Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Whether it's rivers, lakes, seas, or high mountains and cliffs, to a five-year-old cub who survives by scavenging, using his wits, sharp instincts, and a knack for running away, it's all way too scary.

He has seen too much and been hurt many times. That's precisely why this little cub is more sensitive than adults living in a peaceful world, like how parents sometimes don't get why their kid freaks out now and then.

If they truly understood, no longer having a vague perception, it would suddenly click for them.

He fears bugs more than anyone in the Bai family because in the apocalypse, bugs mutated the most and were the biggest pain, and they'd squeeze into every crack and crevice to hunt.

He gets up earlier and sleeps lighter than other kids his age because in the apocalypse, if you weren't vigilant, you might never open your eyes after closing them.

He dislikes strongly flavored food because in the apocalypse, food that could kill you left the little guy traumatized.

...

Compared to adults, the tiny cub understands the horror of these things better.

Of course, the little guy is scared.

But Nono loves listening to Grandma read picture books, loves being called "baby," loves playing with toys with Grandma, and being led around by her.

So, Nono will never let Grandma be eaten by the mountain.

He won't let Grandma die in an accident like in the story.

Cen Zhi's eyes went wide as she saw the cub still tightly gripping his father's clothes, their foreheads touching, and heard him continue.

"Nono made a wish, Grandma promised to always be fine, and Grandma is fine now... that's good."

Nono's voice was really quiet, his eyes red from holding back tears, but he said it.

"You promised, Grandma! You gotta keep your word."

That's exactly what the little guy thought.

If Grandma is always here, then Grandpa won't be sad, and Dad, uncles, aunts, and little uncle won't confront each other without reservation, ending in a miserable outcome.

Grandma is important.

Nono has always thought so: Grandma is especially amazing. Grandma can control Grandpa, Dad, Big Uncle, Second Uncle, Aunt, and Little Uncle.

If he had to say it, Nono thinks Grandma is more important than Nono.

The little guy doesn't ask for much. Even if it's just a little bit of happiness, it's something Nono got by luck. It's even better than finding fresh tasty food in the apocalypse. With that kind of luck, he's already more than happy. If Nono's family can live well, then Nono doesn't have to be that important—in the apocalypse, greed gets you eaten, you know.

Their foreheads pressed together, eyes locked, this is more than just verbal communication; it's an expression of panic and relief.

Cen Zhi had been so touched by Nono's words before, thinking they were just innocent kid talk, the emotion welling up now was a hundred times more intense.

She didn't know what the little guy was thinking, only saw him looking terrified yet still exceptionally well-behaved. Cen Zhi felt her hands and feet go cold, and the next moment, her face was hot and wet, tears already streaming down.

Cen Zhi's voice was many times more agitated than before.

"You little troublemaker! You scared Grandma to death, you know that? How could you run over?! Sob sob sob... you scared Grandma to death. If you had gotten hurt, what would I do? Then I'd never be able to keep your dad in line, and Grandma would be heartbroken too. Do you know how important you are to me, Nono?"

Was it because he was well-behaved, cute, sensible, and a little omega that she liked the cub? No, none of that matters.

Well-behaved? Sensible? Those can go out the window. Even if he becomes a willful, naughty cub like the five A-cubs she raised, as long as he grows up healthy, nothing else is important.

Hot tears dropped onto the little guy's face. The little one heard that he was important.

He instinctively reached out to wipe Grandma's tears, but couldn't wipe them dry. Dad stayed silent. Finally, the little cub broke down sobbing: "But I... I was just so scared that Grandma wouldn't be able to read me picture books anymore."

"Alright, don't cry, don't cry. I was wrong, you're not a troublemaker. I just got too worried a moment ago. You're so brave, don't cry. But don't scare me like that next time, okay?"

Cen Zhi coaxed the cub in a low voice.

The surroundings were still quiet.

Bai Jin said nothing, his fists clenched, clearly still shaken.

Bai Sheng held the cub, his hands locked tight, staring out the window with a frown.

"Aunt, wipe your tears. Check if you're hurt."

Cen Liu, who'd also just narrowly escaped death, took a deep breath. He almost shed tears himself.

Though he'd shielded Cen Zhi from a lot of flying debris, the little one still got a scratch. There was no way Cen Zhi came out unscathed. But her tense expression earlier made everyone afraid to ask.

Cen Zhi didn't want to check. She wanted to take the cub back from Bai Sheng, but couldn't manage. So she just moved her arms and legs a little, checking for any pain.

"Uncle Cen is okay too?" Cen Liu saw the tiny cub peek out from behind Cen Zhi, his big wet eyes looking at him. "That's great."

"...Uncle Cen is so strong, of course he's okay."

Cen Liu pulled himself together and forced a smile.

All the adults reacted the same way—they couldn't risk scaring the little one any more.

Too much shock could be bad for him.

Ahead was an open area. Quite a few tourists from Chestnut Mountain were already there, waiting uneasily. They also saw the other vehicles from their show crew. The show's second unit was closer to the clearing. Aside from a few shattered windows on the side from rocks, a quick glance showed everyone was fine.

The tense string in Cen Liu's heart finally relaxed slowly. He couldn't help but look at the cub being carried out of the car by Bai Sheng.

Uncle Cen was also shaken. He wanted to hold the cub too. Uncle Cen was almost scared to death.

This little thing didn't realize—when he indirectly saved his life and said "you're okay, that's great," what kind of impact that had on an adult.

Over there, the park staff came running over, panicked. Hearing that no one was injured, he breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Good, good. I just heard from someone who came back that there was a major rockfall on that viewing platform. It scared me to death. We just settled the people around and were organizing a search party for you. Luckily you all came back safely. Everyone's okay."

"The situation was quite dangerous."

Cen Zhi hadn't snapped back yet. The two top A-rank Bai family members didn't seem interested in talking. Bai Sheng had already carried the cub toward the doctor. Bai Jin pulled Cen Zhi along and glanced at Cen Liu.

Cen Liu let out a breath and stepped forward to talk to the staff.

Xiaobai Nuo had just a small cut. He was surrounded by a group of adults who carefully dabbed it with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.

Cen Zhi was protected by Cen Liu for a moment, with just a few bruises on her arm that were quickly taken care of.

After Bai Sheng quickly got the gist of what was happening around him and turned around, he saw Cen Zhi tightly holding the little cub in her arms.

The little one was gently stroking his grandma’s cheek, occasionally, glancing over at his father.

Compared to the visibly shaken adults, the little cub appeared calmer.

Bai Jin stood not far away, still on edge, observing his surroundings and occasionally checking his phone for signal and network recovery.

Bai Sheng approached, gently touched the little cub’s head.

For now, he let Cen Zhi hold the little one.

But seeing this scene, Bai Sheng couldn’t help recalling how the little one had clung to him before—at the Bai Corp building, when the car was about to hit, the child flung out his arms to shield him.

It was similar… but this time even more dangerous.

Cen Zhi could barely control her emotions.

Bai Sheng thought, “I have to stay even calmer right now.”

Expressionless, Bai Sheng grabbed alcohol, ointment, and cotton swabs, and walked over to Cen Liu, who was grimacing while pulling off his shirt.

Honestly, Cen Liu was intimidated by Bai Sheng like this.

But he had to admit, at times like this, Bai Sheng was incredibly reliable. After confirming the cub was fine, the top-tier alpha’s leadership skills quickly organized everything.

It’s just that his expression was too cold, kind of scary.

Unlike the Bai family alphas, Cen Liu wasn’t a brooder by nature. He wanted to lighten the atmosphere, so he smiled: “Bai San, when Auntie’s done holding him, shouldn’t it be my turn? You go do your thing, I’ll watch the kid. I’m free.”

A crack, followed by a howl of pain.

Bai Sheng looked at the alcohol bottle cap he’d just pried off, then at Cen Liu, whose back was now soaked in alcohol: “Oops, I pulled too hard.”

Cen Liu, sensing the intent: “Listen to yourself—are you even speaking human?! Can you not say something like that with a straight face?!”

This is pure payback, isn’t it?!

“Easy, easy! I just barely survived a life‑threatening situation, okay?”

Meanwhile, at the top floor of Bai Corp headquarters.

The assistant had just finished reporting, placing a cup of warm water beside Bai Qian.

The weather in Ang City was clear, a vast expanse of sunshine streaming in through the windows of the highest floor of the Bai business empire’s core headquarters.

Golden light fell on the sparkling jewelry on the jacket draped over the sofa, the small decorations on the table, a small clay figurine lying on its side, and a small paper flower casually placed on a high shelf.

Bai Qian kept a cold face, still looking grim and gloomy. He took a sip of water and turned to the next page of the document.

He glanced at the date and time.

These past few days, without Cen Zhi teasing him, without that little one chattering in his ear, nagging him to eat more, Bai Qian found himself strangely unsettled. He spoke up.

“They plan to come back tomorrow?”

“Yes, Madam sent the itinerary. Everything is booked. They’ll be home by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Mm.”

Bai Qian nodded, waving his hand for the assistant to leave.

The assistant was halfway to the door when his phone buzzed with a notification. He glanced at the screen instinctively, when a breaking news headline suddenly flashed up: ‘A 3.9-magnitude earthquake near Lishan, combined with days of continuous rain, caused multiple rockslides and landslides. Communications are down. One person is reported missing, and details are unclear.’

Lishan?

Behind him, the sound of a water cup hitting the floor and shattering broke the silence.

Author’s note:

Completely smitten · Cousin: I love this baby, I want him, want him [crying] I’ll raise him well

Dad: Alcohol assault

Cousin: Oww—