How Could a Scumbag Alpha Possibly Love His Wife? - Chapter 95
Today, Cheng Wan wore a beige coat over a light green dress. Both pieces belonged to Bai Juntang. If it hadn’t been for the recent drop in temperature, Cheng Wan might not have realized she didn’t own many clothes suitable for autumn.
She had moved in during the summer and rarely went out, so it made sense that her wardrobe was limited.
Bai Juntang, on the other hand, was completely different. Her walk-in closet was full of dresses and outerwear in all styles. She had simply picked out two pieces that fit Cheng Wan and helped her change into them.
As it turned out, Cheng Wan’s fair complexion made her look good in anything.
When Bai Juntang and Cheng Wan came downstairs, they saw Sui Sui surrounded by people like a little birthday star. Bai Weilan was holding the baby. When she saw them approaching, she walked over, bypassed Bai Juntang, and gently placed Sui Sui into Cheng Wan’s arms.
“It’s cold today. Are you really going out dressed like that?” Bai Weilan looked over Cheng Wan’s not-so-thick outfit and said, “You should add another layer when you get back.”
Cheng Wan held the weight of the baby in her arms and shook her head. “No need. This is already warm enough.”
It felt warm inside the house—almost a little stuffy. But once she stepped outside and felt the wind, Cheng Wan instantly felt a chill.
Just a little while ago, it had still felt like summer. How had it turned into autumn so suddenly?
The wind blew straight down her collar, and it was sharp against her skin.
As soon as they stepped outside, Sui Sui let out a big sneeze, which immediately made Aunt Pei and the nanny fuss over her.
“Cold, huh?” the nanny said as she quickly wrapped a small scarf around the baby’s neck. “You’ll be warm once we get in the car.”
Sui Sui blinked her big eyes and grabbed at the scarf, trying to pull it off. But her hands were bundled in mittens, so she could only squirm in frustration and let out little grunts.
“Such a strong personality for someone so small,” Aunt Pei chuckled. “She’s going to be a stubborn girl when she grows up.”
Of course, Sui Sui didn’t understand a word. She just flailed her hands and reached toward Cheng Wan’s face, clearly hoping for help.
Before she could start crying, Bai Juntang pulled the car out of the garage. Cheng Wan quickly got in, holding the baby tightly.
Only the immediate family and caregivers were going to the full-month celebration, so with just the four of them, Aunt Pei, and the nanny, two cars were enough.
Cheng Wan and Bai Juntang rode with the nanny, while Bai Weilan drove ahead with Aunt Pei.
Once they were inside the wind-free car, Sui Sui calmed down. It was probably her first time sitting in a car without being bundled too tightly, and she looked around with wide eyes, staring curiously at everything she saw.
Cheng Wan worried the baby might hurt her eyes from staring too much, so she held her close and occasionally bent down to play with her, trying to distract her with gentle teasing.
Outside, the wind howled past the windows. When the car passed under some trees, raindrops hit the roof with a loud thump, making Sui Sui’s eyes go wide in surprise.
It was oddly adorable.
The nanny smiled and said, “She’s getting braver. Not even a raindrop can scare our Sui Sui now.”
The baby didn’t understand, of course. She just kept staring intently at the ceiling.
Bai Juntang chuckled too. The atmosphere in the car felt warm and peaceful.
“There’ll be a lot of guests at the banquet today,” Bai Juntang reminded the nanny. “Please stay with Aunt Pei and help take care of Sui Sui. Many people will want to see her, but make sure no one touches her skin. We can’t risk any germs or infections.”
The nanny nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep a close eye on her. You two go handle your guests.”
When they arrived at the hotel, Li Chen and a few others were already waiting to greet them. They led the family into the banquet hall.
Even though they had arrived an hour early, there were already many guests inside. When the crowd saw them come in, they immediately approached with friendly smiles, offering greetings and chatting with Bai Juntang.
One of the guests looked at Cheng Wan and said warmly, “You must be Miss Cheng. The baby looks just like you—so fair and lovely. She’ll grow up to be a real beauty.”
Caught off guard by the compliment, Cheng Wan didn’t know how to respond. She managed a polite thank you but was unsure what else to say.
Bai Weilan noticed her discomfort and gently patted her back. “Go rest in the lounge for a while. You shouldn’t be standing there holding the baby like that.”
Cheng Wan nodded and followed a hotel staff member into the nearby lounge.
The lounge was small but cozy. It had a sofa, a table, and a few chairs—more than enough to sit and relax.
The hotel manager personally brought over a beige baby stroller for Sui Sui. The nanny laid a clean waterproof sheet on it, and it was just the right size for the little one.
Sui Sui lay in the stroller, making soft, garbled noises. Though the words were unclear, it was obvious she was very happy.
In less than an hour, many people had passed in and out of the lounge. Cheng Wan didn’t know any of them. She sat beside the stroller like an invisible bystander, occasionally offering a polite smile.
It quickly became clear that most of the visitors weren’t really there to see the baby. They just used it as an excuse to find Bai Juntang or Bai Weilan and start a conversation. Cheng Wan and Sui Sui were left quietly sitting together, enjoying the peace.
Outside the lounge, Bai Weilan had managed to sneak a few sips of champagne.
She leaned against a corner, watching the busy banquet hall. For the first time, she truly felt how enthusiastic people could be about celebrations like this.
Sipping her drink, she began wondering who she could call to drive her home later. That thought made her take a few extra sips.
Her eyes landed on Bai Juntang in the middle of the crowd. Seeing her daughter gracefully greeting guests, Bai Weilan couldn’t help but feel emotional.
Time had passed so quickly. Somehow, in the blink of an eye, her daughter now had a child of her own.
She had never been very involved in her daughter’s life. The fact that Bai Juntang had grown up healthy and capable felt like a blessing. Sometimes, when she looked at her, she saw glimpses of her late wife. Bai Juntang resembled her a lot, though a few features still clearly belonged to her mother.
Watching Bai Juntang manage the event so calmly and confidently, Bai Weilan felt a rare sense of admiration.
Just then, she caught a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye. She turned her head and, to her surprise, saw an old acquaintance approaching casually.
“It’s been a long time,” Bai Weilan said, her smile curving gently. “I didn’t expect you to show up at a gathering like this.”
The woman wore a black-and-white suit. Her medium-length hair was pulled back neatly, revealing sharp eyes and a smooth forehead.
Though her figure was still well-maintained, time had clearly left its mark. No matter how carefully she dressed, she could never return to her youth. But instead, she carried the graceful presence that only years of experience could bring.
“I was just passing by and thought I’d stop in,” the woman replied, her voice deep and calm. She glanced toward the busy banquet hall, clearly not intending to go inside.
“I brought a gift for the baby. My assistant will deliver it soon. Just a little something to celebrate,” she added as she turned back to Bai Weilan. “I’m still very busy, so I won’t join the crowd.”
Bai Weilan looked at her in surprise. “You’re really going to leave without even seeing my granddaughter? That’s a bit rude, isn’t it?”
“I’m already doing you a favor by showing up,” the woman said. “If you end up staying in the country more often, we’ll probably see each other again anyway.”
“I won’t be here for long,” Bai Weilan replied. “My overseas projects are all waiting. I can’t stay in the country permanently.”
“Is that so.”
Bai Weilan glanced at her. There was no denying the elegance that came with success. The Alpha woman in front of her was sharp and commanding. She owned a magazine company, and beyond that, had invested in various cultural projects, including films and documentaries. She had made a lot of money over the years.
“If you had gotten married like I did,” Bai Weilan teased, “you’d probably have a granddaughter by now. You’re not young anymore. Never thought of settling down?”
The woman gave a cold smile. “And you? At your age, never thought of getting remarried?”
Bai Weilan smirked but had no comeback. It was rare for someone to shut her down like that.
Just then, Bai Weilan noticed Cheng Wan coming out of the lounge, carrying Sui Sui in her arms. She turned back to the woman beside her and said, “The baby’s out now. Want to go take a look?”
The woman wasn’t interested in children. She took a quick glance from a distance, but with the crowd in the way, she couldn’t see much. She didn’t feel like going in either. Instead, she said, “The gift’s already been delivered. Let’s catch up some other time.”
As the woman turned and left, Bai Weilan murmured under her breath, “Middle-aged single women can be terrifying.”
The full-month celebration turned out to be more successful than expected. Sui Sui, though only one month old, had thick brows, big eyes, fair skin, and wore an adorable little hat. Everyone in the room was completely charmed.
Many guests said they had never seen such a beautiful baby and hoped she would grow up to be just as lovely.
Cheng Wan stood among the compliments, looking down at Sui Sui without saying much. Her thoughts were elsewhere.
Sui Sui seemed to love watching her mother. Throughout the whole banquet, her eyes stayed fixed on Cheng Wan. At one point, she even gave her a sweet smile. Cheng Wan smiled back, but the sadness in her eyes never fully faded.
The host was lively, keeping the atmosphere upbeat. But the noise and commotion were too much for Sui Sui, and Cheng Wan quietly took her back to the lounge.
After being fed, Sui Sui started yawning.
“She’s sleepy already?” the nanny laughed. “It’s still so early. If she sleeps now, she’ll miss the rest of the guests.”
Sui Sui yawned again, clearly too tired to care.
The nanny picked her up and gently rocked her, coaxing her to sleep. Slowly, the baby’s eyes closed, and she drifted off.
Cheng Wan was feeling tired too. Once the lounge door closed behind them, all the outside noise faded away. The only people in the room were Cheng Wan and the nanny holding the sleeping baby.
Sui Sui fell asleep quickly, just as fast as she had eaten. The nanny laid her down carefully and raised a hand to block the ceiling light so it wouldn’t disturb the baby.
Cheng Wan sat there watching the nanny’s gentle care. Despite the calm, her heart felt empty.
“Chen Jie, I’m feeling a bit tired. I want to head home and rest,” Cheng Wan said quietly. “After everything wraps up, take Sui Sui back with the others.”
The nanny looked at her in surprise. “You’re not staying with Sui Sui?”
Cheng Wan gazed deeply at the sleeping baby and shook her head. “No. Please take good care of her. I’ll head back first.”
Although the nanny didn’t quite understand what Cheng Wan meant, she wasn’t in a position to ask questions. Her job was to care for the baby, so she nodded and watched as Cheng Wan left through the back door of the banquet hall.
Outside the hotel, the rain had started falling again, and it was colder than when they had arrived.
Cheng Wan returned to the house soaked with rain. The rooms were completely empty. Everyone was still at Sui Sui’s celebration. The only things left behind were the chilly air and the family’s fat cat, who had rarely ventured out that day.
Guazi the cat walked over and rubbed against Cheng Wan’s leg. She crouched down and gently stroked its soft head.
“I’m leaving,” she whispered. “You stay here and take good care of this home.”
Of course, the little cat didn’t understand a word. It kept rubbing against her affectionately. With its short legs, it tried to climb into her lap, but it wasn’t tall enough. After struggling for a bit, it settled for snuggling against her knee, leaving a trail of fur on her pants.
Cheng Wan stayed crouched for a long time, watching the cat. Then she finally stood and gave the house one last look, her heart filled with unspoken emotion.
She thought to herself, she no longer had a home. At the very least, she deserved to meet someone who truly loved her.
Otherwise, this life would be far too bitter.