This Alpha Is So Devoted to His Wife - Chapter 45

The children at the welfare center were dressed in clean clothes, lively and outgoing, and they proactively greeted strangers.

Duan Yifan and Jiang Nianqiao were having a great time playing with the children nearby, using a bubble machine. The bubbles shimmered with rainbow colors in the sunlight. The entire yard was filled with laughter, and the atmosphere was wonderful.

“Zai Zai, want to go play?” Lu Xinghe asked Duan Yu’luo beside him. He turned his head and saw that Duan Yu’luo was looking at a child by the sandbox not far away: “What’s wrong?”

“I feel like his movements when digging in the sand are very stiff,” Duan Yu’luo walked over.

The little boy, wearing a yellow hat, was diligently digging in the sand with his head down, but the fine motor skills of his small hands seemed clumsy. The location of his digging wasn’t fixed; one second it was in front, the next it had strayed off course.

Duan Yu’luo walked to the edge of the sandbox and squatted down in front of the little boy: “Little friend, are you playing in the sand?”

The little boy was startled to hear someone talking to him. He plonked himself backward, braced himself on his small hands, and looked up.

Duan Yu’luo instantly froze.

Under the yellow hat, the pale, clean-faced little boy’s eyes were closed. His eyelids drooped, and it wasn’t a normal closed-eye state—it looked like… he was missing his eyeballs.

“Wuu #%…” The little boy flailed his small shovel, a hoarse, unpleasant sound coming from his throat. He couldn’t speak.

He guessed what had happened, his throat tightened, and an indescribable chill spread densely from his spine across his entire back. His fingertips also went numb, and his expression slowly darkened.

This small child, who looked to be no older than four or five, was blind and unable to speak. What had he suffered?

And he was abandoned at a welfare center.

Seeing the situation, Lu Xinghe squatted down, gently held the little boy’s hand, half-lifted him, and helped him squat properly. Without saying a word, he guided him to hold the small shovel again and start digging the soil. He even put down the shovel, encased the small hand, and used sand to build a small mountain.

The big hand and the small hand patted the sand pile. There were no words spoken during the play; all communication was expressed through gestures, meticulousness, and patience.

The shadows fell upon the sand pile. Lu Xinghe’s tall shoulder and back enveloped the small figure like a net of overwhelming safety. The little boy, who had been a little scared, gradually let down his guard and was no longer afraid of being blind and unable to speak.

The little boy smiled happily, his hands messy with sand. He danced with joy, his voice hoarse, but the expression on his face was so bright and sunny.

“His name is Mengqi. He is four years old. He is a child who became blind and mute due to a secondary differentiation gene mutation at birth. His parents abandoned him and left him here.” The director walked up beside Duan Yu’luo. She looked at Lu Xinghe playing with the child with loving eyes: “He usually only likes to play by himself. It’s quite surprising that he’s willing to play with Young Master Lu. This child is very sensitive.”

“Did he survive a secondary differentiation gene mutation at birth?” Duan Yu’luo asked the director, his expression astonished.

He couldn’t help but think of his Uncle Jiang Yi, who was Jiang Nianqiao’s father. Jiang Nianqiao originally had a twin brother and sister, but the brother died young because he didn’t survive the secondary differentiation gene mutation at birth.

And Uncle Jiang Yi also had poor health due to secondary differentiation gene issues, as did Yan Muyi.

In recent years, the issue of secondary differentiation gene mutation has become a social focus, yet there seems to be no better preventative measure to date.

It’s like a time bomb: once the countdown starts, time is running out.

Even if one survives the secondary differentiation gene defect, what then? Perhaps they end up like this little boy, unable to see or speak. He hasn’t seen this beautiful world since birth, and he has been deprived of his right to speak.

His parents even abandoned him.

Secondary differentiation gene mutation is not a genetic defect that can be simply checked by gene testing. So far, no expert has been able to read what exactly causes the mutation in the secondary differentiation gene.

Therefore, prenatal testing has become the only preventative method.

He thought of the thing he most wanted to do now: to implant an Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the Hyper-Memory Chip for patients with secondary differentiation gene defects. Perhaps this matter wasn’t so easy to achieve, but there must be someone who needs this thing desperately.

“Director, if I could give him the ability to speak, would you like to try it?”

The director was a little surprised: “That’s impossible, isn’t it? This child’s muteness and blindness are already Grade 1 disabilities.”

“I am currently working on something: implanting an AI into his chip, under the premise of having the Hyper-Memory Chip implanted. If it can be done, this AI can become the most important part of his body—in other words, it could become another him. It could help him speak and help him see this world,” Duan Yu’luo turned to look at the director, his eyes clear and lucid.

This sounded like an idealistic concept.

If someone can’t speak, there are eye-tracking devices. If someone can’t see, there’s Braille.

But what would the situation be like if an AI were implanted into a human body? It might be highly controversial, raising arguments that AI will eventually replace human brains and control humanity. Yet, in certain fields, artificial intelligence is an indispensable necessity.

“Director, do you believe in me?”

The youth’s expression was calm, his posture elegant. His tone wasn’t full of self-confidence, yet he possessed an aura that convinced people.

The director smiled and nodded: “If it’s you, I think it’s within reach.”

Who was this youth? His great-grandfather, Chu Yiqiao, pioneered the era of universal Omega-blocking agent injections. His great-great-uncle, Luo Qingye, developed the global patented B/O-Sex-Inducing Agent, which dramatically reversed the negative birth rate in China.

Not only that, but every person in his family is a top figure in their respective fields.

So, under such powerful genes, perhaps this super-ideal plan could really be achieved? The secondary differentiation gene defect really needs society’s attention.

Duan Yu’luo watched Lu Xinghe, who was playing with the child, in a moment of distraction. Seeing him smile so happily and treat the child so meticulously, Duan Yu’luo lowered his eyes, his lips curving slightly. So, there was a reason he liked Lu Xinghe.

By the sink near the sandbox, the two were bent over washing their hands.

“What were you talking about with the director that made you both so happy?” Lu Xinghe put the soap suds he had rubbed up in his own palm into Duan Yu’luo’s palm.

Duan Yu’luo took the soap suds that were transferred to him, not finding it childish, and seriously rubbed the palms and backs of his hands: “We were discussing our competition project. I was thinking of asking Mengqi to be a volunteer, provided we ensure the experiment’s safety.”

“Why did you suddenly think of asking Mengqi to be a volunteer? Will he be willing?”

“I want him to see this world,” Duan Yu’luo stopped rubbing the suds. Then, he turned to look at Lu Xinghe, a smile spreading in his eyes: “To see how handsome Xingxing Gege is when he plays in the sand with him.”

Lu Xinghe deliberately let out a ‘Tsk’ sound, lowered his head, and was already smiling sheepishly.

“You’ll definitely be a great dad someday,” Duan Yu’luo praised again.

“Oh, you really are something.”

“And definitely a great husband.”

“Okay, okay, stop. Don’t say any more.”

After the social practice class ended, and with the rare absence of a private tutor session that evening, the two decided to go home together.

“Dad, Great-Dad, Auntie, I’m home.”

His Great-Dad, who was in the kitchen researching new recipes, came out wearing a black apron when he heard Duan Yu’luo’s voice. He then noticed that Lu Xinghe had also come: “Is your social practice class over? Xinghe, are you staying for dinner tonight?”

Lu Xinghe couldn’t have been more eager. He smiled brightly: “Yes, please. Thank you, Uncle Duan.”

Great-Dad nodded and walked back into the kitchen: “Alright, I’ll make a lobster for you tonight. By the way, how is your research project coming along? Do you need any help?”

“It’s going quite smoothly so far. Going to the welfare center today solidified my idea. I’m going to do this. I’ll continue it even if I don’t finish it for this competition,” Duan Yu’luo said, heading upstairs with his school bag.

Great-Dad nodded in understanding. Seeing his son go upstairs, he walked up to Lu Xinghe, lowered his voice, and asked: “Have you asked him recently what star he’s following?”

Lu Xinghe nodded seriously: “Mm, I asked.”

“Then… what kind of fan attitude is it? Is it normal idol worship or something else? Did you find out?”

Lu Xinghe nodded seriously again: “I asked. He said he wants to get married.”

Great-Dad’s expression was subtle, filled with the gloom of a nurtured flower being picked. He patted Lu Xinghe’s arm: “Help Uncle keep an eye on him. He probably doesn’t understand things. Don’t let him go astray.”

Lu Xinghe nodded seriously again, pointing upstairs: “Okay, I will definitely criticize him severely. He’s too young to be dating. I’ll definitely supervise him. Since he calls me Gege (Older Brother), then he’s my little brother. I’ll keep a very close watch on him until graduation.”

“Yes, that’s good, very good. Tell me if you want anything else to eat, and I’ll make it for you.”

“Okay~”

Ten minutes later, in the bedroom—

“You said there were drawings of Jiang Yichen. Where is he? Show me which page is his.”

The two youths were sitting on the carpet by the bed, sharing one tablet.

Lu Xinghe’s long legs were slightly bent, the tablet resting on his lap. He pointed at the screen filled with drawings of himself in the drawing software. The corners of his mouth were already about to fly up, yet he pretended to be calm, gently poking Duan Yu’luo’s arm, saying deliberately, word by word:

“Little liar, you have a crush on me.”

“It’s your fault for not looking at my tablet,” Duan Yu’luo brushed away the hand Lu Xinghe used to poke his arm, picked up a laptop, placed it on his knees, and started typing the essay due at the end of the semester: “Don’t you have a crush on me?”

“How could I look at your tablet? If there’s a secret crush, mine definitely lasted longer.”

“When did you start?” Duan Yu’luo thought, it can’t be earlier than mine, mine was in Grade 9.

“I was in Grade 7,” Lu Xinghe boasted: “I even have the exact time noted down.”

Duan Yu’luo gave him an annoyed look: “That early? What was there to like about me back then?”

“You were so small. You smelled so nice,” Lu Xinghe leaned closer to see the topic of his essay: “Are you writing about this topic this time?”

“Mm,” Duan Yu’luo felt the heat of Lu Xinghe’s breath and slightly dodged his neck. He was then held by the back of his neck and looked at Lu Xinghe with a frown.

“Why are you dodging?” Lu Xinghe moved back, leaning against the bed, keeping his hand on Duan Yu’luo’s neck to rest him against his arm.

“It’s hot,” Duan Yu’luo said, hugging his laptop and trying to scoot away. Unexpectedly, Lu Xinghe immediately grabbed his arm, and he was abruptly pulled over, his butt leaving the carpet by a few centimeters, to sit between Lu Xinghe’s legs.

His back was pressed against the broad chest, embraced by the arms wrapped around him from behind.

“It’s not hot with the air conditioner on. Don’t dodge me,” Lu Xinghe noticed Duan Yu’luo’s little actions to avoid him. He immediately held him between his legs, resting his chin on his shoulder. These little movements made him feel slightly overwhelmed.

Duan Yu’luo peeked at the ‘big dog’ resting on his shoulder, a smile floating in his eyes. He deliberately said: “Who was it that said we have to hide it? What have you hidden?”

Lu Xinghe was instantly speechless. He straightened up, raised his arms wide, and nodded: “Fine, okay.”

Just as he was about to move his head away from the shoulder, Duan Yu’luo moved forward, placed his laptop aside, and then turned around to face him. He knelt slightly, reached out his arms, and hugged him.

This movement of embracing was gentle, almost entirely surrounded by Omega pheromones.

Lu Xinghe froze. Two seconds later, his lips curved up uncontrollably. He then hugged him in this position, his hand cupping the back of Duan Yu’luo’s head and rubbing it gently: “You’re acting spoiled with me.”

They hugged face-to-face for a while.

This kind of intimate embrace, which was practically for couples, made them feel a strong sense of dependency.

It was so wonderful; they really loved this kind of hug.

“Xingxing.”

“Mm?”

“Although it sounds like I’ve liked you for a shorter time than you’ve liked me, I think I can like you even more than you like me.”

This sudden confession frustrated Lu Xinghe again. Ah!

Duan Yu’luo hugged him tighter: “Because I’m already prepared to have babies for you in the future, so I think I—”

Before he could finish, Lu Xinghe clapped a hand over his mouth, forcefully silencing him.

He looked at Lu Xinghe blankly, What are you doing?

Lu Xinghe kept his hand over the boy’s mouth, hugged him steadily, and lowered his voice in a pleading tone: “Alright, Guai Guai, give me a chance to contribute.”

This guy always suddenly confessed, which made him… very restless.

Knock, knock, knock—

The two separated like arrows from a bow, as quickly as possible. One picked up the laptop and started typing furiously, and the other picked up the tablet to check materials. They looked like nothing more than pure socialist brotherhood.

“Zai Zai, Xinghe, want some fruit?”

Auntie’s voice asked from the doorway.

Duan Yu’luo was about to stand up to get it when he saw Lu Xinghe move faster than him. Lu Xinghe walked to the door, opened it, accepted the fresh fruit from Auntie, said thank you, and closed the door.

Lu Xinghe carried the fruit platter over with one hand and picked up a strawberry, feeding it to Duan Yu’luo: “Have one.”

Duan Yu’luo leaned in and ate the tip of the strawberry, leaving the stem end, and looked up at him.

Lu Xinghe didn’t hesitate, stuffing the stem end into his own mouth and eating it.

The two exchanged a look, one’s eyes curving in a smile, the other’s lips slightly curved.

“What do you think we look like right now?” Lu Xinghe sat back down next to Duan Yu’luo, holding the strawberry out to him.

Hearing the question, Duan Yu’luo leaned into Lu Xinghe’s ear, placing his hand on Lu Xinghe’s thigh. His eyes curved with a smile, and he whispered very softly: “Like a secret affair. A little exciting.”

“A very good description. Who taught you that? Don’t say it again next time.”

Lu Xinghe looked at the hand resting on his thigh. Hearing the cute thing Duan Yu’luo said in his ear, he couldn’t help but grasp the hand.

It was smaller than his own, cool and soft to the touch. It would definitely smell nice if he sniffed it.

He restrained his obsessive behavior. Right now, he wished he could graduate immediately and move abroad right away.

“Why?”

“I’m an Alpha, why do you think?”

“Oh, so you can’t hold back now?”

“This isn’t an issue of holding back or not.”

“Then you’re useless.”

The soft whispers of the youths inside the room, mixed with the clamor of the cicadas outside the window, merged with the purest emotions of adolescence, interpreting the most fervent midsummer.