To Marry My Little Chestnut - Chapter 16

Inside the restroom, Yu Yan leaned against the edge of the porcelain counter. The smell of milk mixed with stomach acid was unpleasant. He splashed several handfuls of water onto his face. When he looked in the mirror, his complexion was pale, though tinged with a stifled redness from vomiting. He looked quite unhealthy.

This was his first instance of morning sickness. On the other end of the phone, Ning Yuan called out “Hello?” several times. Yu Yan gripped his phone, finally responding after a delay, “I will go and cover the shift.”

Ning Yuan asked, “Brother Yan, do you feel better? I should call the shop manager and ask him to close the shop for half a day.”

Yu Yan took a mouthful of water to rinse his mouth. After spitting it out, his throat still burned with a sharp pain. His voice was raspy as he replied, “It is fine. I am already better.”

He sat on the sofa eating from a bowl of porridge. At this moment, plain porridge was more refreshing than anything else. “I have not been there for nearly a week. I miss the Little Fat Orange cat, too.”

Speaking of the orange cat, Ning Yuan chuckled. “I do not know what happened a few days ago, but Orange must have offended someone.”

Yu Yan asked, “Eh? What happened to him?”

“He disappeared for two days. When he came back, his whole body smelled fragrant. I noticed someone had even neutered him; the fur on his backside was all gone. Since returning to the shop, he refuses to go out for a stroll. He is probably scared.”

Yu Yan exclaimed, “Such a thing actually happened?!”

Ning Yuan replied, “There are many cat lovers nowadays. They probably fear that cats will breed uncontrollably in the spring, so they ‘snip the eggs’ when they catch them. Orange must have been targeted by a mysterious organization. The calico cat came by yesterday; Orange watched her from the window. His back looked so pitiful. I will send you a picture.”

With a chime, a picture arrived on his phone. The long-haired calico was a great beauty in the cat world. She used to have a great relationship with Orange, and they would beg for food at the flower shop together like childhood sweethearts. Now, the beauty was still a beauty, but Orange had become a eunuch. From now on, his story with his little sweetheart could only end in a bad ending.

Yu Yan could not help but criticize, “Who could be so heartless? Poor Orange.”

In the picture, the big fat orange cat’s back looked like a cat-shaped mushroom. His mournful aura stood in stark contrast to the nearby potted plants that were blooming vigorously. A little chrysanthemum had withered away so pitifully.

After eating his porridge, Yu Yan sent a message to Zheng Tingyang saying he was going to the flower shop. He packed two cans of cat food, intending to comfort Little Fat Orange.

Zheng Tingyang: [I will have the driver take you. Only go downstairs once he arrives. Wear more clothes; put on your scarf and hat. Give your bag to the driver.]

The Great Prophet (Yu Yan): [There is no need. It is only two blocks away. I can walk there very quickly.]

Zheng Tingyang: [Be good.]

Fine. It felt a bit exaggerated. After all, the walk from home to the flower shop was barely ten minutes, yet now he required a car for drop-off and pickup. What did this signify? It meant their relationship had progressed.

Yu Yan thought to himself, Should I try a goodnight kiss later? Before the baby is born, perhaps our relationship can progress to the point of kissing!

After searching the wardrobe for a long time, he suddenly realized that Zheng Tingyang usually coordinated his daily outfits for him. Zheng Tingyang would check the temperature and weather for the following day in advance to ensure he wore something warm but not too heavy. On workdays, he would leave the clothes at the bedside; on days off, he would pick out new pajamas for him. Since Yu Yan was leaving suddenly today, there were no clothes by the bed.

He stood before the wardrobe for a while. Just as he was about to settle for throwing on a random down jacket, his phone buzzed with a message.

Zheng Tingyang: [The third item on the left of the wardrobe is a light blue hooded sweatshirt. Match the overalls with the fox-fur lined ones in the drawer, the ones with the plaid pattern. Your coat has not been picked up from the dry cleaners yet; the driver will bring it up shortly. Your shoes are in the first slot of the shoe rack. Remember to tuck your socks into your pants. If you cannot find something, video call me.]

A little while later, Yu Yan dug out a pair of white furry earmuffs for himself. Putting the sweatshirt hood over his head and then clipping on the earmuffs was just right.

The most suitable trousers to wear during pregnancy were overalls; they did not constrict the belly and were easy to put on and take off. However, wearing them always made him look like a child on a spring field trip, making him appear even younger. He took a photo for the camera and sent it over. With a ‘ding,’ President Zheng’s phone received the photo.

With his fair face paired with this outfit, he looked exactly like a well-nurtured flower bud, making a silly ‘peace’ sign at the camera.

The Great Prophet (Yu Yan): [Reporting to President Zheng: I am fully dressed and prepared for the long five-minute journey. Please provide instructions.]

Zheng Tingyang, seeing this message during his meeting, could not help but let out a light laugh. [The order is to walk slowly. Pay attention to safety and the ice under your feet.]

The Great Prophet (Yu Yan): [Yes, sir! Cat saluting JPG]

When the driver came to pick him up, he brought not only the coat but also a lunch box. “President Zheng said you should eat this for lunch. He will come to pick you up this evening.”

The dreamcatcher at the flower shop jingled as the door opened. “The changes are so big?” Yu Yan could not help but marvel as he entered and saw the various potted plants on the shelves.

The shop was not large to begin with, only eighty square meters. On the left and right sides of the bright floor, there used to be various fresh flowers for customers to choose from. Now, they had all been replaced by scentless potted plants. Money Trees and orchids were most common. Only a few large but scentless flowers remained on the left shelves, such as green chrysanthemums and soil-grown lilies of the valley. Further ahead, near the floor-to-ceiling window, two small tables had been placed as waiting seats for coffee.

Ning Yuan held his bag anxiously. “Brother Yan, I am leaving now.”

“The ground is slippery outside. Run slowly.”

Ning Yuan was anxious; he wanted to earn the “Outstanding Graduate” title. “I will be back by four o’clock at the latest.”

Yu Yan was not worried about that and told him to take his time. After the other left in a hurry, Yu Yan began to coax Orange. After being neutered, Orange had lost his bells. His backside felt chilly, and he refused to let anyone look at it. Seeing Yu Yan was like seeing a savior; the lump of a fat cat collapsed onto the floor and began to meow, seemingly complaining about something.

Orange had always been clingy, but never as much as today. Those pitiful little cat eyes looked as if they were filing a grievance, possessing the air of begging the high official to seek justice for this cat.

Yu Yan could not help but scratch the cat’s chin to coax him. “It is no use complaining to me. I do not know the culprit, so I cannot avenge you.”

“Meow!”

The cat’s head nudged him with enough force to knock him over. “Meow!”

“I give up.” Afraid of stepping on him, Yu Yan quickly sat at the checkout counter to feed him cat treats. Orange raised his face proudly and ate earnestly.

There was not much work at the flower shop. Yu Yan realized it was the end of the month and habitually began to calculate the accounts. He actually possessed many skills including flower arranging, painting, accounting, and playing chess. His father had taught him since childhood how to be a pleasing wife, but it was only when it came to practical application that he realized what it meant to be at his wit’s end.

He could not quite grasp Zheng Tingyang’s preferences. Since this marriage was hard-won, he did not dare to hover and risk being annoying. Taking things slowly was his greatest expectation for this marriage.

The flower shop owner paid him three thousand five hundred a month. This month, the shop had also undergone renovations. After calculating back and forth, the shop had not only failed to make a profit but had also lost more than thirty thousand.

Yu Yan: “?”

He even thought he had calculated incorrectly. Previously, the monthly income and expenses were roughly equal. Yu Yan had worked very hard to sell flowers, fearing the shop manager might close the shop due to poor profits and cause him to lose his job. Now, why had they lost so much, and yet the owner had not even asked about it?

So, rich people really do open flower shops just because they cherish their wives, Yu Yan thought.

As Yu Yan browsed tutorials on orchid cultivation online, five o’clock arrived slowly. Ning Yuan had made a minor technical error in his graduation design and had been scolded severely by his mentor. Consequently, he turned his sorrow and anger into strength, working tirelessly to change the soil for many of the orchids.

Yu Yan ate a little in the evening, but still feeling uncomfortable, he hid in the restroom to vomit. He only felt better when his stomach was empty.

Ning Yuan, seeing that it was about time, began to pack up to close the shop. While washing his hands in the restroom, he sniffed. “Brother Yan, is your gland still not better?”

An Omega cannot smell their own scent when their pheromones are not concentrated enough; Alphas are relatively more sensitive.

Yu Yan touched his gland. “I do not think so. It does not feel very hot.”

“Impossible. There are no other Omegas in this room.” Ning Yuan emerged from the restroom, sniffing the air as he walked toward Yu Yan. “It is definitely on you. Are you unwell? The scent is very faint, and it is not as sweet as before.”

Pheromones can often reveal one’s mood to a great extent, and changes are easily captured. Yu Yan smiled shyly and answered honestly, “A little. I have no appetite for food.”

“Your husband does not care?” Ning Yuan frowned and leaned closer out of curiosity. “That is too irresponsible. Let me walk you home tonight. This scent is very fragrant. It is fine if I smell it, but others will not be as much of a gentleman as I am.”

“Is it really that fragrant?” Yu Yan touched the back of his neck. “Have you smelled anything like it in other foods?”

Zheng Tingyang could not smell his pheromones, so he still felt a bit disappointed. He felt disappointed that he could not let Zheng Tingyang experience his fragrant self.

Ning Yuan replied, “There are similar ones.” As he spoke, he moved closer. Yu Yan did not lift his short hair but simply offered the fingertips that had touched his gland. Ning Yuan lowered his head. “Sugar-roasted chestnuts and small cream cakes. The sweetness is very faint. Your husband cannot smell your pheromones? Tsk, why did you not find an Alpha back then? It would save you from suffering.”

Just as Yu Yan was about to reply, the bell in the shop rang. Zheng Tingyang had arrived. He appeared to have a stern face the moment he entered, but it shifted imperceptibly into a tender gaze when his eyes met Yu Yan’s.

Ning Yuan had never met him. Thinking he was a customer, he stepped forward. “I am sorry, we are closed today.”

Zheng Tingyang was carrying a bag of things. He walked directly inside. Yu Yan asked curiously, “Why are you here?”

Like a little angel, he scurried forward a few steps and was gathered into Zheng Tingyang’s embrace, which still carried a faint chill.

“I got off work early to take you home.” The man’s aura suddenly enveloped him. Orange, who was on the checkout counter, looked as if he had seen the King of Hell. He vanished behind the shelves in a flash, not even daring to peek his head out.

“This is my husband,” Yu Yan introduced, poking his head out from Zheng Tingyang’s arms.

Ning Yuan let out an “Ah” and hurried to offer his greetings. “I am sorry, brother. I had not met you before.”

Yu Yan looked at the time; it was indeed time to get off work. However, he had not packed his things yet, and Orange’s water and food had not been refilled. Snow had begun to fall outside, and Ning Yuan could not find a car to take him home. Zheng Tingyang told Yu Yan to take his time packing. “I will take this little friend back first, then come back to pick you up. Is that okay?”

Little friend?

As an Alpha, Ning Yuan was 1.8 meters tall. He subconsciously straightened his back, only to realize he was about the same height as Zheng Tingyang, though he lacked the other’s steady aura. Ning Yuan tried to decline a few times, but Yu Yan insisted it was safer to be driven, as it was difficult to call for a car in such cold weather.

The Rolls-Royce was parked at the door. Ning Yuan thanked him and got into the car, but subconsciously felt he had seen this car somewhere before; he just could not recall it at the moment. Zheng Tingyang stood by the car like a lion lurking in the wind and snow. From the moment they left the flower shop, his gaze had been fixed on Ning Yuan.

Inside the car, there was a faint scent of leather mixed with woody perfume, along with a hard-to-capture sweetness. Ning Yuan broke the awkward silence in the car to offer his thanks. “The snow started so suddenly. If you had not driven me, I would definitely have had to walk back to school today. Thank you so much.”

Zheng Tingyang steered the car with one hand. After passing a traffic light, he replied, “You are welcome.”

He took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and grabbed a few pieces of candy along with it. “Try these. I bought them from abroad. They just arrived.”

Ning Yuan’s family background was not poor. He glanced at the brand. “This brand has been out of production for a long time. How did you buy them? I loved this brand’s chocolates when I was a child, the ones with nut filling were delicious. I did not expect they made hard candy, too.”

Zheng Tingyang gave an “Mm.” “I like the taste of this candy very much, so I bought the factory and restarted production. These are the new samples from the restart.”

Ning Yuan’s school was not far. While the car waited at a red light, Zheng Tingyang held a cigarette between his fingers. After the “click-click” of the lighter, smoke curled around his handsome face, the tobacco scent coming on strong. At the same time, Ning Yuan unwrapped a piece of candy to taste. The moment his saliva dissolved the candy, the sweet fragrance of chestnut cream broke through his taste buds and rushed deep into his mind.

Sweet and fragrant, when the hard candy was bitten open, the inside was the chestnut puree of sugar-roasted chestnuts, soft and lingeringly sweet. Zheng Tingyang opened the car window slightly, flicked away the ash, lazily exhaled a smoke ring, and pressed down hard on the accelerator. With a roar, the car sped down the street.

“How is the taste?”

Ning Yuan pursed his dry lips. Suddenly, he seemed to realize where that uncomfortable sense of pressure was coming from.

Zheng Tingyang asked tonelessly, “How is the taste of my wife?”

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