Chapter 200 – My Lady Heroine in the Holographic Online Game – Let Them All Leave (14)
By the time dawn broke, Bai Tang’s squirrel ears had automatically retracted, much to Qi Hongyi’s disappointment.
Tang Tang with squirrel ears was just too cute—obediently accepting kisses and hugs.
Qi Hongyi couldn’t have been happier. Unfortunately, when morning came, the ears had retracted on their own.
Bai Tang blinked his dewy eyes, looking exactly like a frightened little animal. “You’re so bad~”
Little did he know, that tempting expression nearly pushed Qi Hongyi over the edge into full-on beast mode.
Qi Hongyi held Bai Tang and kissed him over and over. But when his gaze fell on the faint dark circles under Bai Tang’s eyes, his burning desire was replaced by tenderness. “It’s still early. Sleep a bit more.”
Although partial transformation was a perk granted by the system, Bai Tang hadn’t yet mastered the essence of it. He had tried the whole night without being able to retract his ears. Anxious and scared, he barely got any rest. It wasn’t until just before dawn, soothed by Qi Hongyi, that he managed to doze off. The moment he relaxed, the squirrel ears retracted with a swift whoosh.
To chase after his beloved, Qi Hongyi ruthlessly handed all company affairs back to his father. Father Qi, who had been planning a second honeymoon with Mother Qi, was instantly outraged by this move.
“I’ve worked hard my whole life—why do I still have to take over now?”
Before Qi Hongyi could explain, Grandma Qi jumped in. “If my granddaughter-in-law runs off, how are you going to make it up to me? Don’t want to take over? Fine, I’ll run the company myself.”
Grandma Qi had once built the Qi Corporation together with Grandpa Qi, and her abilities were nothing to scoff at.
There was no way Father Qi could let Grandma Qi—at her age—handle documents and negotiate with people. He could only grit his teeth and accept it.
“Honey, I’m sorry. Our honeymoon will have to be postponed,” he cried to his dear wife.
“It’s okay,” Mother Qi said gently. “Just handle things for a little longer. Once Tang Tang marries into our family, we’ll go then.”
“My wife is so understanding—nothing like that brat of a son…”
Bai Tang slept all the way until 11 a.m. If Qi Hongyi weren’t worried that he’d hurt his stomach from going hungry, he really wouldn’t have had the heart to wake him up.
“Baby, time to get up.”
“Mmm~” The boy, hair messy and disheveled, mumbled reluctantly, “Let me sleep a little longer…”
Don’t think Qi Hongyi couldn’t do anything just because Bai Tang was being clingy.
He simply picked Bai Tang up, carried him into the bathroom, turned on the hot water, and gently wiped his face with a warm towel.
Sure enough, Bai Tang sobered up quite a bit, though he still seemed a little dazed.
Just like in the past, Bai Tang spread his arms and acted spoiled toward Qi Hongyi. “Carry me~”
“Of course!”
How could he refuse when someone so adorable was asking for hugs?
Qi Hongyi carried the half-awake Bai Tang downstairs. The others had already gone out, so in the Qi household, aside from Qi Hongyi, only Grandma Qi and Mother Qi were home.
“Tang Tang’s up! Did you sleep well?” Mother Qi asked warmly.
It was Bai Tang’s first time staying overnight at the Qi home, and Mother Qi really wanted to keep this future daughter-in-law.
“I slept great. I really like how the room’s decorated. Thank you, Auntie Qi.” Bai Tang gave her a sweet smile, dimples appearing on both cheeks.
Mother Qi was dazzled by that smile—Tang Tang was getting more and more beautiful. No wonder her son had fallen so hard. Fortunately, this little darling would be her daughter-in-law soon.
“Just treat this like your own home, no need to be so polite with Auntie Qi.” If she had any idea how far things had progressed between Qi Hongyi and Bai Tang, Mother Qi would’ve already made him call her “Mom.” Just imagining this sweet little thing calling her “Mom” made her heart melt.
Lunch wouldn’t be ready for another hour, so Qi Hongyi, worried that Bai Tang might be hungry, heated up a glass of milk and brought a piece of nut cake for him.
“Tang Tang, have something to fill your stomach first.”
“Mhm~” Bai Tang sat on the couch and opened his mouth wide. “Ahhh—”
Qi Hongyi forked a perfectly sized bite of cake and fed it to him. The creamy sweetness melted smoothly in his mouth.
“Mmm, delicious~”
The boy smacked his lips in satisfaction. “Ahhh—”
Qi Hongyi fed him another bite, then brought the warm milk to Bai Tang’s lips, helping him take small sips to soothe his throat.
The young couple were as sweet as honey, their affection smooth and warm like oil blending into syrup. Watching from a hidden spot, Mother Qi and Grandma Qi exchanged knowing smiles—looked like the family would officially be gaining a new member very soon.
After finishing the piece of cake, Bai Tang wanted more, but Qi Hongyi didn’t allow it.
“We’re having lunch soon. Mom made a lot of your favorite dishes, Tang Tang.”
One slice of cake couldn’t compare to a table full of delicious food. Bai Tang asked in a soft, childlike voice, “What did she make?”
“Cashews, corn…” Qi Hongyi began listing off dishes—all of Bai Tang’s favorite vegetarian foods, with almost no meat.
These were all based on Qi Hongyi’s understanding of Bai Tang’s tastes, and also inspired by what squirrels typically like to eat. He had requested Mother Qi to make them especially.
Bai Tang’s eyes lit up as he listened. He tugged on Qi Hongyi’s sleeve and asked, “When can we eat?”
Qi Hongyi looked up at the clock on the wall.
“Half an hour. Let’s take a walk in the yard first. When we come back, lunch will be ready.”
Walking would help his digestion, and he’d be able to eat even more.
Bai Tang nodded in agreement and eagerly jumped off the couch, running toward the door.
“Tang Tang, you haven’t put on your shoes…”
Qi Hongyi called after him, “The floor’s cold. If you catch a cold, you’ll have to drink bitter medicine!”
Bai Tang instantly remembered the days in his past life when he and the Empress Dowager both drank herbal medicine together, bonded in shared misery. Just thinking about it now, he could still taste that bitter flavor that made him want to gag.
He shook his head like a rattle-drum, tears welling up in his eyes. “I don’t want medicine~”
Qi Hongyi had only meant to tease him a little, but hadn’t expected Tangtang to actually tear up.
“Okay, okay, no medicine.” The moment Qi Hongyi saw the tears in Bai Tang’s eyes, his heart clenched with guilt.
What a jerk he was—how could he scare Tangtang like that?
“You said so…”
Bai Tang obediently let Qi Hongyi put his shoes on for him.
“Where are you two going? Lunch is almost ready. Oh no, my little darling—why are you crying? Did that brat Hongyi bully you again?” Grandma Qi came out of the kitchen, concerned.
“Grandma, I just got sand in my eyes. Yi Yi and I are going for a walk to build up our appetite,” Bai Tang instinctively defended Qi Hongyi and told a little white lie.
“All right then. Just don’t be gone too long.”
What Grandma Qi loved most was seeing Qi Hongyi and Bai Tang deepen their relationship. A loving young couple was a blessing—and the sooner her grandson brought his wife home, the better.
“Grandma, we’re heading out.”
“Go on, go on.”
Qi Hongyi led Bai Tang out of the house. The fresh, pleasant outdoor air quickly soothed away the lingering fear Bai Tang had about the bitter medicine.
They didn’t go far—just strolled hand in hand along the street outside.
As they walked, Bai Luo suddenly appeared in the distance, waving at them.
“Tang Tang—!”
“Second Brother—!” Bai Tang ran over to Bai Luo with quick, happy steps.
Qi Hongyi stared at his now-empty right hand, which had just been holding Bai Tang’s a second ago. He clenched his jaw as he looked at Bai Luo—what was this guy doing here again?
“Second Brother, what are you doing here?”
After the initial surprise came confusion.
Because at Bai Luo’s feet was a suitcase.
“Sigh, same as you—I got kicked out.” Bai Luo shrugged nonchalantly. “I just said a couple of things about that woman I can’t stand, and Grandpa threw me out. Big Brother’s planning to move out too. The whole house is a mess because of her. Anyway, I don’t want to stay there anymore.”
“Huh?!”
Bai Tang was still trying to process the long string of complaints.
“Where are you planning to stay, Second Brother?” Bai Tang asked.
“Tang Tang, I’m so pitiful—homeless and alone. You have to take me in,” Bai Luo said, sneaking a glance at Qi Hongyi, whose face clearly darkened.
Bai Luo was secretly delighted. Of course he had his own property, but he came specifically to annoy Qi Hongyi. Serves him right for stealing his precious Tang Tang.
Hearing that, Bai Tang couldn’t bear the idea of his second brother being left out on the street. He looked at Qi Hongyi with pleading eyes. “Yi Yi~”
Faced with the boy’s request, Qi Hongyi couldn’t help but soften. He gently stroked Bai Tang’s soft hair and said, “There are already a lot of people at home—we don’t really have room. But I do have another place outside the house. If Second Brother doesn’t mind, he can stay there for now. I’ll get you the keys later.”
Qi Hongyi bent down and whispered into Bai Tang’s ear, speaking at a volume only the two of them could hear: “Second Brother knows you too well. Others wouldn’t dare enter your room, but he would. What if your ears suddenly pop out and he walks in…?”
The rest of the sentence didn’t need to be said.
If Bai Tang’s squirrel ears appeared and were seen by Second Brother, would he think Bai Tang was a monster and try to capture him? After all, Bai Tang wasn’t really Bai Luo’s biological younger brother.
Bai Tang didn’t dare take that risk. He looked at Bai Luo and said, “Second Brother, why don’t you stay at Yi Yi’s other place for now?”
Bai Luo was stunned. He’d just been on the verge of moving in with his little brother, and then Qi Hongyi swooped in again and ruined it.
He shot a glare at Qi Hongyi, who had a hint of smugness on his face. “Oh, so Second Brother has to live alone? That’s so lonely. No one to talk to. How about Tang Tang moves out and lives with me instead? It’s not great always staying in someone else’s house.”
Qi Hongyi stepped forward, standing protectively in front of Bai Tang. “Are you sure you can protect Tang Tang?”
Bai Luo’s face changed. “What’s that supposed to mean? Why wouldn’t I be able to protect him?”
Qi Hongyi replied calmly, “You know exactly why you ran away from home.”
Bai Luo’s heart skipped a beat.
It was true—technically, he wasn’t kicked out by Grandpa Bai. He had left voluntarily to protect Bai Tang.
Jiang Yiran’s ambition was too great. It wasn’t just that she had forced Bai Tang out of the house—she was even trying to take over the portion of the family estate that rightfully belonged to him.
Bai Luo had overheard her talking on the phone with her biological parents, saying that Grandpa and Grandma Bai planned to transfer Bai Tang’s shares into her name.
But those shares already belonged to Bai Tang, and without his consent, no one could touch them. Not even Bai Luo or their eldest brother—unless Bai Tang died. Only then could relatives manage his estate.
So, was Jiang Yiran plotting to harm Bai Tang?
That’s why Bai Luo had picked a fight with Grandpa Bai that morning—to create a reason to leave the house without raising Jiang Yiran’s suspicions, so he could come find and protect Bai Tang.
But the strange thing was—he hadn’t told anyone.
So how did Qi Hongyi know?
Author’s Note:
How did Qi Hongyi know about Jiang Yiran’s scheme?
Of course—it’s the power of the male lead halo! (ahem—listening device.)