What's Wrong with This Alpha? - Extra 8

Chapter 109 – Extra 8: Marriage (1)

Duan Yi had originally thought that childbirth would be the most painful experience, and that the suffering would end after delivery.

He never imagined that giving birth wouldn’t be the end of the pain, but rather the beginning.

Especially since his two little darlings ate voraciously, growing rounder and rounder each day like two little piglets, until they resembled perfect little balls.

Seven months later, when Sheng Ming and Sheng Xi learned to crawl all over the floor, that’s when things truly went to hell.

Even before they could crawl, Duan Yi had already been at his wit’s end.

Now that they could crawl—and crawl at lightning speed, disappearing across the room in the blink of an eye—Duan Yi was completely overwhelmed.

His daily routine now consisted of wandering around the second floor with a milk bottle, calling out, “Mingbao—Mingbao—” like a junk collector, chasing after his son everywhere.

Sheng Ming crawled faster than Sheng Xi and loved to crawl under the bed.

To protect their short arms and legs, thick carpets had been laid across the entire second floor. This was fine in winter, but unbearable in summer.

Recently, the carpets had been removed. Duan Yi had assumed the children would be more cautious now that they could feel the pain of bumps and scrapes. But the younger one, Sheng Xiaozhu, was a mischievous little rascal. Instead of crawling on all fours, he wriggled forward on his belly, exploring the floor and enjoying the cool surface.

Duan Yi grabbed one child in each hand and plopped them onto their special baby high chairs.

The nanny approached to feed them, but Duan Yi told her to do the laundry first, saying he’d handle the feeding himself.

He had prepared the porridge himself. As he served it, he noticed Sheng Xi gnawing on Sheng Ming’s finger. The baby’s first teeth had just emerged, and he was putting everything in his mouth, drool dripping down his chin.

Duan Yi’s face darkened. He pried Sheng Xi’s hand away with a look of disgust and said to Sheng Ming, “You actually let him eat your finger?”

Sheng Ming, oblivious, grinned at Duan Yi, his two tiny teeth flashing. Duan Yi couldn’t help but laugh. “Look at those teeth! You still dare to open your mouth…”

Sheng Ming wriggled in his high chair, stretching out his arms as if asking Duan Yi to hold him, and kept making insistent “Mmm! Mmm! Mmm!” noises.

Duan Yi understood perfectly but refused to pick him up. He pressed Sheng Ming’s hands down, scooped up a spoonful of porridge, blew on it to cool it, and fed it to him. Sheng Ming stopped fussing and eagerly slurped down the porridge.

Sheng Xi, who hadn’t been fed first, erupted into a piercing scream, launching a sonic assault of noise pollution. His chubby arms flailed wildly, and his eyes, so like Sheng Yunze’s, brimmed with tears as he shrieked and tugged at Duan Yi’s clothes, trying to pull him closer.

Despite his small size, the child possessed surprising strength. Duan Yi felt a faint tug pulling him closer. “Don’t yank, don’t yank,” he said, “I haven’t forgotten you…”

Sheng Xi, desperate for his turn, nearly climbed out of his high chair. Duan Yi had intended to feed them one at a time, but the little one gave him no choice, demanding bite after bite.

After lunch, Sheng Ming and Sheng Xi were ready for their afternoon nap.

Duan Yi sat on the sofa, pondering how to propose to Sheng Yunze. He rejected several ideas as too cliché.

Should I ask Jiang Wangshu for advice? he wondered. But Jiang Wangshu is even more old-fashioned than me. Duan Yi sighed, his brow furrowed in frustration.

Around one o’clock that afternoon, Sheng Ming woke himself up crying.

Sheng Xi, a little copycat, joined in the wailing, though he didn’t even know why his brother was crying. He just wanted to cry louder.

Hearing the dual chorus, Duan Yi hurried to the nursery, and their afternoon playtime began.

At noon, while Sheng Ming and Sheng Xi were napping, Sheng Yunze video-called Duan Yi. Their conversation was cut short when a meeting at the hospital summoned him away.

That evening, eager to see Duan Yi after work, Sheng Yunze returned home to find the house silent.

He opened the door and found the bedroom empty. It wasn’t until he checked the nursery that he discovered Duan Yi sprawled on the floor, fast asleep.

One baby lay sprawled across Duan Yi’s chest, fast asleep, while the other curled up obediently beside him, loosely cradled by his wrist.

The nursery was dimly lit by a nightlight—a rotating, monochrome “retro disco” lamp with a lullaby function, purchased for just 13.9 yuan with free shipping on Taobao, which Duan Yi considered the height of chic and ingenuity.

Duan Yi slept soundly, clearly exhausted.

With June’s heat rising, he wore only a short-sleeved cotton pajama set in a grassy green that made his skin appear exceptionally fair.

The two children inherited his fair complexion, their skin as pale and soft as mochi.

He lay sprawled on the floor like a pancake, his pajama top rolled up to reveal his soft, white belly. Duan Yi’s once-proud abs had yet to return, leaving him with a slender waist but plenty of soft flesh.

The drawstring of his pajama pants was tied in a messy tangle of knots.

Sheng Yunze’s heart softened like never before. He almost didn’t want to speak and break the spell of this scene.

Duan Yi stirred, sensing his presence. Even when he woke, he didn’t immediately sit up—a habit developed over the past few months. Sheng Ming and Sheng Xi loved sleeping with him, often drifting onto his body like two koalas as they slept.

Duan Yi, startled awake, nearly flung the two children off the bed. He carefully withdrew his hand and looked up to see Sheng Yunze. His eyes lit up. “When did you get back?”

Sheng Yunze walked over and casually scooped up Sheng Xi like a kitten. The boy was sleeping like a log, not even stirring. Sheng Yunze simply tossed him into the cradle.

Duan Yi scolded him for being too rough, then physically demonstrated how to hold a child and gently lay him down.

After the demonstration, he asked, “Have you had dinner yet?”

Sheng Yunze had rushed back without eating. Duan Yi had already guessed as much. “I saved some food for you. I’ll go heat it up.”

They lived in a duplex apartment, with the living room and kitchen downstairs.

The private chef had prepared dinner. Duan Yi took the dishes from the refrigerator and microwaved them.

Earlier that day, Duan Yi had suddenly craved Western food. The chef had been busy since 1 p.m., preparing smoked salmon, beef, blue lobster, foie gras, truffles…

The chef had rattled off a list of fancy ingredients, but Duan Yi hadn’t been interested in hearing about their rarity or how difficult they were to obtain.

“Hey, you know about this, right?” Duan Yi asked mysteriously as he served the salmon. “Lao Wu told me.”

Lao Wu was their family’s private chef, cooking exclusively for them. His monthly salary was equivalent to an average person’s annual income.

“Lao Wu said that when these salmon were alive, they listened to violin music. He claims it helps them relax, making their flesh more tender and flavorful.”

Sheng Yunze raised an eyebrow. “You actually believe that?”

Duan Yi chuckled. “Of course not…”

He propped himself up on the bed, tilting his head to gaze at Sheng Yunze. “I wanted to talk to you, but I couldn’t think of a good conversation starter.”

Sheng Yunze was caught off guard by Duan Yi’s directness.

As Duan Yi leaned over the table, his pajamas slipped down, revealing a glimpse of his hidden collarbone. Sheng Yunze couldn’t help but smile.

Pig, he thought to himself.

“What are you laughing at?” Duan Yi asked, his gaze shifting from Sheng Yunze to the salmon.

It looks so delicious…

Duan Yi recalled the afternoon’s taste—the lingering aroma still danced on his palate. Even though he’d already eaten, he could definitely manage another bite…

No!

Duan Yi snapped back to reality.

This is Sheng Yunze’s dinner. How could I even think about eating it myself?

Duan Yi, Duan Yi, you’ve been out of high school for years now. Can’t you show a little self-control?

Sheng Yunze said slowly, “Have you gained weight again?”

Bullseye!

“No!” Duan Yi denied immediately, straightening up in his seat. “I’ve been running every day lately.”

Sheng Yunze beckoned with his hand. “Let your husband check.”

Duan Yi had learned his lesson. “Don’t try that on me! Every time you say you’re going to ‘check,’ you never actually do it properly!”

Sheng Yunze’s eyes twinkled with amusement. “What do you mean I don’t check properly? Haven’t I inspected you inside and out?”

Duan Yi: =口=!

Keep it PG at the dinner table!

He picked up his fork and listlessly poked at the foie gras, his appetite waning.

Sheng Yunze had been a picky eater since childhood. If humans could survive through photosynthesis instead of eating, he’d rather bask in the sun all day.

He didn’t want to eat, but Duan Yi was practically drooling just watching him.

He wanted to ask for some, but he was too embarrassed.

Sheng Yunze had just called him fat! If he asked for food now, wouldn’t that be a complete loss of face?

What kind of man would lack even that much backbone?

Duan Yi swallowed hard, desperately trying to tear his gaze away from the food.

Sheng Yunze caught his eye and deliberately sighed. “I don’t really feel like eating.”

“Oh…” Duan Yi replied, silently shifting his gaze back.

“But it would be a waste to throw it away,” Sheng Yunze said. “I guess I’ll just force myself to take a bite.”

“But it’s so delicious!” Duan Yi protested. “It would be a shame not to eat it. Why don’t you take a few more bites?”

If you can’t finish it, I can eat it!

Duan Yi’s eyes lit up at the thought.

Sheng Yunze struggled to suppress a smile as he reached out and pulled Duan Yi, chair and all, closer until they were sitting side-by-side.

Duan Yi diligently grabbed a napkin from the table and wiped Sheng Yunze’s mouth, then found himself involuntarily staring at the slice of bread in Sheng Yunze’s hand.

Sheng Yunze offered him a bite. “Want some?”

Duan Yi refused with righteous indignation. “I’m on a diet. No thanks.”

“Your collarbones have disappeared,” Sheng Yunze teased.

“They have not!” Duan Yi retorted, his anger flaring. He glanced down. “See? They’re perfectly visible!”

Sheng Yunze stuffed the bread into his mouth and chewed listlessly, refusing to swallow.

It was exactly what he used to do as a child when he didn’t want to eat—chew endlessly to stall.

Duan Yi picked up each Western-style plate from the table and examined them, taking turns describing them to Sheng Yunze.

Sheng Yunze chuckled. “Want to try them?”

Duan Yi’s face flushed. “I already ate this afternoon.”

He offered a weak defense, “I just wanted to take a look at them. You haven’t had dinner yet, have you? Eat.”

Sheng Yunze stopped playing and pulled Duan Yi into his arms.

Having been with Sheng Yunze for so long, Duan Yi suspected he might have skin hunger, a condition characterized by an intense craving for physical touch. Sheng Yunze particularly loved hugging and cuddling him, and he especially enjoyed holding Duan Yi in his arms and “kneading” him like dough.

When Duan Yi had come downstairs after waking up, his hair hadn’t been combed and was still a mess, each strand seemingly with its own agenda. But its softness made it incredibly pleasant to touch.

Sheng Yunze cupped Duan Yi’s face and vigorously rubbed it, kneading his cheeks like dough. Then, with both hands, he squeezed Duan Yi’s cheeks together, forcing his plump lips into a pout.

Sheng Yunze leaned in and bit Duan Yi’s lips. Duan Yi let out a muffled “Mmm!” and protested, “Rabbit’s angry—”

Sheng Yunze grinned mischievously. “I can’t hear you.”

He then pressed a hard kiss onto Duan Yi’s lips before finally releasing him.

Duan Yi rubbed his face, still straddling Sheng Yunze. He turned his head to find Sheng Yunze already picking up a piece of salmon and stuffing it into his mouth.

The moment Duan Yi tasted the food, his eyes narrowed in contentment. “So delicious! One more bite.”

Sheng Yunze happily fed him, while Duan Yi, true to the Chinese tradition of not wasting food, cleared the table.

After finishing, Sheng Yunze playfully pinched Duan Yi’s stomach. “You weren’t this round when you sat down. Why do you keep talking about dieting?”

Being a little chubby is cute too.

His face has gotten so round.

Fully satisfied, Duan Yi never did the dishes. He returned to their room, took a shower, and jumped into bed.

As Sheng Yunze tidied the living room, he heard their sons crying upstairs, followed by the bedroom door opening. Duan Yi must be comforting them.

When Sheng Yunze finished his own routine, he found Duan Yi had brought Sheng Ming and Sheng Xi into the bedroom.

Their king-sized bed was spacious. Duan Yi sat on the bed while the boys crawled around. When Sheng Ming tired, he automatically burrowed under the blanket. Sheng Yunze noticed Duan Yi engrossed in a children’s storybook.

Sheng Yunze knew Duan Yi had been trying to give their sons early education lately. He wasn’t sure what methods Duan Yi was using, but he hadn’t seen any noticeable results.

After crawling on the bed, Sheng Xi wasn’t satisfied. He even grabbed Duan Yi’s pajamas and shakily stood up.

Duan Yi exclaimed in amazement, as if he’d discovered a new continent, “Oh, oh, oh, oh!” He showed Sheng Yunze, “Your son can stand!”

Sheng Xi promptly collapsed, completely unimpressed. Duan Yi scooped him up and kissed him. “That’s my boy! Come on, take a few steps for Dad.”

Sheng Yunze pulled Duan Yi and Sheng Xi to the head of the bed and tucked them under the blanket.

The fairy tale book fell onto the bed. Sheng Yunze picked it up and flipped through it casually, landing on “The Three Little Pigs.”

The book had illustrations: one page with text, the other with colored pencil drawings. Three chubby little pigs sat under a blue sky dotted with fluffy white clouds, each with a distinct expression.

Sheng Yunze found it amusing. “So you’re telling your son your autobiography?”

Duan Yi shook the book without moving his body, glancing at him casually. “I wasn’t reading that one. How did you even find this page? I haven’t seen it before.”

Sheng Yunze began reading slowly and deliberately: “Mother Pig had two piglets. The elder was named Huhu, and the younger was named Dudu…”

When he mentioned the mother pig, Sheng Yunze cast a meaningful glance at Duan Yi, making it impossible for Duan Yi not to overthink.

It was immediately clear that Sheng Yunze was starting trouble.

Hearing Sheng Yunze begin the story, Sheng Ming perked up, abandoning his sleep to crawl over to Sheng Yunze’s side.

Though he didn’t fully grasp the meaning of storytelling, he felt safe and happy just being with Sheng Yunze and Duan Yi.

Sheng Xi clung to Duan Yi’s clothes, who scooped him up in his arms. Smiling, Duan Yi placed Sheng Xi between himself and Sheng Yunze, saying, “Sheng Xiaozhu, you’re all grown up now! You’ve learned so many skills! You can even build your own house and live independently!”

Sheng Xi didn’t understand what was happening, but he let out a joyful squeal: “Ah!”

His voice was crisp and full of babyish charm.

His chubby body wiggled vigorously in Duan Yi’s arms, moving with a rhythmic energy.

Sheng Yunze continued reading the story of the three little pigs: “The three little pigs arrived at the foot of the mountain, chose a plot of land, and prepared to build their own houses. Then, they went up the mountain to gather materials for their homes…”

Duan Yi dutifully supported Sheng Xi, helping him practice walking. Sheng Xi, who couldn’t walk at all, wiggled his little legs with glee, stumbling and wobbling, his limbs tangling and twisting, causing him to sprain his ankles several times.

Sheng Ming, much more well-behaved, sat quietly in Sheng Yunze’s arms.

Duan Yi gathered the blanket, fashioned it into a cozy nest, and placed both Sheng Ming and Sheng Xi inside. “There,” he declared proudly, “your house is built! Sheng Xiaozhu, as the older brother, you must protect your little brother.”

He snatched the fairy tale book from Sheng Yunze, leaned bonelessly against his chest, rested his head on his shoulder, and began to read dramatically: “Big Grey, the wolf who lived on the mountain’s back, heard that three little pigs had settled at the foot of the mountain. He thought his meals for the next few days were secured—”

Sheng Yunze glanced at him, then, fully embracing his theatrical side, tossed the book aside and pretended to scare Sheng Ming and Sheng Xi. “The Big Grey Wolf is coming!”

The twins burst into giggles, then scrambled out of the blanket. Duan Yi quickly scooped them up, laughing, “Run away!”

Sheng Xi crawled toward his dad, but Duan Yi quickly pulled him back. “Are you stupid or what?! That’s not your dad anymore—he’s Big Grey Wolf now! If you crawl over there, he’ll eat you!”

The bed wasn’t very big. Sheng Yunze grabbed Duan Yi’s leg, and Duan Yi pushed him away. The baby crawled at lightning speed, flipped over on the bed, and watched the twins retreating. He pretended to wail, “Oh, you two ungrateful little brats! I’m going to get eaten!”

Sheng Yunze dragged him back and pulled him into a hug, wrapping his arms and legs around him. Then he started tickling Duan Yi mercilessly, chanting, “Gotcha, Mama Pig! Today we’re having steamed little piglet!”

Duan Yi laughed until he was nearly in tears, struggling in Sheng Yunze’s arms for a while before finally begging for mercy. “I give up! I can’t beat you… I surrender! Treat your prisoners well!”

The family of four played on the bed until after nine o’clock, when Duan Yi finally stopped them because the children needed to sleep.

Sheng Ming and Sheng Xi were also exhausted from playing. They yawned sleepily, the younger one stretching, rubbing his eyes, and reaching out for Duan Yi to hold him.

Duan Yi carried Sheng Xi, while Sheng Yunze carried Sheng Ming, and they laid the twins down in their cribs in the nursery.

Sheng Xi refused to lie down, clinging to Duan Yi’s collar. Duan Yi coaxed him for a long while, but Sheng Xi only reluctantly grumbled and fussed before finally letting go and obediently lying down on the bed.

Duan Yi massaged his aching back and draped himself over Sheng Yunze. “Carry me back. My legs are broken, I can’t walk, I’m exhausted. It’s all your son’s fault.”

Sheng Yunze chuckled. “Really? I thought you were having the most fun earlier.”

Duan Yi stubbornly denied it. “That’s just your imagination!”

After closing the nursery door, Sheng Yunze suddenly turned and swept Duan Yi into his arms.

Afraid of waking the baby, Duan Yi quickly wrapped his arms around Sheng Yunze’s neck.

Their bedroom was just a few steps away. Sheng Yunze kicked open the door and tossed Duan Yi onto the bed.

Before Duan Yi could even sit up, Sheng Yunze pinned him down, pressing his shoulders against the mattress, preventing him from moving.

Duan Yi instantly grasped Sheng Yunze’s deeper meaning, blinking his eyes. “I’m tired today. Can we do it tomorrow?”

“No,” Sheng Yunze refused immediately.

Before Duan Yi could protest, Sheng Yunze had already pulled his pajamas up to his chest and lowered his head to bite him. “It’s adult fairy tale time now.”

His index finger twitched, and he nipped Duan Yi’s nose again, making tears well up in Duan Yi’s eyes. Sheng Yunze grinned mischievously. “The Big Bad Wolf is going to eat Mama Pig now.”

By night, his boyfriend practically transformed into a different person, his laughter wicked and his features taking on a sinister edge in the dim moonlight. He was a far cry from the aloof, virtuous “iceberg beauty” Sheng Academy Belle of the daytime.

Duan Yi’s face flushed crimson. He obediently murmured, “Okay,” closed his eyes, and tilted his head back, sharing a long, lingering kiss with Sheng Yunze.

[ School Beauty’s Adult Fairy Tale Game Time ]