After the Fake Young Master Betrayed the Australian Farmer - Chapter 17

“It is only natural to take care of my own daughter.”

Adams’ words snapped Han Yan back to reality instantly. He hurriedly crouched down beside the little sheep. For the first time in his life, he did not know where to put his hands or feet, and his voice was shaky.

“Then, what should we do?”

Han Yan and Adams had been in the middle of sleeping when a piercing, miserable cry from outside the window startled them awake. Han Yan’s reaction was a beat slower than Adams’. While he was still sitting on the bed dazed, thinking he was dreaming, the person beside him had already flipped out of bed, quickly said, “I will go check,” and strode out the door.

Han Yan’s lagging brain slowly realized that the sound likely came from Aurora. As Aurora’s due date approached, Adams had built a nest for her right next to the villa so they could notice immediately if anything happened. Thinking of how worried Adams had been about the sheep these past few days, Han Yan scrambled out of bed in a panic. He did not even notice that he lost one of his slippers while heading downstairs. By the time he saw his suspicion confirmed, his heart nearly stopped.

Adams inspected the sheep’s condition and said in a heavy voice, “We have to help her deliver. I will go get the supplies. You watch Aurora first.”

“Huh?” Han Yan watched Adams’ retreating back, crouching there at a total loss. Looking at the little sheep struggling on the ground with her limbs flailing, he reached out to stroke her head, coaxing her in a soft voice. “Do not be afraid, Aurora. Your dad will be back in a second. It will stop hurting soon. Be good.”

The sheep seemed to sense a familiar scent and nuzzled closer to the source, her wet nose lightly brushing against Han Yan’s palm. Han Yan’s eyelashes trembled, and his expression grew even softer. “Be good, Aurora. Nothing will happen. Your dad loves you so much; he definitely will not let anything happen to you.”

This was the scene Adams saw when he returned with the kit. Moonlight poured down from above Han Yan, shrouding him in a hazy silver veil. His dark pupils reflected the starlight, looking as gentle as a stream flowing quietly under the moon. He crouched down beside him, fishing out disinfectant solution from the toolbox while asking, “Han Yan, I will hold Aurora’s limbs. Can you help me deliver the lamb?”

“What?” Han Yan’s hand paused. He looked up sharply at Adams. Seeing the other man’s serious expression, devoid of any hint of a joke, he widened his eyes in disbelief. “Me? How am I supposed to deliver it? I have no experience. I have never dealt with this before!”

“Your wrists and arms are thinner than mine. It will be easier to reach into the birth canal and will not cause Aurora as much pain. If you find it unacceptable, you hold Aurora and I will do it.”

Adams spoke rapidly with calm eyes, but the layer of sweat on his forehead suggested he was not as composed as he looked. Han Yan looked conflicted at the sheep still nuzzling his palm. He closed his eyes and steeled himself.

“Fine. I am going for it! Okay, I will do it. What do I do?”

Adams grabbed his arm, pouring the disinfectant over his hands and forearms. Once sanitized, he pulled out a pair of sterile gloves for Han Yan to wear. “I am going to have Aurora lie on her side and hold her legs. You reach into the birth canal, feel for the lamb, and pull it out.”

As Adams spoke, he turned Aurora over and pinned her front and back hooves. Facing the contracting birth canal, Han Yan swallowed hard. With his handsome face scrunched up, he reached inside.

The sheep’s cries suddenly grew high-pitched. Her limbs flailed violently, and her abdomen spasmed continuously. Adams had to increase his strength to keep her pinned. At that moment, Han Yan really wanted to scream. Nearly half of his forearm was buried inside, and the slimy texture against his skin made him shiver. The bleating of the sheep vibrated against his eardrums. Forcing back his fear and nausea, he felt deeper until his fingertips finally touched a round, soft object.

“Adams, I, I think I felt it!” His voice sounded like it was squeezed through his teeth, shaking uncontrollably.

“I felt Aurora’s belly before; there should only be one. Just pull it out and it will be over.”

Han Yan gnashed his teeth, gripped the mass, and pulled outward against the resistance of the birth canal. The piercing pain caused the sheep to instinctively bite down on Adams’ arm. Adams did not even flinch, whispering comfort, “Aurora, it is almost over. Be brave. It is okay.”

The moment Han Yan pulled the blood-stained lamb completely out of the birth canal, his legs went weak, and he slumped directly onto the ground. His hands shook uncontrollably. His pajamas were soaked and clinging to his back, and the breeze felt chilly against him. His heart was thumping wildly, and his hair was a mess against his forehead.

Tsk. He had never been this pathetic in his life.

Seeing the lamb born safely, Adams let out a long sigh of relief. He released his grip on the sheep and scratched her chin, praising her, “Aurora, you did great.”

The sheep let out a weak cry as if responding to the compliment. Adams placed the afterbirth near her mouth. Seeing she had the strength to eat on her own, he knew there were likely no major issues. Only then did he have the time to kneel beside the dazed Han Yan and kiss his temple. “Thank you, Han Yan. You did a great job.”

Upon hearing that, Han Yan lost all his strength. He leaned back into Adams’ embrace, his head resting on the other man’s shoulder. He curled his lips into a weary smile. “That really scared me to death. My heart almost exploded.”

Adams hugged his waist from behind and kissed his cheek again. “You worked hard.”

Han Yan looked down at the lamb in his arms. It had not opened its eyes yet and was curled into a ball, its tiny body rising and falling slightly. “It is so small.”

The lamb was about the size of a human infant. Holding it felt soft, as if it had no bones. The sensation was novel and made him marvel at the wonder of life. He still could not believe he had personally delivered a living being. The lamb’s faint heartbeat thrummed through his thin pajamas. His heart softened instantly.

Adams reached out to pat the lamb’s head. “Han Yan, you should give it a name.”

“Me? Are you sure?” Han Yan turned to look at Adams. The other man’s eyes were filled with a certain smile. “Yes. You delivered it. You are basically its father too.”

Hearing those familiar words, Han Yan arched an eyebrow and chuckled. “You said it. Do not blame me if the name sounds bad.”

Adams rested his chin on Han Yan’s shoulder. “I will not. Whatever you pick will suit it.”

Han Yan looked up at the bright, clear moon, then down at the lamb covered in a layer of white fuzz. After pondering for a moment, he said, “Since she was born under the moonlight, let us call her Luna. Formal name Luna, nickname Lunta. How does Little Moon sound?”

Han Yan turned his head to check with Adams, only for his lips to be lightly pecked. “It sounds great. It fits her perfectly.”

Adams told Han Yan to go inside to shower and change, while he took charge of cleaning Aurora and Lunetta’s nest and laying down fresh hay. He used a damp towel to wipe both sheep clean before placing them together in the nest. After showering, Han Yan still could not stop worrying. With his wet hair still dripping, he went back out to the nest to check on them.

He stood at the entrance, watching the newborn Lunetta huddled in Aurora’s embrace drinking milk. Aurora was licking her wool, the entire sheep radiating maternal warmth. Hearing movement, Adams turned around. Seeing Han Yan’s dripping hair, he frowned slightly.

“Why did you come out without drying your hair?”

“I was worried. Are they okay now?”

“Yes. Lunetta is very healthy, and Aurora is recovering well. But I might stay out here tonight just in case anything happens.”

Han Yan’s gaze fell on the wound on Adams’ arm. The blood had already dried into a dark brown. The man’s clothes were stained with various marks, looking quite miserable. Han Yan let out a silent click of his tongue.

“Go take a shower and change. Remember to treat that wound on your arm. I will watch things here for you.”

Adams froze and was about to refuse when Han Yan pinched his chin and shook it. “No refusing. I am Lunetta’s dad; it is only natural to take care of my own daughter. It is simply natural. Understand?”

Adams nodded. Seeing Han Yan’s firm attitude, he pursed his lips and headed back to the villa. A few minutes later, he returned. His hands were clean, and he carried a dry towel. He walked quickly to Han Yan, draped the towel over his head, and began drying his hair. “You have to dry your hair, or you will get a headache.”

The scent of blood from Adams’ clothes drifted to Han Yan’s nose. It was not unpleasant; instead, his heart skipped a beat at the metallic scent. He looked up at Adams’ focused face, some emotion flickering in his eyes. He tilted his head back and kissed him.

“Alright, go shower. My hair is mostly dry.” He stepped back and patted the man’s cheek.

After sending Adams off, Han Yan brought a small stool to the entrance of the nest. He rested his elbows on his knees and his chin on his palms, smiling as he watched the two sheep snuggled together. He took a photo and uploaded it to Instagram and WeChat with the caption: Bub.

Adams soon returned, smelling of fresh soap and water. He carried two sandwiches and handed one to Han Yan. “I just made these. I figured you would be hungry after being busy until now.”

He had not been that hungry, but seeing the sandwich made him realize he was. Han Yan took a bite. Adams pulled up another stool and sat shoulder to shoulder with him. Han Yan leaned his head on Adams’ shoulder. The scent of body wash was quite nice. He swallowed his food, rubbed the gauze on Adams’ arm, and kissed his cheek.

“Adams, my classes start next month.”