“Sir,” Ye Mingxuan called softly.
He hadn’t expected Tan Sizhe to return suddenly. He’d assumed he’d be sleeping alone again tonight.
…What was he thinking? Tan Sizhe’s return didn’t guarantee he’d stay the night.
Tan Sizhe lowered his gaze, releasing his grip on the doorknob. “Come in.”
Ye Mingxuan stepped inside to change into slippers, hearing Tan Sizhe say, “Aunt Fu called in sick today.”
“What would you like for dinner?”
Tan Sizhe said nothing, placing an A4 sheet and a pen before him.
Ye Mingxuan, puzzled, glanced at Tan Sizhe before picking up the paper. To his surprise, it was a simple menu.
Tan Sizhe propped his hands on the table, idly tapping his fingers as he waited for Ye Mingxuan to make selections.
His silence intensified the pressure. Ye Mingxuan dared not lift his head, swiftly checking off four dishes and a soup. His peripheral vision kept drifting to Tan Sizhe’s slender figure, and he didn’t even see which items he’d selected. He respectfully handed the sheet back to Tan Sizhe.
Tan Sizhe took the menu and turned to prepare ingredients. Ye Mingxuan watched him carry the items to the kitchen before approaching. “Sir, let me assist you.”
“Roll up my sleeves,” Tan Sizhe replied, washing vegetables with wet hands. Droplets slid from his fingertips as he raised his forearm, gesturing for Ye Mingxuan to unbutton the cuffs.
Ye Mingxuan complied, pushing the man’s sleeves up to his elbows.
Tan Sizhe’s arms were solidly muscled, with smooth lines and prominent veins that bulged slightly under the strain.
He pinched the shrimp shell, flipped it open, and deftly removed the vein with his fingers.
His fingers were long and slender, with distinct knuckles and considerable strength, reaching deep into the crevices. His nails were neatly trimmed and rounded, ensuring they wouldn’t damage the delicate flesh.
Ye Mingxuan swallowed hard. His stomach growled, sounding particularly loud in the quiet kitchen.
He clutched his stomach, his ears burning. “…”
Tan Sizhe didn’t look up from cleaning the veins. “There are snacks in the living room.”
“Oh.”
Ye Mingxuan hurried to the living room, tore open a bag of chips, stuffed his mouth like a hamster, chewing rapidly to stave off hunger before dashing back to the kitchen.
When Tan Sizhe asked for salt, he immediately handed it over. When Tan Sizhe asked for light soy sauce, he promptly handed that too.
Neither mentioned the incident from days prior, but the unresolved matter left a wall between them, making the atmosphere awkward. Beyond cooking-related topics, they exchanged little else.
An hour later, four dishes and a soup were served. Sitting across from each other, Ye Mingxuan quietly picked up a piece of vegetable. Taking a bite, he found it tasted quite good.
He looked up and saw Tan Sizhe’s long lashes flutter like tiny brushes as he ate with clean, elegant movements. Suddenly, Ye Mingxuan felt even hungrier, as if the chips he’d eaten earlier had vanished.
So Ye Mingxuan lowered his head and shoveled down several mouthfuls of rice.
When it was time for the make-up lesson, Ye Mingxuan went to the living room to grab his bag. The moment it touched his hand, it felt heavy.
Ye Mingxuan glanced back at the man, who sat on the balcony with his legs crossed, sipping tea and reading a book. A white rose in a pot swayed beside him.
A strange feeling stirred within Ye Mingxuan. Clutching his bag tightly, he approached, “Sir, I’m heading to my part-time job.”
Tan Sizhe lifted his teacup to his lips. “Mm.”
After a pause, he added, “Be careful on your way.”
Ye Mingxuan gave a brief nod and stepped outside.
Today, the moment Le Le saw him, she beamed, “Teacher Brother, the little grass on your head is gone!”
Ye Mingxuan froze, a faint blush creeping up his neck. “Is it that obvious?”
Le Le: “Obviously. Super obvious. Did you eat some yummy snacks again, Brother?”
Ye Mingxuan opened his backpack. Sure enough, it was filled with small snack packs. He pursed his lips, then smiled faintly. Seeing Le Le’s bright, expectant eyes, he pulled out all the snacks and laid them on the table: “Here, have some.”
Le Le, her hair in two pigtails braided by her mother, said, “Thanks, Brother.”
She bent her head and began eating eagerly.
Ye Mingxuan looked at the array of snacks on the table, propping his chin on his hand. In truth, the Master had always been kind to him, not the ruthless person Ye Yufan described.
Except… except for how he always wanted to do that kind of thing with him…
At that thought, Ye Mingxuan’s cheeks flushed as red as apples, steam nearly rising from his head. He gulped down a mouthful of cold water to quell the heat.
The moon shone brightly as streetlights slowly flickered on, stretching Ye Mingxuan’s shadow long and thin.
He walked home along his shadow. Nearly every light was on. Ye Mingxuan set down his backpack, glanced up at the upstairs windows twice, heated a cup of milk in the kitchen, then approached Tan Sizhe’s study and knocked.
“Come in.”
Ye Mingxuan cautiously pushed the door open. Tan Sizhe was working, his eyes fixed on the computer screen.
Tan Sizhe paused, lifting his head to see Ye Mingxuan standing awkwardly with his hands behind his back.
Tan Sizhe curled his typing fingers, closed the work document, and extended his hand toward Ye Mingxuan.
Ye Mingxuan hesitantly placed his hand over Tan Sizhe’s, wondering why he suddenly wanted to shake hands. But Tan Sizhe suddenly pulled him forcefully onto his lap.
“Mr. Tan!!”
Ye Mingxuan’s feet lifted several inches off the ground. He struggled and twisted, but Tan Sizhe held him firmly around the waist.
“Don’t move.” Tan Sizhe felt something soft and springy rubbing against his thigh. His eyes darkened as he patted the other’s waist. “Stop moving.”
Ye Mingxuan nervously bit his lip, his eyes darting uneasily before finally settling still.
Tan Sizhe picked up the cup and fed Ye Mingxuan the milk. After a few sips, white residue clung to Ye Mingxuan’s lips, which Tan Sizhe gently wiped away.
Ye Mingxuan felt embarrassed. He’d heated the milk for the man to drink, yet here he was being fed instead.
Sitting on Tan Sizhe’s lap, their body heat mingled through their clothes. The man’s woodsy scent enveloped him for the first time in ages.
Tan Sizhe touched his lower abdomen, where a slight bulge held the life growing inside.
He looked down at him. “Have you thought it through?”
Ye Mingxuan was silent for two seconds. “Yes.”
He wanted to keep this child, to give it all the love he could muster.
“Mingxuan, you must know pregnancy is difficult.”
“I… I’m not afraid.”
“Are you truly prepared?”
“Yes.”
Ye Mingxuan lowered his head, placing his hand over the man’s, their four hands together cradling his rounded belly.
“I… I’ve researched extensively. This is my first child, and it will be my last.”
“If I terminate this pregnancy, I’ll truly have nothing left.”
“Sir, perhaps this is fate. It’s destined that I will have a child.”
Tan Sizhe shook his head. “Not that you will have a child.”
“That we will have a child.”
Ye Mingxuan’s eyes widened slightly, his pupils flashing with brilliant light. “Sir…”
Tan Sizhe murmured, “Since you’re ready, then I am too.”
He handed a document across the table to Ye Mingxuan. Ye Mingxuan took it and paled at the words printed on it.
Sperm… Semen Analysis Report?!!!
Tan Sizhe: “My sperm—whether in appearance, quantity, concentration, motility, or survival rate—is top-tier. It surpasses 99% of men nationwide.”
It was fortunate Ye Mingxuan hadn’t been drinking when he saw this report; otherwise, he would have sprayed water everywhere.
“Sir, why are you giving me this…”
Tan Sizhe lowered his gaze, his large hand resting on Ye Mingxuan’s belly. “Sperm quality is crucial for embryo development and the baby’s health. Mingxuan, he will be born safely.”
So Tan Sizhe had been occupied with these preparations these past days. He hadn’t been angry with him, nor had he been determined to reject this child.
“You require special care during your pregnancy, so this matter must be relayed to Aunt Fu.”
“Yes.”
“Additionally, I will arrange for a professional medical team to examine you and formulate a plan. Dr. Cai will oversee it.”
Ye Mingxuan nodded, deeply grateful. “Sir, thank you…”
Tan Sizhe: “Thank me? Words alone won’t suffice.”
Ye Mingxuan covered his mouth, his ears flushing bright red.
Seeing his reaction, Tan Sizhe chuckled softly twice. “It’s late. Go to your room and rest.”
“Thank you, Sir!” Ye Mingxuan hurriedly stood up, picked up the milk cup, and headed for the door.
“Mingxuan.”
Ye Mingxuan turned back.
Tan Sizhe looked at him, his words falling like raindrops, pattering against Ye Mingxuan’s ears:
“More than the child, I want you to be safe.”
“You will deliver him safely.”
He lay submerged in the soft mattress, still occupying only one corner, leaving a vast expanse empty.
A dim, yellow lamp glowed by the bedside. Ye Mingxuan’s pupils shimmered in its glow as Tan Sizhe’s words echoed relentlessly in his mind.
You will deliver him safely…
Ye Mingxuan gently placed his hand on his belly. Warmth flowed from his limbs into his heart. The anxiety and unease of recent days vanished, replaced by a sense of calm and peace.
Everything around him felt comfortable. Sleepiness overtook Ye Mingxuan. His eyelashes fluttered twice before he closed them and drifted off.
When Tan Sizhe entered, Ye Mingxuan was already fast asleep. He quietly closed the door, went into the bathroom to shower, and emerged half an hour later, carrying the fresh scent of water.
He climbed into bed, gently moved Ye Mingxuan to the center, turned off the light, and lay down.
Around two in the morning, Tan Sizhe stirred, feeling a heavy weight on him.
He forced his eyes open to find a round head resting against his chest.
Tan Sizhe reached for the light switch, dimming it to a soft glow. In the dim light, he saw Ye Mingxuan had rolled over to lie beside him at some point.
In the past, Ye Mingxuan would sleep in one position until dawn, but now he’d unconsciously shift around in bed.
His sleeping face was serene, his cheek pressed against Tan Sizhe’s firm chest, yielding a softness like snow-white skin.
Ye Mingxuan’s lips were cherry-red and plump, slightly parted in sleep. His rounded belly pressed against Tan Sizhe’s side, rising and falling with each breath.
Tan Sizhe’s eyes darkened slightly. He reached out and pinched his small mouth, soft as jelly.
