Atlas Studios

  Atlas Studios

  A tossed stone raises a thousand ripples.

  Everyone looked at him at the same time.

  “Girlfriend?” Bai Musi went through an extremely weird change of expression from surprise to that of joy. As though she was hoping he would get a girlfriend soon yet at the same time worried that he had a girlfriend. “Lao’er, don’t tell me it’s that…… that woman?”


  Bai Musi had previously went to Jin City, so she was most familiar with Bai Muchuan’s situation over there.

  His family knew something about him and Xiang Wan. Nevertheless, most of what they heard came from Nanny Li and Bai Musi. Bai Muchuan himself never mentioned it to them or rather, he never affirmed the existence of Xiang Wan directly.

  As a result, nobody ever took this seriously.

  All of them knew very well the kind of temperament Bai Muchuan had.

  He was stubborn like a mule and was as cold as ice. An ordinary woman would never be able to capture his heart, nor dissolve the bitter rancor in him.

  Yet that day, he made that announcement in the presence of everyone and those who knew his character would know that he had made his decision and would not waver.

  Bai Muchuan looked at the astonished expression of Bai Musi and did not deny her words. “What do you think?” He gave a faint smile. “I’m not the type of fickle-minded men.”


  “.……”


  There were two men who had a change of expression when they heard that but were silent about it.

  The topic terminator of the day belonged to Bai Muchuan.

  Bai Musi heaved a sigh in her head. She did not know if she should be glad or worried which was reflected on her expression—complicated.

  The rest of them did not express their opinion.

  Cheng Weiji cleared his throat and replied in a relaxed tone. “This is a good thing. Chuanzi, who is the lucky girl? How come you have never mentioned her before?”


  Bai Muchuan looked at him indifferently, neither hot nor cold. “Well…… You don’t have to know.”


  That response made Cheng Weiji felt a little awkward. Mrs. Cheng took a look at her husband and started to mock him. “I also want to say the same thing. You have not taken care of your own son’s matters, yet you wanted to poke your nose in Chuanzi’s marriage matters…… If you have the time, you should take care of your own son first.”


  Cheng Weiji kept quiet.

  It was clear that Mrs. Cheng was a sarcastic woman who had a mordant sense of humor. Cheng Weiji did not like to argue with her.

  Mr. and Mrs. Cheng would definitely be the couple for creating awkward silence for the day.

  At this time, Mrs. Bai, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly looked at him with a cold smile. “That woman won’t do, her social status and background can’t match up. It won’t be a good marriage. End it as soon as possible.”


  Bai Muchuan raised his eyebrows; there was a tinge of anger in his eyes. “This is my private affair. I’m not here for your opinions by telling you about this.”


  Well, his behavior was certainly imposing and domineering.

  Amongst all the younger generation at this table, guess he should be the only one who dared to do so.

  Even so, nobody dared to refute him. This was because none of them was a match against him.

  Everyone else did not seem to enjoy their lunch, except Bai Muchuan who seemed to really enjoy the meal. He even complimented the food.

  “The Xing Family has done a great job at managing Jin Garden. Their food is indeed worthy of its reputation. I should bring my girlfriend here one day to let her try out the food!”


  With that, he got up elegantly with a satisfied smile without looking at the strange expressions of everyone.

  “I’m a little exhausted from the long flight. I need to go back and take a rest. Everyone, please enjoy your meal.”


  “.……”


  Bai Muchuan left, just like this.

  Under the complicated gazes of the everyone, he strode away and left the room……

  “Just look at him, you’ve spoilt him……”


  “Am I the one who spoilt him?”


  “If it’s not you, who else would have spoilt him?”


  “Who dotes on him the most at home? Isn’t it his grandma?”


  “If it weren’t for you, he wouldn’t behave so arrogantly in front of his elders even if his grandma spoils him!”


  “Hur! Both of you, stop arguing on this matter. In my opinion, his wings are tough now and need not depend on anyone of us anymore. Just look at him, do you think he needed anyone to be his backer? His back is already as straight as can be.”


  “Dad, Mom, Uncle Cheng, Aunty Cheng, don’t be angry. Chuanzi…… he’s actually feeling bitter inside. We should try to understand him a little more. After all, he’s still young and ignorant……”


  “Young? When I’m as old as him, I’m already a father!”


  Someone was persuading, while another was grumbling.

  After a while, the private room was as though trapped in some indescribable anomaly again.

  The knot of love and hatred that spanned for more than 30 years—how could it be solved in just a day?

  “Everything will be fine once he transfers back to the Capital. Old Bai, don’t be too worried about him.”


  “Sigh! It’s no use even if I worry. By the way, Old Cheng, has the papers for Serious Crime Division One been approved?”


  “It’s approved. In fact, the approval papers arrived yesterday. That was why I called you up.”


  “If so, we should arrange for a transfer and let him head the new department tomorrow!”


  “I approve of that! This matter should be done sooner than later for the situation is rather grave—”
……

  The Bai Residence.

  A car drove in quietly.

  Chauffeur Dongzi did not even dare to heave a sigh after seeing Bai Muchuan’s expression.

  After parking the car, Dongzi helped to take out the luggage and wanted to pull it in when Bai Muchuan took it over from him.

  “Let me do it myself!”


  Although he came from such a prestigious family, he was never a pampered and spoilt Young Master.

  He did not show much expression as he pulled the suitcase along. That cold and aloof appearance and the cheeky and playful Bai Muchuan before Xiang Wan were totally two polar opposites……

  The door to the living room was open. Before Bai Muchuan stepped inside, a slim figure jumped out from the entrance.

  “Ah ha! Little Uncle, you’re finally back—”


  Bai Lu.

  The young girl had pinkish cheeks as though she had some makeup on. Her eyes were bright, and she laughed in excitement when she saw him.

  Unfortunately for her, Bai Muchuan did not respond with equal enthusiasm. “Why are you here?”


  Bai Lu sensed his displeasure and pursed her mouth unhappily. “Where should I be if I’m not supposed to be here?”


  Bai Muchuan swept a glance at her and pulled his suitcase past her. “At school,” he said casually.

  “Haha!” Bai Lu knew that he was concerned about her studies and couldn’t help but feel glad about it. She walked around him like a puppy. “I heard from mom that you’re coming back so I stayed at home!”


  Bai Muchuan looked up at the quiet living room of the Bai Family. “Where’s your great grandmother?”


  Bai Lu sticked out her tongue. “Nanny Li took great-grandmother out for a walk. They just left. If you’re back earlier, you would have met her.”


  Bai Muchuan had come back here because he wanted to see his grandma.

  When he heard that, his eyebrows wrinkled together and his steps slightly became hesitant.

  Bai Lu did not notice the change in his mood. She took a glance at Bai Muchuan’s suitcase cheerfully as though stars were popping out from her bright eyes.

  “Little Uncle, are you going to stay and not leave again this time?”


  Bai Muchuan did not reply.

  They walked up to the second floor where Bai Lu kept talking non-stop, but Bai Muchuan did not respond.

  Finally, they arrived outside a bedroom.

  He stood in front of the door and glanced at her impatiently. “I’ve arrived in my room.”


  Bai Lu was puzzled. “Yeah, I know that.”


  Bai Muchuan said in a cold, chilly tone, “You can go now. I need to rest.”


  Bai Lu bit her lips as she looked at him, upset by his words. Her eyes had a pitiful look like a fawn. “Little Uncle, I’ve not seen you for a long time. I really want to talk to you.”


  Without waiting for Bai Muchuan to respond, she quickly raised both hands to reassure him.

  “I won’t create trouble, won’t talk recklessly, and won’t move around the room. I’ll just sit inside your room. I promise I’ll behave, okay?”


  Bai Muchuan tilted his head. His expression was grim as he furrowed his eyebrows. “You couldn’t understand?”


  “What is it?”


  “I said I need to rest.”


  “Little Uncle……”


  “Just go!”


  “Alright!” replied Bai Lu who felt a little upset.

  Her hands were clasped together as she lowered her head and murmured.

  “Well, I’ll come again when you’ve rested enough.”


  She took a step back silently as Bai Muchuan opened the door and went inside.

  Bai Lu looked up and decided to follow brazenly behind.

  The door was slammed shut on her.

  “You’re hateful!” Bai Lu touched her nose that almost hit the door, stamped her feet, and walked away……

  When the other four members of the Bai Family came back, they saw Bai Lu sitting leisurely on the living room sofa playing with her mobile phone.

  Bai Musi was incensed when she saw her daughter.

  She rushed and grabbed her daughter’s arm. “Didn’t I tell you not to skip school? Why didn’t you listen?”


  Bai Lu whimpered in pain as she rubbed her arm pitifully. “Mom, softer, softer, softer……”


  Bai Musi snorted in rage and released her arm with a fling. “Get to school right now. Immediately!”


  “Mom, I don’t want to!” Bai Lu pouted her lips as she tried to wrangle her way out. “Little Uncle just came back home. I wanted to stay at home……”


  “This is your real Little Uncle!” The one who interrupted was Bai Lu’s grandmother.

  She held a clutch with one hand and stood right in the middle of the living room. She had an imposing stance as she pointed at Bai Muxuan in front of Bai Zhenhua—both father and son were equally awkward by her actions. “For so many years, why didn’t I hear you call him Little Uncle sincerely, huh? Is your elbow twisted or something?”


  For this son who was abducted and sold to the countryside at a young age, Mrs. Bai was so heartbroken and full of guilt that she could not tolerate any wrongs done to him.

  Even if it was just a form of address, she wanted to snatch it back for her own son.

  However, Bai Muxuan obviously did not think so.

  “Mom.” He put an arm around his mom’s shoulders and dragged her to go upstairs. “Why are you angry with a little girl? No matter what, I’m her uncle. Let’s go upstairs, mom. You were saying you missed me and have a lot of things to tell me?”


  Like Bai Muchuan, Bai Muxuan had not been home for a long time as well.

  However, Bai Lu was not very familiar with this uncle. She did not hate him, but she was unable to get close to him.

  Bai Muxuan was only found when he was 18 years old. The lost time of more than 10 years being with his real family was irreversible. There was definitely emotional pain, hurt, and distance between him and the Bai Family. Moreover, when he came back to them, he was enlisted in the army and consequently, he went overseas to further his studies. In this long period of time, he actually did not spend much time with his family……

  Bai Lu was a little scared and intimidated by Mrs. Bai. “I’m wrong, Grandma.” She decided to play a softer stance by pouting adorably. “I know this one is my Little Uncle but that one is also my Little Uncle, right?” She turned back to her mom, Bai Musi, who took her hand and continued to persuade her.

  “Mom, just let me stay at home to accompany Little Uncle. I just feel…… feel……”


  She said “feel” multiple times but was not able to continue.

  Bai Musi frowned. “Feel what?”


  Bai Lu took a glance in a cautious stance at her grandparents at the living room and bit her lower lip.

  “I…… feel sorry for my Little Uncle.”