Chapter 68 (Extra)
Lin Song’an and Tan Ning held each other’s gaze for a solid half-minute. The soft “husband” from Tan Ning was almost too much for him—his first thought was: Am I dreaming?
With a slightly terrified look, Lin Song’an shifted to the edge of the bed, but Tan Ning quickly snuggled back up to him.
Reaching to turn on the light, Lin Song’an’s forearm brushed against the edge of the nightstand, and the sting reminded him this wasn’t a dream. Tan Ning was really clinging to him, working to undo the buttons of his shirt. Lin Song’an could only protect him with one arm while picking up the medical report from the nightstand with the other.
He had only looked at the test report initially.
On the report, he now saw: Early pregnancy (35 days). Partner is alpha, likely to experience anxiety, depression, and loneliness, with severe cases resulting in skin hunger.
Lin Song’an read the two lines over three times, then set down the report, deep in thought.
Just then, Tan Ning seemed to realize lying face down might not be ideal. His stomach was pressed up against Lin Song’an’s firm abs, and after a few seconds, he quickly moved off him, curling up in Lin Song’an’s arms, looking up at him with big, round eyes.
“…”
Lin Song’an felt his temples throb.
He picked up Tan Ning, setting him on his lap. With the warm glow of the bedside lamp, he examined the little “cat” before him, who seemed to be in a full personality shift due to early pregnancy anxiety and skin hunger. Tan Ning’s brow furrowed slightly as he looked down, feeling his stomach and then Lin Song’an’s neck. He whispered, “Lin Song’an…”
“Hmm?”
“Will you leave me?”
“No,” Lin Song’an interlocked his fingers with Tan Ning’s. “Never.”
“Lin Song’an.”
“Hmm?”
“Take off your pajamas.”
Lin Song’an chuckled, placing Tan Ning’s hands on his buttons. Tan Ning began to undo them one by one but paused, frowning. “Lie on your side.”
He shifted to lie on his side, then urged Lin Song’an to do the same. Lin Song’an gently pinched his cheek, saying, “Ning Ning, it’s only a month in. Lying on your stomach won’t hurt the little kitten.”
Tan Ning’s eyes started to water again, and Lin Song’an hurriedly leaned down to kiss him. Tan Ning’s hand spread across Lin Song’an’s abs, pressing close, emitting soft murmurs.
Lin Song’an wrapped his arms around his waist, leaning down to capture his lips. But just as things heated up, Tan Ning pushed him back, saying, “We can’t. For two months, no.”
“What?”
“We just can’t.”
Lin Song’an’s desire grew, but he settled for resting his hand on Tan Ning’s waist. “You’re the one who started this!”
“I didn’t,” Tan Ning replied, straight-faced. After ten minutes of lazy cuddling, he began to feel sleepy again.
Lin Song’an kissed him, then was about to open his pajamas when Tan Ning suddenly turned away, mumbling, “I’m going to sleep now.”
“…?”
Lin Song’an tugged at the hem of Tan Ning’s shirt, but he buried his face into the pillow, murmuring, “The doctor said I need plenty of sleep.”
Dazed, Lin Song’an looked at Tan Ning’s slender back, the delicate curve of his waist, and the hint of his shoulder blades beneath his pearly sleepwear. Pregnant, Tan Ning now had a softened glow about him. Lin Song’an wrapped his arms around him, burying his face in Tan Ning’s hair to take in his scent.
At dawn, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains. Lin Song’an woke up and immediately messaged his friend, a doctor, asking about beta pregnancies.
His friend sent him a list of things to watch out for. Lin Song’an followed up, “My partner’s personality seems to have suddenly changed. Since last night, he’s been very clingy.”
The doctor replied, “That’s typical for couples with strong emotional bonds. Omegas experience this due to pheromone imbalance, but for betas, though there are no pheromones, similar behaviors can occur—like mood swings or even nesting behavior.”
“Nesting?” Lin Song’an’s tone was playful.
“Yes. Because you’re an alpha and your spouse is a beta, it’s possible he’s always had some fixation on the matter, so he may show nesting behaviors during pregnancy.”
Lin Song’an’s expression darkened slightly, replaced by a sense of tenderness and concern.
“And if a couple typically… engages often, these reactions might be even more intense.”
“…” Lin Song’an massaged his temples, thinking, Yes, it’s been intense.
“What should I do to help?” he asked.
“Just go along with him, keep him happy, and try not to let him feel isolated or sad for long.”
“Understood.”
Lin Song’an set down his phone just as Tan Ning, sensing movement beside him, slowly began to wake.
Ever since they got married, Tan Ning’s morning grumpiness had only worsened. Back when he was still studying, he’d plan nights with no classes the next day to spend time with Lin Song’an, sometimes until dawn. But now, with a nine o’clock start at the law firm, he had little tolerance for Lin Song’an’s sometimes late-night antics that would keep him up until one or two a.m. Exhausted, he’d fall asleep as soon as he hit the pillow, and when he woke up the next day, he’d take it all out on Lin Song’an.
Usually, he’d roll out of Lin Song’an’s arms, tumbling to the edge of the bed, then give Lin Song’an a firm kick. Then he’d hide his face in the covers and try to steal another ten minutes of sleep.
Lin Song’an loved watching him like this, gazing at his blushing cheeks, his soft, slightly pouting lips, and the way his skin glowed under the morning light. Most of the time, Tan Ning carried himself with a composed, professional air, growing more like Fang Jin—reserved and impeccable. But asleep, he reverted to his twenty-year-old self when they first met, curled up and gripping the edge of the blanket, soft and vulnerable, a bit insecure.
“Baby, what would you like for breakfast?” Lin Song’an gently pinched the visible part of Tan Ning’s cheek.
Tan Ning’s sleepy eyes blinked open. He was dazed for a few seconds, his mind then racing to recall last night’s events. Lin Song’an’s shirt was unbuttoned, his muscular chest exposed. Looking down at himself, he noticed two buttons undone around his lower abdomen.
His lower abdomen… Tan Ning suddenly looked up, meeting Lin Song’an’s gentle gaze.
He pursed his lips and asked, “You know?”
“Know what? About the little kitten?”
“I found out just yesterday. I was a bit, well… emotional. Whatever I said or did… just pretend it never happened.”
Lin Song’an wanted to tease him, to push him until he blushed and pleaded, but he remembered the doctor’s advice.
Go along with him.
His little cat now had a tiny kitten of his own, and his temper had doubled; the slightest thing might set him off.
Lin Song’an nodded with a smile. “All right, you said nothing, did nothing, and I know nothing.”
He leaned in to kiss Tan Ning on the forehead. “All I know is that I need to make a hearty breakfast for my baby.”
With that, Lin Song’an got out of bed. Tan Ning watched as he buttoned up and headed for the kitchen. Broad-shouldered, long-legged, with a fit but not overly muscular frame, Lin Song’an looked slim in clothes.
As he left, Tan Ning’s heartbeat quickened, his senses reviving. He couldn’t resist gulping.
Quietly, he rolled over to Lin Song’an’s side, buried himself under the blankets that still carried Lin Song’an’s scent, set a seven-minute alarm on his phone, and fell back asleep.
Meanwhile, Lin Song’an began cooking breakfast, planning on vegetable pancakes and a milk-based silver ear fungus soup.
After freshening up, Tan Ning followed the scent to the kitchen, where Lin Song’an was stirring the pot with a long-handled spoon. The rich milk aroma wafted out, and Tan Ning muttered, “It’s very milky.”
Lin Song’an turned down the heat.
Somehow, Tan Ning couldn’t stop trailing behind Lin Song’an. Wherever Lin Song’an went, Tan Ning followed, though unable to help, he just stood watching in a daze. Finally, Lin Song’an had him cornered by the kitchen island.
“Lawyer Tan, if you’re glued to me like this, am I a criminal? What crime have I committed that I can’t be more than half a meter away from you?”
A blush flared across Tan Ning’s cheeks.
He turned his head and huffed, “Nothing, I was just making sure you didn’t burn anything.”
“Oh, really?” Lin Song’an didn’t tease further but laughed, leaning in to nibble on his ear. “Didn’t you personally teach me to be a five-star homemaker, Lawyer Tan? I’d never let anything burn.”
He gave Tan Ning a playful pat. “Go wait at the table, baby; you’ll smell like food standing here.”
Tan Ning headed to the dining table.
It wasn’t long before Lin Song’an felt a pair of hands wrap around him from behind, pulling him into a warm hug as Tan Ning rested his cheek against his back.
He’s really become a little clinger now.
Lin Song’an couldn’t help but laugh.
“Lin Song’an, at noon, could you… could you maybe…” Tan Ning stammered, his voice trembling.
Thankfully, Lin Song’an understood without needing him to finish. “Of course. I’ll bring lunch to the firm so we can eat together, and I’ll pick you up afterward. Sound good?”
Tan Ning nodded.
While eating, he asked Lin Song’an, “Does Mom know?”
“I told her. She’ll come by tonight to check on you.”
“Oh.” Tan Ning still hadn’t fully adjusted to his new role. “Should I call Grandfather?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’ll call him at lunch.”
“Good. And if he wants to come visit, let me know his arrival time. I’ll pick him up at the airport.”
Lin Song’an was better at caring for Tan Ning’s grandfather than Tan Ning himself, which made Tan Ning smile as he agreed.
Finishing breakfast, they faced another small hurdle in getting to work.
As they neared the firm, Tan Ning grew anxious. At a red light, Lin Song’an handed him a small object. “Place this on your desk—it’ll be like I’m there with you all the time.”
Tan Ning looked down to see the little ceramic cat Lin Song’an had made and given him long ago.
Years had passed, and the paint had faded, yet it was still as ugly as ever. Tan Ning clutched it tightly in his hand.
He felt he should say something more but found himself struggling. Though he craved Lin Song’an’s constant presence, he couldn’t bring himself to say something so personal at the crowded law firm entrance, not even to say “husband.”
Lin Song’an held his hand, pulling him back as he started to leave. “Ning Ning, kiss me.”
This time, Tan Ning didn’t hesitate. He closed the car door, quickly kissing Lin Song’an on the cheek, then cupping his face to press a lingering kiss on his lips.
Lin Song’an’s hand moved from his waist to his lower abdomen. Softly, he said, “Ning Ning, don’t work too hard.”
Even though they’d only be apart a few hours, sadness already filled Tan Ning’s heart. He looked deeply into Lin Song’an’s eyes, hoping he’d ask him to stay just a bit longer.
But Lin Song’an only gently rubbed his ear with his thumb. “Be good. I’ll be back around noon.”
Once Lin Song’an was gone, Tan Ning felt immediately adrift. He placed the little ceramic cat on his desk, then picked it up again, examining it closely. Muttering to himself, he tried to focus, immersing himself in work once the client’s documents came in.
Determined to concentrate, he managed for about an hour before his mind began to wander.
Opening his phone, he started scrolling through photos—pictures of Lin Song’an, their selfies, even their wedding photos.
The senior attorney, Yan Wenqing, gathered a few of the lawyers for an impromptu meeting to discuss a merger plan. Tan Ning sat there, answering Yan Wenqing’s questions while glancing at the clock.
Lin Song’an said he’d be here by 11:30. Twelve minutes left—it felt like an eternity to him.
After some time, Yan Wenqing suddenly asked, “Attorney Tan, what do you think?”
Tan Ning came back to himself and replied calmly, “I think it’s time to start the due diligence, especially focusing on this company’s affiliated relationships and tax issues. External guarantees are also a significant risk factor. I believe further discussion is unnecessary right now; we should compile a list and send it to the other party, so they can start preparing.”
He always spoke with clarity, giving direct opinions rather than vague suggestions. Yan Wenqing, nodding in agreement, assigned a trainee, “Prepare a checklist and submit it by the end of the day.”
The clock on the wall read 11:30, and Tan Ning immediately stood up, startling those around him.
“I need to step out for a moment,” he said, heading straight outside.
At the law firm’s entrance, he saw Lin Song’an deep in a cheerful conversation with the firm’s director.
Noticing Tan Ning from the corner of his eye, Lin Song’an smiled and waved.
Seeing Tan Ning’s hurried expression, Yan Wenqing, assuming something serious had happened, hesitated and followed but stopped just short of the door.
The director said, “Attorney Tan, you’re so modest. You’ve been with us for nearly four months, and I had no idea you and Mr. Lin Song’an were—”
Behind his back, Lin Song’an held Tan Ning’s hand, and with his ears tinged red, Tan Ning saw Yan Wenqing watching from nearby. He decided to say the words he hadn’t before, “He’s my husband.”
Just hearing it sent waves of delight through Lin Song’an’s heart.
Though Tan Ning’s openness might have been spurred by hormones, Lin Song’an was already thrilled.
He squeezed Tan Ning’s hand gently. Tan Ning avoided his gaze, feeling bashful, and once the director and Yan Wenqing had moved on, Lin Song’an pulled him to the stairwell, unable to resist capturing him in a deep kiss.
Tan Ning didn’t pull away, his hands resting on Lin Song’an’s shoulders as he leaned into him.
Just as their breaths grew short, Lin Song’an finally released him and nuzzled into Tan Ning’s neck, inhaling deeply. “Why does my Ning Ning smell like milk?”
Thinking back, Tan Ning said, “Maybe because you made me drink two bowls of milk and silver ear soup this morning.”
“Oh,” Lin Song’an murmured with a soft laugh.
Hearing his mischievous chuckle, Tan Ning looked at him, puzzled. “What’s so funny?”
Lin Song’an’s hand caressed Tan Ning’s waist as he gave a quick glance down at the smooth chest beneath the drape of Tan Ning’s shirt, smirking, “Nothing. I just thought… Ning Ning should drink milk more often.”
