Chapter 54 Serving Both at Once

Chapter 54: Serving Both Needs Simultaneously

After his three conditions, the person in his arms mumbled, "Then let me properly touch you," and began playing with his arms.

Were his words really that unreasonable? Why didn't he get a "yes"?

Shu Yangkuo didn't want to restrict him too much, nor did he want him constantly wondering if he was valued, especially in crowds. He wanted him to play freely and happily, not constantly worrying about being overlooked. The person in his arms used to be on the fringes of crowds, but now, receiving so much attention and admiration, he naturally wanted to reciprocate doubly, sometimes losing his sense of proportion. Moreover, he was inherently kind and warm-hearted; having suffered himself, he didn't want others to suffer—for all these reasons. Though Shu Yangkuo was consumed by jealousy, he didn't want to stifle his darling's nature. He loved him more than anything; how could he bear to see him unhappy even for a moment because of him?

He could tolerate kissing Yang Yun’s face and forehead, but if it were Yan Wei or Ji Qianxi… The thought of his treasure lying in someone else’s arms made him want to… Zheng Yuan couldn’t even control his own wife! There was also the rule, "not allowed to sit in anyone else’s lap." Shu Yangkuo believed his treasure would never do that again. Fine, he'd omit one rule to avoid being seen as too controlling.

He claimed he would let him "handle things his way," but now he couldn't even look at others when talking? And with these "three prohibitions"? Shi Zai fumed for a good while. Was liking someone else the same as liking him? Was touching someone else’s hand the same as touching his? Was looking at others the same as looking at him?

"Fine, I have to cherish Ge." Shi Zai nodded and added:

"But I only crave you."

"..."

"Ge, you're so tall and handsome, you really don't need to worry about me being attracted to others. Out of everyone in the world, there's only you!"

Though pleased by the praise, still... Shu Yangkuo twitched the corner of his mouth:

"Ge is worried you'll bring someone else back to the nest."

"...!"

"Alright, remember these three rules for Ge. Dare to break them once, and Ge can get really fierce when he's mad."

Oh, so he's getting bold now.

Shi Zai blinked his big eyes and nodded repeatedly. Then, lowering his chin, puffing his cheeks, and with a long "awoo," he slowly raised his head. Seeing the man’s unreadable expression, Shi Zai burst out laughing:

"Is this how Ge gets fierce?"

"..."

After a pause, Shu Yangkuo turned his head and laughed, pulling the little pup’s head against his chest. So adorable he didn't know how to love him more. Such vibrant, lively energy, and increasingly mischievous—Shu Yangkuo could wake up laughing from dreams because of his treasure.

Hearing the man laugh out loud for the first time, Shi Zai was also happy. Resting on the firm yet soft chest, feeling the man’s chest gently vibrating, he burrowed deeper, even pushing open Shu Yangkuo’s pajamas, his lips accidentally brushing against a nipple… Just as he covered it back, the low laughter stopped.

Shi Zai lifted his head, shook it, and then caught sight of his swollen shoulder. Shu Yangkuo noticed his gaze and hurried to pull his clothes up, but the little pup stopped him… Shi Zai leaned in, stuck out his tongue, and licked it.

Then he sat up, a fist’s distance away, enveloped in a quiet yet inexplicable gaze, locking eyes with Shu Yangkuo. Rustle—wind outside the window curled lingeringly between them, stirring small ripples—one wave fighting to settle, another uncontrollably rolling high. Shi Zai braced his hands on the man’s knees and shifted back further:

"Why is Ge looking at me like that?"

"..."

"Why won't Ge look at me? Didn't you say your eyes are full of me?"

"..."

"What does Ge want to say?"

"...Nothing..."

"Wow, just said you'd change, and already falling back into old habits?!"

Hearing this, Shu Yangkuo’s eyes dodged again. The little pup on his knees was making trouble, a teasing flick of the tongue like the most intensely blooming flower in midsummer, the center especially vivid… little rascal.

Seeing that he’d fall if he retreated further, Shu Yangkuo reached out and pulled him into a full embrace, feeling instantly relieved, his voice hoarse:

"I want to kiss my wife."

"Just want to kiss?"

"..."

The teasing tongue swept playfully past his lips. Shu Yangkuo swallowed hard, directly grasping the slender neck and kissing him.

He’d witnessed the man’s fierceness.

Shi Zai had only teased him by not letting him kiss immediately, leaning aside slightly, but was immediately gripped firmly by the man’s large hand on the back of his neck, unable to move at all, couldn't even close his mouth, forced to tilt his head up, tongue out, whimpering softly as he was kissed.

After a long while, Shi Zai’s chest heaved like he’d run two miles. After catching his breath, he punched the man:

"Who told you to kiss so shamelessly!"

"Ge will change in the future."

"...Change my ass! Who said you could change randomly?"

After angrily scolding, Shi Zai suddenly realized:

"Ge! Right now it’s you brooding the egg!"

"...En."

"So—we don’t need to wait three months at all! I don’t have an egg blocking now, it’s open, Ge can do whatever mmm..."

Shu Yangkuo’s eyelid twitched; he knew he wouldn’t say anything proper. Clamping a hand over the mouth spouting nonsense, all this "egg" talk.

No.

Grabbing the mischievous hand, Shu Yangkuo rubbed his brow, really not knowing how to explain:

"If the egg… relocates nests, it needs to be held steady first. If it’s not stable yet… jostling too hard could easily… well."

What kind of messy talk was this? Shi Zai was stunned for a moment before understanding:

"Then you be the unwavering big tree, and I’ll climb up and ride myself."

"...Be serious, be careful not to kick Wang Wang."

At that, Shi Zai immediately scoffed:

"When taking care of you with good eats and drinks, Ge says I only have eyes for the baby, always considering the baby first… Hmph! Now when it’s time for serious business, Ge knows to consider the baby himself, huh?!"

"..."

"I don’t care, I want Ge’s eyes on me first too!"

"...When has Ge not…"

"I mean this matter! The most important matter!"

The person in his arms squirmed as if in heat. Shu Yangkuo glanced out the window—fine, winter had come, so spring wasn’t far away.

Lifting him onto the bed, Shu Yangkuo had him lie sideways against the pillow. Bending down, he worked on him with both his mouth and his hand from behind. The man who was usually treated like something so precious you're afraid he'll melt finally grew pliant and soft, until all he could do was bite his fingers and whimper.

As for the three-month mark… they'd just have to wait until the time came.

Shi Zai grew tired after just a short while of riding each time. Since it had been so long for him… it was easy to lose control, and he didn’t want to risk hurting him.

And then there was their newly settled… “egg”—that was something he couldn't overlook.

Once Shi Zai was comfortable, Shu Yangkuo brought water to gently wash him before holding him close again, placing soft kisses on the one who still seemed eager to misbehave. The night was deep; it was time to sleep.

Shi Zai yawned—he always got sleepy right after sex.

“Ge, are you not sleeping well at night lately?”

“No… Well, a little. Just sleep.”

“Tell me the truth, Ge. Be good… Too bad I can’t carry you like you carry me, or I’d rock you to sleep too.”

His heart warmed instantly. Shu Yangkuo gently stroked the back of the man in his arms.

“Ge's fine just holding you.”

“I don’t need you to stand and rock me to sleep anymore—I can sleep well now. But if you can’t sleep well, it hurts my heart.”

“It’s alright. Even if Ge can't sleep at night, it's okay—I get to hold you more.”

At this, Shi Zai's heavy eyes snapped open. He blinked.

“Does Ge want to hold me during the day too?”

“...”

“Say it!”

“I do. I hardly get to hold you during the day… Ge really misses it. Next time you come over to bring me food, can you stay a little longer?”

“Yes! Of course! I’m Ge’s human heater!”

Nearly shouting, Shi Zai beamed and leaned closer, letting Shu Yangkuo kiss his eyes.

A human heater—that's what he was. He knew it wasn’t easy for Shu Yangkuo to make this request. Pregnancy wasn’t just about morning sickness and sleepless nights—it also brought emotional ups and downs, feelings of melancholy… During the cold winter, he'd be the one to keep his man warm.

When he woke the next day, Shi Zai realized he'd overslept. He’d fallen asleep first the previous night but had woken up suddenly later. Imitating how Shu Yangkuo would pat him, he patted his sleeping Ge until he himself drifted off again. This time, he slept in. From the sounds outside, the pregnant man was already making breakfast.

Shi Zai hurried out of bed and yanked open the door, immediately throwing his arms around him.

“Yun Bao, my little brother… I didn’t mean to startle you last night, okay? Don’t take it to heart.”

“Hmph, you scared me.”

“Then let Yun Bao give you a scare too.”

“Ah! Awoo—!”

“Hahahaha…”

Shi Zai tumbled onto the bed with the pink dumpling, both of them laughing and yelling playfully.

Before long, a tall man appeared at the doorway. He sighed lightly, brushed the flour off his hands, walked to the bed, and scooped up both of them—one under each arm—before striding out of the master bedroom and dumping them on the sofa.

The two immediately began complaining. Still a bit dazed, Shi Zai yelled toward the kitchen:

“Shu Yangkuo, who are you being so rough with this early?!”

“Yeah! What’s it to you if I’m lying on Xiao Ge’s bed?!”

“Do you even know you're three months pregnant? Big deal, you're strong! Who are you showing off for?!”

“Exactly! You think you're so big and mighty? Xiao Ge is the greatest and most majestic!”

“Hahaha, well said, Yun Bao!”

In the kitchen, Shu Yangkuo focused on preparing the ingredients Shi Zai had prepared the night before, tuning out the chaos in the living room.

Spare the rod, spoil the child. He’d just punished them, and they were at it again.

Oh well. He’d forgotten to lock the master bedroom after getting up.

Breakfast was quite a spread. Shi Zai and Yang Yun had vegetables, meat, eggs, and milk, while Shu Yangkuo had only two plates of vegetables. It pained Shi Zai to see it—the man always had a big appetite, and now he was back on a vegetarian diet… Shi Zai peeled a hard-boiled egg and held out the white.

“Ge, open up. I’ll feed you.”

“...”

He held the egg white to his lips. Suppressing his nausea, Shu Yangkuo ate it.

Yang Yun glanced at Xiao Ge, then at Da Ge, and pouted.

“Xiao Ge, don’t be fooled by that big-tailed wolf!”

“Little-tailed wolf, you better behave. Once I’m done with your Da Ge, it’ll be your turn soon.”

“…I’m not half as much trouble as Da Ge!”

A minute later, one was fussily offering egg whites, and the other was resignedly accepting them. Shi Zai was thrilled.

When it was time to leave and get in the car, Yang Yun voluntarily took the back seat, saying, “I love seeing Da Ge and Xiao Ge being sweet—it makes me feel safe.” His words instantly made Shi Zai emotional. Yang Yun understood everything. Like a child afraid of his parents arguing, he sensed the underlying tensions. Shi Zai finally knew what to do. Each member of the family had their place; when everyone was happy in their roles, they all felt secure.

For many days in a row, Shi Zai would work for two hours in the morning and another hour and a half in the afternoon before promptly heading to the neighboring shop to let Shu Yangkuo hold him tightly for a solid fifteen minutes. In the spacious chair, Shu Yangkuo held Shi Zai close, closing his eyes slightly, and the weariness of the night would melt away.

Then one day, while Shi Zai was chattering away by Shu Yangkuo’s ear, he suddenly noticed the man’s breathing had steadied. Peeking quietly, he realized he’d fallen asleep! From that day on, Shi Zai made sure to free up over half an hour every morning and afternoon, letting the man hold him while he napped.

One such day, the man slept a little longer. Dusk settled, and outside the window, the world was painted in brilliant hues—a rainbow arched after the rain, and a fresh, vibrant mist rose from the magnolia branches. When Shu Yangkuo opened his eyes, he felt as though waking from another lifetime. The rustling of the person in his arms was just like that day a year ago.

Seeing he was awake, Shi Zai immediately lifted his face, eyes sparkling brightly, and shared his new discovery:

“Ge! The baby just moved!”