Chapter 71

Chapter 71

The "kidnappers" who got blocked: ...

They're also in sync with Nono!!!

"Nono, Nono, it's your cousin!"

Cen Liu tried to peek out from behind Bai Sheng.

Bai Sheng held the kid without looking up, pinpointed the sound, and waved a hand backward. Cen Liu, who had leaned in from behind, stumbled back, clutching his nose and yelping.

Actually, judging from the current relationship between the little one and Bai Jingyun, it was clear that Bai Sheng didn't care about the kid's relationships with others. He didn't even bother with how the kid got along with anyone else.

But Bai Sheng was extra wary of Cen Liu.

Mainly because this guy never learned his lesson, didn't know his limits, looked like a loyal dog but was actually a scheming fake with a dark heart—not a good guy. The Bai family might still care about their reputation, but as for Cen Liu, Bai Sheng honestly thought Cen Liu would snatch Nono away if he got too excited.

"Cousin?"

Xiaobai Nuo heard the voice, looked up from his dad's arms, and saw his cousin holding his nose behind his dad, and his grandparents, who he didn't recognize at first.

After Teacher Xiaoxue led him out, the little one saw his dad and immediately ran into his arms. He blinked, feeling shy, and burrowed deeper into his dad's chest.

He really missed his dad—his eyes even stung a little—but Nono was a good boy, so he couldn't cry.

The little guy had just been pulled aside by the Three Little Ones, who whispered to Teacher Xiaoxue, asking when his dad would come to pick him up, and then he saw his dad!

What a huge surprise!

"Did you have fun today, Nono?"

Cen Zhi bent down and smiled at Xiaobai Nuo.

"Grandma... why are you wearing that?"

The little cub, nestled in his father's arms, asked curiously.

"And Grandpa?"

Bai Qian quietly took off his sunglasses and looked at Cen Zhi.

Cen Zhi suddenly felt embarrassed and rubbed her chin, not knowing how to admit to the little one that grandma had been so worried she rushed to Bai Qian's office, dragged him out, and insisted on seeing how the little one was doing at kindergarten.

Although, thinking about it now, it was a bit impulsive—admitting that in front of such a tiny kid made us adults look emotionally unstable.

And... what are you looking at me for? I dragged you out and you didn't object at all, did you?

Cen Zhi glared back at Bai Qian.

But the little one quickly figured it out on his own. Bai Sheng had already picked him up, nodded at Teacher Xiaoxue, turned, and heard the little one raise his tiny arms, looking up at him and softly exclaiming, "Is this another one of Daddy's magic tricks?"

Bai Sheng was completely satisfied at that moment, glanced at the others, and slowly said, "Yes... it's still early, Nono. Want to look around?"

"Mhm!"

The little one hugged his father's neck, still excited after finishing half a day of kindergarten. The anxiety from being away from his family for so long melted away when they suddenly appeared. He snuggled into his dad's arms and asked,

"Daddy, Daddy, the brothers said there's a nice ice cream shop nearby. Can Nono have a taste?"

The moment Bai Sheng heard "ice cream," he frowned instinctively. Xu Chuan had told him that the little one should stay away from cold foods, and Bai Sheng was always serious, careful, and cautious when raising the kid. He nearly blurted out, "Too cold."

Then Bai Sheng saw the little one's big, expectant eyes. The little one seemed to think for a second, then said sweetly, "So that's why it's called ice cream—it's cold! Then Nono won't eat it for now, Daddy."

Anyway, Nono was already super happy to see Daddy right after school.

The little cub hugged Bai Sheng's neck and cuddled up to him.

Such a tiny cub was ridiculously cute, obedient, and well-behaved. A few other parents who had also come early to pick up their kids couldn't help but stare—most parents at this hour were pretty indulgent, so their kids were usually more mischievous. They expected a refusal like that to trigger trouble—a kid starting to cry and scream—but instead they heard this:

Other parents: …

When they saw how cute the little one in Bai Sheng's arms was, a bunch of parents got even more jealous.

He's not mad at all?

And so obedient?

That's not right, kid! Let uncle and auntie teach you: you're supposed to ask again stubbornly for ice cream, then when Dad says no, you pout, tear up, let out a wail like an air-raid siren, roll on the floor to give the janitor some work, and finally get dragged away by the scruff of your neck by your fed-up parent.

That's the proper procedure, kid!

You can't skip this—you're missing out on the full experience.

Now go back and do it over!!

So... why aren't the world's angel babies mine?!

Under the mixed stares of the surrounding parents, Bai Sheng looked at the little cub in his arms.

After a moment, the dad—who hadn't been able to focus at work all day because of separation anxiety—let out a breath.

But his focus was elsewhere.

From the start, Xiaobai Nuo was cautious—he never dared to ask for food himself. Only when Bai Sheng put food in his bowl would he eat earnestly, with no likes or dislikes, never making requests, just accepting whatever the adults gave him. This kind of obedience used to bother Bai Sheng a lot, but he never said anything—he just silently spoiled him.

Until today.

Today, his Nono, like a normal kid after kindergarten, asked for something he'd only heard of but never seen, expressing that just like any ordinary child.

Even if he was still being obedient.

"You can go, but Nono can only take two bites, okay?"

Bai Sheng compromised quickly, lowering his head to speak to Xiaobai Nuo.

The little one, who had only heard from his three brothers that ice cream was sweet and yummy, looked at his dad and cheered quietly, "Daddy is the best daddy in the world!"

At the same time, the old master, who was drinking tea with a group of old friends, occasionally checked the time.

"What? Brother Bai, do you have something to do?"

Someone asked.

"Oh, I heard from my little grandson, isn't your Nono starting kindergarten today?"

Old Master Ye spoke with a smile.

"Kindergarten's almost out, right? What's up? Does Bai Sheng not have time, so Brother Bai is going to pick him up?"

"No."

Bai Yan said.

"But I took him there at noon. We old folks believe in finishing what we start. I have to go see how he's doing."

If you say so, I guess that's true.

Old Master Ye chuckled.

"Speaking of, didn't Nono say he was going to give us some origami last time? What happened to that?"

Old Master Ye was just joking, but Bai Yan looked over in confusion.

"He already gave them to Ye Jiu. Didn't that kid give them to you?"

Old Master Ye: ...

"Hey, let me ask that little brat."

Bai Yan said, then got up and walked out.

The assistant waiting outside came closer, handing him the daily medication and warm water.

Bai Yan took the medicine and said he was going to Canghua Kindergarten. As he went downstairs, he saw a rock-stream feature built with stones in the middle of the teahouse, where many common red grass goldfish were swimming in a school.

"Hmph."

The old man stared at them for a few seconds, then murmured softly.

"Red fish. Not natural at all."

The assistant behind him felt helpless—how natural does he want a fish to be?!

The same thing was going on at the top levels of all the Bai family's businesses.

Especially Bai Jingyun. Lately, he had been leaving work early a lot, sometimes going home in the middle of the day and then returning for meetings.

He didn't mind at all; he happily did it every time.

Even the staff at Bai Sheng's companies felt they'd been too idle lately. The company seemed too calm now, and the boss seemed to be in a better mood, which was kind of unsettling for them.

And all they heard was that little Omega was adorable—why couldn't they actually bring him here to show us?!

Then they saw the boss expertly leave early again.

Bai Jingyun was the first Bai family member after Bai Sheng to meet Little Bai Nuo.

He knew very well how easily this little one could be bullied, and as the eldest uncle in the family, he couldn't help but worry.

It wasn't until the rest of the Bai family gathered at the Canghua Kindergarten entrance, exchanging puzzled looks, that they realized Bai Sheng, Cen Zhi, and Bai Qian were nowhere to be seen.

Bai Jin, who had just taken a shortcut after class, was still a bit out of breath. He scratched his head: "They didn't pick him up early, did they?"

Bai Liang, who had no class and came a bit earlier, adjusted his glasses: "Very likely."

Bai Jingyun was sending a message.

The old man stood far off, as if just out for a stroll, with Bai Qi beside him.

"They're at the ice cream shop over there."

Bai Jingyun, having received a reply from Bai Sheng on his phone, announced, pointing in a direction.

As the whole family headed that way, Bai Liang couldn't help but comment.

"Eldest brother, you and San'er are getting along so well now."

Those two usually didn't get along—yet now Bai Jingyun was generous enough to go straight to Bai Sheng.

Bai Jingyun's face was cold, and he almost rolled his eyes.

"Disgusting. I just dropped a project. I'm not going to get involved with him anymore."

So it was just an exchange of favors.

Bai Liang casually said "Oh," still smiling.

So he had said it before—as long as San'er had that little one in hand, big brother would be completely controlled.

After all, that little one was really something.

He admitted it too.

He just wondered if Bai Jingyun would change his mind later.

Then, as they pushed open the door of that warmly decorated ice cream shop,

The little one, who had just grabbed a paper bag from the counter, turned around. His soft little curls bounced as he clutched the bag and ran over to them with a pattering sound, clearly very happy.

Was it because he'd eaten something he liked?

"Nono, Nono chose the ice cream!"

The little guy came up to them, trying to lift the bag with his small hands, but it was too heavy, so he gave up. He set the bag on a chair nearby, his dad right behind to catch him if he tripped.

Little Bai Nuo was already opening the paper bag and reaching inside.

"This is for Big Uncle—"

Bai Jingyun crouched down, knowing his position, and spoke first.

"Yeah, lemon flavor, right? Thanks, Nono."

As Bai Liang watched in shock, with an expression that screamed, "Yeah, big brother is beyond saving,"

Bai Jingyun's expression stayed neutral.

It was fine. He'd already surrendered. Weird flavor or not, lemon was lemon.

Big uncle's fine with it.

Author's note:

Second uncle: Let's see if big brother can still put up a fight.

[Lemon] Big uncle: Can't win, so I've given up.

Second uncle: Just bury him.