Due to a delayed flight, Bai Jinge failed to rush to the kindergarten in time to pick up her daughter after school. To make it up to the little one, Bai Jinge deliberately went to a cake shop before heading home to buy her daughter’s favorite strawberry cream cake.
Bai Nuonuo was head over heels in love with strawberries, and naturally, she loved strawberry-flavored cakes just as much.
When Bai Jinge returned home dragging a wave of exhaustion, the nanny was accompanying Bai Nuonuo in the living room watching television. The little one was sitting on the sofa hugging a teddy bear taller than herself, and Zhu Lingshuang had not yet returned from her business banquet.
Hearing the door open, Bai Nuonuo wriggled her little body to look toward the entrance. Seeing that it was her mother back, the little one happily dropped the teddy bear, didn’t even bother putting on her slippers, and ran over barefoot with a flying leap straight into Bai Jinge’s arms.
Assistant Zhou Xiaxia pulled the suitcase with one hand while hiding the cake behind her back with the other, quietly slipping away first. Teacher Bai had given strict instructions not to let Bai Nuonuo see the cake first, or the little one wouldn’t eat her dinner properly later.
Mommy, you’re finally back! Bai Nuonuo lifted up a powdery little face, pouting and acting spoiled toward her mother. Auntie Zhang and I waited for you at kindergarten for a long time.
I’m sorry, Nuonuo. It’s all Mommy’s fault for failing to pick you up from school again. Saying this, Bai Jinge lifted her daughter up from the floor.
A delayed flight isn’t Mommy’s fault, Bai Nuonuo replied after rolling her little head around.
Does that mean Nuonuo isn’t blaming Mommy? Bai Jinge smiled knowingly, carrying her daughter toward the sofa.
I don’t blame Mommy! Nuonuo loves Mommy the most. The little one’s eyes curved into crescent moons, and she threw her arms around Bai Jinge’s neck, planting a loud muwah kiss right on her cheek.
While the mother and daughter were talking, Chen Auntie, who was in charge of cooking, came out of the kitchen for a moment to greet Bai Jinge and announced that dinner would be ready shortly. Additionally, Auntie Zhang went to the kitchen and cut up a fruit platter.
Bai Jinge sat on the sofa holding her daughter, keeping her company while watching television and waiting for dinner. Before long, Zhou Xiaxia finished unpacking the luggage and came down from the second floor.
Teacher Bai, I’ll be heading off then, Zhou Xiaxia said, walking up in front of Bai Jinge.
We are about to have dinner. Why don’t you stay and eat before leaving? Bai Jinge offered.
Thank you, Teacher Bai, but… well, my boyfriend is waiting for me, Zhou Xiaxia smiled bashfully, giving an honest explanation.
Then hurry along, Bai Jinge said, turning her gaze to the precious daughter in her arms. Nuonuo, say bye-bye to Auntie Zhou.
Auntie Zhou, bye-bye! Bai Nuonuo obediently waved at Zhou Xiaxia, speaking in a sweet, milky voice.
Bye-bye, Nuonuo! Zhou Xiaxia waved back at the little one, her tone softening by several pitches all at once.
Bai Jinge had two assistants, one male and one female. Both assistants had separately signed confidentiality agreements prohibiting them from revealing that Bai Jinge had a child, otherwise they would not only lose their jobs but also have to pay a massive breach-of-contract penalty.
The assistants were not fools; they knew what words should and shouldn’t be spoken when mixing in this industry. Furthermore, Bai Jinge treated both assistants exceptionally well on ordinary days, frequently gifting them items, often pulling out name-brand products or digital devices right off the bat.
In the living room, a seventy-inch ultra-large LCD screen was broadcasting the animated series Fixies. This was a Russian children’s 3D animated production belonging to the educational genre, featuring a vivid and interesting knowledge point explained in every single episode.
Three-year-old Bai Nuonuo loved this cartoon the most, watching it with absolute relish every single time. Yet today, while watching the cartoon, Bai Nuonuo suddenly thought of something. She lifted her little head and looked at her mother with a puzzled expression.
Bai Nuonuo: Mommy, do you know an auntie with the surname ‘Ye’?
Bai Jinge was originally feeling somewhat drowsy, half-squinting a pair of weary peach-blossom eyes, but she was startled wide awake by her daughter’s sudden question, instantly driving away more than half of her sleepiness.
Bai Jinge furrowed her brow: Did she say what her name was?
Bai Nuonuo shook her head to indicate she hadn’t, thought for a moment, and added: Auntie Ye said she was your friend, Mommy, and even wanted to give me a gift. But I didn’t take it!
Bai Jinge’s micro-knitted brows furrowed even tighter as she asked: What kind of gift?
Bai Nuonuo’s eyes lit up as she danced around with her hands and feet: A super cute, fluffy pink bunny rabbit! Nuonuo likes it so much.
Bai Jinge instantly fell into deep thought, remaining silent for a moment as her slightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed.
Bai Nuonuo rolled her amber-colored, bright, glittering eyeballs and spoke up: Mommy, actually I think Auntie Ye doesn’t look like a bad person.
Bai Jinge thought for a moment and said: Actually, this Auntie Ye… Mommy does know her. Nuonuo, you are still too young right now, and Mommy doesn’t know how to explain it to you. When you grow up, Mommy will explain it to you properly.
Bai Nuonuo pinched her two thin eyebrows together, thought about it for a small moment, and immediately answered sweetly: Okay! Nuonuo knows now!
Bai Jinge smiled gently with gratification: Does Nuonuo like that little bunny very much? What does it look like? Mommy will buy it for you.
Bai Nuonuo wriggled her little body, slipping away from Bai Jinge’s embrace all at once like a little loach.
Nuonuo is going to get paper and a pen! Nuonuo is going to draw the little bunny! The little one’s cute, powdery-white feet stepped onto the floor, pattering away with a thud thud thud sound.
A faint smile lingered at the corner of Bai Jinge’s lips as she watched the running back of her daughter heading upstairs: Nuonuo! Don’t run too fast.
The little one was very obedient to her mother; after running pitter-patter for just a short distance, she stopped running and steadily climbed the stairs step by step.
Not until seeing her daughter’s figure completely disappear from view and reach the second floor did Bai Jinge pull back her gaze. Suddenly feeling somewhat thirsty, Bai Jinge got up to pour a glass of lemonade in the kitchen. She had only drunk half the water in the cup when her phone, tossed onto the coffee table, began to ring.
Bai Jinge bent down to set her water glass aside, and upon seeing that the call was from her manager, she immediately picked up the incessantly ringing phone and pressed the answer button.
Hello, Mike-jie.
Jinge, have you arrived home? Wearing a bathrobe, Cai Mei held a black phone as she walked out to the outer balcony to make the call, leaving a well-built male Alpha stranded on the big bed.
Mm, I’m home.
Have you eaten dinner yet?
Chen Auntie is still cooking.
I won’t beat around the bush either; calling you must mean there’s something up. Actually… President Ye is looking for you, Cai Mei stated directly, revealing the purpose of this phone call.
Cai Mei found it somewhat difficult to fathom the CEO’s thoughts. Back then, it was the CEO herself who had spoken personally to place Bai Jinge, who started as a model, into her hands.
Yet ever since then, over the past three years, the CEO had never mentioned the three words Bai Jinge again, acting as if she had forgotten the existence of such a person entirely. However, today, the CEO’s secretary had suddenly made a phone call to her.
Cai Mei experienced a sudden flash of enlightenment: So the CEO had always been keeping Bai Jinge in mind and hadn’t forgotten her after all, or perhaps it was simply because of the child? Although Bai Jinge hadn’t uttered a single word regarding the matter of the child, this child was simply cut out from the exact same mold as the CEO.
…Alright, I understand. Bai Jinge was stunned into instant speechlessness. Recovering her wits, she gave a faint response down the other end of the line.
By having her manager call her, Bai Jinge naturally understood Ye Yunwan’s intentions, to make it impossible for her to refuse.
Then I’ll send President Ye’s home address to your phone in a moment, Cai Mei’s voice sounded again on the other end of the line.
Okay.
Jinge, since you just got back, get some good rest at home. Come to the company a bit later tomorrow, no rush. We’ll talk about work matters then.
Understood, Mike-jie.
After hanging up the phone, Bai Jinge stood quietly by the floor-to-ceiling window with her phone in hand. Hesitating for quite a while, she finally dialed Ye Yunwan’s number, a phone number that hadn’t been dialed once in four whole years.
Beep beep , beep beep , beep beep
The phone rang three times before being answered, and immediately afterwards, a pleasant woman’s voice rang out from the other end, her tone as cold as an ice cellar.
Hello. Just a single simple word.
President Ye, it’s me. Bai Jinge took a deep breath before speaking to ensure her tone sounded sufficiently steady.
I know. In the dim study, Ye Yunwan leaned back with her eyes closed in the boss’s chair, the phone pressed to the side of her ear emitting a faint blue glow that illuminated the woman’s profile.
…! Bai Jinge suddenly widened a pair of shimmering peach-blossom eyes, surprised that this person had actually kept her phone number saved. President Ye, is there something you wanted me for?
I want to see you. I have things to discuss with you face-to-face, Ye Yunwan stated bluntly, not giving the other party any room for choice.
Can I come later? Bai Jinge had no choice but to compromise, though she offered a small request. Before the person on the other end could reply, she quickly explained, Nuonuo definitely won’t let me leave right now; I have to coax her to sleep before I can go out.
Alright.
Thank you, President Ye.
Never had she imagined that four years later, Bai Jinge would step foot into the Mod Manor once again. It was still the old butler who personally received her, leading Bai Jinge into the vast and chilly living room.
Old Butler: Miss Bai, President Ye is waiting for you in the study.
Bai Jinge offered a polite expression of gratitude to the old butler: Thank you.
Coming here this time, her state of mind was vastly different from her very first visit. This time, Bai Jinge no longer had anything she needed to beg Ye Yunwan for, yet Bai Jinge knew very well in her heart that Ye Yunwan was likely going to discuss the matter of the child with her. Such a bond existed between the two of them; though Bai Jinge didn’t want to admit it, it was, after all, a fact.
Arriving at the study entrance, Bai Jinge raised her hand and knocked once on the door: President Ye.
The surroundings were extremely quiet. The hallway lights cascaded all over Bai Jinge’s profile and shoulders, her pupils reflecting tiny, brilliant points of starlight.
Before heading out, Bai Jinge had changed into an outfit: a simple white linen autumn-style long dress, matched with a hollowed-out tasseled belt. The dress style was simple and generous, with smooth tailoring, not some international designer luxury label, but a niche brand.
Just as her voice fell, Ye Yunwan’s ice-cold vocal timbre issued from inside the study.
Come in.
Having received permission, Bai Jinge gently pushed open the study door and suddenly sensed a gaze sweeping across her. Guided by instinct as though responding to a signal, Bai Jinge abruptly raised her eyes, locking gazes directly with Ye Yunwan.
The woman’s gaze was very cold, as if devoid of human emotion and the most basic seven emotions and six desires of mankind. The way the woman sat quietly without speaking made her resemble a soulless white-porcelain sculpture.
Exquisitely peerless, the pinnacle of glorious splendor.