Chapter 111

Chapter 111

The things he learned really weren’t wasted at all; he’s put them all to use on himself.

Bai Jin, after realizing this, didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“Why are you carrying them yourself?”

He reached out to help Xiaobai Nuo stack the gifts.

“Because they’re all for Nono, and Nono originally wanted to carry them himself.”

Xiaobai Nuo also reached out to rearrange the gifts.

The clever cub decided to carry fewer at a time and make more trips.

Bai Sheng glanced at his watch.

“Eat breakfast first, then play later.”

Xiaobai Nuo nodded obediently. After he moved the ones in his hands, Bai Jin brought over the rest. Aunt Feng took the little cub to wash his hands and check what was for breakfast. When he came out of the kitchen, he was holding a small, fragrant, fluffy scallion pancake.

Clearly, the kitchen uncle and aunt had given it to him first. Xiaobai Nuo took a bite every couple of steps.

Probably feeling that from today on he was a big kid now that he was five, Xiaobai Nuo noticeably toned down his skipping steps when eating food he liked.

Until Cen Liu approached.

Cen Liu crouched down; the two of them were clearly going to have breakfast here.

The ‘kidnapper’ alliance had come early to try their luck, not expecting Bai Sheng to be up early today too.

Cen Liu, still unable to get his wish to hold the cub today, smiled nonetheless and said to Xiaobai Nuo, “Happy birthday, Nono.”

The cub’s cheeks were slightly puffed; at this, he chewed faster. Then his fair cheeks flushed with pink, looking a little shy: “Thank you, Cousin.”

Then, Bai Jin approached.

But he got too close, and before he could speak, the little one had already put his hand on his uncle’s face, trying to push him away.

Bai Jin: ?

“I can’t say happy birthday?”

Xiaobai Nuo: ?

“Isn’t Little Uncle trying to sneak a bite of Nono’s pancake?”

Bai Jin: … To Cen Liu he’s so obedient with a thank you, but to his uncle it’s a ‘slap’ plus surprise. You’re treating people differently, you double-standard little cub! You’re just being mean to your uncle, you little rascal!

Then Xiaobai Nuo thought for a moment.

He wiped his hand, took a step back.

“Okay, Little Uncle, you can say it again.”

Bai Jin squinted his eyes, then finally reached out to ruffle the little one’s curls. When the cub raised his scallion pancake like a weapon, he laughed heartily, “Happy birthday!”

The morning was basically free time for the little one. He followed his dad to pick up Great-Grandpa, and also went to see the leopard cat Anu, who hadn’t gone out for a stroll yet and had just finished a can of chicken, now rubbing and licking its fur.

As the pinnacle of pet leopard cats, Anu was large in size with glossy fur. When he saw the cub approach, he let out a reserved meow.

The old man’s place was like a small farm and ranch, plus a special zoo, as it also took in some rescue work. Backed by the Bai family, with good pay and benefits, the team was fully staffed.

They had taken care of Anu for three years and were used to all of this aloof cat’s behavior, but they still couldn’t help marveling at the scene.

“Anu has never meowed this sweetly before, right?”

“Definitely not. Brother Nu used to make me call him Sang Biao; I doubt he’d ever seek out a rub from anyone.”

But because Bai Sheng was also there, Anu only meowed a few times before slinking off to patrol his territory.

The cub, held by his dad, cupped his cheeks, and his naturally soft baby voice sounded even softer as he said, “Daddy, the kitty is cute.”

The one who usually charmed others was today charmed by a cat.

Bai Sheng stroked his little curls, blew on them gently, and responded.

The old man arrived early too. As for the elusive Third Great-Uncle and cousin, though not formally invited, since this was a big Bai family banquet, they would still make a brief appearance.

After lunch.

The kindergarten friends also arrived one after another.

They played in a temporary area set up in the Bai compound. Though there had been talk of building a small amusement park for Xiaobai Nuo, it was still in the planning stage with various safety considerations. So what appeared before the cubs now was an inflatable slide and castle.

Nearby was a place to wash hands, with many snacks and treats that cubs liked.

Of course, all of Xiaobai Nuo’s classmates had come, including Xia Huan, who always felt they were in competition but backed down after just a few words.

Before entering the Bai family’s old mansion, he was dropped off by his father, Xia Fan. Xia Fan would attend the evening banquet. Though today seemed just a little one’s birthday, when businessmen gathered, undercurrents flowed beneath the calm surface, and the adults had many events to attend.

Xia Fan looked at his own kid, going bald from worry, and kept giving instructions.

Mainly, he had recently heard that the one from overseas had been brought back. With his elder’s past experience as a warning, he was too scared to even communicate with Bai Zhize anymore. Now he had to come to a Bai family banquet, feeling guilty as hell.

But his kid seemed eager to play with friends he hadn’t seen in a while.

Xia Fan watched his cub run off, climbing into the car, and let out a worried sigh.

He had only met Xiaobai Nuo once at the sports day, so he wasn’t deeply impressed, thinking he was just a cute little one.

That was the first impression most people had of Xiaobai Nuo.

They really had no idea how this little one made so many cubs like him.

Xiaobai Nuo, on the other hand, greeted his friends. He usually played a lot with the Three Little Ones, but he got along well with the other kids too. It wasn’t long before he was wild on the inflatable slide with his buddies.

In the end, they all rolled down the slide and on the grass until they were dirty like chocolate bread buns. Then they were taken by the specially assigned caretakers to wash up and have afternoon tea.

The Bai family’s old mansion rarely saw such noise.

The cubs’ voices were chirpy, but not with wild screams. They caused occasional minor mischief, but it stayed within acceptable bounds.

After all, there were many A-class cubs in this class, so it was normal.

The newbie dad, on the verge of becoming an old dad, narrowed his eyes, watching.

He watched Xiaobai Nuo pulling Yu Chuyan down the slide. Yu Chuyan slid fast, then turned around at the bottom to catch the little guy, and the two moved aside. Meanwhile, the Xie Family Twins, for some reason, instantly started exchanging punches and rolling around on the grass.

Bai Sheng rubbed his chin, staring for a long while.

Until Bai Jingyun's voice came from beside him.

"Don't you find it noisy?"

Bai Sheng gave Bai Jingyun a casual glance.

Today, everyone in the Bai family had plenty to do, but Bai Sheng, the father, had snuck away from work to come watch the kid.

"It's fine. I never said I dislike children."

Oh, that's not what you said before, you forgetful father of Xiaonuonuo.

Bai Jingyun met Bai Sheng's gaze.

"Mom was looking for you frantically just now. I said you'd come here."

"What's the matter?"

Bai Sheng was impatient with small talk, still lounging casually against the wall.

"Some ceremonies and arrangements, I guess."

Bai Jingyun also looked at Xiaobai Nuo, then, as if recalling something, curled his lips slightly.

"They'll be quite surprised today."

Surprised that the Bai family would go to such lengths for a child's birthday, with all the Bai family members present.

Bai Sheng smiled and replied, "Whether they're surprised or flustered, when Nuo appears, they'd all better be smiling. That's all."

Beyond that, Bai Sheng didn't care.

"That's exactly why your attitude sometimes really pisses people off."

Bai Jingyun closed his eyes, cursing this selfish bastard under his breath.

"Grandpa asked me to ask you: how do you plan to raise him?"

Of course, Bai Jingyun was also curious.

After all, Bai Sheng practically treated Xiaobai Nuo like he was afraid he'd break if he held him too tight. In the past six months, the time he's spent away from the little guy could probably be counted on two hands.

"How to raise him?"

Bai Sheng actually didn't want to share. He wasn't keen on explaining his goals and intentions to others.

Because explaining motives and possibilities to people felt like talking to someone not too bright.

But he didn't mind saying it outright.

"He's five years old now. After kindergarten next year, he'll go to elementary school. His health has been improving nicely over these six months. Various exercises and training will be phased in gradually. Of course, the top priority is that he learns to sleep on his own before elementary school."

Bai Sheng continued, shooting a glance at Bai Jingyun.

"You know that, right? He insists on sleeping with me. He even comes at night with his little pillow to find me. It's super adorable."

Bai Jingyun: ...

Bai Jingyun didn't want to comment.

"I thought you'd be doting on him until adulthood."

Bai Jingyun found his own thought funny, because the funniest part was... he didn't see any problem with doting on him until adulthood.

Of course, that was Bai Sheng.

Bai Sheng, even when completely indulgent and already charmed by that kid into a silly grin, still insisted on achieving the goals he had set.

"Are you kidding?"

Bai Sheng tilted his head, with an air of matter-of-fact arrogance.

"Bai Nuo is my heir."

The only heir.

The Bai family held a magnificent banquet for all their business partners.

But as previously planned, to protect Xiaobai Nuo, and to merely announce the existence and status of this child in the Bai family, the moment came when the digital candle lit up on the huge screen. Xiaobai Nuo, dressed in a little suit, was carried up by his dad to cut the especially large multi-layered cake.

Endless birthday wishes poured in.

All kinds of strangers, with eyes of curiosity, affection, or malice, looked him over, but all of them smiled.

Xiaobai Nuo didn't fully understand the adult world yet.

But that didn't stop him from knowing this was a serious matter. The little guy worked hard to keep a straight face. When he wasn't giving that soft smile, his expression was kind of like Bai Sheng's.

He held the smooth, unsharpened ceramic knife, looking at the huge cake before him.

The little guy had never seen such a big cake. In the past, especially half a year ago, he might have wondered if this cake was really for him to cut.

But now, Xiaobai Nuo looked at his father, then turned and looked at the other family members. With his father holding him up, he made the first cut into the top layer of the cake.

Yes, he could, because this was a celebration of his birthday.

His dad told him he could have lots and lots of things.

After cutting the cake, the little one was carried off by his father to share cake and play with the other children, and didn't appear in public again.

But no one doubted how important Xiaobai Nuo was to the Bai family.

Because it had been years since anyone had seen the adult Bai heirs standing together with smiles. Even more startling was that most of the troubling arrangements were handled by Bai Jingyun and Bai Qi, the two Bai heirs skilled at socializing.

It was as if the past internal discord that could have led to the family's decline and chaos never existed. It was almost shocking. Perhaps after today, the wind direction in Ao City's business world would change.

Bai Zhize was also standing downstairs with Bai Wan.

And there were people assigned to watch them.

Bai Zhize held his wine glass, watching Xiaobai Nuo exit, and gave a snort. "Bai Sheng is raising that kid with incredible seriousness." Like he wanted to give him everything.

Lifting him up himself, telling everyone how much he cared about this child.

But there was no response. Bai Zhize looked over at Bai Wan beside him.

Bai Wan was holding a plate of braised beef with sauce, his blue eyes fixed unblinkingly on it as if analyzing its ingredients.

Bai Zhize: ...

Would you just listen to me?!

And for the little cub, the kids saying their goodbyes and heading home one by one meant the banquet was over.

Although the front area was still lively, the Bai family members were gradually leaving.

After seeing off his older brothers, Xiaobai Nuo was carried away by his father, chattering nonstop about everything that had happened that day.

Until Xiaobai Nuo looked up and realized they hadn’t gone home but had arrived at the main building.

The cub, who had tried so hard to keep a soft yet aloof face today, looked at his father in confusion.

"Daddy? Aren't we going home to sleep?"

Bai Sheng pushed open the door.

All the Bai family members were there, and they happened to hear Xiaobai Nuo’s words.

Bai Liang laughed, "We haven't properly blown out the candles and made a wish yet."

The events outside were just a formality.

Bai Sheng looked at the stunned little cub in his arms and guided his attention to the small cake shaped like a strawberry, made specially for him, topped with five small candles.

Bai Sheng thought that the family needed a special ritual to let this little one know clearly.

—Five years ago today, welcome to the world.

Happy birthday.