CHAPTER 342: EPISODE 32.3 SUBTLE CHANGES

"You’re keeping your pregnancy a secret?!" Chairman Mao’s jaw dropped after hearing Shen Yuan out.

Shen Yuan didn’t react to the blatant disbelief on the old alpha’s face. Instead, he calmly elaborated. "Well, not entirely a secret. My husband and I decided to let our inner circle in on it—you, and the few lucky folks who dropped by. As for everyone else? Let’s just say the staff got the ’zip it or else’ memo."

"That’s quite the move—I didn’t see it coming," Chairman Mao said after a moment of thoughtful silence. "I thought you’d use this chance to show off in front of Mo Lihua. I mean, if my math is right, it was her little scheme that led to this beautiful gift."

Shen Yuan scrunched his nose with a smirk. "Oh, I’d love nothing more than to slap her with the irony of her own scheme. But I’m a loving parent just as much as I’m a passionate hater. And this time, I’m choosing to be a parent. I will keep my baby a secret to keep my baby safe."

He instinctively caressed his belly.

Chairman Mao observed that action and a realization came to him. He sighed, his face reflecting calmness. "You were worried about the retaliation from the Cardinals."

"Shouldn’t I?" Shen Yuan put his on his waist, then huffed. "While pregnancy will not make me weaker, it leaves me no choice but to be careful. No punching enemies. No close-quarter combat. From now on, I will have to fight like most mages."

"If the Cardinals get to know that I am withdrawing my edge because of a child, who knows? Maybe they will target me once again."

Just in time, Shen Yuan’s phone rang.

The two S-class awakeners instinctively looked at Shen Yuan’s leg, where his pocket was.

"That must be Tingfeng. He said we will be eating lunch together. So, I will..." Shen Yuan made a travelling hand signal commonly used in basketball.

Chairman Mao pursed his lips. "That hand signal doesn’t fit the context."

The old chairman tried to stop Shen Yuan from leaving.

"You can go out for your lunch break, but you need to remember that we have a meeting with Lee Jinhyuk’s team."

Shen Yuan made a sarcastic hum, "That... let me ask first. Did you personally meet them when we were collaborating with Madam Zhen for the crystal ball commercial?"

"No."

Shen Yuan made a model-like turn and headed for the exit. "Then, it’s best to approach them using a representative. They will not find it suspicious if you or I do not appear in the meeting like the first time."

He took another quick turn and threw an envelope like shuriken. Chairman Mao caught it, witless.

"Be a dear and hand them this. It’s an invitation to my husband’s auction. Just say I’ve been sharing it with people I’ve worked with. We ended the last campaign on good terms, so they’ll think I’m simply keeping the connection warm. They might also think that I referred them for the job. Hence, zero suspicions."

Chairman Mao inspected the sealed white envelope. "What about mine?"

But Shen Yuan is already out of sight. Chairman Mao just heard a yell from a distance. "Part of the auction’s income will be donated to our family’s scholarship foundation! Contribute to it by paying for an invitation!"

"Fuck!" Chairman Mao yelled back. The veins on his forehead are almost protruding. "I am the first on your list of people you are working with, you know?!"

"Suck it up. You’re my boss! You are rich!"

Chairman Mao had no way to banter with Shen Yuan further because the latter was already swallowed by the elevator.

~~~

Shen Yuan and Bai Tingfeng rarely go on lunch dates.

Most of the time, it was them eating at their own office desks—or home, sandwiched between Yanyan’s cartoon commentary and spilt juice.

That is hardly the stuff of romance. It’s been a while since they enjoyed each other’s company— alone and uninterrupted.

So today, sitting across from each other at a cozy table, just the two of them, they felt oddly giddy. Like teenagers on a first date... except they’d already slept together dozens of times and Baby Number Two was currently baking in Shen Yuan’s oven.

"You know," Shen Yuan said, holding up the menu like it could shield his awkwardness, "We probably look like two idiots just grinning at each other across the table."

Bai Tingfeng chuckled, his eyes warm. "Speak for yourself. I think I look extremely composed and devastatingly handsome."

Shen Yuan rolled his eyes, but his smile was fond. "You’re lucky I like your face—lucky enough that I’m letting it slide, even after you ordered me this delightful little punishment of grilled salmon with quinoa and roasted vegetables."

They were at a quiet, private restaurant known for its health-conscious menu. If there is something that Shen Yuan least likes, it’s the excessively healthy food like the ones on the menu he is holding.

"Don’t you like it?" Bai Tingfeng asked.

"I kind of like it. I am just thankful that you did not order me a vegan dish, I would lose it if you ordered it otherwise." Shen Yuan put down the menu and shifted his attention to his plate.

Bai Tingfeng bit his lip to stop himself from smiling, "Yuan, don’t overreact. Your condition only calls for a well-balanced diet, not a restrictive one."

"Then, can we order a slab of steak to make it more balanced?" Shen Yuan tried to bargain.

However, Bai Tingfeng only said no. "You have been eating steak for literally every meal of the day. I specifically brought you here since they don’t have steak on their menu. Take a break from eating grilled meat in the meantime."

Shen Yuan sank his fork into the salmon, "Eating grilled salmon would hardly make a difference in my opinion. My craving is beef! You can’t deprive a pregnant omega of his craving."

"Don’t be cute. We are just three weeks into pregnancy. It’s way too early for you to have cravings."

"Damn." Shen Yuan pouted his lips. With the negotiation not working, he just stuffed his mouth with vegetables and salmon.

Bai Tingfeng laughed at his husband. In his eyes, he sees the shadow of his little boy in his sulking omega. "You know, I don’t mind it if our second baby looks like you. Having three platinum heads moving around the house makes a beautiful view in our home."

Shen Yuan took a bite of his salmon and moaned in delight before replying. "I am touched at your cult like devotion, Tingfeng. However, I would love to see a little Bai Tingfeng, too. Girl or boy, I will bet my everything that they will look great if they have your features."

He leaned in. "Don’t you want to see a mini-you waddling around?"

The question made something melt in Bai Tingfeng’s chest. For a moment, he was quiet, just drinking in the sight of his husband.

That beauty who is endowed with a sharp tongue, warm eyes, and a big personality. Bai Tingfeng felt like he was falling all over again for Shen Yuan.

"Hey!" Noticing the silence of his husband, Shen Yuan looked up to check Bai Tingfeng. That was when he saw the man’s lovesick expression.

"Now I get why your genes just gave up during Yanyan’s conception. You are too easy, boy. Too soft."

Bai Tingfeng laughed. He did not contradict that because it is 100% true. He was as soft as a marshmallow whenever Shen Yuan was out to charm him. What is worse is that Shen Yuan is not even trying hard most of the time. He is just a helpless simpleton.

"Don’t be too arrogant, Yuan. I am looking at you because you have crushed pepper stuck in your teeth. Yanyan would laugh at your funny face if he were here." The alpha tried to regain his dignity.

"You are lying," Shen Yuan quickly replied, but he also silently picked the "pepper" using his tongue. There was, of course, nothing.

"Do you want fresh orange juice?" Bai Tingfeng smartly offered before his husband discovered his trick.

Shen Yuan accepted it without noise and downed it in one gulp. He licked his lips to catch the spilt droplets of juice, looking unintentionally sexy.

Bai Tingfeng gawked at his husband like he was charmed for the nth time.

"Is it just me or you look even more blooming now?" Bai Tingfeng tried to sound casual even though his mind was already racing somewhere else.

But his question was fair. Shen Yuan was glowing more than usual.

His skin looked smooth and luminous, like light naturally clung to it. Even his platinum hair appeared thicker and fuller, falling in soft waves despite the absence of any styling.

Shen Yuan shines so bright now that Bai Tingfeng cannot stop himself from thinking inappropriately.

Shen Yuan missed the shift in his husband’s mood. "Is this your apology for teasing me? Please. Try harder. I’m only three weeks pregnant—hormones are barely kicking in! It is impossible to see big changes on my face and body."

He playfully kicked Bai Tingfeng under the table, but to his surprise, Bai Tingfeng caught his feet.

"I am not messing with you. I meant what I said. You look so beautiful today." Bai Tingfeng uttered in a deep voice, making Shen Yuan’s heart skip a bit.

It seems like lunch is not the only thing they will do this afternoon.