Chapter 108: A Gift for You

Chapter 108 -107: A Gift for You

Xiao Bao was thrilled. He eagerly pulled his hand free from Xu Xiaoka’s grasp and ran over to greet his good friend, Datou.

“Xiao Bao? It really is you!” Datou was just as happy to see him.

Datou was about to run over and hug Xiao Bao, but a woman suddenly grabbed him. The woman had a mean, harsh face. It was Datou’s mother, Cheng Jingjing.

Xiao Bao politely greeted her. “Hello, Aunt Cai.”

Cheng Jingjing yanked her son, Old Cai, back and shot Xiao Bao a look of utter disgust. She then scolded him, “Datou, stop playing with shady kids! You know his parents are divorced, right? How much of an upbringing could a child from a broken home possibly have? Let’s go, let’s go. Don’t play with kids like him ever again!”

Chen Xiaobao froze in place, the smile on his little face slowly vanishing.

Datou glanced back at Xiao Bao but was forcefully dragged away by his mother.

Witnessing this, Xu Xiaoka was furious. She was just about to step forward and lead Xiao Bao away when a stunningly handsome man in a silver uniform walked over with a warm smile.

He stopped in front of Xiao Bao, slowly crouched down, and asked gently, “What’s your name, little one?”

“Xiao Bao,” he replied, lifting a small hand to wipe his reddened eyes. He was trying his hardest to hold back his tears.

Seeing this, Beiming Qianye felt a gentle prick at the softest part of his heart. He scooped Xiao Bao up into his arms and murmured, “Xiao Bao… that really is a wonderful name.”

The silver uniform draped over the man like a radiant halo, giving him a divine and majestic aura.

Cheng Jingjing, still dragging Old Cai, froze in her tracks. She stared fixedly at the handsome man in the silver uniform. She felt as though she had seen him somewhere before.

Why did this man look so familiar? Cheng Jingjing thought hard and finally remembered—she had indeed seen him, but not in real life. On television!

Before the apocalypse, he was that awe-inspiring man! That natural, commanding presence alone convinced Cheng Jingjing that the man currently holding Chen Xiaobao was no ordinary person. She was utterly shocked, never having dared to imagine that this man would be standing right in front of her.

At this moment, the man was holding Chen Xiaobao, gently asking about his life at the base and whether he had encountered any difficulties. Recalling the recent news that the top management of the nation’s ten major bases would be inspecting Han City, Cheng Jingjing suddenly realized that Beiming Qianye had arrived at the Han City Base early for an undercover visit.

She was instantly filled with intense regret. Beiming Qianye must have heard exactly what she just said to her son; she had undoubtedly left a terrible impression on him.

Panicking, Cheng Jingjing quickly pulled her son, Datou, back over. “Datou, apologize to Xiao Bao right now! You were incredibly rude to him just now! You should be united with your classmates. How could you say such things to him?”

Cheng Jingjing knew very well that Chen Xiaobao was different now. He was no longer just a fatherless child; he was a child being held by General Beiming—an unimaginable honor!

Datou looked at her in pure confusion. “But you were the one who said Xiao Bao didn’t have a dad and told me not to play with him! You should be the one apologizing!”

Cheng Jingjing was speechless. All she could do was glare fiercely at her son. This useless brat had sold her out so quickly.

Trembling, Cheng Jingjing forced herself to speak. “Xiao Bao, Auntie was wrong just now. I shouldn’t have said those things to you. You’re a good boy, you’re obedient, and you study so hard…”

Xiao Bao rubbed his red eyes and shook his head, replying with understanding, “It’s okay, Aunt Cai. Xiao Bao won’t take it to heart.”

Beiming Qianye’s heart melted once more. What a good child. At such a young age, he already knew how to swallow his grievances alone.

Cheng Jingjing heaved a massive sigh of relief. The sheer pressure of Beiming Qianye’s aura was too overwhelming, so she quickly grabbed Old Cai and scurried away.

Seeing Xiao Bao’s reddened eyes, Beiming Qianye couldn’t help but feel a pang of heartache. Such a small child had to bear things he shouldn’t have to at his age.

“How about I give you a gift?” Beiming Qianye asked Xiao Bao with a warm smile.

Xiao Bao’s mood instantly lifted, and he looked at Beiming Qianye with wide-eyed curiosity.

Beiming Qianye opened his hand, and a beautiful Lark fluttered down to rest on his palm.

Xiao Bao’s eyes lit up immediately. “A birdie! Mister, it’s such a pretty birdie!”

Xiao Bao beamed with joy. His curiosity was entirely captured by the Lark, and all his previous sadness was instantly forgotten. Seeing his bright smile, Beiming Qianye couldn’t stop the corners of his own lips from curling up.

“This is my pet bird. Its name is Xiao Jiu. I’m giving it to you, okay?” Beiming Qianye asked with deep affection.

Overjoyed, Xiao Bao couldn’t help himself. He leaned in and—SMACK—planted a sweet kiss right on Beiming Qianye’s cheek.

“Thank you, Mister!”

Beiming Qianye was pleasantly surprised; it was the first time a child had ever kissed his cheek. He gently took Xiao Bao’s hand and murmured, “Xiao Jiu, this is your new master.”

As if it could understand Beiming Qianye’s words, Xiao Jiu tilted its head to curiously inspect Xiao Bao for a moment before hopping happily onto the boy’s palm. Xiao Bao carefully cupped his small hands, too afraid to move an inch lest he startle the little bird.

“Go on,” Beiming Qianye said, bending down to set Xiao Bao back on his feet.

Holding Xiao Jiu, Xiao Bao looked up with his adorable little face and beamed. “Thank you, Mister!”

With that, he carried Xiao Jiu and padded over to Xu Xiaoka, taking her hand. “Sister Xiao Ka, let’s go!”

As they walked, he couldn’t stop showing off to her. “The nice mister gave me a bird! A super pretty birdie!”

Xu Xiaoka didn’t watch the news much, so naturally, she didn’t recognize Beiming Qianye. However, she felt deeply grateful to him for soothing Xiao Bao’s wounded heart. Cheng Jingjing’s harsh words had caused the little boy far too much pain. If Beiming Qianye hadn’t shown up in time, the incident would have definitely left a dark shadow over Xiao Bao’s young mind.

“Chief.”

Shen Zhongchen’s voice came from behind. He had just finished handling the relevant procedures and was holding two dark blue base uniforms along with two all-in-one smart cards.

Shen Zhongchen had been standing quietly in the distance, watching Beiming Qianye hold Chen Xiaobao. The scene had deeply moved him. Even though the Chief was as fearsome and awe-inspiring as a lion, he still had such a tender side when faced with a child.