How Could a Scumbag Alpha Possibly Love His Wife? - Chapter 89

Autumn had gradually settled into its rhythm. Two rounds of cold air had swept through the city, turning everything a golden shade.

The greenery in the neighborhood was well maintained. Aunt Pei, who enjoyed gardening in her spare time, had planted many flowers and plants. By the time autumn arrived, chrysanthemums of all colors were blooming in the corners of the yard. The crisp autumn air brought a large difference in temperature between morning and night. There was a noticeable chill when stepping outside this morning. Aunt Pei and the nanny were already discussing whether to turn on the heater for Sui Sui at night.

Lately, Bai Juntang had returned to his usual work routine. He went to Dry Valley every day and sometimes had social events to attend. When that happened, he would always call home in advance and ask Aunt Pei to take good care of Cheng Wan and Sui Sui.

That day, Cheng Wan sat on a bench in the courtyard, enjoying the sunshine. Aunt Pei and the nanny were nearby with Sui Sui, while Cheng Wan held Guazi the cat in her arms.

Although Guazi, the chubby little cat, was still shy around people, he was especially curious about Sui Sui. Every time the two met, Guazi would stare at her without blinking, and Sui Sui would gaze back. The two of them could sit there silently looking at each other for over half an hour.

It was the same that day. Sui Sui lay in her stroller while Guazi perched on Cheng Wan’s shoulder, watching her intently.

However, Sui Sui didn’t seem quite herself. When she stared back at Guazi, her expression looked dull, as if her mind was drifting somewhere else. Even when Aunt Pei tried to comfort her, she reacted slowly.

“Is she sleepy?” the nanny asked while knitting a small pair of shoes and socks for Sui Sui to wear during the cooler autumn weather.

Aunt Pei gently rubbed Sui Sui’s little hand and noticed her dazed look. “Maybe the sun made her sleepy. Should I take her inside for a nap?”

The nanny agreed and began packing up. Then she carried Sui Sui into the house.

Cheng Wan stroked Guazi’s little head. She knew she wouldn’t be much help in getting Sui Sui to sleep, so she stayed outside and continued enjoying the warm sunlight with the kitten.

Just as Cheng Wan began to doze off, she heard the sound of a car pulling into the courtyard. When she opened her eyes, she saw Bai Weilan’s white sedan.

Since Bai Weilan lived abroad for most of the year, she usually drove Bai Juntang’s other car—a vintage white sedan. It was a collector’s item, but because it had been so well maintained, it was still fit for the road.

Bai Weilan had fallen in love with the old car the moment she saw it and started using it as her daily ride. In a way, driving it helped keep it in good condition.

That day, Bai Weilan had gone shopping with a few long-time business partners. These were people she had known since she was young, and she communicated easily with them. Although Bai Juntang was hardworking and diligent, he was still young and didn’t have as many connections as Bai Weilan.

They had verbally agreed on a few major projects, and everything had gone so smoothly that the meetings were finished by late morning. Since she had some free time, Bai Weilan came home early.

As she passed by the courtyard, she saw Cheng Wan holding the cat. After a moment’s hesitation, she chose not to say anything.

Bai Weilan could sense that Cheng Wan didn’t like her. She was not the kind of person who would force herself into an awkward situation. If she could avoid it, she would.

As soon as she entered the house, Bai Weilan kicked off her high heels and carelessly tossed her luxury handbag on the sofa. Then, barefoot, she walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge to find something to drink.

Aunt Pei was washing vegetables and was startled by her sudden entrance. She turned and asked, “Why are you home so early today?”

“I finished everything, so I came back,” Bai Weilan replied as she leaned against the counter with a bottle of soda water in her hand. “What’s for lunch?”

“What would you like to eat?” Aunt Pei asked.

“I don’t know.”

Aunt Pei thought for a moment and suggested, “How about steamed sea bass? I just bought it today. It’s very fresh.”

Bai Weilan took a sip of her drink and said, “I don’t feel like having fish today.”

“Then maybe I’ll stir-fry some vegetables and make shredded pork in Beijing sauce?”

“That’s too greasy.”

Aunt Pei looked at her, clearly losing patience. “Then what do you want to eat?”

“I really don’t know,” Bai Weilan said with frustration.

Aunt Pei let out a sigh and opened the fridge, listing the available ingredients one by one. Bai Weilan answered each option until they finally decided on two dishes. Only then did Aunt Pei get to work.

Once lunch was settled, Aunt Pei firmly told her to leave the kitchen and go put on some shoes.

Bai Weilan smiled and agreed. As she walked out of the kitchen with her bottle of soda, she ran right into Cheng Wan.

Cheng Wan looked uneasy. She stood there silently, her expression showing that she wanted to say something to Bai Weilan.

“Do you need something?” Bai Weilan asked, walking past her to find a pair of her shoes. As she slipped them on, she continued, “If you have something to say, just say it. You’ve been holding it in for a while, haven’t you?”

Cheng Wan hadn’t expected her to be so direct. She did have something to say, something she had been thinking about for over half a month. But until now, she had never found the right moment.

She was always accompanied by either the nanny or Bai Juntang. There had been no chance for a private conversation with Bai Weilan until now.

“Can we talk over there?” Cheng Wan asked, looking at her. “It’s not really convenient here.”

Bai Weilan didn’t seem to mind. She pointed toward the small table near the balcony and asked, “Is that spot okay?”

Though she phrased it like a question, she was already walking toward the table. Cheng Wan had no choice but to follow.

Bai Weilan pulled out a chair and sat down. The sunlight that day was warm and gentle. As she looked at Cheng Wan, she found her more and more endearing. She tapped the small wooden table and said, “Have a seat. It’s hard to talk if you’re standing.”

Only then did Cheng Wan sit down.

She looked up at the woman across from her, who was in her fifties but barely showed any signs of aging. Perhaps it was her wealth, but Bai Weilan looked like a graceful and elegant woman in her forties.

To be honest, Cheng Wan no longer disliked her. At first, that one hundred million yuan had felt like a slap in the face, leaving her filled with resentment. But after spending the past few weeks together, Bai Weilan reminded her of the very first time they met.

She could be sharp-tongued, but she wasn’t cruel.

Among all the women Cheng Wan had encountered who carried the title of “mother,” Bai Weilan was honestly one of the best. Unfortunately, Cheng Wan had never learned how to get along with a mother figure.

Bai Weilan sat quietly, watching her. After taking a few sips of water, she finally asked, “So, did you call me over just to sit here without saying anything?”

Cheng Wan nervously clutched the hem of her dress, then finally took out the card.

“This is the card you gave me at the hospital. I haven’t found the right time to return it until now,” she said, looking directly at Bai Weilan. “I haven’t touched a single cent. Sui Sui is not a bargaining chip, and I never planned to exchange her for money.”

Bai Weilan remained calm. “Of course I know you didn’t use the money. But once I give something away, I don’t believe in taking it back.”

She noticed the tension in Cheng Wan’s expression and continued with a slight smile. “Sui Sui is my granddaughter. To me, she’s worth far more than one hundred million yuan. But I have never denied that you are her mother. No matter what I say, it doesn’t change the fact that you are Sui Sui’s mom.”

Cheng Wan looked slightly stunned.

Bai Weilan gave a tired but sincere smile. “You didn’t actually think I was trying to take your child from you, did you?”

Cheng Wan blushed and tightened her grip on her dress. That was exactly what she had thought. She assumed Bai Weilan had thrown money at her to buy Sui Sui back.

“I… I didn’t mean that…” Cheng Wan stammered, her face flushing bright red. She looked flustered and embarrassed but more alert than she had been in recent days.

Bai Weilan stood up and looked at her. “Even so, I still believe you and Juntang are not the best match. But you’re a mother now. I trust you can understand where I’m coming from.”

Cheng Wan stayed silent for a long time before slowly nodding. Then she looked at Bai Weilan and softly said, “Thank you… Mom.”

That one word, “Mom,” sounded awkward coming from her. In her more than twenty years of life, she had never had a real mother. Her biological mother had abandoned her, and her adoptive mother had only ever blamed her. Neither woman had been a proper mother to her.

Though Bai Weilan could be sharp and critical, Cheng Wan knew she did it out of concern—first for Bai Juntang, and then for Sui Sui.

Thinking about it that way, Cheng Wan realized she didn’t feel as angry at her anymore.

Bai Weilan didn’t take back the card. After she left, Cheng Wan remained seated, though her mood had clearly shifted.

Sui Sui was her child. She was now, and she always would be.

That afternoon, Cheng Wan and Bai Weilan sat at the same table for lunch. Cheng Wan managed to say a few more words than usual, and the atmosphere felt surprisingly comfortable.

Later in the afternoon, Cheng Wan started feeling drowsy. She told Aunt Pei she was going to rest and went back to her room. But when she woke up, she immediately felt that something wasn’t right.

As she stepped out of her room, she saw two nannies upstairs packing up baby supplies. Downstairs, Bai Weilan was holding Sui Sui, and Aunt Pei stood beside her with a serious expression, saying something quietly.

“What’s going on?” Cheng Wan asked with growing unease as she came downstairs. “What happened?”

Aunt Pei turned to her and said, “Sui Sui has a fever. We’re about to take her to the hospital. We’ve already called Juntang. He just left the office.”

Cheng Wan froze for a second, then rushed over and gently placed her hand on Sui Sui’s forehead.

Sui Sui’s body was naturally warm, but now she was burning hot. Her skin was flushed, and her little face looked bright red, like she was overheated.

“She was perfectly fine earlier. How did this happen so suddenly?” Cheng Wan asked, her voice filled with panic. She had never faced anything like this before and had no idea what to do when a baby got sick. Her chest tightened painfully as she looked at Sui Sui’s flushed face. The child was still asleep, and Cheng Wan wished she could take the fever herself instead.

Bai Weilan stayed composed. Holding Sui Sui gently, she said, “Call Juntang again. Tell him not to come home. Have him go straight to the children’s hospital.”

Cheng Wan looked up, flustered. “But I… I don’t know how to drive.”

Bai Weilan gave her a quick glance, her voice calm but firm. “I can drive. You hold Sui Sui. The nanny will come with us. Let’s go to the hospital now.”

Cheng Wan nodded without hesitation. The three of them got into the car and headed toward the children’s hospital.

The closer they got to the city center, the heavier the traffic became. They had hit the evening rush hour. Sui Sui’s face looked even redder, and the nanny kept trying to cool her down with a damp cloth. Cheng Wan also helped, carefully wiping Sui Sui’s little hands and feet.

Bai Weilan’s brow was tightly furrowed, and although she looked worried, she kept the car moving steadily. When they finally arrived at the hospital, she told Cheng Wan and the nanny to take Sui Sui straight to the emergency department.

About half an hour later, Bai Juntang arrived at the hospital.

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