A Paranoid Alpha Childhood Friend is Acting Spoiled Again - Chapter 16

Nuo Fanxi’s fever had mostly subsided, so going home was no longer an issue. The butler consulted the attending doctor, who prescribed some fever-reducing medicine in case it returned during the night. Then, he left the hospital with both Nuo Fanxi and Tang Mo.

However, since Nuo Fanxi wasn’t fully recovered, she couldn’t return to school. Considering her parents weren’t home and the nanny, Auntie Li, had taken a half-day off for a family matter, the butler decided—for safety reasons—to bring Nuo Fanxi to the Tang residence after dropping Tang Mo off at school.

“Uncle Chen, I’m sorry for causing you so much trouble.”

The butler replied, “It’s no trouble at all. This was the Madam’s and the Young Lady’s wish.”

Nuo Fanxi had been taught by Tao Wanqing from a young age never to be a burden to others. She knew the butler was only looking after her on her Godmother Xiaozhu’s orders and for Tang Mo’s sake. Still, she felt uneasy. “Even so, Uncle Chen is very good to me. I still feel like a bother.”

To understand social graces at such a young age… no wonder the Madam likes her so much, the butler thought. With a personality like this, it’s hard not to like her.

He gave her a small smile. “It was no trouble for me. The person who truly stayed by your side at the hospital was the Young Lady. She insisted I take her there right after school because she was worried you’d be scared if you woke up without a familiar face. She didn’t rest at all during noon.”

“Really?!”

“Has Uncle Chen ever lied to you?”

Nuo Fanxi grinned so wide her face seemed to split, but because she was still sick, she soon deflated like a punctured ball, looking wilted again.

Seeing her like this, the butler realized the fever was likely lingering. He stopped talking and stepped on the gas to get back to the Tang villa as quickly as possible.

In a daze, Nuo Fanxi fell asleep again. Her body felt hot and miserable. At some point, she felt someone wiping her face with a cool, wet towel. Because of the fever, her eyelids felt like they were glued shut, so she could only drift back to sleep.

It wasn’t until after 9:00 PM that the heat finally left her body. Her consciousness slowly returned to her little head. She opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling, finding the environment familiar. She had seen it somewhere before.

A second later, Tang Mo’s small head suddenly appeared in her field of vision, blinking down at her.

Nuo Fanxi froze for a few seconds before propping herself up and bolting upright in bed.

“AH—!”

“Xixi? It’s just me! What’s wrong?”

“…”

Only after confirming the person in front of her was indeed Tang Mo did Nuo Fanxi finally relax. “You-you-you… don’t suddenly shove your face in front of me next time! It’s terrifying!”

Tang Mo immediately realized why Nuo Fanxi had reacted so violently and burst out laughing. “So even Xixi can get scared! Silly Xixi is a scaredy-cat!”

Pouting instantly, Nuo Fanxi defended herself. “I-I am not a scaredy-cat! Momo, anyone would be scared if a head suddenly popped out like that!”

“But the one who got scared was Xixi, not Momo. So silly Xixi is the scaredy-cat, and Momo isn’t. Cute Momo is the bravest person in the world!”

“…I. Dis. Agree!”

“Xixi, you’re being a sore loser!”

“No, I’m not.”

Nuo Fanxi crawled back from the corner of the bed and sat in front of Tang Mo. She looked around and asked, “Did Uncle Chen bring me back here?”

Tang Mo nodded. “Uncle Chen said Auntie Li was away today, so there would be no one to look after you if you went home. Since you’re still sick, Mommy didn’t feel right leaving you alone, so she had Uncle Chen bring you to my house.”

Nuo Fanxi actually quite liked staying at Tang Mo’s house. They could study and play together, and chat before bed. It was much better than being alone at home with Auntie Li, who couldn’t play with her.

But she couldn’t live here every day. It would be a bother to her Godmother and everyone else.

“Is school over? Momo, why are you here now?”

“To take care of you!” Tang Mo held up her arm with her electronic watch. “It’s past 9:00 PM. Dinner time is over. Xixi, you really slept for a long time. You didn’t even notice when Mommy changed your clothes for you.”

So it was Godmother Xiaozhu who wiped my sweat, Nuo Fanxi thought. No wonder it felt so gentle.

Nuo Fanxi asked, “Then, did you guys eat? Where’s Godmother? Did she eat well?”

Tang Mo had been squatting on the floor, but hearing this, she stood up. “Of course we ate! Xixi, are you hungry? I’ll have the aunties make you something delicious right now!”

A sick person’s appetite is never great. Nuo Fanxi’s stomach was indeed growling, but her mouth and mind told her she didn’t want to eat. “I… I don’t really want to.”

Gurgle—

“See? Your stomach says you’re hungry. Wait for me in the room, I’m going down to tell the auntie to cook you some delicious porridge!”

Nuo Fanxi had slept all day and wasn’t tired at all. She couldn’t stay still in the room, so as soon as Tang Mo left, she climbed out of bed, put on her shoes, and followed her.

As she went downstairs, she heard voices coming from below. She hid by the railing to peek.

A stranger was in the living room. Only Uncle Chen, the butler, was receiving him. Nuo Fanxi didn’t see her Godmother or Uncle Tang, and the other domestic staff had retired for the night. Only the butler and the guest remained.

After observing for a long time, Nuo Fanxi realized the guest looked familiar. She had seen him somewhere.

After a quick mental search, she remembered: it was Fang Xiaoyu’s father, Fang Zhenghai.

Fang Zhenghai owned a small company specializing in the tobacco business. Nuo Fanxi had seen him once while waiting for Uncle Chen at the school gates. He had been smoking a cigarette, looking very relaxed with his eyes closed as the white smoke curled up. Because he looked quite fierce—the kind of face children instinctively dislike—she had a strong impression of him.

The butler stood while pouring him a cup of tea. Fang Zhenghai looked incredibly restless, repeatedly saying “thank you.” Originally, Teacher Zhu had told him over the phone that a girl named “Nuo” had provoked his daughter. He had thought, Who doesn’t know Fang Xiaoyu is my daughter? How dare anyone touch her? He had threatened the Principal on the spot to have the girl expelled. He never imagined that the girl would be connected to the Tang family.

Now he had truly kicked a steel plate. Everyone knew the Tang family’s status in City B—the head of the four great families. They could crush him like an ant in a matter of minutes.

“Strictly speaking, I shouldn’t be the one talking to Mr. Fang,” the butler began.

Fang Zhenghai panicked. “No, no, no! Not at all! You’re being too modest, Mr. Butler!”

Ignoring the flattery, the butler continued, “I have fully clarified the details with Teacher Zhu. First, per my Madam’s wishes, I would like to apologize to Mr. Fang on behalf of Xixi. It was indeed wrong of Xixi to push your daughter first. Perhaps because she spends so much time with our Young Lady, her personality has become a bit… spirited.”

Could that Nuo girl be a secret Tang child? Fang Zhenghai wondered. No, if that were the case, the circle would be buzzing with rumors. I would have heard something.

Or… is she a study companion for the Tang heiress? That seemed more likely.

“No, no, no! Miss Xixi was not in the wrong! It was Xiaoyu’s fault. I’ve spoiled that child; she’s often arrogant. When I get back, I will definitely discipline her! I’ll bring her here personally to apologize to Miss Xixi!”

“That won’t be necessary.”

“Ah?” Fang Zhenghai stuttered. “No, no, it’s a must! Tomorrow, as soon as my brat finishes class, I’ll bring her to apologize. Actually, no need to wait for class to end—I’ll bring her tomorrow morning to apologize to Madam Bai, and when Miss Xixi returns from school, I’ll have Xiaoyu apologize in front of Madam Bai. How does that sound?”

The butler smiled. “My Madam says there’s no need to trouble yourself. However, the reason we asked you here tonight is because my Madam has a message she wants me to convey.”

Fang Zhenghai’s heart skipped a beat. “Madam Bai… she…”

“My Madam says that it’s normal for children to bicker and play around. Who is right and who is wrong should be judged by the teachers. If it were truly Xixi’s fault, knowing that child, she would sincerely apologize. However,” the butler’s voice grew cold, “if adults interfere in a small childhood spat and start using their influence to bully others, then this is no longer just a children’s matter.”

The butler continued, word for word: “Mr. Fang is a businessman; you should know that there is always a taller mountain. City B is never short of powerful and wealthy people.”

Fang Zhenghai’s face turned pale. He tried to explain, but the butler cut him off. “Therefore, my Madam says that since Mr. Fang is so wealthy, surely you wouldn’t care much for those contracts you signed recently.”

“No, no! Mr. Butler, I’ll have my daughter come apologize to Miss Xixi right now! I’ll call right now!”

The butler raised a hand to stop him. “Xixi was lucky this time to only have a fever. If anything else had happened, I’m afraid Mr. Fang would have lost much more than just a few contracts. I trust you understand what I mean?”