Chapter 143

Chapter 143

Bai Zhize had thought of many reasons, even factoring in that Bai Nuo might be scared of strangers, but he never expected to get an answer like that.

Bai Zhize: …

Bai Qian!!!!!

Bai Zhize laughed out loud: "Bai Qian is the one who isn't smart, right? He even once..."

Bai Zhize wanted to say that Bai Qian had been tricked and seriously injured before, so how tough could he really be?

But in front of this little cub, Bai Zhize still reined himself in a little.

Xiaobai Nuo was still holding the plate his uncle had pushed into his hands, loaded with durian. Hearing what his great-uncle said, the little cub scrambled to his feet and immediately defended his grandfather: "Grandpa is smart! Grandpa can read picture books, do math, and knows all sorts of stuff!"

But after hearing all that, Bai Zhize was like: …

He thought it was something impressive. Did he think he couldn't do that stuff?!

Even though he'd spent a few years abroad, it wasn't like he couldn't read, right?

Bai Zhize thought about it and found it a bit amusing. Did Bai Qian really get that pleased over something so trivial?

Over one sentence from this easily swayed little kid?

Bai Zhize crossed his arms, looking down at the little cub who was holding the plate and toddling a few steps closer.

The tiny cub tilted his little head up, staring at his great-uncle with a serious look, briefly forgetting that his grandfather had told him not to talk to his great-uncle. His big eyes sparkled as he carefully held onto the durian.

Bai Zhize: …

He hadn't noticed before—how was he so tiny?

Bai Jin had tried to block Bai Zhize at first, but soon he was watching the show from behind, almost wanting to yell "fight, fight!"

After all, it wasn't him Bai Nuo was mad at.

This evened things out for the durian prank he'd pulled earlier.

But then he watched as Bai Zhize's expression turned strange, looking at the cub, then at the durian, before suddenly asking out of nowhere: "Is it good?"

Bai Jin: …?

Bai Jin squinted, confused.

What does that even mean, "is it good"?

Keep going! Mock him! Make this cub angry! Say one more thing—no, half a sentence—and I can step in to show off how awesome I am as his uncle!

Third uncle, why aren't you following the script? Did that Western food really scramble your brain?

Bai Zhize also stiffened for a moment after speaking, beginning to question his life choices.

What did he just say? Why did he even ask that?

Maybe it was because the way this little one was holding that plate of durian reminded him way too much of Bai Wan holding green peppers?

But then again, a cub this age...

Yet Bai Zhize didn't expect Xiaobai Nuo to raise his plate without thinking, offering it to Bai Zhize.

"It smells a bit funky, but it's sweet... Huh?"

Wait, was that what we were talking about?

Bai Nuo blinked his big eyes, blanking for a moment.

Bai Zhize: …

"I... don't eat that."

Bai Zhize automatically stepped back two paces.

He looked at this little cub, confused.

Did his nephew raise this cub a bit strangely? Was he just not aggressive enough?

Bai Zhize remembered that Bai Wan wasn't like this as a child—or rather, none of the cubs in the Bai Family were like this growing up.

It made his own guard drop without him meaning to.

Bai Zhize composed himself and was about to say something else when he suddenly turned his head to the side.

A car had arrived. Bai Sheng got out and glanced their way.

Bai Zhize locked eyes with Bai Sheng.

After a brief pause, Bai Zhize raised an eyebrow in mockery.

Yeah, this was the look of a Bai family member.

He was just about to say something.

Then he heard Bai Sheng speak from where he stood.

"Nuo Nuo."

Xiaobai Nuo was holding the durian, with Anu beside him trying to get the smell off him. Hearing his father's voice, he immediately turned.

He scampered toward Bai Sheng.

"Daddy!"

The little one carrying the durian quickly reached Bai Sheng's side and was scooped up by him.

Xiaobai Nuo was saying something, but now that he was farther from Bai Zhize, he only caught snatches of it—something about wanting to let Bai Sheng try the durian too.

Bai Zhize could see Bai Sheng's brow furrow slightly at the smell of durian.

But Bai Sheng showed no intention of talking to him, only exchanging a couple of words with Bai Jin before getting into the car with the little cub.

Bai Zhize truly didn't understand what these people were about. No matter how he looked, he couldn't see anything special about that little cub other than being soft.

There was no need to dote on an omega cub like he was some rare treasure, was there?

As if omega cubs were so precious in the Bai family.

He certainly didn't care.

And besides, there's no need to keep such a tight leash on me. Sure, I thought about using the chaos this kid stirred up to make a run for it, but I never planned to do anything bad to him.

After all, laying a hand on a five-year-old would be far too inhumane.

Bai Zhize pondered to himself. He hadn't gleaned anything useful from today's observation, and on top of that, he'd somehow gotten his feelings stabbed by Xiaobai Nuo. With that on his mind, he turned around and headed back.

On his way past the old man's vegetable garden, he helped himself to a tomato.

Bai Zhize hesitated for a moment as he swiped it—how the hell did the old man grow these? Why would a plant that big only have one fruit on it?

Grumbling to himself, he took a bite.

It was actually pretty tasty.

Bai Zhize headed back to his place, where Bai Wan, holding a green pepper, looked up at the sound of footsteps.

"...Based on my memory, that tomato was the single one growing in the eighth row."

Father and son just stood there, one holding a tomato, the other a green pepper.

Bai Zhize could've sworn he saw a flicker of shock in Bai Wan's otherwise emotionless blue eyes.

Bai Zhize finished the tomato in a couple of bites, pulled out a handkerchief to elegantly wipe his hands, and flashed a sinister grin.

"What? You got a problem with that?"

Bai Wan: ...

"Based on my calculations, Grandpa's discovery rate is one hundred percent. You're gonna get caught."

Bai Zhize: ?

"Do you even hear yourself?! You've been here for a while and you've practically picked your grandpa's green pepper plants clean! When you were picking them one by one, did you ever think about getting caught?!"

He stomped around fuming, tossing aside the handkerchief he'd wiped his hands with, itching to knock on Bai Wan's head to see what the hell was inside it.

Bai Wan: ...

Bai Wan thought for a second, then decisively changed the subject.

"So, Dad, did you come to any conclusions from your observation?"

When it came to dealing with Xiaobai Nuo, Bai Wan felt his data was insufficient. Every time he interacted with the little one, he felt like he was being led around by the nose.

He couldn't quite put it into words, couldn't analyze or judge it, and past experience was useless. He looked at Bai Zhize, hoping for a straight answer.

"Conclusions?"

Bai Zhize let out a short laugh and snatched the remaining green pepper from Bai Wan's hand.

"It's only been a few days—what conclusions could I draw? I have my own plans."

Bai Wan: ...

Plans?

Did he really?

Bai Wan was skeptical, but watching Bai Zhize's moody, hopping-mad demeanor—like a cat with its tail stepped on—he decided it was best to keep his mouth shut. He had a feeling he'd get yelled at.

Then Bai Zhize glanced over at Bai Wan and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Before he got back, Bai Wan had been staring at his phone screen, green pepper in hand, barely taking a bite.

Curious what had Bai Wan so hooked, Bai Zhize peeked at his phone.

It was a promo poster for a scenic spot, with a video underneath.

Bai Zhize asked in confusion, "What's this?"

"The poster is for Maple Leaf Mountain Ancient Town in Ang City, on a small hill in the suburbs. Its main draws are the red maple leaves in autumn and the ancient town tucked into the mountains. It's become a big tourist spot in Ang City in recent years. You need a ticket to get in, adult—"

"Hold up, hold up, hold up."

Hearing Bai Wan start to rattle off the scenic spot's details, Bai Zhize cut him off, annoyed.

"I'm asking why you're looking at this place."

Bai Zhize looked Bai Wan up and down, confused.

It couldn't be that Bai Wan had actually grown fond of this place, that he didn't mind being watched, and was now planning a little trip around Ang City?

Ha.

That was almost too funny.

Bai Zhize thought, face completely deadpan.

Bai Wan, though, answered right away.

"I'm looking at the livestream reminder."

Livestream reminder?

"Why would you look at that?"

Bai Zhize took his phone, squinted, and tapped the video underneath.

In the video, staff from Maple Leaf Mountain Ancient Town were enthusiastically promoting the attraction, inviting viewers to click the livestream reminder button.

And saying: "In two days, the big kids from Canghua Kindergarten will be visiting our Maple Leaf Mountain Ancient Town! The scenic area will be livestreaming the entire event. Everyone's welcome to follow along and see our Maple Leaf Mountain Ancient Town from a whole new angle through the kids!"

There were already a ton of comments below.

Though it's rare overseas, this is standard practice in China. Some popular scenic spots would come up with gimmicks to drive traffic, especially with a holiday coming up—they needed the promo.

Some spots would get influencers to livestream, but this one had clearly teamed up with a kindergarten.

Late October was exactly when the maple leaves at Maple Leaf Mountain Ancient Town were at their peak red. The scenery was beautiful, and around the mountain there were also some pick-your-own orchards and scattered farmhouses.

After watching, Bai Zhize was initially puzzled as to why Bai Wan cared about this.

Then he suddenly remembered that the little one seemed to be in the senior class at Canghua Kindergarten. When he'd been messing around with Bai Jin earlier, he'd babbled on about all sorts of things.

Bai Zhize narrowed his eyes slightly, then looked at the reminder-to-start-broadcast button.

As expected, the button was gray and already pressed down.

Bai Zhize glanced at the phone screen, then looked up at Bai Wan.

Bai Wan took his phone back and said matter-of-factly, "This is necessary. We need to get the data and analyze it properly."

He wanted to see how this little dumpling differed from the other kids, so he could handle any surprises quickly and accurately.

Bai Wan gave Bai Zhize a serious nod.

Yeah, that made sense.

Bai Zhize: ...Don't analyze all this crap with such a serious face!!! Haven't you polluted the 'database' enough already?!

Canghua Kindergarten had plenty of teachers and tons of extracurricular activities.

Trips like this autumn outing happened just about every year.

But this year's livestream caught the Bai family a little off guard.

Bai Sheng had thought about not letting Xiaobai Nuo go, but decided it wasn't worth it—if all the other kids were going, it'd look weird if theirs didn't.

Besides, if they told the little guy, he'd obediently say he didn't mind staying home, but he'd definitely want to go.

So Bai Sheng kept his mouth shut.

And since it was just a bunch of kids going on a field trip with their teachers—not a variety show or anything—the livestream was just for show. With plenty of outside security arranged and Cen Liu keeping an eye out, there was no need to kill Xiaobai Nuo's excitement over those guys.

That's what the Bai family figured.

Not to mention, after that last surprise attempt failed to grab the kid, it was even less likely now—they were too busy hiding out in shame to even poke their heads out.

So the day before the trip, Xiaobai Nuo was packing his little backpack with Grandma.

The little guy looked super excited.

"Grandma, Grandma, Teacher Xiaoxue said the maple leaves there are this red."

He dug a red marker out of his crayon box and showed it to her.

Cen Zhi smiled and asked, "Want to bring some chocolate?"

Xiaobai Nuo put the marker down, spun around, and looked at his grandma with big, shiny eyes.

"Yeah."

"What about some cookies?"

He said cheerfully.

"Yeah."

"Oh, and strawberry milk candies."

At that, Xiaobai Nuo's eyes lit up.

"Nono wants it!"

He clearly loved it.

He even shuffled over to Grandma, tugged at her clothes, and gestured with his little hands.

"Can Nono have one now?"

"Ask Daddy."

Cen Zhi smiled and turned to look at the slightly anxious new dad sitting in the chair behind them, frowning as he made the final arrangements.

Xiaobai Nuo peeked out from behind and said, "Daddy?"

"Huh?"

Bai Sheng snapped out of it, looked up at his kid, and saw the little guy with his hands on Grandma's shoulders, staring at him eagerly.

"Daddy, can Nono have a strawberry milk candy?"

"Sure, just one."

Bai Sheng replied.

"We're about to eat soon, so don't eat too many snacks."

The little guy cheered and expertly peeled open the strawberry milk candy wrapper, popped it in his mouth, his cheeks puffing out into a round shape.

Bai Sheng stood up and glanced at the little backpack Cen Zhi had packed full.

He reached out and poked his son's cheek.

"Don't eat too much candy tomorrow either, or you'll get cavities."

"I know, Daddy."

Xiaobai Nuo squinted when his dad poked him and mumbled.

Then the little guy paused, tilting his head as if listening carefully to the sounds outside.

Suddenly, he scrambled to his feet.

Cen Zhi was a little confused.

"What's the matter?"

"Uncle's home. Uncle's gonna tease Nono again and eat Nono's strawberry cake."

The little guy stomped his feet in place, then hid behind his dad.

But then he changed his mind.

"Nono's gonna hide. Daddy and Grandma, don't tell Uncle."

The little guy was much livelier now, scampering off with Dou Dou, his little feet pattering away.

These past few days, he'd been playing with his uncle so much that he didn't even run to the door to greet him anymore.

He'd even learned to tell his uncle's footsteps apart.

Bai Sheng watched his kid run off and let out a surprised laugh.

Bai Jin, you should think about why your reputation's so solid.

At that moment, Bai Jin and Bai Qi walked in.

Bai Jin walked in front, clearly fresh from class. He tossed his backpack aside carelessly, raised an eyebrow, and glanced around: "Where's Nono at?"

Bai Qi was looking around too.

Bai Qi had been coming back quite often lately, and almost every time, Xiaobai Nuo would greet her with a welcome home.

But not today, though.

Why?

Bai Qi looked at Bai Jin, who had walked in with her.

Bai Jin: ?

Bai Qi: ...Not hard to guess.

Bai Qi had been running on fumes since yesterday, out on a business trip last night, busy all day and night, and had just returned today. She was dead tired. Now, looking at this pain-in-the-ass younger brother, she couldn't help but shove him away, her voice cold.

"Get away from me."

Don't wanna be anywhere near you.

Bai Qi rubbed her temple, not bothering to look for Xiaobai Nuo anymore. She called out to Cen Zhi and walked inside.

Clearly, she'd just gotten home and come straight to the main building.

She couldn't be bothered with anyone else right then.

Bai Jin scoffed, ignoring Bai Qi, and looked around, rolled up his sleeves, ready to start his usual little 'game.'

"He's already hiding? I'm gonna go find him."

"What'd you do this time? Making Nono hide from you."

Cen Zhi got up, amused.

"What could I do? We're playing a game, and the prize is today's cake."

Bai Jin grinned and cracked his knuckles.

"I gotta find him before dinner."

Bai Qian came downstairs, overhearing this. He looked at Bai Jin.

Bai Sheng also looked at Bai Jin.

After Bai Jin spoke, he suddenly felt a chill run down his spine.

He looked at his dad and third brother, confused.

Before he could figure out what was happening.

Cen Zhi clapped her hands: "So whoever keeps you busy before dinner is protecting the baby's strawberry cake, right?"

Bai Jin: ...?

Huh?

Wait, is that right?

"Hurry it up, Bai Jingyun's almost back."

Bai Qian walked down. He might be frail, but that didn't mean he couldn't fight.

Cen Zhi added: "Cen Liu's coming over soon to talk about the livestream, he'll be here any minute... wait, no, Cen Liu can't take Xiao Wu."

No way around it. The cousin regretfully backed out.

Bai Jin: ?

...

It was loud outside.

Bai Qi sat on the sofa inside, rubbing her temple, her head pounding.

She had no idea what those guys were going on about.

Bai Qi frowned, staring down, lost in thought.

Maybe she shouldn't have rushed back so fast, or maybe she shouldn't have come straight to the main house.

But honestly, she didn't even know what she was thinking. By the time she snapped out of it, she was already at the front door.

Bai Qi couldn't be bothered with the noise outside, and she didn't want to know what the commotion was about.

She leaned back on the sofa, as if cut off from the chaos outside, staring blankly at the ceiling.

She couldn't feel it.

Bai Qi stared for a while, then closed her eyes, thinking quietly.

Sure enough, she couldn't feel much of anything, just exhaustion.

Bai Qi didn't open her eyes. She tipped over to the side, resting her head on the armrest, and closed her eyes.

Her mind gradually drifted, and she actually dozed off from sheer exhaustion. After all, it wasn't dinner time yet, when she felt movement beside her.

Movement?

Bai Qi's eyes snapped open, and she instinctively looked to the side.

She saw a little hand reach out from behind the sofa, tugging at the blanket that had somehow been draped over her.

Another hand was trying to shove a small pillow under her head.

Bai Qi: ...

Bai Qi couldn't help but press her hand to her forehead.

Was she dreaming, or what?

Her face was blank as she thought.

Then she propped herself up a little to peer behind the sofa.

The sofa sat a little away from the wall, leaving a small gap behind it.

Hidden by the sofa and with the lights still off, the space was pretty dark.

Bai Qi glanced over and met a pair of bright, sparkling eyes.

The little kid had somehow dragged over a small stool, and like a cat that loves squeezing into tight corners, sat there all puffed up and proud in that cramped space, looking ridiculously cute.

As she lifted her head, he seized the chance to slip the pillow underneath it.

Then he whispered softly, "Auntie, welcome home. You'll catch a cold sleeping like this."

Bai Qi: ...

Bai Qi was genuinely caught off guard.

She rarely looked this bewildered: "How did you get here?"

"Auntie, Auntie."

The little kid pressed his hands together, still whispering.

"Don't let Uncle find Nono."

Bai Qi: ...

Honestly, the kid had spooked her.

How did you manage to crouch here without moving or making a sound?

Bai Qi pressed a hand to her forehead, exasperated.

But she found herself lowering her voice too.

"Yeah."

Although she wanted to say that Bai Jin probably wouldn't be coming anytime soon, Bai Qi's lips parted, but she stopped herself.

"Auntie, cover for Nono, and Nono will share half the strawberry cake with you."

Little Bai Nuo continued in his soft, gentle voice.

"Strawberry cake..."

Bai Qi blinked, momentarily thrown by the little one's "bribe," then pressed her fingers to her temple.

Her head throbbed even harder.

But before she could get up, the little one patted the small pillow he'd produced out of nowhere.

"Auntie, you sleep. Nono will wake you for dinner."

He stayed hidden behind the sofa, poking just half his little head out, and at this distance, he was awfully close to Bai Qi.

Bai Qi looked at the little one, then slowly lay back down.

But it seemed he had snapped her out of her earlier mood; she closed her eyes but couldn't sleep, so she asked a question.

"You're packing up? Leaving early tomorrow morning?"

"Mm-hmm, Teacher Xiaoxue said we can pick leaves too."

Little Bai Nuo leaned against the edge of the sofa, whispering to his auntie.

"The leaves are all red and pretty now. Nono saw pictures online."

"What are you bringing them back for?"

Bai Qi's voice softened as she kept asking, low and calm.

"Are you making bookmarks again?"

Bai Qi still had the four-leaf clover bookmark he'd given her.

Kids like making crafts and collecting little things like that.

As for Maple Leaf Mountain Ancient Town, Bai Qi had been there before, but pretty as it was, she had no interest in collecting stuff like that. It was just part of the job, and she didn't really see the point of going there just for fun.

The little one seemed to think it over for a moment before speaking.

"Nono can make Auntie a little maple leaf lamp. Brother Xiao Yan knows how to make lamps, so Nono can learn."

A maple leaf... little lamp?

Bai Qi pursed her lips.

She didn't want to own up to her weakness.

So after a brief pause, she said.

"No, Auntie doesn't need one."

"Auntie doesn't like maple leaf lamps? That's okay, Nono can learn to make something else."

The little one went on, still in a hushed voice, and from this angle, Bai Qi could see the little dimples in his cheeks.

"Dad says Nono is very smart and can learn anything."

"It's not that..."

Bai Qi said softly.

"Auntie means, there's no need to make things for Auntie. Use this time to do something that makes you happy."

Especially for a child of this age.

Little Bai Nuo didn't hesitate, continuing to speak softly, his eyes as bright as ever.

"But Nono is very happy making things for family. Making a little lamp for Auntie, and Auntie accepting it, that makes Nono happy too."