Chapter 24 – Sweetheart from the Sky: The Gentle CEO’s Sweet Kiss (24)
Old Master Dan , feeling ignored, was deeply displeased. Dan Sihe’s rebuttal made him feel as if his authority as the head of the family was being challenged.
“I’m not dead yet! Does what I say no longer count?” His voice instantly drew everyone’s attention back to him. The phone screen was turned toward Dan Sihe, and just as Old Master Dan was about to erupt again, his gaze landed on He Yuchi.
At that moment, he suddenly recalled his late wife—this child was her godson.
Memories of the days when she was still alive softened Old Master Dan’s temper, and his tone eased. “Yuchi, you’re here. How have you been? You should visit more often.”
He Yuchi’s eye twitched almost imperceptibly. Is it because I lost my memory that I don’t understand this world anymore? Or have I just encountered a family of eccentrics? Why does everyone speak so… strangely?
The man let out a quiet sigh and nodded politely.
Finally, a younger generation member who was obedient and respectful—Old Master Dan’s anger subsided a little more.
Just as the matter seemed to be dying down, Mother Dan refused to back down. She was determined to regain control and suppress Dan Sihe. With a pitiful, hesitant tone, she pleaded, “Please don’t blame Sihe. After all, I’m not his biological mother. It’s only natural that he struggles to accept me…”
“Absurd! What kind of nonsense is that? I was the one who chose your stepmother! You refuse to give up even a single room—is it her you resent, or is it me?”
“I found Xiao Nian,” Dan Sihe interjected, his expression indifferent as he watched Mother Dan’s performance. Just as Old Master Dan was about to explode in anger, that one statement silenced the entire room.
The sudden stillness in the air was almost suffocating. Old Master Dan stared at Dan Sihe in disbelief, while the butler, visibly shaken, asked excitedly, “Young Master, is it true? You’ve found Young Master Nian?”
The loss of the young master had been a painful scar on the Dan family’s heart, and Dan Sihe’s mother had fallen into depression because of it, eventually passing away.
Dan Sihe nodded. “The room is being renovated. Once it’s ready, Xiao Nian will stay here for a few days.”
“Quick! You lot, clean the entire villa! Have the gardener trim the flowers, and call the property management to check the electrical system and air conditioning!” The butler swiftly issued a series of meticulous instructions, determined to ensure that Bai Mo would have no complaints when he returned.
Young Master is coming home… Madam, you can finally rest in peace.
The butler looked up at the sky, his eyes glistening with emotion.
If his reaction seemed dramatic, the rest of the household staff proved he was not alone. Every servant who had been working for the family since the days of the original Madam Dan was just as thrilled. They had all been touched by the late Madam’s kindness, and with the stark contrast between her and the current mistress, their loyalty had long since aligned with the butler’s stance.
Old Master Dan was equally emotional. “Are you saying you’ve found Xiao Nian? Where is he? Where’s Xiao Nian? Why isn’t he back today?”
“Old Dan…” Mother Dan, unwilling to let the topic be diverted, was about to steer the conversation back to her concerns when Old Master Dan cut her off with a furious roar.
“Sh*t up! This room is for Xiao Nian. You can pick any other one.”
Something lost and then recovered is often the most cherished. At this moment, Old Master Dan had completely forgotten about the grievances of his wife and stepdaughter. Besides, it was just a matter of not letting them switch rooms—there were plenty of other rooms in the villa to choose from.
Before Bai Mo had even returned, he had already become the beloved treasure of the Dan family. Seeing the joyful expressions on everyone’s faces, Dan Xiaowen was livid. She didn’t want that missing younger brother to return at all. What was he coming back for? To steal attention from her?
Dan Sihe’s strained relationship with Old Master Dan had never concerned her. But this little young master, whom she had never met, was different. He hadn’t even set foot in the house yet, and he had already caused her and her mother to be scolded by Old Master Dan. Once he was truly back, where would that leave them?
Everyone in their social circle knew that Dan Sihe didn’t care for his stepmother and stepsister. The only reason people showed Dan Xiaowen any respect was because Old Master Dan valued her and her mother.
“Little brother is coming home? That’s wonderful! Mom and I can help prepare for his return. Is there anything else that needs to be arranged?” Dan Xiaowen had always maintained the image of a sweet and thoughtful daughter. She would never let even a hint of jealousy show in front of Old Master Dan.
Hearing her daughter’s words, Mother Dan quickly snapped out of her thoughts and put on the same flawless smile. “Yes, it’s wonderful that the child is finally coming home. I can’t imagine how much he’s suffered out there… I wonder if he’s even kept up with his studies.”
Her tone seemed full of concern, but her words carried a hidden jab—subtly implying that a child who had spent over a decade living at the bottom of society wouldn’t understand the ways of the wealthy and would only embarrass the family.
He Yuchi’s gaze darkened slightly, a trace of discomfort flickering in his heart, though his smile remained unchanged.
Old Master Dan was still immersed in his excitement and had not given Madam Dan’s words much thought. He immediately instructed his assistant to book the earliest flight back to the country—his youngest son was finally coming home.
After ending the video call, Madam Dan and her daughter were politely escorted out. Meanwhile, He Yuchi observed the room Dan Sihe had prepared for Mo Mo. He made a few adjustments based on Mo Mo’s preferences, which Dan Sihe carefully noted down before personally placing the orders.
It had been several months since the kidnapping case, and certain truths had been confirmed. There was a mole within the He family, and it was one of the long-time elders of the corporation. The revelation had infuriated He Yuchi’s father so much that his chronic illness had relapsed, forcing He Yuchi to take over the company. The CEO of a competing company, involved in illegal dealings, had been arrested by the police for charges of assault and human trafficking. With Bai Mo’s safety no longer a concern, the time had come for him to reclaim his rightful place in the Shan family.
The day after Old Master Dan returned to the country, Bai Mo arrived at the Dan residence, accompanied by the He family.
Old Master Dan was momentarily stunned when he saw Madam He at his doorstep. Ever since his remarriage, she had severed ties with the Dan family.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries among the elders, Bai Mo stood obediently in the center of the gathering. His delicate features and pure aura made him impossible to ignore.
His smile was warm, his crescent-shaped eyes crinkling slightly. His soft pink lips were gently pursed, and he neither looked around curiously nor displayed any hint of greed in his gaze. At first glance, he was clearly a well-mannered and virtuous child.
“Hello, Dad. Hello, Brother~”
His sweet, gentle voice was like a fresh spring, trickling softly into Old Master Dan’s heart, filling it with warmth and comfort.
“This must be Mo Mo… Mo Mo…”
Looking at Bai Mo—who bore a striking resemblance to his late wife—Old Master Dan’s eyes welled up with tears.
The marriage between Old Master Dan and Dan Sihe’s mother was a classic example of an older man marrying a young woman. There had been quite a significant age gap between them. By the time Bai Mo was born, Old Master Dan was already in his fifties. Now, he had aged even further, and standing next to Bai Mo, he looked less like a father and more like a grandfather.
“Let’s all go inside and sit down instead of standing in the doorway,” Old Master Dan said, inviting everyone in.
Seeing the elderly man’s slow and unsteady steps, Bai Mo instinctively stepped forward to support him. “Take it slow, Dad~”
His considerate gesture was far more touching than Dan Xiaowen’s mere words of concern.
“Good child, such a good child…” Old Master Dan murmured, his voice filled with emotion.
Madam Dan sat on the sofa, but even her heavy foundation could not conceal her haggard appearance.
Mother He gave her a slight nod without saying a word. Instead, it was Bai Mo who politely greeted her. “Hello, Madam Dan~”
“Xiao Mo, have a seat. Treat this place as your own home, no need to be so formal.”
A few days ago, Madam Dan’s lover got into trouble. She was extremely anxious, fearing that her assets might be investigated and, even worse, that her lover might expose her, letting Old Master Dan find out about the affair. She couldn’t eat or sleep well, yet she didn’t dare visit him. If he hadn’t been exposed yet, her visit might just lead to her own downfall…
Old Master Dan was displeased with her distracted demeanor. He didn’t want to embarrass her in front of so many people, so he simply cast her a glance. However, Madam Dan was too lost in her own thoughts to notice it.
To the He family, her attitude made it clear that she did not welcome Bai Mo’s return. Otherwise, why would she behave this way?
Mother He exchanged a glance with her husband, both feeling increasingly hesitant about letting Bai Mo stay in the Dan family.
“You must have heard about what happened to Mo Mo recently. To be honest, Mo Mo is Ning Ning’s savior and has a great bond with Yuchi. I was even thinking that once he gets his graduation certificate, I’d have them get married. You watched Yuchi grow up—you know what kind of person he is. What do you think…?”
This was Mother He’s way of preventing Bai Mo from being mistreated or bullied by Madam Dan—by marrying him to He Yuchi.
That way, not only would she keep Bai Mo safe, but she’d also bring a lovely daughter-in-law into her home. She truly adored Bai Mo. He was mischievous but not unruly, affectionate yet well-behaved, and even more lovable and considerate than her two sons and husband combined. Plus, he was the youngest son of her best friend. The more she looked at him, the more she liked him.
Old Master Dan had only just reunited with his youngest son—how could he bear to “give him away” so soon? Just as he was about to refuse, he caught sight of Bai Mo’s eyes gleaming with excitement.
When Bai Mo looked at He Yuchi, there was a shy yet expectant glimmer in his gaze. He tried to suppress a smile by pressing his lips together, but it was clear as day—he was smitten.
Old Master Dan felt a pang in his chest. Suddenly, He Yuchi didn’t seem so pleasing to the eye anymore. That little rascal—taking advantage of the situation to steal his son! Had he misjudged him all along?
At that moment, Old Master Dan’s thoughts aligned perfectly with Dan Sihe’s. There was no way they were going to let He Yuchi just whisk Bai Mo away so easily.
Old MasterDan coughed a few times, afraid that Bai Mo would agree to the marriage before he could intervene. With a smile, he said, “Your brother put a lot of effort into preparing a room for you, and there are gifts from everyone waiting for you inside. Mo Mo, why don’t you take Ning Ning upstairs to play?”
Then, he turned to Mother He and explained, “Kids are energetic, and they won’t sit still with us for long. Ning Ning hasn’t been here before either—he should take a look around and get familiar with the place.”
There was an underlying message in his words, and Mother He immediately understood—Old Master Dan wanted to send Bai Mo away so he could have a private conversation with them.
She waved a hand and instructed He Yuchi to go upstairs as well. “Keep an eye on Ning Ning.”
Then, facing Old Master Dan, she added, “Ning Ning is quite lively and especially loves being carried by Mo Mo. If Yuchi doesn’t watch over him, I’m afraid Mo Mo will get exhausted.”
Well then, she had a ready-made excuse, leaving Old Master Dan with no room to argue.
Bai Mo obediently carried Ning Ning upstairs. As soon as he pushed open the door, he was met with a room half-filled with gifts.
The young boy, who had never received so many presents before, let out an excited “Awooo!” and pounced toward the pile. Ning Ning, copying him, dove in as well. Luckily, the plush carpet cushioned their fall, so it didn’t hurt one bit.
“Brother Yuchi, scissors! Scissors! Find me a pair of scissors~” If he were in his snow mink form, Bai Mo could have torn through the gift wrapping effortlessly. But now, as a human without sharp claws, he had to rely on tools.
“Alright, I’ll get you some scissors.” He Yuchi chuckled indulgently before turning to go find a servant to fetch them.
Meanwhile, in the room next door, Dan Xiaowen stood before a mirror, her face dark with frustration. She forced a smile and carefully adjusted her expression before stepping out. As she exited her room, she snatched a tray of milk and pastries from a servant, then, with a sweet smile, knocked on Bai Mo’s door.
“Welcome home, little—”
Before she could finish saying home, her smile froze the moment she laid eyes on Bai Mo.