VHBF – Chapter 16 The Playboy Daddy (Part 16)

The tiny little dumpling clung to the tall man’s leg, tilting her small head up and earnestly declaring that she wanted to suffer in her father’s place. Everyone around was immediately softened by her words.

These were all seasoned, sharp-eyed individuals, yet faced with such a sincere and adorable little dumpling, even they couldn’t help but want to scoop her up and smother her with kisses.

Clearly, the little dumpling had really wanted to go to kindergarten. Her eyes had been sparkling with anticipation, and she’d kept asking the little boy about what it was like. But just one mention of how hard her dad worked, and she was suddenly willing to switch places with him.

Mrs. Luo wanted to pick up the dumpling and shower her with kisses. How could such a sweet, lovable little dumpling be her own granddaughter? Her real, flesh-and-blood granddaughter!

But before she could act, her son had already swooped in, scooping the dumpling into his arms with one hand in his pocket as he turned and left.

Mrs. Luo: “…”

Give me back my sweet granddaughter!!!

Mrs. Gu, watching the big and small figures walk away, spoke sourly from beside Mrs. Luo, “If it weren’t for your convenient location, who knows whose granddaughter she’d be!”

Everyone knew that the Bai and Luo families lived in the same neighborhood, not far apart. A while back, the little dumpling had started loitering around the Luo family’s front gate. After getting familiar with them, the Luo family had picked her up and “adopted” her.

Just thinking about it made Mrs. Gu feel bitter. If her family had lived in that neighborhood too, who’s to say whose family the dumpling would’ve ended up in?

Gu Mian followed after the man, just as sour as his mother—he was practically radiating jealousy. He’d seen it all just now. How was Brother Luo so lucky?! Such an adorable little dumpling had just shown up at his door and called him daddy!

He grumbled, “Brother Luo, I want to be Yinyin’s dad too!”

The man stopped in his tracks, turning to give him a sinister look. Gu Mian shivered and quickly amended, “G-godfather at least?”

Luo Sheng gave him a cold, sharp smirk. “No.”

“In your dreams!”

Back when the group of ladies had seen the dumpling’s glowing eyes and eagerness, Luo Sheng had suddenly scooped her up and walked off. But even though he’d taken her away and now sat among a group of men, the others were no less entranced by the little dumpling in his arms.

Most of them had seen her before, though two had only heard about her from friends. Now, seeing the pink little dumpling peeking curiously from Luo Sheng’s arms, they all smiled.

“Brother Luo, this your daughter? She’s adorable!”

“Can I hold her?” The young man sitting next to Luo Sheng rubbed his hands together and reached out, grinning like a big bad wolf trying to trick Little Red Riding Hood. “I’ve never held a squishy little one like this before in my life. Yinyin, right? Let Uncle hold you—I’ll buy you candy!”

Luo Sheng shifted and placed the dumpling on the seat beside him. “That’s enough. Wipe that disgusting smile off your face—my family’s got plenty of candy.”

Shot down, the man pouted, but the others weren’t ready to give up. A whole table of grown men crowded around, fascinated by the soft little dumpling.

“Brother Luo, your daughter is our daughter too, right? Why can’t a brother hold his niece?”

Luo Sheng couldn’t even be bothered to look at him. He casually cut a piece of plain cake with no cream and handed it to the dumpling. Watching her smile contentedly as she munched on it, he shot back, “Keep dreaming.”

When that route failed, someone turned their strategy on the dumpling herself.

She was busy eating cake. Mrs. Luo had a rule about limiting sweets, so while this cake didn’t have sugary cream, it was delicately made and tasted wonderful. The dumpling was happily immersed in eating and ignoring the group of strange uncles.

One of them leaned over and coaxed, “Yinyin, baby, call me uncle and I’ll take you to eat cake later—with strawberries and whipped cream! You can have whatever you want!”

The dumpling paused, her mouth still full of cake. Her chubby cheeks puffed up adorably, making even the most unromantic of men feel their hands itch to squish her.

She tilted her head and asked, “Uncle, really?”

After swallowing, she even licked her lips. It had been so long since she’d had sweets! The milk candies she’d secretly stashed in her backpack had all been confiscated by Grandma!

At just three years old, she had absolutely no self-control. The promise of all kinds of tasty treats had her eyes sparkling. She said in a milky voice, “Uncle, no lying!”

The man trying to win her over was Chang Yi, a shipping tycoon whose business had recently begun expanding inland, hence his ties with Luo Sheng.

Though originally from City A, he’d spent so long on coastal islands that his accent had a noticeable lilt, and his personality was bold and hearty. Being called “Uncle” so sweetly made him feel amazing. Slapping his thigh, he declared, “No problem! Whatever you want to eat, just come to Uncle Chang!”

A few rounds back and forth between the two, warm and affectionate, and she was practically his niece already. But Luo Sheng beside them coolly pressed down on the dumpling’s little head. “Focus on your cake. No chatting.”

Then he shot a dark look at Chang Yi, voice cold: “Do you ever shut up?”

Chang Yi rubbed his nose and let it go. Just getting the kid to call him uncle was already a win. He decided: if Luo Sheng ever crossed him, he’d just steal his precious daughter and see how mad he’d get!

The other onlookers were also feeling envious. The dumpling was not only gorgeous and sweet, but she was Brother Luo’s daughter too! Just hearing her call them “uncle” wasn’t enough—they wanted to hold her!

They tried all sorts of tactics, but Brother Luo was like a protective beast—unyielding and fierce. He didn’t let anyone get close, not even a single hair on his precious dumpling.

Someone suddenly had an idea and buttered him up: “Brother Luo, your kid’s beauty clearly takes after you—she’s stunning!”

The others scoffed, “Suck-up.”

But to their surprise, the man who had just moments ago called them all weird uncles actually curved his lips slightly and gave a quiet “Mm.”

The flatterer blinked, stunned, then cautiously moved closer and praised the dumpling’s cuteness. Luo Sheng didn’t stop him.

Thrilled, the guy reached out and scooped the dumpling up, even giving her a little bounce. “What a cute little chubby girl!”

Being picked up by a stranger didn’t scare the dumpling—her daddy was right there, so even if this was a man-eating monster, she wouldn’t be afraid!

She’d just finished her piece of cake, and her round belly was slightly distended. At those words, she instinctively sucked in her stomach, trying to hide her little tummy. Her face turned bright red from the effort.

The others held back their laughter—this little dumpling, just three years old, was already a girl who cared about her looks. She couldn’t handle being teased!

Only Gu Mian, completely lacking tact, burst into laughter and flopped onto the sofa, clutching his stomach. “Hahaha, Yinyin, don’t burst your tummy! Uncle won’t mind your chubby belly!”

The dumpling: “…”

Her whole chubby face turned beet red. She struggled out of the uncle’s arms and dove into her daddy’s lap, burying her face in his leg, utterly embarrassed and angry!

Even a three-year-old dumpling had pride—especially in front of her daddy!

She huffed, and when she looked up again, her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. She didn’t even call him “uncle” anymore. Imitating how Grandma scolded people, she angrily shouted in her childish voice, “Mian Mian, you’re too bad!”

That baby-voiced accusation was too much. The crowd couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst into laughter, completely losing their refined “gentleman” images.

Gu Mian: “…???”

He dug at his ears, not believing what he’d heard. “Yinyin, what did you call me? Say it again?”

Yinyin was a well-behaved child. Worried he hadn’t heard properly, she cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted like a megaphone: “Mian Mian! You’re too bad! Bullying a little kid!”

She knew she was a little kid—Grandma always told Daddy not to bully her because she was small and still a child. So when Gu Mian mocked her, she had every reason to accuse him.

Her bright and crisp little voice carried quite a bit of weight, and many people turned to look. A hush fell over the room.

Gu Mian: “…”

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his mother rolling up her sleeves to come after him. He forced a stiff smile and awkwardly tried to fix it. “N-no, Yinyin’s not fat! Yinyin is the prettiest, the cutest, okay?”

Then he grabbed his jacket and bolted. “Oh right, I just remembered—I’ve got something to do. Gotta go!”

Mrs. Gu shouted behind him, “Mian Mian! You get back here!”

The yellow-haired youth stumbled, then ran even faster.

—

After the birthday banquet, Bai Corporation’s acting vice president, Xia Yang, came knocking.

The man wore a black suit, appeared to be in his mid-30s to 40s, and had glasses perched on his nose. A textbook elite. Upon seeing Luo Sheng, he offered a handshake. “Hello, Young Master Luo. I’m Xia Yang.”

Luo Sheng shook his hand and sat down. “What do you want?”

Xia Yang smiled. “Before the chairman’s accident, he notarized a will. Now that you’ve officially become the guardian of the chairman’s daughter, I believe it’s time to carry out its terms.”