Chapter 1

“Ugh…”
His head hurt as though it were about to explode. So did his body. His hands and feet had been restrained, and even the slightest movement of a finger sent sheets of pain rippling through him.
Bai Nuo found it difficult to breathe, and his thoughts were muddled. He struggled to open his eyes through the haze, but everything before him was blurred. What had happened? He remembered being exhausted and hungry, then falling into a lake. And after that?
It was chaotic outside. Noisy voices surrounded him, yet they seemed muffled behind a membrane, as though coming from very far away.
“How is he?”
“Those people are nothing but animals. How could they do this to such a young child? Fortunately, we launched the operation without warning and gave them no time to prepare. The toxic drug they injected hasn’t taken full effect yet, so he can still be saved. He’s about to wake up. Have you found his records? Has the genetic test been done? All the major families in Ang City are watching a case this serious.”
“We found the records and completed the preliminary genetic test. The detailed ABO test has been sent to the laboratory, so we’ll have to wait. The child is a little over four years old and was born in this laboratory. The experimental records say he reacts rather slowly to outside stimuli. We don’t know whether some defect developed at birth. The suspects moved too quickly, and most of the data in the laboratory was destroyed. The genetic mother’s information has been erased. We only found the genetic father. The police are still questioning the suspects.”
“Four? He doesn’t look anywhere near four. Has the preliminary test confirmed the genetic father? Then notify him and see how this should be handled next. What is it? Why are you hesitating?”
“We don’t even need to notify him. His identity is unusual. When the results came out, both we and the other party received them at the same time. He’s already on his way, but…”
“Is he from a major family? It’s already good enough that someone would come in person for such a troublesome matter. The child should be easy to place afterward. What is there to hesitate about?”
“The comparison shows that the child’s father is Bai Sheng of the Bai family.”
“…Those people truly have nerve. They dared provoke the Bai family? Where did they even obtain his genetic material? Were they insane enough to target a top alpha? And Bai Sheng, of all people. Did the rapid collapse of the Lu family in Ang City teach them nothing?”
The disorderly voices continued pouring into Bai Nuo’s ears.
The little one let out another soft, pained whimper.
From the broken fragments of conversation, Bai Nuo caught several key words: Ang City, the Bai family, Bai Sheng, genetic experiments, father…
The little cub grew even more confused. There were so many people around him. This did not seem to be the place where he had originally been, but those words sounded familiar. He must have heard them somewhere before, and he had seen surroundings like these too.
Although he was young, he had already experienced a great deal. Bai Nuo was a genuine survivor of the apocalypse. Born in a laboratory, he had lived alone after the age of two. Mutated plants and animals, brutally extreme weather—little Bai Nuo had survived in that environment without anyone caring for him for almost three years.
The cub had tried very, very hard to stay alive, but he was still too young and too weak. His last memory was of being exhausted, starving, and burning with fever. While fleeing the attack of a mutated plant, he had fallen into a heavily polluted lake.
Had he died, then? Had he come to a new world?
In his daze, the cub’s past memories seemed to grow clearer, as though this world itself wanted to explain his present situation. Little Bai Nuo finally understood why those words sounded so familiar. This was a story he had once overheard several researchers discussing in his previous life, before he left the laboratory.
The Bai family of Ang City was a great villainous family in an ABO novel. They were cold-blooded and ruthless in business, never showing mercy to anyone they disliked. They cared only about profit, not affection. Every member of the family was a top-tier alpha, and all of them would become obstacles on the protagonists’ future paths in business and romance. In the end, some died and others were crippled. The Bai family vanished completely from Ang City and was replaced by a new clan.
Bai Sheng was the Bai family’s third heir, but his outstanding abilities faintly surpassed those of all his older and younger siblings. The story had indeed mentioned that, after an illegal laboratory was destroyed, Bai Sheng briefly had a cub. However, the cub soon died in the Bai household. Even though the incident was an undeserved disaster for Bai Sheng, the protagonists later used it as an excuse to rally ordinary people against the Bai family.
Had the present NuoNuo come to that world? The little one turned his head and tried to look at his hands. The wounds still remaining there proved that his entire body had come to this world and taken on this identity. But his family… It sounded as though they did not like him.
Would NuoNuo still be all alone in this new world? Would no one come to stay by his side?
…It was all right. NuoNuo was not sad. NuoNuo was already used to it.
At some point, the restraints on the emergency medical bed had been loosened. The cub’s forehead was drenched in sweat, and he looked pale and weak, much smaller than an ordinary four-year-old. He turned slightly as though trying to cover the wounds on his hand, curling himself tightly into a ball in a posture utterly lacking any sense of security.
The surrounding voices softened. Everyone looked at the little one.
There was no other reason. He was simply far too beautiful and adorable.
He was tiny and frail, looking less like a four-year-old than a child of two or three. When his large, round black eyes opened, they were filled with bewilderment and a watery sheen. Fine, softly curling black hair clung to his forehead. His beautiful, delicate face was doll-like and still carried a little baby fat. His breaths were soft. Because he felt unwell, his temperature was slightly elevated. His little hands were cold, but his cheeks were faintly flushed.
He simply watched them, somewhat wary and somewhat afraid.
Anyone who saw him like this would have their heart melt.
How could anyone hurt such a little child?
“Little one?”
A female beta doctor with a gentle presence leaned over the bedside and called softly, making her expression as warm as possible.
“Are you awake? Your temperature is gradually coming down. Would you like to sit up, drink some water, and eat a little? Shall I help you up?”
Her voice was very gentle. Little Bai Nuo’s eyelashes fluttered several times. The adults around him helped him sit up, and he murmured a thank-you so quietly that almost no one heard it. Only when a cup of warm water was placed in his hands did the little one freeze and stare at the water inside.
The water here was clean.
And warm.
There was food too…
Waaah, this world was far too wonderful!
In the corridor leading to the temporary rescue station established beside the destroyed laboratory, a man walked at an unhurried pace.
His pitch-black eyes were icy and showed no change in emotion. He wore a black shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and appeared to be in a poor mood. Assistant Li followed behind him with a team of bodyguards, his brows also tightly furrowed.
Assistant Li reported quickly.
“Boss, the caregivers have been arranged, and the intelligent AI housekeeper has been fully configured so you can review everything at any time.”
“Mm. Wait here.”
Bai Sheng responded casually. If not for his formidable self-control, which kept the dense scent of mint in his pheromones from leaking at all, the oppressive pheromones of the irritable SSS-rank alpha might have forced everyone present to bend beneath the pressure.
After all, anyone who suddenly received news that some illegal experiment had produced a child genetically related to him would hardly be in a pleasant mood.
The file said the little one was four years old. Bai Sheng was trying to determine when and how someone had managed to create this situation.
Still, there were clues.
The Bai family’s genes were dominant and powerful. Without exception, every member of the Bai family was a top-tier alpha. They were strong, extraordinarily capable, and fiercely ambitious.
There had never been a shortage of madmen who wanted to reproduce the Bai family’s glory and strength.
And now, someone had even created a four-year-old child from his genes.
Naturally, the federal government had several ways of handling such a situation.
Whatever happened afterward, Bai Sheng would feel more at ease keeping a cub with Bai family genes where he could watch him. It was not as though he could not afford to raise one.
Bai Sheng quickly reached a decision. Before the other members of the Bai family could react, he arrived with his customary speed and decisiveness, ready to arrange everything and take the child away.
However, when he entered and saw the scene before him clearly, his steps paused.
The federal medical team was gathered around a mobile bed. A tiny figure had his back to Bai Sheng. Hearing the sound, the cub turned around while holding a small bowl, a crumb of steamed egg custard clinging to the corner of his mouth. The explosively adorable little thing blinked and stared at him blankly.
The same soft curls. Similar brows and eyes. A softer, cuter appearance, as though Bai Sheng were seeing a tiny, adorable illustrated version of himself.
He should lower his voice, or he might frighten the little thing.
That was Bai Sheng’s first reaction.
He had never experienced such a feeling before.
Every scheme and plan in his mind jammed to a halt. As the medical staff came forward to greet him, Bai Sheng found himself wondering in bewilderment: Had he looked like this as a child too?
Little Bai Nuo, meanwhile, was nervous.
The moment Bai Sheng entered, the cub could not help exclaiming inwardly.
He was so tall! As tall as several NuoNuos stacked on top of one another!
Was this his family member in this world? What should NuoNuo say? Should he call him Dad?
B-but he looked a little fierce, as though he truly did not like NuoNuo very much.
Reluctantly, the little one set down the bowl in his hands and licked his lips. While growing nervous, he thought: It was so delicious. NuoNuo wanted another bowl.
“Mr. Bai Sheng?”
The beta doctor who had spoken gently to Bai Nuo stepped forward. She was secretly astonished by how quickly Bai Sheng had handled everything.
“According to the genetic test, this child is biologically related to you. You should already have been informed of the relevant circumstances while you were on your way here. We have also seen that you completed the necessary procedures and intend to assume responsibility as his guardian. His treatment is complete, and we have conducted a full-body examination. There are no serious problems, but he remains physically weak. He needs proper rest and recuperation, as well as regular follow-up examinations.”
The doctor stepped aside and looked at the imposing alpha before her. Taking a deep breath, she continued, “The other criminals are still being questioned. You may contact us at any time if you have questions.”
Bai Sheng acknowledged her. He had already reached the little one. Bending slightly, he met the cub’s round eyes with his own indifferent gaze and introduced himself in an almost businesslike manner.
“Bai Sheng. Your father.”
W-was that how one introduced oneself?
The cub stared at him blankly, then introduced himself in a tiny voice. “Bai Nuo.” It was the name an elderly woman who had once helped him had given him, saying he was soft and adorably cuddly.
Bai Sheng’s presence was so overwhelming that everyone around them fell silent without thinking. Recalling the Bai family’s circumstances, they looked at the little one with subtly complicated expressions.
The Bai family did not exactly seem skilled at raising children. Besides, all five heirs of this generation were still single alphas, weren’t they? Would this truly be all right?
The next moment, however, the doctor watched Bai Sheng stare at the little one as though studying an unsolved puzzle. He seemed to be wondering whether the child could walk. Unbothered by receiving no response, Bai Sheng reached out and lifted him straight up.
He genuinely lifted him horizontally, still in a sitting position—straight. Up.
“Ah!”
Suddenly suspended in the air, the cub cried out instinctively and flung his hands onto Bai Sheng’s shoulders in alarm.
Little Bai Nuo’s eyes went round. He had been raised to a height that did not belong to him, and every hair on the cub nearly stood on end.
The cub froze together with Bai Sheng, who had casually hoisted him up and now looked extraordinarily clumsy from lack of experience.
No, wait!
Who held a child like that?!
Although the beta doctor was surprised by his actions, she quickly recovered and hurried forward to correct Bai Sheng’s posture.
Bai Sheng pressed his lips together and adjusted his hold, feeling the warm, soft little thing settle against him.
This was slightly too close. He had originally intended to carry the child away exactly as he was, or perhaps he should simply have allowed Assistant Li and the others to come inside.
Despite the surprise, however, Bai Sheng found that he did not particularly dislike it.
He tested the child’s weight.
This was far too light.
Was the child truly four years old?
He scoffed inwardly.
Hah. Those people had managed to raise a child of the Bai family into such a weak little alpha.
Clearly, he had already assumed that the child was an alpha.
After a small adjustment, the cub’s face plunged straight into his chest. He looked up, still weak and pale.
Bai Nuo’s small hand slowly tightened around Bai Sheng’s clothes. His large eyes gazed cautiously at Bai Sheng as he curled in the man’s arms, observing his careful, unfamiliar movements and somewhat stern expression.
The doctor beside them said, “Mr. Bai, becoming a father so suddenly will naturally take some adjustment. Hold him like this. Your cub will be more comfortable this way.”
Family… Dad…
Was he allowed to have them?
At last, Bai Nuo, who had been anxious and uneasy since arriving here, gathered what seemed to be all his courage. In a soft, milky voice, he called, “…Dad?”
Bai Sheng stiffened slightly. Lowering his eyes, he looked at the cub who resembled him in several ways.
After a moment, Bai Sheng—whose mind was always filled with schemes and plans—shifted his gaze aside and answered very softly.
“Mm.”
First, their blood relationship could not be denied. The moment he received the news, he had decided without hesitation to take the child away before dealing with the other matters. Second, the little thing was truly pitiful. Finally, he admitted that the way the cub’s eyes lit up was indeed somewhat adorable.
…There were no other reasons.
Author’s Note:
Dad: Such a weak little alpha. [Frowns]
Adorable little O cub: ?
Dad: !
Notes Before Reading:
1. This is a very long story about a cub growing up, with a strong focus on healing and everyday life. The modern ABO setting contains many original world-building elements and a great deal of foreshadowing. Childbirth is achieved scientifically; please accept the internal logic of the setting.
2. There is a romantic pairing listed among the main characters. They are childhood companions. There will be no romance before adulthood; it develops later, and the two are firmly endgame.
3. As the synopsis makes clear, none of the characters is perfect. If the free chapters are not for you, please leave promptly. Do not derail the comments, mention other stories, or announce that you are dropping the novel. Thank you very much! I hope you enjoy the story! [Updates and follower milestones will be announced in the author’s notices.]
4. Recommended completed cub stories include The Dark Tyrant’s Only Cub [Interstellar], The Beloved Cub Protection Plan, and others. Recommended upcoming stories include When a God Decides to Die, Please Feed the Villain Dragon Correctly!, I Am the Ferocious Beast Family’s Only Cub [Interstellar], Becoming the Villain Clan’s Beloved Little Elf, How Could Cannon Fodder Like Me Be the Tyrant’s Cub?, and more. Follow the author’s page for additional upcoming releases.