1122 - Chapter 38.1

Yan Nanchen didn’t just reserve the entire theme park, he also took over the hotel. Today’s hotel theme was Qiao Qiao’s favorite, Barbie dolls, a character unrelated to the theme park. But because it was Yan Nanchen, nothing was impossible.

The dreamy Barbie princess theme enveloped the hotel lobby in a romantic, fantastical pink hue from the moment they stepped inside. Every hotel staff member was dressed as characters from the Barbie movie series, sending Qiao Qiao into an excited frenzy. From the second she entered, she was bouncing with joy all the way in.

Jiang Yi had never seen his daughter so happy before.

This happiness wasn’t just from the surprises, it was also the sheer lack of restraint in her joy. Perhaps “restraint” wasn’t the right word. A child who had just turned five should be carefree and innocent, but his daughter had always seemed more thoughtful than her peers.

She just never said anything to avoid worrying him.

During their years abroad in M Country, he had done everything in his power to provide for his daughter, ensuring she lacked nothing materially. Yet none of that could compare to the mere two months since their return not because of money, but because both he and Yan Nanchen were by her side now.

It was like his own past. His father had passed away early, leaving him with only half the sense of security he should have had. Then, after graduating from university, his mother passed away too, and there was no longer anyone behind him to turn to for a comforting embrace when he was disheartened.

In this world, having both parents present in one’s life was the greatest wealth and the greatest source of security sometimes even surpassing that of a lover.

So seeing Qiao Qiao so happy filled him with an indescribable sense of guilt.

Perhaps he hadn’t been rational or brave enough back then. The child was innocent.

As Jiang Yi watched Qiao Qiao laughing brightly in front of a staff member dressed as a Barbie princess, gleefully accepting a balloon and jumping around, he couldn’t help but imagine, if Nian Nian were still here, she’d probably be about this tall by now.

Just then, he felt the back of a hand brush against his cheek. Startled, he turned his head and met Yan Nanchen’s gaze directly.

“Are you thinking about Nian Nian?”

Yan Nanchen’s words hit harder than silence. Jiang Yi felt his nose sting, barely holding back. He had already accepted that, no matter how much time passed, Nian Nian would always remain an unforgettable ache buried deep in his heart.

“Yeah. Seeing Qiao Qiao so happy makes me think, if Nian Nian were here, she’d be just as happy.” Jiang Yi lowered his head, rubbing his nose to steady his voice.

“I prepared a gift for Nian Nian too.”

“What kind of gift?”

“You’ll find out soon.”

Jiang Yi listened to Yan Nanchen’s mysterious tone. Though it wasn’t his birthday, he couldn’t help feeling a flicker of anticipation.

After playing with Qiao Qiao downstairs for a while, they finally returned to their hotel suite upstairs.

By the time the elevator ride was over, Qiao Qiao was already fast asleep in Yan Nanchen’s arms.

“Good thing her birthday isn’t until tomorrow.” Jiang Yi gazed at Qiao Qiao’s sleeping face nestled against Yan Nanchen’s arm, gently brushing away the stray hairs on her forehead, his eyes full of tenderness. “She must’ve had so much fun today.”

“What about you?”

“Me?”

They stood outside the hotel villa’s door, shoulders nearly touching as they stood side by side. Their eyes locked, stretching those few seconds into what felt like minutes.

“Yeah. Did you have a good day?”

Jiang Yi was amused by Yan Nanchen’s question. He helplessly averted his gaze. “Qiao Qiao is very happy today. If she’s happy, naturally I’m happy too. Where’s the room key?”

“It’s in my left pocket. I’m holding Qiao Qiao, so my hands are full. You reach in and get it.” Yan Nanchen slightly turned his body, watching Jiang Yi intently.

Perhaps under such a gaze, Jiang Yi felt his palm sweating as he reached into Yan Nanchen’s pocket. It was just retrieving a room key, yet it somehow felt like he was doing something indescribable, his heartbeat quickening.

Just as he pulled out the keycard, he heard Yan Nanchen chuckle softly.

That light laugh was utterly ordinary, yet it inexplicably made his face burn.

Sweat dampened Jiang Yi’s palm around the keycard. Without looking at Yan Nanchen, he suppressed his fluttering heart and swiped the card to open the door. “What’s so funny?”

“There’s only this one card in my pocket, yet you took so long groping around. Yi Yi, I’m an Alpha. You can’t do this to me.”

The door beeped open. The two stepped inside one after another. After closing the door, without even inserting the keycard to activate the lights, they stood in the entryway, responding to each other through breaths in the pitch darkness.

Greedily savoring each other’s nearness.

Until their daughter let out a soft, sleepy murmur, snapping them both out of their reverie.

All the villa’s lights flickered on.

“I’ll put Qiao Qiao to bed first.” Yan Nanchen subtly committed Jiang Yi’s flushed face to memory before forcing himself to look away by focusing on their daughter. Carrying Qiao Qiao, he headed toward the guest room on the first floor. “We’ll blow up balloons and decorate later.”

Knowing Jiang Yi wouldn’t want to visit his home yet especially for Qiao Qiao’s birthday he had arranged to host the party directly at this theme hotel. This way, they could invite all the neighborhood kids without making a mess of Jiang Yi’s place.

And it gave him more chances to get closer.

He longed for Jiang Yi during the day, dreamed of him at night, and now even his evenings were filled with yearning.

Jiang Yi stared blankly at Yan Nanchen’s retreating figure. Only when he disappeared into the room did Jiang Yi force himself to turn away. What was happening to him?

Originally, “blowing up balloons” was just that literally inflating balloons to decorate for their daughter’s birthday party tomorrow. The term itself was innocent, but once it entered his mind, his thoughts involuntarily strayed.

Balloons and such.

The more he thought, the more absurd it became. He smacked his own forehead. Why had he been dwelling on such things lately?

“Why hit yourself?”

Lost in self-reproach, he hadn’t noticed Yan Nanchen approaching from behind. As he tried to lower his hand, it was caught midair. His gaze fell on the fingers encircling his wrist slender, well-defined, even the knuckles exuding an inexplicable allure.

Jiang Yi’s throat bobbed. “Is Qiao Qiao asleep?”

This was outrageous. Even this Alpha’s hands could captivate him.

“You haven’t answered me. Were you happy today?” Yan Nanchen lowered Jiang Yi’s hand but showed no intention of letting go, his eyes fixed intently, waiting for a response.

Jiang Yi was baffled by the question. “Didn’t I just say I was happy?”

“You said you were happy because Qiao Qiao was happy. I’m asking if you were happy.” Yan Nanchen’s thumb brushed the inside of Jiang Yi’s wrist as he took a small step forward.

Jiang Yi felt Yan Nanchen’s slightly rough fingertips tracing the veins on his wrist, over and over, as if trying to map every pulse point. He wanted to pull his hand away, yet couldn’t bring himself to do so.

“Yi Yi, your heartbeat is so fast. Are you nervous?” Yan Nanchen leaned close to Jiang Yi’s shoulder, his fingers resting on the lively pulse beneath his skin, his gaze tracing Jiang Yi’s features. He chuckled softly, “Don’t be nervous. We’re just blowing up balloons.”

The next second, Jiang Yi cupped Yan Nanchen’s face and kissed him.

Yan Nanchen froze in place, stunned, staring at Jiang Yi in disbelief.

The moment their eyes met, the kiss had already ended, leaving only the lingering sweetness of Tuberose Jasmine omega pheromones clinging to their lips.

Jiang Yi met Yan Nanchen’s shocked gaze head-on, as if amused by his reaction. With a hint of triumph, he dropped his hands and feigned nonchalance. “Don’t be nervous. We just kissed, that’s all.”

In truth, his heart was racing wildly.

He knew his impulses were overtaking his rationality every action faster than thought. The thoughts, the longing, the teasing he’d endured these past days had become like sparks, ready to ignite a wildfire.

He pressed his lips together, as if savoring the moment, then turned to walk toward the living room, where piles of party decorations awaited.

But before he could fully turn away, Yan Nanchen grabbed his arm, pulling him back into an embrace from behind, arms wrapping tightly around his shoulders.

“Yi Yi, you kissed me.”

Jiang Yi heard the sheer delight in Yan Nanchen’s voice, like a child who’d just been given candy. The joy was contagious, tugging at the corners of his lips. “Yan Nanchen, are you the kind of official who forbids others what he does himself?”

“I’m not an official, and you’re not just anyone.” Yan Nanchen buried his face against Jiang Yi’s shoulder, his lips brushing the violet tattoo on his neck. “I’m your puppy, and you’re Jiang Yi. Puppy allows Jiang Yi to do anything.”

The warm breath against his skin sent tingles down his spine, his gland growing increasingly sensitive.

Jiang Yi steadied his breathing and took a step forward, but Yan Nanchen followed, clinging to him. “Enough playing around. If we don’t finish blowing up these balloons, we’ll be up all night.”

“I want to hold you while we blow them up,” Yan Nanchen murmured, laughter in his voice. “Is that okay?”

“No.”

“Yes.”

“No.”

“You kissed me without giving me any title or status. Is it too much to ask for a hug?”

“You hugged me before without asking.”

“So, if I ask next time, can I hug you?”

“If you’re not going to help with the balloons, leave. I’ll do it myself.”

“Fine, I won’t hold you. Don’t be mad.”

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