A Paranoid Alpha Childhood Friend is Acting Spoiled Again - Chapter 5

“Hello, Uncle Chen? Is something the matter?”

Unable to resist the child’s pleading, the butler had lent his phone to Nuo Fanxi and even helped her dial Bai Xiaozhu’s number. “Madame, it’s Xixi. She wants to speak with you.”

Nuo Fanxi took the phone and greeted the other end enthusiastically. “Godmother Xiaozhu! It’s me, Xixi!”

Nuo Fanxi often called to give her regards regardless of whether she had a specific reason, so Bai Xiaozhu was used to it. Far from being annoyed, she responded gently, “Oh, it’s Xixi. What’s wrong? Did someone at school bully our Xixi?”

Bai Xiaozhu had learned long ago from Tao Wanqing that it was much easier to believe Nuo Fanxi hadn’t been complained about by a teacher that day than to believe someone had actually bullied her. Nuo Fanxi was likely the only child in the entire kindergarten with that kind of reputation.

“Not at all!” Nuo Fanxi said proudly. “They couldn’t bully me if they tried!”

While Bai Xiaozhu generally hoped for children to be more obedient and learn to use their heads—approaching problems with logic rather than brute force—based on what Tao Wanqing had told her yesterday, sometimes brute force wasn’t so bad. At the very least, it guaranteed one wouldn’t be picked on.

“Our Xixi really is the best.”

Bai Xiaozhu was reviewing documents in her office when her assistant walked in. Seeing it wasn’t urgent, she signaled for the assistant to wait. “So, Xixi baby, why is my goddaughter looking for me?”

Nuo Fanxi glanced at Tang Mo, who was clutching her hem and looking a bit nervous. “It’s like this, Godmother: Daddy and Mommy are probably away again this weekend. So, I want to go find Momo. Is that okay? Don’t worry, Godmother, I absolutely won’t disturb her classes! Please?”

This put Bai Xiaozhu in a difficult position. At this age, children are in their most playful stage. If Nuo Fanxi came over, she would inevitably draw Tang Mo’s attention away from her studies. Since the two had been playmates since birth, Tang Mo wouldn’t be able to control her desire to play. Bai Xiaozhu didn’t mind how they played at school—there were teachers to watch them there—but home was different.

At home, without parents watching, a child’s mind wouldn’t stay on their books for a second. Furthermore, while she was Nuo Fanxi’s godmother and could offer some verbal guidance, she wasn’t the girl’s biological mother. She didn’t want to be too strict, as that could easily affect her relationship with Tao Wanqing.

“Xixi baby, you know Momo has to learn other things on the weekends. If you come over, it will distract her. Do you understand what I mean?”

Nuo Fanxi had always been smarter than the average child. She understood exactly what Bai Xiaozhu meant even before she said it. Since starting kindergarten, Bai Xiaozhu rarely allowed her to visit on weekends. A normal child might not think much of it the first few times, but after a while, anyone would notice a pattern.

However, Nuo Fanxi didn’t blame Bai Xiaozhu. She knew it was for Tang Mo’s own good, even if she still didn’t understand why a five-year-old was forced to learn so much boring “adult knowledge.”

“I understand, Godmother. But I promise I won’t disturb her. Is it okay then?” Nuo Fanxi began to act spoiled, her voice turning soft and sweet. “Godmother Xiaozhu, please let me go see Momo! I’ll be very good, I definitely won’t get in the way of her learning!”

Bai Xiaozhu felt quite helpless. There is a massive gap between a young child and an older one, especially regarding self-control; there were no guarantees.

But Nuo Fanxi kept acting spoiled, her voice so soft and adorable it felt like one’s heart was melting. It was very hard to say no.

“Alright, I agree. You can come see Momo this weekend.” Bai Xiaozhu’s tone turned serious. “But you have to promise me: if you come over, you cannot disturb her while she’s with her teachers. If the teachers tell me you’re distracting her, you won’t be allowed to come back on weekends. Understand?”

Nuo Fanxi was so happy she practically jumped out of her seat. “Don’t worry, Godmother! I promise! I won’t disturb her at all! I’ll be super good!”

“Fine. Let Uncle Chen take you home first. Listen to Auntie Li when you get back, and call me if you need anything.”

“I will! I’ll take good care of myself. You go back to work, Godmother. See you this weekend!”

Hanging up, Nuo Fanxi put her hands on her hips and grinned at Tang Mo. “Momo, I told you! If I act spoiled with Godmother, she’ll definitely agree. See? I didn’t lie!”

Tang Mo gave a heavy nod. “Xixi is the best!”

Soon, the weekend arrived.

Because she was going to see Tang Mo, Nuo Fanxi was incredibly excited and woke up earlier than usual. She had set her alarm for 7:30 AM and got up to wash her face and brush her teeth without being told. She asked the nanny, Auntie Li, to heat up some milk and bread.

Auntie Li had been with Nuo Fanxi since she was born. Now in her fifth year, she knew the child was clever and didn’t require much fussing over. After heating the breakfast, she prepared to change clothes to go out and buy groceries for lunch.

But since she was going to Tang Mo’s house, Nuo Fanxi knew Bai Xiaozhu would have the chefs prepare a feast. As Auntie Li was about to head out, Nuo Fanxi stopped her and told her not to buy groceries—they would eat at Tang Mo’s.

Auntie Li was surprised. Because of Nuo Fanxi, she had been to the Tang residence dozens of times. She knew the Tangs were a truly prestigious family, and the Eldest Miss, Tang Mo, was the pearl of their eye. However, being the daughter of such a family wasn’t easy. Tang Mo had to master much more than ordinary children. Her weekends were almost entirely booked; at such a young age, she was either studying or on her way to study.

Usually, Nuo Fanxi stayed home on weekends, only allowed to chat with the Eldest Miss over the phone if she got bored. The fact that she was allowed over as a guest today was genuinely unexpected.

“Xixi, let me ask—doesn’t the Eldest Miss have classes today? Isn’t she usually with her teachers on weekends?”

Nuo Fanxi was packing her things—snacks, toys, and drinks. She wanted to share everything with Momo and unhesitatingly stuffed them into the new backpack Tao Wanqing had bought her. Hearing the question, she looked up. “Momo has classes! Normally Godmother wouldn’t let me go because she’s afraid I’ll distract her. But I called her and promised I’d be perfectly quiet, so she said yes!”

So that’s how it is, Auntie Li thought. After working for the family for five years, she knew they were very close to the wealthy Tangs, but she still worried about the child being impulsive. If anything went wrong, it would be her responsibility. Hearing Nuo Fanxi’s explanation put her at ease.

“Alright then, Xixi. Let’s go.”

When Nuo Fanxi and Auntie Li arrived, Tang Mo was in the second-floor music room practicing piano. Bai Xiaozhu had no business at the office today, so she had come home to supervise Tang Mo’s progress.

However, as far as Nuo Fanxi knew, it wasn’t that her Godmother had “nothing to do” at the office. Back when she was first allowed to play here, she remembered her Godmother was always on the phone discussing things children couldn’t understand. Sometimes she’d spend half the day on the phone and have to rush back to the company before even finishing lunch.

Now, the only reason she stayed home on weekends was to supervise Tang Mo.

“Godmother Xiaozhu, I’m here!”

As soon as she entered the living room, Nuo Fanxi saw Bai Xiaozhu sitting on the sofa. She immediately ran over and gave her a big hug. “Godmother, I missed you so much!”

Nuo Fanxi then gave her a big kiss on the cheek.

Adults always adore children like this—sweet-talkers who know how to charm people. Bai Xiaozhu’s heart melted instantly. She gave Nuo Fanxi a big kiss back on her little cheek and nuzzled against her before finally letting her go.

“I missed you too.”

“Really?” Nuo Fanxi tilted her head. “But you haven’t come to see me in such a long time.”

Bai Xiaozhu flicked her nose playfully and laughed. “I’ve been busy lately and really haven’t had time to visit my Xixi baby. That’s my fault. I apologize.”

Nuo Fanxi shook her head.

This confused Bai Xiaozhu. “What does the head shake mean, sweetie?”

Nuo Fanxi said seriously, “You don’t need to apologize. It’s not your fault. You and Uncle Tang are just like my Daddy and Mommy—you have to earn money to take care of us. It’s normal to not have time. You aren’t staying away on purpose, so it’s not your fault. No apology needed.”

Bai Xiaozhu was unexpectedly moved. She patted Nuo Fanxi’s head and pulled her onto her lap. “Xixi really is the most precious girl. Come, tell me what you want to eat today, and I’ll have someone get it for you.”

Nuo Fanxi thought for a moment and then said, “Godmother… can I go see Momo first?”