Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Oh no—he only saw the adorable little one, and he was used to joking around with the kids, so he forgot for a moment whose child this was.

Cen Liu’s back was drenched in cold sweat as he looked at his cousin, who seemed a bit lazy, with a slight curl to his lips but wasn't in the best mood.

The colorful pinwheel in Bai Sheng’s hand spun with a whirring sound.

How could this guy still look like a living demon even while holding such a childlike toy?!

Does that make any sense?

“Dad.”

Xiaobai Nuo turned his head immediately.

The little one who had just been shaking hands with Cen Liu lit up the moment he noticed Bai Sheng’s return. He instinctively tried to hop down from the chair, but Bai Sheng scooped him up and stuffed the pinwheel into his hand.

Then Cen Liu watched in horror as the living demon softened like spring rain—his expression instantly softening.

Seriously, this was terrifying. He had no idea Bai Sheng could switch moods so fast.

Cen Liu, who had been beaten up by Bai Sheng quite a bit as a kid, involuntarily stepped back and happened to meet Bai Jin’s gaze from the other side.

They exchanged a look, both catching the subtle look in each other’s eyes.

Both felt the same—so there are still normal people in this world.

“I was just saying, it’s only been a while, Bai San, and you already have a kid, and such a cute one, haha.”

Cen Liu scratched his head with a dry laugh, his innocent, harmless face full of guilt.

Of course, he had almost wanted to pick up the 'wild' cute little human and take him home.

“Oh.”

Bai Sheng held the little one firmly, looking over with a half-smile, clearly having heard every word Cen Liu said and clearly not happy about it.

“Cen Liu, I believe your flower language must be ‘can take a punch,’ right?”

Cen Liu: …

Had this guy always been this much of a troll?

Xiaobai Nuo looked at his dad, then at his cousin, and whispered in his dad's ear—though the little one's voice carried to all the alphas in the room: “Dad, what does flower language mean?”

Bai Sheng looked down at the tiny little one holding a pinwheel almost as big as his head in his hands, his little body snuggled against his dad’s chest, his big eyes full of curiosity.

Usually, he would ask Dou Dou these questions, but today, since Dou Dou was packed in the suitcase and not with him, Xiao Bai Nuo dumped all his curious questions onto his father. As he asked, he still remembered his ‘mission,’ staring intently at Cen Zhi.

Cen Zhi watched the father and son interact with a smile, then got up and patted Cen Liu on the shoulder, signaling for him to hurry and lead the way.

Bai Sheng didn't bother to argue with Cen Liu. He whispered something to the little one and carried him off toward the inside of the scenic area.

They had come early because of today's filming schedule.

They were staying here for four days, but were actually leaving the morning of the fourth day. Bai Sheng couldn’t be away from the company for too long, and Cen Zhi was just here to help out and find inspiration. They both had work to get back to.

Bai Jin, on the other hand, was fine with staying here a few more days. He slowly got up and followed behind Cen Liu, clearly not in the best mood either.

Cen Liu touched his nose guiltily, glanced again at the child in Bai Sheng’s arms, quickened his pace and composed himself.

That kid was indeed very cute, and Bai family members were always good-looking. Cen Liu had seen many child stars in the entertainment industry too. Other than having his heart melted a bit at first, it was fine.

…Of course, mostly because Bai Sheng scared the hell out of him.

And what was up with Bai Sheng anyway?

Cen Liu had never thought Bai Sheng would be someone who could take care of a child. If Bai Sheng had a kid, he’d probably just let them run wild, right?

That’s what Cen Liu had thought before, until now, seeing Bai Sheng’s reaction.

Really unexpected, but not entirely surprising.

Cen Liu watched the little one, who was lying on Bai Sheng's shoulder, notice him staring. He blinked his big eyes and gave him a sweet, soft smile, then nestled back against his father to look at his grandmother.

This kid was different from a lot of the wild kids Cen Liu had encountered.

Cen Liu was stunned for a few seconds, then couldn’t help but mutter—this little one is pretty well-behaved.

Cen Liu led the group to the filming location.

This area was deep inside Chestnut Mountain. It was quiet, surrounded by tall trees and low shrubs, with many antique-style buildings.

The crew was still shooting. Cen Zhi was clearly used to this. As the stylist team came over to her, she gently touched the little one’s head.

“Nono, don’t you want to go look around with Dad?”

Even though she didn't have much to do, it would take a few hours.

The little one was still holding the pinwheel. After Grandma touched his head, he looked up and instinctively rubbed his curly head against her palm. Hearing this, he looked at his dad, then at his grandmother, sat up straight in his chair, and said seriously, “Nono has to watch Grandma.”

And also, also—

The little one's eyes went wide and he said softly, “After Grandma is done, we’ll go see together.”

Grandma also had to come see, and Nono had to watch Grandma.

Cen Zhi paused.

She looked at the little one sitting obediently on the small chair, then at his dad behind him, lounging on a recliner like he was on vacation with his eyes closed, and at the uncle sprawled on a rocking chair, one leg dangling and swinging.

There were people watching, so the kid wouldn’t get into trouble, but were you two too relaxed?

Her temper flared, and Cen Zhi felt like she was back in the childhood of these Alpha kids.

Five Alphas. Was her pity system finally kicking in?

Great. Her fists clenched.

Bai Sheng and Bai Jin both looked confused, as if their mom had suddenly punched each of them.

Bai Sheng was usually busy, but now, taking a rare rest, he was unhurriedly. He looked at his little one, waved him over, and watched as the kid pattered over. Bai Sheng lifted him up, set him beside himself, and placed the picture book into the little one's arms.

“A picture book!”

The little one gasped in awe.

He loved these colorful pictures and stories. Usually, Cen Zhi read them to him.

Bai Sheng hadn't been very good at reading picture books with the little one before. For him, the information in a child's picture book was far too sparse, often causing him to flip the page before the little cub had even finished looking at the pictures.

Cen Zhi, on the other hand, was nothing like that.

But lately, watching Cen Zhi accompany the little one through the books, Bai Sheng had learned quite a bit.

He now patiently sat with the cub and read together.

Over on the other side, Bai Jin listened for a while. Though he was shocked that Bai Sheng had such patience, the reading eventually became quite hypnotic. Not wanting to fall asleep, he flipped up, landed lightly, and said with hands in his pockets, "I'm going to take a stroll. I'll be back soon."

With that, Bai Jin walked out, pausing to glance back at the little cub nestled against his father.

Xiaobai Nuo had been craning his neck, but when their eyes met, he shrank back as if afraid of being "auto-picked," pressing tighter against Bai Sheng.

Bai Jin nearly laughed in exasperation.

Was this little tattletale holding a grudge?

It seemed like he had never gotten a good reaction from this cub. But if that were the case, logically, the rest of the Bai family should also be on the cub's grudge list.

As Bai Jin walked out, he rubbed his chin and suddenly felt that the "that's fine" comments from his eldest brother and grandfather were a bit off.

No way? That inexplicable "fine" couldn't mean something was wrong, could it?

Meanwhile, the performers over there had also noticed the commotion.

They whispered among themselves while waiting for Cen Zhi.

"Wow, what's with that cub over there? So cute! Is he some child star I don't know? Is he also in the show?"

"Probably brought by Teacher Cen. Must be family."

"If he ever becomes a little star, he'd be huge. Remember those few little alpha cubs a few years back? One variety show and they skyrocketed to fame, even bringing luck to their companies. Kid variety shows have cooled off lately, but judging by this cub's appearance, just a trailer would boost ratings enough just for a glimpse of this little cutie."

"Don't joke. Didn't you hear him call Teacher Cen 'Grandma'? That's the newly public little omega cub from the Bai family. The one holding him must be the third young master of the Bai family. You know what the Bai family means, right? Totally different from other companies and families. They'd never let their child be put online for everyone to comment on—not even a photo would be released. And don't even think about trying to get close. I saw someone try earlier and get turned away."

They chatted until Cen Zhi was ready, then quickly followed the crew's directions.

It wasn't until lunchtime that the work paused for a while.

The little cub had long finished his picture book and was now holding his father's phone.

When Cen Zhi approached, she saw the cub on a video call. On the other end were the family members who had stayed home: Bai Qian, Bai Yan, and Bai Jingyun.

The little cub, who had been holding the phone up to show the surroundings to those who couldn't come, saw his grandmother approach. He propped himself up from beside his father and called out softly, "Grandma, look at Grandpa! Grandpa misses you."

Cen Zhi: ...?

Bai Qian: ...What?

On the video call, Bai Qian had been drinking water. At this sudden remark, he choked, coughing violently. After a moment, he looked up in confusion. "I did not."

He never said that!

"Huh?"

Xiaobai Nuo blinked.

"Didn't Grandpa keep asking about Grandma? Isn't that missing Grandma?"

He patted his little chest.

"Don't worry, Grandpa. Nuo Nuo will take good care of Grandma for you."

Bai Qian: "...Grandpa didn't say that."

His voice had weakened a bit.

Xiaobai Nuo earnestly continued, "Grandpa, Grandma said last time you have to say it yourself."

Can't always have Nuo Nuo summarize for you.

Bai Qian: ...Can't you stop summarizing?!

Cen Zhi let out a laugh.

Rarely seeing Bai Qian at a loss for words, she was enjoying the show when the noise behind her grew louder. The crew was quickly packing up equipment, and someone shouted that it was raining.

Indeed, a few raindrops were starting to fall from the sky.

Cen Zhi reached out her hand to feel them. The rain picked up slightly in that moment. Before she could comment on how fast the weather changed in the mountains, she noticed the little cub suddenly jump up.

A large flying insect had flown out from the grass.

Before the cub could even cry out, Cen Zhi saw Bai Sheng flinch on the other side, startled by the bug.

The Bai family was absolutely useless when it came to bugs. Cen Zhi thought, swiftly reaching out and swatting the insect away from the cub, then stepping on it.

She was about to say "all clear" when she saw the little cub peek out from behind her, and Bai Sheng had also sat up from his recliner, craning his neck to see.

The father and son... plus the equally curious trio from the Bai family on the phone screen. What an absurd scene.

Cen Zhi found it amusing. She said goodbye and ended the call, then looked down at the little cub, whose eyes were shining.

"Grandma, you're amazing!"

How ridiculous, she thought. The entire Bai family—and she, the one who married in, was the only one unafraid of bugs.

"Grandma is indeed stronger in this area," Cen Zhi said, placing a small hat on the cub. Then she looked at Bai Sheng, who had stood up.

"Where's your brother?"

"No idea where he wandered off to."

Bai Sheng said casually, then reached out his hand, feeling the rain coming down harder. Frowning, he began removing his jacket. He quickly walked to Xiaobai Nuo and wrapped the jacket around the cub.

"Let's go back to the hotel first."

The cub, now covered tightly by his father's jacket, poked his head out. A few raindrops landed on his face, carrying the cool, mountain air.

Xiaobai Nuo looked at the hammock chair where his uncle had been sitting.

"Dad, it's raining. Shouldn't we find Uncle?"

Even though Nuo Nuo is wary of Uncle and doesn't get close, Nuo Nuo knows that getting wet in the rain is uncomfortable and will make you cold.

In the past, losing body heat was terrifying—you might never wake up.

So back then, young pups who’d been sick a few times got really good at finding shelter.

He remembered that awful feeling, so when faced with ignoring his uncle or going to find him, his heart softened and he chose the latter.

Just then, Cen Liu came over: "There are umbrellas and raincoats over there, and we’ve got some for the kid too. It’s been raining a lot on Chestnut Mountain lately, and it could start pouring any minute. The road down is full of trees—it’s way too dangerous to go down now. Let’s grab a restaurant up here, eat something, and wait for the rain to pass, then go to the hotel after the rain completely stops in the afternoon."

Bai Sheng wasn’t exactly the brotherly type; he just watched the little one put on his yellow raincoat, holding a small umbrella, turning around in wonder, looking up at him adorably, then watching the rain get heavier, all eager. It was obvious—this was his first time in a raincoat with a cute clear umbrella, and he was dying to go out in the rain.

At that point, the whole purpose shifted—it wasn’t just about tracking down Bai Jin anymore.

Bai Sheng tilted his head under his umbrella and figured the little guy had been kept healthy for so long, a quick walk in the rain couldn’t hurt. It wasn’t cold on Chestnut Mountain, and because of the many trees, there was no wind in this ancient-style building complex.

Cen Zhi watched the little guy without stopping him, just smiling and following along, told him that if he played for a bit and still couldn’t find his uncle, he should come right back.

After all, Bai Jin wasn’t going to get lost—worst case, he’d get a little wet.

For a top Alpha, getting caught in the rain was no big deal.

And pups are supposed to be curious, exploring under their parents’ watch—Bai Sheng got that completely.

Bai Sheng was holding his own umbrella and carrying a spare clear one as he and Cen Zhi followed the little guy, watching him toddle ahead excitedly, feet going pitter-patter.

Then he lifted his little umbrella and, in his babyish voice, looked up at him from underneath.

"Daddy, let's go!"

Bai Jin really was just hanging around nearby.

He was getting ready to head back when he figured it was about time.

And right then, it started raining, and the rain quickly picked up.

Bai Jin swiftly dodged into a corner, watching the sky darken and the rain patter loudly on the leaves.

Bai Jin shook the rainwater off his hands and clicked his tongue lightly: "How come it just started pouring all of a sudden?"

What now?

Bai Jin looked at the curtain of rain outside.

Go back in the rain?

He himself didn't really mind going back in the rain.

But if he ran back, he’d end up soaked—and that little snitch would totally make fun of him.

Might as well wait a bit, then.

Bai Jin took out his phone from his pocket, spun it in his hand, and lit up the screen. He glanced at the message Cen Zhi had sent—

asking where he was.

He had no idea what this courtyard was called, so how was he supposed to say where he was? At least he remembered the way back to the hotel.

"I’ll just wait till everyone clears out and the rain lets up, then head back to the hotel."

Bai Jin muttered softly.

He didn’t mind being left here at all.

After all, everyone knows how tough a top Alpha is—no one would worry.

In this gap, Bai Jin started looking at various messages on his phone again.

He leaned against a pillar, chin on his hand, scrolling. His slightly roguish, wild brows naturally looked fierce when they lifted.

Lab stuff? That’s second brother’s domain. Going to cause trouble? Sure. Helping him? No way.

E-sports? Not feeling it lately.

Mountain racing? New track?

This one actually looked kind of interesting.

Bai Jin’s fingers tapped the screen, its glow lighting up his face.

He could hear the rain and the jingling of bells tied to a nearby big tree with red silk ribbons, a cool breeze blew, and everything felt slow and easy.

Then—

The sound of footsteps splashing through puddles got closer.

Bai Jin froze, then instinctively looked up. From one side of the round arch, a little one in a bright yellow raincoat with an umbrella came toddling out, footsteps going pitter-patter.

The little pup met his gaze, then toddled over, turning his head to call out behind him: "Daddy, Grandma, Nono found Uncle!"

The little guy had on tiny rain boots and had been splashing through puddles the whole way. All hyped up, he forgot to keep his distance and came sloshing over to the porch, held his little umbrella up high.

"Uncle, umbrella."

Bai Jin: ...

Bai Jin: ...

The light on Bai Jin's phone screen went out.

He belatedly noticed his mom and third brother following the little one onto the porch.

Wait—they came to find him?

...And what’s that tiny umbrella gonna do for your uncle? It won’t even cover me!

Little tattletale.

Bai Jin looked at the little guy, itching to grab him, but with his mom and third brother there, he held back from scooping him up.

"Oh, no, not this one."

The little guy instinctively held out the umbrella he had, then caught himself, pulled it back, and turned to his dad.

Bai Sheng was also standing on the porch. When he wasn’t working, Bai Sheng was always lazy and couldn’t be bothered to talk to people. He glanced at Bai Jin and as usual had no good temper: "You sure picked a hard place to hide."

He tossed the umbrella in his hand to Bai Jin, then looked at Xiaobai Nuo.

"Found him, let's go eat?"

"Uh-huh!"

The little guy nodded, holding up his small umbrella, and was drawn by the sound of chimes nearby.

The little guy looked over at the big tree beside them.

Then he chattered curiously in his father's ear.

"Daddy, Daddy, what is this? Why are there so many red ribbons tied on this tree?"

Bai Sheng glanced over at it.

"Looks like it's a wishing tree?"

"A wishing tree?"

Xiaobai Nuo blinked, not quite understanding.

To him, this tree just looked a bit bigger than the others, nothing really different from the trees around it.

So Bai Sheng walked around, glanced at the signboard, and turned back to Xiaobai Nuo.

"It says here that in this building complex, this tree is the oldest, so people come to write their wishes on it, burn incense, and pray. Those strips of cloth hold wishes and blessings—it’s a kind of tradition. Nuo Nuo, do you want to write one? Daddy can help you write it and hang it up."

Bai Sheng, this parent who spoiled the child mercilessly, began looking for the staff member in charge despite the rain.

Xiaobai Nuo looked up at the red silk ribbons hanging down, which hung like drooping flowers, occasionally letting out a soft jingle.

"But Daddy, it's raining now. If I write a wish, it'll get wet."

"Then we'll write it after the rain stops?"

Their conversation continued unhurriedly, the deep voice mingling with the childish, milky tones, creating a harmonious rhythm.

Bai Jin listened from behind, slowly shook his umbrella open. He stepped out from under the eaves, and the rain fell onto the transparent canopy, muffling the conversation between the father and son.

Bai Jin gazed at that small figure, lost in thought.

Bai Jin couldn't understand how a kid like this could exist in this world. After all the hardships he'd been through, all those scars and experiences, wouldn't that teach him to stop being so pointlessly soft-hearted?

Bai Jin walked slowly up behind the father and son. Cen Zhi was standing nearby, smiling while she listened to Bai Sheng's endless answers to the little one's questions.

Then Bai Jin heard the little one speak to Bai Sheng in that soft voice: "Daddy, do you have a wish?"

"Hmm?"

Bai Jin heard his third brother ask lazily in return, as if the question amused him.

"Why do you ask?"

Of course, Bai Sheng would ask that.

Bai Sheng never believed in this kind of thing. Though not as efficiency-driven as Bai Liang, Bai Sheng still thought many things were a waste of time—including making wishes and hanging them up in places like this.

Or rather, wish-making was meaningless to Bai Sheng. If he wanted, he could grant many people's wishes himself.

But because it was for this little one, Bai Sheng showed astonishing patience and tolerance.

So even though he'd only been back for a few days, Bai Jin felt a sharp sense of wrongness every time he saw it, just like the current atmosphere in the Bai household.

It was just too strange, making Bai Jin uncomfortable all over. That's why he'd decided to tag along this time.

But then Bai Jin heard the little one mumbling and making gestures, standing right beside his father.

Xiaobai Nuo looked up at his dad: "If Daddy's wish has something to do with Nuo Nuo, remember to tell me."

Bai Sheng looked down at him. The little one's voice was especially bright.

Other wishes might not be possible, but—

"If it has something to do with Nuo Nuo, then you don't need to make a wish! Nuo Nuo will work hard to make it come true for you, Daddy."

Author's Note:

Daddy: The world has only one perfect little one like this, be like—

Little Uncle: …

Big Uncle: Now you know how I felt before? "Pokes his head in"

~