Speaking of naming children reminded Ying Zhiyu of something else.
In his previous life, he had studied “AO differentiation.”
People around him—himself and his sister, Li Xi and Li Yue, Li Qin and Li Lü—were all important observational samples.
Especially, Li Qin and her Omega Han Qiyu’s first three children’s differentiation patterns.
Ying Zhiyu had always considered it highly valuable for research.
From prior research conclusions, the necessary condition to produce an AO child was that the parents must be an Alpha-Omega pair.
But an Alpha-Omega pairing didn’t necessarily produce an Alpha and an Omega.
Ying Zhiyu’s parents only gave birth to Ying Zhiyu and his sister—they were standard AO parents, producing AO children.
Similarly, Li Qin and Li Lü’s parents, Li Songqian and his ex-wife, were a standard AO pairing, yet both children born were Alpha.
Li Xi and Li Yue’s parents, although AO pairing as well, produced only one Omega; the other became a Beta.
And Li Qin and Han Qiyu, also a standard AO pairing, had their first three children all fail to differentiate.
Judging from the couple’s relationship as a factor for AO fertility:
Ying Zhiyu’s parents could still be considered to have a good relationship. Li Songqian and his ex-wife’s marriage was purely transactional, yet their two children still both successfully differentiated into Alphas.
Li Xi and Li Yue, one O and one B, could be explained by Gan Ruyan’s mixed feelings for Li Songqian—love and resentment.
But Li Qin and Han Qiyu—how to explain them?
Did they not have love?
From Ying Zhiyu’s perspective, Li Qin and Han Qiyu clearly did have feelings.
Li Qin, an Alpha heiress of a super-rich family and eldest daughter, had never indulged in frivolity—scandals were almost nonexistent, a rarity in high society.
Han Qiyu clearly adored Li Qin, and his eyes betrayed nothing but love—not just affection, but subtle admiration for his Alpha even after years of marriage.
Yet why were all their children Beta?
This question had troubled Ying Zhiyu for a very long time in his previous life.
Now, with a new line of thinking, if “lack of security” were the factor?
Ying Zhiyu combed through Li Xi’s hair with his fingers, suddenly curious.
“How are my eldest sister and brother-in-law’s relationship?”
The topic jumped around quite a bit, which struck Li Xi as slightly odd, and he glanced at the Alpha.
But he still answered: “It’s fine, I guess. Why do you ask about them?”
Ying Zhiyu didn’t hide anything and went straight to the point: “Your eldest sister and brother-in-law—aren’t their children’s names all based on the brother-in-law’s name?”
Except for their youngest, the fourth child who hadn’t been officially named yet, Li Qin and Han Qiyu’s eldest son, second daughter, and third daughter were called:
Li Peiyuan, Li Yingqing, and Li Zhiyin.
Three children: “earth,” “sun,” “grass.” The first two were essential for a tree’s survival, while the “grass” grew alongside the “tree.”
Add in Li Qin’s “Qin,” and the soil, sunlight, and water all seemed to create a perfect world for the plants.
Ying Zhiyu couldn’t believe it was mere coincidence.
Li Xi thought for a moment and said, “They match very well. The first marking happened very early. My brother-in-law might have thought my sister only married him out of a sense of responsibility.”
Ying Zhiyu picked up on the key word: “Might have thought?”
Li Xi glanced at him again: “Li Qin loves Han Qiyu. That’s obvious.”
Someone with Li Qin’s self-control wouldn’t mark an Omega she had no feelings for.
And those familiar with Li Qin could feel it—Han Qiyu was different.
Though she wasn’t overly affectionate, Han Qiyu was undoubtedly the most special one.
Ying Zhiyu listened and thought, and it basically made sense.
Han Qiyu probably thought Li Qin might not truly love him, that she married reluctantly out of a sense of duty, which caused a lack of “security.”
But… why?
Even a half-brother not particularly close to Li Qin could see it—how could Han Qiyu, who lived with her daily, not feel it?
Li Xi looked at Ying Zhiyu, knowing what he wanted to ask.
Though slightly surprised that the Alpha was suddenly gossiping, Li Xi cut to the chase: “Han Qiyu’s compatibility sense is too low.”
The Omega’s upbringing in the Han family was poor. The family’s thinking was old-fashioned—they believed that an Omega would always be permanently marked by an Alpha.
Once marked for life, an Omega’s mind and body would belong entirely to the Alpha. So the Han family treated their Omega descendants even worse than the Betas.
Han Qiyu’s own Omega mother had a difficult life, and as a child, he had seen firsthand how the family’s Omegas were looked down upon.
He thought he would be an Alpha, but unexpectedly differentiated into an Omega.
The resulting gap caused him to become extremely insecure.
Ying Zhiyu finally understood.
Han Qiyu’s insecurity came from within himself, and the partner he met happened to be reserved and subtle.
Later, unable to produce Alpha and Omega children, Han Qiyu’s inner frustration and self-doubt likely deepened, further exacerbating his own “insecurity,” creating a vicious cycle.
The day after Li Xi’s birthday was December 25th, Christmas.
Ying Zhiyu had been busy lately, all to make time to celebrate Li Xi’s first post-marriage birthday.
Today, he still had the day off.
They slept in until noon, had a casual lunch at home, and in the afternoon, Ying Zhiyu took Li Xi back to his parents’ home in the northern district.
This time, they returned as newlyweds.
Ying Zhiyu had slipped a wedding photo under the base of the cheesecake Li Xi had made by hand yesterday. He knew the family would notice when they opened the box.
Sure enough, Ying Yan later called in surprise, screaming with delight—just as Ying Zhiyu had expected.
He briefly explained that he and Li Xi were married, nothing more, only saying they were happy now.
After a night to digest the news, Ying Zhiyu’s parents quickly accepted their son’s marriage.
Of course, they still had worries—about wealth disparity, age differences, life experiences…
It was hard to imagine that one day, a family like theirs would have any connection to the top echelons of high society and extreme wealth.
But they understood even more clearly that their son had grown up and would inevitably have his own life.
And a son this smart would make decisions that were at least as well thought out as theirs.
So, now that he was married, Ying Zhiyu’s family naturally gave him their full blessings.
That afternoon, Ying Zhiyu and Li Xi got home early and proactively offered to make dinner, letting his parents rest.
At first, Ying’s parents hesitated, only suggesting that Ying Zhiyu keep Li Xi company in the living room and watch TV.
Ying Zhiyu gently pushed them out of the kitchen: “We come home every day to mooch meals. It’s only right we help out.”
“Don’t be too polite—otherwise, how could we feel comfortable coming over often?”
Once their son said that, Ying Zhiyu’s parents could hardly refuse and left the kitchen.
Li Xi learned quickly. Since Ying Zhiyu had previously cooked at home, he had almost always been in the kitchen watching and learning. At first, he could barely help, but he was never absent.
After two experiences making mooncakes and cakes, he could no longer be considered a complete kitchen novice.
Li Xi once asked Ying Zhiyu why he insisted on cooking. After all, even living near the university town, they could have food delivered on a set schedule.
But Ying Zhiyu said he found cooking relaxing and it made life feel real.
After spending all day in the lab staring at samples and data, cooking at home was a way to relax his mind.
Dinner went smoothly, and the Ying family’s Christmas Eve meal was very harmonious.
Afterwards, Ying Yan volunteered to wash the dishes.
Ying Zhiyu and Li Xi stayed in the living room chatting with Ying’s parents for a while before preparing to leave.
As they headed out, Ying’s parents and Ying Yan stood at the entryway to see them off.
Li Xi finished changing his shoes first, turned back, and casually said, “Mom, is there a thicker coat in the house?”
The entire Ying family froze; everyone stopped in their tracks.
Li Xi remained composed, showing no embarrassment, even as no one responded immediately.
After a moment, Ying Yan reacted first, tugging her mother’s sleeve: “Mom, Li Xi is asking if there’s a thicker coat!”
Ying’s mother answered a beat later: “Yes, yes. Xiaoyu has a few coats here; I’ll go get one.”
After she left, Li Xi added: “Sis, just call me Li Xi from now on. No need to use Mr. Li.”
Ying Yan opened her mouth but couldn’t speak, only nodding vigorously.
When Ying’s mother returned with Ying Zhiyu’s thick coat and handed it to Li Xi, she said with concern, “It’s cold outside, make sure you wear enough.”
But the next second, Li Xi took the coat and draped it over the Alpha’s shoulders.
“….”
Ying’s parents froze, and even Ying Zhiyu was momentarily stunned.
Li Xi held Ying Zhiyu’s hand and repeated his mother’s words for him: “It’s cold outside. Wear more next time.”
Earlier, when they arrived at the Ying residence, Ying Zhiyu had sneezed from the temperature change between the car and outside. Li Xi had noticed but said nothing.
Ying Zhiyu never expected Li Xi to remember.
Snapping back, he lightly cleared his throat: “Got it.”
He neither refused nor explained further, only turned to Ying Yan: “Sis, I think I have another coat in your closet; can you get it too?”
Ying Yan seemed dazed, then after two seconds, responded: “Okay,” and hurried to retrieve the coat.
Ying’s parents watched their son and his Omega’s hands intertwined. One swallowed with contentment, the other moved, holding their partner’s hand tightly.
Ying Yan didn’t speak, her eyes already red with emotion, as she quickly found her brother’s coat.
Ying Zhiyu put the coat on Li Xi and said to his parents and sister: “Merry Christmas. We’ll head home now.”
Late December in the capital, snow drifted gently.
Hand in hand, Ying Zhiyu and Li Xi walked the streets, bundled up in thick coats, barely feeling the cold.
They strolled through a small alley in the northern district until their faces were a bit stiff from the cold, then got into the car and left.
Back home, they began decorating the Christmas tree together.
Ying Zhiyu told Li Xi to find items to hang, while he wrote notes on the floor.
By the time Li Xi returned with candies and decorations, more than ten notes were already rolled up on the floor.
Seeing him come back, Ying Zhiyu handed him a few.
Li Xi took the colorful paper and asked, “What do I write?”
Ying Zhiyu said, “Thoughts, wishes, blessings—anything.”
Li Xi wanted to see what Ying Zhiyu had written and, generous as always, let him pick freely.
Li Xi chose a blue rolled-up note and slowly opened it.
On it were four characters: “Xi Xi Peace.”