His future wife was about to get angry…
Pei Wanyou reacted swiftly. She pinched her own cheek hard, leaving a large red mark on her fair skin. Turning her head, she looked at Bai Yanzhou with teary eyes: “I’m going to tell Uncle that you pinched me.”
Footsteps grew closer. Pei Wanyou’s delicate nose turned faintly red—crying on command was quite a skill.
Bai Yanzhou glanced at her, stood up, and walked out. Though not tall, he was weighed down by sheer cunning: “…”
Pei Wanyou picked up Shushu and stuck out her tongue: “Your daddy is so silly, what’s going on?” After saying this, she kissed the little one’s hand.
Bai Yanzhou naturally heard it, but now wasn’t the time to argue with her. The scar on her stomach really couldn’t be seen by his father: “Dad.” As he spoke, he placed a finger to his thin lips, making a “shh” gesture.
Si Xiang followed behind with a doctor carrying a medical kit.
“Youyou said her stomach hurt tonight, so have the doctor check her,” Si Xiang whispered. Ever since Wanyou was born, he and his wife had doted on this child excessively, even to the point of spoiling her.
Bai Yanzhou rested his hand under his nose, feigning embarrassment: “I just went to ask. It hurts for a few days every month. Right now, she’s holding Shushu and about to sleep. I’ll call the doctor over to check on her after she wakes up.”
That last part was crucial—without the doctor checking, Si Xiang wouldn’t be reassured.
Pei Wanyou held Shushu. She was still in her postpartum recovery period and hadn’t even gotten her period yet. Despite Bai Yanzhou not having a girlfriend, he sure knew a lot…
Si Xiang thought for a moment and nodded.
It wouldn’t be right to force the doctor in to see her.
Si Xiang: “As her older brother…”
Bai Yanzhou showed an impatient expression. He’d heard this line countless times since childhood and was sick of it.
Pei Wanyou, holding Shushu, was nearly asleep when the blanket was suddenly pulled off…
“Get up and finish your homework.”
Pei Wanyou turned over resentfully. Dressed in a suit but acting unreasonably: “I’m so tired I feel like throwing up.” She meant it—her heart was racing with panic, and she desperately wanted to close her eyes.
Bai Yanzhou checked the time: “I’m going out for a business engagement. I’ll be back at eleven. You finish your homework properly, understand?”
“Don’t go. If you dare leave, I’ll scream.” Pei Wanyou lifted her chin: “Unless you promise me that tomorrow after school, I can go shopping with my best friend.”
“Fine, I won’t go.” Bai Yanzhou said, taking out his phone to call Lu Shu’an and assign him the business engagement instead. He then went to the study for an online meeting.
Pei Wanyou was so angry she nearly turned into a howling groundhog. She whispered: “Your daddy is not cute at all…”
She slept straight through until morning, unaware of when Bai Yanzhou had taken Shushu away, let alone done her homework.
She tentatively sent a message to Jiang Lu on her phone: [Lulu, have you finished your homework?] Having company in this would make it slightly better: “…”
Jiang Lu sent a “foolproof” emoji. She had started catching up on homework right after school yesterday and worked until midnight.
Bai Yanzhou wore a formal suit, holding Shushu in his arms as she diligently drank her milk. She would take two sips, kick her legs twice, and then start blowing bubbles.
Pei Wanyou picked up a custard bun and took a bite. Whoever said heaven never seals off all exits—wasn’t this sealed shut tight?
Next door, Alma was very quiet, almost like an invisible person. After all, she was going to be the clan leader; revealing her schemes too early would only backfire.
That day, Pei Wanyou was punished to stay behind and clean the classroom. Although Jiang Lu had finished her work, she voluntarily stayed as well.
“Little beauty, what happened to you?” Jiang Lu leaned on her mop, watching Pei Wanyou sweep the floor. Pei Wanyou had always been an outstanding student, both in character and academics, and rarely failed to complete her assignments during middle and high school.
Pei Wanyou couldn’t very well say that giving birth had left her body too exhausted.
After finally finishing the cleaning, Pei Wanyou boarded the car home. Her uncle and aunt weren’t home, and from now on, she would have to live under Bai Yanzhou’s watchful eye. What rotten luck.
She was the one who had taken the initiative to hug him—enjoying the moment first and suffering the consequences later. That was exactly her.
Fortunately, when she arrived home, Bai Yanzhou had taken Alma out for a social engagement. She almost cheered in relief—the big nuisance wasn’t home, how wonderful!
Lu Shu’an sat in the courtyard holding Shushu. He didn’t even dare to smoke a cigarette; Bai Yanzhou had ordered him to stay by the young lady’s side without leaving for a moment.
This was enough to show Bai Yanzhou’s trust in him.
“Brother Lu,” Pei Wanyou happily walked over to Lu Shu’an, though she couldn’t wrap her arms around his neck and act spoiled like she did when she was little.
The two chatted happily in the courtyard, and Lu Shu’an shared quite a bit about Bai Yanzhou, including some of his recent troubles.
After hearing this, Pei Wanyou let out a long sigh. “What can be done about it? Who told him to have such a foul temper and be so ruthless?” He had been relatively gentle with her, at least.
“Having someone to restrain him might help a little,” Lu Shu’an said, then looked at Pei Wanyou. In this world, aside from Madam and her, he couldn’t think of anyone else.
Pei Wanyou leaned in mysteriously toward Lu Shu’an. “Then let’s work together to set him up with Alma. After that, you can help persuade him to let me raise Shushu. How does that sound?”
“…”
What a splendidly terrible idea.
Lu Shu’an sighed inwardly. She hadn’t grown up yet, but if Bai Yanzhou fell for her first, he would have a hard time.
“Brother Lu, I have a close friend who has taken a liking to you,” Pei Wanyou said, pulling out her phone to show him a picture. “What do you think? Her personality is really good.”
Lu Shu’an leaned closer to Pei Wanyou and whispered, “Your Brother Lu likes men.” After saying this, he leaned back in his chair.
“Last time, when that guy said he liked you, you claimed you were straight. Well done, covering both sides, huh?” Seeing that Lu Shu’an wasn’t interested, Pei Wanyou simply put her phone away.
Lu Shu’an pursed his lips and smiled gently. He loved himself more than he cared to look at others—selfish and greedy. It was better not to go out and cause trouble for people.
“…”
At that moment, Bai Yanzhou took Alma to a memorial banquet. The recent attack had resulted in over a dozen deaths and hundreds of injuries.
This banquet was essentially a gathering to discuss countermeasures, and of course, it included a fundraising segment.
Alma held onto Bai Yanzhou’s arm. Although they referred to each other as siblings, outsiders could tell at a glance that the two were in an ambiguous phase.
Otherwise, why would the Bai family let her live there? She had also become known among outsiders as the “future daughter-in-law of the Bai family.” This was exactly what she wanted, and Bai Yanzhou would cooperate—though the price was steep.
Several billion a year.
For the sake of long-term considerations, she had no choice but to agree.
Bai Yanzhou was surrounded by many people, including plenty of noblewomen. There were quite a few whose family backgrounds surpassed Alma’s.
Just as Alma went to the restroom, a woman in a blue gown approached and greeted elegantly, “Mr. Bai, do you remember me?”
If they could get close to this person, not only would they have no worries, but the entire family would benefit as well. That little bitch Alma actually dared to dream of staying by Bai Yanzhou’s side.
Bai Yanzhou gave a faint smile and offered an ambiguous response.
“I heard Mr. Bai is going to marry into the Sommerfield Family?” the woman said, putting on a regretful expression. “What a shame. Mr. Bai probably doesn’t know yet, but the Sommerfield Family has no heir and is currently in a state of internal strife.”
In other words, if Bai Yanzhou married Alma, he would just be used as a pawn.
“So, that’s exactly why I should help her, isn’t it?” Bai Yanzhou said, lowering his gaze to look at the woman before him.
These words happened to be overheard by Alma. Smiling, she walked over and linked arms with Bai Yanzhou, still looking gently at the woman in front of her. “Li An, it’s been a long time.”
Li An glanced at Alma, unable to hide the disdain in her eyes. No matter how smug she might be now, who could say who would have the last laugh? “…”
Many people wanted to climb the Bai family’s ladder, and there were plenty offering toasts. Bai Yanzhou drank quite a bit.
For this donation, Bai Yanzhou casually offered several hundred million, drawing envious glances from others. Truly worthy of the Bai family—wealthy and powerful.
Bai Yanzhou folded his hands, tilting his head slightly toward Alma. Of course, the money would come from her.
Cold sweat broke out on Alma’s forehead. She had thought she would have at least a year, but she never expected Bai Yanzhou to demand payment now.
She had attended the banquet to let everyone know about their relationship, but she hadn’t anticipated he would immediately ask for compensation.
Bai Yanzhou never made a losing deal. If you wanted to use him, you had to pay the price.
They were merely partners in cooperation; he had no obligation to provide free services.
Alma forced a smile. “Of course, no problem.” She barely managed to scrape together her entire fortune.
Bai Yanzhou sat elegantly and gentlemanly in his chair. His presence was strong, the type that left a lasting impression at first glance.
After the banquet ended, just as Bai Yanzhou was about to leave, he overheard someone whispering:
“Bai Yanzhou is quite the lucky man, with one sister on his left and another on his right. I heard the one at home is also involved with him.”
“You don’t know about that, do you? That’s the child bride the Bai family raised for Bai Yanzhou. To put it bluntly, she’s just for his amusement. Who doesn’t know that?”
“She’s a great beauty. I wonder if he’ll pass her on to someone else once he’s had enough?”
The two spoke in very low voices, both wearing lecherous expressions.
Seeing Bai Yanzhou stop in his tracks, Alma looked up at him. “What’s wrong?”
Bai Yanzhou turned around and looked at the two men behind him. Their expressions were perfectly normal, as if those words had never come from their mouths.
Alma stood still as Bai Yanzhou walked toward the two men.
Since it was a banquet, there were many chairs placed around the long table. Bai Yanzhou casually grabbed one.
Seeing this, the two men stepped back repeatedly. “Mr. Bai, what do you mean by this?”
Having surrendered their weapons before entering, Bai Yanzhou said nothing and swung the chair directly at one of them. The other tried to run but was caught by Bai Yanzhou, who used his arm strength to slam the man’s head hard against the long table. Blood instantly flowed.
“Oh my god—”
“Ah—”
People around either hid or watched the commotion. Bai Yanzhou had been perfectly fine—why was he suddenly acting like a madman, beating people up?
The other team leaders who had accompanied him hurried forward. “Young Master!”
What kind of occasion is this? With people from all the major families present, how could he suddenly resort to violence?
The key point is, now is not the time to make enemies.
Bai Yanzhou grabbed the man who had just spoken ill of Pei Wanyou, his large hand clamping down on the man’s neck. When a person is severely deprived of oxygen, their tongue tends to protrude.
“Young Master!” the leader of the sixth team exclaimed in shock.
But it was already too late. Bai Yanzhou pulled out a dagger from somewhere, and blood began to flow from the man’s mouth. He struggled desperately, the pain contorting his face.
Alma’s face turned pale with fright. She took two steps back and covered her eyes.
Half of the man’s tongue fell to the ground.
Bai Yanzhou lifted his gaze to the man who had been knocked to the floor, clutching his bleeding head with a look of sheer terror.
No one dared to step forward and intervene. They were well aware of Bai Yanzhou’s temper, and no one was willing to risk their life for someone unrelated.
“Dare to talk behind my back?” Bai Yanzhou said, tossing the man, who had already passed out from the pain, aside. The plates, red wine, and candlesticks on the long table clattered to the floor in a chaotic mess.
His gaze was as if he were looking at trash, scum, terrifying the man so much he nearly lost control of his bladder. He waved his hands frantically, “I’m sorry, I apologize for my earlier rudeness.”
Only then did those present understand—it was because the man had spoken ill of Bai Yanzhou behind his back, and he had just happened to overhear it. Wasn’t that asking for death?
Bai Yanzhou crouched down, using the man’s clothes to wipe his dagger clean. A foul smell of urine filled the air…
The leader of the sixth team shook his head and sighed. With such a temper, how could Madam possibly entrust the Bai family to him?
If this were ancient times, wouldn’t he be a tyrant?
After Bai Yanzhou left, no one dared to discuss what had just happened behind his back. It was too terrifying.
Once in the car, Bai Yanzhou loosened his tie. He had drunk a bit too much and was feeling quite uncomfortable.
Alma had initially been frightened by Bai Yanzhou’s ferocity, but she was also captivated by his charisma. Being by his side truly felt safe.
She had to find a way to stay by his side!
After arriving home, Alma helped Bai Yanzhou back to the courtyard.
Pei Wanyou was leisurely catching up on her homework in the courtyard, with various fruits and snacks placed beside her computer. Seeing Bai Yanzhou and Alma so intimate made her even happier. She didn’t know which direction to kowtow to for the Bodhisattva to show mercy!
Bai Yanzhou crooked his finger. “Come here,” he said, pushing Alma aside. No need to pretend now that they were home.
Alma quietly stepped back, thinking, What a heartless man.
Seeing this, Pei Wanyou reluctantly walked over. He had been drinking—who knew what madness he might unleash…
Bai Yanzhou grabbed the back of her neck and led her into the room.
“Massage my temples,” Bai Yanzhou said, lying directly on the wooden sofa with one long leg propped up on the backrest.
Pei Wanyou bit her lip. “Will you give me pocket money?”
“Stop talking nonsense,” Bai Yanzhou said, lifting his head and gesturing for Pei Wanyou to sit beside him.
He certainly knew how to enjoy himself. Pei Wanyou took a deep breath. Too stingy to use Alma, so he uses me instead. What a nuisance…