Chapter 186

Chapter 186

The news that Bai Yan had been discharged from the hospital and returned home smoothly still put most people's minds at ease.

Especially the old man's close friends who'd gone fishing with him.

Not only because they were old friends who'd gathered after retirement to travel and enjoy the scenery together, but also because this trip had been planned and arranged by all of them together. If something had truly happened to Bai Yan during this journey, they'd inevitably have a lingering sense of guilt when arranging such activities in the future.

Moreover, since the old man had already retired and basically no longer managed internal affairs of the Bai family, those hoping for chaos in the Bai family wouldn't want anything to happen to Bai Yan either.

On the other side, the one who actually breathed a sigh of relief was Leon.

He'd been waiting for news in Ang City for two days. Over that week, he'd also checked in on Bai Nuo, seen Bai Nuo's injuries, and picked up on his overt and covert worries.

Although his great-grandfather's condition was steadily improving, he was still in the hospital.

When he finally got word that the old man had basically recovered and been discharged, Leon, who never cared about such things, didn't even realize he'd let out a sigh of relief.

Ah... Z country's laws and enforcement were truly worlds apart from M country's. This wasn't allowed, that wasn't allowed, the rules were different. He'd have to readjust. No, wait—hold on.

He set down the product planning report, squinting his amber eyes in suspicion.

"What's wrong, young master?"

Norton spoke up from the side.

"Is something wrong with the submitted planning report?"

Leon: ...

"What was my original purpose for coming to Ang City, again?"

It hit Leon belatedly—how had he actually started seriously building a career in Ang City?

He'd even started earnestly studying Z country's laws on foreign investors. The office buildings and factory spaces for his people seemed to already be in the middle of lease negotiations. He'd even accepted invitations from some of Z country's poorer provinces and cities, planning to create jobs for them while expanding his market—a win-win.

Although the business was thriving overall and prospects looked excellent.

But was this what he'd originally set out to do?

Norton let out an "Oh."

"You finally noticed? You're about to successfully start a new business in Z country."

So law-abiding, this Farrell.

Norton wasn't used to this at all.

But at least he was doing something legit, right?

Leon: ...

Leon pressed his fingers to his brow.

"Forget it. It's already done, so let them do it well. How long have we been in Z country?"

Norton smiled.

"Almost a full month now. Even if you want to be willful, you should head back to handle family affairs. Being too relaxed will make those hyenas and jackals think they have room to maneuver."

"Is that so?"

Leon lowered his gaze, glancing at the proposal on the table.

"I have indeed stayed in Z country long enough."

Leon sat with an elegant posture, carrying the manners of those old-school aristocratic families from abroad.

And he wasn't built muscular—there was a kind of arrogant, pampered nobility mixed with haughtiness about him.

If it weren't for how ruthless he could be, those people back then would've thought he was a precious young master raised by the Farrell main family—one who looked easy to manipulate.

But now, Leon's name was tied to the title of Head of the Farrell Family. The ring symbolizing the patriarch's authority, with its enormous emerald, gleamed on his thumb, giving off an unfathomable air.

He'd finally delayed until he had no choice but to return home.

"Tell them I'll be heading back to the country in a few days."

Leon said, standing and capping his pen with a soft click.

"As for Bai Sheng..."

"Should we try to make contact with the young master again?"

After all, Norton could tell that Leon's main reason for staying in Ang City was watching Bai Nuo with an itching heart, and being annoyed at how well he got along with the Bai family.

"But since we've established a cooperative relationship with the Bai family, I wouldn't advise going against the statement you yourself issued."

"You don't need to keep reminding me."

Leon looked at Norton.

As if he'd disregard everything and snatch his little brother back to M country.

He wasn't the type to steal kids, right?

On this matter, Norton felt that was hard to say.

After all, in the past few days, Leon had watched the young master's clips in full at least three times, replaying those classic scenes over a dozen times, looking completely obsessed.

"But since we're on the subject—since I'll be heading back soon, let's invite a few business partners to get together. You go invite the Bai family members. And of course, go ahead and tell Bai Sheng directly: I'm just saying goodbye to Bai Nuo. The Farrell family isn't right for him, and I wouldn't be a good brother either."

That breath of Leon's seemed to finally dissipate. He'd returned to his former calm, arrogant demeanor.

"Have a meal together, say goodbye. And I've had very little contact with him—most of what I know comes from videos and files. A person is different from how they're portrayed in files. Kids are mostly the same—if you don't spend time with them often, you grow distant. There's nothing particularly special between us. That way, I'll be able to let go."

Having realized that aside from sharing blood with him, that kid was just a soft, cute, adorable child—an ordinary little kid—it would be best if he grew up healthy like any ordinary Z country kid. Then there'd be nothing left for him to pay attention to.

"Very well, I will draft the invitations and send them out."

Norton said respectfully, bowing slightly.

I hope it's truly as you say.

No more impulsive decisions like before, followed by frantic, secret regret.

Suddenly running off with you again, developing business in unfamiliar territory like Z country—even as a butler who was capable in all things, he occasionally got a bit of a headache—especially seeing how adorable the young master of that other family was. He didn't dare imagine how joyful it would be to be a butler in the Bai household.

On the evening of the old man's discharge from the hospital.

Bai Family Retreat.

It was rare for the whole Bai family to be this complete, having dinner at the retreat that evening.

After dinner, before anyone left, they watched the old master direct the servants to bring in the giant framed photo that had been printed and framed earlier, planning to hang it on the biggest wall in the main hall.

Bai Jin, confused, nudged Bai Liang next to him.

"What's that?"

"No clue. Heard it's Grandpa's glorious achievement?"

Bai Liang looked over too, smiling thoughtfully.

Bai Jin: ...

"Huh? I remember Grandpa saying he wanted to hang a picture of himself with a fish on the wall. He's still in the hospital, and it's already ready?"

Bai Jingyun stood nearby, talking as he glanced at Bai Qi next to him, who was pulling a piece of paper out of her pocket with a blank face.

Bai Jingyun: ?

"What are you doing?"

Bai Sheng was handing some cute stickers to Bai Nuo, telling him to put them on the wall as decorations later. He let out a small scoff at that, looking pretty disdainful.

Bai Ye stood behind Bai Nuo, squinting as he peeled stickers off and handed them over without looking up.

Meanwhile, Bai Wan was over there analyzing the situation, turning to ask Bai Zhize: "Does Grandpa count as 'a poor man who got rich and doesn't know his place'?"

Then, without waiting for an answer, he started explaining: "'A poor man suddenly getting rich' is a Chinese idiom, meaning someone who was poor suddenly becomes rich, or gets rich through shady means, and gets too big for their britches."

Bai Zhize: ...

Bai Zhize lifted his foot to kick Bai Wan.

"It's YOU who grew up overseas, not ME!!"

Don't explain it to me, you backwards little punk.

"And don't think I don't know about that business dinner the other day—you ordered Western food for my table!"

Bai Wan stepped forward two steps, neatly dodging the kick.

"Based on my analysis, given your usual vibe, Dad, this is the most intimidating—looks super high-end."

Meaning you're kind of a poser.

Bai Zhize: &*￥#%

Bai Zhize rapidly spat out some English words that Bai Nuo didn't understand.

Didn't get it, but could tell Third Granduncle was really mad.

The little kid had been craning his neck to listen to the adults, but now pulled his little head back.

Bai Nuo was holding the stickers, watching as the cover on the photo frame was pulled off.

Inside was the old master holding up that huge bass, posing for the picture.

Bai Nuo looked at the wall stickers in his hands.

Does Nuonuo need to help decorate?

Meanwhile, Bai Qi, who had unfolded the paper, couldn't help glancing at her parents.

Bai Qian looked away without any expression.

Cen Zhi, though, was smiling and whispered: "Your grandpa's like this now, just let him have his way."

Bai Qi: ...Fine.

Bai Qi cleared her throat, holding the paper, standing under the photo like she was about to give a speech, and started repeating in a totally flat voice under the old master's satisfied gaze.

"After careful verification, this image contains no AI-generated parts—it's a real photo—"

Everyone who had been marveling at the old man's decision to blow up this photo and hang it on the wall turned to look at Bai Qi.

Watching Bai Qi, with that look of someone barely alive, keep repeating the line.

Everyone in the Bai family: ...

Bai Liang was the first to crack up, frantically fumbling for his phone and hitting record.

"Quick, quick, let me get this on video for you."

Bai Qi tossed the paper aside, still reciting from memory, but she'd already grabbed a solid wooden stool and started chasing Bai Liang around the room.

Bai Jin watched that solid wooden stool, sucked in a sharp breath, and backed away, scared of getting Second Brother's blood on him.

And Cen Zhi had been holding it in the whole time, until she laughed so hard she fell sideways into Bai Qian's arms.

Anu was tilting his little body, flopping back and forth next to Bai Yan, then raising his long tail to swish back and forth, brushing against Bai Yan's calf.

Quite a lively scene.

Bai Sheng didn't find it lively—Bai Sheng found them extremely noisy.

And there was one especially annoying one.

His biological dad sat a few steps behind the little kid, watching Bai Ye, who was carefully peeling stickers and handing them to Bai Nuo.

That guy paid no attention to anyone else, totally focused on what was in his hands.

Only Bai Nuo, while helping Great-Grandpa decorate, would turn back to ask Dad if this one was crooked, or how this one looked.

Before long, the wall was covered with little fish, small grass, and some fruit bubbles, making it look like an underwater scene.

Bai Nuo was an extremely well-behaved little kid, rarely writing on walls either—and of course, there was none of that Xie family chaos where walls were covered in stickers or crayon art—so this kind of thing was still new to him.

He'd been sticking for a while when Anu, who had gone over to rub against Bai Yan for hugs, pets, and treats, came padding back lightly, meowing softly.

It was a bit noisy all around—even the cat was avoiding this group that had suddenly gone crazy.

Bai Nuo bumped his little head against Anu's. He was already used to the family vibe. He held up the sticker in his hand.

"Which side is up, and which side is down?"

Bai Nuo thought about it.

Bai Sheng craned his neck to look over.

"What is this?"

Bai Sheng looked at the fruit-shaped bubble in the little one's hand.

"Is it... a lemon?"

The little one looked up at his dad.

It was a bubble shaped like a lemon.

The uncle just passing by: ?

"Huh? Right here, what's up?"

Bai Nuo, Bai Sheng, and Bai Ye all snapped their heads toward Bai Jingyun, who reacted in a flash. Honestly, if you called his name, he probably wouldn't have reacted that fast.

Are you a little too self-aware? What's been programmed into you?

Bai Sheng: ...

That's ridiculous.

Your name's lemon, huh???