A Paranoid Alpha Childhood Friend is Acting Spoiled Again - Chapter 6

“Not right now.”

Bai Xiaozhu wagged her index finger in front of Nuo Fanxi. “Didn’t Xixi baby promise Godmother that she wouldn’t interfere with Momo’s studies, hmm? A child who doesn’t keep her word isn’t a good child.”

Nuo Fanxi was, after all, only five years old, and her playful nature still dominated. Her main reason for coming over was to play with Tang Mo. Having Bai Xiaozhu call out her intentions to her face made her feel a tiny bit guilty.

However, Nuo Fanxi knew exactly how to handle Bai Xiaozhu. She knew how to capture her Godmother’s heart and get what she wanted without causing any displeasure.

“Godmother Xiaozhu, I haven’t even said why I’m going up to see Momo yet. Why do you assume I’m going to disturb her?” Nuo Fanxi had a sudden spark of inspiration. “Can’t I go up and study with Momo?”

Although Nuo Fanxi didn’t understand what use adults had for all that boring knowledge—and piano music sounded much worse than nursery rhymes, even making her sleepy—she respected her Godmother’s wishes. If she wanted Tang Mo to learn, there had to be a reason.

Nuo Fanxi just wanted to be near Tang Mo to cheer her on; that way, Tang Mo wouldn’t find studying so “bitter.”

“You want to go up and study with her?” Bai Xiaozhu stared into the girl’s big, watery eyes as if interrogating her. “Xixi baby should know that Godmother doesn’t like children who lie. If you lie to me, you’ll be a ‘bad child’ in my eyes forever.”

Bai Xiaozhu had watched Nuo Fanxi grow up. She knew the child was brilliant and rarely required parental worry. She was tactful when making requests and knew exactly how to pull at an adult’s heartstrings.

She was also incredibly considerate. If she encountered something that couldn’t be compromised or if her request wasn’t met, she wouldn’t make things difficult for the adults; she would simply be unhappy for a brief moment and then immediately start thinking of another way.

Nuo Fanxi’s brilliance wasn’t just in social interaction, but in learning as well. She was highly gifted; she could remember anything a teacher taught after hearing it just once. Even without reviewing, she could answer correctly the next time the teacher asked.

However, because she was so young, she couldn’t sit still for long—especially when it came to things she didn’t like. She would lose focus or even start dozing off halfway through. Bai Xiaozhu knew this all too well.

“Godmother, I’m really not going up to disturb her. I want to learn with her. Is that not allowed?” Nuo Fanxi nuzzled her face against Bai Xiaozhu’s again, acting spoiled. “Teacher Li said that when children are together, they study more seriously. If I study with Momo, she’ll definitely study harder!”

There was actually some logic to that.

Children are often afraid to face a teacher alone. To a child, a teacher is a figure second only to a parent, sometimes even stricter, constantly criticizing and nitpicking. This often leads to a rebellious phase.

Bai Xiaozhu suddenly wondered: Is Tang Mo’s slow progress caused by fear? Or is it because she has no companion, making her lose interest in these subjects? Without interest, one naturally learns slowly.

Bai Xiaozhu thought for a moment. “Xixi baby truly wants to study with Momo? Not just to play?”

Nuo Fanxi nodded her little head frantically, even patting her chest in a promise. “Of course! Godmother wants Momo to learn, so there must be a good reason. I just think Momo is too lonely studying by herself. She doesn’t like it, but if I’m with her, she’ll definitely be happy while she learns!”

Bai Xiaozhu hesitated, then set Nuo Fanxi down and stood up, holding her small hand. “Alright, since Xixi baby put it that way, Godmother has no reason to refuse. But you must promise me: you are going up there to help her study, not to play. Can you do that?”

Nuo Fanxi nodded vigorously, then paused and held out her right pinky finger.

Bai Xiaozhu was a bit confused, not quite following the child’s train of thought.

Then she heard Nuo Fanxi say, “If Godmother is worried, let’s make a pinky promise. The teachers say that if you make a pinky promise, you have to keep it. Anyone who breaks it has to turn into a little dog!”

Bai Xiaozhu burst out laughing. She didn’t remember being like this when she was a kid. She knew you couldn’t take a child’s words too seriously, but she was impressed by how sophisticated Nuo Fanxi was for her age.

“Godmother, let’s pinky promise!”

“Sweetie, there’s no need. Godmother trusts you.”

Nuo Fanxi shook her little head. “No, no! Promises without a pinky hook are easy to take back. They don’t count. Godmother, let’s do it!”

Unable to argue, Bai Xiaozhu slowly knelt down and extended her own pinky. “Alright. Let’s pinky promise. Whoever breaks it is a little dog.”

“Mhm!”

Because Bai Xiaozhu had promised that Nuo Fanxi was coming over, Tang Mo had been exceptionally focused during her piano lesson today. Although she still made many mistakes with the new material the tutor was teaching, her progress was massive compared to before. It took the tutor by surprise.

The tutor couldn’t help but wonder: Is the Eldest Miss usually doing this on purpose? Looking at today’s performance, she clearly can learn very well. Why did she always struggle to remember the notes before?

But the tutor naturally couldn’t ask that out loud. If the employer heard it, they might think she was malicious for thinking so poorly of her student, and she might lose her job. In a circle of elite families like this, once your reputation is damaged, it’s impossible to find work.

“Eldest Miss, you were wonderful today! Let’s take a break and continue in a bit.”

Normally, Tang Mo would just give a listless “Okay,” hop down from her chair, and stare blankly out the window until the next session began. But today, Tang Mo was smiling brilliantly. Besides saying “Okay,” she even told the tutor, “Thank you for your hard work.”

Seeing Tang Mo in such a good mood, the tutor couldn’t help but ask, “Did something happy happen today, Eldest Miss?”

Children can never hide what’s on their minds. Tang Mo replied with a smile, “Teacher Xiao Zhao, let me tell you—Xixi is coming to stay with me today. I won’t have to be alone anymore!”

“Xixi?” the tutor asked. “Is that your best friend?”

Tang Mo nodded. “Yes! Xixi is the best to me. We are ‘Number One’ best friends!”

To be able to play with a child from such a prestigious family, the other child’s background likely wasn’t lacking. The tutor was just surprised that Madame Bai would allow another child over during study time. This suggested that this “Xixi” was someone very special.

At the very least, the parents of this child had an extraordinary relationship with her employer.

Just then, the sound of the door opening came from outside the music room.

Tang Mo was the first to run to the door. Standing there was Bai Xiaozhu and a little girl. The tutor followed, first greeting Madame Bai, then looking at the girl Bai Xiaozhu was holding by the hand. She confirmed this must be the “Xixi” Tang Mo had mentioned.

The girl was adorable. Dressed in denim, she looked very cool—just like one of those “genius babies” in movies. Her eyes were exceptionally large and watery, blinking like transparent glass marbles. She was instantly likable.

“Momo, I’ve come to find you!”

Tang Mo, mindful of Bai Xiaozhu’s presence, didn’t dare act too wildly. She just reached out her small hand, slowly took Nuo Fanxi’s, and led her inside.

Although the tutor was curious about the girl’s identity, she knew that in a house like this, prying was the ultimate taboo. She quickly tucked her curiosity away and spoke to Bai Xiaozhu about Tang Mo’s progress.

“Madame Bai.”

“How is it? Did Momo do alright today?”

Facing Bai Xiaozhu—who was an expert herself—the tutor didn’t dare be perfunctory. She reported honestly, “The Eldest Miss performed exceptionally well today. She completed all the assignments from last week, and she did them perfectly.”

Bai Xiaozhu recalled checking Tang Mo’s progress over the last few days; it had been painful to listen to. The notes were off and she kept forgetting the score. Bai Xiaozhu had lost her temper several times while listening, eventually resorting to harsh criticism.

How did she finish the whole piece perfectly in just a few days?

Bai Xiaozhu suspected the tutor was simply trying to please her, fearing that if she couldn’t teach the child, she would look bad. “Teacher Zhao, please just tell me the actual situation. No need for fluff.”

The tutor quickly explained, “No, no, Madame Bai, I’m telling the truth! The Eldest Miss really did perform well today. She didn’t miss a note or forget the score. The whole piece was very smooth. Though she’s not perfectly fluent yet, that’s not a big problem—a few more practice sessions will fix it.”

Bai Xiaozhu glanced inside the room, her face clouded with confusion. “I checked her just a few days ago when I was home, so how could today…”

“I was surprised too, but now I know why.”

“What’s the reason?”

The tutor stepped aside and smiled. “I asked the Eldest Miss during the break. She’s in a great mood because her very best friend was coming to accompany her. I think it’s not that the Eldest Miss can’t learn, but that it’s linked to her emotions.”