What's Wrong with This Alpha? - Extra 6

Chapter 107 – Extra 6: Pregnancy 3

Sheng Yunze simply responded with an “Oh,” and then fell silent.

He sat motionless for a moment, wiped his hands on his pants, and turned to speak, “Let me just confirm…”

Duan Yi burst out laughing at Sheng Yunze’s nervous demeanor, his earlier panic completely vanishing. “What are you doing? If I were really pregnant, why would I lie about it?”

Sheng Yunze was being unusually cautious. He had a bad habit at home—one he’d had since childhood—of shuffling his feet when he walked, dragging his slippers across the floor with a scritch-scritch sound. It usually made quite a racket.

Duan Yi had once asked if he had some strange fetish, but it turned out Sheng Yunze was just lazy—too lazy to even lift his feet.

But today was different.

Sheng Yunze carefully lifted his foot, set it down gently, then picked up the stool with equal care, placed it softly beside Duan Yi, and sat down with exaggerated solemnity.

Duan Yi, who had witnessed Sheng Yunze’s entire bizarre performance, could only stare in speechless bewilderment.

Sheng Yunze suddenly reached out and placed his hand flat on Duan Yi’s lower abdomen.

Through the thin short-sleeved shirt, Duan Yi could feel the warmth of his body and the vibrant life force emanating from him.

This reminded Duan Yi of cats.

Sheng Yunze’s behavior often resembled that of a cat. For example, his sensitive tongue couldn’t tolerate hot foods.

He was a picky eater, categorizing anything he didn’t want as “disgusting.”

He was willful, sharp-tongued, moody, aloof, and sometimes acted downright bizarrely.

Just like now.

After placing his hand on Duan Yi’s stomach, he sat motionless, his gaze fixed on Duan Yi’s abdomen with wary, cautious eyes.

Duan Yi spoke up, “Are you staring flowers into existence yet?”

Sheng Yunze asked, “What does it feel like?”

Duan Yi replied, “I don’t really feel anything?”

Sheng Yunze suddenly scooped him up. Though Duan Yi had gained some weight recently, Sheng Yunze still lifted him effortlessly.

He settled Duan Yi on his lap, causing Duan Yi’s legs to dangle slightly in the air. His snow-white bunny slippers fell to the floor. Sheng Yunze pressed both hands against Duan Yi’s lower abdomen. “Does it feel bloated?”

“Not really… just feeling a bit nauseous sometimes,” Duan Yi replied.

Sheng Yunze suddenly understood.

He had been planning to take Duan Yi to the hospital on Sunday to check if there was something wrong with his stomach. Now it made sense—Duan Yi’s nausea was likely due to morning sickness.

Sheng Yunze began stroking Duan Yi’s belly intermittently, as if inspecting his own possession. His possessive posture, with Duan Yi nestled in his arms, was intensely possessive.

After letting Sheng Yunze touch him for a while, Duan Yi grew hungry.

He struggled to reach for the chopsticks, but Sheng Yunze suddenly snatched them away, looking panicked.

Duan Yi: “?”

“You can’t eat this,” Sheng Yunze said anxiously.

“I was just eating it earlier…” Duan Yi protested.

“The food’s cold now. No eating it. I’ll heat it up for you.”

I’m not that delicate, Duan Yi thought. Besides, I used to eat cold food all the time when I was studying…

But if Sheng Yunze wanted to fuss, Duan Yi let him. It was easier to play along than to confront his “spaced-out” act.

As it turned out, Sheng Yunze, whose mind was still wandering elsewhere and whose soul hadn’t fully returned, couldn’t do anything properly.

When the third crash of a bowl shattering on the kitchen floor echoed through the house, Duan Yi finally lost his patience.

He went to check on Sheng Yunze and found him picking up the broken pieces. When Sheng Yunze saw Duan Yi, he looked up, his expression still blank and bewildered, a stray tuft of hair sticking up from his head, looking utterly adorable.

Duan Yi hadn’t seen Sheng Yunze so flustered in years, and he secretly relished the sight.

When Duan Yi tried to enter the kitchen, Sheng Yunze blocked him, hastily sweeping up the mess before dragging him outside to eat.

Worried about the heat, yet seeing Duan Yi in just a short-sleeved shirt, Sheng Yunze fretted he might catch a chill. He spent ages in the walk-in closet, rummaging through clothes like an emperor selecting a concubine, until he finally chose a satisfactory jacket and wrapped it around Duan Yi.

Duan Yi thought Sheng Yunze was being overly dramatic. It was May, and the weather wasn’t that cold anymore; wearing this jacket outside would be stifling.

That night, when Milk Tea tried to squeeze into the bedroom to sleep with Duan Yi, Sheng Yunze forcibly restrained him and locked him in the guest room.

Milk Tea was surprisingly well-behaved tonight. When Duan Yi shut him in the room, he didn’t scratch at the door, as if he knew Sheng Yunze wouldn’t do anything strange.

After showering, Duan Yi lay down on the bed. Early pregnancy made him drowsy, and as soon as he closed his eyes, he felt himself drifting off to sleep.

When Sheng Yunze climbed into bed, he was still damp from his shower, moving with his usual cautiousness, though he seemed a bit distracted.

Duan Yi had already processed the pregnancy news and was now calm. He couldn’t be bothered to analyze Sheng Yunze’s mood. His boyfriend had probably never encountered anything like this before, making him even more curious than a cat, with a hint of disbelief mixed in.

Just as Duan Yi was about to fall asleep, he was woken up in the middle of the night by Sheng Yunze’s touch.

That’s right, Sheng Yunze was a night owl and a “cultivator of immortality” who stayed up all night. He was the type who could pull an all-nighter and still be full of energy the next day.

Whenever Duan Yi wasn’t asleep, Sheng Yunze would press his palm against Duan Yi’s lower abdomen, like a cat checking if its owner was still alive, occasionally giving it a gentle poke.

After completing this task, he nervously lay back in his spot, placing his hands obediently on his chest and staring wide-eyed at the ceiling.

Professor Sheng’s brain, worth billions, buzzed with bizarre thoughts, like a child seeing snow for the first time. Once the initial panic subsided, he became too excited to sleep.

That’s how Duan Yi was “touched” awake.

Sheng Yunze would lie still for a while, then get up to check if Duan Yi was still there.

Once he confirmed Duan Yi was still there, his restless “cat paws” would burrow under the thin blanket to “touch” Duan Yi’s abdomen, stroking it up and down for a few moments.

This inevitably woke Duan Yi.

“What are you doing?” Duan Yi mumbled groggily, still annoyed at being disturbed.

Omegas during pregnancy are notoriously irritable, sensitive, and unpredictable. Duan Yi immediately felt wronged. “Are you trying to keep me from getting any sleep?”

Sheng Yunze whispered, “No, go back to sleep. I just wanted to touch you.”

“You’ve already touched me several times! And you woke me up…” Duan Yi’s voice trembled with tears.

Sheng Yunze instantly became docile, nervously lying back down. “You go back to sleep.”

After waiting for Duan Yi to fall asleep again, he made sure the other man was in a deep slumber—

Sheng Yunze sat up again and studied his boyfriend’s abdomen.

Is he really pregnant?

Sheng Yunze found it unbelievable. In the darkness, Duan Yi’s abdomen didn’t seem noticeably swollen; it looked no different from usual.

But he knew that a brand-new life was growing inside.

Sheng Yunze propped his cheek on his hand, lying on his side as he gazed at the sleeping Duan Yi.

So… I’m going to be a dad?

He thought strangely, I’ve never been a dad before.

The next morning, Duan Yi woke up naturally and glanced at the clock—it was only 7:30 AM.

Sheng Yunze, on the other hand, was wide awake, staring intently at him with dark circles under his eyes, as if he hadn’t slept all night.

Duan Yi: ……

“Don’t tell me you’ve been staring at me all night?”

Sheng Yunze: ……

Duan Yi: =口=!

“You’re insane!” Duan Yi exclaimed, stunned. “Didn’t you say you have a competition today? Why didn’t you sleep last night?”

Sheng Yunze sat up in bed. “I couldn’t sleep. The competition isn’t my main event; I’m just accompanying the team.”

He suddenly had an idea. “Maybe I shouldn’t go at all.”

Duan Yi: Wake up, husband! Get a grip! I’m pregnant, not dead!

Sheng Yunze pressed his hands on Duan Yi’s shoulders and suggested, “I’ll ask my tutor for paternity leave.”

Duan Yi: …Sheng Yunze seems to have gone mad.

Sheng Yunze genuinely believed he had a legitimate reason to request paternity leave. After adding up his accumulated vacation days and calculating the total, he realized he could take half a year off.

He was quite pleased with his calculations, but Duan Yi stopped him, his forehead creased with worry. “Are you sure your tutor won’t think you’ve lost your mind if you try to get paternity leave with an Alpha ID? Do you really think they’ll approve it?”

Sheng Yunze stubbornly retorted, “Why don’t Alphas get paternity leave? It’s unfair! Can’t I stay home and be with you?”

“Brother! You’re not the one giving birth! Where do you think you’re going to get paternity leave?” Duan Yi protested weakly.

Unconvinced, Sheng Yunze immediately turned to his computer and began researching “Why Alphas can’t get paternity leave.” It took Duan Yi half an hour of pleading and cajoling to finally get him into the car and off to work.

Yet by 6:30 PM, Sheng Yunze was back home, right on time.

He got off work at 6:00 PM, and with rush hour traffic so terrible, Duan Yi couldn’t fathom how he’d managed to drive back in just half an hour. He worried Sheng Yunze had been speeding recklessly on the Second Ring Road, fearing he’d have to bail him out of jail the next day.

Duan Yi was too exhausted by Sheng Yunze’s bizarre behavior to even complain anymore. For the next few days, Sheng Yunze devoted nearly all his time outside of work to clinging to him.

He’d heard that Omegas became extremely clingy to their Alphas during pregnancy. But what the fuck—I’ve never heard of an Alpha becoming clingy to their Omega during pregnancy! That’s completely unnatural!

Duan Yi was nearly driven mad by Sheng Yunze’s constant fussing. Finally, when the weekend arrived, he managed to drag him to the hospital.

Sheng Yunze had asked his uncle to arrange an appointment at a prestigious private hospital. That day, not only was Duan Yi’s pregnancy confirmed, but they also discovered he was carrying twins, approximately two months along.

“That explains why your belly is showing earlier than usual and your morning sickness is more severe. You’ve been vomiting a lot, haven’t you?”

Before Duan Yi could answer, Sheng Yunze interjected anxiously, his expression earnest, “It’s terrible! He throws up everything he eats.”

The doctor was an elderly traditional Chinese medicine practitioner who consulted at an integrated clinic. He was an old friend of Sheng Yunze’s great-uncle and highly respected in the country.

He glanced at Sheng Yunze over his glasses and praised, “Good-looking young man. Your children will be beautiful too.”

Then he turned his attention to the medical report, which had been sent directly from the lab downstairs.

Duan Yi sat to the left, Sheng Yunze to the right. Noticing Sheng Yunze’s earlier response, the doctor asked him, “Have you abstained from sexual activity recently?”

“Yes,” Sheng Yunze replied.

The old Chinese doctor said, “Pay close attention during this period. You may experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, and drowsiness. The sensation of heaviness in your lower abdomen will also be more pronounced. Remember to massage your legs frequently, and avoid excessive walking.”

Sheng Yunze carefully noted each instruction.

The doctor nodded in satisfaction and gestured for Sheng Yunze to extend his hand.

Though somewhat puzzled, Sheng Yunze complied, recognizing the importance of the matter.

The doctor took his pulse, feeling for a long moment before frowning. “You’re not pregnant?”

“Why would I be pregnant?” Sheng Yunze asked.

The doctor looked astonished. “If you’re not pregnant, why were you making those ‘uh-huh’ noises and rushing to answer my questions?”

Duan Yi, who had been trying to suppress his laughter, finally burst out, clutching his stomach.

Sheng Yunze, looking utterly speechless, pulled Duan Yi closer. “My wife is the one who’s pregnant.”

The doctor blushed. “That explains it… You’re so beautiful, I assumed you were the Omega…”

This time, when the doctor looked at Sheng Yunze, his eyes held a hint of admiration. As he left, he told Duan Yi, “Your boyfriend really cares about you. Among all the young couples I’ve seen here, none have been as anxious or as meticulous as him.”

Duan Yi felt a little embarrassed by the compliment, but his heart swelled with happiness. He couldn’t resist skipping down the stairs until Sheng Yunze stopped him.

Not long after they returned from the hospital, Duan Ji Huai received the news.

He was in Australia, having just disembarked from his flight, and nearly fainted on the spot.

The Australian project was delayed as Duan Ji Huai immediately transferred flights at the airport and flew back to Beijing, rushing across thousands of miles to see Duan Yi.

The moment he stepped through the gate, Duan Yi sensed his father’s murderous aura approaching. He first hid behind Duan Shaoheng, but quickly realized that his unreliable brother would only remind Duan Ji Huai of his tragic childless life, amplifying his anger and leading to an even harsher beating for both of them.

Spotting Xiaoduan Mom, Duan Yi immediately took refuge behind her, rendering Duan Ji Huai powerless.

Of course, this was all Duan Yi’s overthinking.

Duan Ji Huai wouldn’t actually hit him. He merely put on a show of anger in the living room before glaring fiercely at Duan Yi.

His anger quickly dissipated, and he settled onto the sofa to discuss wedding plans with Sheng Yunze.

The two had been engaged since their sophomore year of college, but had postponed the wedding due to their studies and age. They had originally planned to marry after graduation, but Duan Yi’s unexpected rebellion—getting pregnant before marriage—forced their hand. With the pregnancy still only two months along and barely noticeable, Duan Ji Huai wanted to hold the wedding before it became obvious.

Sheng Yunze found Duan Yi both adorable and a bit “pervy,” completely focused on his meal like a little pig. He teased, “Why didn’t you ‘lick’ the bowl clean too?”

Duan Yi’s face flushed slightly. “I’m not the type to ‘lick’ bowls, okay? I’ve never done that before…”

He stood up, and Sheng Yunze steadied him, shamelessly groping Duan Yi’s waist and chest. He pinched Duan Yi’s ticklish spot, finding the flesh soft and squishy.

What a pig, Sheng Yunze thought contentedly. He’s getting so fat.

“This is such an exaggeration,” Duan Yi protested.

Sheng Yunze calmly replied, “Well, who’s fault is it that you keep tripping over nothing?”

Duan Yi was unconvinced but felt guilty. “I don’t trip all the time…”

“Talking back?” Sheng Yunze challenged.

Duan Yi stuck his tongue out at him, expressing his anger and resistance against capitalist oppression, then fell silent.

Some time later, Sheng Yunze requested leave from his tutor and took Duan Yi to register their marriage.

Duan Yi was a bundle of nerves that morning, but Sheng Yunze was even more anxious.

Duan Yi’s nervousness stemmed from the marriage registration itself, while Sheng Yunze had been on edge ever since learning about Duan Yi’s pregnancy. His worries included, but weren’t limited to:

1. 1. Insisting Duan Yi must be cold in 28-degree heat, even when Duan Yi said he wasn’t. This “cold” was actually “Hubby thinks you’re cold,” followed by wrapping him in a wool blanket.

1. 1. Alpha pheromone imbalance, manifesting as panic, anxiety, weakness, and feigned helplessness, triggered pseudo-Alpha nesting behavior. Sheng Yunze began to fear that the unborn child would steal his spouse’s affection, becoming perpetually anxious, depressed, and tormented. He felt life was meaningless, existence was suffering, and questioned why his wife had to get pregnant at all. What was the point of procreation?

He even lost interest in his hobbies. This man, well into his twenties, used to love skateboarding in the neighborhood park. Now he didn’t even touch his skateboard or clean his telescope, instead sitting on the balcony at night, sighing dramatically to get Duan Yi’s attention.

The first time Duan Yi noticed this, he was terrified. Later, he realized Sheng Yunze was just bored and seeking validation, convinced Duan Yi’s attention had shifted entirely to the child. He spent his days pulling ridiculous stunts to get noticed.

Of course, there were moments when Sheng Yunze’s pheromones truly went out of control. On the morning Duan Yi was supposed to go with Sheng Yunze to get their marriage certificate—that is, this very morning—before dawn, he found Sheng Yunze lying on his side in bed, silently weeping.

His boyfriend—soon-to-be husband—was undeniably handsome. He had been crowned school beauty at Second High School, then at Peking University, and now held the title of Academy Belle. In the Martial World, he was known as the “Little Dragon Girl of the Academy,” so one could imagine how harmonious and beautiful the scene was as he silently shed tears.

The sight startled Duan Yi so much that his jaw dropped in a silent “O_O.” He initially feared he had contracted some terminal illness, something so grave that it would drive Sheng Yunze to weep by his side.

Seeing the beauty lying in bed, Duan Yi felt a surge of tenderness. Having just woken up, he hesitated to disturb the serene scene.

The gentle morning light filtered through the white gauze curtains, illuminating Sheng Yunze’s face and highlighting each individual eyelash with crystal clarity, akin to a blue-ray 1080p high-definition camera filming his face up close.

The scene was breathtakingly beautiful, the halo of light exquisitely radiant.

Duan Yi whispered, “Are you crying?”

Sheng Yunze’s pheromones enveloped him, their aggression and possessiveness mild, creating a soothing warmth that Duan Yi found quite comforting.

Sheng Yunze remained silent, his gaze fixed on Duan Yi. Duan Yi knew that Alphas’ false nesting periods were particularly challenging. The more genetically superior the Alpha, the more intense their nesting instincts became.

They were emotionally sensitive, their moods volatile. You couldn’t scold or hit them; you could only coax them. Even a single step away could send them into tears, making them even more fragile than Lin Daiyu.

Sheng Yunze sat up. Duan Yi chuckled softly and leaned in to kiss away the tears on his face.

Then he pressed a kiss to Sheng Yunze’s eyelid. “What’s there to cry about? Are you sad? Don’t you want to get married?”

Who knew that this question would strike such a raw nerve? Sheng Yunze, hearing only “don’t want to get married,” completely missed the context.

And just like that, pearl-like tears welled up in Sheng Yunze’s eyes. “You don’t want to get married?”

Duan Yi felt utterly wronged. How could you say I don’t want to get married? he thought. Aren’t I just trying to comfort you after you started crying this morning?

Duan Yi mentally grumbled about Sheng Yunze’s worsening “old man” habit of pretending to be deaf and dumb, only hearing half of what he was told.

Unfortunately, Sheng Yunze gave him no chance to explain, nor did he intend to listen. He immediately fixed Duan Yi with a piercing stare: “Do you not want to get married to me? If you don’t want to marry me, who do you want to marry?”

“I never said—” Duan Yi was stunned by this sudden accusation.

Sheng Yunze had a natural talent for being unreasonably dramatic. He pressed his lips together, on the verge of tears, and Duan Yi was terrified of him. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t go! I was afraid you wouldn’t go! I’ve been on edge all morning! Didn’t I ask you first thing if you were going? It’s because I was afraid you wouldn’t go…”

“Really?” Sheng Yunze asked.

Duan Yi blinked sincerely. “Really.”

Sheng Yunze continued to stare at him skeptically, like a husband catching his spouse cheating, before suddenly softening. Fine, Duan Yi thought, you’re in your nesting period, so you’re right. Your mood swings, your irrational behavior, your clinginess—it’s all justified. I’ll endure it.

“I know you’ve been pregnant lately,” Sheng Yunze sighed mournfully. “You love them more now and don’t love me anymore.”

Duan Yi was completely exasperated. Sheng Yunze repeated this phrase at least a hundred and eighty times a day, along with variations like, “Do you love them more than me now?” “Will you like me more or them in the future?” “If I and the baby fell into the water, who would you save first?” “Really? I don’t believe you.”

Over the past few weeks, Duan Yi had written stacks of guarantees, such as “I promise I love Sheng Yunze the most,” “I promise to always think of my husband first,” and “I promise Sheng Yunze’s position will always be number one.”

Duan Yi never imagined that so many years after graduating high school, he’d still be writing this kind of document…

“Really, really, really, really, really…” Duan Yi nodded repeatedly until Sheng Yunze finally relented.

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Duan Yi leaned against the car window, thinking with profound melancholy: When will Sheng Yunze’s prenatal depression and anxiety ever end…?

The nearest marriage registry was a half-hour drive away. Sheng Yunze had calculated this day as an auspicious one based on astrology.

Duan Yi couldn’t believe his boyfriend, a grown man, still believed in astrology—something even middle school girls had outgrown.

After taking photos and registering, the two sat at the table to sign the marriage certificate.

There were quite a few couples registering today. Sheng Yunze’s striking good looks even drew a small crowd at the civil affairs bureau, with some mistaking him for a celebrity secretly getting married.

Sheng Yunze signed his name and handed the pen to Duan Yi, then fixed his gaze intently on Duan Yi’s hand as he picked up the pen and brought it to the paper.

Duan Yi, unnerved by the intense stare, quickly said, “I know how to sign!”

Sheng Yunze muttered silently, “I’m just worried you’ll misspell it…”

“Enough!” Duan Yi snapped, furious. He gritted his teeth and began writing the first stroke.

—It’s only now that I’m starting to feel nervous.

Wait, after I sign this name, I’ll really be married to Sheng Yunze?

Duan Yi’s head swam as he carefully wrote each stroke of his name, feeling more anxious than he had during the National College Entrance Examination.

The result was that the character “Yi” in his name, “Duan Yi,” ended up being written much larger than the rest, earning him merciless teasing from Sheng Yunze.

After registering their marriage, Duan Yi and Sheng Yunze discussed postponing the wedding until after the birth.

This was entirely Duan Yi’s insistence. He was determined to look impeccably handsome on his wedding day, and since it was a once-in-a-lifetime event, he wanted to dazzle everyone present.

For the next few months, Duan Yi stayed home, becoming a proper homebody. His days consisted of eating and sleeping, with frequent visits from Xiaoduan Mom in addition to Sheng Yunze. Duan Yi couldn’t help but feel like his mother and husband were raising him like a pig.

Every morning, the first thing Xiaoduan Mom would ask him upon waking was, “Are you hungry?”

Duan Yi: ……

Fine, I am hungry, but eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating—am I really just a pig?!

Over those months, Duan Yi rapidly grew round and plump.

Not that he was actually getting fat; he was simply too lazy to walk. He half-wished he could get a wheelchair to roll around the house, snacking everywhere he went.

The doctor had been right—carrying twins was exhausting. Despite eating constantly, Duan Yi still felt ravenous. His mouth seemed to be working non-stop, twenty-four hours a day. As December approached, things only got harder.

Later, Xiaoduan Mom came to take care of him, forbidding even snacks. She made him eat the nutritious meals researched by the family doctor and chef every day, which made Duan Yi want to vomit.

Well, to be fair, he was vomiting every day back then anyway.

Pregnancy was incredibly uncomfortable. It started off manageable, but after five months, even lying on his side became unbearable. No position felt right.

Walking was no better; he had to stop and rest after just a few steps. Duan Yi would sit on a stool, reminiscing about his past. He remembered how he used to sneak out of high school to get into fights and silently vowed to be reborn as an Alpha in his next life. He’d make Sheng Yunze an Omega, marry him, buy him the world’s largest diamond ring, and then get him pregnant.

His fantasies were so vivid that he once accidentally blurted them out, earning him a good laugh from Sheng Yunze. Yet his husband was genuinely concerned, hating to see Duan Yi suffer. If Alphas could bear pregnancies, he would gladly take Duan Yi’s place.

Of course, these thoughts remained unspoken. Sheng Yunze’s complexion grew worse than Duan Yi’s each day, his pregnancy anxiety and depression far more severe. Sometimes, Duan Yi had to comfort him instead.

Xiaoduan Mom forbade Duan Yi from eating snacks, so Duan Yi clung to Sheng Yunze every day.

Sheng Yunze couldn’t bear to see Duan Yi’s pitiful state. He would secretly slip snacks into his pockets each time, making sure Xiaoduan Mom didn’t notice when they got home. His Oscar-worthy acting skills instantly kicked in, completely fooling Xiaoduan Mom.

When Xiaoduan Mom went to the kitchen to check on the chef, Sheng Yunze and Duan Yi would meet like underground operatives. Sheng Yunze would dramatically pull open his trench coat, revealing the Mimi Shrimp Crackers inside. “Quick, eat!” he’d whisper urgently.

Duan Yi nodded firmly, his expression resolute. He tore open the packet with lightning speed, grabbed a handful of crackers, and stuffed them into his mouth, chewing furiously like a little hamster.

Sometimes Xiaoduan Mom would stay overnight in the adjacent room, making it much harder for Duan Yi to sneak snacks.

The young couple would wait until Xiaoduan Mom was asleep before creeping out of bed like thieves. Sheng Yunze would retrieve the snacks from the wardrobe, turn on a small nightlight for Duan Yi, and stand guard at the door while Duan Yi sat on a small stool, devouring jelly cups.

“Is it good?” Sheng Yunze asked in a low voice.

Duan Yi was halfway through his jelly snack, a bit of jelly still clinging to the corner of his mouth. He looked up with a grin, flashing his teeth, and nodded. “Delicious! I want spicy sticks too.”

Sheng Yunze whispered back, a warm current flowing through his heart. This is all I’ve ever wanted, he thought. “No spicy sticks. I’ll bring you something else.”

Duan Yi licked his fingers and tore open a bag of chips. “Can I have chocolate?”

He even shared, taking a bite himself and offering one to Sheng Yunze. The silver bracelet on Duan Yi’s wrist shimmered before Sheng Yunze’s eyes, making his mouth dry.

Every time Sheng Yunze watched Duan Yi eat, he remembered the rabbit he’d secretly kept as a child. Mrs. Sheng had forbidden pets, so he’d sneak the rabbit into his bedroom and feed it only after she was asleep.

Just like now.

Sheng Yunze’s treats were merely a temporary fix. Duan Yi couldn’t go downstairs, feeling trapped like he was in prison. All day, he could only lie by the bed, watching other children play in the park, his longing gaze pitiful.

Xiaoduan Mom and Mrs. Sheng took turns caring for him, so he could leave when Sheng Yunze returned from work. He was under constant supervision, and while he ate plenty, it was all nutritional supplements and tonics. He couldn’t have this, he couldn’t have that—Duan Yi was practically dying of cravings for hot pot, fried chicken, ice cream, and milk tea.

He had once subtly suggested to Xiaoduan Mom that he wanted ice cream milk tea with full sugar and a milk foam topping, and it had to be ice-cold. She had firmly rejected him with righteous indignation.

Relying on her years of understanding Duan Yi, Xiaoduan Mom knew that when this kid asked to eat something first, it meant he had been suppressing his cravings for a long time and was desperate for it. Moreover, if she refused, the little rascal would find some way to get his hands on it anyway.

So Xiaoduan Mom tightened her surveillance even further. Duan Yi was even deprived of his after-meal walks, making it impossible for him to sneak out for milk tea.

When Sheng Yunze returned, he found his wife slumped by the bed, with Milk Tea, the silly dog, lying at her feet. One person, one dog—every time Duan Yi sighed, Milk Tea would bark.

Duan Yi tilted his head and stroked Milk Tea’s head. “Stop barking! The more you bark, the more I can’t forget. Every time I see you, I crave milk tea. It’s been over seven months since I last had it—each day feels like a year! If I don’t get milk tea soon, I’m going to die… I’m really going to die… Just one sip would be enough. Ah, if only someone would buy me a milk tea right now, they’d become the most beloved man in the world to me…”

Who is he putting on this show for? Sheng Yunze wondered.

Duan Yi dramatically sighed for a good while, then caught Sheng Yunze out of the corner of his eye. He feigned surprise. “You’re back? I didn’t even notice! Ha ha.”

So fake it hurts.

Sheng Yunze nodded calmly, playing along with Duan Yi’s act. “Just got back.”

He grinned mischievously, revealing his two small fangs. “So I didn’t hear a thing.”

Meaning: Your performance was for nothing.

Duan Yi: =口=!

Sheng Yunze is so disloyal!

Realizing his act had failed, Duan Yi immediately clung to Sheng Yunze, whining, “Brother, I want milk tea!”

The room’s carpet was a thick, plush cashmere rug. Duan Yi, completely unconcerned with appearances at home, clung to Sheng Yunze’s leg, knowing he wouldn’t dare do anything about it.

Sheng Yunze bent down, scooped Duan Yi up by the armpits, and lifted him onto the bed. “Sit properly,” he ordered.

Duan Yi gripped Sheng Yunze’s right hand with both of his, his eyes sparkling with shamelessness. “Just one sip,” he pleaded. “I want it iced. One sip won’t hurt. Go get it, and I’ll just ‘lick’ it. You can have the rest.”

Sheng Yunze wrapped a blanket around him. The weather in December was already bitterly cold, and despite the central heating, he worried about Duan Yi catching a chill.

Duan Yi had been craving that sip of milk tea since morning, his voice now trembling with desperation. “Please, just one sip? I’m begging you. I’ll do anything you ask from now on. I promise I’ll obey you completely…”

Realizing it was Christmas Eve, he immediately fabricated a story: “I heard that in Europe, everyone drinks milk tea on Christmas Eve to celebrate. It’s supposed to bring peace and safety to the whole family…”

“Do you really think I’d believe that?” Sheng Yunze asked.

Tears instantly welled up in Duan Yi’s eyes, feeling utterly wronged.

His leg had been bothering him all day, he hadn’t had milk tea in seven months, his stomach was upset, and he was stuck at home like he was in prison. Now, even a sip of happiness was denied to him?

What’s the point of all this? he thought. How can such a thing even exist? What law says pregnant people can’t have milk tea? Maybe even my son wants some…

He wiped his eyes with his arm, tears flowing as easily as they came. “…Just one sip,” he sobbed, wiping his eyes vigorously with alternating arms. “I promise I won’t have more…”

The sight of his miserable crying softened Sheng Yunze’s heart for a moment.

“What if Mom finds out?”

Duan Yi immediately stopped crying, sniffled, and his chubby cheeks trembled. He held up one finger. “Just one sip, please? Go downstairs and buy it. Just say you want it. They’ve already left, so they won’t find out.”

Still feeling insecure, Duan Yi immediately prepared to get out of bed. “I’ll go with you. We’ll watch the milk tea shop owner make it. When he hands it to you, let me have a sip first, then you can drink the rest. I checked on Baidu—as long as it’s not iced, it’s fine. I’m not asking for iced anymore, I just want a taste…”

Duan Yi mustered all his persuasive skills, staring at Sheng Yunze with his most sincere gaze. He held up a single finger, waving it in front of Sheng Yunze’s eyes, repeatedly brainwashing him: “Just one sip, one sip, one sip…”

Ten minutes later, Duan Yi was fully armed, sneaking behind Sheng Yunze like a spy, glancing left and right. They finally stopped at a park, with the neighborhood supermarket visible nearby. He directed Sheng Yunze: “Go into the supermarket. There’s a milk tea shop inside…”

Sheng Yunze watched his wife, who had somehow managed to wrap a scarf tightly around his head, then added sunglasses and a mask. Given her petite frame, she looked like an adorable little ball from a distance.

His eyes were still red from crying, but now they sparkled with starry light.

Over the past few months, Duan Yi had gained a noticeable amount of weight. When he removed his mask to speak, his cheeks were plump and round, while his lips remained strikingly red, their color resembling a translucent jelly.

Sheng Yunze couldn’t resist pinching Duan Yi’s cheek before heading to the milk tea shop to buy him a drink.

As he approached, Duan Yi’s eyes lit up even brighter, sparkling like stars, and the star-shaped decorations around his head swayed in a circle.

“Why is it hot?!” Duan Yi protested as soon as he touched the milk tea.

“You’re not allowed to drink cold ones,” Sheng Yunze said, inserting the straw. “Otherwise, you won’t get any.”

He made a move to take it away.

“I’ll drink it! I’ll drink it! I’ll drink it!” Duan Yi eagerly cradled the milk tea in both hands, taking a sip before it had even cooled down.

The milk tea Sheng Yunze had bought was purely dairy-based, containing no tea at all—just milk. After one sip, Duan Yi immediately sensed something was off, looking at Sheng Yunze with suspicion. “Did you really buy me milk tea?”

Sheng Yunze maintained a virtuous facade, nodding with practiced sincerity. “Of course. Why would your husband lie to you?”

Duan Yi was skeptical, mainly because he hadn’t had milk tea in over half a year. He assumed it was a new flavor and took small sips, muttering, “Why does this taste so much like the ‘milk’ my mom mixes…?”

Without the distinct flavor of milk tea, Duan Yi lost interest after just a few sips.

Sheng Yunze took the cup, put the straw to his lips, and finished what Duan Yi had left. He then tossed the cup into the trash.

He had only turned to throw away the milk tea when disaster struck.

Duan Yi had been walking beside him, but as the pain intensified, he found a bench to sit down. Even sitting didn’t help; the pain, originally in his legs, now gripped his abdomen.

His face instantly paled. Sheng Yunze, seeing him slumped on the bench, panicked. The moment he saw Duan Yi’s ashen face, he lost his composure.

“Where does it hurt?” Sheng Yunze urgently pulled Duan Yi into a half-embrace.

“Fuck,” Duan Yi groaned. “My stomach…” He stared at Sheng Yunze in horror. “Could the milk tea be poisoned? I shouldn’t have drunk it…”

“I didn’t even buy you milk tea,” Sheng Yunze retorted. “You drank milk. How could it be poisoned…?”

Duan Yi: =口=!

“Are you even human?! You tricked me! Go get me a real—”

He couldn’t finish the last two words, the pain in his abdomen was too intense. Sheng Yunze’s face was even paler than his, and he stammered anxiously, “I-is it… is it time?”

Duan Yi glanced at him. Their eyes met for two seconds, and Sheng Yunze saw his wife’s utterly clueless expression—a blank stare that screamed “I know nothing!” Remembering that he had been the one studying all the pregnancy manuals these past few months, Sheng Yunze resigned himself to the situation. He immediately called a taxi to take them to Duan Yi’s private hospital, then called Xiaoduan Mom and Mrs. Sheng.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the hospital. The doctor emerged, assessed Duan Yi’s condition, and immediately separated Sheng Yunze. “Please wait here.”

A nurse hurriedly wheeled in a delivery cart. As Duan Yi was laid flat on the cart, he remained dazed, completely consumed by the pain. A sudden wave of fear surged through him. He flailed his hand blindly, grabbing Sheng Yunze’s sleeve and clinging to it desperately. “I-I… my…”

The doctor reassured him, “It’s okay, it’s okay. Lying flat is best for the baby.”

Duan Yi was terrified. “I’m not ready yet…”

The doctor continued to reassure him, “It’s okay, it’s okay. It won’t happen that quickly. Just lie back for now…”

Duan Yi had never trusted doctors. He doubted everything they said, a clear sign of having been lied to too often as a child with promises like “It won’t hurt” or “It’s just a little pinch.”

He tilted his head back, staring intently at the doctor. “Is giving birth about the same as getting bitten by an ant?”

Even if the doctor wanted to make something up, he couldn’t possibly say that. Instead, he adopted a benevolent expression and said, “Have you ever seen Godzilla?”

“What about it?” Duan Yi asked.

“Just imagine an ant the size of Godzilla.”

Sheng Yunze glared at the doctor, his tone sharp. “Why are you scaring him?!”

The doctor quickly apologized. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry. It’s not actually that painful. You can get an epidural after you’re three centimeters dilated…”

“And what about me now?” Duan Yi asked.

“It’s just starting. Don’t panic. Take it slow…”

The doctor’s “take it slow” meant really slow.

To this day, Duan Yi can’t bear to think back to that chaotic Christmas Eve.

And this time, the doctor wasn’t lying—it really felt like being bitten by an ant the size of Godzilla.

By the time Duan Yi was finally wheeled into the delivery room, Christmas Eve had passed, and a heavy snow was falling outside, as if welcoming the arrival of Christmas Day.

Sheng Yunze stayed by his side throughout the ordeal, while Xiaoduan Mom and the others waited anxiously outside the door. Duan Shaoheng rushed back from the film set, and Sheng Yunxi hurried over from the airport.

Jiang Wangshu, who was on duty that night, came to check on Duan Yi, but as a surgeon, he was of little use and could only join the others in waiting outside.

They had all braced themselves for Duan Yi’s heart-wrenching screams, but strangely, they heard nothing.

Perhaps Alphas don’t understand, but at that moment, the pain was so intense that Duan Yi couldn’t even speak. The only thought looping through his mind was, “Get the hell out of here!”

Around three in the morning, Xiaoduan Mom heard the twins’ loud cries. The group outside breathed a collective sigh of relief as the doctor emerged with the babies, both healthy and safe. The only problem was that they still didn’t have names. For ten months, Sheng Yunze had scoured dictionaries and classic literature from around the world, but no name satisfied him. So Xiaoduan Mom had to call them “Big Treasure” and “Little Treasure,” which sounded terribly old-fashioned and was a constant source of Duan Yi’s disdain.

When Duan Yi finally woke up, it was already the next morning.

He opened his eyes, his body still aching. Sheng Yunze was sitting by the bed, his arm exposed, the bite mark Duan Yi had left on his wrist still visible. Duan Yi felt terribly embarrassed.

The moment Duan Yi stirred, Sheng Yunze looked up. “Where are my sons?” Duan Yi asked.

“They’re in the other room,” Sheng Yunze replied.

Both babies were healthy, so they had been placed directly in their cribs.

Duan Yi, who had endured immense hardship to bring these two little rascals into the world, was overwhelmed with emotion. He insisted on getting up to see them. Sheng Yunze couldn’t dissuade him and reluctantly brought the babies over.

Thus, at their first meeting, the two precious bundles received a look of profound, undisguised disdain from their own mother. “How are they so ugly?!” Duan Yi exclaimed.

His eyes widened in disbelief as he pointed at the babies. “Did we somehow end up with the opposite of what we expected…?”