Chapter 65

Chapter 65

A completely casual tone, a completely ordinary thing.

Kids are curious about everything and love collecting all sorts of weird stuff—flowers, leaves, little rocks, you name it. That's just normal kid behavior.

Like looking for four-leaf clovers.

Even though they're rare, if you look carefully you can usually find one or two in a patch. It just takes patience to pick the ones you want out of a bunch of nearly identical leaves.

And for a focused little one like Xiaobai Nuo, he's definitely got plenty of patience.

Thus, it's truly hard to say why he was so spaced out at that moment.

Even though the sun was already setting and barely any sunlight could be seen, the evening felt unseasonably warm.

Or perhaps it was because he had been busy for too long, too tense, and now suddenly relaxing, and all these feelings came flooding in.

Bai Liang's expression didn't change, except for a flicker in his eyes as he took the four-leaf clover the little one handed over.

The little one still grinned, his eyes crinkling into crescents, and opened his pocket to show there were more inside.

The little guy, who had been busy for a while, said with a little pride: "Second Uncle, look! Nono found all these!"

Bai Sheng, sitting behind the little one, glanced over, seemingly studying Bai Liang's expression carefully.

He called out, "Nono."

The little one, who had just been talking to his second uncle, turned his head at the sound and then toddled over—just a tiny thing—and plopped into Bai Sheng's arms to show him.

Then he tilted his little head up.

"For Daddy," Nono said, giving all the luck and happiness he'd found to his dad.

He added softly, "Daddy, don't tell Grandma, okay? Tomorrow Nono will find just as many more for Grandma—it's a surprise!"

"If you don't take them back and deal with them quickly, they'll be ruined by tomorrow."

Bai Sheng said, patting the little one's head.

"Then Grandma will definitely know, right?"

"Huh?"

Xiaobai Nuo blinked, confused, looking at the four-leaf clovers in his hand.

"Daddy, can happiness and luck go bad?"

"Of course. No matter how special, they're still plants. Don't picked flowers go bad in a couple of days?"

The little one did know that, but he had thought that luck and happiness, since they're so rare, were special and wouldn't spoil.

"Then how do we preserve them?"

"Make pressed flowers, bookmarks, something like that? You can put them in a book or seal them as decoration."

Bai Sheng had never been interested in such things, nor had he ever done them before, but he scraped together these old memories from somewhere and told the little one.

"Bookmarks."

Xiaobai Nuo looked at the four-leaf clovers in his hand. Of course, the little guy had no idea you could preserve plants that way.

"If I make bookmarks, they won't go bad, right?"

"Mm."

Bai Sheng took a tissue and wiped Xiaobai Nuo's dusty face.

"Then Daddy, let's go back and make bookmarks! Second Uncle, do you want to join?"

As the little one spoke, he looked at his second uncle, then at the four-leaf clover in his uncle's hand.

Bai Liang stood there watching for a long time without saying anything. Only when the little one asked him did he snap out of it and respond with a smile.

"Of course, that sounds great."

So he gives all the luck and happiness he finds to his dad?

Ah…

Bai Liang let out a soft sigh.

Now he could kinda understand the dissatisfaction and resentment Bai Jingyun had toward Bai Sheng—this guy always gets the best of everything.

He even gets the kid.

For a moment, Bai Liang felt a momentary longing.

But at the same time, he clearly knew he wasn't cut out to raise a kid well.

And after all, Bai Sheng had indeed raised this little one very well.

Whoa, whoa, whoa—this is a bit too shocking.

Just a few months ago, he had been decisive and ruthless; if Mom hadn't stopped them, Bai Jingyun and Bai Sheng would have gone at it. Now, in no time at all, the anger had faded, the resentment had dissipated, and Bai Sheng had clearly turned into a diligent, devoted new dad.

Anyone who saw this would wonder if Bai Sheng had lost his mind.

Bai Liang came closer and looked down at the little one's fluffy black hair. He was in a daze for a moment, half tempted to reach out and ruffle the little one's head.

But the next second, the little one was scooped up by his newbie dad.

Bai Liang blinked, snapped back to reality, and casually pulled his hand back with a smile. He then looked at Bai Sheng, raising an eyebrow silently: What's up? You gotta treat me like a crook?

Bai Sheng held the little one securely and let out a lazy laugh. "Sorry, there have been too many 'kidnappers' around lately. You're not one of them, are you, Second Brother?"

Bai Liang hesitated a second, then smiled at the little guy in his father's arms. "Of course not. Alright, let's hurry back for dinner, or else Bai Jin will eat everything."

The little one's eyes widened. He immediately grabbed his father's clothes, remembering how much food meant to him.

"Daddy, Daddy, let's eat! Hurry back! Little Uncle will eat everything up!"

Bai Jin, unaware that his second brother had once again stuck him with a label, making the little guy think he eats everything in sight and leaves nothing, was still in his room on the second floor dealing with school matters.

Probably some commendation ceremonies and other forms to fill out.

Bai Jin was still wrapped in a bedsheet, and under his mother's orders, he didn't dare take it off.

From a certain perspective, Xiaobai Nuo's intuition was spot on—in the Bai family, Ms. Cen Zhi indeed sat at the top of the food chain.

Bai Jin tapped away at his keyboard when his phone chimed.

He absently twirled the phone in his hand, then tapped the screen to glance at it.

A message popped up, the name displayed as Yu An.

Bai Jin raised an eyebrow slightly.

The Yu family was also a prominent family in Ang City, and Yu An, the heir, was a year younger than him—an alpha with a strong competitive streak. But like all the alpha kids his age from the Bai family, he was thoroughly overshadowed by the Bai family. Some had completely conceded to the Bai family, while others, like Yu An, were furious and constantly trying to best Bai Jin.

However, what made Bai Jin remember him wasn't just his provocations.

It was that Yu An had an alpha younger brother, several years his junior, from a different father—a quiet kid who loved drawing. Yu An often used psychological victory, boasting about having a cute little brother to one-up Bai Jin.

Though Bai Jin hated to admit it, the two could still talk to each other and barely count as friends.

Just a few years ago, Yu An was sent abroad by his family to study, and he had only recently returned.

It seemed he'd inquired about Bai Jin and couldn't wait to message him.

"What's up with Fifth Master Bai lately? Been so inactive. Heard your mom's restricting your outings, huh? Hahaha."

Bai Jin narrowed his eyes—though draped in a bedsheet, it was impossible to tell.

He stared at the message, a bit annoyed.

Where did this guy hear that from?

"Driving a bunch of people to breakdowns outside, then getting grounded by your mom at home—Fifth Master, you sure know how to entertain."

The other mocked him, taking a roundabout jab.

Bai Jin replied coolly: "Not as entertaining as you, shattering your Dao heart and running off overseas to study."

"Shatter my Dao heart?! Don't lump me in with those fragile weaklings!"

"But seriously, you're way too ruthless. Is the competition in the Bai family that fierce now? Your nasty streak is getting stronger. I heard someone with weak mental fortitude almost did something irrational. I'd advise you to be careful—maybe your mom heard about that, too, and that's why she's keeping you from running around."

That's because Mom's been completely enchanted by that little creature!

As for the person Yu An mentioned, Bai Jin dismissed it.

"That's their own incompetence. What's it got to do with me? I never step outside the rules."

Complete crushing, belittling, and taunting gave Bai Jin a cathartic stress relief.

But for others, it wasn't the same.

In a villa somewhere in the Yu family, the teenager, who had been lounging on the sofa, sat up and muttered, rubbing his chin: "This guy's personality is still so twisted. Isn't there anyone who can put him in his place? It's so frustrating to watch."

But never stepping outside the rules—

Yu An mulled it over.

That was true enough.

Yu An was about to reply when the other guy beat him to it.

Bai Wu: "You always said your little brother was cute?"

Yu An: ?

Of course he did! Though he didn't see his half-brother often, the kid was quiet, loved drawing and reading since childhood, and was way better than those troublemaking brats who wrecked the house!

Wasn't that cute enough?! Such a well-behaved, adorable kid!! You jealous? I totally win!!

Bai Wu: "Hah, you haven't seen real cute yet."

Yu An: ?

What do you mean? Answer me! There's no cuter kid out there? Tell me!!!

Bai Jin ignored Yu An's messages, quickly finished his own tasks, and when the time came, went downstairs for dinner.

The gathering tonight was almost complete—aside from Bai Qi, who had taken a business trip abroad yesterday, everyone in the Bai family was present.

Bai Sheng stood at the crystal-clear sink on the small balcony, a stool in front of him. On it stood the little boy, with a small basin under the faucet. Inside were faintly floating green leaves. He seemed to have finished washing up, handing the last green leaf to Bai Sheng. After he wiped his hands, Bai Sheng lifted him down from the stool.

Bai Liang, who rarely missed a chance to stir the pot, instead stayed nearby. He took a tissue, gently dried the washed four-leaf clover that Xiaobai Nuo had washed, laid it out to dry, so after dinner, they could make bookmarks.

Ms. Cen Zhi stood behind the glass door of the small balcony, watching with a smile.

The Old Master sat alone on the sofa, taking sips of tea.

Bai Jingyun had also returned home. He and Bai Qian each occupied one side of the large sofa. Bai Jingyun wasn't much interested in tea; he simply held a glass of water, scrolling on his phone while drinking. Bai Qian, on the other hand, was reading a paper book.

The little one glanced at the spread-out leaves, then padded back into the house, spotting his younger uncle coming downstairs.

The little one yelped and ran back to his father: "Dad! The 'big monster' younger uncle is here!"

The people sitting on the sofa heard the commotion and looked up involuntarily.

Big monster? Who? Bai Jin?

Although Bai Jingyun was deeply pleased that his younger brother had suddenly evolved into a 'big monster'... scratch that, he deeply regretted it.

But what had Bai Jin done to become a 'big monster'?

Then all three of them saw a blob of white coming down the stairs.

"Pfft—"

Bai Jingyun couldn't hold it in; water sprayed from his mouth, and he couldn't help but cough a few times. After recovering, he wiped his chin expressionlessly with a tissue and couldn't help glancing at Bai Jin again.

Seriously? That's Bai Jin?

So 'big monster' meant a literal 'big monster'?

Bai Qian was clearly stunned, staring suspiciously at Bai Jin coming downstairs for a long time.

Finally, the Old Master snorted: "What are you up to, you little brat?!"

Bai Jin replied flatly: "Mom designed it."

Bai Qian: ...

Oh, okay then.

Bai Qian casually lowered his head and continued reading.

Bai Jingyun watched for a few seconds, couldn't help looking away.

Bai Jingyun didn't want to make eye contact with this guy; he felt that if he looked any longer, he'd lose his cool.

Only the old man couldn't help but look at Cen Zhi, who was also looking over, and muttered under his breath.

"This design... it's quite unique, but shouldn't it be taken off during meals?"

He felt his heart couldn't take it.

Cen Zhi laughed. "Dad, when Nono was reading picture books at noon, he scared Nono like this. I told him to learn his lesson for the day and let him untie it himself later."

The old man nodded at that, still with a serious expression, but said, "Leaving it on is fine too."

Bai Jin, who had been staring at Bai Liang: ...Hey!

Is there no normal person in this family?

Bai Jin originally thought Second Brother was normal! What is he doing now?

Bai Liang was drying those small leaves; the precision he developed in the lab made him a bit of a perfectionist.

After confirming that everything was fine, Bai Liang nodded with satisfaction, not even looking at Bai Jin.

After the meal, the little one brought out his picture books, arranging them one by one, ready to start making bookmarks. The Bai family scattered in various corners of the main building, all glancing up at Xiaobai Nuo in unison.

"Found so many four-leaf clovers? Baby, you're so amazing."

Cen Zhi looked at the four-leaf clovers the little one had spread out and said in surprise.

"Nono will find more tomorrow."

The little one blinked, his tiny voice cheerful. If he had a tail, it would probably be wagging proudly by now.

However, despite this, there was only a small handful of four-leaf clover bookmarks to make, not too many. The parents meant for the little one to do it himself, and even Cen Zhi didn't intervene.

Bai Sheng sat behind the little one, the 'big capitalist' just barking orders from behind, unashamedly directing the cub to make him bookmarks.

Only Bai Liang, who had already received a four-leaf clover from the little one, sat nearby. He was usually too busy to have such a leisurely moment. Although if he wanted, he could leave the lab for a while to do some computer verification work, perhaps because of this little one, Bai Liang felt an unusual reluctance to move.

He would finish this bookmark first; after finishing it, he would continue with his own tasks.

Bai Liang was carefully shaping the four-leaf clover, pressing it with semi-transparent absorbent paper, then adjusting the shape again. When it was almost ready, he checked both sides and prepared to press it into the little one's picture book. He would change the paper daily, and in a few days, the bookmark would be done.

Then a tiny voice piped up.

"Uncle Second's goes in this book."

The little one had already taken out a picture book he'd prepared and handed it to his Second Uncle.

Bai Liang glanced at it and found that this was indeed the picture book about four-leaf clovers.

Bai Liang responded and pressed the finished bookmark in.

Xiaobai Nuo popped his little head over, looking at what his Second Uncle had made, then at his own.

The tiny cub exclaimed in amazement, "Uncle Second, yours looks just like the one in the book!"

Although the little one was also focused, he was still young and his hands weren't steady enough for that kind of precision. If he tried to adjust too carefully, he might accidentally tear the leaves.

So what the little cub pressed out, while still nice, was a bit less standard and didn't look like the four-leaf clover drawn in the book.

"Is that so?"

Bai Liang subconsciously looked at his own finished work, then at the little cub's.

He smiled.

"Actually, having a bit of character makes it more interesting and beautiful, doesn't it?"

That was the charm of childhood.

A boring adult like him does everything rigidly unless he's amusing himself. Not everything is like making these bookmarks, with templates for reference. For many things, he doesn't even know if there's a right answer, he easily messes up, and he always has bad luck. A lot of the time, Bai Liang feels like he doesn't even know what he's doing.

The little one blinked his eyes and asked his Second Uncle softly. He didn't quite get it. He looked at his own picture book, then at the one his Second Uncle was holding. Even though he wasn't very familiar with his Second Uncle, he thought for a moment and asked in a baby voice:

"But doesn't it all mean the same good luck and happiness? So no one's is better, right?"

They just look different, but aren't they all the best?

Bai Liang was startled.

Then he heard the little one's tiny voice call out: "Hello, Dou Dou."

"I'm here. Go ahead."

"Is there any difference between the four-leaf clover bookmark Nono made and the one Second Uncle made?"

"Each person's technique and method of creation differ, so the appearance of the bookmarks varies. There might be additional decorations or different storage methods, but fundamentally, they are all four-leaf clover bookmarks, essentially the same."

The little monitor said, its lights blinking behind the little one.

"Would you like me to look up a detailed process of making four-leaf clover bookmarks?"

This time, Bai Sheng answered. Bai Sheng was sitting behind the cub, chin in hand, and spoke casually.

"No need."

He could guide his own cub; he didn't need some little AI dummy.

After finishing his instructions to his cub, Bai Sheng was checking some info on his phone about the night market coming up.

If they were going out, he needed to prepare in advance. He also had to research what he'd need to prepare to take a little one to crowded places.

Bai Sheng had no experience, but he kept doing his research.

Then he heard the little monitor chime in.

"Oh, okay. Then would you like to listen to xx singer's 'Four-Leaf Clover'..."

This time before the little monitor could finish, Bai Sheng, without even lifting his head, reached out and deftly turned off the voice button of the little monitor.

He was far too skilled, clearly having locked horns with this little idiot many times.

And Xiaobai Nuo, already having gotten his answer, was looking at his Second Uncle, chest puffed out, big eyes sparkling, with an expression that said: "Uncle Second, see what Nono just said."

Bai Liang looked at the little one, whose eyes were exceptionally bright.

"Dad told Nono that you shouldn't think you did a bad job."

The little one said, looking up at Bai Sheng, as if seeking confirmation that what he said was correct.

Xiaobai Nuo had once hated himself for not being able to do anything, feeling that he wasn't well-behaved enough or obedient enough.

But—Dad had told Nono, had told Nono, and Nono believed it.

Bai Sheng heard the little one's words, took a moment to glance at his cub, then reached out a hand.

Bai Sheng patted the little one on the head.

When making bookmarks, the little one hadn't been as meticulous as Second Uncle, but they were already put away, each one slipped into a book. The books were stacked in a neat pile, which Bai Sheng picked up with one hand while scooping up his cub with the other.

The little one craned his little neck to meet Second Uncle's gaze. Second Uncle was still sitting on the floor—

This little cub was truly different from that pitiful and anxious version of himself back then. He was no longer so tense and strained, occasionally even showing a hint of little pride when praised. This was the result of being surrounded by gentle, warm affection.

Bai Liang thought to himself.

Then he heard the little one say in a soft, milky voice.

"So Second Uncle doesn't need to think he did a bad job either, okay?"

Bai Liang: ...

That feeling—that sudden, overwhelming 'I wish this cub were mine' longing.

And with it, a trace of resentment that that bastard Bai Sheng got to have such a cub.

"Are you some kind of child-rearing genius?"

Bai Liang couldn't help but take off his glasses, pressing them to the side and pressing his brow as he muttered softly.

"The Federation really wasted resources by not hiring you as Minister of Education."

"What?"

Bai Sheng had already stood up with the cub cradled in his arms, hadn't quite caught Bai Liang's quick muttering. He turned his head, eyes slightly narrowed, looking puzzled.

Clearly, Bai Sheng's gentleness was reserved solely for his own cub. The inherently arrogant, extremely entitled Bai Sheng was, without a doubt, the most fitting person to raise this little one who always fell into anxiety for one reason or another.

"No, nothing. I was just wondering when you'll take over as head of the family."

Bai Liang put his glasses back on and smiled as he looked up at the little cub.

"It looks like the eldest is no match for you now."

The little one, still innocent, leaned in his dad's arms and met Second Uncle's gaze.

Then came a dissatisfied voice from the stairway: "Bai, Jin! If you come bouncing down the stairs again, I swear to God! Do you know you look like a ghost?! I looked up and my heart nearly stopped—I'd be a goner!"

"What! I just took a shortcut, and who do I look like a ghost because of?! Mom! Mom! A back scratcher is bad enough, but it's *wooden*—don't you dare grab even a metal pan!"

Ruckus came from outside.

"Does 'saying goodbye' mean dying?! Mom!!"

The ruckus was loud, the kind of lively racket that didn't match the Bai family's past at all, and it instantly drew everyone's attention inside.

Bai Liang was still watching the little cub in Bai Sheng's arms, smiling. By now, he had already felt the power of Xiaobai Nuo.

If their generation had to have a winner—setting aside personal feelings and not counting Bai Qi—Bai Liang was a hundred percent sure it would be Bai Sheng.

He himself was strong enough, but that kind of strength alone wasn't enough to convince them. The real game-changer was that this guy now held a 'trump card.'

Haha, what can you do?

This guy had a 'nuclear weapon' and can even pull 'nuclear deterrence'!

Author's note:

Little Uncle: Mom, Mom, Mom!!! (Trying to awaken maternal instinct)

Second Uncle: Takes the cub…

Dad: Swallows his words (threateningly)

'Trump card' cub in person: ?