When Xiao Luo saw Su Xiaobei, the little girl was already sleeping in bed. She had shallow breathing, and there were tears near the corners of her eyes that had not yet dried. Her eyes were shut, and she was quiet, her long lashes casting gentle shadows like little fans.
“Xiaobei…”
Xiao Luo sat at the edge of the bed and reached a hand out to gently stroke her face with the back of his hand.
Maybe she saw him in his sleep, or maybe she could feel that he was near her, but the little girl muttered a quiet “daddy” under her breath.
Xiao Luo’s heart almost melted upon hearing her call him “daddy.” When it came to Su Xiaobei, Xiao Luo had an instinct to care for and protect the child. The moment he met her, he was overcome with an indescribable feeling. It was as if he had already known her for a long time as if she was his own family.
“Don’t worry, Mr. Xiao Luo. Xiaobei’s doing just fine here. My grandfather and my father are both doting a lot on her. She’s my daughter, so I love her a lot as her father. I’ll make sure she never suffers in any way,” Bai Yuquan immediately voiced out when he saw the concern and love in Xiao Luo’s eyes. This was a great opportunity to get closer to Xiao Luo.
Xiao Luo did not respond. He circled the room once and found the decorations to be decent. The color scheme leaned toward pink, and it was very cozy—it was obvious that thought had been put into this. He was not like Su Li who desperately wanted Su Xiaobei back. After all, he and Su Li were not Su Xiaobei’s biological parents.
Besides, the Bais were genuinely fond of Su Xiaobei. With the Bais looking after her, Su Xiaobei’s future would be a glimmering one, since they would definitely pave her way for her. If the court decided to grant her custody to the Bais, it might not necessarily be a bad thing either.
“Why did you abandon her back then?” Xiao Luo asked.
Bai Yuquan smiled ruefully. “I won’t lie to you, Xiao Luo. Su Li’s sister, Su Jing, was swayed by her mother and she slipped something into my tea, and I only got into bed with Su Jing under the influence of drugs. After that happened, I thought that I might as well take responsibility for her since what had happened had already happened.
“But after my grandfather found out about this, he was extremely against my taking responsibility for this woman, and I had no choice but to leave. I only learned that Su Jing was pregnant with my child after that when she forced me to return on the threat of death. I thought she was just spewing these things so I would return, but she actually did try to slit her wrists.”
“I can’t believe you had such a dark past. Amazing. You’re really something!” Xiao Luo huffed.
He thought about him and Su Li. Was theirs not also an unplanned marriage of her mother’s machinations? Those were almost identical situations, and yet such different consequences had arisen from both cases.
“I honestly regret it quite a bit. Although Su Jing had resorted to underhanded means, I do have to admit that I have feelings for her,” Bai Yuquan confessed with a frown.
“Hindsight is 20/20, after all, but you can save it. I can’t stand people like you,” Xiao Luo stated tepidly.
Bai Yuquan laughed, embarrassed. He said with a helpless shake of his head, “I can’t stand people like me either. I can’t believe I’m one of these people now. How embarrassing.”
“That’s enough. I don’t want to grow too close to any one of you Bais. I’ll always have my guard up when it comes to your family,” Xiao Luo interrupted, raising his hand.
How could he not have caught up to the fact that Bai Yuquan was trying to become closer to him? Bai Yuquan wanted to get closer to him for no reason other than his powers. The man was able to set aside his grudge with his brother-in-law, Zhuo Yuze, and enjoy a pleasant chat with Xiao Luo. He would have been a prominent figure. Even in a time like today, the man would be able to make a name for himself if he had enough time.
“You really don’t have to be like this, Xiao Luo. Zhuo Yuze’s death is entirely his own fault. He’s insignificant in this family, and if he’s dead, then so be it. My sister can just remarry if it really comes to that,” Bai Yuquan said.
Xiao Luo did not react to this with anything more than a snort.
“I believe the court session tomorrow will be a fair and just environment. Regardless of what the final verdict is, I will accept it wholeheartedly. Of course, if the custody of Xiaobei goes to our family, then I sincerely hope that you’ll be able to drop by frequently. The Bai family’s doors will always be open to you, Xiao Luo,” Bai Yuquan offered sincerely.
Xiao Luo patted the man on his shoulders and said with a mild smile, “We’re not on such good terms, Bai Yuquan, so you don’t have to be so hospitable to me. Warm welcomes and cold shoulders, right? Mine might not be a cold shoulder, but yours is definitely a warm welcome.”
Bai Yuquan frowned but then very quickly became at ease. He spoke with a slight smile on his face, “I’m opening my heart to you, trying to befriend you. Come on, give me a chance.”
“Enough. There’s no need for us to continue this conversation.”
Bai Yuquan was really good at befriending people. Xiao Luo did not want to keep up with the conversation any further, lest he actually befriended the man for real.
…
…
The next day, Su Li and the Bais met in court for the issue of Su Xiaobei’s custody. Of course, this was not a public hearing, so not a single person aside from the immediate family from both sides were allowed to step foot in the court.
The court, resplendent and charged with dignity and authority, was silent beyond compare. One could hear the sound of a pin hitting the floor.
Xiao Luo, Su Li, Shen Qingyan, and the female lawyer Ning Wanxiu were on one side. Bai Yuquan, Bai Xuenan, Bai Ying, and Bai Guoxiong were on the other. It was clear who was on each camp.
“Are you confident you can win this case?” Xiao Luo asked Su Li, concerned.
Su Li nodded lightly. “Yeah.”
“All right, then. All the best. I don’t know what trump card the other side has, but you’re my wife so I trust you.” Xiao Luo reached out a hand and tapped her nose.
Su Li blushed. She felt put on the spot by such an intimate gesture under the gaze of so many people.
Not long after, the presiding judge and the judge walked out.
Before taking his seat, the presiding judge walked over and respectfully exchanged greetings with Xiao Luo. He spoke to the man, all smiles, “Mr. Xiao, you’re here!”
He had had quite the scare last night. Right to his face, Xiao Luo had stomped a large hole into the floor in his house. He had asked for only one thing, and that was for him to try this case fairly and justly. In the face of such a monster, the thought of calling the police had not even crossed his mind. The police would definitely not bother with a monster like this. They cared more about their lives and the lives of their families. The judge would not be biased this time, and he would definitely try this case fairly.
“Do you remember what I asked of you?” Xiao Luo asked tepidly.
“I do,” the presiding judge frantically nodded as he responded.
Xiao Luo said, “Good that you do. Go take your seat, then.”
“Okay.”
The presiding judge nodded in acknowledgment, and then he threw a look to Bai Guoxiong on the other side that gave away how put upon he felt. He then walked over to take his seat.
“Out with it, Xiao Luo. Come clean and tell me just what kind of a person you are. Why was the presiding judge so courteous and respectful when he spoke to you?” Shen Qingyan was really curious.
“It’s nothing. I just knocked on his door last night, is all,” Xiao Luo reported the facts as they were.
Shen Qingyan asked in horror, “Did you threaten him?”
“I did. I told him that I’d report him to the Judicial Disciplinary Committee if he did not try this case justly. This was my threat to him,” Xiao Luo responded, blithe in his carelessness.
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