The Beta auntie Lu Yunian had arranged for turned out to be a Beta gentleman. The original auntie was hospitalized due to an injury, so the agency replaced her with another top-tier caregiver, even more experienced. The only drawback was that he was a rare male nanny.
When Gu Zeyu woke up, he saw the Beta holding Gu Lulu, skillfully supporting the baby’s chin and patting his back in a flying position to burp him. He asked warily, “Who are you?”
The Beta, having heard about this unique Alpha, cradled the baby in one arm and took out his credentials with the other. With a gentle smile as warm as a spring breeze, he said, “Hello, Mr. Gu. I’m the caregiver responsible for looking after the young master. My name is Shen Liansheng.”
Seeing Gu Lulu calm and content in his arms like a satisfied kitten, Gu Zeyu inwardly cursed, “Little traitor.”
Noticing Gu Zeyu’s fixed gaze on the baby, Shen Liansheng approached him and asked softly, “Would you like to hold him? He’s asleep and easy to carry.”
Encouraged, Gu Zeyu reached out his delicate hand, barely touching Gu Lulu’s chubby little arm, which looked like a white lotus root. Startled, he quickly withdrew, shaking his head and stepping back. “Better not. Lu Yunian doesn’t allow me to touch his baby.”
Shen Liansheng keenly caught the key phrases “not allowed to touch” and “his baby.” Being experienced and unfazed by various family secrets, he replied nonchalantly, “Oh. Many Omegas are quite sensitive after giving birth, like animals protecting their young.”
Gu Zeyu mumbled, “But you’re allowed to hold him.”
Shen Liansheng had never encountered a pouting Alpha before. In his world, Alphas were always dominant and aggressive, while Omegas were typically fragile and in need of protection.
Gu Zeyu didn’t fit the Alpha mold at all.
“It’s because this is my job. I’m here specifically to care for the baby. Some employers even sign three-year contracts with us through the agency, only allowing us to leave when the child starts daycare.”
Gu Zeyu suddenly looked up at Shen Liansheng’s face, his smile slowly fading into an unhappy expression. “You’ll be with Lu Yunian for three years, taking care of his baby every day, playing with them together. What am I in this family then?”
Shen Liansheng suddenly didn’t know how to comfort the sad Alpha before him. In the families he had worked for, the weaker Omega was responsible for nurturing and caring for the children, while the Alpha typically worked outside to earn money.
But he had heard that Gu Zeyu not only didn’t work but could barely take care of himself.
Fortunately, Lu Yunian, who had just finished his postpartum rehabilitation, entered at that moment. Noticing the sour milk scent of pheromones in the air, he frowned and asked, “Have you been crying again?”
Gu Zeyu held back his tears, his eyes reddening. He flew to Lu Yunian’s side, clinging to his arm, and whispered, “I don’t want a Beta to take care of the baby. I can learn.”
Lu Yunian felt Gu Zeyu was being impulsive again, causing trouble at such a crucial time. Seeing his reddened eyes, he felt inexplicably irritated. He pulled his arm away and walked over to the Beta to check on the baby, ignoring Gu Zeyu’s request.
On the day of discharge, Pei Xiuran arrived. Gu Zeyu was bewildered by the complicated procedures, only knowing to follow Dr. Pei, signing when told to sign, and stamping when told to stamp.
When everything was settled, he stood motionless in the payment hall, clutching the receipts. Only when Pei Xiuran noticed he wasn’t following and called his name did Gu Zeyu scurry over.
“Dr. Pei, when you went missing, Hai Yu said he went to rescue you. Why isn’t he with you?”
“Which Hai Yu?” Pei Xiuran tilted his head, thinking. “Oh, you mean that little mermaid Alpha? I did meet him. I never imagined he was the little uncle Hai Mu’er had been searching for.”
“He fell into his nephew’s hands? Dr. Pei, why didn’t you save him? His nephew isn’t a good person. He usurped his throne, stole his military power, and took his beloved.”
Pei Xiuran stopped in his tracks, repeating Gu Zeyu’s last three words: “His beloved?”
“Aren’t you with Hai Yu? He said he would marry you and take you back to the sea to be his queen.”
Pei Xiuran smiled warmly, his eyes as gentle as a March lake. “Xiao Yu, I’m actually not very close to this little mermaid Alpha. I don’t know why he would say such things, but I probably wouldn’t like someone like him, especially since we’re both Alphas.”
Gu Zeyu clutched the discharge papers tightly, murmuring, “Wouldn’t like… someone like him… Alpha?”
Unaware that Gu Zeyu was reflecting on himself, Pei Xiuran thought he was still upset on behalf of his friend. He patiently explained, “The stronger a person is, the more they admire strength. We submit to those more capable than ourselves, or we’re forced to yield to overwhelming power.”
His eyes darkened momentarily, as if recalling something. He patted Gu Zeyu’s shoulder and said, “It’s impossible between me and that little mermaid.”
“But that little fish really likes you,” Gu Zeyu said slowly, as if in a different tone.
“Not all affection receives the desired response,” Pei Xiuran continued walking, unaware of the deep blue eyes gazing at him from behind.
When Pei Xiuran entered the room, Lu Yunian had just changed clothes. The baby was in the Beta’s arms. Noticing Gu Zeyu hadn’t followed, Lu Yunian’s brow furrowed as he grumbled, “Did he get lost? Can’t even handle signing papers properly, so stupid.”
Pei Xiuran glanced at the Beta holding the baby next to Lu Yunian, indeed looking more like a family of three. Taking advantage of Gu Zeyu’s absence, he intended to advise his oblivious friend and gestured for the Beta to take the baby out for some sunshine.
“Maybe you should change the caregiver. This Beta is a man after all. What if Xiao Yu misunderstands? Aren’t you creating trouble for yourself?” Pei Xiuran watched as Lu Yunian handed an ugly pillow to an orderly, along with Gu Zeyu’s plush toy left on the sofa.
“Why change? The military camp isn’t suitable for female Betas anyway. It’s actually perfect that it turned out to be a male Beta by chance.” Lu Yunian said dismissively. He noticed Gu Zeyu’s slippers kicked under the bed and bent to pick them up, wincing as the movement aggravated his wound.
“You know my M2 ability is ‘premonition.’ Logically, now that you’re married to Gu Zeyu and have a common bond, it shouldn’t come to…”
Lu Yunian always felt uneasy hearing such words. No one believed in his marriage to Gu Zeyu or that they could stay together forever. Hearing this so often, even he couldn’t refute it anymore.
“There’s nothing it shouldn’t come to. I can certainly afford to raise a child alone. You know better than anyone that I never wanted to marry such a weak Alpha. If it weren’t for his twelve brothers pressuring me from all angles…”
Lu Yunian paused in his packing, hesitating for a few seconds before continuing, “Anyway, I don’t have anyone I like. Marrying him got me the support of the Twelve Domains. What’s not to like about that? Besides, he’s an obedient fool, much easier to control than those scheming families.”
“With all these reasons, why should I divorce him?” Lu Yunian finished, not wanting to hear more of Pei Xiuran’s persuasion. He quickly walked to the door, saying, “Why isn’t he back yet? I’ll go find him.”
Author’s Note:
Divine Fish: Did you hear that?
Silly Fish: No. I didn’t hear him say I’m an obedient fool.
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