To Marry My Little Chestnut - Chapter 13

“Are you sure?”

The man helped him fasten his scarf and put on the hood of his down jacket. He gave the brim a light pat before his broad palm moved to gently knead Yu Yan’s earlobe.

His voice felt like a soft, drifting mist; it carried the addictive aroma of nicotine. As the mist dissipated with his words, only those deep, alluring eyes remained. Yu Yan’s thoughts instantly spiraled out of his control, and he nodded like a marionette.

He was sure.

“The baby needs to grow, and we… we do too.”

He could not stay stuck in an era where he blushed just from a kiss like a child. They were married and adults; everything had a reason. Yu Yan had always loved babies and looked forward to being a good father, but at this moment, he felt a spark of gratitude for the pregnancy. It provided him with a perfect reason to get closer to Zheng Tingyang.

“Alright. We will try next time. We will take it slow, and I will work hard.” Zheng Tingyang’s palm brushed against his cheek as he led him out by the hand.

Yu Yan asked, “Work hard at what? Did the doctor give you medicine, too?”

Zheng Tingyang could not help but laugh. If the doctor were to give him medicine, it would likely be a heavy dose of sedatives. He said nonchalantly, “I will work hard to make you satisfied.”

Yu Yan’s mouth parted slightly. Once the meaning sank in, he lowered his head and bit his lip to hide a smile. His dimples were cloyingly sweet. Keeping pace with the man, he could not help but stroke his lower abdomen.

“Baby, thank you for letting me get closer to your father.”

With that single happy thought, he let Zheng Tingyang hold his hand, and eventually, both of their hands were tucked into the pocket of the man’s trench coat. As they stepped out of the elevator, they ran into Wen Qiao from the company.

Wen Qiao initially thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. Only after confirming several times that it was indeed Director Zheng did he dare to step forward and offer a greeting. “Director, is this your younger brother?”

He was puzzled; Director Zheng did not seem to have any relatives. Moreover, they were on the floor for the Department of Glandular Reproduction. He was just about to compliment the scarf the little person was wearing, thinking he might buy one for his own wife.

Zheng Tingyang admitted calmly, “This is my spouse.”

Wen Qiao was stunned. Zheng Tingyang’s interactions with his subordinates usually happened in meetings. This man was mysterious, and high-level leaders like him were often the subjects of curiosity and gossip on the company forums. Yet Zheng Tingyang’s background was transparently empty; he had very few friends or family. In business, he spoke only of interests, and he never touched the people sent to him during social functions. In the past few days, because he had toppled the Guangmao Group, many established Haicheng enterprises had come to mediate, but he had not given them an inch of face.

People in the company whispered behind his back that Director Zheng was a money-making machine. He was emotionally detached, without weaknesses, and radiated immense pressure just by standing in a conference room. And yet, Director Zheng was married!

Wen Qiao’s curiosity flared, and he tried to steal a glance at Director Zheng’s spouse. However, the man was acutely aware; he shifted his body to block the view, appearing deeply dissatisfied with the attempt to peer at his partner.

“Wen Qiao,” the man said in a warning tone.

Wen Qiao’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly explained that he was just waiting for his wife’s prenatal check-up.

“Is it convenient to add my private WeChat?” Zheng Tingyang asked, taking out his phone.

“What?” Wen Qiao was overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. “Yes! Of course it is convenient!”

“I heard your spouse is on her second pregnancy. As a newcomer, I might have things to ask you.”

Wen Qiao was dazed as he hurriedly added the contact. He was famous in the company for doting on his wife; he had once given up a promotion to stay home and look after his child for three months. He was capable, but he was currently only a small team leader. If not for the last meeting, he would rarely see management above the general manager level. He had not expected to get Director Zheng’s private number so easily. “Yes, feel free to contact me anytime.”

The elevator arrived. Zheng Tingyang supported Yu Yan’s lower back as they entered. Before Yu Yan could turn his head, Zheng Tingyang pulled his hood even lower. Consequently, even after chatting for a while, Wen Qiao never got a clear look at what Director Zheng’s spouse looked like. He got the feeling that Director Zheng did not like people looking at his partner. It was a strange sensation; Wen Qiao had a large Doberman at home, and the way the dog protected its food and patrolled the house felt exactly like the aura Director Zheng was giving off.

Coming out of the hospital, Zheng Tingyang actually accompanied Yu Yan to the supermarket to walk off his meal. As they pushed the small cart inside, Yu Yan thought they were just doing a simple stroll before going home. He paused by the potato chip aisle to stare at new flavors: Brazilian Spicy BBQ and Cucumber. He thought eating them together would be great.

Further ahead were various milk tablets and puddings. He could make pudding himself, but one here cost over ten yuan. He sighed inwardly; prices were getting so expensive. He reached out his hand and accidentally touched the front edge of the cart. Turning around, he saw the chips already neatly stacked inside. In the short time since they entered the supermarket, everything he had stared at for more than ten seconds had ended up lying in the shopping cart.

“I already ate spicy hotpot today,” he whispered. “Are you not angry?”

After all, eating overly stimulating food was not good for the baby. During the check-up earlier, he had been agonizing over how to explain his secret hotpot meal.

Zheng Tingyang picked up a box of nuts to check the date. “Is your happiness not more important than anything? It is just a little food. There is no need to be troubled over it.”

Zheng Tingyang placed the nuts in the cart. “If you do not like me following you, I will wait outside in the future and let Xiang Qian accompany you. The baby’s development is important, but your desires are more important. A person needs their sustenance; if you miss a meal, my Little Fish will go hungry.” With that, Zheng Tingyang pinched the tip of Yu Yan’s nose.

Yu Yan was momentarily stunned, realizing Zheng Tingyang was teasing him. He had to admit honestly, “I have just been very greedy lately.”

Today, he finally understood. Every time he enthusiastically went to a check-up alone to sneak spicy hotpot, Zheng Tingyang was waiting in the car. The man probably watched him through the window as he stuffed his face like a starving ghost. Behind the scenes, he had the owner swap out the coconut water and ingredients; Yu Yan had never been eating junk food but rather fresh ingredients flown in that day.

Zheng Tingyang was so good. Perhaps their marriage was not as bad as he thought. Perhaps the man had long stopped resenting the embarrassment Yu Yan caused him in high school and was willing to forgive his cold-heartedness back then. He had even promised today to try things with him during the next heat cycle. Zheng Tingyang was a Beta, not an Alpha; he would not be naturally driven to passion by a heat cycle. Without that natural attraction, Zheng Tingyang was still willing to touch him and had agreed to such a bold request.

Yu Yan thought Zheng Tingyang was the purest and gentlest man in the world. To repay him, Yu Yan secretly went to the sample table and ate seven or eight pieces of cake before choosing the best one. He rounded a shelf to find Zheng Tingyang comparing rice origins and generously fed it to him.

“Is it good?”

Zheng Tingyang was about to say it was delicious, but the moment he turned around, the little person had vanished past the shelves. The usually slow penguin fish was suddenly very fast on his feet. He bought another box of milk tablets, tossed them into the full cart, and followed Yu Yan around a corner. Yu Yan, in his long and oversized down jacket, was puffing out his belly and waiting in line for more samples. His appetite for sweets was small; a couple of samples usually satisfied him.

“My husband said this one is not good. Sister, can you cut me a piece of the matcha one? Can I try that?”

The attendant was naturally willing; no one could resist a polite Omega standing at the table looking as content as a little hamster. Zheng Tingyang stood behind him with the cart, completely charmed. Had he said it was not good?

After finishing, Yu Yan saw that the durian cake was about to be cut. Just as he was preparing to wait in line again, he saw Zheng Tingyang nearby, looking at him with amusement. Yu Yan’s face turned bright red, and he silently backed out of the line.

“Do not laugh at me.”

“I am not laughing.”

He just thought it was too cute. Yu Yan’s voice was softer than the cream on the little cakes.

“Go wait in line for me. I want to try the durian one.”

Yu Yan nodded and happily went to wait. The attendant skillfully cut a piece for him and let him try some hot milk tea. The combination of soft sponge cake and hot milk tea exploded in his mouth. If he had a puppy’s tail, it would be wagging so hard it would slap the air.

“Sister, can I give this piece to my husband to try?”

The attendant pointed to the side. “Is that him?”

Zheng Tingyang had already silently stacked all the flavors Yu Yan had just tried into the mountain-like cart.

“I cannot eat all of that. A few bites of the samples is enough. It will be a waste if we do not finish it,” Yu Yan said worriedly, feeling it was too much.

“I like eating it.”

“Oh.” Yu Yan thought, “Well, if you like it, there is no helping it!”

Every cake box was beautifully packaged with a large, pretty bow. Sweet things tied with a bow became a different kind of beautiful gift. Carrying the cakes home happily, Yu Yan thought to himself that he was sweet, too, like a sweet roasted chestnut.

When the next heat cycle came, he would dress himself up. If he tied a beautiful bow like that on himself, would Tingyang be interested in having a taste, too? Yu Yan was good at studying but never felt he was smart; he always lacked a bit of a knack in social matters. He needed to prepare seriously and package himself well. By the next month’s heat, he would let Zheng Tingyang use him and make him feel that even without sensing pheromones, he was fun and tasty.

That evening, he stripped off again to take a bath. He admired the baby’s growth in the mirror, looking at the curve of his abdomen. He thought the bulging belly was quite cute. He was starting to like this mirror. Because starting today, Yu Yan was looking forward to the arrival of the next month’s heat. He searched the bathroom for a long time and found a 125 milliliter bottle of aftershave; it was a cylinder that fit perfectly in his hand.

Soaking in the tub, he tentatively stuck out his tongue and licked the cap of the bottle. His reflection showed his expression. He was thinking, “What kind of expression will Tingyang like? Tearful? Painful? Or enjoying it?”

Would he be able to hold Tingyang’s? Would it be very hot? In the steamy bathroom, he practiced in front of the mirror, wrapping his soft tongue around the cap. Finally, he used his fingertips to hold his tongue, trying to stretch it out more. He was not flexible enough.

He felt hungry.

“Tingyang, I am finished washing. I feel a bit dizzy. Can I have some cake?”

Click. Outside the bathroom, the bedroom door closed. Zheng Tingyang had come out of the bedroom. The bathroom door was only open a crack; the man did not enter. His voice was very low and somewhat husky. “Eat in a little while, alright? I need to be busy for ten minutes. Soak a bit longer, okay?”

Of course, it was okay. Tingyang was probably taking a call in the bedroom; he was always so busy.

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