Chapter 27 Persistence

Chapter 27 Persistence

The omega’s little thing felt almost threatening, pressing against Lian Yi’s sculpted abs.

To utter such overtly suggestive words in such an innocent, naive tone stirred an impulse to break him, to make him cry and see if he’d dare speak so boldly again.

Lian Yi’s gaze deepened further. He gave a punishing suck on the omega’s swollen lips before his hand wandered back to the boy’s flat stomach.

He stroked it with thoughtful patience, as if his touch alone could make that little belly swell.

“Do you want a baby?” Lian Yi whispered in the omega’s ear as he carried him downstairs toward the bedroom.

Qiao Zhimian’s eyelids and the tip of his nose were flushed pink, his eyes misty. He nuzzled against the alpha, nodding dazedly yet firmly.

“Mmm... babies are very cute.”

A fond smile touched Lian Yi’s handsome features. He chuckled softly, kissing the adorable dimple, and carefully laid him flat on the bed.

He loomed over him, gazing down tenderly, then leaned in to cherish him with kisses—on his clear almond eyes, his pink nose, his moist lips, then down his chin to his slender neck.

“But Mian Mian,” his voice grew husky, “can’t have a baby right now.”

The omega hooked his elbows over the alpha’s broad shoulders, his breath scorching and rapid. The heat of desire kept devouring his empty body; he was barely conscious.

The last thing he heard was that.

*Can’t have a baby.*

“Can’t have a baby...” Qiao Zhimian murmured, tears instantly welling up in his eyes, heartbroken. “Can’t have one... we won’t have... a baby...”

His lips pursed, his sharp chin tensed with grievance. His cries were soft, but his sobs wouldn’t stop.

The fresh love bites on his collarbone and Adam’s apple grew even more vivid with his emotions.

“Mian Mian?” Lian Yi lifted his lips from the warm, smooth skin of the omega’s neck and pulled back to look at him, flustered as he wiped his tears. “Don’t cry, baby. We’ll have one in the future. We can have one later.”

Qiao Zhimian’s mind was already a muddled mess; only his subconscious remained. He couldn’t hear a word the alpha was saying.

Lian Yi grew anxious, kissing him repeatedly, coaxing him endlessly, unable to understand what was wrong or why he’d suddenly become so sad.

The night was quiet as water, the dusk lingering.

The omega snatched the half-opened package from the alpha’s hand and threw it to the floor in a fit.

“Don’t want this...”

Lian Yi was shirtless, breathing heavily, a light sweat glistening on his muscular frame. A vein throbbed at his temple from restraint.

He froze for a moment, meeting the boy’s dazed, lust-glazed eyes.

His cheeks were flushed; he sniffled, biting his lower lip, staring back willfully.

The look was so full of grievance that it seemed if Lian Yi uttered one more word of persuasion, he’d start crying again.

His Adam’s apple bobbed. He leaned down and kissed the omega again, licking the teeth marks he’d left on his lower lip.

Didn’t want to use it?

Then so be it.

Their scents intertwined and merged in the air—the pristine, sturdy bamboo slowly entwining with the soft, delicate white rose.

By early morning, Lian Yi still gave Qiao Zhimian an inhibitor shot.

He was worried that the physical exertion during his heat would be too much and cause discomfort again.

.

When Qiao Zhimian woke up, it was already the next morning.

He sat at the head of the bed, drowsy-eyed with messy hair, his slim, pale chest dotted with red marks.

His soft, tender face was flushed from sleep, the left cheek still bearing the teeth marks the alpha had left in a moment of uncontrollable passion the night before.

The omega pouted slightly, irritably glancing toward the walk-in closet as he woke up, waiting for the man inside to bring him clothes to wear.

“This one’s soft, wear this, Mian Mian.” Lian Yi held a set of off-white loungewear, repeatedly kneading and testing the fabric’s softness.

He walked over to the boy sitting on the bed, who was glaring at him resentfully, a helpless smile on his handsome face.

He leaned in and pecked the soft cheek, coaxing him, “Good baby, feel this. This one definitely won’t rub and hurt you.”

Qiao Zhimian was both embarrassed and angry, but facing the man’s deep, smiling eyes, he found he couldn’t muster any temper.

“From now on!” He clutched the blanket, stammering his scolding, “You’re not allowed to suck and nibble and grind like that again! Like yesterday!” The more he spoke, the redder his face grew, and the more indignant he became. “So annoying! Why are you like a dog!”

Lian Yi blinked innocently.

His face, which radiated integrity and restraint, gave no hint that he was the kind of scoundrel who would do such things.

Anyone unaware might think Qiao Zhimian was slandering him.

After carefully dressing the omega in the soft clothes and making sure he was more comfortable, Lian Yi finally picked him up and carried him to the bathroom to wash up.

Qiao Zhimian wrapped his arms around the man’s neck, his waist sore and weak as he slumped in his embrace. After just a few steps, he felt a strange sloshing sensation in his bloated belly.

His almond eyes shifted as he realized what it was, and his head practically steamed with embarrassment.

“W-wait!” he stammered, tugging at the man’s hair.

“What’s wrong?” Lian Yi stopped, puzzled.

“......”

“?”

The omega clenched his thighs, silent for a long moment, then took a deep breath, his face red, and whispered a few words in his ear.

After hearing him clearly, Lian Yi couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.

“Still laughing,” Qiao Zhimian hit him, grumbling sulkily, “It’s all your fault!”

“This really can’t be blamed on me,” the alpha said with a doting, relaxed tease. “You’re the one who threw that away.”

As he spoke, he gestured toward the nearby trash can.

Inside lay a familiar item, its packaging torn open halfway.

It was better not to mention this.

But the moment it was brought up, Qiao Zhimian recalled all those unspeakable things he had done yesterday, along with the shameless words he had said.

Instantly, he felt overwhelmingly ashamed.

He pouted, about to get mad from embarrassment.

“No more talking, no more talking, my fault, my fault,” Lian Yi noticed his expression shifting and immediately held back, kissing him and coaxing him earnestly: “Let me clean you up again.”

.

Qiao Zhimian mentally prepared himself and kept up with his leg lift exercises and movements for a while longer.

All his hard work was paying off—starting from 2cm-5cm, holding for 3-5 seconds each time.

Then gradually increasing the height, controlling the duration, and adding resistance training.

As he adapted and recovered, his legs weren't as uncomfortable as before.

He could complete 2-3 sets daily, with only slight soreness and no pain.

After another rehabilitation check-up,

the doctor reviewed his report and recovery progress, called the couple into the office for a detailed discussion, and also gave them some good news.

Qiao Zhimian’s current muscle strength allowed him to start trying to support his body weight with his arms at home, using assistive devices to gradually stand up on his own.

Once this step was accomplished, they could gradually increase the difficulty and attempt to take steady steps with a walker.

The fitness room was brightly lit.

Qiao Zhimian sat on a chair next to the anti-slip mat, his fingertips gently stroking the metal handrails of the walker.

The cool touch made him feel nervous and anxious.

He gave off a faint scent of white roses from the tender gland at the back of his neck.

From his scent, Lian Yi could sense his trembling and anticipation.

“First, plant your feet firmly. I’ll hold you, don’t be afraid. If it hurts, we’ll take a break.” He leaned down and gave his forehead a soothing kiss.

Then he crouched beside him, placing his palm over his braced knee: “As the physiotherapist said, lift your good leg first, then the other, and slowly shift your weight over.”

The omega nodded obediently, took a deep breath, and gripped the walker’s handrails tightly with his slender pale hands, his knuckles turning white from the grip.

He followed the alpha’s instructions step by step, his knees trembling slightly, every muscle straining to support him.

With a dull thud.

The walker was pushed forward a small step.

Using that motion, he tentatively lifted his hips off the chair.

“Yes, just like that, slowly stand up.” Lian Yi’s heart pounded, and he swallowed nervously.

He gently supported the boy’s waist, could feel how tense he was.

Qiao Zhimian bit his lip, a light sweat breaking out on his temples, his breathing quickening, but he never let go.

His slim shoulders and arms shook with effort as he persevered.

Seconds ticked by.

When his body finally straightened up,

the four support legs of the walker were firmly planted on the ground.

The omega’s mind went blank for a moment. He lifted his head, trembling.

His beautiful almond eyes shone like starlight, and a faint dimple appeared at the corner of his mouth: “I,” he stammered incoherently, “I’m leaning on it, I stood up with it, I stood up, Lian Yi!”

Qiao Zhimian gazed excitedly at the alpha, his heart bursting with joy.

He tilted his head up, unwilling to let go even as his arm strength neared its limit.

This angle, this height—it felt so familiar.

It had been so long since he had stood by his side like this.

It felt like a dream.

“Yes, our Mian Mian stood up. I’m so proud of you.” Lian Yi gently wiped the sweat from his face.

Knowing he couldn’t hold on much longer, he supported his waist with an arm to help take some weight off.

His dark, clear eyes were also slightly moist, a happy smile on his face, though his expression was full of concern.

Qiao Zhimian sniffled, crying with joy.

His thin arms could no longer hold on in the next second, giving way.

His body went limp, and he started to collapse.

Lian Yi reacted quickly, wrapping an arm around him and pulling him securely into his embrace, holding him steadily.

The omega knew he would catch him and wasn’t scared at all.

As he was lifted, he wrapped his arms around the alpha’s neck and buried his face deeply into the crook of his neck, sobbing.

“Wuuu… wah… ah… I… it’s been almost two years… I can finally… finally…” he stammered between sobs, his words broken and disjointed.

Lian Yi tightened his embrace, his broad hand gently stroking the boy’s back to comfort him, staying quietly by his side and offering reassuring responses.

After a while, Qiao Zhimian finally calmed down from the excitement and emotion.

Sitting on the man’s lap, his eyelashes clumped together with damp tears, he continued to hiccup softly.

Lian Yi took a tissue and occasionally wiped away his tears and runny nose: “Don’t cry, baby. Your face will get all red and puffy soon.”

“Can we try again?” The omega suddenly looked up, gazing eagerly at the man, full of excitement: “I think I can do it one more time.”

Lian Yi gave a helpless smile and kissed his moist lips: “Let’s stop for today, alright? There’s no need to rush.”

He could feel the boy had reached his limit—his leg muscles were still tense and trembling.

The omega’s bright eyes dimmed with disappointment. He pressed his lips together and chose to obediently comply.

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Author’s Note: Mian Mian: Wuu… wah… ah… ah… (sound of a boiling kettle)