Chapter 155

Chapter 155

Bai Sheng quickly forgot about Bai Zhize and his son running off while everyone was distracted.

He pushed open the car door and got out.

Little Xiaobai Nuo was still talking with his brothers when suddenly they all fell quiet, and their scarves were taken off. The cub instinctively struggled for a moment, then turned around to see his father with narrowed eyes.

Before Bai Sheng could even open his mouth to ask, the cub cheered and reached out to hug his father's neck.

"Daddy, Nuo Nuo got so many compliments today! The teacher said Nuo Nuo did especially well."

Bai Sheng paused, then held back his words.

The Three Little Ones had all spotted Bai Sheng a moment earlier than the little cub. They now stood in a neat line, looking quite well-behaved, and looked up and called out: "Hello, Uncle."

Then Xie Yue turned his head and spotted Shi Lin, who had come to pick them up today. His eyes lit up, and he hopped excitedly, ready to dash over.

Yu Chuyan, whose scarf was still tied to Xie Yue's, didn't even turn to look at him—he just tugged on his end of the scarf.

"Ow!"

That was Xie Yue, who nearly choked himself from lunging suddenly.

"Are you a little idiot?!"

Shi Lin hurried over to untangle his scarf.

All in all, he really didn't seem too bright.

Bai Sheng fell silent.

"Daddy?"

Little Xiaobai Nuo leaned closer, confused, looking at his father with a hint of bewilderment.

Did Nuo Nuo not do well today?

Why didn't Daddy say Nuo Nuo did well?

Bai Sheng snapped back to reality and saw the expression on his cub's face.

He said instinctively: "Very impressive. You did great today."

Bai Sheng let out a breath: "Say bye to Auntie and your brothers. We're heading home now."

The cub hugged his father's neck, nodded his little head, hummed in agreement, then turned to wave goodbye to the others.

Then his father carried the cub into the car.

Li Zhilin was driving again today.

He heard the little cub greet him as he got in, responded, then glanced at little Xiaobai Nuo in the rearview mirror. The car pulled out smoothly.

But today, Bai Sheng seemed a bit serious.

"Nuo Nuo."

"Hm?"

"You're not allowed to share a scarf with other alphas."

Bai Sheng looked at the cub in the child seat and spoke seriously.

It was clear that the scarf-sharing thing had really gotten to Bai Sheng.

Li Zhilin, sitting in the driver's seat, couldn't help glancing at little Xiaobai Nuo again.

He thought: The young master is still little, and holding hands was fine. Why is sharing a scarf a problem?

But thinking about it, holding hands was a kindergarten rule, so the boss could probably justify that. But sharing a scarf was clearly something the kids decided on their own.

And with a bunch of little alpha cubs, no wonder it bothered him.

Because if you thought about it, wasn't this exactly the childhood sweethearts trope that entertainment loved to write about?

And he remembered that the recent hit modern scripts at the Cen family's company had couples exactly like that childhood sweethearts dynamic.

Little Xiaobai Nuo gripped his seatbelt, tilted his head up at his father, looking confused: "Why?"

"Because alphas and omegas aren't the same."

Bai Sheng was serious, his tone stern.

"Alphas and omegas are naturally not supposed to be that close. Not allowed!"

Not allowed. No. Stop!

His tone got heavier at the end because he was so worked up.

Li Zhilin, listening from the driver's seat: ?

Boss, are you projecting? Isn't this the wrong way to teach the young master?! Do you plan to keep the young master from ever having a partner when he grows up?

Although Li Zhilin knew his boss had no interest in finding a partner and even despised the idea, this kind of thing should still respect the young master's own wishes, right?

Little Xiaobai Nuo stared at his father, frozen for a few seconds, then tears quickly welled up in his eyes.

Bai Sheng: ?

"Daddy isn't scolding you. I'm just telling you."

If he really didn't like it... then never mind...

"But Nuo Nuo wants to be close to Daddy, and Grandpa, Uncle, Second Uncle, Auntie, Little Uncle, Great-Grandpa..."

The little cub counted pitifully. He didn't understand why everything had changed now that he was a big kid.

"Nuo Nuo already sleeps alone. Does that mean he can't ask Daddy for hugs anymore?"

Bai Sheng, who had momentarily forgotten he was also an alpha in his panic: ...

"No, no, that's not what Daddy meant."

Bai Sheng realized he might have overreacted, lumping all alphas together.

He tried to backtrack.

"It's just that it's not okay for other alphas to share a scarf with you."

The little cub was still all hazy and confused.

"But today Nono asked Big Brother to wear a scarf with Nono. Nono gave his scarf to an uncle who looked kinda pitiful. It got a little cold in the afternoon, so Big Brother lent his scarf to Nono."

...Oh, is that right?

Bai Sheng looked at his cub, then hesitated.

So maybe it's just that he's too young, and I was overthinking things?

Bai Sheng rarely got caught up in this kind of self-doubt, a subtle look crossing his annoyingly handsome face that usually had a sharp, mocking edge to it.

Little Bai Nuo was still mulling it over.

"But Nono keeps thinking that uncle looks kinda familiar, but Nono just can't remember where he's seen him."

The cub said, sounding a little bothered.

Then he patted his own little head.

It felt like he was just one piece away, and he could remember, but he just couldn't grab hold of that fleeting spark.

But right now, that wasn't what the cub cared about.

The cub looked up at his dad with hopeful eyes again.

In a tiny voice: "So can Nono still ask for hugs from now on?"

As if, even if Dad said hugging wasn't something big kids did, he'd still think it over and try his best to get past it.

Bai Sheng went quiet for a second.

"I'm sorry, Dad's sorry, and I apologize to you. There are some things I need to teach you to understand, not just boss you around and tell you what to do."

The cub instinctively shook his head, feeling like Dad didn't need to apologize, then it clicked: "So that means I can still ask for hugs, right?"

"Mm."

Bai Sheng gave his cub's cheek a gentle pinch.

"Then that's good," he said softly.

"Nono loves Dad's hugs."

They made him feel really safe.

It was enough to make Bai Sheng's heart go soft.

Bai Sheng finally pushed aside all that earlier confusion, grabbed a bag from nearby, and handed it to Little Bai Nuo.

"Were you cold this afternoon?"

"Just a little, 'cause the sun went away. Wow, Dad, roasted sweet potatoes!"

Bai Nuo said, spotting what was in the bag and cheering quietly.

"It's gotta be this kind of honey sweet potato, roasted over charcoal, right?"

"Mm, mm-hmm!"

Little Bai Nuo nodded his little head hard, picked up the small sweet potato that was still steaming, squinted happily, and started carefully peeling the skin to eat.

Bai Sheng watched his cub brighten up again, the corner of his mouth twitching up.

In the nearly year they'd been here, the cub had gone from cherishing every bite and never being picky to turning into a little foodie.

...

That little moment passed in a flash.

After dinner that night, after showing off to everyone in the family, the cub went to show off to Great-Grandpa as well.

Once he finished talking with Great-Grandpa, the cub played with Anu in his fairy-tale cottage.

But today, the cub couldn't find his uncle.

The little guy fed Anu snacks while resting his cheek on his hand, still trying hard to figure out who that familiar person was.

Bai Jin had come along today and was keeping an eye on Little Bai Nuo while Bai Sheng worked.

Seeing the little cub looking so deep in thought, he couldn't resist and poked him in the side.

Bai Nuo dodged sideways from his uncle's pokes, whining and laughing in protest.

"Uncle, Uncle, you're not allowed to poke Nono's waist."

Bai Jin raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"You have a waist?"

The cub had gotten a lot rounder lately, and with all those layers on, he looked like a little ball.

Bai Nuo shot him a look: ?

Bai Jin: ...

"I meant kids don't have waists, not that you don't."

Too late. Nono didn't wanna hear his uncle's explanation.

The cub patted the leopard cat Anu on the back and pointed at his uncle.

"Anu! Bite Uncle!"

Bai Jin: ?

"Meow!"

Anu immediately spun around and pounced at Bai Jin, and gave Bai Jin's arm a fierce chomp right through his clothes.

After the bite, it strutted back with its tail up, rubbing against Little Bai Nuo's side.

Bai Jin: ...

Are you some kind of druid?

You've trained this cat to be this human-like?

Since when can summons switch species?

Anu is still begging for treats.

Xiaobai Nuo is worn down by Anu's enthusiasm, and even gets knocked over by Anu's headbutts.

Bai Nuo squints, sounding a bit confused.

"What's up with Anu? He's so energetic today."

"Maybe he didn't get enough treats today."

A nearby servant overhears Xiaobai Nuo's question and answers with a smile.

"Why?"

Bai Nuo doesn't get it, looking at the auntie in confusion.

"Doesn't he get fed the same amount?"

"Because before, Young Master Bai Wan used to play with Anu, so he'd feed him tons of treats every day."

The servant continues.

"But now Young Master Bai Wan is gone."

"So Uncle's not here anymore?"

Xiaobai Nuo asks in surprise. The cub hadn't found him earlier but hadn't asked, just assuming it was like before, not knowing when Uncle would suddenly pop up in front of him again.

"Did Great-Uncle and Uncle head back home?"

Well, Nono knows that Great-Uncle and Uncle used to live overseas.

"...I guess you could say that."

The servant smiles, not knowing how to explain that the other party had shaken off surveillance, taken out the security guards, and slipped away from the estate.

"Ohh..."

Xiaobai Nuo nods, then looks at Anu again, and hugs Anu's cat head, saying softly.

"So now no one plays with Anu. Does Anu feel lonely too?"

Anu, who only cares about treats: ?

Not at all. With that stalker gone, life's been so much easier.

Of course, if that 'servant' who always fed him treats were willing to come back, Anu wouldn't mind either.

In country D, which borders country Z.

Bai Zhize and Bai Wan have already arrived at a safe location, curious to see what the meeting is about.

"Are those chefs all taken care of?"

Bai Zhize sits on the sofa, looking at Bai Wan lounging on the other end.

Bai Wan hums in acknowledgment.

"Where's the next stop? Based on the analysis, country J should be a key spot the Bai family is watching, not to mention we have a lot of business there. Countries D and L are too close to country Z, so we'd be easy to find."

"No hurry."

Bai Zhize chuckles.

"Just make sure Bai Qian can't get his hands on us. Coming back obediently this time was meant to send a goodwill signal, so he shouldn't keep harping on it."

Bai Wan: ...?

"Based on my assessment, we didn't actually get away."

They hadn't outrun the Bai family, which is why they were so easily cornered and dragged back.

Bai Zhize: ...

"Shut up! I talk, you listen, that's enough! This is part of the plan too, what do you know?! If it weren't for this trip back, we'd still be stuck eating that god-awful white people food!"

So all things considered, they came out on top!

So this is a brilliantly hidden scheme!

Thinking about the three chefs they'd poached with fat salaries.

Bai Wan: "...Sure."

Just as the words leave his mouth, the room door swings open.

A plain-looking beta walks in, smiling elegantly, and gives Bai Zhize and Bai Wan a gentlemanly bow.

He speaks fluently in a foreign language as he greets them cheerfully.

"Good evening, Mr. Bai and Mr. Bai. Thank you very much for trusting us and coming to meet us."

Bai Zhize and Bai Wan have returned to the country, but they don't have a clear picture of what exactly happened to Xiaobai Nuo. Either the files are sealed, or Bai Sheng is deliberately keeping it from them. Online, there's barely anyone discussing Xiaobai Nuo's origins anymore, and discussions about the research lab have also died down.

But Bai Zhize and Bai Wan do know that this organization has many members who look this plain.

Bai Zhize raises his head, his eyes dark and cold. The earlier lively, dissatisfied mood vanishes, replaced only by the coldness of someone in power.

"Oh? I don't like waiting. If your big gift doesn't satisfy me..."

"Of course, of course. This is a token of our sincerity. Our superiors have heard about the huge trouble you've caused the Bai family."

The man continues.

"This time, forcing Bai Qian to fly abroad to handle matters, and before that, if the Bai family hadn't done early medical checks, Bai Jingyun would have almost been caught, and many more... I'm sure you had a hand in quite a few of them."

Bai Zhize's face doesn't change.

But he stays quiet.

Sure, making Bai Qian run himself ragged was his doing, but as for the others, he only remembers Bai Jingyun, and he was the fall guy for that one.

Bai Zhize: ...

Bai Zhize can even feel Bai Wan's confused gaze on him.

Luckily, Bai Zhize had always drilled it into Bai Wan to keep his mouth shut around outsiders, so Bai Wan kept his trap shut for now.

Bai Zhize uncrossed and recrossed his legs, letting out a chuckle.

"Oh? You guys are pretty plugged in."

He could take the fall for this one—it wasn't like he hadn't done it before.

"Of course, you see, our institute has a long, messy history with the Bai family. Bottom line, our goals are the same. I'm really glad you showed up. We've always figured Bai Qian only got where he is through a lot of luck. If it were you—"

"Cut the small talk."

Bai Zhize cut him off, his face going dark in an instant.

The speaker paused, thinking, yeah, Bai Zhize really was as moody as the rumors said.

"And... are you saying I went easy on Bai Qian back then? I can't just let that slide—that's a slap in the face."

With a soft click, a pistol Bai Zhize had pulled from who-knows-where was already chambered.

The guy instinctively flinched, reaching for his own gun to fight back.

But Bai Wan made his move.

Bai Wan was too fast—his hand came down like a blade, slicing through the air.

The guy arched back to dodge, throwing up his other arm to block while fumbling for his gun.

But too late.

Bai Wan was way faster.

The next second, the gun went flying out of his hand and skidded under the couch. His face went dark as his knees gave out, and he slammed hard onto the floor. Bai Wan planted a foot on the guy's shoulder, gripping his own pistol one-handed—already chambered—the dark barrel aimed dead at his head. His blue eyes were like a machine carrying out orders, coldly locked on the target. Bai Wan didn't say a word, but what radiated off him was—pure death.

Because he would genuinely pull the trigger the next second.

After all, overseas wasn't like Z Country—gangs, cults, and all kinds of senseless, malicious troublemakers had died at Bai Wan's hands.

He was someone you absolutely did not mess with in overseas business.

Bai Zhize had already gotten up, twirling his gun, and strolled over to the kneeling man. He crouched down, a lock of black hair falling across his forehead, and smiled again: "That 'big gift' you mentioned—it better impress me."

The plain-looking beta felt his back soaked in sweat and forced a dry laugh.

"Sorry, I didn't mean any offense. As for whether the gift impresses you, that's your call, of course. But I promise it'll blow your mind—I already heard his footsteps. He should be here by now."

Out in the hallway, Bai Ye had indeed shuffled in, taking his sweet time. He had no clue about the institute's little script.

He'd only just caught the tail end of it.

A big gift?

Him?

Wasn't that kind of a joke?

Bai Ye curled his lips coldly under his mask, still in his cap and face covering, only his eyes showing. They locked onto Bai Wan's gaze as Bai Wan turned his head at the sound.

Bai Wan's blue eyes were empty, completely devoid of emotion—like lifeless, translucent glass. There wasn't even coldness—just a machine soaked in blood and killing.

Meanwhile, Bai Zhize slowly straightened up, a flicker of doubt on his face.

Bai Ye pulled down his mask, revealing a face that, after surgery and recovery, didn't look much like the Bai family anymore. His hoarse voice was dripping with venom: "A big gift? Not really, Third Uncle... long time no see."

No one would want a gift like him, right?

Hah.

The Bai family's old estate back in Z Country.

Night had fallen.

It was time for the little one to sleep.

Bai Sheng had noticed the cub woke up too early—usually startled by dreams or because dawn was breaking—and then couldn't get back to sleep. So Bai Sheng deliberately managed his schedule, putting him to bed earlier to make sure he got enough sleep.

Bai Sheng was still working in his study.

He hadn't been idle during this time.

He'd had people scour overseas, and now they'd narrowed the institute's location down to a few areas, waiting for further confirmation.

Bai Sheng propped his chin lazily on his hand, his curly hair framing a pair of ice-cold eyes.

He murmured softly: "Don't think hiding out for a while will let you dodge the heat."

He was furious, and every day, the more he thought about his cub, the angrier he got. He constantly wanted to make them personally feel everything they'd done to Bai Nuo.

Bai Sheng kept planning operations and handling other work, occasionally glancing at the app on his phone.

In the kids' room, the tiny cub lay on his big bed, a small lump sinking into the soft mattress, a thick, fluffy blanket draped over him.

Bai Sheng had initially wanted to switch to a lighter down comforter, but it seemed the heavier quilt gave the cub a greater sense of security while sleeping, so he'd let it be.

Bai Sheng looked at the little one's flushed, sleeping face, stared for a few seconds to "recharge," then shut off his phone, satisfied.

Too bad no one was there to hear him brag about how adorably his cub slept.

And at that very moment, the deeply sleeping Xiaobai Nuo was dreaming.

Still having those hazy, fragmented dreams that weren't quite clear in this world's laboratory.

As if, after a whole day of hard thinking, the buried memories had finally responded.

Bai Nuo recalled a chaotic period at the institute.

His consciousness had been foggy back then, and he couldn't remember much from the institute—the most vivid impressions were the adults in research coats coming and going, and the sensation of liquid being injected into his body.

But in that dazed, ignorant state, he seemed to hear chaos erupting in the institute. Just before his eyes fully closed, it seemed someone bloody had come before him, reaching out a hand—but in the end, staggered and collapsed.

In this dream, Bai Nuo wanted to reach out too, but he had no strength at all, so he could only quietly close his eyes.

After that, he remembered nothing more. He only knew the institute had undergone a relocation—flames everywhere, ashes everywhere, and the smell of smoke clinging to his body.

After that, everything felt distant, far away, until his father brought him home.

That uncle—had he been trying to save him back then? He had a faint impression now, remembering someone pressing ice-cold fingertips against his cheek, carrying a faint scent of disinfectant mixed with ripe fruit.

And those eyes—the same ones he'd seen in his earlier dreams, and the same as the uncle he'd met today? In that instant, a flash of inspiration connected everything.

In the cozy children's room, the little cub lying on the big bed stirred restlessly, his tiny hand straining to lift, as if reaching for something, before flopping back down onto the soft mattress.

The tiny cub suddenly opened his eyes, sat up clutching the blanket, and stared blankly ahead, thinking: That uncle seemed to be doing fine, which was good... but wait, something about him felt off, and then there were those dreams—was that uncle a bad guy too? Would he die too?

Nono didn't want that uncle to die.

At that thought, tears instantly welled up and spilled down with a soft patter.

Bai Nuo saw the teardrops land on his blanket and instinctively reached out to wipe them, but they just wouldn't stop. A tiny, barely audible whimper slipped out of his throat.

"Daddy..."

Little Bai Nuo wanted his daddy.

The cub panicked, wondering if he'd forgotten something important that had turned that uncle into what he was now.

Little Bai Nuo climbed down from the bed and padded out softly, wiping his tears as he called out, "Daddy... Daddy..."

The tears wouldn't stop.

No matter how he wiped, they just kept coming.

Even though he knew big kids weren't supposed to cry like this.

He needed to find Daddy.

He wanted Daddy to hold him and tell him everything.

The door to Bai Sheng's study swung open.

Bai Sheng moved fast, and not just because he'd heard the cub's voice.

Actually, the alert on his phone had gone off the moment Xiaobai Nuo left his room.

Bai Sheng hadn't spotted his cub on the monitor, so he stepped out to check—only to open the door and see the little guy walking toward him, wiping his tears.

Hearing the sound and seeing his dad, the cub got even more upset, tears spilling faster from his already red eyes. He reached out his hands, standing still and crying as he wiped his face, breath coming in short, uneven gasps, barely able to speak clearly.

"Daddy... Daddy... Nono feels so sad."

Nono didn't want the uncle to die.