Chapter 116 (Extra)
Huo Ranchuan and Bai Nuosi spent an entire month on the island.
Though Bai Nuosi wanted to leave the next day, Huo Ranchuan’s inexhaustible energy left him with little chance to rest. Huo Ranchuan was like a fire out of control, completely unrestrained.
Even though marking only needed to be done once, Huo Ranchuan, possibly due to his beastman instincts or some other reason, took delight in marking Bai Nuosi repeatedly.
After a week of marking, Bai Nuosi lay on the bed, completely drained. Huo Ranchuan held him from behind, whispering, “You’ve had a few hours to rest. Do you feel any better? Can we try marking again?”
Exhausted, Bai Nuosi mustered what little strength he had to glare at Huo Ranchuan. “Haven’t you done it enough already?”
He looked down at his still-tender belly, quietly wondering, “Is there a chance I could get pregnant?”
Huo Ranchuan froze. “Wait, what?”
“Wait…after just one week, could that really happen?”
Huo Ranchuan furrowed his brows tightly, hoping against hope that there wouldn’t be a child. At least, not now—not yet.
He had only just managed to get Teacher Bai to himself after all the little ones had left for the term, finally securing a few months of rest.
He had worked so hard to win Teacher Bai over and finally reached the point of marking him!
Would it really be fair if, at this point, a baby came along—especially Bai Nuosi’s own child? Would they ever be able to have a normal relationship again?
Knowing Bai Nuosi, he realized that once a child arrived, Bai Nuosi’s focus would be entirely on the little one, leaving him largely invisible in Bai Nuosi’s eyes.
Bai Nuosi was half-joking, but he began to worry a little, his face slightly flushed. “Well, it is my heat period, and… you haven’t exactly held back lately, doing it every day, and sometimes seven or eight times…”
He looked away, blushing deeply. “If you think about it… that’s bound to make a difference.”
Huo Ranchuan was speechless.
He wanted to slap himself; he had been too carried away by excitement. He had been so enraptured by Bai Nuosi that all rational thought had flown out the window. Preparation was the last thing on his mind.
He quickly accessed his smart device and ordered a box of protection supplies from StarNet, paying extra to have it delivered by express shuttle.
Watching Huo Ranchuan’s reaction, Bai Nuosi asked, “Director, you don’t like kids?”
Huo Ranchuan looked up, a little hurt. “Why aren’t you calling me ‘husband’ anymore?”
After all, he thought, every night for the past week, it had been “husband” this and “husband” that. And now he was suddenly back to “director,” which felt so distant.
Bai Nuosi flushed with embarrassment. “I just thought it’d be better to stick to ‘director’ since we’ll be back at Rose Nursery soon. It’d be awkward if the kids heard me call you anything else.”
Huo Ranchuan pulled him close and smiled. “No need to call me that in public. But in private, where it’s just the two of us, won’t you call me husband?”
Bai Nuosi gave a small nod, leaning into him.
Huo Ranchuan sighed. “It’s not that I dislike children. I just like you more.”
Bai Nuosi looked up, surprised at his words.
Huo Ranchuan held him tighter. “I finally found you, so of course, I want to spend as much time as possible with you. We barely get enough time together as it is, so maybe we could wait a few more years to think about kids.”
Bai Nuosi nodded in agreement. “That’s what I was thinking too. For now, I want to focus on work, save up some money, maybe even buy a place of my own, and become more stable. Then I’d feel ready to consider having a child.”
He wanted to feel independent enough to take care of a child himself, not relying solely on Huo Ranchuan, which didn’t give him enough of a sense of security.
Huo Ranchuan fully supported him, understanding that everyone should have something they’re passionate about to make life more fulfilling.
Outside, the Teng Snake had been floating around the ocean for the last week and finally noticed Huo Ranchuan stepping out.
Huo Ranchuan moved a chair outside, bringing Bai Nuosi along to bask in the sun, with a spread of fresh fruit and snacks. The Teng Snake crawled over, rubbing its head affectionately against Bai Nuosi.
Bai Nuosi, wearing a loose T-shirt and shorts, revealed skin marked with evidence of Huo Ranchuan’s affections. He gently petted the Teng Snake. “Good Dahei, you’re such a sweet little one.”
Because Huo Ranchuan had fully marked Bai Nuosi, the Teng Snake had grown deeply attached to Bai Nuosi. Being Huo Ranchuan’s spirit beast, the Teng Snake’s feelings were often an extension of Huo Ranchuan’s.
The Teng Snake snuggled up close, content and drowsy from Bai Nuosi’s soothing scent.
Bai Nuosi turned to Huo Ranchuan. “Will it affect the Teng Snake if he doesn’t find a mate?”
Huo Ranchuan poured him a glass of warm water and glanced at the Teng Snake. “Not at all. He’s my spirit beast. Having you as a partner is enough for him.”
As long as Huo Ranchuan’s spirit remained stable, so would the Teng Snake’s. The Teng Snake could even experience shared emotions through him, and during the week they spent marking Bai Nuosi, the Teng Snake had even returned to Huo Ranchuan’s spirit sea to take part in it.
At the moment, the Teng Snake’s clinginess was just its way of vying for Bai Nuosi’s attention, dreaming of being his little darling.
“You don’t need to worry about him,” Huo Ranchuan said, rolling his eyes.
Bai Nuosi chuckled, scratching the Teng Snake behind the ears. “Come on, the Teng Snake, I’ll make you some milk.”
To Bai Nuosi, the Teng Snake was like a little kid, and he never thought of him as anything else. The Teng Snake, a bit deflated, nuzzled him with contentment.
They spent a memorable vacation on the island, but soon after returning home, both Bai Nuosi and Huo Ranchuan were pulled back into work.
The second Rose Garden Academy was completed, and Bai Nuosi, as an exemplary caregiver, was invited to be an instructor for the new recruits.
Even with his packed schedule, Bai Nuosi found time to stream, visit Adean, and make special dishes for the kids he’d taken care of. Huo Ranchuan, eager to see him, would rush over to the academy after work only to wait outside as Bai, always diligent, never left a minute early.
But on one particular day, Bai Nuosi finished early to head out with Huo Ranchuan.
Huo Ranchuan, a bit disgruntled, commented, “Last time for my birthday, you only took off half a day, and now you’re taking time off just because it’s Yade’an’s exam day?”
Bai Nuosi, looking excited, replied, “Adean’s like a child I’ve watched grow up. He doesn’t have any family, so of course, I want to be there to cheer him on!”
After a month of training, Adean had been accepted as a special recruit at the Imperial Military Academy. His upcoming test was the entrance exam for the Interstellar Border Patrol Unit, where he would eventually serve.
Everyone had assumed he would join the mech team with Chen Min, but Adean surprised everyone by applying to the Border Patrol. Since his application, Chen Min hadn’t been in contact, and Adean had stubbornly refused to reach out.
Sensing something was up, Huo Ranchuan had asked Adean directly, but Adean simply responded that he wanted to carve out his own path and prove himself.
Huo Ranchuan could only support him, approving his application without hesitation.
The two arrived at the exam site to see Adean—now taller and stronger—facing down his opponents with his loyal black eagle by his side. Bai Nuosi watched, his heart swelling with pride as Adean defeated several NPCs and instructors.
After the final test, Adean accepted his official Border Patrol insignia from the instructor, his eyes glistening with emotion.
When Adean stepped back, battered from the test, he scanned the crowd, confirming that Teacher Bai was indeed there. Clutching his badge tightly, he walked over to Bai Nuosi, looking a bit bashful. “Teacher Bai, I passed the test.”
Bai Nuosi handed him a towel to wipe away the sweat and offered him a packed meal, speaking softly, “I’ve heard things can be chaotic over there, and it’s tough. You’ll be gone for five years. Are you really ready for this?”
Adean wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and gave him a small smile. “Don’t worry, Teacher Bai. No matter how chaotic or tough it is, it’s still nothing compared to the mercenary corps’ warships. I’ve been ready for a long time.”
Bai Nuosi placed a small protective charm in his hand. “Stay strong, Adean. And don’t forget, if things get really difficult, you can always reach out to me. Don’t go through it alone, okay?”
Adean’s eyes turned red, and he carefully placed the charm alongside his badge in his chest pocket. He hugged Bai Nuosi, tearing up. “Teacher Bai, I—”
But before he could finish, Huo Ranchuan, face darkening, quickly pulled him away. “Speak without all the grabbing, got it?”
He was visibly annoyed.
Adean blinked, then awkwardly took out a small sapphire bracelet from his pocket, looking a bit embarrassed. “Teacher Bai, could you please pass this on to Captain Chen for me? He hasn’t been willing to see me lately.”
Bai Nuosi didn’t think much of it. He assumed Chen Min was avoiding Adean because Adean hadn’t chosen the mech team.
Taking the bracelet, he nodded. “Sure. Captain Chen’s probably just busy lately. Don’t hold it against him.”
Adean looked guilty; he’d never dare be upset with him. He’d practically begged for forgiveness, but Chen Min still wouldn’t relent. All because last month, after a bit too much to drink—and with Jiujiu being a bit too enthusiastic—they ended up tackling the golden eagle to the ground, him included…
Blushing deeply and scratching his head in frustration, Adean added, “Teacher Bai, please tell him I’ll be back in five years, no matter what! Tell him he must wait for me!”
Bai Nuosi blinked in surprise.
After Adean left, Bai Nuosi looked down at the bracelet in his hand, turning to Huo Ranchuan. “Adean is such a good kid. He even remembered to bring his mentor a gift before leaving.”
Huo Ranchuan just rubbed Bai Nuosi’s head with a faint sigh. “Yes, he really is.”
Because in Teacher Bai’s eyes, all the little ones would forever remain his “kids,” and kids would always be well-behaved.
Most importantly, kids would never be in relationships—or so he thought.
