Chapter 56

Chapter 56

Your way of doing things is all wrong!

A group of old guys originally came to lighten the mood and also to help Old Master Bai relax.

Bai Yan had a heart attack yesterday, and they were all scared out of their wits. The old master didn't allow them to tell the rest of the Bai family, but how could they not worry?

As long-time partners who became friends after retirement, they naturally cared a bit more. But now, listening to Bai Yan's little great-grandson's gentle and sincere voice.

They suddenly felt this video call was totally unnecessary.

We shouldn't have done this!!!

"Grandpa, what were you about to say?"

The car had already pulled out smoothly, with escort vehicles front and back, and they weren't going fast. Bai Sheng hesitated only for a moment, then fastened the middle seat belt for the little one, without bothering to find a car seat.

"What did you mean by 'almost'?"

Bai Sheng asked while looking down and carefully adjusting the little one's seatbelt.

His tone was somewhat cold, but not exactly hostile.

After all, the incident where the old master made the little cub cry was still fresh in memory. The little one was easy to calm down, but that didn't mean Bai Sheng was the same.

Bai Sheng thought: They've seen the cub, said what needed to be said, and nothing's changed. The old master's probably about to head back. That's what he was going to talk about, right?

And Bai Yan just gazed intently at the little cub for a few seconds, then looked away. He looked at his phone, where the group in the video had all crowded in, their faces almost too many to fit on one screen.

The old master sat with his back straight, leaning against the seat.

What was he about to say?

Go back?

"I said it's about time I tried night fishing."

The old master still had that same expression and tone.

Listening closely, his voice rose slightly at the end, betraying a hint of excitement.

Xiaobai Nuo tilted his head: "Night fishing?"

Bai Sheng: ...

The others in the video: ...

It's late at night, at your age, don't you think this is a bit much?

Still so energetic at your age?!

"Uh, night fishing is still a bit too much for our age."

"How about hiring a diver to accurately bait the area?"

"You might as well hire a diver to hook the fish right on the nose."

"Hahaha, I wouldn't have thought of that if you hadn't mentioned it." What the heck is all this?

Bai Sheng couldn't help but raise a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, experiencing a headache he rarely got after a brief moment of shock.

"Grandpa, at your age, don't stir up trouble for no reason."

Hmph, what would you, a kid who always talks back, know about it?

Bai Yan really wanted to say that, but seeing Xiaobai Nuo staring at him, he cautiously swallowed his words.

The old man had learned a thing or two from navigating minefields, and he keenly felt that saying something like that in front of the little one might invite a response like "Dad is the best."

After all, the first time he had fallen out with this little guy, causing the little guy to avoid the old man for a long time, was because he had scolded Bai Sheng.

After a moment's thought, the old man spoke to Xiaobai Nuo again, trying to invite him: "Then do you want to go fishing together later?"

Without a moment's hesitation, the little one pressed close to his father, leaning on his father for support to shake his little head: "No."

The old man instantly leaned back in his chair, genuinely puzzled why fishing had upset the little one.

But he tried to defend himself.

"Fishing is a very healthy and interesting activity."

His words prompted nods from the group of old men in the video, who had only seen photos and videos of the little one and hadn't actually met him.

Originally just a bit curious, after today's incident, they were now somewhat looking forward to it.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Recently, the Federation just passed a law; recreational fishing is good, recommended, encouraged!"

"Don't bring that up; commercial fishing is banned but recreational fishing is encouraged. It feels like we're just here to feed the fish and promoting ecology—pretty ironic."

Bai Sheng didn't look up; under the watchful eyes and chatter of the group of old men, he remained calm and composed.

With one hand shielding the little cub, Bai Sheng spoke calmly.

"Nono doesn't like being near the water, so you don't need to keep inviting him."

No matter how many times you invite a reluctant child, it won't work.

Bai Yan didn't say anything; he had actually sensed it from the interactions and conversations among these old-timers before, but he just couldn't give up.

He even grumbled inwardly, thinking—it's bad enough that the Bai family is afraid of bugs, but what's with the fear of water? Is it some psychological trauma that Bai Sheng, that rascal, couldn't resolve after raising him for so long?!

"What should we do with this fish? Didn't the little one want to keep it in a small tank? Aren't you coming to pick it up? We plan to fish a while longer."

On the video call, someone leaned forward slightly, looking very kind, holding a display bottle containing the little fish, asking the little one with a smile.

Xiaobai Nuo craned his neck to look, his expression a bit hesitant.

Bai Sheng looked at the little one's expression—he really did want to keep this little fish.

Bai Sheng let out a sigh and gave in after a few seconds.

"Daddy will go get it for you."

The little one immediately looked up at his father.

The old man who had spoken on the other side rubbed his chin.

"I never would have guessed..." Bai San is this doting on kids?

But then he quickly laughed.

"I was just joking with the little one. You guys have been traveling and are tired, so don't bother coming over here. I'll have my little Ye deliver it to you. He sits in the office all day long and needs to get some exercise."

"Nono, wait. Grandpa will send an uncle to bring it to you in a while, okay?"

"Really?"

The little cub looked over, blinking his big eyes.

"Thank you, Grandpa! Later, Nono will fold some little paper flowers for Grandpa. Nono can fold small roses, sunflowers, lilies, and wild roses!"

The tiny baby was strapped into the seat by the seatbelt. He could only move a little when leaning forward, and now he was trying hard to lean this way, his sweet, sticky voice coming through.

Even after the communication ended, it was quiet all around.

"Tsk—what's up with the Bai Family? How is this omega so adorable? Are your omegas like this?"

"Not really. Although he's a bit well-behaved and good at acting cute, he's actually a hidden little demon king. He does bad things with an adorable face and then innocently hugs your leg saying, 'Please, great-grandpa, forgive me, okay~'..."

"Stop, stop, stop!! I was just asking casually, not asking you to show off your omega baby."

"Ah, but being called 'grandpa' makes me feel like I'm a generation lower than Brother Bai. What's up with that?"

"Next time, tell him to call us 'great-grandpa' too, hahaha."

"Alright, I'll give my grandson a call. He's been busy running around all day, and it's time for him to get out and stretch his legs."

Old Master Ye put the small fish back carefully and picked up his phone to dial.

"Ye Jiu? Isn't the department he works in at the Federation very busy?"

"He's usually terribly busy, especially during kids' midterms and finals. The Federal Talent Development Department has him traveling all over the country. It's rare to catch him at home."

Old Master Ye said cheerfully as the call connected.

A slightly tired young voice came through, tinged with dissatisfaction: "Grandpa, what do you want now? Did you run out of bait corn again? If you ask me, when you're too old to run around, we should just lease a pond so you don't waste your fish-feeding skills."

"Hey! You rascal! How dare you talk like that!"

It's true that comparison hurts. Look at others' kids, then look at their own. Old Master Ye, who had been especially kind to Xiaobai Nuo just moments ago, instantly huffed and bristled.

"Come to the reservoir. Your Grandpa Bai caught a small fish for his great-grandson to keep. Deliver it to the Bai family."

"Huh? A small fish? And you want me to deliver it? I'm swamped here."

"You should get out and about too. Staying cooped up all the time won't do. Besides, Grandpa Bai's great-grandson is especially cute—a little omega."

"Tsk. Aren't all babies the same?"

It's just a baby. I don't understand what Grandfather is thinking.

But he also knew that the old man was worried he was cooping himself up for too long. Ye Jiu glanced at the reports on his desk from the various competitions that had just finished, then stood up and grabbed his jacket.

"Alright, alright, I'll be right there."

Over here, Xiaobai Nuo had already returned home. The motorcade stopped right at the main building of the old residence.

Bai Sheng carried Xiaobai Nuo out of the car. Aunt Feng hadn't gone with them this time, and she, who rarely waited at the main building, was there. Seeing Xiaobai Nuo holding Dou Dou and greeting her, she almost burst into tears.

The house was quiet.

Bai Er and Bai Si—whether they had already argued or not—were not in the living room.

Meanwhile, Bai Jingyun naturally walked beside Bai Sheng, who was holding the baby with a disdainful look at him. He thoughtfully eyed the old man who had taken the spot on Bai Sheng's other side.

Before leaving, Grandpa had looked a bit gloomy. How come in just this short while, his back was straight, his complexion was better, and he even walked with that kind of pretense the former Bai family leader used to have?

Eldest Uncle: ...Something's off.

Cen Liu was the last to arrive. He had overheard Xiaobai Nuo talking to Bai Jin earlier, and after returning to Ang City, he had someone put together some snacks a little cub might like. Now he arrived carrying all sorts of things.

As the Bai family members turned their heads to look at him, Cen Liu, his eyes bright like a puppy's, placed the huge bag of snacks into Xiaobai Nuo's hands.

"...Wow!"

The little cub was stunned. Hugging the huge bag of snacks, his small body was almost swallowed by the snack bag.

"Is this for Nono?"

"Mm, at your cousin-uncle's place, snacks are always in stock!"

Cen Liu patted his chest—Hmph, Bai family, keep putting on your high-and-mighty act!

The little guy sat down hugging the snack bag, his eyes shining as he rummaged through it, then held up a bag of candy.

"Thank you, cousin-uncle! Nono really liked these before. Sharing with you, cousin-uncle!"

Cen Liu took the candy.

Before he could speak, a low voice came from beside him.

"That's a bit too much. He'll just be obsessed with snacks."

The eldest uncle, who had been studying the art of child-rearing lately, silently 'drifted' over.

Bai Jingyun looked at the bag of snacks, then at Xiaobai Nuo, then up at Cen Liu who wore a provocative expression. With a cold, stony face, he tried to tell this upstart who came out of nowhere not to spoil the child.

Cen Liu clicked his tongue softly, mainly because he hadn't expected Bai Jingyun to be the one to come over first.

"Yes, yes, yes. I'll remember next time."

"Eldest Uncle!"

The little guy was immersed in the snack gift pack and didn't notice what the adults were saying. Seeing Eldest Uncle come over, the little guy held up a pack of lemon cookies.

"Here! No more weird flavors."

Bai Jingyun: ...

Although he was once again charmed by the happy, sparkling-eyed little cub.

But Bai Jingyun still tried to defend himself: "Eldest Uncle's taste in snacks isn't weird."

Xiaobai Nuo tilted his head slightly: "Really?"

Bai Sheng, who had been standing three steps away from the little cub, held a glass of ice water. He had just finished drinking and set the cup down. The ice clinked as he let out a light laugh, tinged with mockery: "Nono, ask your eldest uncle what his pheromones smell like."

The scent of pheromones? The little guy didn't really know much about pheromones. His dad had mentioned it, but he was still fuzzy on it.

Xiaobai Nuo looked at his father, then at his uncle. He didn't understand, but since his father had said so, he tilted his little head up, hugged his large bag of snacks, and asked softly, "Uncle, what do your pheromones smell like?"

No one could turn down a question from a cub like that.

But, but...

Bai Jingyun: ...

Bai Jingyun went quiet. His icy face twitched, like he was struggling. He looked like he wanted to change the subject, but seeing the cub's sincere face, he finally gave in, and spoke coldly.

"...Lemon."

Cub: Whoa!!!

Uncle, you've got really weird taste!!

Author's note:

Cub: 'Got hit by lemon – uncle's pheromones are lemon-flavored.' Brainstorm: Nono got hit by uncle.

Lemon-flavored uncle: !!! Don't use that comparison!!!!