Chapter 116

Chapter 116

Bai Liang stared at the little guy's forehead for a while.

It wasn't completely dark yet, and the streetlights were on, so he could see fine.

There was a red mark on the little cub's fair skin, about a quarter the size of his forehead, and it was a bit swollen, the kind of bruise that would turn greenish-yellow before fading.

Bai Liang suddenly turned his head, staring at Bai Jin. Bai Jin was holding Little Bai Nuo and, clearly feeling guilty, was being extra careful with how he held the cub—not as casual as usual.

Bai Liang was a bit OCD. When he noticed the mark, he got a little agitated, rubbing his thumb against his index finger, but he didn't reach out to touch. Without his glasses, Bai Liang fixed his gaze on Bai Jin, offering a sudden smile, as if a dark, ominous floral backdrop was blooming behind him.

"You looking to die?"

Bai Jin: ...

"Didn't need you to come and remind me specifically."

He'd already accepted his fate, even though this time he really hadn't meant to cause trouble.

"Did you put a cold compress on it?"

Bai Liang raised his hand to check the time, then asked.

"Already did."

Bai Jin said, gesturing to the iced chestnuts in his hand.

He got those iced chestnuts while getting the cold compress, and they even grabbed a meal after.

This little guy is so delicate. Even though he only bumped into something lightly and Bai Jin caught him in time, it still left a red mark. Bai Jin didn't even want to think about what would've happened if he'd been a second slower and the little cub had taken a full hit—it would've definitely broken the skin, right?

Bai Jin clicked his tongue softly, then looked at the little cub, who was blinking and just now realizing the adults were talking about his red mark. Especially when he looked at the mark on his forehead, Bai Jin grew a bit irritable.

Little Bai Nuo let out an "ah," looking from his uncle to his second uncle.

The cub, who didn't care about such a small bump at all, quickly said: "It's not Uncle's fault! Nuo Nuo wanted to play too, and when I got off, I wasn't paying attention and tripped. It doesn't hurt at all, it'll be gone in four or five days."

The little one gestured with his hands.

Then he looked at his uncle again, his small hand resting on his uncle's shoulder: "Uncle, it's okay. I'll tell Daddy for you, this time it's not Uncle's fault—he didn't mean to."

Bai Jin squinted at the cub, then just said, "Mm."

"It's fine."

It's just going through a trial, right?

He could handle it.

Thinking this, Bai Jin glanced at his own hand again, couldn't help but feel annoyed: Stupid hand, why did you have to pull that rope? Now look what you did.

Might not even be able to show him off next time.

Bai Liang had been shocked that Bai Jin had taken the cub from Bai Sheng's side and ended up hurting him.

Then after hearing Bai Jin's account of taking the little one to play bumper cars in the afternoon...

Bai Liang: ...

Even if the speed wasn’t fast and safety measures were in place, a cub of this height still faced risks playing bumper cars, especially after colliding with other cars a few times. Bai Jin, who had a high tolerance for thrills from childhood and had played too many intense games, was insensitive to these dangers.

Having never interacted with a cub of this age before, he had done plenty of research but still missed some things. Since the last gland incident, though he still loved teasing this little one, he had almost spoiled and indulged him to the point of letting him get away with anything.

Bai Jin wasn’t the easygoing type to begin with. If this little one really wanted to do something bad, he probably wouldn’t even need Xiaobai Nuo to beg—just a word from the cub, and Bai Jin would likely help carry it out. Today, it was clear the cub really wanted to play, so he just indulged him, not seeing any issue.

Bai Liang was silent for a moment, then suddenly spoke: “Sometimes if you’re not strict, people don’t learn their lesson.”

He looked away, pulled a glasses case from his pocket, put on his glasses, and when he looked up again, a familiar smile curled at the corners of his lips. He glanced at the big one and the little one, then shrugged with a laugh: “Bai Wu, you’d better wait until next year when he’s a bit taller to take him on bumper cars, or at least avoid colliding with other cars. Just do a few sharp turns for thrills—being too short makes it easy to get hurt.”

Though this injury wasn’t from the bumper cars.

Bai Liang swallowed his frustration.

Probably because Bai Liang was used to seeing a clean, fair-skinned cub, seeing the red mark on his forehead now felt jarring. Disciplining a younger brother was something for San’er or their mom to handle; as the second uncle, he had no business meddling, did he?

Meanwhile, the big one and the little one heard Bai Liang’s words.

—Being too short makes it easy to get hurt.

Bai Jin sighed and instinctively glanced at Xiaobai Nuo: “Is there a height requirement for this? I remember when I was four or five, I could drive fast ones and crash into adults.”

A lot of places said kids could play from age five, but this cub was indeed shorter than his peers… Wasn’t that even worse?

Nono blinked: “Huh?”

Too short… too short… too short…

He let out a little whine and eagerly reached out his hand, using his fingers to show a tiny length of two or three centimeters.

“Second uncle, second uncle, Nono has grown this much in the last six months.”

At the same time, the aperture of Dou Dou’s camera widened slightly, and a mechanical voice rang out. Then Dou Dou’s lens turned, as if surveying the surroundings, before slowly moving to scan over Xiaobai Nuo—stopping on his face without completing a full scan.

Silence.

Then Bai Sheng’s voice came from Dou Dou: “Brother, give me an explanation.”

“Dad!”

Xiaobai Nuo suddenly leaned in, filling the entire frame.

Bai Sheng was silent for a moment on the other end.

“Forget it, I’m done with the meeting. Nono, you don’t need to come pick me up—I’ll be there soon.”

The temporary call initiated by him ended.

Bai Jin: …

My brother even called me “brother” for once.

Ha, is there still hope for me?

Bai Liang understood what Bai Jin was implying, and he smiled, raising a hand to pat Bai Jin’s shoulder.

Calling you 'brother' probably isn’t out of brotherly love.

“He might be telling you to be careful in the next life.”

Bai Jin: ...

Bai Liang looked at Xiaobai Nuo again, smiled, and reminded him gently, "Remember to apply a cold compress every two hours, and then a warm compress twice tomorrow evening. Have you two eaten yet?"

Xiaobai Nuo was holding Dou Dou and looking at it; he only looked up when he heard this, glancing at his second uncle who had said he was particularly short. The little one seemed to want to prove something, but finally, looking at his own short arms and legs, he obediently stayed in his youngest uncle's arms: "We've eaten."

"Good, do you want to walk around a bit to digest? Your dad should be here soon."

Bai Liang's smile remained gentle and refined.

Then Bai Jin's phone suddenly rang. Bai Jin looked at the caller ID showing "Mom," and for a moment, he fumbled a bit, as if he'd grabbed a ticking time bomb. He thrust the little one in his arms into Bai Liang's arms: "Second brother, hold him for a moment. I need to take Mom's call."

"Hello—"

Bai Liang, who had been smiling calmly, suddenly had a child shoved into his arms.

His body stiffened, and his smile froze slightly.

But Xiaobai Nuo was already used to being held by family. Even though it seemed he had never been held by Bai Liang before, he took it in stride, reaching out to habitually hug his second uncle's neck.

Then the little one stared at him intently.

Did he have something to say?

Bai Liang wasn't sure. He thought back on what he had just said, wondering if the child didn't agree with some of his views.

However.

The little guy couldn't help but motion to his second uncle again.

"Nono has grown a little these past few days. Dad marks the wall for Nono every day. I'm not that short, am I?"

Bai Liang: ... What is he worried about? Is that the point?

"Second uncle, did you hear me?"

The little one blinked, continuing to look at his second uncle.

Bai Liang: ...

"I heard you."

This is really bad.

...How could he find even the fact that his focus was so odd to be kind of adorable?

He should still be a normal person.

Probably.

At the main house of the Bai family compound.

Bai Jin sat on the sofa, unusually subdued.

Across from him was Bai Sheng, holding the little one and applying an ice pack to Xiaobai Nuo, a cold smile naturally on his lips. Beside him sat Cen Zhi, her face expressionless. In the distance, the Bai family members who had returned were all staring at Bai Jin.

Today, Bai Qi and the old man were absent. The others were used to eating together with Xiaobai Nuo in the main building; with the little guy not around today, they had little appetite.

As soon as the little one got home, the red mark on his forehead made every Bai family member at home stop what they were doing and start a Bai Jin roast.

Bai Jin: ...

Bai Liang drawled from a distance: "Great, that fills Bai Jin's afternoon schedule perfectly, right up to when school starts. Bai Qi can't make it back..."

Bai Jingyun added: "But she curses pretty harshly."

Bai Jingyun waved his phone.

Bai Liang sat with his legs crossed on a chair, a slim laptop resting on his knee. Hearing that, he typed away with a smile.

"Mom?"

Cen Zhi finally smiled: "I'm in the item race."

So it's just a beatdown?

Bai Liang caught on and nodded: "Got it."

Bai Jin: ... Hey!

Bai Jin tried to explain himself.

But looking at the mark on the little one's forehead, and then thinking about how he had taken him to play bumper cars without making sure first.

Bai Jin: ...

He was almost tempted to lecture this irresponsible parent himself.

Bai Jingyun: "Should we ask for his input?"

Boss Bai's face remained cold as he stared at the little cub's face for a while, then glanced at Bai Sheng before shifting his gaze away.

Good thing it was nothing serious—this almost sent Bai Sheng right back into 'follow-his-cub-everywhere' mode, didn't it?

Bai Qian thought for a moment: "How about he writes a self-criticism?"

Bai Jingyun casually said: "Or just knock a bump on his head."

Bai Sheng: "That's good."

The moment Bai Sheng spoke, everyone turned to look at him.

Bai Sheng had been helping the little cub press the ice pack on his forehead without saying a word, but now he let go, gave a lazy smile, and seemed to start looking for a suitable tool to knock a bump on Bai Jin's head too.

The Bai family members: …

So you only hear what you wanna hear?

You've been wanting to knock a bump on Bai Jin's head since you walked in, haven't you?

It's a wonder you've held out this long.

Bai Sheng was indeed very busy this afternoon, and although he did think Bai Jin was unreliable, he didn't think the guy could be that unreliable.

So he didn't check the surveillance often; when he did look earlier, he didn't see any vehicle collision or the little one bumping his head, just Bai Jin taking Xiaobai Nuo for a ride in the little toy car.

And after Xiaobai Nuo finished the cold compress, he looked up at his dad, paused, then glanced at his uncle.

The little one climbed down from his father's side, as everyone watched, went to his uncle's side, then managed to climb up and sat obediently, just like his uncle.

At that moment, the adult and the child sat side by side, and the scene was kind of funny.

Bai Jin had caused plenty of trouble since he was young and had faced all kinds of scolding. This time, he was truly convinced—it was his fault he didn't look carefully. He planned to go back and thoroughly read the safety instructions again, and make sure the manufacturers provide clearer instructions. He realized that for children of this age, it was unclear whether they could play on various facilities, and you need to check carefully.

But, Bai Jin watched the good little boy sitting in the same posture as him, couldn't help himself, and curved his lips into a smile.

Then he heard the little one say in a sweet little voice: "It was Nono who wanted to play. Uncle took Nono to play. Uncle, like Nono, didn't know Nono couldn't play yet."

Nono nodded, then looked up at his father.

"Uncle caught Nono really, really fast. Uncle Xie said it's normal to get a bump sometimes. Dad, Nono likes playing with Uncle."

It's normal for children to bump and get hurt.

But that doesn't stop parents from worrying.

Bai Sheng looked at his own baby, then at Bai Jin. He stood up, let out a sigh, picked up Nono, and met Bai Jin's eyes: "Any objections?"

Bai Sheng made his stance clear.

If there were objections, then he wouldn't get to hang out with this kid anymore.

Bai Sheng didn't care about others, but his kid cared, so he also seemed to show more warmth.

Bai Jin leaned back and honestly shook his head: "No."

Bai Sheng: "Good."

This is how the Bai family teaches a lesson.

Although Bai Jin usually didn't learn his lesson after going through the motions, this time it was clearly different.

Bai Sheng nodded, carried the kid away, and could still hear the little one's confused voice.

"Dad? Uncle..."

Bai Sheng's voice sounded normal again, and he asked casually: "Want to look at the idiom picture book?"

"Huh?"

The little one's attention was diverted by the parent's sudden change of topic.

"Mm, Brother Xiao Yan said reviewing at night will help him remember it better."

Bai Jin watched Bai Sheng carry the kid to the room where the little one reads picture books. He straightened up, and the Bai family gradually dispersed, each going about their own business.

Cen Zhi was really worried today. Looking at Bai Jin's face now, she couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed. But Bai Jin, this kid, actually didn't have a major problem. Unlike the Bai family's result-oriented approach, Cen Zhi had raised five A-cubs, and she treated all her cubs equally, was more thoughtful.

"You need to be careful when you take Nono out. Your brother was so trusting that he let you take him out the first time. Luckily, nothing major happened. If something really happened, a few people wouldn't be able to hold your brother back."

"Mm, I know, Mom."

Bai Jin was still looking in the direction where Bai Sheng had carried Nono away.

He stood up.

"Does Third Brother have something to do later? I'll go see Nono after he leaves."

About half an hour later.

Any later, and it would be Nono's bedtime.

The little one was lying on the floor reading a picture book with Dou Dou. Cen Zhi sat not far away, smiling as she watched the little one read.

Bai Sheng was temporarily handling matters on the second floor.

Bai Jin came over at this moment.

Nono looked up and saw his uncle. He climbed up, blinked his eyes, and then was suddenly poked on the cheek by his uncle.

The little one squinted his eyes: "Uncle."

"Mm, what were you up to just now? It was my fault for not reading the instructions carefully. Why did you come running over with a pitter-patter?"

Bai Jin snorted with a laugh.

He wouldn't stoop so low as to let this little kid plead on his behalf because of his own negligence.

"Huh?"

Nono blinked his eyes.

"But just this time, getting hurt isn't Uncle's fault, and the car isn't Uncle's problem either."

He thought about it, pouted, and reluctantly admitted.

"It's because Nono is too short."

Bai Jin couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Nono: ... Is he mocking me?

The little kid sitting on the ground reached out unhappily, trying to push his uncle away.

"Come, let Uncle show you what to do."

Bai Jin ignored the little one's weak pushes and leaned in closer.

"You should cover your forehead, cry and roll on the ground, then tell your dad to hit me, so I'll remember not to take you to play on dangerous stuff next time."

Bai Jin sat close to the little kid, summarizing.

"At least wait until you're a bit older to take you to play those things."

Nono was pressed up against his uncle, feeling hot and squished, his little hands couldn't push him away, his curly hair fluffy, making him look like a little puffball.

But upon hearing this, the little one subconsciously tugged at his clothes.

"Will Uncle still want to play with Nono?"

Because playing with Nono seems like too much trouble.

No one likes trouble.

"Of course," Bai Jin paused, "but it depends on your dad."

Would he still be allowed to take him out? He'd probably have to sneak him out to play.

Then Bai Jin heard the little one say happily to him, "Nono asked Dad, and Dad said Nono can play with Uncle."

Ah... so he first asked if he still wanted to play, and then told him that?

Bai Jin squinted at the kid, then suddenly reached out and pushed him down.

Cen Zhi: ...?

Cen Zhi stood up, already ready to kick someone.

And Xiaobai Nuo was dazed.

He heard Bai Jin say, "Come on, as Uncle just said. It's not about whether I'll play with you or not; Uncle can feel guilty too."

It's not like he's a real jerk.

But words like guilt had never been in Bai Jin's dictionary.

What does he mean by "come on"?

The little one thought for a moment.

Roll around?

Xiaobai Nuo made eye contact with his uncle, tentatively rolled over once, messing up his curly hair even more, and then couldn't help but laugh.

"Uncle, it's weird seeing you like this from down here."

Bai Jin reached out and tickled the little one: "What are you laughing at? Come on, be serious and scold me."

Then.

Cen Zhi bent down, picked up the kid, and then satisfied, kicked Bai Jin over.

That felt good!

At the door, the few people who had been around the little one all evening exchanged glances.

Bai Jingyun: "Why does it feel like Bai Jin is getting more and more childish?"

Bai Liang sighed softly: "You're right."

And Bai Qian: "Nice kick."

Bai Jingyun and Bai Liang both turned to look at Bai Qian.

Bai Qian coughed lightly.

...

Upstairs.

Bai Sheng was looking at the materials that had been sent.

The illegal research institute in Country Z was destroyed, its remnants fled, and many have been found and captured.

Of course, Bai Sheng's side had also contributed a lot.

But obviously, this lab was just a small fry on the stage; there were still many big fish not yet caught.

Bai Sheng showed no intention of letting up.

Bai Sheng could roughly guess how they got his genes. A few years ago, at an international summit, Bai Sheng had suffered a minor injury.

Using this as a lead, Bai Sheng could roughly narrow down a range of foreign extremist organizations, going through their materials and ideologies one by one.

Bai Sheng lightly drummed his fingers on the table, then texted his subordinates: "Keep investigating."

Bai Sheng shut his laptop, first checked the monitor to see what his kid was up to, then went downstairs.

Downstairs.

Bai Jin had been banished to the small sofa farthest from the kid.

Bai Liang had just returned from a phone call, and he looked thoughtfully towards Xiaobai Nuo.

"What's wrong?"

Cen Zhi asked first.

"The school told us not to keep anyone in the research building these nights, and to leave work early."

Bai Liang said, tugging at his collar as he sat down.

"The patient from the family that stirred up trouble before suddenly took a turn for the worse, and it might get more troublesome."

"Huh? Why are they still coming?"

Bai Jin glanced over.

"Haven't you explained to them over and over that the special drug you're testing now doesn't match the patient's symptoms? They came after asking around, and if the symptoms don't match, they don't even qualify as volunteers. Are they still pushing it? Haven't the hospital and company that leaked the info managed to rein them in yet?"

"A whole family—we plug one hole, and another springs a leak."

Bai Liang smiled and looked over.

Although he knew he wasn't exactly a good person.

But he couldn't really be inhumane and do something over the top.

He shrugged and smiled.

"For now, let whoever's responsible deal with it; it also gives those students a break."

Xiaobai Nuo was sitting next to Grandma.

"So Second Uncle can get some good rest?"

For the little cub, surviving the apocalypse also meant resting well during downtime to have energy to hide.

The little cub had always thought Second Uncle would work himself to death because he pushed himself too hard.

"Researchers don't really care about clocking out on time."

Bai Liang said casually, sitting as far from Xiaobai Nuo as possible.

He definitely didn't care about rest; many experiments run for days at a time, and if he took a break in between, the product might change. If not at school, he could work in an outside lab.

And as for Bai Sheng's hint about some trouble or bad luck heading his way, he didn't care either.

Bai Liang was thinking that.

Then the little guy tilted his head and looked at his second uncle for a while. Perhaps sensing something, he climbed up, pitter-pattered over to his second uncle, and looked up at him to speak.

"But Nono cares, Xiaoyu cares, and the researcher's family cares." The uncle in your lab—his family cares a lot, right? Second Uncle saw that too.

The little guy was very concerned.

Bai Liang hesitated slightly. When the little guy approached, he instinctively wanted to pull back, but in the end he couldn't manage it.

He looked at this little cub.

He listened as Xiaobai Nuo continued: "Dad said that family won't leave."

He nodded emphatically.

This daddy's boy didn't hesitate at all, eager to share what he believed with his second uncle: "Everything Dad says is right."

So Nono won't leave either, and will always care about you.

The little guy looked at his second uncle, who was still smiling but seemed totally checked out, and after a moment's thought: "Second Uncle, Nono will come pick you up from work these days too."

That way you won't feel like no one cares—Nono will come get you too.

So out of place in the adult world, all innocence and cuteness.

Completely irresistible.

Especially with this little guy's big, sparkling eyes and a pitiful little red mark on his forehead.

Bai Liang's refusal hung on his lips for a long time, but in the end, he couldn't get them out.

He should keep his distance.

But Bai Liang fell silent.

Bai Sheng had already come downstairs and scooped up his little cub from behind, completely indulging whatever his cub wanted to do.

It was only when Bai Liang finally pushed up his glasses and gave a very quiet response.

Bai Liang heard Bai Sheng's mockery.

Bai Liang: ...