Chapter 58 Lava Blueberry Bagel

Chapter 58: Blueberry Bagel with a Melted Heart

The alpha’s expression was grimmer than ever.

Even if the heavens themselves descended, Li Hanchuan’s bones were straighter than rebar—how could he ever stoop to such vulgar, seductive acts?

The eager little snake, realizing his hidden client was Major General Li, went completely numb with fear.

Just as it lowered its head, ready to slither away, it heard the man speak abruptly, “Wait.”

“?” The snake’s reptilian eyes darted around in disbelief.

Li Hanchuan had initially planned to have this improper cobra detained for a few days, but he changed his mind. Downing his drink in one gulp, he pulled out his phone.

“Since you seem to be having employment difficulties as a dancer, I’ll recommend a few clients to you.”

Beep.

He scanned the code and added the snake as a contact.

Nine contacts for mermaid alphas were sent over. Then, to avoid any misunderstandings, the commander promptly deleted the cobra from his WeChat.

Clutching the phone with its tail, the cobra watched the tall figure retreat into the distance, moved to the point of tears.

This was a commander who truly cared for the federation’s citizens!

If Major General Li ever signed up for his omega-seduction course, he’d definitely give him a 9.9% discount!

-

Rui Rui had dinner engagements with the ladies that evening and had specifically told her husband not to cook, hoping he could relax. Little did she know that Major General Li, in a fit of pique, hadn’t returned home. The baby seal assumed he had gone out to enjoy himself and felt relieved that her busy husband was taking a break.

Completely unaware that the commander had been stewing in a one-sided cold war for two hours.

After finishing several drinks, Li Hanchuan managed to coax himself back into a better mood.

Returning home, he noticed the little one had left a light on for him.

Anger level: -10%

Calling out a few times with no response, the alpha wondered if his little wife might want a late-night snack. She had been working so hard lately—perhaps some nourishing bird’s nest soup with steamed milk would do her good.

But when he reached the study, he found Rui Rui already asleep at the desk.

Beneath the warm glow of the desk lamp, she looked like a melted black sesame rice cake drizzled with honey, her puppy face peaceful in slumber.

The man stepped closer for a better look.

The notebook was filled with detailed notes: phone numbers of those seeking help, various interpersonal dynamics, mediation progress, and post-action reviews.

Little Mochi had been leveling up like crazy lately, improving nonstop day and night.

Li Hanchuan’s anger level dropped by 90%. Heart aching with tenderness, he kissed the round little head and whispered silently, “You’ve worked hard.”

He scooped up the soft little form and carried her to the bathroom for a bath.

Even though the baby seal didn’t need daily cleaning.

Sound asleep, she had no idea she’d just shared a passionate bath with Major General Li, her little tail thoroughly teased and played with by the alpha.

Late that night, Li Hanchuan leaned against the headboard and watched recent law enforcement footage of the association president.

To his delight, he discovered that his little wife could already use combat techniques in her seal form, pinning down troublemakers until they yelped in surrender.

Not bad.

Truly a soldier trained by Li Hanchuan himself.

Thanks to the baby seal’s positive image, the gossip about her marriage deception soon died down. In the public eye, she gradually became known as “the great omega who sacrificed herself by marrying the dreaded Major General Li for the sake of ocean safety.”

Li Hanchuan’s reputation had previously been decent, though he was seen as somewhat arrogant and aloof.

Now, thanks to the baby seal, even when he went grocery shopping at the nearby market, aunties would knock something off the price or throw in a couple of tomatoes for free, all because he was Ruifulodite’s husband.

He never imagined he’d benefit from his little wife’s popularity.

A swell of pride filled his heart.

Amidst the chorus of “That’s President Rui’s husband,” he gradually got carried away. In the blink of an eye, the baby seal quietly ended her trial period ahead of schedule, becoming the cutest seal president ever.

Even the association’s outdated logo was replaced—by popular demand—with a simple line drawing of a Little Dumpling.

By the time Li Hanchuan noticed all this, it was already a done deal.

To strengthen his position, he took advantage of a rare day off to bring his little wife back to the Northern Territory.

In the clean, tranquil cemetery, Rui Rui—dressed in a tasteful dark dress—placed flowers and offerings before a grave. “Sorry, Mother, for visiting so late.”

The woman in the photo on the tombstone smiled forever with the youthfulness she’d possessed in life.

Her strong, sharp features resembled Li Hanchuan’s.

Rui Rui still remembered being held in the woman’s arms as a child. She felt emotion welling up inside, her eyes growing warm.

Hearing her address, Li Hanchuan subtly raised an eyebrow.

“Mom, don’t worry,” he said, kneeling on one knee before the grave, his expression far more calm and steady than the last time. “We’re very happy now.”

“And I won’t let us be separated again.”

Rui Rui’s soft pink lips parted slightly.

At first, she had feared Li Hanchuan’s pressure and coercion. But after spending time together—and being so absorbed in her work that she was constantly delighted—she had forgotten her fear entirely.

Only now did she realize that Major General Li, who seemed so cold and detached, possessed extraordinary patience.

Li Hanchuan lifted his face and gave her a slight smile.

Around the alpha’s neck hung a necklace made from the baby seal’s baby fur.

Perhaps fate had always meant for them to be together. Regardless of any misunderstandings, Li Hanchuan was determined that Ruifulodite would stay with him for life.

He had endured hardship most of his life; Rui Rui was the source of all his sweetness and happiness.

Matters of the heart couldn’t be resolved by an alpha strictly following rules. So he decided: if there was happiness to be had, he’d enjoy it; if there wasn’t, he’d make his own happiness. And if it still eluded him, he’d simply take it by force.

Coaxing and tricking his wife into coming back might not have been the most dignified approach, but he was fine with that.

Rui Rui, lost in memories of the past, was pulled from her thoughts by her husband’s question: “The Northern Territory has lots of great food. Want to try some?”

The delicate, slender Rui Rui looked at him in confusion.

After consuming a plate of *Guo Bao Rou*, ten skewers of crispy grilled tendon skin, a large bowl of seasoned eggplant, and ten other dishes, that faint spring melancholy finally disappeared.

"Can you still eat?"

Li Hanchuan picked up a piece of rum ice cream cake.

Rui Rui no longer bothered to conceal the seal's true capacity and said without changing expression, calmly, "Don't ask questions, just give it here."

Li Hanchuan: "..."

He really is showing more presidential bearing.

After one bite, the omega’s eyes lit up with delight, and he suddenly said obediently, "Thank you, husband."

The man snorted laughingly and gently tidied the other’s hair.

"So I’m 'husband' when the food is good, and nothing when it’s not?"

The two strolled along the street rich with ethnic flair. The beautiful omega, taking small bites, shook his head, his voice carrying a lazy tone: "Not at all..."

"I just feel like I don’t need to pretend in front of you anymore. You’ve even seen me at my ugliest."

Although the Major General has been acting strange lately.

The alpha frowned: "When were you ever ugly?"

"..." Rui Rui looked indignant, "Back when I hadn’t shed my baby fur!!"

At that time, with his tail hidden, he looked just like a fluffy little puppy, with patches of light gray showing through his snow-white fluff. At a glance, he resembled a two-tone mochi. The omega still held a grudge about it.

Li Hanchuan looked down at his face, seemingly lost in memory, his smile deepening.

"Hey, handsome guys, want a photo? Twenty bucks per print!"

Just then, a photographer carrying professional equipment came over to solicit customers, all smiles.

They then noticed they had arrived at a famous local church. The imposing and magnificent architectural style was entirely different from the traditional old-money aesthetic of Central City.

The square was filled with tourists dressed up for photos.

Rui Rui didn't commit either way, instead looking at Li Hanchuan.

After all, the alpha was a public figure to some degree and shouldn’t appear casually in private. In previous official promotional videos and interviews, he always wore a stern expression, making everyone nervous. He probably really disliked having his photo taken.

"Of course." Just as the photographer was about to offer a discount, Li Hanchuan paid directly.

Rui Rui was naturally photogenic, standing relaxed and natural. He curled his lips into a bright smile for the camera, highly reminiscent of his seal form’s cheerful grin.

The photographer exclaimed it was perfect!

The three key elements of photography—face, face, and face—were all there!

The lens suddenly focused on the alpha standing at rigid attention. The photographer held back before tactfully reminding, "Are you two newlyweds? Haha, you can stand a bit closer..."

Li Hanchuan’s handsome face tensed even more, but he raised his hand to wrap it around his little wife’s slender waist.

"Alright, here we go! Three, two, one—"

Click!

"Mph-joo!?"

The shutter sound and the baby seal’s sneeze echoed simultaneously.

The moment was frozen—

Mochi launched himself into the air, turning into a blurry ball, while the commander beside him spread his arms, poised to catch this extra-plump yo-yo.

On the way back, Rui Rui rubbed his nose and complained, "Why are you still keeping that!"

Although the two took another photo, such accidental shots were once-in-a-lifetime. Li Hanchuan had it printed, put it in his wallet, and even planned to make various sizes to display at home and in the office.

The alpha changed the subject: "Is the air too dry?"

"We came a bit early. In another month, it’ll snow here, which is the truly ideal time to visit."

Rui Rui stared out the window at the vast, rather bleak scenery.

Snow...

He had never seen snow in his human form before.

As a baby seal, he often saw it and would even try to catch snowflakes with his mouth, but after finding it wasn't tasty, he lost interest.

His delicate, slightly cool hand was suddenly grasped firmly. He froze for a moment.

The alpha’s hand was warm and strong—usually unfazed even when holding a chubby seal. The intense body heat slowly seeped into the omega’s heart, turning into a strong pulse and heartbeat.

Rui Rui nuzzled his head against Major General Li’s firm shoulder, cooing softly, "I’m hungry, I’m a little hungry."

He suddenly felt eager to see the snow.

-

As a sort of small honeymoon, the two enjoyed three days of rising intimacy before the little wife became busy again.

Li Hanchuan was occupied handling omega disappearance cases, giving him even less time to feel jealous, yet he felt intuitively that something was off.

Had Rui Rui been avoiding him lately?

It had been a while since they were last intimate. Major General Li kept his inhibitor wristband set to the highest level.

Even his aide could sense his superior’s frustration/sexual tension.

Suppressed by the high-level alpha’s pheromones, those of the same gender found it particularly uncomfortable. The aide advised, "Major General, you’re your wife’s supportive spouse. You should be understanding..."

Li Hanchuan gave him a cold look.

The aide quickly corrected himself: "Look at how close you and your wife are! Why worry about him hiding things from you!"

Li Hanchuan followed the direction he pointed, looking at the desk covered in baby seal photos.

Then he glanced at his briefcase adorned with several seal stuffed animals, and his seal cushion and headrest.

Hardcore guy thinking.jpg

He’d been so diligent—cooking creatively every day, exercising to stay in shape, mopping the floors to a shine.

What exactly was Mochi dissatisfied with?

Meanwhile, at Central City’s private omega specialty hospital.

"Doctor, what's really going on with me?" the omega asked anxiously, eyes welling up with tears, his hands clenched into fists on his knees, trembling uncontrollably. "...Am I going to die?"

Rui Rui had been going through something lately.

At first, he thought it was due to overwork, but he never considered his job particularly strenuous—at most, it was just a bit more physically draining.

"It's been two or three days now. I... I’m not pregnant, so why is this happening?"

The hedgehog omega doctor said patiently, "Please don’t panic. First, I need to tell you that human omegas don’t experience this kind of condition. This type of illness only affects certain mammalian animal-humans, and you happen to fall into that category."

"Secondly, have you recently been caring for young offspring, or have you been exposed to content that could trigger hormones?"

Rui Rui’s pale, delicate face froze, caught in a dilemma.

"What should I do then?"

The hedgehog doctor replied, "Once the source of stimulation is removed, your symptoms will naturally subside. If you’re still worried, I can give you some vitamin C to try."

-

—

At half past eleven at night, the little wife slipped out of the bedroom again.

Li Hanchuan opened his eyes in the darkness, his light brown pupils reflecting a cold gleam.

He really does have a secret.

The man tiptoed into the small study, which he had been locking frequently lately, claiming it contained sensitive work and asking for understanding.

Li Hanchuan couldn’t understand.

What if his little wife really fell in love with a portly male seal? What about him?

Rui Rui, with a guilty conscience, finished his tasks and didn’t notice the alpha waiting right outside the door. He bumped headfirst into his husband’s hard chest, startling so badly he nearly fell backward.

A strong hand steadied him by the shoulder. His frightened blue eyes met Major General Li’s stone-cold face.

"Ruifulodite, I told you not to hide things from me."

He used his full name—clearly, things were serious.

Rui Rui looked troubled, his delicate brows furrowed, his face naturally taking on an innocently wronged look. He said smoothly, "I haven’t betrayed the country, I haven’t fallen for someone else, and I’m not planning to leave."

Li Hanchuan’s expression softened for half a second before his eyes narrowed dangerously.

After a moment of thought, he gritted his teeth and said with difficulty, "...Then have you gotten bored with me?"

"Why would you think that?" The omega looked confused.

Li Hanchuan bit back what he wanted to say.

Other officers often had their wives picking them up or dropping them off at work, but Rui Rui hadn’t visited him in a long time.

It made him feel like he was losing face among the other alphas.

"Why?" He was stuck in his head, grabbing his wife’s hand and dragging it over his face, then against his firm, solid muscles. "You’re touching these. I don’t believe you don’t like me."

Just before the commander stripped right there to prove himself, Rui Rui knew he couldn’t keep hiding it anymore.

"Stop!"

He let out a resigned sigh. "Fine, come in with me. I hope you won’t get angry."

His heart dropped. The commander’s expression turned grave, his blood ran cold at the unknown revelation. What could it be?

Soon, he and his wife were crouching in front of a makeshift dog nest, where five blind puppies were whimpering softly. "...That’s it?"

They seemed well-fed, all pudgy when patted.

Rui Rui nodded, his heart heavy.

"A few days ago, after the autumn rain, I found them near a trash can. You’re always so obsessive about cleaning, and you’re way more of a neat-freak than most. I was afraid you... wouldn’t accept them."

Major General Li picked up a bottle for the pups. "So you’ve been getting up in the middle of the night to feed them?"

His little wife’s almond-shaped eyes were wide and clear, filled with sincerity.

"Yes, what else?"

"..."

Major General Li stood up. "Don’t hide them anymore. Do I seem like such an unhinged alpha?"

"There’s one more thing..." Rui Rui also stood up, hemming and hawing. His fair, delicate cheeks gradually flushed, and he bit his lip, struggling to speak.

Major General Li: "?"

The alpha stared at him, his eyes widening in shock and disbelief.

The little wife looked up at him anxiously, the front of his soft pajamas slowly getting damp in two places.

"I know it’s strange, but the doctor said some mammals have this reaction when they hear the cries of young offspring... I—I’ll take care of it soon!"

The omega was about to cry, feeling embarrassed and utterly flustered.

A low laugh-like sigh came from above. A large hand gently stroked his light golden hair. Major General Li’s gaze deepened, his breath hitched. "It seems you’ll need to stick near me for a while. Stop wiping... Let your husband take care of you?"