A Straight Man's Unexpected Pregnancy with the British Duke's Baby - Chapter 1

At 4 PM on a winter afternoon in the UK, the sky outside the window was already dark.

 

Shi Yuan was hiding behind the dormitory curtains, staring intently at the ground floor, sharpening his metaphorical blade as he waited for his roommate, Hawthorne, to return.

 

The grudge between him and Hawthorne had been brewing for a long time, and the reason was simple—

 

Because Hawthorne always outshone him in every way!

 

Living far from home in a foreign country, Shi Yuan was always careful about his words and actions, perfectly embodying the fine Chinese traditions of humility, politeness, and resilience.

 

But no one knew that deep down, he had a very dark side!

 

He had been unable to stand his roommate for two years now, so much so that he was just one step away from poisoning Hawthorne’s water glass.

 

His roommate’s full name was Hawthorne Theodore Cavendish. This guy had a face that looked like it was sculpted by a 3D model, blending Eastern and Western aesthetics perfectly. He received a full scholarship every year, was not only a professional skier and equestrian but also rumored to come from an extremely wealthy family.

 

He was the kind of perfect character you wouldn’t even find in novels, the dream crush of every boy and girl on campus.

 

Shi Yuan, who had always been the center of attention since childhood thanks to his striking looks and outstanding grades, was experiencing the taste of being overlooked for the first time.

 

And it was all because of his arch-nemesis, Hawthorne.

 

After living together for two years, the two of them had barely spoken.

 

It was like a true protagonist from another world had barged into the domain of a dragon-king protagonist, forcing the dragon-king to become a side character and endure cold indifference from the intruder!

 

Shi Yuan, the dragon-king, chuckled coldly.

 

Unfortunately, Hawthorne’s good days were about to come to an end.

 

He had already prepared a meticulous revenge plan, and today, he was going to reclaim everything he had lost.

 

Just then, the sound of Hawthorne parking his bicycle echoed from downstairs. Shi Yuan smiled faintly, quietly stepped away from the window, and walked over to the full-length mirror.

 

Reflected in the mirror was an Eastern beauty with jet-black hair and snow-white skin. His amber eyes were captivating, his lips a vivid red and moist. Just below his right eye, perfectly centered on his cheek, was a vermilion mole that, from a distance, looked like a teardrop of blood, adding a touch of ancient, tragic beauty…

 

But that wasn’t the point. Shi Yuan lifted his chin proudly, raised the hem of his shirt, and revealed a slender waist.

 

There, faintly visible, were six-pack abs! Very faint! But if you looked closely, you could still see them!

 

That’s right, the revenge plan he had been thinking about for half a year was to secretly work out in the dorm and then quietly impress his roommate.

 

From his observations, Hawthorne never went to the gym and was as quiet as a mouse in the dorm. He was either in the library or the lab, with no time for exercise.

 

Shi Yuan saw an opportunity here. He decided to catch Hawthorne off guard and, within three months, develop abs that would outshine him and deliver a psychological blow.

 

Fortunately, hard work pays off.

 

After a long period of relentless effort, Shi Yuan successfully transformed from a creamy little cake into a creamy little cake with faintly defined ridges. Sure, he was still a little cake! But now he was a little cake with abs, and that was truly inspiring!

 

Shi Yuan listened carefully for any movement outside the door.

 

As time passed, his initial confidence gradually turned into nervous unease. Would Hawthorne notice his abs later? If he didn’t, wouldn’t all that training have been for nothing?

 

Maybe…

 

He should give him a little hint? Shi Yuan bit his lower lip, turned around, and found a blush he had used during a school play rehearsal. He cut out a butterfly-shaped piece of paper, stuck it near his abs, and drew a blush tattoo on it.

This way, it would be impossible not to notice!

 

Just then, the sound of a door closing came from outside—Holmes had returned.

 

Shi Yuan instantly perked up, counting Holmes’ footsteps. Just as the other man was about to pass his door, he decisively swung it open!

 

Shi Yuan carefully held his stomach, pretending he needed to use the bathroom, and very deliberately blocked Holmes’ path.

 

Holmes paused mid-step, and Shi Yuan noticed him furrowing his brows slightly. Shi Yuan smirked inwardly, casually lifting the hem of his shirt to reveal a glimpse of his slender, pale waist.

 

It looked utterly innocent, natural, and uncontrived.

 

While showing off his abs, Shi Yuan secretly observed Holmes’ expression.

 

He was certain Holmes had seen it because he noticed the other man’s gaze lingering on his waist for a long time—so long that his stomach began to feel a burning sensation! Shi Yuan lowered his shirt, satisfied, and walked into the bathroom. Sitting on the toilet, he began to savor Holmes’ reaction.

 

Underestimating Brother Yuan, are we?

 

After all, he was a handsome, standout guy back in China. Even though he seemed a bit petite and even somewhat cute compared to the tall, burly Brit, he would never admit it!

 

Never underestimate the unyielding spirit of a Chinese tough guy—smile on Shi Yuan’s face suddenly froze.

 

Wait a minute.

 

Holmes had definitely seen his waist, but then what?

 

Where was the envy? Where was the jealousy? Where was the hatred for Brother Yuan?

 

Could it be that he only saw the waist and missed the abs?

 

Shi Yuan pondered for a moment, then slapped his thigh in realization. It was all because he’d been too subtle. Who the hell could see clearly with just a quick lift of the shirt?

 

He needed to find another chance to let Holmes take another look.

 

Just then, Shi Yuan heard the door next door open again—Holmes must have gone into his room and come back out.

 

Shi Yuan abruptly stood up. This time, he directly bit the hem of his shirt, exposing his entire abdomen and the faint outlines of his nipples.

 

If he couldn’t see clearly, he’d let him see enough!

 

The sounds of Holmes moving around continued in the living room. Shi Yuan rallied his spirits and strode out majestically.

 

But the moment he stepped out, he was struck by the sight before him—

 

Holmes was actually doing push-ups shirtless in the living room!

 

He was in a plank position, arms taut, his wheat-colored skin exuding a healthy texture from long-term training. Sweat trickled down his spine, disappearing into the waistband of his sweatpants.

 

Shi Yuan stood frozen in place, his throat tightening, and an inexplicable itch stirring in his chest.

 

But he quickly snapped out of it, nearly fuming with rage.

 

Compared to Holmes’ physique, his own was like a small fish next to a whale.

 

Holmes must have done this on purpose to compete with him.

 

He had diligently laid low for three months, only to fall right into Holmes’ trap today! How could this guy be so wicked!

 

Holmes stopped his movements and looked toward Shi Yuan.

 

Shi Yuan was still foolishly biting his shirt, exposing a large expanse of pale, soft, and glowing belly.

 

Holmes’ gaze uncontrollably fell on Shi Yuan’s adorable belly button. He had noticed the tattoo beside it earlier, but only now did he see it clearly.

 

So it really was a butterfly. The center was left blank, surrounded by a ring of red, like a shape left by the sun.

 

The butterfly’s wings stretched upward, drawing Holmes’ gaze further up toward the two points…

 

He restrained the impulse and abruptly averted his eyes, tugging at his pants.

 

Shi Yuan’s gaze followed Holmes’ hand as he adjusted his pants.

 

Shi Yuan: “!”

 

Holmes: “…”

 

He shouldn’t have tugged.

 

Shi Yuan was practically seething with anger.

 

Doing it on purpose to show off, huh? Even deliberately pulling down your pants to flaunt it?

 

God, what a wicked person.

 

Not only body-shaming him, but also adding size-shaming on top of it!

 

Shi Yuan’s meticulously planned revenge scheme had completely failed. Puffing up with anger, he went to the kitchen to grab a bottle of strawberry milk and half a plate of cold fried rice.

 

He had made the fried rice earlier. Eating out here often cost eighty or ninety yuan, so cooking at home saved a lot of money. But his cooking skills weren’t great, and the taste was hardly praiseworthy.

 

Shi Yuan deliberately made a lot of noise to disrupt Hawthorne’s workout, as if only that could vent his frustration.

 

Once the fried rice was heated up, Shi Yuan went to the fridge and dug out a pile of snacks, carrying them back to his bedroom. He decided to turn his sorrow into appetite and eat to his heart’s content.

 

In the face of Hawthorne’s sculpted, perfect physique, his three months of dieting for that tiny bit of abs seemed like a complete joke.

 

Eat up. No matter how much he worked out, he’d never compare to that guy anyway.

 

Besides, he had a part-time job at a bar tomorrow. He needed to eat well to have the energy to work.

 

Yes, this was yet another difference between him and Hawthorne. He worked hard to earn his tuition and living expenses, while that damn rich kid Hawthorne just lived off his family.

 

 

Hmph!

 

Hawthorne watched as Shi Yuan stormed out of the living room like a ruffled chicken.

So puffed up with anger, so adorable.

 

He reluctantly withdrew his gaze.

 

His phone suddenly vibrated—it was time for his scheduled call with his private secretary.

 

Hawthorne glanced at Shi Yuan’s tightly closed door and got up to return to his own room.

 

On the other end of the line came the young secretary’s cool, steady voice: “Your Grace, Mr. Shi’s part-time schedule at the bar for this week is out. Tomorrow night from seven to eleven. Should I have someone keep an eye on him?”

 

Hawthorne: “No need. I’ll go myself.”

 

He didn’t trust anyone else.

 

“Understood, Your Grace.”

 

The secretary couldn’t help but feel moved. It was the first time he’d seen the Duke care so much about someone.

 

Even though the other person had no idea, the bar where he worked part-time had long been bought by the young Duke—all under the noble pretense of protecting him.

But even so, every time his roommate was on shift, the Duke would still worry and follow him there to keep watch in secret.

 

After all, this beauty from the East was far too eye-catching.

 

Fortunately, the esteemed Duke was clever enough to have the secretary coordinate the schedule according to his own availability for Shi Yuan.

 

Yes, this man was just that scheming!

 

Back in the day, the old Duke had once worried that his son was nothing but a block of wood, with nothing but studies and work on his mind.

 

Now he could rest easy, the secretary thought happily.

 

His Grace was no block of wood—wasn’t he quite skilled at pursuing someone?

 

But what the secretary didn’t know was that his esteemed Duke had been pursuing like this for two years, and his progress with Shi Yuan… was still at zero.

 

They hadn’t even exchanged more than a few words!

 

Still, Hawthorne remained optimistic about it.

 

With such close proximity, and having schemed his way for two years, even the hardest stone would eventually soften into cream.

 

Besides, Shi Yuan was already a sweet, soft little cream puff to begin with.

 

Once, Fuyin was a dazzling young master of Shanghai’s elite circles, captivating crowds and coveted by thousands.

 

A cannon fodder gong coveted his beauty and used every trick to bankrupt Fuyin’s family, hoping to claim him for himself.

 

The family pinned all their hopes for revenge on Fuyin, expecting him to quickly get close to the cannon fodder gong, take him down, and reclaim the family fortune. But Fuyin turned around and climbed into the bed of the cannon fodder gong’s adoptive father.

 

Why go through all that trouble when he could just carry the biological child of his enemy’s father and inherit double the fortune with one click!

 

He Zheng came from a prestigious family, served in the military when he was young, and was a complete rough-and-tough man.

 

Steady, not shady, straight as steel, and an old-fashioned traditionalist.

 

When Fuyin got out of bed, holding his waist, he regretted it to the core.

 

Out of those four labels, only the last one was accurate.

 

Traditionalist—but with a taste for the delicate and soft!

 

As the sole heir of the He Group, the cannon fodder gong worked diligently and rarely returned home.

 

Fuyin’s beauty was unparalleled, and keeping him outside felt unsafe.

 

So he brought him back to the old mansion, thinking that with his father around, no one would dare to covet him.

 

The cannon fodder gong left with peace of mind.

 

A few months later, when he returned, he saw from afar his father holding a beauty in a qipao in his arms.

 

The cannon fodder gong was stunned: “Dad, when did you get a woman?”

 

He Zheng’s rough palm covered Fuyin’s slightly swollen belly, his gaze darkening: “How dare you! Come here and call him mother.”

 

Later, when the cannon fodder gong finally learned the truth, he rushed to He Zheng like a madman.

 

Only to see his beloved beauty, holding his pregnant belly, nestled in He Zheng’s arms like a boneless creature, smiling maliciously with curved eyes: “I’m truly sorry, but the He family is mine now.”

*Both are chaste

*Age gap of 11 years