Chapter 88

Chapter 88

Bai Yan had scarcely held this cub before.

After all, Bai Sheng now watches him like the apple of his eye. Most of the Bai family members kept their hands to themselves, and few others could get close enough to hold him.

Bai Yan was also somewhat aware of everything that had happened to this little one in just half a year.

Of course, children of the Bai family faced countless dangers from birth to adulthood—he himself had lost a younger brother to a sudden attack before he came of age. It was simply the way things were. Yet it was clear that Bai Sheng could not tolerate any mishap.

Bai Yan had thought that even if this was an Omega cub, since he was born and acknowledged as a Bai child, he should lack nothing he was entitled to. He ought to grow strong, so that in the future storms of blood and violence he wouldn't be crushed at the first blow. The Bai family had no use for a weak heir.

But at this moment, Bai Yan found himself unable to accept any harm coming to this little one either.

Just like his own heart attack—the physical signs don't lie.

Bai Yan thought that, but his body still tensed up.

This little one was too soft, too light. Even though Bai Sheng had painstakingly fattened him up a little, he was still such a tiny thing, like a gust of wind could blow him away.

The little one was still holding up the cake. As he was lifted, he instinctively shielded the cake box. Then he found himself sitting in his great-grandfather's lap, still holding the fish-shaped cake, craning his neck to look up at his great-grandfather with a bewildered expression.

Neither party had any experience, and both were nervous—especially Xiaobai Nuo, who didn't dare move while seated in his great-grandfather's arms.

"Great-grandpa, the cake! The cake almost fell!"

The cub was completely focused on the cake.

And perhaps because he had been surrounded by so many sweet things today, he himself smelled like a mix of cream, sugar, and flour.

Bai Yan's movement was so sudden that everyone around turned to look in silence.

Bai Jin's low-grade fever hadn't gone down yet and was expected to linger for a few more days. The ongoing physical discomfort made the already quarrelsome guy even more irritable. He made the biggest noise, knocking a cushion off the sofa.

So when the old man turned and looked over,

he caught everyone staring at him.

Bai Yan cleared his throat. Finally, he took the fish-shaped cake, placed it beside himself, and carefully put the little one down with a dignified air.

It seemed he had made a decision.

"There's something I want to say."

Bai Yan said, unusually calm and collected.

"I retired long ago; I shouldn't be staying here anyway. A short stay is fine, but lingering too long would be imposing on you."

"Dad? Didn't you say you weren't planning to go back for now?"

Cen Zhi was a bit surprised.

After retirement, the old man had rarely involved himself in business. He set up a place like a farm-garden in a spot with a pleasant climate and beautiful scenery. He'd only come after hearing about Xiaobai Nuo's existence, and that visit had stretched into a few months.

But Cen Zhi was actually worried: the medical services in the place he'd chosen weren't as good as in Aung City. Even with the full Bai medical team brought along, they'd definitely be slower to respond than in Aung City.

But he was dead set in his ways and wouldn't listen.

But now—

"Mm, I plan to settle down in Aung City from now on."

The old man picked up a fork, looking at the fish-shaped cake, clearly messily piped. He figured out where to take the first bite, without looking up.

"I had someone buy that plot of land nearby. I plan to fix it up nicely and move my important things here. Besides, children need to roam in wide open spaces to grow tall later. This old mansion is way too small."

Are you saying the Bai family mansion—which covers several villas, large activity areas, and countless scenic spots—is too small?

Everyone who heard this couldn't help but look at Xiaobai Nuo's short legs.

Well, that little guy's gonna have to do a lot of running.

Xiaobai Nuo didn't really have a concept of how big a living space was. Before coming to the Bai family, he was always on the move; only now did he have a sense of home.

At that moment, his father had already picked him up.

Hugging his father's neck with some confusion, he murmured, "Do I have to run that much every day to grow as tall as Daddy?"

Looking at his own cub, who was noticeably shorter than other children his age, Bai Sheng—the Bai family's "height peak"—hesitated for a moment, then met his cub's expectant gaze.

Bai Sheng finally nodded: "Yeah."

"Yeah" my ass!

Forget whether running that much is necessary—don't just arbitrarily give your cub that kind of hope!

None of the other top Alphas in the family ever grew as tall as you, okay?!

The expressions of the Bai family members were almost identical at that moment.

Strangely enough, it was harmonious.

Bai Yan finally forked a piece of cake into his mouth.

He almost never ate sweets like this.

Not that he liked or disliked them—or rather, as a proper Bai heir, he never really had strong preferences.

But now that he was older, with chronic ailments and heart problems, he had to cut back on oil and sugar. He didn't care whether he ate them or not, but he didn't like admitting he was old.

Still, although it was sweet, it was way less sweet than the desserts he had tasted before. The fruit was also crisp and refreshingly light.

After one bite, Bai Yan couldn't help but peek again at the little one who fantasized about being as tall as his father.

Then he looked around the room from left to right.

You'd hardly believe that these Alphas, with such high pheromone levels and strong territorial instincts, could get together so peacefully as adults without any special reason for them to be there.

As for internal strife in the Bai family—conflicts were gonna happen.

Bai Yan never avoided that fact. You can't just tell them what's right and wrong or teach them restraint and make it go away. It was built into their Alpha genes.

It's not that their thinking had changed. It was simply that this little one's presence seemed to smooth over a lot of conflicts.

But it didn't seem to be heading in a bad direction.

Over there, another commotion broke out for some reason, punctuated by the little one's soft baby talk. Bai Yan took another bite of the cake. At this moment, his phone kept vibrating.

Bai Yan took a quick look.

The old buddies have all made it home, and the ones who struck out again today are bitching in the group chat.

"My little great-grandson finally couldn't hold back and asked why Great-Grandpa can't catch any fish. Those fish electrocutioners really are something else!"

"We've been at it all day, and they just drop in positive and negative electrodes, sneak through at night, taking all the big and small fish. At this rate, what fish are still left in Ang City Reservoir?"

"The penalty is still too light. It's only a few fish, not worth much. They just love petty gains and think any law that gets in their way is just blocking their money."

"My grandson's just as bad."

This time it was Old Master Ye who spoke.

"'Do you know what he said?! He said, 'Whether you chum the water or not, it's all the same, so just bring one fishing rod and one kernel of corn—light and convenient, and you can play all day long.' Does that sound like something a human would say?!'"

"'Was that that little punk Ye Jiu?!'"

"'That kid kept something, didn't he?! That little scoundrel!'"

"'I don't know where he hid it. At first, he talked back to me, and now he says it's his delivery charge! Bro Bai! Say something, Bro Bai!'"

"Isn't there anything to help us feel better, or something to pass along to that little cutie—don't get me wrong, a bunch of us old guys didn't care about those origami before, but now that Ye Jiu has hidden them, it's a whole different ball game now!"

As the bunch of "ace pilots" waited expectantly,

Bai Yan was silent for a long while. Finally, he posted a picture in the group chat.

The photo showed a small cake, half-eaten, still holding its shape.

Everyone in the group: ?

What does this mean?

Bai Yan: I have fish.

"Bro Bai, at least go to the market and buy one. You can't fool kids with that."

"Bro Bai, did you eat that yourself? You should eat less—the doctor said you can't have such sweet, greasy stuff."

Bai Yan: It's a low-sugar cake made by my great-grandson. I can eat it. He said that in his eyes, Great-Grandpa is the best at fishing, and this is a prize.

Bai Yan slightly "embellished" what Xiaobai Nuo had just said.

It successfully drew a flood of question marks from the group.

Bai Yan: He said Great-Grandpa has already caught the best fish.

Xiaobai Nuo is totally dedicated to those two pet fish of his, feeding them on a strict schedule every day. Can't argue with that.

Bai Yan thought to himself, at least my fish came before that little red fish.

Everyone: We came here to feel better, not to feel worse!!!

Having said what he wanted to say, Bai Yan felt a rare, strange sense of satisfaction. He turned off his phone and ignored the frantic stream of group messages.

He kept eating his cake, watching the ruckus.

Meanwhile, by the sofa, Bai Jin was watching Bai Jingyun eat his cake with a totally straight face.

Bai Jingyun's cake was topped with lemons and tangerines.

And they were fresh lemon slices that looked sour enough to make your teeth hurt, not just decorations.

Bai Jin stared at Bai Jingyun's face, full of questions, trying to find a trace of an odd expression.

But there was none, absolutely none. In fact, Bai Jin even noticed a certain elegance in Bai Jingyun's way of eating.

Wait, that's not right. Given how that little guy described his uncle, could it be that nothing happened at all?

Bai Jin decided to find the answer himself.

"Can I have a bite?"

Bai Jin had already finished his own cake. Fork in hand, he eyed the cake in front of Bai Jingyun eagerly.

Bai Jingyun glanced at him and moved it aside slightly. "Only the cream."

That generous? And it seems fine?

Bai Jin was indeed surprised. Cautiously, he scooped a small spoonful of cream and put it in his mouth.

At first, the soft, sweet cream melted on his tongue—seemed okay...

But then, distinct chunks of fruit pulp appeared like hidden weapons, bursting with sour juice when he bit down.

Bai Jin: ...

Bai Jin's face instantly puckered up.

This cake packs a punch!

The cake base was probably normal. No wonder he was only allowed to have the cream.

Bai Jin turned in shock to look at the little guy yawning in his dad's arms.

What kind of little genius mixes chunks of lemon pulp into the cream?! It's like popping boba when you bite into it!

Then Bai Jin looked back at Bai Jingyun and said sincerely, "Big Brother, your taste really is kind of weird."

That kid was right!

Bai Jingyun: ...

Bai Jingyun quickly wolfed down the rest of the cake in two or three bites, then turned to look at Bai Jin, chewing expressionlessly. With a click, he put his fork down on the plate.

Bai Jin instinctively stood up and backed away two steps—

He asked warily.

"What are you going to do?"

Yeah, he knew this atmosphere well.

It felt like when he was a kid, about to get a beating for messing with his older siblings.

"I was just stating a fact!"

Bai Jin bolted, with Bai Jingyun hot on his heels.

"I'm still a patient!"

With that kind of energy, you can hardly be called a patient anymore. How about we go to the activity room for some rehab exercises?

"You don't need rehab for gland repair side effects!"

The two rushed past the sofa.

Bai Jingyun glanced at Bai Sheng. Putting fresh lemon bits in the cream was definitely Bai Sheng's idea. Nono's a good kid at heart; he must have gotten Bai Sheng's okay, or even praise, to go crazy adding them.

Bai Jingyun figured he'd have to deal with his brothers one by one, but there was one problem: he couldn't really handle Bai Sheng.

So he went with—"Not joining us? Matching family outfits?"

Bai Jingyun looked at Bai Sheng, his voice on the cold side with a hint of warning.

He chose to make Bai Jin more uncomfortable.

Bai Jin: ?

Bai Sheng was looking down at the little one yawning in his arms while watching a children's science show. Upon hearing this, he tilted his head slightly and thought for a moment.

"Good point."

Bai Sheng put the little cub aside, letting him hold the phone and watch on his own, and stood up.

Bai Jin: ???

What the hell!

Bai Qi, who hadn't been involved with her brothers today, had some rare free time. She had a servant brew some black tea and was looking at the little lamp-shaped cake in front of her, reluctant to dig in.

Little light bulb...

Bai Qi was still thinking.

Even though they rarely met because she was busy, and only gifts were sent over, this little guy still remembered very clearly.

Then Bai Qi looked up and saw Bai Jin being double-teamed and about to be dragged to the activity room.

The prolonged low-grade fever, though not damaging to an alpha, had somewhat affected his mobility.

Bai Qi watched for a while and said bluntly, "How pathetic, Bai Jin. Climbing over stairs is one thing, but are you going to escape under the table too?"

Bai Jin shot her a glance—Mind your own business!

Cen Zhi had smoothly taken over Bai Sheng's spot, guiding the little one in watching the children's science show. Hearing this, she sighed.

"Don't wash your dirty linen in public."

Nono was so sleepy he could barely keep his eyes open, but the commotion behind him caught his attention. He looked curiously back and forth between the scene and his grandmother, then chimed in, "Then should Nono go close the door?"

That way, no one else can see.

Bai Jin: ??????

Cen Zhi paused for half a second, and hearing the quick-witted ones, including Bai Qi, couldn't hold it in and burst out laughing.

Cen Zhi also couldn't help but laugh. She rubbed the little one's head. "Our Nono is so smart!"

Nono looked at his grandmother and puffed out his chest—Yes, yes, that's exactly what Daddy said when he taught me!

Now, in Country J.

Unlike the night back home.

The sun had just risen here not long ago.

In a small villa, the aroma of coffee and milk mixed with the scent of bread wheat drifted through the study.

"The old man's been in Ong City?"

The speaker leaned back in a soft chair, looked up with a chuckle, and still held some photos and documents in his hand.

"Didn't he retire and find a small place to stay? No plans to go back now?"

"Seems that way."

The person standing before him spoke in a rigid, emotionless tone.

"And Bai Qian's kids are getting along well?"

The seated person tossed the photos onto the table.

"That's funny. Are you kidding me? For what? I remember they were at each other's throats before."

"They say it's because Bai Sheng brought back a little kid."

"A little kid."

The man propped his chin on his hand. He had been all smiles a moment ago, but now his face darkened instantly, seeming moody.

"The reason is laughable. Does my eldest brother's child no longer have the abilities a member of the Bai family should have? I can't understand. What's more, they've loosened their surveillance on me lately, acting like they don't care what I do—Ha! Does nothing I do threaten them? Just because I'm the Bai family's failure?"

"That's not quite it..." The standing person continued in a rigid tone, but paused. The outside light fell into his blue eyes, revealing an emotionless blankness. "You're still important, father. It's just that something happened to the Bai family recently, so there have been some adjustments."

The Bai family was still keeping a close watch on the failure, not letting him cause trouble. It was just that something happened to the Bai family, and as a less critical link at the moment, he wasn't being watched as closely as before.

"...No one asked you to interrupt. Let me finish."

The seated person looked up, his face, which bore some resemblance to Bai Qian, showed displeasure.

There were three Bai family heirs in Bai Qian's generation.

Bai Qian, as the eldest, held power. The second son always stopped at nothing, meticulously plotting an assassination attempt on Bai Qian that left him severely injured and requiring major surgery, eventually leading to his death in the conflict.

And the last one, who fled abroad and was mostly under surveillance, was this unpredictable guy before him—Bai Zhize.

Bai Zhize straightened up again and reached out his hand. "Got any photos of that kid?"

"Our channels can't get any, only silhouettes and backs."

The standing person handed another set of documents to Bai Zhize.

Bai Zhize took it and curled his lips.

"That eldest son of Bai Qian's is different from Bai Qian. He's got a twisted personality, a bit like my second brother. Let's find a way to add fuel to the fire and see about those business partners he's working with—it's only natural for them to suffer some backlash, right?"

As he spoke, he flipped through a few pages of photos.

He stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Something's off. Are you sure this is that troublemaker Bai Sheng's kid?

No way! How can he be so calm just letting Bai Sheng hold him?

I wouldn't be surprised if Bai Sheng's brat was born able to fly.

And it's just a tiny cub—what the hell are these people doing?

If it were me, I'd send something that could hold me back as far away as possible.

The guy in front of him nodded.

Bai Zhize just...

Fine. He grabbed a piece of bread, took a bite, and gave it a disgusted look.

'Brain-dead white people food...' Bai Qian didn't even mention me, did he?

Actually, shouldn't this kid be calling me—Third Great-Uncle?

At the Bai family's old estate.

Cen Liu didn't arrive at the main building until more than two hours after dinner.

By then, only Bai Sheng, holding Little Bai Nuo, remained in the main floor activity room.

Bai Qian had gone to do a work summary, and Cen Zhi had gone for her usual skincare routine.

Cen Liu hadn't expected the little guy to still be waiting for him so late.

After recovering, he was swamped with work again, incredibly busy.

His usually lively, puppy-like eyes, which had looked so energetic after a few days of rest, were now filled with exhaustion.

He glanced at Bai Sheng holding Little Bai Nuo and couldn't help thinking—how nice, this kind of father-son bond.

Too bad he'd never get to experience it again.

Then Little Bai Nuo struggled to open his eyes, handed him the puppy-shaped cake, and mumbled sleepily: 'For cousin.'

But that's fine—Cen Liu's mood lifted right away.

Though he sometimes felt resentful, he was mostly optimistic, believing everything could be solved.

And of course, he was much easier to cheer up than the Bai family.

The weird uncle, who only wanted to hold the kid, spoke in a sugary voice.

'Thank you, Little Nuo Nuo.'

He reached out, but ultimately didn't dare take the kid from Bai Sheng's arms.

He had just been marveling at the father-son bonding, but now Cen Liu couldn't help suspecting Bai Sheng's motives—you're not bonding; you're just afraid I'll take Nuo, aren't you?!

Cen Liu stared at Bai Sheng, convinced that was the case.

Was he never going to get a chance to hold the kid?

Cen Liu pretended to rub his eyes, faking a cry.

'Can't Nuo let his cousin hold him? Cousin's so pitiful, worked all day, and he's not even a villain—'

The kid had once done a 'villain roll call' in Lishan, and Cen Liu wasn't on it.

But before Cen Liu could finish, the kid interrupted.

'Cousin is a villain!'

The little guy struggled to lift his head, yawned again, tears welling up in his big eyes as he looked hazily at his cousin.

'Cousin's a villain. Nuo says so! Cousin is on Nuo's side—'

As he spoke, his little head started drooping.

Cen Liu lowered his hand and blinked.

Huh?

He leaned in—half of the little guy's face was already buried in his father's chest, eyes closed.

Little Bai Nuo had had a long day, no nap, and had forced himself to stay awake to give the cake to Cen Liu. He fell asleep as soon as his eyes closed.

His chubby cheeks were squished into a round shape, and he softly mumbled, 'On Nuo's side... villain...'

His sleepy baby voice was impossibly cute.

He looked so cute asleep.

Cen Liu looked at the cake in his hand and said helplessly, reverting to his normal voice, 'It's so late. Why didn't you put him to bed? I could have just come and picked it up. Why make him wait?'

Cen Liu shot Bai Sheng a look: 'What kind of dad are you, letting the kid get this tired?'

Bai Sheng, now holding the sleeping kid, watched him snuggle into his chest, then casually replied in a low voice.

'Because he wanted to wait.'

'What?'

Cen Liu was happily stuffing cake into his mouth when he heard that and looked up.

Bai Sheng, holding the kid, looked completely indulgent.

'He said he gave them to everyone else in person, so he had to give one to his cousin in person too.'

Cen Liu was speechless.

Cen Liu watched Bai Sheng carry Little Bai Nuo home to bed.

He was dazed for a moment, then scratched his head and laughed.

'Really terrifying—' that feeling.

So, Bai Sheng—just let me hold him. Even if you give me the kid permanently, I'd be thrilled!