The Sickly Beauty Beta Got Pregnant After A Political Marriage - Chapter 3

He was suddenly reminded of the stray cat he had adopted as a child. When he first picked up that kitten, it had nudged his hand gently, just like this. Back then, it was the first time he had ever experienced the feeling of being needed and relied upon. He had brought the kitten home, but later, his father threw it away while he was out. He had searched outside in the heavy rain for an entire day, but in the end, he never found it.

As Shen Jiayu cried, he gently nudged his fingers again. That familiar sense of being needed caused Wen Xiuheng to freeze for a momentary lapse.

Wen Xiuheng’s hand remained there, lightly stroking Shen Jiayu’s cheek, allowing him to nuzzle against him like a kitten.

Gradually, Shen Jiayu’s tears subsided. In his blurred consciousness, Shen Jiayu slowly opened his eyes. Through his hazy vision, he seemed to vaguely see that the person in front of him was Wen Xiuheng.

Am I seeing things… Mr. Wen should still be out working…

Thinking incoherently, Shen Jiayu drifted back into a deep sleep.

Wen Xiuheng lowered his silver-gray eyes, silently watching Shen Jiayu’s sleeping face. He maintained the same posture, staying until Shen Jiayu stopped crying before finally leaving.

In the coolly decorated study, Wen Xiuheng sat before finished documents and dialed Zhou Yi’s number.

“Tomorrow, transfer Shen Qinghuai to the VIP ward at Chengya Hospital. Bring in the relevant experts from the institute as well.”

On the other end of the line, Zhou Yi was stunned the moment he heard “Chengya Hospital VIP.” Everyone in the Capital knew that Chengya Hospital was the boss’s private property, gathering top-tier experts with world class service and facilities. The VIP wards were the pinnacle of that with only five slots available year round, entry wasn’t something money alone could buy.

As for the patient the boss mentioned…

Shen Qinghuai… Shen Qinghuai…

After muttering the name twice, Zhou Yi suddenly realized, of course, that’s Young Master Shen’s father!

Zhou Yi hurriedly agreed. He then heard Wen Xiuheng continue, “Find a villa close to the hospital. Staff it with a housekeeper, a chef, and a driver.”

Zhou Yi asked cautiously, “Boss, who will be staying there?”

“Chen Yongxin.”

Wasn’t that Young Master Shen’s mother?

Zhou Yi’s worldview shattered into pieces. It turned out his boss was truly interested in Young Master Shen, he was getting the parents settled perfectly!

Even after ending the call, Zhou Yi was still reeling with emotion.

In the study, Wen Xiuheng leaned back against his chair and turned to look out the window.

The drifting snow outside seemed to have stopped.

This meant that after this snow, spring would soon arrive.

The next morning.

The morning light cast a faint glow over the sleeping youth. The boy’s slender, petite frame was curled inside the fluffy white quilt. The morning sun fell upon his exquisite face, deepening his ethereal beauty; he looked radiant and holy.

His long eyelashes fluttered slightly as Shen Jiayu slowly opened his eyes. His first sensation upon waking was that his body felt much lighter.

As his brain slowly began to function, Shen Jiayu remembered that he had fainted in his room. He couldn’t remember much of what happened afterward.

He assumed Auntie Cui must have found him and that a doctor had visited.

Shen Jiayu propped himself up slowly, rubbing his sleepy eyes.

It was only his first day in this home, and he had already caused trouble for everyone.

He lowered his head, feeling a bit sad and self-reproachful.

There was a sound at the door. Auntie Cui pushed it open and came in. Seeing that Shen Jiayu was awake, she immediately walked over with a beaming smile: “Young Master Shen, you’re awake! Do you feel any better?”

Shen Jiayu offered an apologetic smile: “I feel much better, Auntie Cui.”

“Good, good. It’s wonderful that you’re not suffering anymore.”

Auntie Cui used a thermometer to check his temperature. After confirming he no longer had a fever, she finally felt at ease.

She mentioned that breakfast was ready and offered to bring it up if he didn’t feel like going down.

Shen Jiayu didn’t want to trouble anyone further, so he shook his head and said he wanted to go down to eat. Auntie Cui then led him to the dining room.

A wide variety of breakfast items had been prepared. Auntie Cui told him to see what he liked, and she would prepare it according to his preferences every day from now on.

Shen Jiayu thanked her with a sweet smile, making her heart melt.

He didn’t forget to thank Auntie Cui for yesterday, saying he was sorry for the trouble he caused after fainting.

Auntie Cui waved it off, saying it was her duty, and added that the Young Master had also looked after him for a long time last night.

Hearing this, Shen Jiayu paused.

Mr. Wen… he really came last night? I thought I had just hallucinated…

“The Master stayed in your room for a long time yesterday. When he came out, he instructed us to take good care of you and told us to report your condition to him at regular intervals…”

Shen Jiayu gasped slightly, his memories a blur. He hadn’t expected Mr. Wen to actually come to his room and care for him.

He pursed his lips, thinking that if he saw Mr. Wen later, he must thank him properly.

Auntie Cui kindly urged him to eat first, saying he needed his strength. She noted he hadn’t had a proper meal since arriving yesterday and insisted he eat more, peeling an egg for him as she spoke.

Looking at the caring Auntie Cui, Shen Jiayu smiled again, a soft, obedient expression.

When Shen Jiayu smiled, he was exceptionally beautiful. His lovely rose-colored eyes crinkled, and his natural “smiling lips” curved upward to reveal straight, white teeth. His smile was brilliant, bright, and incredibly infectious, just looking at it made one’s mood improve.

At that moment, Wen Xiuheng, who was leaving for the company much later than usual, was walking down the stairs. Shen Jiayu’s radiant smile crashed straight into his vision.

Abruptly, Wen Xiuheng’s footsteps faltered.

When Wen Xiuheng entered the dining room, the bright smile on Shen Jiayu’s face was instantly replaced by surprise. He had assumed Mr. Wen had already left for work and wouldn’t be seen until evening.

The Alpha before him, dressed in a suit, still appeared mature and cold. His ice-like silver-gray eyes looked over calmly.

Shen Jiayu put down his utensils. His body reacted instinctively as he stood up slightly from his seat, pursing his lips and saying softly and cautiously, “Good morning, Mr. Wen.”

Wen Xiuheng nodded slightly and said calmly, “Good morning.” He then took the seat opposite him.

Shen Jiayu sat back down and raised his eyes to look at the upright Alpha. His long lashes fluttered. “Thank you for taking care of me last night… I’m all right now.”

Wen Xiuheng watched him quietly for a moment before replying, “It was as it should be.”

As it should be… Shen Jiayu blinked in a daze, his expression endearingly blank.

Does Mr. Wen mean that taking care of me is a duty of our marriage alliance…?

He didn’t know how to respond for a moment, and silence fell between them. Shen Jiayu lowered his head slightly.

A moment later, Wen Xiuheng’s calm voice came from across the table: “School is starting soon. If you need anything, let me know.” He would arrange for subordinates to prepare it.

Shen Jiayu looked up, his pale lips parting slightly. His dazed expression turned into a hint of panic.

Ah, right. School.

So much had happened during the winter break that he had almost forgotten. There were only a few days left before the second semester of his freshman year began.

The changes in Shen Jiayu’s expression were all captured by Wen Xiuheng. Simple, innocent, these were the additional adjectives Wen Xiuheng thought of. Because his marriage partner was young, he seemed unable to hide any emotion, he was an open book.

Shen Jiayu thought for a moment, remembering an agreement with a friend, and asked cautiously, “Mr. Wen, may I go with a friend?”

“Of course,” Wen Xiuheng nodded. “You are also a master of this house. You can freely decide your daily schedule and activities.”

Shen Jiayu was a bit surprised by this.

Wen Xiuheng watched him and added, “When you go out, the driver will take you.”

Shen Jiayu curved his lips into an obedient smile: “Thank you.”

After breakfast, Wen Xiuheng left for work, while Shen Jiayu was urged by Auntie Cui to rest more.

After a short nap following lunch, Shen Jiayu’s phone rang. It was his friend.

As soon as he picked up, a crisp, frantic voice came from the other side: “Little Jiayu! I just saw the news! Are you really going to marry that Alpha?!”

Shen Jiayu was startled by the volume and moved the phone away before bringing it back to his ear. He spoke softly and hesitantly, not knowing how to explain: “I… um… marriage…”

The crisp boyish voice on the other end said directly: “We can’t talk clearly over the phone. Let’s just meet up. I’ll wait for you at our usual shop!”

Shen Jiayu, who had been wondering when to ask his friend to go buy paints with him, nodded: “Okay.”

Before leaving, Shen Jiayu said goodbye to Auntie Cui, who insisted he wrap up warm so as not to catch a cold again. Shen Jiayu took his medicine and went to the meeting place with the driver.

Inside the dessert shop, a brown-haired Omega boy, slightly taller than Shen Jiayu, raised his voice: “He’s already let you move into his house?!” This caused people sitting nearby to look over curiously.

Shen Jiayu lowered his head and nibbled on his fork, replying in a small voice, “Yes…”

“Aaah! Little Jiayu, you absolutely cannot be fooled by an old man Alpha like that!” Yin Youning shook Shen Jiayu’s shoulders gently, both worried and angry. He and Shen Jiayu had known each other since high school, and he didn’t want his best friend to be bullied.

Shen Jiayu whispered: “Mr. Wen… he’s quite good… he hasn’t bullied me…”

And Mr. Wen isn’t old, Shen Jiayu added silently in his heart.

But Yin Youning clearly didn’t believe him. From leaving the dessert shop to buying various canvases and paints, Yin Youning droned on in Shen Jiayu’s ear, describing stories of wealthy and powerful Alphas toying with people’s emotions, stories he had seen in the tabloids. Even as they said goodbye on the roadside, Yin Youning was still nagging.

Finally, Yin Youning transformed from a grumpy white rabbit back into a soft lop-eared bunny. He took Shen Jiayu’s hand, sniffed, and said in a muffled voice, “Little Jiayu, if you ever need help, you must find me. We are best, best friends.”

The corners of Shen Jiayu’s eyes turned a bit red. He then gave a bright, pure smile and nodded heavily: “Mhm!”

At that moment, across the street at a high-end luxury shopping mall, Wen Xiuheng emerged accompanied by staff.

The mall manager and other leaders bowed respectfully to say goodbye to the CEO of the group. They didn’t know if they were lucky or unlucky to have caught the CEO personally performing the quarterly routine inspection. The CEO had been cold and strict throughout, luckily, no major issues were found today, otherwise their jobs might have been at stake.

The driver opened the car door, and the tall figure sat inside. The driver then got in, preparing to head to the next work location.

Wen Xiuheng glanced out the window and his gaze suddenly stopped. A figure talking to a friend on the opposite side of the road caught his eye.

When Shen Jiayu came out, he was wearing a milky-white knit hat and scarf. His soft rose-colored hair was tucked under the hat, leaving only some strands at his forehead and ears. His exquisite face was buried in the scarf, making his small head and face look even more delicate.

But what was more dazzling was the way his eyes curved into crescents and his lips upturned. His smile was far too brilliant and pure, carrying the obedient and sweet temperament unique to a youth, it was so beautiful one couldn’t look away.

Wen Xiuheng knew that the smile outside the car window was slightly different from the one Shen Jiayu had given him this morning. This smile held more familiarity and closeness, and less strangeness and caution.

The driver was about to start the car when he heard a voice from the back seat: “Wait a moment.”

The driver froze. Wait a moment? What does that mean? But he obeyed automatically.

Looking through the rearview mirror, he saw Wen Xiuheng focusing intently out the window. The driver looked out as well, feeling confused. What is the boss looking at so intently?

Wen Xiuheng propped his chin on his hand, silently watching the slender, petite figure outside, taking the boy’s smile entirely into his silver-gray eyes.

In a place where no one could see, a rare hint of a smile appeared on the Alpha’s lips.

On the way back, Shen Jiayu received a call from his mother.

His mother told him that today, a person claiming to be Mr. Wen’s assistant had helped with the transfer. Mr. Shen had moved into the VIP ward at Chengya Hospital. Furthermore, the hospital director had personally come to comfort them, saying they should focus on treatment and that all medical services would be free. They would do their best to treat Mr. Shen Qinghuai. Additionally, the assistant had arranged a new place for her to stay to make it easier for her to travel between the hospital and home.

Hearing this, Shen Jiayu was shocked. According to the marriage alliance agreement, Mr. Wen’s father had stipulated that the transfer would only happen after he and Mr. Wen officially registered their marriage. He hadn’t expected Mr. Wen to move his father to the hospital before they had even gotten their certificate. Arranging a new home for his mother was also not part of the original agreement.

Back at the villa, Auntie Cui asked him with a smile if it was cold outside or if he was tired, telling him to rest before dinner.

Shen Jiayu looked around and realized Wen Xiuheng hadn’t returned. He asked Auntie Cui softly what time Mr. Wen usually came back. He really wanted to thank Mr. Wen in person for everything he had done for his parents.

Auntie Cui blinked and then said with a smile that the Master was very busy and rarely came back for dinner. Moreover, he had instructed that Young Master Shen should not wait for him.

Shen Jiayu pursed his lips and nodded, thinking he would go find him when he returned at night.

Around nine o’clock in the evening, Shen Jiayu heard footsteps outside his room. Opening the door, he saw Wen Xiuheng walking toward him down the hallway.

The Alpha’s hairstyle was still as meticulous and sharp as it had been in the morning. His suit jacket was draped over his arm, his broad shoulders and chest filling out his expensive black shirt. The outline of his chest muscles was faintly visible beneath the fabric. He wore black sleeve garters on his upper arms, outlining the powerful lines of his limbs.

When Wen Xiuheng saw Shen Jiayu, he stopped.

Wen Xiuheng was very tall. Shen Jiayu still had to look up to see him.

Shen Jiayu clasped his hands in front of him, gathered his courage to take two steps forward, and said in a soft voice, “Mr. Wen, I have something to say to you.”

Wen Xiuheng lowered his eyes and responded calmly, “Alright.”

Shen Jiayu’s eyes were filled with sincerity and focus. His tone was soft but serious: “Mr. Wen, thank you for what you did for my parents. My mother told me this afternoon about my father’s transfer and the house you arranged for her.”

These words of thanks were entirely sincere.

As he finished, the corners of his eyes turned slightly red. He had been like this since childhood, his eyes would biologically redden whenever his emotions fluctuated.

“Jiayu,” Wen Xiuheng spoke his name. “These are the obligations I should fulfill.”

These words left Shen Jiayu momentarily stunned. The phrase “obligations I should fulfill” echoed in his ears.

“I will fulfill my responsibility to take care of you and your parents.”

The corners of Shen Jiayu’s eyes grew even redder, and his voice choked slightly: “Mr. Wen…”

Since his family went bankrupt, his father had run himself ragged to save them, only to fall gravely ill and enter the hospital. During those hardest days, he and his mother had stayed by his father’s side, hoping he would get better. Now, Mr. Wen had given their family immense help.

“I am truly grateful to you…” Shen Jiayu lowered his head with red-rimmed eyes.

Wen Xiuheng saw through Shen Jiayu’s attempt to avoid crying in front of him. The Alpha softened his voice, his tone carrying a trace of undetectable helplessness and pity: “It’s alright. It’s late. Goodnight.”

“Mhm, goodnight, Mr. Wen.” Shen Jiayu nodded gently. When he looked up again, though the corners of his eyes were red, his eyes curved slightly, and his exquisite face carried a faint smile.

Wen Xiuheng watched him for a good while before turning to leave.

Back in his room, Shen Jiayu wiped his eyes with his sleeve, feeling that his behavior just now was a bit embarrassing. After calming his emotions, he lay in bed but couldn’t fall asleep for a long time.

Shen Jiayu felt that Mr. Wen had helped them so much, yet he currently had nothing to give back. If he really became the artist of his dreams in the future, would he have the ability to repay Mr. Wen then?

After becoming an artist…

He felt that time was too distant and impractical. If it were now…

Shen Jiayu suddenly thought of what Mr. Wen had just told him, responsibility and obligation.

Mr. Wen said he did those things out of the responsibility and obligation of a marriage partner. Then, he must also start fulfilling his part from now on.

Yes, right! Shen Jiayu thought this in his heart, then picked up his phone to search for what marital obligations an Alpha’s spouse should fulfill.

Looking at the various search results, Shen Jiayu’s face turned bright red instantly. Even though there was no one else in the room, he shyly dove under the covers, leaving only his eyes visible.

Does it really… have to be like this…?

During the Alpha’s rut… letting the other person into your birth canal… and then… having babies for them…?