Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Bai Jin, as the first person to snatch the kid and make a run for it from Bai Sheng, made everyone mad.

That day, the Bai family held a friendly multi-person free-for-all boxing match.

The Bai heirs, who were very good at handling their younger brothers, adhered to the core philosophy of venting anger first and friendship second, diligently teaching them a lesson, showcasing the Bai family's signature 'brotherly love and respect' (sarcasm intended).

When Cen Liu showed up the next day, Bai Jin, who had crashed in the main building, hadn't slept well. After finishing his meal, he sprawled on the sofa, holding his phone, grimacing as he sent a message to Ma Chengpeng.

Bai Jin: Pepper, I'm not going today. Tell the old professor for me.

Ma Chengpeng: Don't just call me Pepper, Bro Jin!!

Ma Chengpeng: But today's class isn't that boring elective you hate. Why aren't you coming?

Ma Chengpeng: Bro Jin, you didn't provoke your older brothers and sisters again, did you?

That 'again' said it all.

Bai Jin's fingers paused.

He didn't reply, but squinted and changed Ma Chengpeng's contact name to Pepper Imp.

"Yesterday you looked like you couldn't even get up, but today you look much better. Are all you alphas this physically strong?"

Cen Liu sat on the sofa beside him, amazed as he looked at Bai Jin, having his mind blown again.

"Anyway, if it were me, I definitely wouldn't be able to get up."

This was also why the cousin always had the desire but not the guts—of course, it might also be because he had never been able to hold Nono, so he hadn't yet reached the point of picking up the cub and running off.

The Bai family alphas were very particular about how they dished out beatings. From the outside, it didn't look like there was much of a problem, but every hit was aimed at very painful spots.

Cen Liu couldn't help but marvel—their technique was entirely developed from fighting when they were kids, very practiced.

So this loose bunch of Bai family members still hadn't split up, and bizarrely now had a bit of cohesion. It was hard to imagine.

Cen Liu looked over in admiration, but couldn't help asking, "Since you knew you'd definitely get beaten up, why put yourself through such a brutal beating?"

Bai Jin had just tossed his phone aside, muttering about how Third Brother had used the chaos to land cheap shots, and that the spots he hit hurt the most.

Hearing this, Bai Jin turned to look over, his youthful tone carrying a hint of defiance.

"Because it's fun. I like doing exciting, challenging things."

Whether it was extreme sports or challenging myself, the more they say it's impossible, the more I like it.

Living is supposed to be fun, right? And as for being too young to have an advantage in the competition among the Bai heirs—I never thought it was hopeless. After all, when I had the chance to trip up my older siblings in the past, I hadn't shown any mercy.

But yesterday...

Bai Jin squinted: "Maybe it was because it rarely felt so lively, and besides, when I picked up that little guy and ran, he was yelling excitedly. Isn't that good? He looked pretty hyped and excited, so that's fine, right? Of course, I am reflecting on sneaking him away and carrying him through all sorts of places. Next time, I'm definitely tying him to me with a rope."

The reason the group was so angry was mainly that he had taken the cub and run without a word. Although he was confident he wouldn't drop him, the group watching the monitors were freaking out and furious.

Cen Liu: Speechless. Total respect.

"You're in this state and you still want a next time?"

Bai Jin couldn't help but glance at Cen Liu, his expression saying 'stop pretending': "If you had the chance to take him away, would you?"

Cen Liu wanted to play it cool at first.

But a childish voice came from across the room—"Daddy, is it tomato beef today? Nono also wants a big pork rib! So big! Nono can gnaw it himself. Nono wants three pieces! ...Too much meat will make my tummy uncomfortable? Okay, one piece is fine, but no green peppers, okay?"

Bai Sheng had already brought the little one home for lunch. Before they even entered the door, they heard the little cutie earnestly reciting his menu.

They didn't hear clearly what Bai Sheng said, but the little guy responded again.

"Yay, Nono loves Daddy best!"

Cen Liu stared in that direction for a few seconds, then turned his head back to look at Bai Jin again.

——If you had the chance, would you?

Cen Liu replied seriously and solemnly: "I would. I'd even take him away."

Bai Sheng, holding the cub, had just entered the door when he squinted suspiciously, looking back and forth between the successful 'kidnapper' and the potential 'kidnapper'.

Nono had just come back from kindergarten. The kindergarten was about to close for break, and some parents had already picked up their young children early. Today, Nono had only attended half a day of classes before his father picked him up. The little guy thought it over and still felt worried, so he asked Grandma to move up the medical checkup date by a few days. Some simple tests could get done this afternoon, while the ones requiring equipment would be done tomorrow and the day after.

The little supervisor was back to make sure whether his villain family members were playing nice.

Today, Nono wore a T-shirt and suspender shorts. The T-shirt had a pattern of a bitten chocolate bar, and the shorts were also chocolate-colored. His curly hair was soft, and there was a small crayon mark on his clothes.

His little arms and legs were fair and clean, and his father held him easily in his arms, like a little toy.

Now the delicate 'little toy' blinked, looked over when he heard the voice, and obediently greeted, "Cousin, little uncle, good afternoon!"

"Oh, good afternoon, my good little baby!" Cen Liu had no resistance to Nono. Right in front of Bai Sheng, he reached out his hands to grab the cub from Bai Sheng's arms.

*Nono called me cousin, so Nono wants to go home with cousin!*

But just as Cen Liu's extended hand reached halfway, the little guy, who had just finished greeting, tilted his head, reached out his little hand, and grasped Cousin's hand—his hand was too small, especially compared to an adult alpha. At most, he could only hold two of his older cousin's fingers, and then he gently shook the two fingers softly.

Cen Liu: !

Before Cen Liu could get closer again.

His other hand reached out but was expertly swatted away by Bai Sheng. The little guy also let go, and Bai Sheng carried the cub in his arms to the kitchen to see the lunch he had been talking about all the way.

Watching dad and son walk away, Cen Liu couldn't help but let out a light 'tsk', then suddenly turned his head to look at Bai Jin over there.

He felt Bai Sheng was even more vigilant than before. Whatever, blame that guy for spoiling it for everyone!

Predecessor·Bai Jin: ?

In the afternoon, the little guy was satisfied after finishing an entire picture book of idioms.

The Bai family gathered again, first for the simplest blood collection.

Bai Jingyun had been busy lately and was usually the last to return.

But even taking time to come back was the result of his recent hard work in dealing with his tasks. He had been pulling a lot of all-nighters recently, let alone freeing up the next few days.

Bai Jingyun hadn't been too concerned before, but after what the little guy said yesterday, he paid attention to how he felt. For a moment, he wasn't sure if his fatigue and dizziness were from staying up too late or if something really was wrong.

Normally, Alphas like Bai Jingyun have excellent physical fitness.

Bai Jingyun just thought about it for a moment and didn't really pay much attention.

Or rather, the Bai Family didn't take this mid-year physical too seriously—only Bai Qian, who had been having some stomach issues recently, felt a bit uneasy.

Bai Jingyun was still reading the latest messages from Lin Ren.

Lin Ren: Since it's going to be too hot in a few days, the exhibition I mentioned earlier got moved up. They also have outdoor activities, and out of concern for heatstroke, they opened earlier. The indoor venue will run for several days, and there's supposedly a surprise gift on the first day for visitors. Doesn't your little nephew like bears? There's a giant bear for photo ops, as well as all kinds of bear-shaped candies and cookies, plus healthy vegetable cupcakes.

Lin Ren: I plan to take my two little troublemakers on the first day. Did you tell your little nephew?

Bai Jingyun looked at his phone, unconsciously rubbing his fingertips—these two days?

Aren't these two days for the checkup?

Bai Jingyun glanced up at Xiaobai Nuo.

The little guy was curiously asking everyone if they were afraid of needles.

Aside from Ms. Cen Zhi, who smilingly said she was terrified and needed comfort from Nono, the proud Bai family members all insisted that getting a shot was nothing to fear.

Xiaobai Nuo stared blankly, taken aback.

Of course, the little one also noticed his return and trotted over to greet him: "Big uncle, welcome home!"

In a soft voice, he said, looking up at Bai Jingyun.

"Big uncle, are you afraid of needles?"

Bai Jingyun paused for a second, then crouched down, still wearing his usual cold expression: "Is Nono afraid?"

Xiaobai Nuo nodded instinctively.

He was really afraid of needles.

Bai Jingyun paused for just a moment, and under everyone's 'how could you' looks, calmly said.

"Big uncle is a little scared too."

"Really?" Dou Dou, following behind Xiaobai Nuo, was amazed. "Little uncle isn't scared."

Little uncle, sitting in the corner, looked puzzled.

Bai Jin slowly straightened up and glanced over in confusion.

Bai Jingyun seemed to give a faint, subtle smile, then casually asked, "So what should we do?"

The little guy tilted his head, thought for a moment, then nodded firmly: "Then big uncle, you follow grandma."

Cen Zhi also looked over, confused, and even gave Bai Jingyun a careful once-over.

So grandma goes first for you? No way, she doesn't believe it! Her status must be higher than this silent block of wood, right?!

The doctor who arrived was utterly charmed by Xiaobai Nuo pattering around everywhere.

The little guy had just had his checkup done, so he wasn't on the list for this round.

After talking to his big uncle, he ran over to grandma with Dou Dou and leaped into her arms: "Grandma, grandma, Nono wants to go up."

Cen Zhi looked at the little one in her arms as he looked up and pointed at the sofa.

Cen Zhi lifted the little boy onto the sofa, and the doctor approached.

Taking the chance, Bai Jingyun looked over at Bai Sheng.

Bai Sheng was casually leaning nearby as usual, mostly unwilling to engage, habitually watching the kid.

He seemed to notice Bai Jingyun's gaze and tilted his head slightly in silent inquiry.

"That store Nono liked before is having an exhibition. The first day is the day after tomorrow. There are gifts. He loves surprises, right? Want to take him?"

He pretended to ask modestly, his cold face showing consideration.

"Aren't you busy? I could take him alone if you want. It's not far—we'll be back soon."

Bai Sheng: ...

Bai Sheng deliberately ignored the latter part and said lazily, "The day after tomorrow? Aren't there still check-up items?"

Bai Jingyun replied casually, unconcerned.

"Check-up items won't run away. The surprise gifts are only on the first day. If he doesn't want to go, I can just bring him something back, but then he'll miss the outdoor exhibition."

The Bai Family isn't known for romance, and Bai Jingyun isn't particularly ceremonial either. But after these past six months of easing up, he couldn't help feeling that some things were indeed more satisfying to do personally.

Especially when rewarded with the little one's joyful thanks.

"Then go ask him yourself."

Bai Sheng had no objection. In fact, he was also looking for fun places for kids to go, planning to make up for all the experiences the little guy had missed once he was on full break.

After all, it had taken half a year to nurse this frail little one back to health.

As for his grudge against Bai Jingyun?

Initially, it was Bai Jingyun who liked to pick fights, and Bai Sheng just clashed with him in return. The situation escalated, but from the start, Bai Sheng didn't really care about Bai Jingyun's thoughts or opinions.

And now.

Now, perhaps because of the little one, Bai Sheng saw Bai Jingyun in a much better light—or maybe he just saw everyone around him more favorably.

No matter what, Nono is my kid.

And so, this delicate balance gave the Bai Family the illusion of "harmonious friendship."

"Alright, all done!"

Xiaobai Nuo's little milky voice rang out, and the two men turned to look.

The little guy had covered grandma's eyes with his hands, his own eyes tightly shut: "Grandma, don't look. Nono will cover for you."

Cen Zhi hadn't expected that, but paused and laughed, leaning comfortably into the little one's arms. He was so small standing on the sofa that Cen Zhi didn't dare lean too hard.

Everyone around looked over, hesitating for a moment.

After Cen Zhi's blood was drawn, the little guy bounced on the sofa and waved at his big uncle: "Big uncle, come here! Come here! Nono will block for you, so you won't be scared anymore."

Everyone: !

Is that really a thing?!

Why wasn't this activity announced beforehand?!

Bai Jingyun: !

Bai Jingyun took two steps forward, then glanced at Bai Sheng, who was also momentarily stunned. “I’ll go ask Nuo Nuo.”

Bai Sheng: “…I want to back out.”

Bai Jingyun pulled out his phone and shook it. “I recorded it.”

Bai Sheng: ?

“Are you crazy?”

He really still couldn’t stand Bai Jingyun.

The cousin's reaction was the most intense.

He had already had his blood drawn and was pressing on the needle hole on his arm, his eyes going wide.

“Nuo Nuo, Nuo Nuo, cousin is scared too—”

Cousin can give another tube!

There’s another crazy person here.

Cen Zhi pulled Cen Liu away, stuffed the backpack and other things into his arms, and packed him off to work.

After everyone finished the blood draw and completed the most basic tests that could be done that day, they sent the samples off for results.

The busy people quickly left. It wasn't dinnertime yet, so only a few remained.

Xiaobai Nuo took another pack of sweet milk and handed one to each of the remaining people.

After handing them out, he leaned against his father, careful to avoid the injection site. When his father looked over, he hugged the milk and looked up with a smile, then lowered his head.

The tiny toddler sat on the sofa, feet dangling, little legs swinging as he struggled to open the sweet milk pack.

The straw wrapper was tough to open that day, and the little guy's face scrunched with effort.

Bai Sheng sat beside him watching. He opened the milk the little guy had given him, inserted the straw, and was about to swap.

Just then, Bai Jingyun crouched down in front of the little one.

As luck would have it, the little guy's hand slipped—the straw still unopened—and his small fist flew out, landing a “punch” on his uncle who had just crouched down.

Bai Sheng burst out laughing.

Well done.

Xiaobai Nuo: …

Bai Jingyun: …

The little guy instinctively glanced at his uncle, then turned to look at his father, and instinctively tried to hide the “weapon” behind his back.

But in the end, the little one chose to “take responsibility.”

He tapped the straw with his little hand and said seriously,

“It’s all this straw’s fault. Uncle, look, Nuo Nuo hit it for you.”

Bai Jingyun: …

He watched as Bai Sheng swapped the little one’s sweet milk with his own. The little cub held the sweet milk with both hands, sipped from the straw, and gave his uncle a small expression that said, “Uncle, all right, let’s just move on.”

He had indeed become much more lively and cheerful, and didn’t say sorry all the time anymore.

Bai Jingyun didn’t mind the “punch” at all.

He took out his phone, pulled up a picture, and showed it to the little cub, then asked, “Do you like this kind of candy? There are also bears, cookies. Over there you can DIY—oh, that means assemble your own. Candy, cookies, and all sorts of other toys. Inside is a small children’s playground with a big carousel set up.”

The little one had always been in poor health before, at most just following his father around, playing on swings and hammocks. The mini amusement park his grandparents wanted to build for him was still in the design phase, so Xiaobai Nuo had never seen these kinds of children’s rides.

He was just gulping down his sweet milk, but now he couldn’t help leaning forward slightly, out of curiosity. His soft, fluffy little curls lightly brushed against Bai Jingyun’s cheek, carrying a faint fruity scent from children’s bath products.

“Uncle, is this the carousel from the picture books? Daddy, Daddy, look! It lights up too!”

The little guy’s eyes lit up instantly. He pointed with great interest at the picture of the carousel.

Whenever he encountered something curious, he couldn’t help chattering to share it with his father.

“Yes, it spins and lights up. Do you want to go play?”

Bai Jingyun saw the expression on the little one’s face and felt it was almost a sure thing.

“Can I?”

Xiaobai Nuo looked at his father and, after getting a nod from his father,

the little guy spoke again in that childish, expectant little voice.

“Uncle, Nuo Nuo wants to go! Can Nuo Nuo also call Brother Xiao Yan and the others? Nuo Nuo wants to play with them. And when we go out, can we get ice cream? Nuo Nuo wants the kind that’s crispy on the bottom and pointy on top.”

The little cub was particularly disciplined. He held out his little hand and said, “Nuo Nuo will only eat this many bites. The rest is for Daddy.”

It was no longer a share out of scarcity, but because he knew his father worried about him getting a stomachache.

This babbling little voice echoed through the hall, making it feel lively even though there were only a few people.

Bai Jingyun’s expression softened slightly.

“It’s the day after tomorrow. Uncle will talk to your father about the time. You won’t need to go out for long. You can just contact your good friends directly.”

Huh? The day after tomorrow? That’s when…

The little cub blinked. He reacted quickly, and the expectation on his face turned into hesitation. He tugged at his uncle’s clothes.

“But Uncle, you have a check-up the day after tomorrow.”

“It’s just a one-day check-up. We can push it back a day. The exhibition has gifts on the first day, and the outdoor booths are only open on the first day. For the check-up, the hospital’s not going anywhere. But the gifts are only available that day, right?”

It wouldn’t hurt to delay a day or two.

Bai Jingyun really wasn’t making a big deal out of this check-up. He only knew the little one had had a bad dream and was feeling a bit anxious.

But at the end of the day, it's only a one-day delay.

He had figured, given how much the little guy was looking forward to it, he would hesitate for a moment and then happily agree, saying something in that warm tone he used before—"Just one day, then Uncle has to do a proper check-up tomorrow" or something along those lines.

This was already a very well-behaved kid.

But to Bai Jingyun's surprise, the little one didn't hesitate at all. He shook his little head firmly.

"No, we can't delay it. Uncle has to have a thorough check-up."

The little one said earnestly, reaching out his small hand and pressing it down on Uncle's hand, propping himself up slightly, trying his best to make Uncle feel how serious he was.

"It has to be a very thorough check-up."

Nono doesn't want Uncle to suddenly fall down.

Although Uncle doesn't often talk to Nono, Nono's toy room is piled high with toys Uncle bought, and Uncle often brings back delicious snacks and small cakes, and then gets scolded by Grandma for bringing way too many, too often.

So not even one day is allowed.

Nono will worry.

"Ah?"

Even Bai Jingyun couldn't help but pause, letting out a confused grunt. He frowned slightly, not quite getting it.

"But, don't you like gifts, and the carousel—"

"But Nono already has so many gifts, and Uncle is always giving Nono gifts."

The little one looked at Uncle, serious, his cute face pulled tight in seriousness, trying to correct Uncle's way of thinking, echoing Uncle's own words.

"The carousel isn't going to run away, candy can be eaten less often, Nono already has plenty of toys, and the cakes and snacks made by the chef uncles and aunties at home are also delicious. These aren't must-haves."

He is a child easily satisfied, and his expression said, "Of course that's how it is."

Xiaobai Nuo's hand resting on Bai Jingyun's hand was really small, soft, with a slight cool, sweet milk temperature. Bai Sheng had already raised his hand to support the little one's waist as he propped himself up, but he clearly wasn't surprised by anything his child said.

Of course, Bai Jingyun thought Bai Sheng's light hold on the little one was overkill.

Did he think his own hand strength couldn't support this kid?

"Sure, Nono was a little scared of Uncle at first, but Dad and Uncle have already made up. Uncle is family, on Nono's side. Family is what really matters."

The little one sat up straight again, looking at Uncle.

"Toys, snacks, gifts, surprises—there can be so many of them, but there's only one Uncle, so—"

The little one made a cross with his small hands, his soft little face looking a bit hurt, as if he couldn't understand why Uncle would compare family with these things.

"Don't compare these with family, not allowed."

This is absolutely not allowed.

Uncle is a silly uncle, but he is a smart kid, able to tell what is truly important.

Bai Jingyun: ...

This little one cares very much about this check-up. Family cannot be compared with other things, including Uncle. Not sure where Uncle ranks, but this doesn't seem to be the time to argue about rankings.

Bai Jingyun rarely encounters a situation his mind can't handle at all.

Subtle. He wanted to cover his face to hide his expression, but he did nothing, just looking at Xiaobai Nuo's adorable face.

Of course, it would have been better if Bai Sheng wasn't there.