When Pei Xiuran arrived, he had imagined at least a dozen scenarios of Lu Yunian being tortured. The helpless Omega, powerless after losing consciousness, hung in mid-air with a trident piercing his shoulder blades, blood dripping into a pool of seawater.
Or perhaps stripped naked, humiliatingly tied to a pillar, drowning in the sea clan’s spit, head hanging low with blood trickling from his mouth, weakly coughing repeatedly.
But upon entering the room, he found Lu Yunian sleeping soundly, embracing his husband and child. He could even hear Gu Zeyu grinding his teeth in his sleep. Pei Xiuran turned to leave, but Hai Yu stopped him.
“Dr. Pei, that bastard Hai Mu’er really did injure Lu Yunian. He was sent flying and coughed up blood several times. If you don’t stay to treat him, he surely won’t survive!” Hai Yu was well-practiced in slandering his nephew. He even showed Pei Xiuran some photos of Lu Yunian coughing blood.
Hai Mu’er watched coldly from the side, disdaining to offer any explanation. But he kept glancing at Pei Xiuran’s changing expressions, noting how he was friendly towards Hai Yu but restrained towards himself, unable to hide his disappointment.
The commotion at the door woke the Omega. As he sat up and saw Pei Xiuran, he showed no surprise. Pei Xiuran turned to the others and said, “Leave. Post guards outside and let no one enter without my permission.”
Hai Mu’er instinctively wanted to object, but the sycophantic Sea King readily agreed.
Once they left, Pei Xiuran sat at the table with Lu Yunian. The Omega casually extended his hand, saying, “Come on, check my pulse.”
Pei Xiuran rolled his eyes and swatted away his friend’s hand. “Pregnancy pulse. At least seven or eight babies.”
Lu Yunian laughed heartily. “I knew that bastard would use me as an excuse to lure you here. He’s quite devoted, still pining for you after all these years.”
Pei Xiuran changed the subject, pouring some water. “What are you doing here? I heard from Hai Yu that your military talent has been transferred to him. What’s that about?”
Lu Yunian took a sip of water, glanced back at his sleeping Alpha and son, and said casually, “In my youth, I showed promise in military affairs. People praised my innate talent. Turns out that talent was Xiao Yu’s betrothal gift to me. Now that he’s won me over, he’s taken it back.”
Pei Xiuran, seeing through his nonchalance, asked worriedly, “Aren’t you upset?”
Lu Yunian looked puzzled. “Upset? Why should I be?”
Pei Xiuran sighed softly. “You’ll be just an ordinary Omega now.”
Lu Yunian shrugged, disagreeing. “I didn’t get where I am today on talent alone. Thousands of days and nights of military strategy are etched in my flesh and blood. That battle experience and tactical knowledge are ingrained in my mind, no one can take that away. If I, Lu Yunian, were to become depressed over this, then the title of Imperial War Star would be wasted on a coward.”
“Besides, for all Gu Zeyu’s impressive divine consciousness, he was still beaten to near dissipation by that Taotie before he shared his talent. He just likes to pretend, and only fools like Hai Mu’er worship him as a god. As for me, I prefer he doesn’t interfere. I’ll protect my own son.”
Pei Xiuran chuckled at hearing Hai Mu’er called a fool. “Then why did you come to the sea clan? The military leaders all think you’ve been captured. It’s chaos without you.”
“My army alone might not be enough. I needed to drag your ex-lover into this mess too. Since they consider Gu Zeyu their ancient god, they should contribute. Besides, that little Sea King got such a windfall, how could he not help against the Ghost Legion?”
“So, you allowed Hai Mu’er to call me here just to have me go back and stabilize the military?” Pei Xiuran couldn’t help but admire Lu Yunian’s cunning. On the surface, the sea clan seemed to have the upper hand, but behind the scenes, Lu Yunian had not only won over his Alpha but effortlessly united the two opposing forces. “Was your talent really taken away? You seem no different than before.”
“I’m not as strong physically, but still strong enough to hold my Alpha.” Lu Yunian looked back to see Gu Zeyu had kicked off the blanket again. He got up to retrieve it, only for Gu Zeyu to kick it off once more. Gu Lulu slept just like his Alpha father, both sprawled out in the middle of the bed like turtles on their backs.
“I used to think you’d prefer someone strong too,” Pei Xiuran suddenly remembered his conversation with Gu Zeyu outside the hospital room, feeling a twinge of guilt towards Lu Yunian.
“I am strong myself. Rather than being protected, I prefer being needed. Every time Xiao Yu looks at me, his eyes are full of admiration. It feels like I’m all he needs in the world.” He covered the Alpha with the blanket again, and when Gu Zeyu kicked it off once more, he gave his bottom a light smack. The Alpha immediately behaved, turning over and snuggling into the blanket.
“But he’s not just Gu Zeyu…” Pei Xiuran said worriedly. “Dealing with the Ghost Legion still requires his divine aspect. He’s not just your Alpha alone.”
Lu Yunian extended an arm, and the sleeping Gu Zeyu, as if sensing him, clung to it, nuzzling his hand and holding it tight. A crescent moon smile graced Lu Yunian’s lips as he watched Gu Lulu kick off his blanket and roll over to snuggle against his Omega father.
Pei Xiuran, uncomfortable with this picture of domestic bliss, heard Lu Yunian say, “Him protecting the world and me protecting him aren’t mutually exclusive.”
Pei Xiuran still prescribed some medicine for Lu Yunian’s injuries and learned the details of how Hai Mu’er had hurt him. He instinctively wanted to apologize to Hai Mu’er, but then remembered that these small transgressions paled in comparison to Hai Mu’er’s cruelty towards him. As he left the room, he encountered the little mermaid Alpha crouching by the door. Hai Mu’er’s absence left Pei Xiuran feeling both relieved and disappointed.
Hai Yu rushed to cling to Dr. Pei, loudly insisting on protecting him from harm, but Pei Xiuran stopped in his tracks and asked seriously, “The Ghost Legion has begun to move. Why do you, as Sea King, have time to idle?”
“Isn’t the military power in my nephew’s hands? I’m just a figurehead Sea King,” Hai Yu mumbled, avoiding Pei Xiuran’s gaze.
“Is it that he won’t give it to you, or that you won’t fight for it? Before, your abilities were mediocre, with only an empty title. But now you have the strongest backing and enhanced military talent. Why are you still leaving everything to him?” Pei Xiuran’s voice rose unconsciously, his face showing traces of anger. “No matter how cunning and capable he is, he’s still just an Omega.”
Hai Yu sheepishly replied, “But isn’t Lu Yunian also an Omega? Isn’t my brother hiding behind him too?”
Realizing he was speaking up for Hai Mu’er, Pei Xiuran left in irritation. Hai Yu, watching his cold back, ran into Gu Zeyu’s room, feeling wronged.
“Brother, brother, teach me how to pursue someone. Brother!”
Author’s Note: Don’t ask me why I’m not torturing the shou, I’ll ask you why you want to torture the shou.
The shou is a General, rough and careless, all actions consistent with his character.
The gong is a cutie, so he’s easy to coax and very naive.
Also, regarding the ultimate victim, Hai Mu’er, in this story, do you think Dr. Pei’s official partner should be him or the little mermaid?
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