Chapter 94

Chapter 94

Are you seriously flexing like that?

Are you really throwing it in my face?

Hah, you think that's gonna make anyone lose their cool?

You think you're hot stuff, huh?

You're nothing but a dad coasting on his kid's coattails.

For a moment, Bai Jingyun's expression went blank. He seemed genuinely 'stunned' by Bai Sheng's sudden boasting, a million thoughts flashing through his mind.

Then he twitched the corner of his mouth and stared wordlessly at Bai Sheng.

Alright, he got to him.

Or rather, Bai Jingyun was always the first in the Bai family to crack.

Ever since he heard that Xiaobai Nuo was a little omega cub, he'd had a major beef with that research institute.

Only Bai Sheng was totally loving it.

Bai Jingyun, who had rarely felt so calm and just wanted to casually chat with Bai Sheng, was left speechless again. He stared at Bai Sheng for two seconds, wanting to look away, but his gaze was glued to Xiaobai Nuo's face as he snuggled with his father.

He felt that if he actually died of anger, it would definitely be Bai Sheng's fault.

And if he thought about it carefully, wasn't his past antagonism toward Bai Sheng just self-preservation?

Xiaobai Nuo had no idea what his uncle was thinking.

He only knew that his father had picked him up and was pressing their faces together.

The little guy was still holding onto his father's neck, turning his head to look at him, then nuzzling closer, squinting with joy.

The Bai family aren't big talkers and weren't good at expressing themselves. Bai Sheng usually spoiled Xiaobai Nuo, but he rarely did such affectionate things.

Even when he slept with the little guy at night, Bai Sheng was extremely careful, afraid of accidentally crushing him.

Only when he was being a jerk did Bai Sheng openly express his pride and delight.

Guess you can't help but smile when you're being a jerk.

And for the little one who'd only had a family for half a year,

Nono loved snuggling with his dad.

That face, which looked a lot like Bai Sheng's, was totally angelic—but can someone Photoshop the guy next to him out?

It really ruined the harmony of the picture.

Bai Jingyun watched and thought to himself that Ms. Cen Zhi probably felt the same way.

But the soft little dumpling, while pressing close to his father, looked at his uncle.

The curious little guy didn't get why his uncle was upset about being shown off to. He blinked in confusion, then looked at the things he had brought for his uncle.

Then, in a soft, puzzled voice, he asked his father: "Why is uncle unhappy when I came to see him?"

When you're sick and people care about you, shouldn't that make you happy?

Because when Nono woke up sick and found his father beside him, he was really happy.

The little guy was still holding Bai Sheng's neck, lifting himself slightly to look seriously at his father—he was absorbing all the knowledge in the world, listening carefully to everything everyone said.

And although he had lowered his voice, the little cub's baby voice was so distinctive that even when hushed, it was easily heard by the sharp-eared alphas. Even Cen Zhi next to them heard every word and couldn't help looking over at Xiaobai Nuo.

Bai Sheng, who had just finished showing off his cub, looked at his son and quickly realized why the little guy had asked that question.

Or rather, it could be explained like this: although he had been assured he wouldn't be abandoned and that he was important to his father, the little guy still didn't realize how important he was to others.

So he didn't understand—what kind of burn Bai Sheng's flexing would deal to the rest of the Bai family.

Not just Bai Sheng, but Bai Jingyun and Cen Zhi also realized this.

They went quiet for a second.

It all came down to what the little guy had been through.

Bai Jingyun, whose mood had suddenly darkened again, twitched the corner of his mouth. He seriously couldn't tell: was Bai Sheng here to visit or to start a fight?

Bottom line, Bai Sheng never even wanted to see him!

So can he just kick this guy out? He felt like his heart was acting up, like the poison was about to flare.

Bai Jingyun thought this, but looking at Xiaobai Nuo, he still forced himself to put up with his bastard little brother.

"No, Uncle isn't unhappy."

Bai Jingyun looked at the little cub again.

"Don't worry about Uncle. I'll be fine in a few more days. But by the time I'm discharged, that exhibition will be over. I sent your dad the location—have him take you out for fun in the next couple of days."

Bai Jingyun shook the phone in his hand, trying to make his voice soft, but it didn't seem very effective.

"It's cool, Nono already asked Daddy," the little guy chirped, hanging onto his dad's arm, naturally leaning into his embrace, spreading his little hands to show. "There are carousels in lots of places. When Uncle gets better, you can come with Nono next time!"

Bai Jingyun...

Bai Jingyun leaned back against the headboard, the IV dripping slowly into him. He gave a faint curve of his lips.

"Okay."

Cen Zhi watched from the side and smiled too.

Even though they were still giving each other a hard time, it felt way better than before. Now, Bai Jingyun and Bai Sheng had this weirdly funny dynamic of poking each other with tiny sticks.

Before, she, as their mother, was caught in the middle and didn't know how to mediate. She couldn't exactly knock their heads together and make them shake hands, could she?

They're not kids anymore.

At this point, Bai Sheng finally set the little guy down and casually glanced over at Bai Jingyun's phone.

"Is it about Third Uncle?"

Bai Jingyun's face instantly went cold: "Who knows?"

And just like that, the conversation was drifting into territory not meant for a child's ears.

Cen Zhi smoothly picked up the little one, said with a smile: "Nono, there's a drink station down the hallway. How about Grandma takes you to see what drinks they have? It's been a bit dry lately—how about some cool pear soup?"

The little guy nodded: "Okay, Grandma."

He then turned to look at Dad and Uncle.

"Dad, Uncle, I'll bring you some too."

A drink station around the corner?

The Bai family hospital did have such a setup—actually an extension of the hospital cafeteria, designed for making nutritious soups or cool sweet drinks for medical staff and patients, using healthy ingredients.

But at that moment, countless thoughts flashed through Bai Jingyun's mind. He instinctively looked at Xiaobai Nuo.

All he remembered was—that drink station seemed to have honey lemon water.

"Nono," Bai Jingyun called out.

"What?"

The little guy was already being carried to the doorway by Grandma. He twisted his little body around, lying on Grandma's shoulder, blinking his big eyes in their direction.

"Can the lemon water today be a bit sweeter?"

Lemon water it is. In his condition, could it be a little sweeter?

A light laugh from Bai Sheng beside him made Bai Jingyun seem even more miserable.

"Huh?"

The little guy hadn't actually planned on bringing lemon water. He looked at Grandma.

"Can Uncle have lemon water now?"

"The doctor said it's fine." Cen Zhi carried the little one out.

"He doesn't have any dietary restrictions."

"Okay, Uncle!"

The little guy's voice came from the doorway, growing fainter.

The jealous Bai Jingyun turned to Bai Sheng belatedly: "Could I have gotten pear soup too?"

...

There were also people at the hospital cafeteria's drink station.

Although Bai Jingyun was the only patient on this floor, downstairs and in the remote inpatient areas still had many patients.

It was very hot that day, so several dining spots in the hospital were making refreshing drinks to send to various places.

In Grandma's arms, Xiaobai Nuo could see from afar a kitchen uncle looking serious and busy.

Cen Zhi stopped, looked down at the little one in her arms, and smiled: "Today Nono gets to order. Grandma will watch you order, how about that?"

It's important to nurture a child's independence.

Cen Zhi thought, meeting Xiaobai Nuo's gaze.

Xiaobai Nuo was holding Grandma's neck. When he heard that, he hesitated for a moment.

Then he thought it over, nodded, and let Grandma put him down: "Nono will go 'hunting.' Grandma, wait for Nono a moment."

So, a little while later, the busy kitchen uncle heard a soft, milky voice.

"Hello, Uncle, Nono would like pear soup and lemon water."

Huh?

The kitchen uncle was startled, peeked out and made eye contact with the tiny little one whose hands were resting on the counter.

So small! Where did this cute little one come from?

Xiaobai Nuo still wasn't very comfortable interacting with strangers. As he met the uncle's gaze, he felt a bit uneasy. He instinctively looked back at Grandma to confirm she was still nearby, then gathered his courage and looked up again to continue.

"Uncle, Nono wants three cups of pear soup and one cup of lemon water."

"Three cups of pear soup, one cup of lemon water, right? Okay, okay, Uncle will make it for you right away," the kitchen uncle, who had been working hard with a serious face, instantly broke into a smile. "Do you want it hot or cold?"

Cen Zhi watched from not far away.

Listen to that cute little voice.

She'd said it before—no one could resist Little Nuo Nuo.

Even those stubborn Bai family guys were all tamed.

She watched the little one talk to the man, and when it came to the lemon water, the little guy thought carefully: "Uncle, the lemon water should be sweeter."

"Sweeter, huh? We only have honey right now—can I add a bit more honey?"

The kitchen uncle continued.

The little guy couldn't actually see what was on the counter, but he nodded vigorously.

Gesturing, he said: "Uncle said he wanted it sweet. Can you add a little more, Uncle? And plenty of lemon too, okay?"

The little one clasped his hands under his chin, making the request seriously and softly.

He had to be nice to the sick uncle.

Sure, sure, sure! Okay, okay, okay!

Then Cen Zhi watched as the guy got carried away by the little one's request, picking up the honey jar and pouring it into the cup.

Cen Zhi: ...Honey lemon water—where's the water?

Cen Zhi finally couldn't help stepping closer.

And at that moment, the kitchen uncle realized what he had done. He stared silently at the cup with lemon slices and mostly honey, then looked at Cen Zhi as she approached.

Sorry, sorry, I'll get you a fresh one right away.

It's fine, don't worry about it.

Cen Zhi said, smiling.

Have him mix it himself in the hospital room.

That's enough for Bai Jingyun to make three cups' worth. Let him really soak in the love from his big nephew and stop picking fights with Bai Sheng.

Xiaobai Nuo, too short to see what was happening on the counter even on tiptoe: ?

So the little guy trotted back alongside his grandma, reaching out his tiny hand.

"Grandma, Grandma, Nono'll carry that for you."

What a good kid. Cen Zhi smiled and handed him two cups, watching the little guy tug at her clothes as he followed her back.

When they got there, the little guy knocked on the door all ceremoniously, then held his hands up high: "This time, Nono and Grandma went hunting and brought back the goods."

The conversation inside stopped.

Bai Sheng walked over naturally, took the stuff from the little guy's hands, and clapped for him like a pro: "Nono is so amazing."

Xiaobai Nuo looked up and hugged his dad's leg, and didn't forget to say.

"This time, Nono ordered from the strange uncle too."

Bai Sheng glanced at the 'honey lemon water' inside, casually passed the cup and straw to Bai Jingyun, then picked up Xiaobai Nuo, sat down off to the side, and stuck the straw in for the little guy.

Cen Zhi was just pulling the two cups out of the bag she was carrying, about to hand them to Bai Sheng, and said as she did: "That one's honey lemon without water—you've got hot water there, so mix it yourself and drink up. Nono specially made it for you, enough for three cups. Hurry up and say thank you to Nono..."

Before Cen Zhi could finish, she heard Bai Jingyun start choking.

Cen Zhi turned around: ...

Bai Jingyun looked like he'd been punched by whatever was in his hand.

He twitched his lips and said helplessly, "Mom."

"Could you have timed that any worse?"

"And take this pain-in-the-neck brother of mine away already—I can already hear him laughing at me!"

Meanwhile.

Country J.

"What do you mean, Bai Jingyun ending up in the hospital is my fault?"

Bai Zhize was laughing his head off watching some foreign show, but then he looked confusedly at the latest news, and, like he couldn't even understand the words, he looked at the guy standing in front of him.

"Because Bai Jingyun was poisoned, and it's connected to those people you were in touch with before."

Bai Wan said flatly, his azure eyes clear as the sky, just staring at Bai Zhize.

"What's his poisoning got to do with me?! I was just messing with him a little. What kind of tactics were those? I was gonna use a honey trap on him, but the person hasn't even gotten close to Bai Jingyun yet, so how'd this accusation get thrown on me?"

Bai Zhize yelled, slapping the table and jumping up.

Bai Wan didn't say a word, just kept looking at Bai Zhize like that.

Bai Zhize: ...

"I say it's got nothing to do with me—you think they'll buy that?"

Bai Wan finally spoke.

"Based on past data, there's only a ten percent chance they'll believe it."

Bai Zhize: ...

"Forget it, whatever. Since we're already here, how much worse can it get..."

Bai Zhize snorted, looking totally indifferent.

"According to the latest, the current head of the Bai family might move against our undercover agents, and other bad stuff can't be ruled out."

Bai Wan said again.

Bai Zhize: ...

"Isn't there any good news?"

"The good news is we can die before they get here to finish us off, messing up their plans."

Bai Wan said seriously.

Bai Zhize went quiet. The guy was middle-aged, but when he leaned back in his chair, you could still see the elegance and class from his younger days. He spoke lightly: "...The two of us? Die first to show them?"

Seeing Bai Wan nod, Bai Zhize finally threw the documents over in anger.

"Did that brain of yours break down?! It's all garbage, just like white people food and Chinese food made by foreign chefs!!!"

After scolding Bai Wan, he started scolding Bai Qian.

"Is Big Brother sick?! Didn't he ignore me before when I was making those moves? What's he doing now? Suddenly awakened some gene in middle age? Started cherishing his five A-level kids? Or suddenly awakened the grandparent-grandchild bond gene? Haha, is my brother crazy? No, that group of Bai family people are crazy."

"How can they just let that kind of cub, which influences their own decisions, have such an effect on them?!"

Meanwhile, at the Bai family's old residence.

The three people who had split up had already regrouped.

"Hurry up, Mom said she's almost home."

Bai Jin waved, then lowered his head to look carefully.

In front of them were small bags that had been carefully temperature-adjusted and water-conditioned, each containing, without exception, the most ordinary gray-black fish of roughly the same size.

Bai Liang and Bai Qi were rarely together without arguing; both were intently comparing their phones.

That backstroke fish hadn't died yet, but just as Bai Jin said, it had been swimming belly-up all afternoon, looking like a live fish on the verge of death.

It made people wonder if it would suddenly die right in front of the little guy the moment he saw it.

The three of them just thought about that scene—he would definitely cry! It would be pure hell!

So Bai Liang looked up countless documents, asked countless vendors, fishmongers, and fish-keeping bloggers, and came to a relevant conclusion—it could be due to unstable water quality such as oxygen deficiency caused by temperature changes, or it could be a condition like swim bladder disorder.

In short, it won't get better anytime soon.

The fish was now sitting in a shallow dish on the table at Bai Liang's place.

It was receiving both aeration and swim bladder treatment.

He was as meticulous as if he were conducting a scientific experiment.

Meanwhile, Bai Jin took people to scour the markets in the surrounding area, looking for similar fish.

Bai Qi didn't actually go to the reservoir; instead, she found a small river outside, fished for half a day, and eventually joined Bai Jin's team.

Bai Liang, on the other hand, had asked around in the group chat and finally gathered a few similar small fish.

The three of them did nothing else but spend hours on this.

They couldn't help but blame the old man—why couldn't he have caught a fish that's commonly sold in the market?

This kind of fish is common in the reservoir, but precisely because it's so common and ordinary, hardly anyone eats it, and even if they're sold outside, they're not live. No aquarium or pet store has fish like that either.

If it were the little red fish Bai Jin caught that had turned belly-up, it would be easier to replace.

But it had to be the old man's fish.

The three of them had photos of the fish from the front, top, and side on their phones, taken by the meticulous Bai Liang himself.

Bai Qi stared at the one in front of her.

"Does this one look like it?"

Bai Liang glanced over.

"This one's no good—the tail's different."

Bai Jin pointed to the one he was holding.

"What about this one?"

Bai Liang rubbed his chin.

"This one seems a bit thinner?"

Bai Jin frowned and looked at his phone again.

Bai Qi carefully compared.

"But we don't have a choice, do we? This one's the closest. If it's thinner, we can say its food got stolen by the little red fish today, so it lost weight. We can't explain the others away."

Bai Jin: ?

"The little red fish didn't steal its food!"

Right now in that kid's eyes, he's already the guy who makes food vanish with just a look. If the fish he caught made that even worse, would he have any dignity left?

"They're coming in the door! They're coming in the door! First, put away the ones that don't match."

Bai Qi spoke quickly, rustling as she bagged the fish and hurried them away.

"Hurry up and put that fish in!"

Bai Liang winced. "But it's thinner!"

Bai Jin shoved Bai Liang.

Don't be so meticulous right now. The kid might not observe that closely, and besides—

"He'll cry!"

Bai Liang: …

Bai Liang compromised.

He watched Bai Qi hide the fish away and quickly walk back.

With a straight face, he poured the fish in.

At that same moment, Bai Sheng stepped inside, holding the little one and slowing down.

He glanced at his flustered older brother, younger brother, and sister.

Xiaobai Nuo was nestling in his father's arms, chattering away as usual.

He turned his head and suddenly spotted Bai Jin, Bai Liang, and Bai Qi. His big eyes blinked.

The little one felt something was off.

But what exactly was wrong?

Xiaobai Nuo couldn't quite figure it out right away.

Bai Sheng and Cen Zhi smirked as they eyed the three.

The most meticulous one had water splashed on his cuffs, standing beside Bai Qi, and was hiding something behind his back—from Bai Sheng's angle, he could see it was a fish bag.

Bai Jin's eyes were wide; he looked busy, wiping one thing then touching another.

The most ridiculous was Bai Qi. She had been standing behind Bai Liang, but when she suddenly saw the bag he was hiding, she rushed over and blocked him.

It was a scene that would never happen in the Bai family—"The Three of Us" JPG.

Bai Sheng: …

Bai Sheng shot them a look: "You bunch of useless morons—can't even handle one fish in an afternoon?"

Bai Jin glared back: "Easy for you to say. You try finding one."

Meanwhile, Bai Qi kept glancing at Bai Liang: "Ditch the bag! Go throw it away!"

Then they heard Xiaobai Nuo speak softly.

"Daddy, did Auntie and Second Uncle make up?"

Bai Liang: …

Bai Qi: …

They glanced at each other, then turned away in disgust.

They all looked at Bai Jin: "Are we acting weird?"

Bai Jin couldn't even stand to look.

That was super awkward.

Bai Sheng had to cover for them.

He carried the little one over to the sofa nearby, making room for them to get rid of the bag.

Cen Zhi took the opportunity to peek into the fish tank and gave a quiet thumbs-up.

Anyway, she couldn't tell any difference.

The little one had already been seated on the sofa by his father, not paying attention to what his uncle was doing.

Because Bai Sheng spoke up, continuing the topic from the car ride, successfully diverting the little one's attention.

"You've finished all these science videos. Which do you like best? Cats? Why are cats your favorite?"

Xiaobai Nuo blinked, then his eyes sparkled as he gestured to his father.

"Because cats are really good at hunting, and they're not afraid of bugs! Cats are so amazing!"

"Is that really the only reason?" He admires them that much just because they're not scared of bugs?

Bai Sheng raised an eyebrow as he asked, unconsciously glancing back to check on them.

"Also because the cats living in the desert are like Nono."

The little one leaned against his father's chest, shyly fiddling with his fingers.

Both of them struggle to survive in harsh environments.

The cats living in the desert look so small, even smaller than Nono.

"But they're stronger than Nono, since Nono used to only be good at picking up trash."

The little one had said before that he could pick up trash to support his dad.

At this moment, the people who normally lie and do wrong without batting an eye suddenly felt pressure when lying to a child. Awkwardly, they tossed the bag as far away as they could. After dealing with everything, they breathed a sigh of relief—only to hear the father-son discussion.

Pick up trash to support Bai Sheng?

Bai Liang caught a familiar topic, glanced at Bai Sheng's dumbfounded face, and was about to laugh and chime in.

But then the little one continued.

"But now it's different."

The little one pushed himself up to look at his father.

"Before, Nono could only pick up trash to support Dad, but now Nono knows so many things. Nono has so many ways to support Dad and the family."

He gestured, eyes bright and full of purpose—whether it was origami, drawing, or some craft or other.

If Nono's villain family really couldn't beat the hero and ended up homeless, that's fine.

Nono will take care of them.