1122 - Chapter 39.2

He recognized the symptoms all too well pheromone concentration imbalance. In the past, he could only relieve it by injecting suppressants.

Jiang Yi rolled out of bed, sitting on the edge for a moment before standing and heading to the adjacent room.

When Yan Nanchen opened the door and saw Jiang Yi standing there, he froze for a second. The moment he caught the unusual scent of Jiang Yi’s pheromones and noticed his pallid complexion, his expression darkened. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

“…I” Jiang Yi hesitated, lowering his eyes. His hand, hanging at his side, twitched slightly before falling back. “I don’t feel well.”

Then the hand he had withdrawn was caught by Yan Nanchen, his gaze flickering in surprise.

“Do you want me to hold you while you sleep?” Yan Nanchen pulled him closer, pressing his other hand against Jiang Yi’s forehead. His frown deepened at the scorching heat.

Beside them, Chu Beiheng couldn’t take it anymore. He covered Duan Yifan’s face with his large hand: “You little rascal, who are you trying to kiss?” Then he turned to Qiao Qiao with a serious expression: “Qiao Qiao, what did Uncle tell you to do if a boy tries to kiss you?”

Now it was Qiao Qiao’s turn to be troubled. She propped her chin on her hands, her little face scrunched up in conflict: “I’m supposed to hit him if he tries to kiss me… but Uncle, he promised me a whole truckload of Barbie dolls. And he’s kinda cute.”

Her cousin Duan Yuluo quickly nodded in agreement: “Yeah yeah, I know this feeling! Like when Lu Xinghe gave me lots of Ultraman figures, I thought he was really cool and just went home with him.”

As if receiving some kind of validation, Qiao Qiao immediately leaned over and planted a kiss on her classmate Duan Yifan’s cheek.

Duan Yifan covered his face with his small hands, grinning foolishly.

Chu Beiheng’s face instantly darkened. He grabbed the little rascal to give him a stern talking-to, and for good measure, dragged Lu Xinghe over too. These two brats were really something – they’d managed to charm both his precious little ones in no time.

“Your Uncle here hasn’t even started dating yet, and you kindergarten kids think you can beat me to it? Not a chance!”

Jiang Yi, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, burst out laughing. But as his laughter subsided, he felt an itch in his nose. He wiped it absentmindedly and looked down to see blood on the back of his hand.

He frowned.

Why had he been getting nosebleeds so often lately?

Hadn’t he been running fevers too frequently lately?

In just two months since returning to the country, he’d already had several. How could Yan Nanchen not worry? And now, hiding a nosebleed in the bathroom just how much had he been enduring?

“Yes.” Jiang Yi naturally responded when Yan Nanchen offered. He met his gaze. “I want you to hold me.”

Yan Nanchen’s heart softened. Forget just holding him, he’d do anything for him.

The two returned to the room, leaving the door ajar since their daughter was sleeping nearby.

Jiang Yi settled into bed, immediately curling into Yan Nanchen’s arms the moment he lay down. Perhaps it was the proximity to his Alpha’s pheromones, but being wrapped together under the same blanket brought him comfort.

“Next time you’re not feeling well, come to me immediately. Understand?” Yan Nanchen tightened his arms around Jiang Yi, who had nestled against his chest.

“And what identity are you saying this to me as?” Jiang Yi closed his eyes, exhaustion weighing heavier than before. He buried his face against Yan Nanchen’s neck, desperately seeking solace in his Alpha’s pheromones.

“I’m your Alpha, aren’t I?” Yan Nanchen felt Jiang Yi’s scorching breath against his neck. Sensing his discomfort, he tried his best to release alpha pheromones to soothe him.

Jiang Yi let out a soft “Mm,” then murmured, “Then I’m uncomfortable right now.”

Within seconds, his consciousness slipped into sleep, his breathing growing faint.

At that very moment, Yan Nanchen’s heart leaped into his throat. The person in his arms was breathing so lightly it was almost inaudible only the warmth of his exhales reassured Yan Nanchen that he was still alive.

Today was the day Niannian Qiao Qiao was born.

And the day Jiang Yi suffered.

He lowered his gaze, cradling Jiang Yi as he slept in his arms like something precious regained. His eyes traced every contour, emotions saturating his gaze, while lingering fear spread through him.

What if?

Jiang Yi hadn’t made it through that day.

Yan Nanchen would have lost all courage to keep living.

Thankfully.

He tightened his arms slightly around Jiang Yi, careful not to wake him, letting silent tears fall as he savored the relief of survival.

Then he just kept watching him, afraid that if he blinked, Jiang Yi might disappear.

Until dawn.

The early morning light was faint, and outside the hotel villa, cicadas clamored with summer’s fervor, waking Qiao Qiao from her deep, comfortable sleep.

When Qiao Qiao woke up, she wasn’t quite sure where she was, but she obediently climbed out of bed, slipped on her shoes, and walked out of the room. Spotting another door nearby, she tiptoed inside.

There, she found First Dad and Daddy sleeping in bed.

As if seeing it for the first time, her eyes widened with curiosity. She covered her mouth to stifle any sound.

Yan Nanchen hadn’t slept. He’d heard Qiao Qiao the moment she entered, but not wanting to disturb Jiang Yi, he turned carefully and couldn’t help but smile at her sneaky expression.

“Qiao Qiao, good morning.”

Seeing First Dad awake, she hurried to the bedside and peeked at Daddy, still asleep beside him. Pointing, she whispered, “Is Daddy sleeping in?”

Yan Nanchen reached out, lifting her with one arm and settling her between himself and Jiang Yi.

“Yeah, Daddy’s still tired and sleeping.” He lay on his side, holding Qiao Qiao in his arms as they both gazed at Jiang Yi. Softly, he said, “Qiao Qiao, happy birthday.”

Resting her little hands under her head, she looked at Daddy and whispered, “First Dad, I should also tell Daddy he worked hard. Uncle said Daddy suffered a lot when he had me otherwise, Brother wouldn’t have become a Little Elf and would be a kid like me.”

Touched by his daughter’s sensitivity and maturity, Yan Nanchen’s eyes welled up. He was exhausted, but he didn’t dare sleep, he just wanted to keep watching Jiang Yi, an indescribable ache gnawing at him. Since last night, when he’d noticed Jiang Yi’s nosebleed, his subconscious had dragged him back to the day of the birth, the hemorrhage.

Overwhelming dread gripped him, terrified that today, Jiang Yi might vanish.

The more he feared, the more anxious he became.

Holding his daughter, he restrained his emotions. “Mm, when Daddy wakes up, you can tell him yourself, okay?”

Qiao Qiao nodded obediently: “I will. Qiao Qiao says it every year, just like First Dad taught me to love Daddy very, very much, because without Daddy, there would be no Qiao Qiao.”

Yan Nanchen smiled, though his nose tingled with emotion. He wondered how he would have managed all these years without his older brother.

The father and daughter continued gazing at the sleeping Jiang Yi until they saw him stir and show signs of waking. Their expressions mirrored each other perfectly.

Jiang Yi felt he had slept exceptionally well. When he opened his eyes and saw Yan Nanchen and Qiao Qiao lying beside him, both watching him intently, he froze momentarily.

Perhaps he had imagined this scene before closing his eyes beside his loved ones and opening them to the same beloved faces. Now that it had suddenly become reality, his heart swelled with overwhelming joy.

“Yi Yi, good morning.”

“Daddy! Good morning!”

Hearing Yan Nanchen and Qiao Qiao greet him, Jiang Yi’s eyes reddened as he laughed. “You didn’t wait for me to wake up this whole time, did you?”

He was so happy. This feeling was so wonderful it had been a long time since he’d experienced such pure joy.

If only Nian Nian were here too, it would be perfect.

“Did you sleep well last night?” Yan Nanchen gently brushed Jiang Yi’s tousled hair aside, his gaze filled with tenderness. “Your fever’s gone.”

“Mhm.” Jiang Yi nodded honestly before pulling Qiao Qiao into his arms. He kissed his daughter’s forehead. “Qiao Qiao, happy birthday.”

Silently, he added: Nian Nian, happy birthday. Daddy will always love you.

“Daddy worked hard!” Qiao Qiao leaned up to kiss her father’s cheek, then wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered, “Qiao Qiao also wishes gege a happy birthday.”

Holding Qiao Qiao tighter, Jiang Yi felt his nose sting and tears well up. “Yes, gege will be very happy.”

Then he felt Yan Nanchen embrace them both.

With little Qiao Qiao sandwiched between them, they held each other close nothing could disrupt this embrace.

“Yi Yi, you’ve worked hard.” Yan Nanchen pressed a kiss to Jiang Yi’s eyelid. “From now on, I’ll never leave you, Nian Nian, or Qiao Qiao again. Our family will stay together forever.”

Jiang Yi laughed softly. “Okay.”

After waking up, the family of three quickly freshened up to prepare for the day’s birthday celebration.

Qiao Qiao hadn’t invited many friends to her party just her brothers and two close kindergarten friends, Lu Xinghe and Duan Yifan.

When it came time to blow out the candles and make wishes, she greedily made several:

Wish one: Hope Daddy never cries again.

Wish two: Hope First Dad and Daddy get married and stop arguing.

Wish three: Hope I can have a little brother.

Wish four: Hope First Uncle finds someone soon and isn’t so lonely.

Wish five: Hope Duan Yifan stops sneaking drinks from my water bottle.

After making her wishes, Qiao Qiao opened her eyes and blew out the candles, only to find Duan Yifan leaning in.

“Qiao Qiao, was I in any of your wishes?” Duan Yifan propped himself halfway across the table, looking at her eagerly.

Qiao Qiao turned away with a huff. “Why would I make wishes about you?”

“Aww!” Duan Yifan’s face fell dramatically. “But I gave you a whole truckload of Barbie dolls.”

Qiao Qiao: “!!!”

Duan Yifan sighed dramatically, resting his chin in his hands. “Guess I’ll take them back then.”

Qiao Qiao immediately pressed down on Duan Yifan’s hand, her face lighting up with a smile: “Yes! You’re in my wish! Guess what it is.”

Duan Yifan pretended to think, stroking his chin with his small hand: “Hmm… Could it be that you wished to be my little sweetheart? If that’s the case, then I’ll give them all to you.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” Qiao Qiao replied without fully understanding what he meant, nodding eagerly before stretching out her hands toward him: “Can I have the gift now?”

Duan Yifan then tapped his cheek: “First, give me a kiss.”

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