Assistant Bai Really Does Have a Three Year Old Child - Chapter 12

On Sunday.

Bai Tan sat in front of the mirror, his mood somewhat complicated.

It was undeniable that being able to see his mother held a fatal attraction for him, but he truly did not want to attend Xiao Wan’s birthday party.

Even though Xiao Wan had taken the initiative to show goodwill, she didn’t seem to show a single bit of sincerity.

However, since he had agreed, he had to go.

Yesterday, when he asked Huo Yang for time off, Huo Yang asked him what the matter was, and he could only speak the truth that he was attending the birthday party of his younger half-sister.

Huo Yang didn’t say anything more and granted the leave.

Bai Tan had even gone to pick out a gift for Xiao Wan; at the gold shop, he saw the same model of bracelet that she wore on her hand.

It cost over sixty thousand, which was clearly not something he, with his empty pockets, could afford.

In these years of writing books, he hadn’t earned much money, yet he had willingly bought all the jewelry designed by his mother. Thinking about it now, taking the job as an assistant was the right choice; at least it could fill his stomach.

In the end, Bai Tan ordered a cake and flowers to serve as the gift.

They didn’t have a particularly good relationship to begin with, and he didn’t want to waste energy or money on her.

Carrying this complicated mood, he arrived at Xiao Wan’s home.

A three-story detached villa with a landscaped courtyard.

Many people came to attend the party. In addition to Xiao Wan’s own author friends and classmates, there were also various big shots invited by her parents through their vast connections to bolster her status.

A row of luxury cars was parked at the entrance.

“Little Rabbit?” Just as Bai Tan was about to enter the door, a familiar male voice containing a hint of pleasure rang out behind him.

Upon hearing this nickname, he knew who it was without even looking.

However, Li Wenyan’s appearance in such a place was truly inconceivable to him.

“I’ve already told you not to call me Little Rabbit… President Li, why are you here?”

“Teacher Xiao said it was her daughter’s birthday on Sunday and invited me to attend the banquet. I happened to be free. But, why are you here?” Li Wenyan leaned down slightly, a gentle smile on his lips.

“Because… I know Xiao Wan.” He was brief, seemingly not wanting to say more.

“That’s perfect then. I was worried I wouldn’t be able to stand the skills of those chefs and might offend the host’s dignity; I wonder if those unpalatable things will become easier to swallow once they pass through your hands.” Li Wenyan lightly pinched his wrist. “Sit with me.”

Bai Tan moved his hand away and nodded.

At this time, upstairs.

Xiao Wan looked at herself in the mirror, looking like a princess, but she did not show an innocent princess-like smile.

The arrogance in the depths of her eyes was obvious.

There was a knock on the door, and Lin Zhiwei, who was meticulously dressed, walked in with a beaming smile:

“Our baby Wanwan, happy birthday.”

She also presented her prepared grand gift the key to a luxury car worth a million.

“Mom…” Xiao Wan’s willow-leaf brows slumped downward, and she wrapped her arms around Lin Zhiwei’s waist.

“What’s wrong? You should spend your birthday happily. Who upset our baby Wanwan? Was it your dad scolding you again?” Lin Zhiwei said reproachfully, gently stroking her daughter’s hair.

Xiao Wan shook her head. The next second, tears fell:

“I saw that person named Bai Tan has come too…”

Lin Zhiwei’s expression froze for a moment.

After a long while, she forced a smile:

“Why did he come? Did you invite him?”

“How could I? He contacted me himself, saying we are half-siblings and that he wanted to come celebrate my birthday.” The more Xiao Wan spoke, the more aggrieved she felt. Ignoring the exquisite makeup she had just applied, she wiped her tears onto Lin Zhiwei’s bodice.

Lin Zhiwei’s smile was somewhat awkward:

“He… he also has no ill intentions. Helping you celebrate is a proactive show of goodwill. Don’t treat him too much like a stranger. It’s your birthday, be a little happier.”

“I don’t want to.” Xiao Wan shed tears, sobbing almost to the point of choking. “What if he calls you ‘Mom’?”

The bridge of Lin Zhiwei’s nose felt sore, and a redness gradually welled up in her eyes:

“There’s nothing wrong with that either. I am indeed also his mother.”

“Then am I not your child anymore? Why must someone make others uncomfortable on their birthday? If he calls you ‘Mom’, don’t answer him, okay?”

Lin Zhiwei took a deep breath, trying hard to hold back her tears:

“Wanwan, be good. A guest is a guest; we cannot lose our manners.”

Xiao Wan pushed Lin Zhiwei away and slumped over the table, crying loudly:

“I’m not asking to drive him away. I just don’t want him to call you ‘Mom’. Is that not okay? I don’t want the luxury car as a gift. I only have one birthday wish. Promise me, Mom!”

Lin Zhiwei let out a deep sigh. With a bit of helplessness, she lightly patted Xiao Wan’s back and finally compromised:

“Fine. If he calls me, I won’t answer. Wanwan, don’t cry anymore. Your crying makes Mom’s heart ache.”

Downstairs, the house was full of guests, harmonious and lively.

Bai Tan sat beside Li Wenyan, but his gaze was fixed on the spiral staircase leading to the second floor.

Thump-thump, thump-thump.

His heart was beating very fast.

The sudden sound of applause broke his tense nerves. In his vision, three figures appeared at the top of the staircase, descending in full dress.

Involuntarily, Bai Tan stood up.

Li Wenyan gave him a strange look. For some reason, he felt that he seemed very nervous, even to the point of standing up.

He smiled. A bit cute.

Bai Tan’s gaze passed through the room full of guests and landed on the beautiful lady among that family of three.

His mouth involuntarily murmured the word “Mom.”

Lin Zhiwei had a smile on her face as she introduced her precious daughter to the guests. Xiao Wan’s father stood on the stage giving a long opening speech, detailing his daughter’s glorious history on the path of writing, listening as the guests praised her as a “genius girl.”

The following time was for guests to give gifts, eat and drink, and surround the female protagonist of this banquet with praise.

Lin Zhiwei went from table to table to toast, thanking the guests for gracing them with their presence to celebrate her daughter’s birthday together.

Bai Tan had not eaten since the morning and was now famished, yet he didn’t have the interest to spare a single glance at those exquisite delicacies.

His eyes only followed Lin Zhiwei’s figure, his pupils contracting, dilating, and contracting again.

Contracting to their smallest point, Lin Zhiwei finally brought Xiao Wan to their table to toast.

“This must be President Li of L.W. Media. It’s our first time meeting. If I have been negligent, I hope for your understanding.” Lin Zhiwei raised her red wine glass. Every gesture and movement carried the noble elegance of the upper class.

Li Wenyan clinked glasses with her. It appeared as though he were drinking, but in reality, his lips only touched the rim.

Lin Zhiwei looked at Bai Tan.

His eyes were wide open, and his mouth unconsciously held a smile.

Sixteen years had passed, and his mother had become so comfortable in this kind of setting. Clearly, he still remembered that when he was young, his mother would kick off her high heels as soon as she got home and complain about hating the boring drinking culture.

His throat felt tight, and it was still tightening.

Bai Tan raised his wine glass, and the word that had been rolling in his throat for a long time also uncontrollably escaped his mouth:

“Mom, long time no see.”

Then, full of anticipation, he waited for a sentence like “Xiao Tan, you’ve grown up.”

When Lin Zhiwei heard this word, she, who was always calm in front of outsiders, couldn’t help but furrow her brows.

She stared intently at this boy before her.

He had grown taller, grown up, and looked more and more like her.

Suddenly, the hand hanging at her side was pinched hard by someone.

Lin Zhiwei hurriedly reined in her emotions, glanced at Xiao Wan, and smiled.

Then she lightly clinked glasses with Bai Tan, nodded, and turned to leave.

“Mom?”

An inquisitive sound rose from behind Lin Zhiwei.

“Mom, I see Uncle Wang. Let’s go say hello to Uncle Wang.” Xiao Wan, without allowing for explanation, pulled Lin Zhiwei away.

Their backs were resolute, without even the slightest intention of looking back.

Bai Tan still stood there, his vision pulled very long by that woman.

Whether it was because the red wine had been chilled or because the sky after the rain had not yet cleared and was covered with a slightly cool moisture, Bai Tan felt a bit cold.

Mom?

Why didn’t she speak?

Did she not recognize him?

Or.

Did she not want to respond.

“Kid,” a middle-aged man at the neighboring table called out to him, “What is your relationship with Wanwan?”

Bai Tan’s Adam’s apple slid. He hurriedly looked at this man, his voice somewhat out of tune:

“No relationship.”

“Then why did you call Ms. Lin ‘Mom’? This… isn’t it a bit…”

“Because she is my mother.” It was the first time Bai Tan had interrupted someone so impolitely.

“You must be joking. Ms. Lin and Mr. Xiao only have one daughter. Besides, calling someone ‘Mom’ randomly like that is very impolite. If you say she’s your mom, why didn’t she respond to you?” The man babbled incessantly, determined to argue the point.

Bai Tan quickly wiped his aching nose and didn’t even look at this talkative man:

“She just didn’t hear me. She will answer me.”

The man gave a sneer, shook his head, and muttered “Crazy” under his breath.

To the side, Li Wenyan hadn’t figured out the situation yet and was frowning.

Then he suddenly remembered that in the personal resume Bai Tan had submitted, the parental column stated that his parents were divorced.

He took Bai Tan’s hand and said softly:

“Why don’t you sit down first? Eat something to line your stomach.”

Bai Tan pulled his hand away, shook his head, and looked toward Lin Zhiwei again.

Yes, it wasn’t that she didn’t recognize him, nor was it that she didn’t want to respond; it was just because she didn’t hear him. It was too noisy here.

Lin Zhiwei led Wanwan all the way through the toasts, making a circle and coming to toast at the table next to Bai Tan’s.

Bai Tan put down his wine glass, chased after her, and grabbed Lin Zhiwei’s hand:

“Mom, long time no see.”

Lin Zhiwei slowly closed her eyes. Opening them again, she tilted her head and met Xiao Wan’s furrowed brow and aggrieved eyes.

She swallowed hard, made an effort to adjust her emotions, and then slowly withdrew her hand from Bai Tan’s. She showed him a smile:

“Please forgive the negligence. Eat and drink well.”

That smile was distant, as if she were looking at a stranger meeting for the first time.

After saying this, she led Xiao Wan away.

Bai Tan finally confirmed it. It wasn’t that the wine was cold, nor was it the weather; rather, like Jody who felt hopeless when he lost the fawn, that chill was emerging from the gaps in his bones.

“Kid, you really are being impolite now.” The man from before gave a cold snort and shook his head.

Bai Tan stood in place like a lifeless statue.

He didn’t know which way to turn his head. On the left was Li Wenyan, and on the right was the talkative man.

He was also afraid that as soon as he turned his head and moved his eye muscles, the tears that had accumulated to a boiling point in his sockets would fall because of it.

He so wished there were a crack in the ground that would let him crawl in and hide.

“Bai Tan, let’s go for a walk?” Li Wenyan stood up and gently grabbed Bai Tan’s wrist.

Although it was a gentle, inquiring tone, the movement of pulling him away was also resolute and brooked no argument.

The last of Bai Tan’s thoughts were also pulled away, and he could only let him lead him to the garden.

“Pa.”

With a very light sound, Bai Tan’s cheeks were cupped by a pair of warm, large hands.

Those hands were slightly forceful, compelling him to lift his face.

Tears fell anyway.

Bai Tan struggled, wanting to escape, not wanting anyone to see him looking so pathetic.

And the owner of those hands seemed to have guessed his thoughts; he let go and instead pulled him into an embrace.

This way, the crying eyes and the reddened tip of the nose could not be seen.

A large hand gently stroked the back of his head, and a voice that was so gentle it seemed it would drip water came from above:

“It’s okay. Cry. Just cry.”

Like a hint, the state of mind Bai Tan had painstakingly maintained completely disintegrated because of this sentence.

Like his eighth birthday, he hadn’t waited for his mother to come home, and his father said his mother was too busy and wouldn’t be back.

At that time, he would no longer easily believe a casual word from an adult. The days of arguments and separation between his parents had also made him clearly understand:

Mom would not be coming back again.

When he was little, he lived with his grandmother. His grandmother also held prejudices against him because of his parents’ divorce. When he fell while riding his bike and was covered in injuries, his grandmother wouldn’t comfort him; she would only scold him for showing off and say that if he ruined his clothes, they would have to spend money to buy new ones.

He didn’t cry. He silently applied medicine and sewed his clothes himself.

He never felt these small things were worth crying over.

Just like today it was only that his mother didn’t respond to him. It was also a small matter not worth mentioning. Where was it worth crying?

But why was it that as soon as someone comforted him, his emotions spiraled completely out of control.

Buried against Li Wenyan’s neck, he finally struggled to say that sentence, a sentence he had long known but was always unwilling to admit:

“She has already become someone else’s mother.”

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