Chapter 44 Pandan Chiffon Cake

Chapter 44: Colorful Chiffon Cake

The next day, Rui Rui sat at the dining table, his vacant eyes still heavy with sleepiness.

Despite a leisurely day yesterday and an early night, why was he so unusually tired today? His calves felt sore and swollen, muscles slightly taut—had his swimming prowess declined?

"What's wrong?" Li Hanchuan removed his apron and placed a cup of hot, sweetened milk before him, feigning ignorance. "Didn't sleep well?"

The omega covered a dainty yawn, shaking his head. "I just feel like I've forgotten something…"

"Don't overthink it. Eat properly."

His little wife drank the milk obediently, the warm, milky liquid sipped slowly, wetting his plush, rosy lips. He remained completely unaware of the increasingly heated gaze from the man across the table.

Rui Rui suddenly let out a soft gasp, touching his lips in confusion. Li Hanchuan immediately grew concerned and checked, "Did you bite yourself?"

His thumb gently parted the lips, revealing that the thin membrane was only slightly reddened, with no bite marks.

The alpha chuckled. "Are you that hungry? Biting yourself while drinking milk."

The mermaid omega, his smooth golden hair not yet tied up, looked at him and shook his head in denial. He murmured softly in confusion, "It wasn't me. It feels like something sucked it raw. It hurts."

The Major General's calm expression shifted slightly, a sudden flush of heat rising within him. He quickly sat back down to conceal his discomfort.

Suddenly, Rui Rui grew serious. Though no one else was around, he still covered his mouth discreetly and whispered, "Could our house be haunted?"

"..." Li Hanchuan replied, "With me here, even the dead would jump back to life. What's there to fear?"

The commander's possessiveness knew no bounds—gender, species, even life and death were irrelevant. He sneered, "Besides, what ghost would dare kiss my wife’s lips? I’d dig it out and interrogate it properly."

Rui Rui fell silent, feeling both scared and oddly reassured by his words.

"Husband, you really have no sense of humor."

It was often said that alphas were like rabid dogs—during their rut, they’d drool and get hard at the scent of an omega’s pheromones. Their brawn came at the expense of brains, leaving them with no self-control. Li Hanchuan had never felt this way before.

But under the table, his little wife’s small feet grew fidgety, tapping and shuffling. He slipped off his slippers and subconsciously searched with his toes, accidentally brushing against the alpha’s leg.

The sensation was like a cat’s scratch, slightly ticklish, and paired with Rui Rui’s innocent, beautiful face, it was utterly devastating.

"..." The white porcelain spoon in Li Hanchuan’s hand clattered into his bowl. Remembering last night’s midnight snack, he instantly perked up.

"Ah, sorry." The little beauty blinked, noticing his human husband’s face turning red then purple, veins bulging at his temples. Concerned, he asked, "You’re acting strange today. Are you worried about the Wei family?"

Li Hanchuan wasn’t worried about that trash.

The two families had turned against each other, and he had even sabotaged his father’s alliance with the Weis. He was thrilled about it.

The kind-hearted baby seal had no idea his husband was standing at full attention, restless with desire. He simply assumed Li Hanchuan’s silence meant he was admitting it.

In times of trouble, true feelings are revealed by those who lend a hand. Little did he know, the aloof commander just wanted his little wife to give a hand to his own "issue."

Filled with loyalty and devotion, Rui Rui knit his delicate brows. "Don’t be afraid. If something really happens, I have a backup plan."

Li Hanchuan was in high spirits seeing his playfully serious expression.

"Tell me?"

"I can’t tell you."

"Even if you don’t, I trust you."

Rui Rui was taken aback, then proudly pursed his lips, smiling like a fortune cat.

My powerful hind flippers could support my chubby Little Dumpling body for high-speed swimming in the ocean. If it ever came down to it, I would reveal my true form and use my hind flippers to fiercely thrash that bastard Wei Hanchi. Even if it meant blowing my cover on the spot, I would protect Li Hanchuan and ensure his escape.

Ultimate move: Leopard Tail Shatters Stone!

You help me, I help you—the bond between merperson and human will last forever.

Both had busy schedules today, and the Major General husband left even earlier than him. Before he left, Rui Rui hurried to the door and pulled him back, asking seriously, "Where’s the plushie I gave you?"

Li Hanchuan raised his briefcase, where a round bulge distorted its sleek shape.

"Right here."

The alpha’s expression tightened for a second, as if afraid Rui Rui would take it back. Rui Rui accurately caught his fleeting hesitation and reluctance, and the leopard in him was delighted.

The little wife, dressed in soft loungewear, pulled out the plushie, tilted his head, and nuzzled it against his soft, pale cheek. He pressed so hard that one side of his face flattened, and his blue eyes narrowed to slits.

Li Hanchuan: "?"

He was so earnest that the alpha held back a laugh or interrupting.

After rubbing the plushie, Rui Rui solemnly wrapped his arms around his husband’s neck. The man bent down to match his height, and his delicate, fragrant little face drew near. Li Hanchuan’s throat tightened, and he swallowed dryly, wanting to kiss him again.

Then, the mermaid omega majestically rubbed cheeks.

"This way, no one will dare bully you." His soft-haired head rubbed circles against Li Hanchuan’s chest, the sweet, delectable berry-like scent of his pheromones gradually permeating the military uniform. "Anyone who gets close will know you’re under someone’s protection."

"If all else fails, take out the mermaid plushie I gave you. Seeing it is like seeing me!"

The omega patted his husband’s firm, solid chest under the crisp uniform a few times with utmost seriousness, finally feeling reassured. "Alright, off you go!"

It was just like a small animal marking its favorite human—a subtle display of possessiveness and protectiveness.

Li Hanchuan was made dizzy with fondness. He put on his cap and gave a crisp nod.

"Yes, General Rui Rui."

Before leaving, he quickly pecked his cheek. "Wait for me to come home."

The entire way, Li Hanchuan’s mood was exceptionally bright. When he entered the Double-Headed Eagle Building, he walked even taller and prouder than usual. The stern and imposing alpha Major General passed by, and everyone saluted and watched with respect.

Long after his figure disappeared, they couldn’t help but keep staring.

There was something off about the Major General today!

Wait, what was that hanging from his briefcase?

It was as if he was afraid others wouldn’t know he had been cuddling with his wife, like an invisible peacock proudly flaunting its tail, stopping everyone who passed by to say, "I have a wife. Do you?"

A large wave of singles in the building were left in the dust.

"Seeing it is like seeing me." Li Hanchuan played with the round Little Dumpling plushie, his cold, sharp eyes as if reviewing critical intelligence. "Understood."

During lunch, Adjutant Qi Mu brought his superior a meal.

As soon as he knocked and entered, he found Li Hanchuan already eating right on time. Not only that, he had propped up a little table for the piglet stuffed animal using a book, with a small cake placed on top.

One human and one piglet were having lunch together, the atmosphere eerily harmonious.

The adjutant: "..."

Must've opened the door wrong. Let me try that again.

Half an hour later, the spaced-out adjutant pushed the door open once more.

His superior's icy, imposing expression when silent was cold and domineering. At this moment, with a face stern enough to sentence a criminal to flogging, he placed the Little Dumpling plushie into his military cap and took out a man's handkerchief to tuck it in as a blanket.

Qi Mu heard Li Hanchuan’s deep voice murmur, "Get some sleep, or you’ll be tired this afternoon."

The adjutant: "???"

Looks like I need some sleep too.

After handling half the afternoon’s work, Li Hanchuan scheduled an appointment with Dr. Chen for his dysregulation disorder. As soon as he entered the consultation room, the beta noticed the fierce young officer had a soft, cute stuffed animal hanging from his belt.

It looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t recall who it was. Chen Wang instinctively made small talk, "Major General Li, quite the refined taste—you bought a piglet plushie?"

Li Hanchuan immediately covered the baby seal plushie’s nonexistent ears.

"Dr. Chen, this is a mermaid."

"..."

Ah, now he remembered who it was.

Madam Ruifulodite was certainly bold, gifting the major general a life-sized replica artwork—practically asking to be exposed.

After the examination, Chen Wang looked at the computer data and said, "You’ve recently been in a sensitive period. The dysregulation disorder has eased slightly, but the improvement is minimal. When necessary, you’ll need to wear a muzzle."

"Of course, the most effective method is still completing the bonding process with your partner."

Li Hanchuan thought for a moment.

"My wife still retains the mermaid’s mindset, believing bonding is simply about acceptance. He doesn’t understand anything beyond that, and I don’t want to force him. I’m also worried about false pregnancy symptoms recurring and harming his health."

Chen Wang frowned, resting his chin on his hand, the doctor's compassion warring with his hesitation.

He didn’t dare mention that Rui Rui had never actually experienced false pregnancy—that night during the surgery, they’d played cards all night in the operating room.

Recalling the gossip his husband had shared, about Major General Li being traditional and conservative in matters of love, overly protective, an alpha who needed to control everything himself—

Now it seemed true.

"There are other methods," Dr. Chen said tactfully. "Why not let your wife actively release pheromones? Even without bonding, it could alleviate most sensitive-period symptoms."

Even if Rui Rui was a demi-human, it was impossible he had none of the seven human emotions and desires.

Li Hanchuan narrowed his eyes slightly, deep in thought.

-

The mermaid omega’s schedule today was quite packed, meticulously outlined in a planner.

He checked off each task as he completed it, his disciplined life as a mermaid filling him with a sense of accomplishment. Even before class, he was reviewing his leather-bound notes.

A beautiful lady in linen attire with a wooden hairpin passed by—she was the tea ceremony teacher for noble madams.

She had many students and had seen plenty of flighty and pretentious types, as well as those who worked hard but lacked talent. But someone of Madam Mermaid’s status, who remained humble and dedicated to meditation, was rare.

The teacher gazed at that elegant figure and, without a word, nodded appreciatively before gliding away.

"Before class, eat a two-jin (approx. 2.2 lb) bucket of spicy boneless chicken feet." Rui Rui focused intently as he checked it off. "Done!"

Perfect time to drink some tea to cut the grease and aid digestion. This mermaid’s plan is brilliant!

The meditation room, filled with the scent of tea, relaxed both body and mind. Slender, delicate hands lifted the tea set, every movement exuding elegance.

After this period of study, Rui Rui was more than ready to earn his advanced tea ceremony certification.

The six major tea types, their aromas and brews—he knew them all by heart.

Unsurprisingly, Rui Rui received praise from the teacher again today. Amid applause, he answered the teacher’s question: "The tea ceremony is full of the charm of the Federation’s ancient culture. One encounter, one opportunity; the greatest truths are the simplest. If you ask me what I feel most deeply..."

"I think it’s the true meaning of life—'being alive.'"

Being alive?

The teacher was astonished, and all the madams present began pondering this philosophical insight into life.

Rui Rui left after class, his achievements unspoken, the baby seal wriggling sneakily to the back door where no one could see, taking the extra-large milk tea delivered by the courier. One sip—

"Ha!" His brows raised triumphantly, round eyes sparkling. "Alive!"

The greatest truths are the simplest—nothing beats this for satisfaction, instantly revitalizing the exhausted Little Dumpling after class!

There was still a flower arrangement class in the morning.

Three Birds Madam waved to him from inside the classroom, "Rui Rui, over here!"

A fiery red figure dashed over first, looking him up and down with concern.

The little fox omega asked, "I heard you were harassed at the Wei family—are you okay? I always knew Wei Hanchi was scum, but even daring to harass a mermaid!"

Rui Rui looked at the "Butter Pineapple Bun Godfather," feeling a sense of familiarity.

"I’m fine, thank you for your concern. My husband already shattered his shoulder."

The words were spoken gently, not loud, but everyone present heard them clearly. The room fell silent, no one daring to speak up—no one would dare pick a fight now.

The little fox’s face paled, and he sniffed. "Th-that’s good then..."

Rui Rui’s nose twitched slightly, as if catching a familiar pheromone scent on Hu Lai. He couldn’t place it immediately, but the teacher walked in and began the lesson.

Previously, he had always followed the teacher’s templates and routines for flower arrangement, but the baby seal unconsciously entered a second realm—freestyling.

Seeing mountains not as mountains, seeing water not as water.

Mmm...

The color of this flower resembles plump, soft salmon.

Add it!

This one is sweet shrimp—this mermaid can devour the entire sweet shrimp family in one go, so add more.

The baby seal deep in his soul drooled slightly, eyes sparkling. Add a bit of everything—sea urchin, scallops, crab roe—all piled on, making Little Dumpling pat his belly eagerly.

The teacher exclaimed in admiration, clapping, "Everyone, come take a look at Madam Rui Rui's work!"

The omega suddenly snapped back to reality as his classmates gathered around, gasping in awe.

"Truly vibrant and full of delightful charm!" The teacher's praise wasn't just flattery for the Major General's wife but genuine admiration from a professional. "The layers are incredibly rich, like a three-dimensional painting in a museum!"

Rui Rui inadvertently lifted his chin. "You flatter me."

Three Birds Madam also flapped her wings cheerfully, joining in the excitement.

By lunchtime, the group went to a restaurant together. Staring at the seafood platter on the table, it suddenly dawned on them where the young master's inspiration came from—

He was just hungry!

With only one baking class left in his main courses, Rui Rui ate heartily, eagerly awaiting praise for his third class. He put on his hat and apron and started making a cake.

Times had changed; he was no longer the baby seal who could only produce lumps of charcoal!

But this time, the baker praised many others, only to fall silent when it came to Rui Rui, racking his brain for something tactful to say.

"Your cake is also delicious, but it lacks just a little emotion," the baker said, making a controversial gesture.

Rui Rui was taken aback. "Emotion?"

He took a bite himself. It was decent—not exceptionally tasty but definitely above passing. The baby seal had followed the baker's instructions step by step. What was missing?

"Madam," the baker said, bringing over a simple tiramisu and turning to Mrs. Woodpecker, "could you share what was on your mind while making this cake?"

The woodpecker omega, suddenly called upon, thought of something and her expression softened instantly.

"When it comes to tiramisu, I think of a love story during the war. The wife, filled with reluctance, prepared rations for her husband heading to the battlefield. With only a few simple ingredients left at home, she created a treat full of love using just those few things."

"I also want to give something to the one I love."

At this, the omega blushed deeply, transforming back into its bird form with a poof, fluttering its wings to cover its face.

The group erupted in playful teasing.

Rui Rui took a bite of the ordinary-looking dessert and felt his breath catch. It was indeed very different from what he had made.

The baker, eyes twinkling, guided, "Lovely Madam Mermaid, you must know what I mean."

After class, Rui Rui felt a bit tired and declined his friends' invitation to go out.

There weren’t many opportunities during the day to freely revert to his seal form, so he took this chance. Coconut Charcoal Sticky Rice Ball went to his usual dessert shop.

Remembering the hardships of his previous diet, his plump muzzle mumbled, "No sugar... I guess."

The clerk stole a glance at the chubby little fellow and smiled politely. "Sure, three one-liter cups of milk tea, less ice, no sugar."

The baby seal examined the display case, squirming his body as he tried to curl head to tail.

"Do you have more of this kind of bread?"

"You mean bagels? Fresh ones will be ready in two minutes. Would you like some?"

His tiny claws scratched his belly a few times as he sighed. "Not very hungry today. I’ll just have five to tide me over."

With his Engel's coefficient skyrocketing, the baby seal sat lonely in the autumn coffee shop, only half-understanding the baker's words.

Did he have no feelings for the Major General?

Li Hanchuan had saved him. Of course, he liked him a lot—rubbing his berry-scented pheromones all over him, giving him a sense of security, and often joining him in human activities.

But was that... not enough?

Reflecting deeply on Dr. Chen's advice, Major General Li began implementing his plan that very night after dinner.

Surely Ruifulodite was utterly fascinated by his body—otherwise, why would he have pretended to be pregnant before?

-

His innocent little wife simply didn’t know how to make use of an alpha's body.

It was adorably foolish.

After a satisfying meal, Rui Rui took a bath, his skin flushed pink from the soak. Still damp, he wore only a loose, soft white shirt, waiting for his legs to air-dry.

A message from Li Hanchuan appeared on his phone, asking him to bring a bottle of water to the gym.

Without a second thought, the omega grabbed some ice water and headed over. As soon as he entered, he saw the alpha in black workout gear, muscles flexed, lifting weights.

The Major General was a battle-hardened soldier; this equipment was child's play to him, every move executed with perfect form.

"Water," the omega said, handing it to the man without even looking up.

Catching a glimpse of those pale bare legs out of the corner of his eye, the commander nearly lost his strength. He set down the equipment, panting as he wiped sweat off his brow. "Why are you dressed like that?"

"Air-drying," Rui Rui replied, puzzled.

Perhaps because mermaids were excellent swimmers, his little wife's legs were more elegant than most—long, straight, and so pale they seemed to glow.

Their texture was exceptionally smooth too; he’d felt them just last night.

And licked them.

His eyes followed Rui Rui as he disappeared through the gym door. Li Hanchuan took a few steps after him before suddenly realizing he was the one being seduced—his cedar pheromones had been stirring for a while.

The rigid alpha pinched the bridge of his nose, his expression cold and stern.

"...Some things really depend on talent."

Maybe omegas didn’t enjoy watching alphas work out—sweaty and grimacing, it was too flashy.

Rui Rui was curled up on the sofa in the media room, munching popcorn during the climax of a movie, when Li Hanchuan loomed large in front of him.

The baby seal omega looked up. "..."

Shirtless, Li Hanchuan looked down at him, his broad shoulders, narrow waist, V-line, and abs all on display. Was this direct enough to seduce him?

Their eyes met. Rui Rui had an odd sense of humor; he suddenly moved his legs and clapped. "Honey, we’re so in sync—together, we make a full set of clothes!"

Li Hanchuan laughed.

Out of frustration.

Why was this mermaid so impervious to all advances!

Maybe that was still too forward. The omega was reserved and shy—no matter how wild the fantasies in his little wife's notebook were, had they ever actually played out for real?

The General changed tactics, figuring Rui Rui probably liked a subtle, restrained style. Maybe it was how sharp he looked in uniform that had made Rui Rui fall so hard he even experienced a false pregnancy.

Ten minutes later, Rui Rui was Li Hanchuan called him into the study.

There stood the alpha, dressed in a crisp military uniform complete with dress cufflinks and stiff shoulder boards, even wearing gold-rimmed glasses—with sharp, handsome features, as if ready to film a recruitment ad.

He didn’t speak when Rui Rui came in, just kept a stern face.

After a moment’s thought, Rui Rui went over to him, looking worried.

“Are we going to war?”

Li Hanchuan paused, the hand resting his chin stilled, then he pulled Rui Rui down onto his lap. Pointing at the menu on the computer screen, he asked, “Happy with tomorrow’s menu?”

The omega adjusted his seat, settling more firmly, and could clearly feel the other man's breath catch, something pressing against his lower back.

Focused on the menu, Rui Rui pushed back without thinking. “Stop crowding me like that.”

In an instant, the cedar pheromones burst out, surrounding the omega, leaving Rui Rui dizzy, his legs weak and waist aching.

“Are… are you sick? Is your pheromone disorder acting up again?”

Li Hanchuan didn’t answer. His body temperature was burning hot, his forehead rubbing against his wife’s hair as his nose slowly nuzzled the scent gland, sending dangerous shivers through him.

Rui Rui’s breathing grew uneven. “Mmm…”

Now he understood why his husband had been acting so strange tonight—he must have been wanting to fit together like puzzle pieces again.

It was just his sensitive period.

Even a baby seal knew that much.

But the scorching, trembling breath against his neck made Rui Rui instinctively feel threatened, wanting to hide somewhere. He tried to distract Li Hanchuan and calm his mood.

“Where are you touching?”

The alpha’s veined, well-defined hand slid down the smooth skin of his wife’s thigh, growing noticeably more excited as it gripped his calf. He began nibbling Rui Rui’s ear.

The friendly baby seal, about to be devoured, feigned composure and mumbled with dull sensitivity, “My ear… it’s being bitten.”

Suddenly, Rui Rui had a flash of insight. “I remember what I forgot during the day…”

“Last night… did you secretly kiss my feet?”

The little wife laughed, his sweet, soft voice tinged with a whine. “Why?”

The alpha behind him stiffened abruptly, falling completely silent, as if caught in immense embarrassment and shame. Thinking he’d gone too far with the joke, Rui Rui was about to apologize when he was suddenly lifted and pressed against the desk, facing away—a position that left him utterly vulnerable.

Even his shirt slid up with the movement, revealing a stretch of delicate, snow-white skin.

The sudden action startled him.

The dangerous man leaned over, encircling him completely, the rough fabric of his uniform pressing against Rui Rui’s tender skin.

A crimson tongue-tip wet the jingling metal earring, desire burning as he huskily retorted,

“You tell me why.”