Chapter 55

Chapter 55

But to be fair, the effect was remarkable.

Xiaobai Nuo, who had only had an average appetite earlier, finished that shrimp dumpling, seemingly spurred on by his uncle to eat a bit more. The little one then grabbed a small steamed bun and began munching away happily.

Bai Sheng was satisfied.

With the little one full and content, everyone else was happy too.

Only Bai Jin, still chewing on a fried dough stick, was displeased.

Had that little guy just slapped him with such righteous indignation?!

He hadn't done anything this time!

"Nono, well done. Come here, Grandma will wipe your mouth."

This time, before Bai Sheng could reach for a tissue, Cen Zhi, who had been sitting nearby and waiting, spoke to the little one with a smile.

Xiaobai Nuo naturally tilted his head up, letting his grandma wipe his mouth.

It was still raining outside, but the weather after the disaster was strange like this—threads of sunlight pierced through the dark clouds and fell, creating a clear contrast of light and shadow. In this already overcast environment, the sudden bright sunlight was almost too dazzling.

Cen Liu, who had finished eating long ago and was watching from the side, couldn't help pressing the shutter.

*Click—*

Everyone turned to look.

"Ah... sorry, occupational habit."

Cen Liu snapped back to reality, let out a chuckle, and examined the photo on his DSLR.

Cen Liu had been something of a workaholic before. His younger uncle had passed away from illness early on, and his biological father had died in an accident when he was very young. Although his aunt had taken care of him, and the Bai family had made concessions and accommodated him, the burden of carrying on the Cen family had fallen solely on him.

Despite Cen Liu's constant smile, from what he had just said and how he seamlessly integrated into the Bai family's atmosphere—unlike Xiaobai Nuo, who had never even heard of him—it was clear he was no pushover.

Cen Liu had always been driven, handling documents, managing various projects, running platforms, and personally producing shows. The Cen family's scale hadn't been small before, but it couldn't compare to the Bai family. Only now, with its current development, had it begun to approach that level.

He had been pushing himself hard, until this moment.

Cen Liu leaned back slightly in his chair, so relaxed he felt almost dazed.

He had really almost died, after all.

All those things he had cared so much about in the past suddenly seemed insignificant.

Cen Liu flipped through the photos, smiled innocently, and poked Bai Sheng.

"Since we'll be making an announcement later anyway, can I use this photo?"

Bai Sheng looked over.

It was the photo Cen Liu had just taken. In the interplay of light and shadow, they were all turned slightly toward one point. Cen Zhi was smiling while holding a tissue, and in front of her, the tiny little one—back to the camera, only a soft head of curly hair visible—was tilting his head up to cooperate with his grandma's actions.

Bai Sheng wasn't keen on having his child appear too much in the public eye.

This wasn't about whether he could protect his child; it was simply that the Bai family had too many enemies, and even a little more safety was better.

But since it was just a back view, Bai Sheng gave a slight nod of approval.

"Then I'll have the show's team release a statement. You all should pack up and prepare to head back soon."

About half an hour later.

The Cen family's official platform released relevant information.

The entire show crew was safe. Most of the content and filming locations had been completed, though some portions would need to be supplemented after the disaster risk level decreased.

The accompanying image was the photo Cen Liu had just taken.

Online, amid various speculations, many had been praying that no one was hurt.

Now, seeing the statement, those people collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

As for Cen Zhi's photo, there was no fear of it spreading. As a well-known designer, she had many fans on the platform. Her personal account had been in chaos earlier, especially when it was discovered that Bai Qian had left An City for Lishan.

Now, order was finally restored.

'You're okay? That's great. I was scared to death. I really thought something had happened with all those people making such a big deal out of it.'

'I've been keeping an eye on the official casualty reports. This disaster was so sudden, and it was just falling rocks—not a particularly severe disaster like a mudslide—so I'm shocked anyone was actually hit...'

'It's probably because of Lishan's unusual weather this year? Over the past month or so, it's been drizzling and raining heavily on and off, never really stopping.'

'Damn, my heart was pounding. I really thought something had happened to Cen Jie. Since she's fine, why did Boss Bai rush to the disaster area in such a panic? He mobilized planes through some inside channels and urgently dispatched Bai family medical staff there. That kind of commotion makes it hard not to overthink, doesn't it? And now it turns out nothing happened after all?!'

'The truth is clear!'

'What?'

'Boss Bai is totally in love!'

'...I remember Cen Jie saying they were in a business marriage, barely met before the wedding, decided he was good-looking enough after meeting, and slept together? Normally, they don't seem to interact much. At those parties, the couple looks pretty formal to me.'

'He mobilized planes to the disaster area immediately, arranged medical staff, and they've had five alpha children together. If you don't use "Boss Bai is totally in love" to explain it, do you have any other explanation?'

'...'

'Ahhh, is this photo the new little omega cub from the Bai family?'

'Even at banquets before, the back or side shots were unclear. Now it's so clear—look at that curly hair. No wonder he's Bai Sheng's child. Out of the five Bai alpha siblings, Bai Sheng is the only one with curly hair, right? Speaking of which, Bai San actually has a pretty delicate kind of handsomeness, doesn't he? But why does he always come across as so sarcastic and scornful?'

'Probably just his face... and his personality. Just look at his glorious track record. That guy really looks down on everyone. But the little one is cute.'

'Cute little one +1. Would love to see his face.'

'Don't count on it. I doubt it'll happen. They keep him under tight protection.'

...

Meanwhile, at the Yu family company.

Yu Chuang, the current head of the Yu family—father of Yu Chuyan and Yu Chen—looked at the news in disbelief.

"What the hell did Bai Qian go there for? Nothing even happened!"

The Yu family's scale was comparable to the Bai family's, though power was split, with some authority held by Old Master Yu. The old man had basically stopped paying attention to Yu Chuang, seemingly waiting for Yu Chen and Yu Chuyan to come of age before passing his holdings to the two brothers. Yu Chuang was naturally dissatisfied. He especially looked down on his eldest son—a beta. No matter how well he performed, he was still just a beta, inferior in physical fitness and every other aspect compared to an alpha.

He was dissatisfied with this child, so it's only natural for him to find another omega outside, isn't it?

He even had an alpha child born to him, healthy and smart—by the time it grows up, it might well be a top Alpha. This shows that Yu Chen being a beta isn't his fault, but entirely the problem with Yu Chen's mother. So Yu Chuang is extremely displeased with the old man's attitude.

As for Yu Chuyan? Yu Chuang has barely seen this child a few times. He originally wanted to take him away, but the old man and Yu Chen were both guarding against it, so he let them raise him. He doesn't believe that Yu Chen and Yu Chuyan, with only that little bit the old man has, can beat him.

As for the Bai family, Yu Chuang naturally wants a piece of the pie too.

Expanding his own business—who wouldn't want that? Not to mention the fact that he's still a step below the Bai family.

Seeing the related news and messages, he had been a bit hopeful.

Seeing Bai Qian's anxious look, could it really be that Cen Zhi was in trouble?

That would be quite the show.

Bai Qian himself was already in poor health to begin with; no one knows how much longer his body can hold out. Struck by this, he might not have many years left. And the five top Alphas within the Bai family—their conflicts and grudges are the most intense in recent generations, their rivalry and aggression the most intense.

Without anyone to check and restrain them, after losing their parents, they might not even have a place for normal daily communication. They would inevitably fight to the death, and then the whole industry and aristocratic families in Ang City would face a period of turmoil.

And although Bai Sheng is formidable, surrounded by the other Bai top Alphas, he would likely be stretched thin.

He had been somewhat expecting this outcome.

The phone rang. He answered it, listened for a few words, and couldn't help frowning.

"Failed?"

Yu Chuang heard from the Liu family and had been trying to poach someone from Bai Sheng's side.

Under Bai Sheng Company, there was a genius in STEM—not as good as Bai Sheng, but still a powerhouse who could lead a project team alone—named Zeng Liang.

His family situation was complicated. He had fled from home, studied and worked in Ang City.

Yu Chuang had already done his homework. Under Bai Group's corporate culture, talents like these had no sense of belonging to the company. As long as the pay was generous enough and the benefits better than what Bai Group could offer, plus his awful relatives making a scene—Bai Group never interfered in employees' personal matters, leaving them to solve it themselves. Sometimes when the situation got serious enough to harm the company's image, Bai Group would drop them without a second thought.

It was a good opportunity to poach him, worth a try.

But the other party didn't even hesitate.

That puzzled Yu Chuang.

"He didn't even hesitate? Even the offer of being the head of the whole project didn't move him? His family didn't find him?"

Yu Chuang frowned slightly, listening to the voice on the phone continue.

"Blocked by the Bai family? Who? Bai Sheng? ... Bai Sheng and others? What are they doing? Are they losing it?"

Weren't they nearly tearing each other apart before?

The employee on the other end, wearing a pained expression, thought back to the conversation.

"Boss, actually—"

Far from wavering, that cold, emotionless robot of a guy even looked at him with a half-amused look.

Meanwhile.

Zeng Liang, employed in the technical department of Bai Group, ordered a glass of ice water at a coffee shop. He lowered his gaze, as if seeing someone through the water.

"No, no need to even think about it. I only agreed to meet you just because we were classmates."

"As for the reason? Bai Group's compensation is very generous. Oh? You can pay more? Help me deal with troublesome matters?—No, that's not the issue. To be precise, other than at Bai Group, I wouldn't meet someone who, just watching me tinker with a robotic arm, would have their eyes sparkling, so adorable it's ridiculous."

"A sense of belonging? Not at all, I think our Bai Group is great. Our boss is great too. Not only is he impressive in engineering, but I think his greatest skill is having a kid like that—"

The usually somewhat gloomy guy remarked, then actually smiled at him.

"Making me feel this crappy world is still beautiful. Speaking of which, your company's corporate culture puts a lot of pressure, doesn't it? Want to come over and experience ours? You were very capable in college—consider it?"

You say that, and even I'm a little tempted... No!

He changed! He even turned the tables on me, boss!

The ripples from the news didn't draw much attention from those returning from Lishan.

Cen Liu was indeed injured. After arranging relevant tasks and telling them to be careful, he too prepared to return to Ang City with the Bai family.

On the bullet train heading back.

Gradually leaving the rainy city, the sun grew brighter.

Cen Liu and Bai Jin sat together. They had been playing games all night and weren't sleepy, casually discussing some industrial development plans in Ang City.

Since Bai Jin ran several businesses, he had a lot of cooperation with Cen Liu.

On the other side, Cen Zhi looked at Bai Qian, whose face still looked unwell, and couldn't help leaning closer.

"Are you okay? Is your stomach upset again?"

Bai Qian's stomach was indeed cramping, worse than yesterday.

Sometimes intense emotional reactions would trigger this.

Having suffered from stomach problems for decades, Bai Qian was almost used to it. Apart from looking a bit pale, he seemed his usual self. He looked at Cen Zhi leaning in, raised his hand as if to push her face away, but in the end didn't move.

He slightly averted his gaze. "I'm fine."

"Oh, what are you being so awkward about?"

Cen Zhi tilted her head, reached out, and poked his neck hard.

"Isn't it just that in your excitement, you put on a pitiful act for Nono, hoping he would give you a little paper flower? Now you're embarrassed after the fact?"

"I didn't!"

This time, the reply was particularly fast.

Bai Qian suddenly turned his head, stared at her sternly.

But his eyes were suspiciously shifty.

"I was just stating facts, nothing more."

Cen Zhi was speechless. She drew back, shrugged, spread her hands, and said sarcastically: "Just stating facts, nothing more."

Hearing this, Bai Jin and Cen Liu both laughed. Cen Liu couldn't help but say, "Auntie, Bai Sheng's sarcastic streak is definitely from you."

If she wanted to, she could poison someone to death with just a word.

Speaking of Bai Sheng...

Cen Zhi glanced to the side, paused, and suddenly raised a finger to her lips.

Quiet now.

Actually, we're almost there.

But over in the aisle, Bai Sheng was lounging in the massage chair of the VIP seat. From this angle, all we could see was his slightly curly hair and his sleeping face, which looked a bit softer.

After the accident, the little one had gotten extra clingy and insisted on lying on top of his father.

At that moment, the little cub was wrapped in one of Bai Sheng's jackets, his little head pressing against Bai Sheng's chest. He pulled up a corner of the jacket and constantly blocked the shifting light for his father.

At some point, Bai Sheng suddenly woke up. Before he even opened his eyes, the little one had already poked his head over and said softly, 'Daddy, Nono is here.'

The tiny baby watches over his father's every dream.

Cen Zhi didn't need to say a word.

A few people were staring intently at the scene, and then they all fell silent.

Bai Jin couldn't resist; he raised his hand, snapped a photo with his phone, and asked his college teammates.

'Is it normal for this little one to be so well-behaved? Logically, shouldn't a five-year-old be at that age where even dogs can't stand them?'

'That sounds kinda off, Brother Jin. You didn't say that before.'

'Wow, isn't he adorable? Is he helping block the light?'

'Logically, no. My brother is the kind of little pest who, in this situation, would open the curtains while his brother is sleeping.'

'Right?'

Bai Jin looked at the messages and thought to himself.

'And I feel like I've been set up. I think my big brother is targeting me.'

'Is that possible?'

'Not necessarily, right?'

The group thought, given the internal dynamics of the Bai family, you guys are probably targeting each other.

But this cub is really making everyone jealous.

Someone finally couldn't help but ask.

'Brother Jin, when can you bring your little nephew to school for a visit?'

Let them get a look at the cute cub too.

Bai Jin hesitated, pausing for about two minutes.

The guy who had just spoken was starting to feel awkward and was about to smooth things over.

Then they saw Bai Jin send another message: 'I can't beat Bai Sheng.'

Everyone: ...

That means — we're telling you to bring him for a visit, not to steal him! Hey!!!

Not gonna lie, you're pretty honest!

Just as Bai Jin was struggling with this, they had already arrived at the station.

Xiaobai Nuo was being carried out by his father, who had just woken up drowsy.

The tiny cub leaned on his father's shoulder. When he noticed his uncle looking at him, he blinked, looking confused and bewildered.

Is there something on Nono's face?

Why is he staring at Nono?

Is uncle still after Nono's food?

The little one reached out and touched his own face. When he saw his uncle still staring, he tried to squirm down, letting his father completely block him from view.

Won't give it to uncle! Even if he stares like that, it's still no!

Food is the cub's everything!

Bai Jin: ... So this is the situation. He hides when he sees me. It's hard to even take him away, right?

Not to mention another thing.

At the exit, Bai Jingyun was waiting. The luggage had been sent back to the old mansion by the assistant in advance.

Xiaobai Nuo was holding Dou Dou. His father put him on the ground. After obediently calling his eldest uncle, he took two steps around with a pitter-patter, looked up, and saw his younger uncle.

Bai Jin thought for a moment, then crouched down, reached out to pick up the cub, and lifted him slightly.

The cub instinctively clutched Dou Dou in one hand and grabbed his uncle's hair with the other.

Hiss—

Bai Jin put the cub down with no expression and tried again.

He lifts him up, gets his hair pulled, puts him down, and the cub lets go.

'No matter how much you shake me, you won't get any snacks. Nono's snacks are all gone!'

The little cub twisted, broke free from Bai Jin's hands, ran pitter-patter behind his father, and opened his little arms for a hug.

When Bai Jin stood up, he saw Bai Sheng holding the tiny cub. Xiaobai Nuo had his arms around his father's neck, snuggled against him, staring warily at Bai Jin.

Bai Jin: ... Why do I get treated like this when it's my turn?

No fair!

But Bai Jingyun walked over calmly, took in the scene, and cleared his throat: 'Isn't he pretty free-spirited?'

Good.

Keep it up.

'I think you're setting me up.'

Bai Jingyun put on an innocent face: 'How could I?'

Bai Jingyun brought it up again.

“The second and fourth are at home, and Grandpa is in the car.”

“Huh? You left those two at home? Not afraid they'll start fighting?”

Bai Jin was also surprised.

But what surprised him more was...

“Grandpa came along?”

He soon found out, because when the car door opened, the little cub over there was stunned, and a childish baby voice came over: “Great-grandpa?”

Little Bai Nuo looked at the old master sitting in the back seat holding a cane.

He was still holding his phone. Hearing the little one’s voice, he looked up and responded.

Bai Yan glanced around at all of them, seeming to feel a little relieved.

“Brother Bai, the news is out. I told you not to worry.”

Another voice came from Bai Yan’s phone.

Bai Yan interrupted the other side: “I’m not worried. You keep an eye on the float, or a fish might drag you away.”

The old man said and scooted further back.

Bai Sheng originally wanted to take the cub in a separate car.

But the old man patted the seat next to him. Bai Sheng looked at the baby in his arms and finally sat in, to humor the old man.

He held the little guy in his arms and smiled: “So what do you want to talk about today?”

Nono was curled up in his dad's arms, also looking at Great-grandpa. He was no longer so afraid of Great-grandpa, so he said softly: “Great-grandpa, you're not going fishing today?”

“...Later.”

Bai Yan had just said this when a cheerful voice cut in from the phone.

“Hahaha, your great-grandpa did catch one.”

“Nono, look here. Come on, let's show this little omega cub the 'big fish' his great-grandpa caught yesterday.”

Bai Yan: ...

The little guy didn't get it and craned his neck to see. Then he saw the other people on Great-grandpa’s phone. Being polite, he instinctively said hello, then looked on curiously.

He saw these guys holding a little clear tank about the size of two palms, with a little fish over ten centimeters inside.

Bai Yan: ............

You actually showed that to the kid? When I get back, I'll throw every single one of you into the reservoir!

A bunch of drama lovers who can't resist stirring the pot.

He wasn't really angry. After all, none of them had room to talk—every one of them had spent ages catching nothing but tiny fish, only to go home and get roasted by their ungrateful grandkids.

But Bai Yan was just annoyed.

Not only had he not caught any fish, but he also suddenly found out he'd had an accident—a heart attack, luckily someone was there to keep an eye on him.

After that scare, he looked again at this curious little one, and Bai Yan finally let out a breath.

“I should probably...”

The old man lowered his gaze, looking a bit forlorn.

Better for him to stop meddling in young people's business.

Anyway, it was about time. Since nothing seemed too serious, it was time to head back—and goodbye to this little guy.

When he finally caught a big fish somewhere someday—

“Did Great-grandpa catch this?”

Then he heard the little cub’s voice.

“Great-grandpa, you caught a fish! That's amazing! Can we put it in a little fish tank?”

The little guy had just read a picture book about raising fish, and asked Aunt Feng to set up a tiny fish tank for him.

So under Great-grandpa's sidelong look, the little cub seemed both earnest and thrilled—of course, it's not easy hunting in the apocalypse.

The guys who were still laughing raised their eyebrows and grinned oddly—Bai Yan had always been a weird old guy, and they rarely saw him so conflicted and hesitant. They'd never met the weak little omega cub Bai Yan talked about, so they couldn't figure out why someone as bossy and stubborn as Bai Yan was hesitating.

But if this was the case, the old man’s change wasn't hard to understand.

One of the old-timers who also had a house full of little rascals clicked his tongue, trying to get a good look at the kid—if you took a fish that small home, some kids would say 'might as well buy one from the store', others would laugh and show it off to all their buddies, hopping around.

But with Bai Yan, the grumpiest old man of all—this kid actually sincerely thought you were amazing?

Shouldn't you be getting something like 'Your fish-feeding game is getting strong'?!

Dude, this is all wrong!

Author’s note:

Great-grandpa: I was about to leave...

After all, it's Nono, who's afraid to go near water—big fish you can eat, small fish you can keep—super impressive. Truly worthy of being the Great-grandpa who helped Dad fix Dou Dou “← Dad's biggest fan”

Bai Sheng: What?

Great-grandpa “puffs out his chest”: Nothing.

Fishing buddies: This isn't right, the script is wrong! [lemon][lemon][lemon]