Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Saved specially for Daddy—for Daddy—for—

The child's soft, clear voice was piercingly loud.

It seemed to echo in the nearby parents’ ears.

Was that actually a normal cookie?

Some parents couldn't help stealing a curious look over.

It really was a real cookie!

It wasn't that they cared about a cookie or two.

It was that feeling of being treasured—damn, that must feel amazing, right?

And the Xie Family Twins had already arrived beside Xie Yu, whose eyes were nearly popping out, chirping, their little bodies grubby.

"Daddy, Daddy."

"Daddy! Take it!"

What?

Wasn't it "near vermilion, one turns red; near ink, one turns black"? Was it the power of role models instead?!

Xie Yu looked down expectantly and saw two grubby little hands holding mud cookies.

Xie Yu: ?

"Daddy, this is the best dirt from the play area!"

"The leaves are picked from the very tip of the little tree—super tender!"

Finally, the twins declared in unison.

"It's a cookie!"

Nope, it's not!

Xie Yu's brain short-circuited as he stared at the "cookies" the two little ones handed him. The duty of a good dad—who can't refuse his kids—and the fact that these things were inedible were locked in a furious battle in his head.

And to make things worse—

"Oh yeah, Daddy, the teacher said."

"There's a sports meet for Children's Day."

"This time I'm gonna be first!"

"No, I will!"

Xie Yu: ... Help!

The sky is falling!!

Can't they think of something new for Children's Day? Even a simple family dumpling-making event... nah, probably wouldn't be edible either.

Bai Sheng, still holding the little fish cookie from Xiaobai Nuo, watched Xie Yu as his world crumbled and smiled lazily. "Come on, Nono, say bye-bye to Uncle, we're going home."

The grubby little one, like a soft, sticky treat rolled in black sesame powder, looked at Xie Yu, the Xie Twins, and Yu Chuyan walking at the back. Xiaobai Nuo waved his tiny hand and said in a babyish voice, "Bye, Uncle Xie! Bye, big brothers!"

Xie Yu instinctively smiled and waved back at Xiaobai Nuo, then glanced at the cookie in Bai Sheng's hand.

I saw it, no need to keep waving it—you're so obvious! This guy's been provoking me nonstop!

Bai Sheng himself was already infuriating enough, and now he's been given this kid too? It's not fair! It's not fair!! Isn't there anyone who can put him in his place?!

Yu Chuyan also said goodbye to Xiaobai Nuo and got into the car sent by the Yu family's secretary.

By the time Yu Chen got home, Yu Chuyan had already been cleaned up by the household staff, had eaten dinner, and was reading a literature book with pinyin annotations, looking quite studious.

Yu Chen looked at his younger brother.

He had heard from the secretary today that Bai Sheng and Xie Yu had gone early to pick up their kids at the kindergarten gate. Yu Chen knew he had been trying his best, but some things he still couldn't handle perfectly, and an indescribable sense of guilt welled up inside him.

At least he had experienced a mother's love, but his brother had never known it from birth.

Yu Chen crouched in front of Yu Chuyan, reached out, and patted his head.

"I was too busy today. Next week, I'll take time to pick you up."

"Hmm?"

Yu Chuyan looked up, his little face trying hard to stay serious.

"Brother, you go ahead with your work. I'm fine. And kindergarten is really fun now, even if they're a bit childish. It would be even better if Nono's dad could pick him up later."

Yu Chen: ...

Is the kindergarten really that fun? Or is it that you little rascal just won't give up, will you?!

"And also, also—"

Yu Chuyan then pulled a small paper packet from behind him, handed it to his brother, looking quite proud.

"Brother, I made this for you."

What's this?

Yu Chen looked at the lump of mud cookie, was silent for two seconds, then reached out and pinched his brother's cheek, pulling hard.

Ha, nice try, little guy. Now I don't feel guilty at all!

Bai Jingyun had changed a lot recently. Many people, besides the employees at his company, had noticed.

In the past, the eldest son of the Bai family always wore a cold, expressionless face, consistently gloomy, and his business dealings occasionally bordered on gray areas. Some of the companies he worked with also had shady backgrounds, but that had been convenient when they were competing with Bai Sheng for market, influence, and talent—it was convenient for cooperation back then.

But in just a few short months, the wind had shifted too quickly. It seemed the two feuding heads of the Bai family had suddenly become harmonious.

It seemed one was busy raising a kid, and the other was busy watching the other raise a kid. As a result, even the icy, gloomy atmosphere in Bai Jingyun's company, which no longer had to deal with those troublesome firms, had largely dissipated.

There were no photos online, only silhouettes or backs of the little child. Bai Jingyun's employees spent all day guessing what kind of adorable little creature this was, capable of turning swords into plowshares.

Of course, on one hand, Bai Sheng's personality was easy to anger and ruthless, while Bai Jingyun, as the eldest son of the Bai family, was capable in his own right, having held a stern posture since childhood. But during his growth, under constant blows, he had fallen into deep jealousy and resentment. Many gossip-loving people had dug into these noble family secrets, hinting that the two were destined for bloody conflict with no chance of reconciliation.

Who could have predicted that after some aggressive companies picked sides, the two would make peace again?

The only ones hurt are those companies.

Recently, Bai Jingyun has also been receiving constant invitations, some openly or covertly inquiring, others appealing to reason and emotion.

Of course, Bai Jingyun is well aware of what these people are saying.

He certainly doesn't want to lose to Bai Sheng in the battle for the Bai family inheritance.

In theory, no matter what Xiaobai Nuo is like, it shouldn't affect Bai Jingyun.

Even now, despite truly being charmed by the little one, he should keep things separate—he wasn't directly saved by the kid like his mother and cousin were, nor was he so thoroughly hated by the little one that it demanded any major change.

But hearing these words now—

"Just because Bai San has a new little one, Boss Bai is wavering? In this regard, forgive me for speaking bluntly, but you truly are no match for Bai San."

An irate business partner, wanting to curse but not daring to, could only resort to subtle sarcasm and sowing discord.

Bai Jingyun found it utterly dull.

"If you have time to say these things, you'd be better off keeping an eye on your own industrial chain."

Bai Jingyun glanced at the time.

He worked late today; the little one had probably already finished dinner.

He swept his gaze over the partner company, whose faces had suddenly gone pale.

Bai Jingyun's expression remained unchanged as he turned to leave.

"Boss, tomorrow's schedule has been cleared. Do you have any activities planned?"

Bai Jingyun's secretary asked.

"Do you need me to be there on time?"

"No, not tomorrow."

Bai Jingyun said as he got into the car, recalling the news he had heard about the little one going to Sheng'ang University's anniversary celebration.

At least the uncle, who had managed to free up some time, was now calm.

Fine. Even if tomorrow brings sour lemons, that's okay too.

And maybe he was getting used to it—it really didn't feel as intense anymore.

He had completely given up resisting, even starting to try and enjoy it.

By the time Bai Jingyun returned to the main building, he could hear a ruckus inside.

Cen Zhi's voice carried over from a distance: "Bai Sheng! Do you want me to find you a plain chain from my necklace box so you can hang that cookie around your neck? That way you won't have to hold it up everywhere you go."

"I'm not carrying it everywhere. I'm just waiting for the right moment to eat it."

That was Bai Sheng's voice.

Bai Jingyun: ?

What cookie?

Bai Jingyun had just walked in the door.

Xiaobai Nuo had been cleaned up and changed into fresh clothes, and had already eaten dinner. He was being held by his father, holding a small bowl in his hands with about half a scoop of strawberry ice cream.

At the moment, the little guy, who had only brought fish-shaped crackers for his father, felt a bit guilty and tried to comfort his grandmother.

At such a young age, he was already trying to keep things fair.

"Grandma, I'll bring you some next week."

"Oh, baby, you can eat the crackers yourself," Cen Zhi then looked at Bai Sheng, who had been subtly showing off all afternoon. "Would you look at his father! How can you even have the face to eat Nuo Nuo's crackers?"

Mainly because that guy was too smug; he was walking on air.

Cen Zhi had no objection to Xiaobai Nuo bringing crackers for his father; in fact, she thought the little guy was so well-behaved. But the moment she turned and saw Bai Sheng, she got annoyed.

Xiaobai Nuo had to coax her repeatedly before Grandma finally sat on the sofa, ready to play with him after dinner.

Xiaobai Nuo still had two bites of ice cream left in his small bowl.

Doctor Xu Chuan had said that since it was hot, he could have a little, but not too much. So the little one was allowed some ice cream that evening, and Xiaobai Nuo savored it, taking tiny bites.

Even the parents, who had been bickering earlier, couldn't resist watching the little one eat ice cream.

Although it was really adorable, thinking about it, the little one had probably never even seen ice cream, much less eaten it, which was why he was so fascinated by it.

"Like it that much?"

Bai Sheng looked down at the cub sitting in his arms. Seeing that the little one was almost finished, he gave him a heads-up.

"That's all for today. You can have more tomorrow."

The little one nodded, snuggled against his father's chest to continue eating, then looked up and whispered.

"Ice cream is so delicious, Dad."

"Mm."

In the past, whenever he saw snow, he would hide in a corner, getting through it over and over. Each time, he tried to let as little snow fall on him as possible. No one had ever told Xiaobai Nuo, but he figured that maybe that way he wouldn't get too cold.

Nuo Nuo had never imagined that the snow that used to feel so cold on his skin could turn sweet in this world.

How amazing.

Xiaobai Nuo's eyes crinkled into crescents as he ate.

"Dad, Nuo Nuo is really happy."

"Mm."

As Bai Sheng responded, he looked up and saw Bai Jingyun walking in through the door. Even before Bai Jingyun could speak, or even just as he entered,

Bai Sheng had already made his move instantly, leaning lazily on the sofa to show off to him.

"The afternoon snack at Nuo Nuo's kindergarten today was pretty good."

He wasn't showing off; he was just stating a fact.

Bai Jingyun: …

Bai Jingyun: …………

Having finished the last bite of ice cream, Xiaobai Nuo looked up and met his eldest uncle's eyes. He waved his little hand at Bai Jingyun and called out in his baby voice, "Uncle, welcome home!"

The father and son had somewhat similar faces but gave off completely different vibes.

Bai Jingyun couldn't help gritting his teeth. Although he hadn't been causing trouble for Bai Sheng lately, he still felt that this guy had way too much free time on his hands.

Moreover, he smacked his lips, remembering the lemon-flavored ice cream he had a few days ago.

The uncle, who had already given in, couldn't help thinking with a deadpan expression: As expected, lemon flavor is still too sour.

Author's note:

Uncle: Can we sell this big one on a resale app? (Pointing at Bai Sheng)

Kid: !

Uncle: ...I'm joking.

Dad: [Sunglasses]