffy head down to his back, gently patting him in a soothing manner.

The newbie dad was still thinking—earlier, he was content with just having a little monitor, and when meeting kids his age, he was a bit scared and reserved. But now he had really adapted and clearly liked his little friends.

As expected, children can quickly get along and play together.

Oh, then once he started kindergarten, wouldn't this little guy be so happy he'd forget all about home? Looking forward to playing with his friends every day?

The newbie dad couldn't help thinking.

Then he felt the little one climb up. Earlier, he had been sitting on the edge of the sofa, just leaning against his leg. Now, the little one moved inward and plopped down right next to Bai Sheng, squeezing himself into the small gap between the sofa and Bai Sheng.

The slightly higher body temperature of the young child came through the fabric, carrying the faint scent of the ointment applied after his bath.

Leaning against Bai Sheng, clutching his picture book, and full of anticipation for tomorrow, he softly said, "But Nuo Nuo will always love Daddy the most."

Bai Sheng: ...

Bai Sheng's fingers froze.

The pages in front of him didn't turn for a long time. After a moment of stillness, the screen automatically turned off. Only then did Bai Sheng snap out of it and tap the screen back on.

He responded in the same neutral tone: "Mm."

He relaxed his posture slightly, letting the little one lean more comfortably. The rustle of the little one’s picture book pages mingled with the soft clicks of Bai Sheng's e-reader.

—This kid must have some kind of magic, right? Dad doesn’t care about some title like "favorite" anyway.

The next afternoon came quickly.

The little one, holding his father's hand, arrived at the Xie family villa, full of anticipation.

This place was different from the sprawling Bai family mansion.

It was a villa complex built less than eight years ago, with a style distinct from the old Bai residence.

The little one got out of the car. Today, he was wearing a khaki long-sleeved hoodie printed with cookies and cakes, and the ends of the hoodie drawstrings were shaped like two fluffy dark-colored cookies, swaying as he moved.

The little one looked around curiously.

Xie Yu and Shi Lin were already waiting at the door to welcome them.

They heard the little one sweetly call out, "Hello, Uncle. Hello, Auntie."

The three little ones stood in a line behind the glass door. Xie Qing and Xie Yue were pressed against the door, looking out, already leaving their face prints on the spotlessly clean glass, as usual.

Yu Chuyan was a bit more reserved. He was wearing a black-and-white short-sleeved shirt, his little arms crossed over his chest. His 'little cool guy' face still had a trace of baby fat, looking very composed, but his eyes were already fixed on the visitor.

"The brothers have prepared toys and games. Nuo Nuo, would you like to go upstairs and play with them?" Xie Yu bent down and said with a smile.

Shi Lin also smiled. "Auntie has prepared cake and pastries, freshly baked and still warm. Would you like juice or milk? We also have honey at home."

At the mention of food, the little one's eyes lit up.

Like a walking cookie, he stood before Shi Lin, looking up at her eagerly: "Thank you, Auntie. Did you make them yourself? You're so amazing!"

Shi Lin laughed, reached behind her, and pinched Xie Yu. When he winced and looked at her, she raised her chin slightly. 'Me, amazing.'

Xie Yu: ...

Xie Yu leaned in and said, "Your uncle helped your auntie as an assistant, you know."

The little sweet-talker didn't stop praising: "Uncle is amazing too."

Oh my goodness, what a little angel!

Xie Yu clutched at his chest.

Every time he saw Xiaobai Nuo, the impact felt as strong as the first meeting.

Xie Yu looked at Bai Sheng—a strong sense of jealousy!

Finally, the door was opened. The little one was flanked by one person on each side. Yu Chuyan stood on his left, Xie Qing on his right. Xie Yue, unable to get a good spot, hopped around anxiously, trying to push his brother away, only to get a smack from his brother in return.

Knowing they would be apart for a while, the little one hugged Dou Dou and said goodbye to his father.

Seeing that her two boys were about to start a ruckus again, Shi Lin’s brow twitched. She had the nanny keep an eye on things, then simply pushed her own two boys aside and stood to the little one's right.

“Alright, go upstairs and play with your little brother. Didn’t you find a lot of games? Do you want to play Ludo or Monopoly? Let the nanny set it up for you.”

The Xie twins, who had been pushed aside, looked over.

Xie Qing: ...

Xie Yue: ...

It’s Mom. Well, fine, no more fighting.

The two little ones finally obediently held hands and followed their mother upstairs.

Watching the four little ones go up, Xie Yu casually grabbed his thin jacket from the coat rack.

“Yu Chen’s place is quiet. Let’s talk over there?”

Bai Sheng watched Xiaobai Nuo’s figure disappear before standing up and nodding casually.

Xie Yu noticed this too, a bit confused.

He felt like every time he saw Bai Sheng, it changed his impression—how come Xiaobai Nuo wasn’t this reluctant to part, but this dad seemed to have more separation anxiety than the little guy?

But that couldn’t be, right?

This was Bai Sheng, after all.

In the end, the four little ones decided to play Ludo in pairs, two on a team. All eight pieces for each player had to reach the finish for the team to win.

The prize was the small cake that Shi Lin had made best.

The twin Alpha kids ‘smoothly’ ended up on the same team, and Xiaobai Nuo had already sat down next to Yu Chuyan.

The little guy had never played Ludo before, blinking as he looked at the colorful board.

Yu Chuyan was explaining the rules to Xiaobai Nuo, then pushed a stack of cookies over to him. Fearing the kids might fight, Shi Lin had even packed four separate plates of cookies.

“Thank you, big brother. Brother Xiao Yan, you eat too.”

Xiaobai Nuo listened attentively, holding the cookie in his little hands and nibbling it bite by bite.

Even though the nanny was watching, with four kids suddenly in the house, Shi Lin wasn’t comfortable going back to the study to work, so she decided to stay here for now.

With this little omega around, her own boys didn’t seem as naughty—what was this?

This was the power of role models!

Mom is so happy. Does Mom not have to scrub little monkeys today?

“Nono, have you never played Ludo before?”

Yu Chuyan was suddenly handed a cookie by the little guy. He also took a bite, blinking as he looked at Xiaobai Nuo.

Although Yu Chuyan lacked his parents’ care, his elder brother had taken on most of the responsibility during his upbringing. Even when busy, his brother made time to play with Yu Chuyan and even humbly asked the Xie couple to look after Yu Chuyan.

So while Yu Chuyan sometimes envied the atmosphere at Uncle and Auntie Xie’s house, he didn’t feel like he had nothing.

But Xiaobai Nuo was so different.

His curiosity about his surroundings was especially obvious among children his age.

Over there, the Xie twins, who were squabbling over a cookie again, also looked over.

“Nono hasn’t seen this before, but it sounds fun.”

Xiaobai Nuo’s eyes sparkled, and he looked at the colorful board with a hint of reverence.

To be precise—the little guy only got toys after coming to the Bai family.

These bright colors were a luxury for Xiaobai Nuo in the apocalypse.

The apocalypse was dark and dreary, filled with flying dust.

Xie Qing reached out and pushed away his brother’s face that had leaned in, then looked down at the rabbit-shaped cookie he had snatched. He held out the cookie and placed it on the plate closest to Xiaobai Nuo. In a childish voice, though he was quick to fight, he seemed more composed than Xie Yue: “Eat this one. It has filling.”

“Huh?”

Xiaobai Nuo snapped back to attention.

Xie Yue, who was a step slower, snorted lightly and stood up. Behind him was the graffiti they had left on the wall with oil pastels, colors as bright as the Ludo board.

“Mom’s cookies with filling are really good. I used to be the youngest, but now I give them all to little brother.”

Xiaobai Nuo looked at the cookies on his small plate, then noticed that Yu Chuyan was also placing cookies onto his plate one by one.

Yu Chuyan looked seriously at Xiaobai Nuo. He knew from his brother that Xiaobai Nuo hadn’t had a good life before coming to the Bai family, so he said with certainty, “I’ll bring all the fun toys over to play with you.”

Over there, Xie Yue patted his chest. “Don’t worry, Little Brother Nuo Nuo. In the future, I can snatch anything for you.”

Xie Qing snorted.

Xie Yue struck instantly, locking his brother’s neck.

“Waaaah! What do you mean by that, big brother?!”

“I mean you don’t have that ability, so don’t make promises.”

Xie Qing reached back and grabbed Xie Yue’s face.

But before Shi Lin’s brow could twitch again and she stepped in, she saw the little guy freeze for two seconds, then push his own small plate forward.

Xiaobai Nuo had always been a sharing little guy. Even if he liked the cookies, he lowered his eyes, then looked up and smiled at the three bigger boys: “But food tastes better when shared. You big brothers like them too, right?”

The big brothers shared their snacks with Nuo Nuo, and Nuo Nuo wanted to share his snacks with his big brothers.

Author’s note:

Shi Lin: Why isn’t this baby in my family? [crying] [crying] [crying] Drive Bai Sheng away, drive Bai Sheng away! [crying] [crying] [crying] Xie Yu: Wife, wife, are you trying to get us killed?!