Chapter 138

Chapter 138

That faint trace of emotion vanished completely, and in that single moment, you knew—you mattered more than anything to him.

Bai Sheng wasn't thinking at all. He just reached out on instinct and pulled the little cub into his arms.

He felt the little one nestled against his neck, warm and damp, with small tears still falling.

Xiaobai Nuo loved to be clingy and seemed like a soft, sensitive child, but in reality, he didn't cry much, and when he did, it was very quiet.

But for a parent, that quietness made it even harder to bear.

Still, Bai Sheng wouldn't try to fix it or say anything that might make this sensitive little one overthink and start wondering if he needed to be a "good boy."

Bai Sheng just felt this little one was already perfect just the way he was.

And the little one, held in his dad's arms, wrapped in that familiar warmth, slowly snapped back to reality.

Bai Nuo buried his little head in his dad's chest and said in a muffled voice.

"Daddy... it's magic."

His voice still had a faint hint of tears in it.

But he fought to lift his head, his little face dead serious.

Bai Sheng didn't get it—what magic?

He hadn't stopped the whole way back, having rushed home at the last possible second. Plus, he hadn't slept well in days, so he was genuinely wiped.

So, unlike his usual slightly sarcastic vibe—especially with Xiaobai Nuo in his arms—he gave off a warm, relaxed energy that made him look like a total dad.

It made him look way more approachable.

Now he looked down at his little one's pitiful face, reached out, and gently wiped the tear streaks off with his thumb.

He saw his little cub point at the lever nearby and say, dead serious,

"Daddy, that's a magic wand. The second Nono makes a wish, it comes true."

The second he wished for Daddy to come home early, he turned around and there he was!

Bai Sheng glanced at the lever, then looked at Lin Ren and Bai Jingyun, totally confused.

Lin Ren had just finished calming the kid down and was now caught red-handed by the dad. Not to mention he was a little scared of Bai Sheng, so he instinctively stepped back two paces and gave an awkward smile.

Bai Jingyun, on the other hand, stayed put, silently "protesting" with his eyes, trying to figure out why Bai Sheng was back so early.

Didn't they agree he'd watch Xiaobai Nuo? The night wasn't even over yet!

His timing was the worst.

Bai Jingyun really wanted to say that, but he looked at the little one glued to his dad's chest and let out a sigh.

Forget it.

After telling his dad about the "magic wand," Xiaobai Nuo turned to look at Lin Ren again.

"Uncle, are you a fairy godmother? That's so cool!"

Lin Ren: ...?

Fairy godmother?

Oh, it was from the fairy tale the little guy had read.

Haha, wouldn't he look silly as a fairy godmother?

Lin Ren thought instinctively, then locked eyes with the little one's big, sparkling eyes.

Lin Ren: ...

Fairy godmother, sure, why not.

He could totally be one.

Bai Sheng pretty much figured out what was going on and let out a soft laugh.

Oh, so if coming back had granted this little one's wish, then rushing back was the right move after all.

"You two done?"

Bai Sheng adjusted his hold on Xiaobai Nuo and looked over at Bai Jingyun.

Bai Jingyun gave Bai Sheng a once-over, trying to figure out what that subtle guilt in Bai Sheng's earlier video call was about.

But right now, he couldn't tell.

"There's still time. There's a 'roller coaster' over there for kids. I was planning to take him."

Bai Jingyun finally looked away and spoke, his voice still icy, pointing at the "roller coaster" nearby.

Of course, it wasn't like the roller coasters at an actual amusement park. This kids' version had some ups and downs, but the track was held up by frames, with the highest point barely over two meters—a tame, modified version.

Still, it was plenty exciting for a kid.

Bai Sheng nodded and traded a glance with the little one in his arms.

"Alright, let's go."

But the little one only rode one round with the adults before gluing himself to his dad like a piece of taffy.

Probably because the little one was used to hiding and moving around before, this slow, gently bobbing roller coaster didn't give him much of a thrill, and it didn't feel all that magical either.

So he wasn't that into it.

Of course, the main reason was that Daddy was back home.

After saying bye to the uncles and aunties from the company who were apparently arguing about something at the clubhouse next door, and promising Lin Ren they'd hang out again next time, the little one headed home with his dad and uncle.

The little one, who'd been less interested in other stuff these past few days, also spotted some bright red cherry tomatoes by the road and ended up bringing a box home.

Bai Sheng hadn't gotten a chance to eat yet. After getting home, the little one cuddled with his dad for a bit, then followed Grandma Feng into the kitchen to show his dad what they'd be eating.

Bai Jingyun came in too, not ready to leave just yet.

He followed Bai Sheng and the little one into the kitchen, holding the box of cherry tomatoes, and only turned to look at Bai Sheng once the little one's back disappeared from view.

"Everything's been resolved?"

"Partially."

Bai Sheng casually picked up a snack from the table and took a few bites, his gaze still drifting toward the kitchen. He didn't seem to mind Bai Jingyun coming in after him, speaking as he did.

"Bai Liang is still there handling the follow-up. The people behind that organization are scattered overseas, hard to catch for now, but we found some identity information and filed it with the Federation. If anyone matching those identities tries to enter the country, they'll be flagged and tracked immediately."

But that wasn't exactly bulletproof either.

Bai Sheng finished off the snacks Xiaobai Nuo had left on the table in two or three bites, his expression dark.

He now looked at everyone like they might try to take his cub away.

"Mm."

Bai Jingyun grunted in acknowledgment, then glanced at Bai Sheng again before speaking up.

"You're keeping something from Nuo?"

Bai Sheng raised his eyes lazily. "No."

Bai Jingyun let out a soft, barely audible hum.

He didn't press further, but he was almost certain Bai Sheng was hiding something from Xiaobai Nuo—something that might even bring the little cub to tears.

After all, if there were really nothing going on, Bai Sheng probably wouldn't even bother to respond to a question like that.

Not like now, where he was almost warning him to drop the subject.

"Daddy, Daddy, dinner's ready!"

The little one came over holding a semi-transparent fruit plate, filled with beautiful, bright red cherry tomatoes, with water droplets clinging to them, looking quite appetizing.

Behind Xiaobai Nuo, Aunt Feng and the housekeeper had already set the dishes out on the table, and the little one stood there holding the plate of tomatoes, looking at him.

Bai Jingyun didn't plan on staying longer. He glanced at Xiaobai Nuo, then heard his phone buzz.

He looked down, seeing his mom going nuts on the phone, saying his dad was also down in the dumps after hearing the little one wouldn't be sleeping in the main house anymore.

Though these days Xiaobai Nuo had been sleeping in the main building with his grandparents, was Bai Qian really that bummed?

He couldn't picture it.

He said his goodbyes to Xiaobai Nuo, promised to take him out again next time, and then left.

Standing at the door, Bai Jingyun glanced back at Bai Sheng's place and let out a soft tsk.

Bai Sheng hadn't denied it, so this visit had gone well enough—at least he seemed okay with the cub being out and about with others now, which should make it easier to take him out than before.

Just hoped he wasn't hiding something that would be tough to keep under wraps—if the little one cried at night, his eyes would be swollen in the morning.

...

Back inside.

Bai Sheng got up and went to sit at the dining table.

He watched his little cub standing beside him, head tilted up to look at him.

Bai Sheng turned his head. He didn't reach for his chopsticks; instead, he immediately pinched his cub's cheek.

"What's the matter? Your uncle took you out to eat tonight—didn't you get enough? Still hungry?"

Bai Jingyun had posted everything he'd fed the little one in the family group chat, and Bai Sheng had checked—both the type and amount of food were fine.

Logically, he shouldn't be feeling hungry right now.

Or was it happening again?

Bai Sheng was still thinking.

But the little one holding the cherry tomatoes circled around his dad twice, then looked up at him.

"Daddy, Nuo wants to sit in your lap."

He seemed a bit shy, which was why he'd circled around a couple of times before speaking up.

"Hm?"

Bai Sheng was taken aback.

"You want to sit in my lap?"

"Mm, mm-hmm."

The little one nodded his head eagerly.

So clingy.

Really clingy.

"Are you going to follow Daddy everywhere I go today?" Bai Sheng said with amusement.

Xiaobai Nuo reached out his arms, waiting for his dad to pick him up, and whispered, "Because... Nuo missed Daddy a lot."

Bai Sheng's eyes softened, and he scooped the little one onto his lap.

As Bai Sheng ate, the little one sat in his lap, holding the plate of cherry tomatoes.

He wanted to be close to his daddy.

He really did miss his dad.

Bai Sheng held the little one with one arm while quickly eating with the other, planning to finish in a few bites.

But as he was eating, the contented cub in his lap had already picked out a bright red cherry tomato and taken a bite.

He hadn't tasted them when he bought them—the little one had just seen how pretty and red they were and grabbed a box. Now, after one bite, the cub paused.

His little face scrunched up, like he was about to frown but not quite.

Bai Sheng looked down, curious, picked a cherry tomato from the cub's plate, and popped it in his mouth.

It was one of those tangy cherry tomatoes—sour juice wrapping around the seeds, bursting in the mouth, followed by firm, sweet flesh—a fruit with a strong sweet-and-sour balance.

Clearly, the little one couldn't handle the sourness, but he'd also tasted the sweetness, so his little face was caught in a dilemma, staring at the tomato in his hand in confusion.

Bai Sheng looked down at the little one licking his lips, seeming soured by the juice. He squinted, then tried to shove the remaining half of the small tomato into his mouth. But after being hit by the sourness, a person instinctively blows air out—especially when about to put it back in, much like when eating spicy food. Then Bai Sheng saw Xiaobai Nuo instinctively blow on the small tomato—whether to cool it down or blow the sourness away, it was hard to tell.

Xiaobai Nuo: ...?

It was only after blowing that the little cub realized what he'd done, softly going "huh?" and murmuring quietly, "It's cold, no need to blow."

Then, just as he was about to put it in his mouth again, he instinctively blew on it again, seriously.

Xiaobai Nuo: ...

The cub was stunned.

He looked up at his father.

Daddy, new magic! Nono can't help wanting to blow on it.

This small tomato seemed to have triggered a glitch in Xiaobai Nuo's system.

Sour enough to crash, but not completely crashed—it still had a hint of sweetness.

It was the kind of cuteness that wasn't totally unresponsive, but just slow enough in reacting to be perfectly adorable.

Bai Sheng propped his chin and observed for a while, then his shoulders trembled slightly. He felt the sting of the wound on his shoulder, but still couldn't help but burst out laughing.