1122 - Chapter 34.2

If he could go back, he would never let Jiang Yi face this alone. Now, he understood why Jiang Yi had been so determined to return and take on this project. If Galaxy Group or Neptune Technologies as industry leaders didn’t spearhead this effort, countless families might still be torn apart by the Secondary Differentiation Gene Defect.

Perhaps a comprehensive detection method wouldn’t be perfected overnight, but the mere fact that this work had begun offered hope to the Secondary Differentiation Population. Ensuring their children wouldn’t inherit this disease that was the greatest wish of every patient suffering from genetic defects.

“You won’t forget. I’m here. Nian Nian is my Nian Nian too. This year, let me be the one to celebrate their birthday, okay?”

They stayed like that for who knows how long, but gradually, under the calming influence of the Alpha’s pheromones, Jiang Yi’s sorrow began to ease.

When Jiang Yi finally felt steadier, he lightly pushed against Yan Nanchen’s chest, trying to pull away only for Yan Nanchen to tighten his hold, refusing to let go.

Behind his glasses, Jiang Yi’s eyes flickered with embarrassment and irritation. “This position is hurting my back.”

Only then did Yan Nanchen release him. “I thought you were done with me after that hug. My heart broke for a whole second,” he teased, smiling as he wiped Jiang Yi’s tear-streaked cheeks with the back of his hand. “Feeling better now?”

Jiang Yi avoided his hand, sitting back in his seat and leaning against the chair. He turned his head to look out the window, hiding the unnatural expression on his face. “Feeling better now.”

“I thought you’d say you weren’t,” Yan Nanchen said as he placed his hands on the steering wheel and started the car, a faint smile playing on his lips. “That way, I could hold you a little longer.”

Jiang Yi punched his arm expressionlessly.

Unexpectedly, Yan Nanchen laughed again. “Didn’t even hurt. Hitting me so gently are you worried about me? So considerate.”

Jiang Yi shot him a sidelong glance. “So annoying.”

Yan Nanchen chuckled without responding, though his gaze lingered on Jiang Yi’s face. Seeing that his mood seemed less somber than before, taking a couple of hits and teasing remarks was nothing.

“Yi Yi, it’s settled then. This time, I’ll celebrate Nian Nian and Qiao Qiao’s birthday, I’ll make their cake myself.”

“Who said it’s settled?” Jiang Yi glanced at him, hesitating. “Since when did you learn how to bake cakes?”

“I originally learned to make one for you, but not long after, we had that fight. Never got the chance to celebrate your birthday.” Yan Nanchen turned the wheel as they approached the roundabout, checking the rearview mirror before continuing, “This year, I want to celebrate your birthday.”

Jiang Yi laughed at his presumptuousness. “You’re talking as if I already agreed. Who said yes?”

“Then, will you let me celebrate your birthday this year?”

Jiang Yi fell silent for a moment before replying, “Wishful thinking.”

Yan Nanchen smiled but said nothing.

He had already prepared birthday gifts for all five years each one filled with longing and waiting. At least he hadn’t been made to wait a lifetime.

The kindergarten was just ahead. During pickup hours, the street outside was packed with parked cars. The two got out to fetch Qiao Qiao and happened to run into Chu Beiheng.

Chu Beiheng had just parked his van when he spotted Yan Nanchen and Jiang Yi. He raised an eyebrow. “Lucky you two only one kid to pick up. I’ve got five. Oh, wait, not today since I don’t need to get Qiao Qiao, that makes four. Funny how someone begged me to come back and manage the group, only to go off and enjoy romance instead.”

He shot Yan Nanchen a pointed look.

Yan Nanchen coughed lightly, then smiled. “Got it. I’ll handle pickup tomorrow.”

The three walked side by side toward the school gate.

Perhaps it was because the strikingly handsome twin Alphas drew too much attention, but Jiang Yi, walking beside them, felt increasingly awkward and wished he could distance himself.

Qiao Qiao spotted her dad from afar along with her beloved First Dad and Uncle Beiheng. She was overjoyed. “Teacher, teacher! Look, my First Dad came to pick me up!”

Qiao Qiao’s homeroom teacher had never met her First Dad before, though she was familiar with Chu Beiheng, who often picked up the kids. She knew Chu Beiheng wasn’t Qiao Qiao’s First Dad, but when she saw the man beside him his identical twin it suddenly clicked. Jiang Nianqiao was also a child of the Luo family?!

And the daughter of Galaxy Group’s current CEO, Yan Nanchen?!

Yan Nanchen walked up to the gate of Qiao Qiao’s class. This was his first time picking up his daughter, and the feeling was indescribable. He watched as she bounded out in her little dress, her hair neatly tied, and bent down to scoop her into his arms.

“My best friend,” Qiao Qiao excitedly hugged Yan Nanchen’s neck, nuzzling her face against his cheek before planting an enthusiastic kiss on him. “I can’t believe it’s you picking me up today!”

“Are you happy?” Yan Nanchen was overjoyed by his daughter’s kiss and asked with a smile.

“Of course I’m happy! My best friend came to pick me up!” Qiao Qiao then glanced at her father standing beside them, and her little expression immediately changed. She cupped her face with her hands and said, “Oh, my dear daddy, did you rest well last night? Did my best friend take good care of you?”

Jiang Yi smirked. “Jiang Nianqiao, I thought you couldn’t see me.”

Chu Beiheng, standing nearby, also had a jealous look. “Jiang Nianqiao, I thought you couldn’t see me either.”

This left Qiao Qiao looking troubled. She rested her head on Yan Nanchen’s shoulder and sighed like a little adult. “Oh dear, what should I do now? This is such a hard choice.”

Chu Beiheng sighed and muttered, “A grown daughter is like spilled water,” before walking off to pick up the other four boys in the family.

Yan Nanchen was amused by his daughter’s cuteness. He lowered his head, his eyes filled with adoration. “Why aren’t you calling me First Dad today?” As he spoke, he instinctively glanced at Jiang Yi.

Hearing this, Qiao Qiao also instinctively looked at her father, as if seeking his permission to call Yan Nanchen “First Dad.” After all, they had previously agreed to stand united when she saw First Dad, she was supposed to hit him.

Jiang Yi was helpless under the pleading gazes of the father-daughter duo, feeling like the villain keeping them from acknowledging each other. He also shot a reproachful look at Jiang Nianqiao, the little traitor.

But in the end, he let it go.

He looked at Qiao Qiao helplessly. “Do you not even remember what First Dad looks like or what his name is? The first time you saw him, you were playing on your own.”

Hearing this, Qiao Qiao pouted that was all Uncle’s fault! She immediately wrapped her arms around Yan Nanchen’s neck and showered his face with kisses, cooing sweetly, “My First Dad is Yan Nanchen! I’ve been holding it in for so long, it was killing me!Yan Nanchen was completely defenseless against his daughter’s adorable, babyish coquetry. His heart melted, and the longing he had been suppressing in his chest finally settled didn’t this mean Jiang Yi was willing to accept him?

It was just a matter of time, and that was fine. He was willing to keep waiting.

“Qiao Qiao played the ‘call-and-I’ll-come’ game with First Dad yesterday. Do you want a reward today?” Yan Nanchen asked with a smile. If not for his daughter, he might still be struggling to get closer to Jiang Yi.

Jiang Yi felt a chill down his spine at the word “reward.” He narrowed his eyes slightly. “Yan Nanchen, no more buying her things. There’s no space left at home.”

Qiao Qiao was about to speak up, but seeing her father’s stern expression, she immediately pursed her lips, not daring to ask for anything.

Yan Nanchen said, “Qiao Qiao really did well yesterday. If she hadn’t called me in time, I wouldn’t have been able to help you so quickly.”

Hearing this, Qiao Qiao raised her hand. “Reporting to First Dad, Daddy told me to call you!”

Jiang Yi’s eyes widened. He stared at his daughter, only to meet Yan Nanchen’s amused gaze. He immediately facepalmed, completely unaware that his ears had turned red.

Yan Nanchen’s smile deepened. “Qiao Qiao, so it was Daddy who called First Dad. Then Daddy should get a reward too, right?”

Qiao Qiao, seizing the opportunity, nodded eagerly. “Then First Dad should reward both me and Daddy!”

“What reward does Qiao Qiao want?”

“I want First Dad to take me and Daddy to the amusement park on Saturday, and then celebrate Qiao Qiao’s birthday on Sunday!”

Yan Nanchen lowered his head with a smile, his eyes reflecting Jiang Yi’s reddened ears: “Then First Dad will take Qiao Qiao and Daddy to the amusement park this weekend, and on Sunday First Dad will make you a birthday cake, okay?”

Qiao Qiao excitedly raised her hand: “Yay!”

Jiang Yi silently turned his face away. He hadn’t even said anything yet, but this little one was quite good at making arrangements, not planning to let him and Yan Nanchen miss seeing each other even on weekends.

Meeting in the morning, meeting in the evening, meeting in dreams.

Is there anywhere left without Yan Nanchen’s presence if this continues

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