# 13
After leaving the bedroom, the two went downstairs together.
Duan Yan and Xu Yi were already sitting at the dining table.
They were chatting and laughing about something, and when they saw the pair, they waved for them to quickly take their seats.
“Papa Xu, Papa Duan, I’m sorry we’re late,” Zuo Nian apologized in a soft voice.
Beside him, Duan Baisui gallantly pulled out a chair, letting him sit down first.
Xu Yi smiled warmly: “We just wanted to let you sleep longer, so we didn’t have the butler wake you.”
Zuo Nian waved his hands: “No more sleeping! Brother has to go to the company; we can’t delay his work.”
Duan Yan responded: “Alex, you’ve been working hard lately. Your Little Dad and I have discussed it, and we think you should take some time off during the New Year and take Year-year out for a few days. You didn’t have a honeymoon when you got married earlier.”
“It’s okay, Papa Duan. Work is more important…”
Zuo Nian knew Duan Baisui was a workaholic and was afraid he didn’t want to go out at all. He didn’t want to put him in a difficult position.
Duan Baisui placed the little pig on the dining table, sat down next to Zuo Nian, and replied calmly: “Alright.”
Zuo Nian stared at him with some surprise.
“I was planning to take him to City S, to escape the cold,” Duan Baisui said.
Zuo Nian’s eyes widened a bit.
He hadn’t expected that Duan Baisui had actually planned to travel with him. Did this mean that he had become at least a little important to Duan Baisui?
At least, perhaps more important than work?
“Good, I’m glad you have a plan,” Duan Yan exchanged a glance with Xu Yi, and both felt relieved.
Looking at the stuffed toy placed beside Duan Baisui’s plate, which seemed completely at odds with him, Duan Yan curiously asked: “What’s that? A little pig hugging sugarcane? When did you buy it?”
Zuo Nian, who was eating ham and tomato pasta, suddenly felt the food in his mouth lose its flavor. He said blankly: “Papa Duan, that’s not sugarcane, that’s a staff…”
“A staff?” Across the table, Duan Yan tilted his head to observe more carefully.
Duan Baisui held back his laughter and explained: “Zuo Nian made it, and it is indeed a staff. It was kept in the figure display case before, but today I’m planning to take it back to keep his Abei Bei company.”
“Ah, a staff. I was too far away just now, couldn’t see clearly,” Duan Yan said.
“Does it really look like sugarcane?” Zuo Nian sought confirmation from Duan Baisui.
Xu Yi smiled warmly and said to Zuo Nian: “Your Papa Duan has never played with dolls, so it’s normal that he doesn’t recognize it. Don’t listen to him; Year-year did a great job.”
Duan Yan had been a little hellion since childhood—digging up earthworms, catching crickets, chasing his friends down the street with toy guns—but he had never owned any of these soft, cute plush toys.
“Then Year-year will make one for Papa Duan,” Zuo Nian said enthusiastically. “What kind does Papa Duan like?”
Duan Yan pointed at Xu Yi: “Can you make one that looks like your Papa Xu?”
Xu Yi blushed: “That’s enough. In front of the children, what are you saying?”
Zuo Nian looked at Xu Yi: “Papa Xu is so beautiful. Year-year might not be able to completely capture Papa Xu’s appearance, but I’m willing to try.”
“Go ahead and make it. I’ll like your Papa Xu in any form.”
Xu Yi: …
After breakfast, Duan Baisui led Zuo Nian as they prepared to leave.
Xu Yi followed behind them, worriedly instructing: “Alex, drive slowly and be careful.”
“I know, Little Dad. Don’t see us out; it’s cold outside,” Duan Baisui stopped Xu Yi from walking further.
“Mm, your father and I will both be at home. If anything comes up, just call. Don’t let yourself get too tired,” Xu Yi nagged.
“Alright, I understand.”
“And Year-year, wear more clothes. Don’t catch a cold,” Xu Yi said while adjusting Zuo Nian’s scarf.
Zuo Nian nodded: “Year-year knows. Papa Xu should take care of his health too. Year-year will come see you after closing the shop this afternoon and bring you fragrant sticky corn.”
Xu Yi smiled: “Sounds good.”
After dropping Zuo Nian off at the shop, Duan Baisui went to the company.
His assistant came over and whispered: “Young Master Duan, Rong Jin has been released on bail.”
Duan Baisui paused in his steps and asked: “When did this happen?”
“Last night,” Luo Yin answered. “They hired Lawyer Zhou. Apparently, they presented a certificate showing that Rong Jin had a recurrence of an old gland injury that required immediate medical attention. Additionally, they argued that the drug injection didn’t change Mr. Ju’s secondary gender, so it didn’t cause actual harm. They still want to settle privately with Mr. Ju and have him withdraw the lawsuit.”
Rong Jin was an S-level Alpha, whose glands were incredibly precious. He had been kidnapped as a child and his glands had indeed suffered external damage, so it seemed the Rong family had made thorough preparations.
“What does Lawyer Chen say?” Duan Baisui asked.
Lawyer Chen was Ju Xiao’s representative lawyer, handling this case.
“Lawyer Chen says our chances of winning the case are high, but as it stands now, Rong Jin would at most be convicted of attempting to change someone’s secondary gender against their will, and illegally using prohibited drugs to harm others. The sentence wouldn’t be too severe, and with some influence from the Rong family, he might even get probation.”
Duan Baisui thought for a moment, then said: “Whether to settle or continue with the lawsuit, let Ju Xiao decide for himself. The company will fully support him. Also, remind him to hire a couple more bodyguards. Now that Rong Jin is out, he might try to find him.”
“Understood.”
In the afternoon, Duan Baisui was reviewing financial reports when the internal phone on his desk rang.
Duan Baisui pressed the answer button, and the receptionist’s sweet voice came through: “Young Master Duan, Mr. Rong from Chengfeng Group is here. He says he doesn’t have an appointment. What would you like to do…?”
Duan Baisui closed the document and said: “Please show Mr. Rong up.”
The office door was pushed open, and Rong Lin strode in with his assistant.
He wore a smile on his face, while his assistant carried a large collection of health supplements.
“Uncle Rong,” Duan Baisui stood up to greet him.
“Alex, it’s been a long time,” Rong Lin came forward and shook his hand.
“Yes, it has been a while. What brings you here today, Uncle Rong?” Duan Baisui played dumb despite knowing the reason.
“I heard that Chairman Duan and President Xu have returned. I wanted to visit them, but President Xu’s condition doesn’t allow for outside visitors, so I had to come to you instead,” Rong Lin said. “I’ve brought some small gifts. Please don’t think it’s too little.”
Duan Baisui glanced at them and smiled: “Uncle Rong, please don’t say that. You’re too kind.”
“It’s the least I could do.”
As they spoke, the two sat down in the lounge area. Luo Yin had already brought in the prepared tea.
“Little Jin was previously at your company, and it was thanks to Chairman Duan and your care that he gained so much popularity,” Rong Lin exchanged pleasantries before sighing. “However, I’ve spoiled him. He does things without considering others’ feelings, which has caused Mr. Ju to suffer. The mistakes Little Jin made are difficult for me to mention and have caused you a lot of trouble.”
Duan Baisui didn’t respond, just lowered his head and took a sip of tea.
“But he’s still young, and his gland trauma has recurred. Back then, it was my negligence that led to his kidnapping, and I’ve always felt guilty, which is why I’ve been indulgent with him. It was that experience that made his temperament become willful and violent. I’m not trying to make excuses for him. We will definitely compensate Mr. Ju properly, and I will also make Little Jin kneel and apologize to Mr. Ju, ensuring that he never appears before him again. I hope you, Young Master Duan, can be merciful and let Little Jin off the hook.”
Upon hearing this, Duan Baisui maintained his polite smile: “Uncle Rong, no one is targeting Rong Jin, so what do you mean by letting him off the hook? The artists are signed with my company, and I have a responsibility to all of them. As for whether to forgive Rong Jin, that’s up to the victim. What I can do is fully support the victim’s right to seek justice.”
“Yes, you’re right,” Rong Lin stared at Duan Baisui. “I also feel bad because I have some dealings with Chairman Duan, and the negative news brought by Little Jin has somewhat affected Xing Entertainment’s image. I apologize and hope that you and your father won’t hold it against us.”
Duan Baisui: “The impact Rong Jin has brought to Xing Entertainment is within a controllable range, but the harm done to Ju Xiao is not something that can be dismissed with just a ‘don’t mind it,’ right, Uncle Rong?”
The conversation ended on an unpleasant note.
Duan Baisui instructed Luo Yin to return all the gifts that Rong Lin had brought.
He arrived home late that evening.
Auntie Liu had returned from her vacation and was cleaning the house.
Duan Baisui loosened his tie and didn’t see Zuo Nian.
Then he remembered that Zuo Nian had said he would go keep Xu Yi company this afternoon, so he probably hadn’t returned yet.
“Young Master, you’re back. I’ve prepared a late-night snack. Would you like some?” Auntie Liu came forward to take his coat.
“No need, thank you,” Duan Baisui politely declined.
He carried the little pig back to the bedroom and placed it neatly on his pillow.
He wondered where Zuo Nian was and whether he needed to pick him up.
Thinking of this, he dialed Zuo Nian’s number.
The other end answered quickly, with a crisp voice calling: “Brother.”
“Mm,” Duan Baisui responded softly. “Shall I come pick you up?”
Zuo Nian: “No need! Papa Xu asked the driver to send me home. I’m already on the way.”
“Alright.”
“Brother, how is my little cat?” Zuo Nian asked worriedly.
Duan Baisui left the bedroom and opened the door to the baby room.
The little cat was lying comfortably on the cat tree.
Hearing the door open, it jumped down nimbly and stared at Duan Baisui.
“It’s doing well,” Duan Baisui said.
“Does its water dispenser still have water? Has it eaten its cat food?”
“Yes, it has,” Duan Baisui answered patiently.
“Good~ Then I’ll feed it canned food when I get back~”
“Mm.”
After the call ended, the little cat slowly walked over to Duan Baisui, cautiously testing, and rubbed its head against his pants leg before letting out a soft “meow.”
Duan Baisui crouched down, and the cat quickly ran away.
Duan Baisui smiled: “Flirt and run? Who taught you that?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
