1122 - Chapter 49

Yan Nanchen had no experience taking care of children, let alone one so young. Coincidentally, Jiang Yi had gone for postpartum recovery therapy, leaving him to watch their son for a while.

Of course, he had to do well with the task his wife entrusted to him.

So when their son started crying, this decisive and formidable CEO in the business world was instantly at a loss sitting wasn’t right, standing wasn’t right either. He was completely bewildered.

Sitting by the bed, he could only try his best to stay calm, patting his son gently as he coaxed, “Mumu, be good. Daddy will be back soon, okay? Just wait a little longer.”

“Waaah!”

Yan Muyi cried even louder, the sound practically piercing through the walls. Yan Nanchen’s patting hand froze for a couple of seconds, panic flashing in his eyes, so he picked his son up to soothe him.

But no matter how he held him, the baby kept wailing miserably.

It made him want to cry too.

Just then, someone knocked on the door. Yan Nanchen’s eyes lit up, thinking Jiang Yi had returned, but when the door opened, it was his older brother Chu Beiheng followed by two nannies.

Chu Beiheng met Yan Nanchen’s instantly dimmed gaze and utterly defeated expression, then listened to the wailing of his nephew in his arms. He couldn’t help but laugh. “This is just the beginning, Nanchen.”

Yan Nanchen looked troubled. “I’m not good at this when Yi’s not around.”

The nannies behind them quickly stepped into the room, ready to take the baby from Yan Nanchen’s arms.

Unsurprisingly, this left Yan Nanchen feeling a little disheartened.

“If you don’t know how, then you have to learn. I’ll teach you.” Chu Beiheng didn’t let the nannies take the baby. Instead, he walked forward and took Yan Muyi from his brother’s arms, then flipped the baby securely onto his forearm.

In less than two seconds, Yan Muyi stopped crying, letting out tiny hiccups before starting to suck on his own fingers.

Yan Nanchen: “?”

One-week-old Yan Muyi was full of curiosity about the world, naturally intrigued by the two identical Alphas in front of him. Lying on Chu Beiheng’s arm, he gnawed on his fingers, his round eyes darting between the two of them.

Every now and then, he let out a soft, milky “mm.”

Chu Beiheng raised a brow at Yan Nanchen. “When babies this small cry, it’s usually because they’re uncomfortable, hungry, or tired. If you’re not sure, just pick them up first. Just now, when you held him and he hiccuped, it meant his stomach might have been upset. Newborns are prone to colic. Learn this airplane hold, try it.”

With that, he handed Muyi back to Yan Nanchen’s arm.

Yan Nanchen stared at his tiny son lying on his forearm. At first, he was still nervous even though he had seen and held his son every day this past week, the baby still felt so fragile. He was terrified of hurting him.

But when he saw his son lying obediently on his arm, his little head resting in his palm, sucking on his fingers with that fair, adorable face especially the side profile and nose bridge that looked so much like Jiang Yi, like a mini version of him his heart instantly melted.

He leaned down and kissed his son’s cheek, his eyes naturally softening with paternal love.

Missing out on Qiao Qiao’s precious first five years was a lifelong regret for him. So with Muyi, he couldn’t afford to be absent.

“Mu Mu is much more well-behaved than Qiao Qiao was back then.” Chu Beiheng surveyed the fully-equipped room and couldn’t help but sigh. “It’s always better to be at home with one’s Alpha. At the time, I didn’t consider much, I thought hiring a few more nannies to take care of Jiang Yi would help him recover, but his emotional state wasn’t good then. After losing Nian Nian, he was resistant toward Qiao Qiao, and Qiao Qiao kept crying because his daddies weren’t around.”

Yan Nanchen still felt guilty hearing this. He gently rocked Mu Mu in his arms, looking down at his son. “I won’t leave Yi Yi and the children again.”

Then a nanny came over to take the baby for feeding.

“But I didn’t come here just to see you. There’s something I need to tell you.” Chu Beiheng sat on the sofa, resting his arm on the backrest and crossing his legs, his posture casual and relaxed.

Yan Nanchen carefully handed the baby to the nanny and sat down at the other end of the sofa, looking at Chu Beiheng. “What is it?”

“I’ve met someone I like.” Chu Beiheng said, a faint smile appearing at the corners of his lips, clearly in high spirits.

Seeing his brother’s lovestruck expression, Yan Nanchen remarked, “At 32, that’s quite an achievement. Do we know them?”

“Yes, and that’s why I came to discuss it with you. I’m planning to go on a variety show with him.”

“A variety show?”

“He’s an idol, and I invested in a variety show. I’m bringing my own funding to join the cast, thinking of entering the entertainment industry together with him, a mutual journey. Doesn’t that sound inspiring?”

Yan Nanchen looked at his brother, hesitating before speaking. “Bro, are you still playing around? So you’re saying you won’t help me manage the group anymore?”

Chu Beiheng nodded with a smile. “Exactly. I’m going to make my mark in the entertainment industry. And this isn’t just playing around, I’m serious about pursuing him.”

“So you haven’t even won him over yet.” This time, Yan Nanchen couldn’t help but laugh.

Chu Beiheng clicked his tongue in displeasure. “What’s that supposed to mean? As if I had time for romance in the past few years. I don’t know which scoundrel dumped his wife and kids on me, and after returning to the country, I had to manage both Galaxy Group and Neptune for you, not to mention shuttling all those kids around. My youth was spent raising children, okay? Now that I’m finally chasing someone, what’s the big deal?”

Seeing his brother getting worked up, Yan Nanchen couldn’t hold back another laugh. “Got it, you’ve worked hard. When are you planning to go on this show?”

“Well, I did consider that Mu Mu was just born, and you need time to take care of the baby. Let’s say in six months. After that, you can take the group back, I’m off to conquer the entertainment industry.”

“Alright.”

Chu Beiheng leaned back contentedly in his chair, propping his cheek on his hand as he gazed dreamily out the window. “Nanchen, you know what? This kid is only 19, right in the prime of his youth.”

“You’re an old cow eating tender grass.”

“Tch, don’t say it like that. I’m the mature, fatherly type, okay? Who doesn’t love a gentle, wealthy, paternal figure? Even I love myself.”

Yan Nanchen couldn’t help but envy his brother’s lifelong, unshakable confidence. He knew exactly how much his brother had done for him. “If you need anything, just let me know. Go ahead and chase your happiness.”

“There is one thing. When the variety show airs, our company employees will have an additional daily check-in task they must watch the show featuring me and my future wife on time. Don’t let them work overtime; make sure they leave on time to watch it.”

Yan Nanchen couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, got it.”

“Good. That’s all I came for. Now, I’m off to take photos of my little idol. Take good care of Jiang Yi and Mumu.” Chu Beiheng stood up to leave, just as Jiang Yi returned.

Since it had only been a week since his C-section, the stitches were still painful, so he had to be wheeled back to the second floor in a wheelchair.

Seeing Jiang Yi return, Yan Nanchen immediately walked over. Noticing his pale complexion, his eyes filled with concern. He bent down and gently touched Jiang Yi’s face. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

As he spoke, he glanced at the nanny who had wheeled Jiang Yi back.

But both Jiang Yi and the nanny wore complicated expressions, their eyes flickering toward Chu Beiheng.

Chu Beiheng immediately understood that this might be something he shouldn’t hear. He lightly patted Jiang Yi’s shoulder as a greeting. “I’ll take my leave then. I’ll visit again in a few days.”

At the same time, the nanny carried Mumu out to the next room to feed him, leaving the two of them alone.

Once the door closed, Yan Nanchen knelt on one knee in front of Jiang Yi, his voice urgent. “Did the wound get irritated?”

“My chest is swollen and uncomfortable.”

Yan Nanchen froze for a moment, staring at Jiang Yi in surprise. His ears were slightly red, his brows furrowed as if embarrassed. “How is that possible? Has this happened before?”

Logically, male Omegas couldn’t lactate, so they shouldn’t produce milk.

“It never happened before. The doctor said it might be due to the high pheromone levels, good nutrition, and your presence. These symptoms can occur.” Jiang Yi grasped Yan Nanchen’s hand resting on his knee, lowering his gaze as he whispered, “Only you can help me.”

Yan Nanchen intertwined their fingers, his eyes smiling as he took in Jiang Yi’s flustered expression. “How can I help?”

“Just…” Jiang Yi struggled to say it. He never imagined that as a male Omega, he’d experience this. “Help me express it.”

The words tumbled out so fast he wished he could disappear into the ground.

“What?” Yan Nanchen grinned, pretending not to hear.

Jiang Yi shot him a look. “You heard me.”

Knowing he was embarrassed, Yan Nanchen stopped teasing him. “Will it hurt if we squeeze it?”

“Of course it will.” Jiang Yi glanced down at his chest, frowning. “Even rubbing against fabric hurts now.”

“Then should I suck it?”

The moment the words left his mouth, their eyes met, and their throats tightened.

Jiang Yi hesitated, then shook his head. “Then I’ll want more.”

Yan Nanchen sighed helplessly, pinching Jiang Yi’s ear. “I won’t tease you on purpose. I’ll try not to provoke a reaction. We’ll wait until you’re fully recovered.”

“You touching me at all will make me react. No matter how gentle you are, it won’t help.” Jiang Yi leaned forward, wrapping his arms around Yan Nanchen. He sighed, his lashes lowering. “Suddenly, I feel a little frustrated.”

Yan Nanchen frowned slightly as he saw him bend over, worried that he might strain the incision on his abdomen. He let him wrap his arms around his neck, then slid his hands under his knees and stood up, lifting him securely in a bridal carry.

Before Jiang Yi could react, he was placed back on the bed.

“The doctor said to lie flat as much as possible after the C-section and avoid disturbing the wound,” Yan Nanchen said as he settled Jiang Yi down before lying beside him on his side. He then wrapped an arm around him gently, pulling him close. “Let me hold you for a while.”

Perhaps it was the kiss and embrace Yan Nanchen had given him the moment he was wheeled out of the delivery room that had filled him with an overwhelming sense of security. Now, a week after giving birth, this Alpha still watched over him every second of the day.

This was something he had never experienced when Qiao Qiao was born.

It was as if he wanted to reclaim all the dependence he had missed out on in the past when he had no Alpha by his side. Because now, he was absolutely certain that Yan Nanchen would always be there for him this person was his partner, someone he could rely on completely.

Every kiss and embrace now served as emotional comfort during his postpartum recovery.

He turned his head slightly, resting it in the crook of Yan Nanchen’s arm, nuzzling almost imperceptibly before lowering his eyes and murmuring softly, “Maybe you should help me massage it a little. It still hurts.”

That tiny, subconscious nuzzle of affection melted Yan Nanchen’s heart completely and also made it ache.

Every person who gave birth had to go through a life-and-death ordeal to bring a child into the world. The hardships of pregnancy, the pain of labor, and the struggles of postpartum recovery added up to nearly two years of healing both physically and emotionally.

If he could go back a year, he might not have had the heart to let Jiang Yi endure this suffering again.

“Alright, I’ll massage it for you.”

Yan Nanchen helped Jiang Yi undo his loungewear. He saw it, the slight shiver that ran through Jiang Yi’s pale skin as the cool air touched it. The usually rosy area was now unusually swollen and red, with faint traces of milky wetness in the center.

“Here, it hurts.” Afraid Yan Nanchen wouldn’t find the spot, Jiang Yi guided his hand to his chest. The moment Yan Nanchen touched the hardened area, pain made him grimace, his eyes instantly reddening. “The doctor said the blockage has to be cleared, or it’ll keep hurting.”

“Maybe we should try sucking it out instead. Squeezing might be too painful for you.”

“But I’m afraid I’ll react.”

“Sweetheart, just bear with it, okay? Once you’ve recovered, we can do anything you want.”

“Fine.” Jiang Yi sighed in resignation.

Soon after, warmth enveloped the flushed area. The combination of suction and pain made tears spring to Jiang Yi’s eyes. His fingers tangled in Yan Nanchen’s hair, this kind of pain was hard to describe. It was like trying to soften a stone, except the stone could feel, and every touch hurt.

No matter how gentle Yan Nanchen was, it still hurt. But if he wasn’t firm enough, the blockage wouldn’t clear, and the pain would persist.

Yan Nanchen glanced up frequently to check Jiang Yi’s expression, seeing nothing but discomfort. His own mouth had already filled with the taste of milk from what he’d drawn out. He leaned down to kiss the reddened skin, then gently kneaded it again.

“Does it feel any better?”

“A little,” Jiang Yi’s fingers combed through Yan Nanchen’s hair, noticing the dampness on his lips. His throat bobbed slightly. “Puppy does it taste like milk?”

“Want to try?” Yan Nanchen leaned in closer, bracing his arms on either side of Jiang Yi. His strong, broad Alpha frame loomed over him as he gazed down with deep affection.

Jiang Yi wrapped his arms around Yan Nanchen’s neck, pulling him closer. His eyes reflected Yan Nanchen’s image as he nuzzled his nose against the Alpha’s, rubbing gently with deep affection.

Their lips were just a breath apart, warm exhales brushing against each other’s cheeks.

“Miss you.”

Yan Nanchen chuckled softly before lowering his head to kiss him.

The faint scent of milk passed between their breaths not exactly pleasant, but the deep kiss allowed them to ignore the milky tang, leaving only the overwhelming desire to melt into each other’s very breath and blood.

Love was hard-won,

so, they wanted to stay by each other’s side every moment.

Even just an embrace would do or a kiss as long as they were together, that was enough.

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