CHAPTER 374: EPISODE 40.5 VIDEO CALL WITH THE IN-LAWS

Abilities speak louder than words.

That’s what Shen Yuan decided, anyway.

And after he flawlessly demonstrated his magic, Chairman Mao finally coughed up the full details of the operation — details that made Shen Yuan want to smack the old man upside the head.

Why did Chairman Mao have to pretend he was "reluctant" to assign the job? Why the tests? The drama? The trials of Hercules?

The operation clearly required him from the start. The place, time, and team were all fixed. All Shen Yuan needed to do was show up tomorrow and kick ass like usual!

Realizing this, Shen Yuan gave Chairman Mao the stinkiest face imaginable as he bid him goodbye.

Chairman Mao could only stare helplessly. Yes, yes, it was technically his fault for not explaining sooner, but must the omega make that face? With Shen Yuan’s beauty and expressiveness, that offended look felt like a personal assassination. Chairman Mao suddenly felt like the worst man alive.

He opened his mouth, wanting to explain that the test was actually for Shen Yuan’s good — but the hungry omega had already turned around and flown down the hallway at escape velocity.

Both he and Bai Tingfeng knew exactly where Shen Yuan was headed: lunch.

"I’ll handle this," Bai Tingfeng said with a sigh. Honestly, Chairman Mao needed to learn to explain himself better. Nobody likes working hard while being kept in the dark.

After the energy-draining test, the couple ended up at the nearest family restaurant. It was already quarter to two when their Applewood-Roasted Peking Duck, Crispy Triple-Cooked Wagyu Short Rib, and Hot & Sour Soup arrived piping hot. Shen Yuan immediately began wolfing his share while Bai Tingfeng silently watched.

"Yuan," he began, deciding now was the time to explain the real purpose of Chairman Mao’s test. His tone was gentle as he concisely explained Chairman Mao’s intention. He was careful as he was afraid that his pregnant and temperamental husband would find fault in the old chairman’s method of keeping things a secret.

And Bai Tingfeng’s worry was right. Shen Yuan found it frustrating that Chairman Mao had to be mysterious and not be upfront about what the test really was. He huffed multiple times after swallowing meat a few times.

But the more frustrating part in Shen Yuan’s opinion was that Chairman Mao was right. The test made him realize something he didn’t know possible: Using magic while pregnant was difficult.

"I hate that Chairman Mao had to go behind my back, but I must admit that if Chairman Mao didn’t push me to this test and sweat it out, I am afraid I will struggle putting up my elaborate illusion by tomorrow." Shen Yuan said with a coordinated sigh and eye roll.

In his mind, he thought that it would be cool if he managed to use his powers without any problems despite the physiological difficulties posed by pregnancy. That would be badass.

However, even if he is a powerful nine-tailed celestial fox in soul, his body is still that of a human, and it would be utterly stupid to be mad because of it!

Bai Tingfeng hummed. Somewhat relieved that his pregnant husband is not upset.

It really pays off to fill people’s stomachs before breaking the infuriating news. Look at his husband, so chill and reasonable!

"Well, as long as you find it helpful..." Bai Tingfeng trailed off. His eyes never peel away from Shen Yuan. "So, tomorrow... The operation may take an entire day or even more than that. What would be our set-up for Yanyan?"

Shen Yuan ignored the sticky gaze of his husband and continued eating.

It wouldn’t be a problem if they were out doing the operation during the daytime since Yanyan would be at school. But once their operation stretches to dusk or dark hours, it would be a problem.

Who will pick up their Yanyan?

Who will take care of and make sure he is safe at night?

While Nanny Lin could certainly babysit their little boy, Shen Yuan and Bai Tingfeng wanted someone powerful to ensure absolute safety.

Preferably an S-class, overqualified sitter.

"Would your dads be free to look after Yanyan for a night?" Shen Yuan asked, wiping the meat sauce from his mouth.

Later that night, the couple contacted Rong Suyin and Bai Weisheng via video call for a quick inquiry. As expected, the response was instant and blindingly enthusiastic.

"Oh my gosh! Yes!" Rong Suyin burst out the moment Bai Tingfeng explained the request. "We always have time for our little prince. By the way, where’s Yanyan? Let me see him—and Shen Yuan too, dear."

Bai Tingfeng’s expression twisted into helpless amusement. "The two are in the receiving area. They’re playing marbles."

"What marble? Like... our floors?" Rong Suyin asked, tilting his head in genuine confusion.

You can’t really blame him. He didn’t grow up wealthy wealthy like the Bai alphas, but he was still a young master from a modestly rich family. His reference points were... different.

Blinking, half confused and half entertained, Bai Tingfeng suppressed a laugh. "Not that. It’s a toy that one of Yanyan’s classmates gave him. Marbles are small, round resin toys. They look like the decorative pebble stones you put on your coffee table."

"You can use those as toys?" Rong Suyin still looked doubtful, forehead creasing. In the end, he simply waved it off. "Whatever. Just go where my son-in-law and grandson are. I want to see how they’re doing."

Following his dad’s whims, Bai Tingfeng headed downstairs, switching to the front camera so Rong Suyin could clearly see Shen Yuan and Yanyan in the receiving area.

As the alpha descended the stairs, the screen revealed the scene: a busy father and son on the marble floor... and a lazy panda sprawled next to them like a decorative rug.

Question marks filled Rong Suyin’s head as he noticed Shen Yuan’s peculiar posture.

Why was Shen Yuan crouching on the ground like a skewered frog?

It wasn’t zoomed in, so Rong Suyin completely missed the part where Shen Yuan lined up his shot at the marble in front of his son.

"Watch me, baby. This is how professional marble players play," Shen Yuan declared, teasing his son before flicking the tiny marble between his fingers. It shot out at shocking speed, striking the poor marble on the floor before anyone could even see it move.

But of course, it didn’t end there.

The rogue marble ricocheted off the wall, the vases, and even the foot of the stairs. Pure chaos followed—ending only when it smacked right into the massive back of the snoring panda.

"Ao!!!!" Yangyang, the mutated panda, yelped in pain and immediately bolted toward the man-made lake, diving in like he was escaping a sniper.

"That is... quite a show..." Rong Suyin managed to say.

Bai Tingfeng only shrugged, as if this were just another Tuesday. "It’s always lively in the Bai household, Dad. Live with it."

Rong Suyin opened his mouth, ready to complain about his son’s nonchalant attitude, but he was cut off by Shen Yuan and Yanyan calling out.

"Is that Dada on the phone?"

"Dad! How are you these days?"

The two platinum-haired stunners rushed in front of the camera, staring into it like they hadn’t just caused household destruction.

They dropped the marble without a hint of guilt.

At this point, Bai Tingfeng felt he had achieved enlightenment and took one step closer to becoming Buddha. The dent on the wall, the floor, and the broken vase? It’s fine... He would just clean it later.

His calm, steady personality really did shine best beside a chaotic partner like Shen Yuan.

This had to be the true meaning of a match made in heaven.

Meanwhile, Rong Suyin chose to ignore his son’s suffering entirely. His face lit up when he saw Yanyan and Shen Yuan.

"I’m fine, Yuan! Perfectly happy with my life with the furry monsters," he replied eagerly, eyes bright. Seeing the two beauties on screen always made him irrationally happy.

Sometimes, he truly wanted to jump into the phone just to be with them.

"Look at you two—daddy and son... It feels like such a long time since we last saw each other. I missed you both!"

"We missed you too, Dada!" Yanyan answered sweetly for himself and for Shen Yuan. "Dada! Did you know that Qilin Academy is so fun?! It’s only been two days since I started school, but I already have lots of friends in my class! And I even have a rival from the other class! Today we played marbles and I won a lot! My classmate gave me one marble, and I won five more when I battled Ao Yichun!"

Rong Suyin giggled at his grandson’s enthusiastic rambling. "Really! That’s so exciting, tell me more!"

And so Yanyan happily launched into the stories of his joyful school days.

Shen Yuan and Bai Tingfeng listened beside him.

They already heard everything earlier, of course—but what loving parents would ever get tired of hearing their child’s treasured experiences?

Hell no.

The delightful conversation was brought to the comfortable couch, where the family of three scooted together in front of the phone screen.

"If today was fun, then tomorrow would be so much fun since your Grandpa Weishen and I will be in your house while your Daddy and Papa are at work. Do you like that?" Rong Suyin asked his grandson.

Yanyan nodded with a smile that later turned into a pout. "But I would like it better if Daddy and Papa were here for dinner."

"Oh, Yanyan..." Rong Suyin felt like bleeding seeing his grandson sad. But they can’t help it. Duty calls.

Remembering the mission, Rong Suyin thought of the difficulty he faced when he was pregnant. It’s going to be a challenge to use awakened powers during pregnancy, that is why some omegas came up with a few little tricks to alleviate their situation.

Rong Suyin thought of sharing his with his dear son-in-law. "Right, Yuan..."