Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Is just one hug enough?

Is that all?

Bai Sheng didn't speak again. The night was quiet, the sound of rain rustling outside the window. This place wasn't too far from the Lishan Natural Scenic Area, and the weather in the vicinity had been poor since the disaster yesterday. The city had even started raining again in the middle of the night.

This should have been soothing white noise for sleep, but to Bai Sheng's ears, it seemed to replay everything from the morning. His already somewhat hazy thoughts instantly sharpened.

He couldn't fall asleep anymore.

The little cub had slept by himself before, and he hadn't spent much time sleeping with him. So even now, the newbie dad's movements as he gently patted the cub's back were still a bit awkward.

The little one in his arms seemed to relax after burrowing into his embrace, his breathing evening out again. But who knew how many more times he might be startled awake tonight.

Bai Sheng pursed his lips, all intention of sleep gone. He tucked the little one's blanket in properly.

The man, usually carefree and bitingly sarcastic to others, had a blank expression as he stared vaguely at a point in the distance, his eyes slightly unfocused. He was lost in thought—

He realized that the doctor's words seemed to apply to him too.

Even though he appeared very calm, he was indeed... also afraid.

Even though he had relaxed and gone to sleep early, worn out from yesterday, Xiaobai Nuo still opened his eyes at his usual time the next morning.

He yawned softly.

The little cub didn't remember much of the previous night clearly. He seemed to have jolted awake several times, dreaming of some plots and some apocalyptic scenes. But every time he opened his eyes, the hand that shielded him would quickly start patting and comforting him. So he would fall back into a daze and sleep again, until now.

"Daddy?"

Xiaobai Nuo felt the hand behind him start comforting him with practiced ease. He lifted his little head, his fluffy curls in a mess from rubbing against his father's chest all night, and looked at Bai Sheng quizzically.

Because at the time the little cub usually woke up, Bai Sheng was generally still asleep.

But today, Bai Sheng looked very alert. He was quietly watching him. Hearing his voice, Bai Sheng's hand paused, then he responded.

"Slept enough?"

"Mm."

The little cub had just nodded when Bai Sheng leaned down and felt the little one's forehead for his temperature.

He had repeated this action many times the previous night.

Although Xiaobai Nuo still didn't seem as energetic as before, he was much better than before he fell asleep yesterday.

Bai Sheng propped himself up and rubbed Xiaobai Nuo's belly.

"You didn't eat well yesterday. Are you hungry?"

The little cub also sat up, thought about it, and then stretched out his fingers to gesture. "A little."

Actually, Xiaobai Nuo could have forced himself to eat a bit more yesterday. Eating more meant surviving, which would put people at ease. But the little cub vaguely felt that his daddy probably didn't want him to force himself to eat.

There was so much food but he didn't want to eat it—he was such a bad Nono.

But wasn't Nono a villain cub? Wasn't he supposed to be a big bad guy?

The little cub was still a bit conflicted.

Bai Sheng had already picked him up to wash up.

The doctor had said that a frightened cub might lose his appetite and needed to recover slowly, but he had eaten too little yesterday. Bai Sheng was really worried.

Moreover, he had worked so hard to fatten the little guy up a bit; he had to eat something for breakfast.

After washing up, Bai Sheng carried the cub to the door. The little one squirmed in his arms.

"Daddy, daddy, we forgot Dou Dou."

The floor was flat here, so the little monitoring robot's wheels could roll more easily. Xiaobai Nuo always remembered Dou Dou.

Ah right, he really had forgotten.

Bai Sheng responded. He set the cub down and watched him patter over to Dou Dou's charging station.

Bai Sheng opened the door first and was waiting for the cub to come running back with Dou Dou when he heard a 'cutesy' voice beside him.

It was a real 'baby-talker.'

"Up so early, it must be Little Nuo Nuo? Come, Cousin will take you to the dining hall—Ouch!!"

Bai Jin and Cen Liu had been gaming all night. In the morning, Bai Jin remembered that Xiaobai Nuo got up very early every day. According to the servants, if you passed by Bai Sheng's place in the morning, there was a high chance you'd see Xiaobai Nuo in the garden watching the flowers grow.

Cen Liu got excited at that and insisted on waiting for the cub outside, claiming he'd guide Xiaobai Nuo, but the 'want-to-hug' in his eyes was practically spilling out.

Of course, Bai Jin thought that in an unfamiliar place, his third cousin wouldn't let the little one roam freely, but he still followed.

Then he heard Cen Liu make a creepy uncle voice. The next second, as Cen Liu spread his arms, Bai Sheng caught him by the wrist, flipped him cleanly and effortlessly.

*Thud—* followed by *Ouch—*

Bai Jin closed his eyes and took half a step back, finding it hard to watch.

Although alphas have good constitutions and wounds heal fast, and Cen Liu's injuries weren't serious enough to require bed rest, being directly flipped over was a bit too miserable, wasn't it?

Ah... but judging by the momentum just now, Cen Liu had almost hugged Bai Sheng.

Bai Jin felt that Cen Liu really deserved it.

Bai Sheng, who had reacted instinctively: ...

Who the hell would be lurking at a hotel door so early in the morning?

Cen Liu looked up, dazed from the fall, and saw Bai Sheng's gloomy face. His mouth was particularly sharp. "Are you having an episode this early? Did yesterday's vaccine go to waste? Need a booster shot today?"

Used to Bai Sheng's sarcasm, Cen Liu actually understood what he meant in an instant and blurted out, "I cut myself on a rock, not a dog bite."

Bai Sheng: "Hmph."

Cen Liu: ... Your 'hmph' just now means they're pretty much the same, right?!

"Cousin? What are you doing?"

Xiaobai Nuo had already come back to the doorway, holding Dou Dou.

He saw his dad leaning against the door, his cousin sprawled on the floor outside, and his uncle standing by the elevator.

The tiny cub didn't quite understand.

"Nono..." your cousin prepared a very nice breakfast for you.

Cen Liu's eyes lit up as he reached out his hand.

Then he heard the little guy say seriously, "Cousin, you can't sleep here."

Cen Liu: ...

Was I sleeping here?!

"I was clearly thrown down by your dad."

Not expecting you to blame your dad, come let your cousin dote on you a bit.

Then the three of them saw the little guy blinked a few times, look up at Bai Sheng, and exclaim in a cute, childish voice, "Dad, amazing!"

Cen Liu: ...

Cen Liu flopped onto the ground, as if he'd lost all means of resistance.

He seemed calm, but really he was out of ideas.

Why? What did Bai Sheng have that he didn't? That mean and annoying bastard—why?

He was so jealous he was almost rolling around on the hotel carpet.

Bai Jin, hearing this from the elevator, couldn't help but laugh out loud. He walked over and pulled up Cen Liu, who looked like he was about to pretend to fall.

"Dad arrived shortly after you guys went upstairs last night and took Mom to the room," Bai Jin said, still laughing. "You should've seen it—Dad was terrified, his face paler than cousin's."

Bai Sheng glanced at Bai Jin and said lazily, "You can't compare Cen Liu to that."

Working in this field, Cen Liu had never had much shame.

Cen Liu: "Hey!"

"But the others are under control. Since we're heading back today anyway, I didn't let them come over. Second brother and sister would definitely argue if they came, and big brother was sent back halfway. Grandpa also came to ask, and now they're probably all waiting at the old house."

Bai Jin added casually, wondering how Bai Jingyun had moved so fast. Then he crouched down to look at the little guy, let out a snort, and tried to pinch his face.

"You still look a bit out of it?"

Xiaobai Nuo blinked, judging his uncle, who was a bit too bold for the little cub to handle. He hugged Dou Dou and hid behind his dad.

Before Bai Jin could say anything about his empty hand,

footsteps sounded from not far away.

Xiaobai Nuo turned to look and met his grandmother's gaze.

Cen Zhi's long hair was loose, and she wore loose clothes. She seemed to have slept well last night—her complexion much rosier than when the little guy had been taken by his dad. She walked quickly over, followed by Bai Qian, who remained silent.

"Grandma."

The little guy let go of his dad's clothes, hugged Dou Dou, and padded over to Cen Zhi.

"Was everything okay last night? No fever?"

Cen Zhi crouched down, nervously touching the little guy's hands and then his cheek.

"He's fine. Temperature is normal."

Bai Sheng said, then exchanged a glance with Bai Qian before looking away indifferently. He started checking his phone for updates on the matter, scrolling lazily as if unconcerned, but always staying two or three steps from the little cub.

"Good, no illness."

Cen Zhi sighed in relief, ruffling the little guy's hair.

"Are you hungry today? Tell Grandma what you want to eat, or tell Grandpa, and he'll buy it for you."

"I'm a little hungry, but Nono doesn't really want to eat yet."

The little guy, with his chubby cheeks, pressed into Grandma's arms. He looked up at her, speaking softly.

"Can I?"

"Of course. Grandma will take Nono outside for a little walk, okay? But after the walk, you have to eat a little."

"Mm-hmm."

Xiaobai Nuo nodded vigorously.

After Grandma let go, he went politely to Grandpa and looked up. "Grandpa."

"Mm."

Bai Qian still had that expression, acknowledging him.

Actually, Xiaobai Nuo wasn't very familiar with Grandpa.

As the current power holder of the Bai family, Bai Qian was very busy—busier than all five A-levels of the Bai family. He hadn't done anything to make the little guy dislike him, but he spoke very little at home. Many said Bai Jingyun took after him entirely, but actually Bai Jingyun talked a bit more; he just had a habit of wearing an icy expression.

Bai Qian, however, was cold through and through. Except when facing Cen Zhi, he rarely showed emotion. Even with a child, there was only slight softening and a bit of leniency.

Thus, the most common thing Xiaobai Nuo said to Grandpa was to remind him to eat well.

The little cub was Grandpa's little meal buddy.

But this time, Bai Qian crouched down, and his pale face was fully visible.

Bai Qian's health was very poor. After all the trouble yesterday, rushing here and resting overnight, he still hadn't recovered.

The little meal buddy looked at him, his beautiful brows furrowed, and said in a soft reproach.

"Grandpa, you didn't eat well, did you? Nono told you yesterday." Grandma is fine, so Grandpa needs to be fine too.

The tiny cub was very unhappy with Grandpa's pale face, almost jumping up and down to show it.

This wasn't a tantrum; it was a trick the little guy had learned from so many meals with Grandpa.

If he pretended to be angry, Grandpa would give in and eat a few more bites.

"I did eat."

Bai Qian replied in a hoarse, honest voice, his gaze falling just below the little guy's face.

Xiaobai Nuo's cut was below his cheek, near the neck. From an adult's perspective, the little one was too short to see at a glance.

But now, crouching down, the tiny, adorable little cub's small scar was very glaring.

Upon hearing Grandpa say that, Xiaobai Nuo grunted in reply and blinked his eyes.

The little one was actually still a bit listless; he was forcing himself to perk up. He didn't know what was wrong—he felt a bit weak—but his dad had just said it was a physical reaction to being scared and would get better gradually.

The cub was about to turn around and go find Dad.

But the next second, Grandpa, who had been expressionless and speaking normally, suddenly reached out his hand.

He hugged the little one.

Bai Qian was a man of few words. Unlike Great-Grandpa's stiffness, he gave off a completely cold and stern vibe. At this moment, as the little one was hugged in his arms, his nose was met with a cool, rainy smell.

Huh?

Over there, the adults who had been chatting casually but still keeping an eye on Xiaobai Nuo instantly craned their necks to look over.

Cen Liu, who had failed miserably to hold the cub, suddenly lifted his head: !

Bai Qian held on a bit tightly.

The little one was caught off guard by the hug, stunned for a moment, and just remained frozen in Grandpa's arms.

After a moment, the little cub came to his senses and tried to extend his little hand from inside Grandpa's hug.

Was it because he had heard Grandma talk about what happened yesterday?

It's okay, it's okay. Grandma is fine.

The cub had to tilt his head up, his chin resting on Grandpa's shoulder, and wrapped his little arms around him, gently patting Grandpa's back and the back of his head, just like Dad did.

Nono will try his best to protect Nono's family.

Because Nono has gotten along with all of them; even including Uncle, everyone in Nono's family is important.

But then Xiaobai Nuo heard these words.

"A child shouldn't do something so dangerous next time."

Bai Qian didn't let go. Feeling the little one's pats on his back, the tension he had been holding seemed to ease, and the words he wanted to say slipped out naturally.

Bai Qian had been terrified all night by the danger he'd learned about. He had lectured Cen Zhi sternly, making her cover her bitten gland impatiently and run out early in the morning to find the cub. Now seeing the cub again, Bai Qian, who had just been relieved that Xiaobai Nuo had discovered the problem early and avoided serious consequences, suddenly tensed up again.

This was just a small cut near the neck. If it had been truly unlucky, if it had cut the neck, if it had been even more unlucky...

Would that little guy who angrily pounded the table and told him to eat more still be here?

But even when speaking, Bai Qian was still being evasive, a bit ambiguous: "Grandpa doesn't have a paper flower. Your grandma specifically put it in Grandpa's office to show off to your grandpa. The road was so dark yesterday..."

Xiaobai Nuo blinked. Because Grandpa was tall, he had to look up, chin resting on Grandpa's shoulder, his eyes fixed on the ceiling. He couldn't see the adults' expressions clearly. He paused for a moment, and his eyes grew a little teary.

Mm, Grandpa was also talking about Nono.

At this moment, the little one had a vague sense that Nono seemed to be more important than he had imagined.

The little one hummed, closed his eyes, tried to wrap his arms around Grandpa's neck, and said softly in his soft, babyish voice.

"From now on Nono will fold some for Grandpa. Don't be afraid, Grandpa, don't be afraid."

That's how Dad comforts Nono, and the nightmares get patted away by Dad's hand.

"Tsk—although I did tell him that as a grandfather he should be more affectionate..."

But this is too much, isn't it?

Cen Zhi, watching from behind, was dumbfounded.

Just last night this guy had a fierce and terrifying expression, berating her endlessly, and even biting when angry. Today, facing the cub, how did he suddenly do a complete turnaround?

Turning into a frail grandpa? Didn't he say he didn't care?

And what about the energy you had yesterday clinging to me and not letting go? And what are you saying? You're tarnishing Grandma's image in Nono's heart! I'm taking away your big-screen TV privileges from now on!

Bai Sheng paused for a moment, then furrowed his brow but did not attempt to snatch his own cub back from his father.

Bai Sheng couldn't understand why everyone wanted to hold his cub.

Don't you have your own cub to hold... Tsk, oh, right, he doesn't want to hug his own dad.

Bai Jin witnessed Bai Qian's change with his own eyes, or rather, he also felt his own subtle change. He couldn't help touching the tip of his nose—this doesn't make sense, does it? Just now, not to mention hugging, even a face pinch made him run away.

And little paper flowers? What little paper flowers?

Cen Liu, who had gotten up with extra resentment, said, "I want to hug too..."

Why is it that when it's Uncle's turn, Dad throws Cousin and the technique is amazing?

He refused to accept it!

Cen Liu propped himself up, rubbing his waist.

"But it seems there's no news from outside yet, right? Normally, this kind of natural disaster wouldn't attract much attention."

Because the disaster level wasn't high, the search and rescue ended yesterday, causing two deaths and multiple injuries, with some still being treated in the hospital. The Federation's follow-up arrangements are proceeding steadily. Usually, after people pray here, the buzz gradually dies down.

But because the Bai and Cen families were involved, coupled with the lack of news, the Bai family's turmoil, and Bai Qian traveling to Lishan overnight, it all seemed to prove one thing: something had happened to either the Cen or Bai family.

So many speculative rumors spread, saying it was because a member of the Cen or Bai family was affected by the disaster that the official channels of both families hadn't released any news.

Some people were eagerly speculating what changes the entertainment industry would see without the Cen family, and if something happened to the Bai family, whether everything would take a more extreme turn.

Just now, Bai Sheng was casually browsing through that content.

And Cen Liu, thinking about it, smiled, a bit eager to see those guys' hopes dashed.

His usually innocent puppy-dog eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a sly smile.

"Let them discuss a little longer, then we'll post a photo to clear the air. I've noticed that some of the Cen family's rivals are about to reveal themselves."

"Alright, let go quickly, stop hugging," Cen Zhi said with a sigh.

She lifted her foot and kicked Bai Qian's pant leg. When Bai Qian loosened his grip slightly, she bent down and scooped up the cub.

"Wow!"

That was Xiaobai Nuo being picked up by Grandma.

“...”

This was Bai Qian, watching the cub being ‘snatched’ away.

Bai Qian stood up again.

Still maintaining that calm and composed demeanor, he adjusted his sleeves and looked at Cen Zhi.

“I’ll take Nono out for some activity before we eat.”

Cen Zhi said, hugging the little one tight, finally feeling a bit at ease.

Is this PTSD?

Cen Zhi thought. She hadn’t slept much last night; every time she dozed off, she saw the little guy almost getting hit by a rock.

And clearly, she wasn’t the only one who felt that way.

She watched Bai Sheng, who stayed three steps away from the cub at all times.

Cen Zhi tightened her lips but didn’t stop the seemingly carefree newbie dad.

This was also a tourist city. The scenery around the hotel was nice, so Cen Zhi took the little one for a stroll and finally returned to the hotel restaurant.

The food was already prepared.

The little guy still didn’t have much of an appetite.

In front of the little cub was a small bowl of vegetable and lean meat congee, crystal-clear shrimp dumplings steaming hot, sweet steamed rice cake with a bit of jam on top, and an egg peeled by Bai Sheng.

Xiaobai Nuo stared at Grandpa eating, then took a few sips of his congee. His appetite gradually returned. The little one smacked his lips, his eyes slowly brightening, and raised his spoon toward Dad.

“Dad, it’s delicious.”

The little guy ate slowly this time, occasionally zoning out. He took tiny bites of the shrimp dumplings, chewing carefully.

Across from the little cub sat someone who was still growing and ate like a horse.

Xiaobai Nuo blinked and looked over.

Bai Jin was eighteen. The young man kept his head down, finishing a small bowl of congee in two or three mouthfuls, downing tea eggs one by one, demolishing a bamboo steamer of shrimp dumplings in a minute, plus other assorted foods like egg rolls and meat patties. He swept through everything like a whirlwind, in stark contrast to the Grandpa next to him, who was a picky eater.

The little guy stared in amazement.

Uncle eats so much.

Actually, the little one had eaten with Uncle before, but today they were eating late. Bai Jin didn’t want to come eat on his own, so he dragged it out until he was really hungry.

Shocked by his uncle’s eating, the little cub instinctively sped up his own chewing while trying to guard the remaining shrimp dumpling.

It felt like if that little dumpling so much as got a glance, Uncle would gobble it up!

So scary!

Hmm?

Cen Zhi noticed the little guy was eating faster and seemed to be enjoying it more. She turned to look at Bai Jin, realizing that Xiaobai Nuo seemed to have been inspired by Bai Jin’s appetite. Wasn’t there a saying—food tastes better when you’re competing for it?

Cen Zhi thought uncertainly, then gave Bai Jin a sudden push.

Bai Jin turned his head with a puzzled look.

He heard his mom say, “Baby, eat up, or Uncle will finish everything soon.”

Bai Jin: ???

Bai Jin stared at Cen Zhi, not understanding what she meant, but with blind trust in his mother, he instinctively leaned toward the cub.

And Xiaobai Nuo’s eyes went wide. Nono had seen how fast Uncle could eat—once, when they went out to see the lanterns, Nono’s rice cake had disappeared!

The little one stuffed a mouthful of congee, warily guarding the shrimp dumpling. When he saw Uncle lean in, he panicked and slapped his little hand onto Uncle’s cheek.

Nono gave Uncle a panicked smack.

Bai Jin: …

Xiaobai Nuo: ...

Seeing Uncle still staring, the little cub opened his mouth wide and chomped down on the shrimp dumpling.

It’s Nono’s!

People around were holding back laughter.

Bai Jin: … Hey!

Bai Jin turned around, dissatisfied, and looked at Cen Zhi, who was shaking with suppressed laughter.

—Mom, am I just a tool for you to raise a cub or what?!

Author’s note:

Nuo Bao: “If I look again, Uncle will eat it!” “Food guarding”

Uncle: … Uncle isn’t that insane!

Nuo Bao adds another stereotype to his list. The last one to get special treatment was Big Uncle. Let’s congratulate Little Uncle.

Grandpa finally tries to join the ranking battle for a place in the cub’s heart [scattering flowers]

The cub goes out and finds that Big Uncle & Great-Grandpa, who are about to turn things upside down: Oh no!