Chapter 58 Then Do It Again

Chapter 58: One More Time, Then

That evening, the tallest vase was adorned with an additional flower—a Large Pompom that Shi Zai had sought out from several florists!

The moment Shi Zai saw the Large Pompom, he immediately decided it was the one. Not only did it perfectly match the green pompom Shu Yangkuo had given him, but it also matched the man's very essence: big! Hehe. The Large Pompom’s bloom was twice the size of the green pompom, with a thicker and longer stem, and its enormous flower was a deep purple... Shi Zai admired it from every angle—it was just like Shu Yangkuo.

Especially in a certain aspect, hahaha.

But of course, the man was still superior. If it were truly as big as the Large Pompom, Shi Zai would never be able to handle it in his entire life—a twenty-centimeter diameter, like a head? Good heavens, no, he couldn’t even think about it. Thankfully, Shu Yangkuo was well-proportioned, with long, thick arms—very satisfying.

Late at night, Shi Zai was held in front of Shu Yangkuo as the two admired the flower together. Shi Zai nudged the man’s chin with his head:

"Are you happy, Ge?"

"If my dear wouldn’t make up flower language."

"Hahaha... Then do you like it or not?!"

Shi Zai laughed until he was out of breath. At the airport, Shi Zai had rushed over from afar and, after handing over the flower, told Shu Yangkuo that the Large Pompom’s meaning was "very big and very thick." The man had pulled him into his arms, covering him with kisses while giving him a smack on the bottom.

He never expected that the surprise Shu Yangkuo wanted was just a bouquet of flowers.

After hanging up the phone, Shi Zai, with red-rimmed eyes, reflected for a long time—he truly hadn’t thought to give his man flowers. Yet Shu Yangkuo often brought flowers home, and both he and Yang Yun would just take a sniff and leave them be, simply thinking their eldest brother was a particular and refined person.

Who knew how long he had wanted this, only bringing it up after being apart.

He needed to love Ge more, to take better care of Ge.

Shi Zai would give a big surprise tomorrow.

The short separation made their feelings even stronger. The two were intimate for a long time that night and, unable to sleep, ended up holding each other and going to the living room to admire the flower. Shi Zai asked again if he liked it, only to hear the man whisper in his ear:

"I like it very much. Ge will always remember today."

"...What are you doing? Don’t make me cry. It’s not like I won’t give you more in the future."

"Be good, don’t cry. Ge did it on purpose—just wanted to hear my dear say that."

In that moment, Shi Zai didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He turned around, stood on his tiptoes, and wrapped his arms around the man’s neck. He loved Ge so much; he was getting better at sharing all his feelings heart-to-heart. He liked depending on Ge and asking him for this and that, and he equally liked Ge doing the same for him.

Under the moonlight, Shi Zai blinked then kissed the corner of the man’s lips:

"Why did it have to be this way? The person I love so much that I can’t help it—why should he have to wait half a year just for a bouquet of flowers? Ge—"

Suddenly, the head buried against his chest burrowed even deeper, as if a surge of warmth flooded his heart, completely filling the unease from their five days apart. Shu Yangkuo tightened his arms, lowered his head, and kissed the top of his head again and again. The words "Ge was wrong" on the tip of his tongue eventually became "Ge really remembers" and "Ge never feels hard done by with Xiao Zai." Slowly, the emotions of the person in his arms calmed.

Lifting his face, Shi Zai's eyes curved:

"Did Ge have anything else to say or want?"

"..."

"Ge—"

After a moment of silence, Shu Yangkuo spoke up:

"Then, let’s do it one more time."

"Hahaha..."

The cheerful laughter stopped the moment Shi Zai was carried into the bedroom. Shi Zai hadn’t been set down from the man’s arms the entire way to the bedroom. Pushed against the door, Shi Zai sat on the man’s arms and soon began to make soft sounds.

Occasionally touching the man’s rounded pregnant belly, Shi Zai murmured drowsily, "So good—so big, so long, so..."

The next morning, Shi Zai drove with Ge and his younger brother, picking up Qin Xihan from the shop along the way—originally, he was supposed to come to their house that evening, but Shi Zai thought, since they hadn’t talked beforehand, he might as well find an opportunity to speak with him after they arrived at their destination for the day.

Throughout the car ride, Yang Yun kept leaning over the seat and chattering excitedly, eventually pouting and quieting down after a voice from the passenger seat said, "Eldest brother isn’t in a hurry, so why are you?" After a while, he couldn’t help but add, "I’m giving you a pass for now, but just wait until after you give birth—then we’ll see," earning a flick on the forehead from his eldest brother before he finally behaved, stretching his arms to massage the man’s shoulders and saying, "Eldest brother, I love you so much." Qin Xihan turned his head and smiled quietly to himself.

This kind of family environment was really nice. Without the doting of his eldest and second brothers, Yang Yun wouldn’t have changed so much.

It seemed he himself... still had a long way to go.

When Shi Zai spoke to him frankly about the matter, Qin Xihan shook his head:

"Zai-Ge, if I weren’t afraid that Yang Yun would think I’m the only one who treats him well, I wouldn’t have come to impose. He’s very good, and I won’t do anything. I just don’t want his kindness to go unappreciated, so I’ll only bother you for a few days. I’ll find a place as soon as possible."

"..."

Shi Zai smiled. Qin Xihan was as sensitive as the three of them had been initially, but the three of them had grown strong and confident because of love. Qin Xihan, guarding his own feelings, was still... But Shi Zai didn’t plan to interfere—he would have to rely on himself and whoever came into his life in the future to move forward.

Taking advantage of Yang Yun’s bathroom break, Shi Zai seized the moment to say:

"Xiao Han, don’t talk about imposing. If Yun Bao wants you to stay for a lifetime, his eldest brother and I would be happy with that. But Yun Bao is two years younger than you. Because of some past experiences, he matured very late. If something happens while he’s still figuring things out, his eldest brother and I are worried you might get hurt in the future. Listen to us—if you can keep liking him, wait until he’s eighteen or nineteen. You have to make sure he knows you’re the one for him for life. Don’t let him act recklessly in the heat of the moment."

"Zai-Ge..."

"To put it bluntly: no kissing! No sleeping with him!"

Suddenly, the car fell silent. Shi Zai didn’t have time to say more—Yun Bao was already running back. He glanced in the rearview mirror; Qin Xihan’s entire face was flushed, and he nodded at him.

Shi Zai raised an eyebrow at the person beside him, seeking praise. Shu Yangkuo reached out and ruffled his hair, smiling helplessly. You puppy.

As soon as Yang Yun got in the car, he exclaimed, "Did eldest brother do something bad to second brother? Don’t you know it’s not appropriate for young eyes?" Shi Zai soothed Shu Yangkuo, telling him not to get angry, and urged Yang Yun to behave before continuing to drive. It seemed he had said the right thing to Qin Xihan—Yang Yun was somewhat aware but not fully understanding. If one day he acted without fully understanding and then lost interest after a couple of years, it would really be unfair to Qin Xihan.

With this warning, Shi Zai wasn’t worried about the two of them living alone together. Tsk.

After nearly forty minutes of driving, they reached the outskirts, surrounded by three mountains. Turning off the main road, vast fields came into view. About a third of the way in, they turned onto a narrow path through the fields and, after roughly ten minutes, arrived at a small stream.

Behind the stream was a wild fruit forest stretching up the mountain, and in front were several traditional farmhouse courtyards. The wind from the low mountain swept through the treetops, brushed over the babbling stream, and finally settled on the small courtyard and the people there, bringing an incredibly cool and pleasant feeling—at least five degrees cooler than in the city. It was the perfect retreat for the scorching summer heat. The other two courtyards were already occupied, with people visible in the distance, lounging in rocking chairs and enjoying the cool air.

His heart felt much calmer, surrounded by mountains, streams, and fields. Lying here, leisurely watching the clouds and sky, was so comfortable.

Moreover, it was only about an hour from the city, making it convenient to return home or go for prenatal checkups anytime.

In the courtyard, Shi Zai beamed, turning to the tall man who was looking around:

"Ge, do you like it here?"

"I like it very much. This is—"

"A surprise! Ge didn’t guess, did you?! Is it even more surprising than the flowers..."

Before he could finish, Shi Zai was suddenly pulled into a tight embrace, hearing his Ge’s heart pounding fiercely, reflecting the surge of emotions.

Hehe, he knew it would be like this.

Shi Zai pressed against Shu Yangkuo’s chest, winked at the other two to go play for a while, and excitedly said to the man:

"Brother, once you finish your busy schedule in a few days, we’ll come live here for three months! Didn’t you say you wanted to cook three meals a day for me? Permission granted! But when you reach the later stages of pregnancy and feel uncomfortable, you absolutely can’t overdo it. I only want you to move around a little, not to take care of me! If you don’t listen, I’ll cry! I’ll bring my tools along then—you can hold me while I work. Day or night, you can hold me anytime! Also! If you want to take evening walks, we can walk by the creek or through the fields, for as long as you like! And there’s so much more—we can feel the breeze, look at the stars, grow flowers, eat watermelon… we can do anything here! Are you happy, Brother?"

"Happy, so happy..."

His face was suddenly cupped, Shi Zai smiled and leaned in. The man’s eyes were already rimmed red, all his intense emotions pouring into the kiss.

Breezes, stargazing, gardening, eating watermelon… being able to hold the one in his arms tightly anytime—Shu Yangkuo’s chest shook with emotion. He never expected such a surprise. No, this wasn’t just a surprise—it was love deeper than the creek, steadier than the mountains.

His treasure.

Before he knew it, Shi Zai was lifted by a pair of large hands and placed securely on the man’s shoulders. Looking down, Shi Zai laughed:

"Hehe, Brother, when you’re seven or eight months along, you can’t go lifting me like this, okay? Don’t strain your belly."

"...I could handle five more Xiao Zais."

"Hahaha, I definitely don’t want five!"

"...If Xiao Zai likes a lively household, have as many as you like. I’ll give birth to them for you."

"!!!!!"

Oh my god, Shi Zai stared down in shock, tapping Shu Yangkuo’s face. The man must be overjoyed—he’s even saying things like this.

Hahaha.

He only planned to stay here with him for three months, yet Shu Yangkuo actually… Shi Zai did think about having more later—whether friends or family, he loves a lively atmosphere, loves everyone being close and affectionate, and he’d make sure every kid felt loved.

With love, enough money, companionship, and support, no matter how many children there are, they would all feel happy. He felt so grateful to have the prerequisites for parenthood within Shu Yangkuo’s love. If he were still his former self, like the former Shu Yangkuo, he would have remained lonely for life. Without love or companionship, what’s the point of having children? Parenthood is about passing on love and joy, not hardship. Only lives born from love can navigate the world better.

But that’s a topic for later—right now, the first one hasn’t even been born yet, hehe.

For now, the most exciting thing to look forward to is these three months in this paradise!

After learning about this, Yang Yun didn’t show the slight disappointment Shi Zai had imagined. Instead, he seemed like a kid excitedly anticipating his parents going away for a while—excited about what? Naturally, it meant getting to have fun with his good friend at home.

Although the home atmosphere was relaxed, warm, and carefree, certain rules still applied: no gaming, no staying up late watching shows, no playing basketball indoors… Over the past few days, Shi Zai had repeatedly reminded him—if that little troublemaker steps out of line, just wait—he’d sneak back to check. He also told Yang Yun to visit them one day each week. Yang Yun kept agreeing, "Okay!" It was close by anyway, and with his eldest brother now being so delicate, he would take good care of the house and the shop run by his eldest and second brothers. Qin Xihan gave a look that said, "I’ll help keep an eye on things," so Shi Zai and Shu Yangkuo set off reassured.

The first night at the cottage was incredibly joyful—they’d never seen a moon so bright before.