Chapter 147

Chapter 147

Xie Yu, who was pretty sure he'd embarrassed himself in front of a national audience, could already hear Bai Sheng's low chuckle from the side.

Xie Yu: ...

It's fine, it's fine. With this many kids around, nobody's gonna know they're mine.

Deny it, just flat-out deny it. Can the real-life dad of Xie Qing and Xie Yue possibly be the same as the internet dad of Xie Qing and Xie Yue?!

"Bullet comments"

'Hahaha, I'm dying laughing. What's wrong with these brothers? Aren't they way too in sync? One grabs a belt and runs, the other seizes the opportunity to snatch a glove.'

'No interest in the little accessories at all, just pure curiosity about how the trick works, hahaha.'

'Their parents should be watching, right? Twin brothers who look like that are super recognizable, hahaha.'

'The little kid group in the back: maple leaves have five points, maple leaves turn red like this, maple leaves are so pretty, let's go find some pretty ones to make ornaments later. The little kid group in the front: Is this magic? Is this a glove? No, this is a magic prop. This belt is my ticket to getting the magic prop. Charge!'

'Hahahaha, the staff member looks so done, chasing after them while his pants are about to fall down.'

'I burst out laughing in class and found several others laughing with me. Wow, you all said you weren't interested in tourism promotion and had no time to go out, but here you are secretly watching the promotional livestream! Trying to one-up me, huh?! I'm watching all day today, and I'm recording it too!'

'Haha, your boss: ???'

Xie Yu: ...

Xie Yu's phone buzzed several times. He glanced at the screen—messages from Shi Lin, and a bunch of "hahaha" from his usual group of instigators.

Xie Yu: ...

Two more hearts were now broken.

The spot on Xie Yu's scalp where he'd been grabbed by the hair yesterday was still throbbing. Now his scalp hurt, and his head was pounding too.

You two, staring at the camera, livestreaming in front of all these people—couldn't you at least give your old man some face?

He wanted to elbow the whole world!

You two little punks!

Bai Sheng, whose expression had been hard to read, now felt his mood strangely settle as he watched Xie Yu's state.

Happiness really is all about comparison.

Bai Sheng was even in a good mood to pick up the documents on the table and start flipping through them.

Occasionally glancing at the screen.

On screen, the staff member finally retrieved the belt and gloves, and handed the maple leaf pendants to the Xie Family Twins with a wry smile.

Xie Qing and Xie Yue were led back by Teacher Xingxing, still looking a bit peeved.

Xie Qing turned his head to look at Xie Yue.

"I ran that fast, and the whole time you couldn't figure out what was going on inside that glove?"

Xie Yue let out a "ha."

"With just that one moment, what could I figure out? If you're so tough, next time I'll grab the belt and you go for the glove."

Xie Qing snorted.

"Fine, I'll go for the glove. I won't get caught as quick as you."

The brothers were about to start roughhousing again over this.

The staff member behind them: ...

He silently sped up.

Again? Please, leave my belt alone. Thanks.

"Bullet comments"

'Hahaha, so true.'

'I told you, my little terror is exactly this type.'

'So where did that little sweetheart come from?! Whose little sweetheart is that? Can I trade mine for yours?'

'I'll trade my two for a chance to raise that one. I'm a food blogger, I promise I'll plump him up nicely.'

'Wow, skipping your updates to watch the livestream? You're gonna get in trouble for this.'

'I'm here to join this family. Can you raise me too? Not picky, just feed me and I'll survive.'

'Hahaha.'

At last, the two little ones shuffled back, leaning against each other, jostling and pushing.

The little activity segment was over.

The kids who didn't get leaf pendants could now head under the biggest maple tree to pick pretty leaves. The staff would dry and shape them, and then they could do a craft activity.

Xiaobai Nuo grabbed a handful of leaves and walked forward a few steps. They'd come by car, so the kids were already pretty high up. From here, they could see the tourist street at the foot of the mountain, where a bunch of tourists were still strolling around.

Xiaobai Nuo also spotted a plantation nearby, and a vegetable garden up on the mountainside.

"What's that, gege?" Xiaobai Nuo turned to look at Yu Chuyan, who was also holding a huge armful of maple leaves.

Yu Chuyan turned to look, glancing down below.

"Looks like a kiwi plantation? There are quite a few places around here where you can pick kiwi."

It was kiwi season right now, and that was one of the area's tourist attractions.

Xiaobai Nuo had eaten kiwi at home, but had never seen one being picked.

He let out a little "wow."

"So are there kiwis on them right now?"

"Yeah."

Teacher Xiaoxue watched the two little ones from behind them. From her angle, Xiaobai Nuo held a picked-out handful of maple leaves in his small hands, the leaves making his little hands and face look even more delicate as he looked up at her.

He looked so tiny, Teacher Xiaoxue couldn't resist patting the little one's head.

"We'll be going to the kiwi picking garden this afternoon. You can bring a few home with you. After we finish touring the ancient town, there's a vegetable garden further up with some vegetables we can pick, and we'll have them for lunch."

"Okay!"

Xiaobai Nuo nodded seriously at her, his eyes crinkling with a smile.

Teacher Xiaoxue was just melting at how cute he was when she heard a noise behind her.

Turning around, she saw the two Xie boys starting to toss maple leaves at each other again.

Teacher Xiaoxue turned back and looked at the little one whose curly hair she was still patting.

Seeing Xiaobai Nuo's puzzled look, she murmured, "Life is so peaceful."

Xiaobai Nuo: ?

"Come on, let's go take photos. Put the good leaves here with the teacher."

Teacher Xiaoxue stood up.

"Let's go over there, toss the maple leaves up, and take photos. We'll make a class photo album later, okay?"

The little one put his maple leaves into the bag Teacher Xiaoxue was holding, nodded, and said, "Okay, for the album, Nono will help too."

"Me too."

Yu Chuyan also put his handful of maple leaves into Teacher Xiaoxue's bag, his eyes fixed on Xiaobai Nuo.

"There's no wind now. You two use these little baskets to pick up some leaves and toss them up in the air. That uncle over there will take photos of you."

Teacher Xiaoxue said, picking up a few maple leaves and handing two small bamboo baskets to the two little ones.

She let them give it a shot.

Xiaobai Nuo wasn't as strong and hadn't quite gotten the hang of it yet. He tossed the leaves up, and as they fluttered down, the little one's big eyes sparkled, but he didn't toss them very high.

Yu Chuyan, on the other hand, was a different story. The maple leaves whooshed up from his basket and rustled back down. A couple landed on Xiaobai Nuo's hat. Xiaobai Nuo looked over and instinctively said, "Brother is so awesome, he can make the leaves fly that high."

Yu Chuyan, who had already set down his basket and was about to grab more leaves, heard that.

Little Cool Guy froze for a moment, then gave a light cough.

Without a word, he clenched his fist, ditched the basket completely, and crouched down to scoop up maple leaves with his hands.

He could toss them higher, and more of them.

Teacher Xiaoxue: ...

No, wait, you don't have to do that.

"Teacher, teacher, I can help Nono throw them too!"

"Me too, me too!"

The kids from Canghua Kindergarten's class were all playing nearby and came running over when they heard the voices.

Xiaobai Nuo looked at his classmates, his eyes turning into happy crescents.

"Then let's help each other toss them, and later we'll take a photo tossing them up together."

So a group of little munchkins squeezed together, helping each other toss the maple leaves high. Before long, they were all goofing off, finally tossing the leaves together for a group photo.

They sent the leaves off to dry, and the kids followed along to tour the ancient town, then headed up the small hill.

Over an hour passed, and this group of little munchkins melted the hearts of everyone watching from outside the screen.

The chat was getting more and more lively, and the livestream's popularity kept climbing.

It even got reposted by other media outlets.

The comments were surprisingly civil.

'Hahaha, the kids in front are tossing leaves, the kids in back are tossing leaves at each other. The camera guy knows how to frame a shot, such a dynamic scene.'

'So heartwarming, right? Seriously, people should watch less online arguing and more of this wholesome content. It makes me feel so much better.'

'That Sweet Pea seems really popular. The moment he said they'd take a photo, all the kids around him crowded over, like a bunch of little critters.'

'We're already calling him Sweet Pea? I guess if you're nice, people naturally like you, right?'

'Haha, the kid next to Sweet Pea is so loyal. He got one compliment and went all out.'

'What do you call this? Childhood sweethearts? And those two little troublemakers rolling in the leaves behind them, they must be friends too, right? So cute.'

'Wait, I just realized this is the official livestream, and there's no tipping or gifting allowed, and it's only for one day. After this one day is over, what am I gonna watch? Can't you do a few more days?'

'Better not. They're just ordinary kids here on a trip to promote the place. Once in a while is fine. More would feel forced.'

'Yeah, this is perfect. The kids are having fun, we're enjoying watching. I've decided to visit Maple Leaf Mountain Ancient Town later. I'll take a photo right where they tossed the leaves.'

Back outside the screen.

Sweet Pea's dad and the dad of the two little rascals exchanged a glance.

Bai Sheng: "Childhood sweethearts?"

Xie Yu: "These two little brats, give your old man a break! Well, I should've known this was how it'd turn out."

Xie Yu: ?

Xie Yu turned to look at Bai Sheng, whose face was completely expressionless.

Honestly, that didn't sound like something Bai Sheng would say at all.

And they were five-year-old kids—why was he stuck on childhood sweethearts?

Xie Yu opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it.

Xie Yu thought about it and glanced at Yu Chuyan, who was holding hands with that little omega kid.

That should be okay, right?

The Bai Family Villa.

Home of Bai Zhize and Bai Wan.

Bai Wan was resting his chin on his hand, squinting in confusion, watching the little ones inside begin their tour of the ancient town.

He was watching the barrage comments too, thinking them over.

He suddenly paused, looked up, and turned to Bai Zhize next to him.

Bai Zhize felt his gaze and looked back, just as confused.

"What?"

Bai Wan glanced at the time.

Then looked up at Bai Zhize again.

"Dad, it's 10:17 a.m. You've been eating breakfast for over two hours—are you still not finished?"

Breakfast and lunch were about to merge into one.

Bai Zhize: ...

"What do you know? This is called eating slowly and savoring every bite!"

Bai Wan looked at Bai Zhize: "Three days ago you said breakfast tastes best when it's hot."

Bai Zhize: ... "Shut it!"

He got up and walked out.

"I'm done eating. I'm going to go do my work now."

Bai Wan watched Bai Zhize leave, then turned back to the little cub on the screen. The one who'd been sitting perfectly straight finally reached out and hesitantly tapped the cub's cheek through the screen.

Then it hit him: Why does this feel like watching a cat?

Speaking of which, where is the cat?

Bai Wan hesitated. Normally, he'd be on his way to find Anu by now.

But today... well.

Bai Wan glanced at the screen, then outside, and finally decided to skip Anu today.

Meanwhile.

At an airport in J Country.

A man in a long black trench coat waited.

The flight to Z Country hadn't started boarding yet, but quite a few Z Country folks had already gathered nearby.

Bai Ye, in a mask, hat, and gloves, sat in a chair, instinctively scanning everything around him.

His outfit was a bit odd, and occasionally passing Z Country travelers glanced over curiously.

But they only glanced for a second before hurrying past.

Bai Ye looked away.

It was about time. He got up.

He thought with weary contempt—might as well go back and see what those useless fools are up to.

Bai Ye's eyes were ice-cold. He stepped forward to leave when he suddenly heard a faint, soft cry.

It was that kind of soft, childish little voice.

Bai Ye froze and turned around.

Not far away, a few Z Country people were walking by, holding phones. He'd accidentally pulled out the earphone cord, and a bit of the livestream's sound leaked out. The person hastily plugged it back in.

But Bai Ye had already clearly seen what was on the screen. He unconsciously took two steps forward.

Though the sound was gone, a group of little ones were huddled together on screen, and the cub standing at the side, eyes curved in a smile, had a profile that was painfully familiar.

Memories flashed back, and images he thought he'd forgotten became vivid again.

He stood there, but it felt like he was back in that dim, sealed lab.

The instruments beeped steadily, and he worked alone under the 'watchful eye' of the surveillance system, making his arrangements and preparations.

For a one- or two-year-old child, these people had no empathy. No name—just a cold string of experimental codes.

Bai Ye did everything silently, saying little.

And that child stared at him with wide, dazed eyes, instinctively flinching when he reached out.

Bai Ye coldly stepped back.

Grabbed some other tools from nearby.

But when he finished, the little one was still watching him.

Bai Ye still remembered what he'd thought back then.

What are you staring at me for?

A little fool about to be tormented into a daze—what are you expecting from me?

Expecting me to take you away? Or expecting me to take down this lab?

Don't get ahead of yourself.

Here, the only difference between them was that this little one had no name, just an experimental code, while he had a fake one.

But against all reason, Bai Ye still involuntarily bent down, using a feigned motion as cover, and gently propped himself beside the cub, speaking in a low voice.

—What do you want?

But the moment he finished speaking, the little cub toppled over, as if he couldn't hold on anymore, collapsing onto him. He closed his eyes weakly, and when he opened them again, they were still vacant, but he seemed to struggle to force a smile—or maybe it was just an instinctive expression of discomfort.

Everything was chaos then. Monitors went off, people walked in from outside.

The sounds of sedatives being injected and vitals being checked rang out one after another.

He looked like he was dying.

...

The boarding announcement suddenly snapped Bai Ye out of it—or rather, he couldn't think anymore. He tried to recall how he'd reacted, but couldn't quite remember. Or maybe his mind had already gone blank back then, leaving him only able to keep up the most basic actions, watching the little one's breathing slowly return to normal.

Bai Ye finally snapped back to reality, withdrew his gaze, and slowly walked into the airport.

Still so small.

Would the Bai family even raise him?

Still smiling so stupidly.

The Bai family's useless.

Bai Ye kept his hands in his pockets, recalling the livestream platform he'd just seen, and his fingers tightened around the phone.

But even if he smiled so stupidly, it seemed a bit better than before.

That Bai Sheng guy... isn't completely useless after all.

What a shame.

At this moment, the little ones had already arrived at the mountain vegetable garden.

It was almost lunchtime, and the kids could pick vegetables and fruits here, where the chefs on site would make them lunch.

The little ones put on the aprons the scenic area provided to keep their clothes clean, and lined up one by one and walked into the garden.

It was built on a strip of land that looked like one level of terraces, with plastic greenhouses containing all kinds of vegetables.

Of course, there was also an entire field.

Little Xiaobai Nuo looked at it and let out a "wow."

"Are those radishes?"

The little cub followed beside the teacher, wearing an apron that made him look a bit chubby, making him seem even rounder, his small finger pointing at the ground not far away.

Layers of radish leaves stood tall and drooped over the soil, revealing the small round tops of plump white radishes still buried in the earth, the leaves swaying gently in the wind.

"Are we pulling radishes? We can make pork rib soup for lunch, or stew chicken soup—either works."

The staff member in charge of this area spoke up.

"The terrain here is high, and the variety is different from what you eat outside. These are mountain radishes—crisp and sweet. They're great to eat raw, too."

Little Xiaobai Nuo looked up.

He thought of something, furrowed his brow, and shook his head.

"Never mind, Nuo Nuo doesn't want to eat any raw."

The little cub had been tricked by his uncle before, who said radishes could be eaten straight, and then he took a bite and ran off crying from the spiciness.

Of course, his dad got revenge for him later.

But pork rib soup and chicken soup, though.

"Nuo Nuo likes pork ribs, likes chicken soup."

The little cub looked at the small shovel next to him—there were small shovels too, and they looked fun.

"Teacher, can Nuo Nuo go pull some radishes?"

"Of course you can. Let's split into groups."

The teacher behind him said.

"This uncle will take you to pull radishes, and your group will go pick vegetables..."

Quite a few kids were pulling radishes too.

Little Xiaobai Nuo followed along, got a small shovel, and couldn't help but hop and skip. But halfway through hopping, he seemed to remember something, looked up sheepishly, and spotted the camera over there.

Little Xiaobai Nuo knew all his family members could see him through that camera.

So he held back a bit, toning down his pace with a sense of dignity.

"Mountain radishes grow in the special sandy soil of the mountains, so their roots go deeper and are sturdier and harder to pull than regular radishes. To pull them, we first need to use the small shovel to dig out the soil around them, then grab the leaves and pull outward. Remember not to yank too hard, and be careful not to hurt your hands."

The staff member explained, smiling. He used the shovel to loosen the soil in a circle around the radish, then slowly piled up a small mound of dirt. When it looked about right and the radish could move, he grabbed the leaves and pulled hard, and a whole radish came out in his hand.

"See, like this. You kids can give it a try, but be careful—even though these are plastic shovels, bumping into something can still hurt. Be patient and take it slow. We just need this one small row."

The staff member placed the radish on the small cart nearby, pointed to the row closest to the edge, and looked at the cubs behind him, all holding small shovels.

Some cubs, once they got their shovels, seemed to awaken some kind of skill and started digging right where they stood.

In an instant, they were covered in dust, head to toe.

He almost couldn't hold it in for a second, stifled a laugh, and then spoke.

"Put the pulled radishes here. Alright, kids, get started. In a little while, we'll be able to have lunch."

The cubs answered in twos and threes.

Little Xiaobai Nuo nodded firmly as well.

He followed his three older brothers and picked out two targets.

Xie Qing and Xie Yue dug one, and he and Yu Chuyan dug the other.

The sandy soil here was indeed pretty hard.

Little Xiaobai Nuo dug a few times but couldn't get anywhere, so he could only scoop at the edges little by little.

Yu Chuyan was doing a bit better. He crouched next to Little Xiaobai Nuo, and the Little Cool Guy had originally wanted to look steady and reliable, but after digging for a moment, he rolled up his sleeves, gripped the shovel, stood up, and started putting in real effort.

And as the little cub cheered in surprise at finally making progress, he worked even harder.

Before long, a group of cubs who had been fairly clean were all dusty.

The teachers watched from behind, digging radishes themselves while laughing and watching.

"We'll have to clean them all up one by one later."

"Now we're all even—every single cub is filthy."

Until the radish came loose.

Little Xiaobai Nuo reached out and tried to wiggle the radish, then rolled up his sleeves too, stood up, grabbed the leaves, and leaned back to pull it out.

But before he could even start pulling, he stumbled backward and plopped down on the ground, still clutching the radish leaves.

Yu Chuyan, holding the small shovel, looked over and reached out to stop him but couldn't.

Huh?

Bai Nuo stared blankly at the radish, then at the little dirt mound that had tripped him.

Bai Nuo turned his head to look at the Xie Family Twins, who were digging away furiously, already racing to see who could dig faster, as if they were trying to dig a giant pit around the radish.

He was sitting right on the little mound they'd piled up.

Xie Family Twins:...

Bai Nuo:...

A nearby teacher noticed what was going on.

"Quick, go check—one of the little ones fell. See if they're hurt."

Teacher Xiaoxue, who was right beside them, had already hurried over, ready to scoop the little guy up and soothe him.

But before she could, she heard the little one let out a soft "aww," then looked at Yu Chuyan, who had come over with concern, as if a thought had just hit him.

Soft and tiny, he pointed at the radish: "Feint east."

Then pointed at the mound beneath him and himself: "Strike Nuo."

Feint east, strike Nuo.