CHAPTER 344: EPISODE 32.5 IN-LAW’S SURPRISE!

"Are you sure you can walk?"

"Yes! And if you keep asking, I’ll prove it by walking over you. I promise not to stop until you cry "Master!" to me. Now, inside. I’m exhausted."

Shen Yuan and Bai Tingfeng got home a little after five in the afternoon.

The sky was bleeding red, shadows stretching long over the lawn and sliding across the still surface of the artificial pond. The front of the house was dim, the lights still off. Normally, he would notice such weirdness as the helpers always lit up the house’s lights around this hour.

However, Shen Yuan didn’t notice—or to be more honest, he didn’t care. He was tired, hungry, and on a mission to get inside.

He pushed the gate open and bolted in like a man possessed.

BAM!

"Ahhh!"

"Fuuuuck!"

Two screams rang out in perfect harmony. Shen Yuan clutched his chest like he’d just been sniped by a heart attack, only to realize the other scream came from Rong Suyin, his father-in-law, standing dead center in the foyer.

The older man was frozen mid-step, eyes wide enough to pop out, staring at Shen Yuan like a goat-faced gigolo gatecrashed his party.

Yes, a party — because in Rong Suyin’s hands were blue and pink balloons.

"Dad?! What are you doing here?" Bai Tingfeng asked his father. Like his husband, he was also surprised by his father’s presence in their house. He did not know that their return from their overseas trip was today!

Rong Suyin knew that it was already too late to hide the balloons in his hand. He just raised them, flashing an awkward smile. "Surprise?"

Bai Tingfeng and Shen Yuan looked at each other, amused.

So, they sacrificed their rest to celebrate Shen Yuan’s pregnancy. That thought alone makes Shen Yuan and Bai Tingfeng’s hearts feel warm.

"But Dad, it’s way too early to even pull a baby shower." Bai Tingfeng reminded Rong Suyin of a small smile threatening to appear.

Rong Suyin put both his hands on his hips, pursing his lips. "Don’t start me with the nagging about being early. The two of you are the ones who are up to something when it isn’t time to go to bed yet."

Shen Yuan cannot help but flash a silly smile. So, it seems like their short escapade did not go unnoticed like they hoped, huh?

Bai Tingfeng protectively held Shen Yuan’s waist. "Dad, you are saying nonsense. I can’t understand what you are talking about."

Rong Suyin jabbed a finger at them like he was about to issue parking tickets.

"You’re wearing just your undershirt, your coat’s tied around Shen Yuan’s hips like some makeshift skirt, your hair looks like you lost a fight with a leaf blower, and—oh yes—both your lips are so swollen you could pass for a peanut allergy ad. I’m no detective, but even a goldfish could piece together what you two were doing before you got home."

Shen Yuan could no longer hold back his laughter. "Dad. Blame it on your son. He is the one who pulled me aside to a corner somewhere."

Rong Suyin flicked his resting bitch face towards his grown-up son. "Seriously? Not even a hotel? You are such a disappointment in this family."

Bai Tingfeng helplessly scratched his head.

Rong Suyin sighed loudly. He waved the balloons in his hand. "Fine. Head straight to your bedroom, shower, then get changed." He pushed the couple towards the grand staircase. "Don’t even think of kissing your son, for the love of god."

As if on cue, Yanyan shot out of the kitchen like a tiny homing missile.

"Daddy!"

Before Shen Yuan could even turn his head, there was an impact.

Bam!

"Ow!" he yelped, clutching his rear like he’d just been mugged. Yanyan had hugged him with the full force of toddler enthusiasm... and the deadly accuracy of a battering ram.

Rong Suyin gasped, covering his mouth. "Oh my gosh!" Yanyan just headbutted his Daddy’s ass!

~~~

"I’m sorry, Daddy. I’m sorry!" Yanyan pitifully pleaded with his Daddy. He is flatteringly rubbing his face on his Daddy’s leg.

After an excruciating session to change his clothes, Shen Yuan headed down to the receiving area to spend time with the family. His ass still hurts a little. But thankfully, his quick cold shower helped ease the pain of getting headbutted.

"Yanyan, Daddy is okay. There is no need for you to apologize profusely." Yanyan lovingly combed his boy’s hair.

"Indeed, baby," Rong Suyin stepped in to calm his grandson. "If you continue acting all mopey, your Daddy will inevitably feel bad. Why don’t you help Daddy check all the souvenirs that we brought?"

Bai Weisheng and Bai Tingfeng returned from the kitchen, carrying trays of food and beverages.

"Okay!" Yanyan immediately regained his scattered energy.

Rong Suyin and Bai Weisheng returned from their overseas trip with lots of souvenirs. Boxes and shopping bags made a four-meter line in their receiving area. It is not surprising if these include Bai Tingfeng and Yanyan’s gift.

However, Rong Suyin made it clear ahead of time that these are all for him and the baby.

"I already saw all my presents from Dada and Grandpa! I put them in my room all nice and safe. Now... which one of Daddy’s should we open first?"

"Umm. Just pick anything. I still can’t wrap my head around the fact that all these things are for me."

"Darling, for you and the little peanut." Rong Suyin flashed his perfect set of white teeth with pride. "Your value now is for two people, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that you receive this much gift."

He picked up a lavishly covered rectangular box from the pile. "Let’s start with this."

Shen Yuan followed Rong Suyin’s lead and tore the cover of the box.

In it are some strange treasures—curved like a crescent moon, white, blue-ish and papery, their strands tangled together in a delicate lattice. Each of these peculiar, bowl-like things looked fragile enough to crumble with a sneeze, yet stubbornly stiff under the fingers, the kind of thing you’d expect to find in a fairy’s attic, not on a box.

"Wow!" Yanyan looked at it with awe.

"A weird-looking edible bird’s nest." Shen Yuan mused.

"A rare edible bird’s nest harvested from the dungeon where aquatic weed swiftlets live. These are better than the common edible bird’s nest in the market. These blue-ish bad boys are proven to be good nourishment for the babies, especially during the early weeks."

Shen Yuan was pleased with the gift. It eased his worries about their second baby’s health. But the moment he recalled Rong Suyin calling it "rare," he couldn’t shake the thought that these blue edible bird’s nests must have cost a fortune.

"Next is this, a U-shaped pregnancy pillow! I had this customized so that it will fit your entire body. It is stuffed with breathable cotton for your comfort and has an internal vibrator that will massage your entire body."

"So comfy!" Yan clapped.

Pregnancy robes, nausea bands, a fetal doppler—every odd pregnancy gadget marched past Shen Yuan like it was in a parade. And for each one, Yanyan clapped like a tiny hype man, praising whatever random feature he could think of.

On the other hand, Bai Tingfeng sat beside his husband, looking at the gifts with a skewed smile. Bai Weisheng saw this reaction, but he remained silent.

"Moisturizers! Ever since we stayed in hot, dry Country P, I’ve been a skin clinic regular. Saw these, remembered when I had Sahara-level skin dryness when I was carrying Tingfeng, so I thought—why not stock you up?"

"Dad," Bai Tingfeng called out to his parent. "Don’t you think this is too much? At this rate, I don’t think I will have a chance to provide my husband with anything."

"Tingfeng," Rong Suyin addressed his son, tone dismissive. "Moisturizers are finite. If Shen Yuan uses it, then it will run out in due time. You can buy him the replenishments if you want."

"I’m not talking about the moisturizers," Bai Tingfeng said, pointing at the rows of opened and unopened gifts. "I’m talking about all of this. You’re spending too much money on things we might never even use. Don’t you think that’s a bit wasteful?"

Yanyan stopped himself from clapping. The festive atmosphere dampened.

"But it is not a waste if you end up using it, son." Rong Suyin reasoned out.

"Dad," Bai Tingfeng said, rubbing his eyebrows in frustration. "I love that you’re excited for us, but please tell me this is the last time you’re going to splurge for our pregnancy."

Bai Tingfeng silently held Shen Yuan’s hand. "If you take care of everything for the baby, how are we supposed to build a connection with our child? We preferred to be involved in providing for them—even while they’re still in the womb."

Rong Suyin pursed his lips as he stared at the couple. "Well, you have a point. I am sorry. I became overexcited."

Shen Yuan awkwardly cleared his throat, "No, Dad. I love your gift. Especially the pregnancy pillow. I love that it uses vibration to massage my entire body."

Rong Suyin made a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "I am happy to hear that, darling."

"Oh, right." Rong Suyin suddenly stood up. "I am sure you are hungry. Why don’t we postpone the unboxing and eat first?"

"Uh-oh," Shen Yuan uttered under his breath as he watched his father-in-law stage a walk-out.