"I never thought the internationally renowned hacker 'White Crane' would be so cunning. He used a double to evade legal sanctions once, and now he's even resorted to kidnapping a child," Xu Zixi retorted without mincing words.
"Bai Xuanhe, your target is me," Yan Yincheng's voice came from behind. Holding his blind stick, he stepped forward and said expressionlessly, "Let Xuanxuan go."
Alex also said, "Brother Xuanhe, stop making mistakes. Xuanxuan has done nothing wrong. He doesn't deserve to be treated like this. Do you really want him to become another 'White Crane'?"
Bai Xuanhe had known for a long time that he had already stood on the opposite side of most people in this world. This was the inescapable fate of his life. No matter how hard he had tried before, he was destined to be abandoned by everyone.
Even Xiaofei, who had once said he would always follow him, now had someone else he favored more.
Bai Xuanhe's gaze swept over the three of them one by one, and finally landed on Yan Yincheng. He said,
"Mr. Yan, I'm sure you already know what I went to the research lab for. Let me tell you, I did tamper with those drugs. The real formula is not the current parameters at all."
"Now, I'll give you two choices. I'll take the child away, and I'll tell you the correct formula of the drug. Or you get the child back, but all the data in the research lab will immediately start the self - destruction program. You know I have the ability to do this."
"Bai Xuanhe, you despicable, shameless, and selfish scoundrel!" Xu Zixi clenched her fists and roared, trembling all over.
"Even if you take your anger out on him because of Mr. Tang, what's the fault of other patients in this world who suffer from this disease? I've always said that scientific research is not a toy you can play with. Settle your grudges with those who deserve it. The person you should hate has never been him!"
Her words stabbed deeply into Bai Xuanhe's heart.
"Then what's my fault?" He laughed softly. He murmured, "Why do I have to go through all this?"
"Let the child go. Destroy the data as you like," Yan Yincheng said. "Even if I can never regain my sight in this lifetime, I won't let my child leave my side. I wonder if this choice satisfies you, Bai Xuanhe?"
"What a great father - son bond. Just like Bai Shu chose you back then, right?" Bai Xuanhe said slowly. In the night, his expression was crazy, and his gloomy smile sent chills down people's spines.
"But I've changed my mind now. Unless you kneel down and beg me, I won't let this child go."
Xu Zixi tried hard to calm the surging emotions in her heart. She knew that she couldn't be tough with the other party at this time. She had to find a way to solve the current dilemma. The other party must have a weakness. She must be able to bring Xuanxuan back successfully.
"Mummy..." At this moment, Xuanxuan in Bai Xuanhe's arms suddenly spoke.
Thinking he was going to run, Bai Xuanhe instinctively tightened his grip on the child who had shown kindness to him, as if holding onto his only lifeline.
Although Xuanxuan was very uncomfortable being held tightly, he knew that the other party actually meant no harm. He reached out and wrapped his arms around Bai Xuanhe's neck, trying to ease the tense atmosphere between the two sides.
"Mummy, you've all misunderstood Uncle He. He's just joking with you. I had a stomachache just now, so Uncle He was going to take me to the hospital."
After saying that, he whispered in Bai Xuanhe's ear, "Dad He, don't worry. If I say this, Daddy and Mummy won't make things difficult for you."
This address made Bai Xuanhe's nose suddenly turn sour. His emotions were on the verge of collapse. He took two steps back with the child in his arms and growled in a deep voice,
"I only want this child. You have so many children. What's wrong with giving me one?"
Xu Zixi's rationality was brought back by Xuanxuan's call. She noticed that when Bai Xuanhe stepped back, he was just holding the child simply, and his hands didn't even touch any vital parts of the child. At that moment, the mother - child bond made her understand Xuanxuan's intention.
She spared a little thought to think about everything Bai Xuanhe had done.
There was no doubt that he was an extremely dangerous person. Because of his experiences in the past, his growth had twisted his heart extremely. He hated everyone in this world and transferred his anger at the unfairness of fate to Yan Yincheng, who had nothing to do with it.
And all his tragedies originated from that kidnapping many years ago.
His childhood, his happiness, his family affection were all destroyed at that moment. He was jealous that Yan Yincheng had been chosen and favored by Mr. Tang because, in fact, he also longed to receive the same love.
Xu Zixi remembered the photo frame in Mr. Tang's hand when he died, and the tombstone they saw in Yuncheng after Mr. Tang's death.
She thought she knew what to do.
"Bai Xuanhe," she called out.
"During the time I've spent with you, I know very well that you actually mean no harm to me. Otherwise, you would have had countless opportunities to attack me, and I would have been long gone from this world."
Her tone suddenly softened and was no longer as aggressive as before.
"Thank you for helping me solve many academic problems and making me gain a lot of insights. If you never wanted to reveal your identity, you would have been my most respected teacher and my best scientific research partner."
Although knowing it was a delaying tactic, Bai Xuanhe was still touched by her gentle tone.
"I can also feel that you like Xuanxuan. You just want him to live with you and pass on all your knowledge to him. But have you considered the consequences of taking him away?"
"Whether you want to admit it or not, your past experiences have made you an international criminal. Even if you can use your powerful hacking skills to create a fake identity that no one can detect, there's no wall that can't let the wind through. If he leaves with you, he's destined to live a life of hiding with you."
"But he should have a more beautiful and brighter future. He will have many people who love him, protect him, and help him. Eventually, he will become a good doctor respected by patients, just like you, who was once highly expected by Mr. Bai Shu."
Bai Xuanhe looked up and met Xu Zixi's eyes.
"If everything could start over, would you still make the same mistakes?" she asked.
She was very smart. In just a few words, she threw the choice back to Bai Xuanhe.
And Bai Xuanhe really started to think along with her words.
If everything could start over, what would he choose?
If everything could start over, he would definitely slap himself hard twice and tell his six - year - old self not to ask his mother to take him out just because he wanted to eat an inexpensive cake, giving those people an opportunity.
He would remind his father, Bai Shu, to be careful of his uncle, Bai Shan, a vicious and insidious villain who was very good at disguising. He secretly coveted his father's wife and was always thinking about how to destroy his father and take his place.
But he no longer had the chance to start over. All his assumptions would never happen. He was still the Bai Xuanhe who had nothing and was trapped in the abyss.
But the child in his arms was different.
Looking down, Bai Xuanhe met Xuanxuan's bright and innocent eyes.
Life really couldn't start over, and not everyone had the chance to correct their mistakes. But... at least, he could prevent this child from following in his footsteps and let this child have a brilliant life.
Hearing the call of "Dad He" was enough to satisfy a certain expectation in his heart.
That was enough.
Bai Xuanhe slowly loosened his hands. Due to the lack of support, Xuanxuan's small body slipped out of his arms. The warm embrace suddenly became empty. He stroked the hair on Xuanxuan's forehead with his scarred hand, and his finger brushed over the small bump on his head.
"Go. Go back to your mom and dad."