Chapter 174: My Childhood Friend Couldn't Possibly Be an Idiot! (10)

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“Let the man die then,” Qi Yuan thought, feeling the hassle of having to find a new nanny again. This time, he would instruct his subordinates not to hire anyone with poor health; he had no intention of dealing with such troubles anymore.

Wen Wan, being a mother herself, spoke more bluntly, “The child's mother passed away soon after giving birth to him. Can you live with yourself doing this?”

Qi Yuan’s attitude was indifferent. “If it weren’t for the blood relation, I wouldn’t be spending money to take care of him.”

Both Bai Yu and Wen Wan looked displeased.

They never imagined it would be such a coincidence that Bai Yao’s classmate was actually Qi Yuan’s son, and after all these years, Qi Yuan remained so cold and heartless. Even though his marriage to his late wife was a loveless business alliance, Qi Ye was still his child. Yet from Qi Yuan, there was no trace of warmth between their blood.

Qi Yuan said, “I have to go back to host a gala tonight. If you want to chat, come to my company when you have time. Now, I’m taking him away.”

Qi Ye glared at him fiercely.

Bai Yao tightly held Qi Ye’s hand and didn’t let go.

Qi Yuan chuckled, “Or do you plan to take him home? As an old classmate, I advise you not to be as overly compassionate as you were in your youth. This child only brings trouble. He’s not normal. Being with him means getting bitten every other day is the least of your worries. Honestly, many times I think the best place for him is a zoo.”

He concluded, “No one can stand him, and certainly not you.”

Bai Yao lifted her chin defiantly, “Who says that! My parents are the strongest people in the world… no, in the entire universe! They will raise Qi Ye big and strong!”

Suddenly, Bai Yu and Wen Wan, embarrassed by the high praises, hurriedly covered their daughter’s mouth.

But Bai Yao struggled to pull their hands away and shouted at Qi Yuan, “My parents are super, super strong! They’re not the cowards you think they are!”

Qi Yuan didn’t argue with the child, but Bai Yao’s audacious spirit, even more arrogant than his, caught his attention. His cultivated sarcasm was subtle. “You probably don’t know yet, but your father fainted when he saw the needle during a high school physical exam. As for your mother…”

Wen Wan interrupted, “Enough, Qi Yuan. We will take care of this child!”

Qi Yuan fell silent.

Bai Yu looked at his wife with surprise.

Pitying a child’s hardship was one thing, but raising a child was not like keeping a pet—it was a huge responsibility. They barely understood how to raise their own daughter, relying solely on Bai Yao’s strong self-care to avoid problems. How could they manage someone else’s child?

Wen Wan realized she had spoken impulsively. She exchanged a glance with Bai Yu; Qi Yuan had always looked down on them. Was today the day to lose face in front of the child?

Bai Yu glanced again at the two children clinging together, raised a hand to his forehead, and sighed deeply.

Qi Yuan looked down on everyone present equally. He said casually, “Since your family is so kind, I hope you won’t give up halfway.”

Bai Yao retorted, “My parents don’t give up halfway! Remember to deposit the care fee into my mother’s account every month!”

Bai Yu and Wen Wan were speechless.

This child really needed to be told to shut up!

Bai Yao and Qi Ye were sent home first. The three adults had more to discuss among themselves. Later, while riding in Bai Yu’s car to the hospital, Bai Yao learned that they had arranged a business deal: Qi Yuan would sponsor the experimental base with a sum of money, and Qi Ye would stay with the Bai family for care.

Qi Yuan paid generously, settling all expenses for Qi Ye’s care over eighteen years in one lump sum, including funds for any possible emergencies. He didn’t even take Bai Yu and Wen Wan’s contact information, only that of his assistant, then left Nan Hua Town.

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Bai Yao opened a strawberry-flavored bun and placed it in Qi Ye’s hand. Qi Ye grabbed the bun with both hands and quickly bit into it.

Bai Yao looked at Bai Yu, who was driving. “Old Bai, what about after eighteen years?”

Bai Yu replied, “By then, he’ll have a family and career. Of course, we won’t need to manage him anymore.”

Bai Yao nodded, “Makes sense.”

Qi Ye’s dark, bright eyes rolled swiftly.

But Bai Yu, despite his intelligence, miscalculated. Eighteen years later, Qi Ye not only hadn’t left the Bai family but had taken root there like a permanent fixture.

In an apartment building, the wedding decorations from a recent marriage still hung in the hallway.

Bai Yu stepped out of the elevator with a grim expression and entered a room filled with wedding photos; his face darkened further.

In contrast, Wen Wan looked cheerful. She nudged Bai Yu and said, “There’s an old saying—women manage the outside, men manage the inside. Yao Yao is so busy with work; finding a husband who moves in to take care of her is a blessing.”

Bai Yu glanced back. “Is he really that good?”

A tall, slender man followed behind the two elders. Being disdained by his father-in-law, he trembled slightly, bowed his head in disappointment, his fluffy hair making him resemble a dejected puppy.

Wen Wan pinched Bai Yu, “Enough. Don’t bully Qi Ye, or Yao Yao will be upset with you again.”

Bai Yu grunted unhappily and began picking faults elsewhere—complaining the place wasn’t clean enough, the laundry hadn’t been hung promptly, then opening the fridge to find it full of meat, criticizing Qi Ye for lacking a balanced diet, only eating meat and not preparing vegetables for his daughter.

Bai Yu acted like a villainous mother-in-law from a TV drama, endlessly fault-finding with her son-in-law. Qi Ye, however, took it all patiently, always humbly accepting her criticisms.

By the time Qi Ye was in third grade, he was as tall as Bai Yao. In middle school, he shot up so fast that Bai Yu now had to look up to talk to him, which somewhat diminished the mother-in-law’s domineering demeanor.

Bai Yu simply couldn’t understand why Bai Yao was interested in Qi Ye.

Qi Ye only had a high school diploma and knew nothing but gaming. Although he had participated in some e-sports competitions and reportedly won several championships, most elders did not consider that a respectable lifelong career.

Bai Yu blamed himself for not being strict enough as a father, which gave Qi Ye an opportunity.

Back in high school, Bai Yao and Qi Ye had shown signs of affection. Later, Bai Yao went to university, Qi Ye pursued e-sports competitions, and Bai Yu thought their limited contact would prevent any issues.

Who would have thought Qi Ye would wait outside the university every day, and they ended up living together off campus!

Even now, Bai Yu couldn’t fathom why his high-and-mighty daughter liked Qi Ye.

Qi Ye had a delicate appearance. Being wild since childhood, his skin was a healthy wheat color, looking vigorous and full of life, yet with an unmistakable wildness.

Today he wore a red hoodie and black pants—basic clothes but all expensive. He never cared about fashion, so Bai Yao bought all his clothes.

His black hair partially covered his eyes. Because Bai Yao had been busy lately, she planned to take him for a haircut soon. For now, a pink hair clip held his bangs back, revealing a smooth forehead that made him look much neater.

It was obvious he was spoiled.

This was the one thing Bai Yu detested the most!

In contrast, Wen Wan was increasingly pleased as she watched the prospective son-in-law and couldn’t bear to see Bai Yu’s constant nagging.

Wen Wan placed fresh fruits from the base on the table and said to Qi Ye, “We’re heading back to the base now. We just stopped by to check on you. After Yao Yao finishes work, remind her to eat some fresh fruit. We’ll be going now.”

With that, Wen Wan quickly pulled Bai Yu out the door.

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Once the father-in-law left, Qi Ye straightened his back, glanced at the clock on the wall, grabbed the car keys, changed his shoes, and went out.

Bai Yao had taught him to drive—of course, no one else could have.

Rush hour traffic was heavy and often congested, but Qi Ye always timed it perfectly to be waiting outside the company the moment Bai Yao stepped out.

Bai Yao’s long hair curled softly, her pink blouse and white fishtail skirt neat and professional. Carrying a bag, her every step in high heels drew admiring glances.

Because of her beauty, many colleagues tried to get close, but she always flashed the wedding ring on her finger, and they would politely back off.

At the entrance, Bai Yao waved goodbye to coworkers, then quickened her pace to the car waiting by the roadside. Once seated in the passenger seat, her face was cupped and kissed, her lipstick wiped clean.

Bai Yao stroked his soft black hair and smiled, “I finally finished a big project. I can take a break and spend some quality time with you.”

Qi Ye’s eyes sparkled as he deepened the kiss.

He had loved nibbling her when he was little; now grown, he preferred kissing. Luckily, his adult teeth had grown in; otherwise, Bai Yao would feel guilty every time he lost a tooth.

They returned home to find a package outside the door, likely a document addressed to Qi Ye and Bai Yao.

Curious, Bai Yao opened the package while Qi Ye pulled her inside.

No sooner had the door closed than Qi Ye pressed her against the wall, undoing the bow on her blouse, his kisses trailing down her collarbone.

Bai Yao was used to his puppy-like clinginess. To him, being apart for hours meant their scents faded, and he desperately needed them to mingle again.

His nose was incredibly sensitive.

While he fumbled, Bai Yao opened the package to find an envelope containing an invitation.

At that moment, Qi Ye’s hand reached the zipper on the back of her skirt.

The invitation read:

“Master Qi’s eightieth birthday is approaching. According to family tradition, the new heir and inheritance allocation will be decided at the birthday banquet. Please arrive at Snow Mountain Manor within three days of receiving this invitation to celebrate Master Qi’s birthday.”

The location of Snow Mountain Manor was included.

The invitation came from the Qi family, but definitely not from Qi Yuan, who hadn’t even shown his face at Bai Yao and Qi Ye’s wedding.

Qi Ye simply picked her up and kissed the corners of her lips repeatedly.

The invitation slipped from Bai Yao’s hand. Forgetting everything else, she wrapped her arms around his neck and immersed herself in his tenderness.

It proved that the saying “small things reveal the bigger picture” was true. As a child, he could confidently release a bird to drink water without fear; now, he possessed uncommon courage born of genuine strength.

Suddenly, his canine tooth grazed her mouth. Bai Yao tensed and glared, “Don’t bite me!”

He hummed contentedly, burying his face in her neck. His grip tightened, revealing defined muscles on his arms.

Bai Yao bit his neck in return.

Moments later, her whole body stiffened.

Oh no, he was getting stuck again.