Afraid of Alphas, but Pregnant with an Alpha’s Child - Chapter 17

Jiang Qiu did a quick mental calculation.

This was the fifth week since he and Jiang Cheng had moved in with Lu Mingshen. His condition was truly improving as Dr. Chen had predicted staying close to the “source” of his trauma seemed to be the fastest cure.

However, they were about to experience their first brief separation. On a bright, cloudless Monday morning, Lu Mingshen was preparing to depart for a business trip to Australia.

Fearing that Jiang Cheng might throw a tantrum, Jiang Qiu had taken the boy out of school to see Lu Mingshen off at the airport. Lu’s business partner was already waiting.

“Uncle, I’m going to miss you.”

Jiang Cheng gave Lu Mingshen a big kiss on the cheek, then affectionately wiped his face with the back of his hand. “What about you?”

“I’ll miss you too.” Lu Mingshen leaned down to kiss his son’s soft hair, then turned his gaze toward Jiang Qiu.

Jiang Qiu: “…?” What? Does he want a kiss too?

“Take care of yourself. I’ll be back soon.” Lu Mingshen passed Jiang Cheng into Jiang Qiu’s arms like a relay torch. Their hands brushed briefly, and even after they parted, Jiang Qiu felt a lingering warmth on the back of his hand.

The partner was Xu Changping, a long-time friend of Lu Mingshen. They collaborated frequently in business and shared many details of their personal lives.

Once the plane leveled out, Lu Mingshen anticipated what was coming and moved to put on his headphones and close his eyes. He was a second too late; a hand blocked his reach. He turned to see Xu Changping wearing a bizarre, knowing grin, his eyes blinking rapidly.

Lu Mingshen: “…” Hello, I’d like to get off the plane now.

“Who was that holding the kid? Who is that kid? Why was Assistant Xu being so polite to them? Why did he call that kid ‘Young Master’? That kid actually looks quite a bit like you AH!” Xu Changping gasped dramatically. “You… you didn’t… did you?”

Lu Mingshen watched his performance in silence.

“You abandoned me just to have a child with someone else…”

“Yes.” Lu Mingshen didn’t bother to argue.

Xu Changping, who was mid-monologue, froze. It was as if he had just heard a world-shattering secret, and he didn’t know what expression to make. For once, Lu Mingshen patiently explained the gist of the situation, naturally omitting a few unimportant details.

“Brother,” Xu Changping said, “do you realize how… smitten your expression was while you were saying that?”

“Was it?” Lu Mingshen replied. “Maybe.”

Xu Changping:  He sighed and patted his friend’s shoulder with the air of someone who had seen it all, shaking his head pityingly. “I’m afraid your good days are over.”

“How so?”

“Oh, life is a hassle after you get ‘married.’ You have to spend time with him, spend time with the kid, and manage your work. You have to remember if they’re cold or hot it becomes more important than your own comfort…” As he spoke, he turned his hand over, letting his simple but elegant wedding ring catch the light. “See? Since I got married, the days we can hang out have dwindled, haven’t they?”

“They could dwindle a bit more,” Lu Mingshen remarked.

“Screw you,” Xu Changping snapped. But Lu Mingshen seemed genuinely interested in the topic. “What else is bad about marriage?”

“Oh, plenty of things…” Xu fumbled with his ring, about to continue, when his peripheral vision caught Lu Mingshen’s bare finger. “Where’s your ring? What, looking for a fling while you’re on a business trip?”

Lu Mingshen remained silent.

“Comrade Lu, I have to criticize you. You’re married… wait. Why wasn’t I invited? Why was there no notice? Where was the banquet?” Xu leaned in so close he was almost nose-to-nose with Lu. He searched Lu’s eyes until he finally captured a hint of guilt. “…No way.”

“You have a kid but you’re not married?!” “Getting on the bus before buying a ticket?! Have you no shame?” “What year is it?!”

Lu Mingshen, suffering from a headache due to the noise, frowned. Xu silenced himself immediately, then tentatively poked him. “Tell me about it.”

Lu wasn’t used to handling emotional matters, but since Xu was already married, he figured it might be good to get some advice. He gave a brief summary of the story he had just skipped.

Xu’s expression grew even more shocked. “Aren’t you allergic to Omega pheromones?”

“Yes.” Lu Mingshen closed his eyes. The faint, sweet scent of the Omega seemed to linger at the tip of his nose. “…Except for his.”

He had never smelled anything like those pheromones. He remembered clearly that birthday five years ago; the flow of people coming to toast him was endless. Feeling stifled by the atmosphere in the private room, he had stepped out for some air. He had walked until he reached a completely unfamiliar place. The Omega’s scent had hit him out of nowhere, giving him no time to react.

“Then why the hell did you run away back then?” Xu Changping looked at him with frustration.

“I went to buy medicine. When I came back, he was gone.”

“Well, it’s fine now. Since you have an ’emotional foundation’ anyway, just remember to plan a romantic proposal. Get the marriage license first, otherwise your status is… unofficial.”

Lu Mingshen interrupted him: “We don’t have an emotional foundation.”

Xu: “?”

Lu used a more concise explanation: “We aren’t dating.”

Xu Changping: “…Then what have you two been doing for the last month? Playing house?”

Back at the villa, Jiang Qiu had just finished bathing the sweaty little one. They were both wearing matching pajamas, lounging on the sofa watching TV.

The rooftop pool was being refilled today, and the butler was supervising. Since it was just Jiang Qiu at home, and Lu Mingshen was worried he might accidentally “starve” the boy (or simply wanted extra help), he had specifically asked Auntie Xu to stay over. Auntie Xu was out buying groceries, and the other staff had finished their duties early. Thus, the vast villa contained only Jiang Qiu and Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng was rolling around on the floor, leaning against his father’s feet one moment and his stomach the next. He pointed at a character on TV, his voice wobbling: “Da~ddy~ is this person good or bad?”

“Good.”

“Oh. Then why is the bad one hitting him?”

“Because” Before he could explain the plot, the doorbell rang. Two unfamiliar faces appeared on the video screen. They were carrying various bags and looked somewhat suspicious, leaning in to whisper to each other.

Jiang Cheng was engrossed in the TV and didn’t hear the bell. Jiang Qiu first took a photo of them with his phone, then walked to the door. “Who is it?”

The two people outside seemed startled. They looked at each other. Jiang Qiu sharply overheard an elderly male voice say, “Did we get the wrong house?”

Then a female voice said, “I’m looking for my son. Who are you?”

“And your son is?”

“Lu Mingshen.”

At that moment, a reply arrived from Assistant Xu: The Master and Madam’s return flight is next week.

Liars!

Jiang Qiu turned off the intercom and said coldly, “Please stop ringing the bell, or I will call the police.”

The Lu couple standing outside: “?” “Is there no justice in this world?!”

In a fit of pique, Liang Siyan tried to call his son. Busy tone no answer. He then remembered Lu Mingshen had mentioned being away on business. He tried Assistant Xu, but for some reason, there was no answer there either.

Just as the old couple was debating whether to call the police themselves or hire a locksmith, a tiny voice came through the intercom: “Huh?” It was a milky, fluctuating voice. “That’s the pretty grandma.”

“What ‘this’ and ‘that’? Who are you talking about?” Jiang Qiu’s voice came through.

“The one I saw on Uncle’s phone!”

The call cut off abruptly. Inside, Jiang Qiu sat Jiang Cheng down. “What did you see on Uncle’s phone?”

“Pretty Grandma and a Grandpa.”

“The two people outside?”

“Uh-huh!” He nodded like a little woodpecker.

Jiang Qiu’s stern expression instantly crumbled. It was as if he had just realized the “monsters” at the door were actually his in-laws. He poked his father’s cheek. “Daddy, what’s wrong?”

“…Nothing.”

A second later, Assistant Xu’s call came through, his voice frantic. “Mr. Jiang? This is Xiao Xu. I heard the Master and Madam are outside your door?”

Jiang Qiu’s voice was grim. “…It seems so.”

He stood up to open the door. Jiang Cheng provided the sound effects: “Wow!”

The door opened to reveal the Lu couple holding their suitcases, standing there expressionless. Lu Junting narrowed her eyes, looking at the young man before her. Her first impression: clean, thin, a non-threatening beauty, and seemingly easy to get along with.

Then her gaze was uncontrollably pulled toward the small child he was holding. If she weren’t trying to be polite in front of a stranger, she would have taken a deep breath of the sweet, milky scent in the air.

Jiang Cheng was very polite. “Hello, Grandma.”

Lu Junting: “Hello, hello, hello—”

He didn’t forget the other person, distributing his greetings equally. “Hello, Grandpa.”

Liang Siyan didn’t speak; he still looked stern. He gave a stiff nod and forced a smile. “Yes, hello.” He’s so cute I’m actually dying.

The butler came rushing downstairs. “Master, Madam!”

Jiang Qiu felt like he’d been struck by lightning. Mr. Lu hadn’t said his parents were coming! Weren’t they supposed to be back next week?

“Hello, Uncle, Auntie. My name is Jiang Qiu. I am Mr. Lu’s… friend,” Jiang Qiu said, pulling the child in front of him. “And this is…” He paused. “This is my son.”

He watched the Lu parents’ reaction nervously, but all he saw was a look of unmistakable disappointment on their faces. Jiang Qiu’s heart jumped into his throat.

Lu Mingshen was still on a plane, so they couldn’t coordinate a plan. He had no idea how to explain where Jiang Cheng came from.

Liang Siyan whispered to his wife, “He’s not Ming-ming’s child?”

Lu Junting nudged him with her elbow and gave Jiang Qiu a charitable smile. “The old man and I returned home on short notice and don’t have a place to stay in Hangcheng. We discussed it with Mingshen earlier and decided to stay here for a bit. Is that convenient for you?”

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