Ten years later, Shen Lanting and Lu Liuru's relationship remained as good as ever. The two stayed on the grassland, one herding livestock and the other taking care of the household. In her Lu Liuru would also help with the household chores, keeping it in perfect order.
Although they occasionally argue, they make up quickly. Lu Liuru is usually the one who apologizes first, since he's the one who's done something wrong.
The two were very happy. Lu Liuru felt sorry for him and couldn't bear to have a child with him. The last time Shen Liyan was born, he was terrified and she never wanted him to suffer again. Besides, a little kid would only disrupt their life together.
There's no need to talk about Shang Shujue and Song Yanqing; they've been a couple for many years, and it was announced online that they are the final bosses of Qing Shu Yi Yan.
They officially announced it and told their fans that they had already registered their marriage and gotten married. As a result, their CP (couple) super topic immediately topped the charts and is still number one.
Shen Liyan and Lu Xingzhi got together smoothly, and after they got married, their life was sweet and harmonious. Although they would still quarrel and bicker over some small things, it did not affect their relationship.
Now, one of them manages his own company, which is thriving, while the other studied hard, became a selected graduate of the Imperial Central Government, and eventually entered the government, where he is now a well-known official.
However, the two of them haven't had children yet. They have their own considerations, and their elders don't pressure them, so they let them be.
It was New Year's Xiye again, and Shen Liyan could no longer have a family gathering to celebrate his birthday like before. He couldn't even organize a party. So he had a meal with his family and ate a small cake by himself at the table.
After dinner, Shen Liyan secretly pulled Shen Lanting and Shang Shujue into his room, not letting anyone else in. Everyone laughed at him for being so clingy at his age, but he just smiled shyly and didn't argue.
Once inside, the two elders were pulled to sit on the bed, and Shen Liyan sat opposite them, his expression shifting inscrutable, as if he had something difficult to say.
" Yanyan, why did you bring your dad and uncle in here without saying anything? Did something happen?"
Shen Lanting couldn't bear the silence any longer, so she took her son's hand, held it in her palm, and gently squeezed it as she had when he was a child, afraid that something might have happened to him and that he was hiding it from them.
Shang Shujue sat beside Shen Liyan and waiting for him to speak. He had plenty of patience when it came to gossip and little secrets.
"Dad, Uncle..." Shen Liyan didn't pull his hand back. He looked up at them and called out before explaining why he had brought them in. His tone was soft, but his words were clear and logical.
"I'm pregnant, but I haven't told Lu Xingzhi. Also, I applied to become a member of the Imperial Government's High Council last month, and the exam is in a few days."
"If I'm discovered now, my eligibility for the assessment will be revoked. But I've prepared for a month. I want to enter the decision-making department and become a decision-making councilor. I have so many unfulfilled ideas... I..."
Before Shen Liyan could finish speaking, Shang Shujue grabbed his shoulder and interrupted him. He already understood why Shen Liyan hadn't told Lu Xingzhi about this.
He was overjoyed by the unexpected arrival of the child, yet also terrified that his presence would jeopardize his chance to enter the inner court. But he was only in his thirties, with little experience; how could he possibly gain entry so easily?
" Yanyan, you're not qualified enough right now. Even if you take the exam, you'll be eliminated. I saw the list of test takers when you registered."
"There's a guy named Mu Xin inside. He has an impressive track record, is upright, and handles things smoothly. He was already the person chosen before the internal selection process for entering the inner court was announced."
"Do you get me?"
After Shang Shujue finished speaking, Shen Liyan was stunned for a long time and couldn't speak. Shen Lanting didn't understand the intricacies of the conversation, but he understood one thing.
"Does Yanyan not want it...?"
Before Shen Lanting could finish speaking, Shen Liyan covered his mouth. His eyes welled with tears as he shook his head. "No, Daddy, what I want, what I want... I was being stubborn. I'm sorry, my baby. I hope he won't hold a grudge against his father..."
As Shen Liyan spoke, he placed his hand on his abdomen. Only then did he finally emerge from his inner turmoil and find joy and happiness in nurturing a new life.
"No, babies don't have hearing yet, they can't hear you. You're a gentle dad, your baby will understand. Don't cry, Yanyan, let Daddy hug you."
Although Shen Lanting was unaware of Shen Liyan's inner turmoil, he knew what it felt like to be pregnant with a baby. So he reached out and took his baby into his arms, gently patting his back as tenderly as he had when he was a child.
Shang Shujue hugged the two of them tightly, chuckling as he rubbed their heads. "Don't be sad. This little guy must be a sensible angel baby. Maybe he'll even be a little adult, just like his Alpha dad, hahaha..."
"Huh? Wouldn't that be hilarious? Hahaha... a miniature version of Lu Xingzhi? Hahaha..."
Upon hearing Shang Shujue's Shen Liyan, Shen Liyan couldn't help but imagine a miniature version of Lu Xingzhi's cold, adult-like demeanor. He then stepped out of his family's embrace and burst into laughter through his tears.
Shen Lanting imagined it for a moment and couldn't help but laugh, "Pfft-- Azhi was just like that when he was little, so tiny, yet he acted like an adult."
"Hahaha... Yeah, Lu Xingzhi was the most fun kid when he was little. He'd blush at the slightest tease and do whatever you asked. But not anymore. He's grown up, and he's got a lot more tricks up his sleeve..."
Shang Shujue also remembered what Lu Xingzhi looked like when he was a child and couldn't help but laugh along. Shen Liyan listened to their conversation and became even more excited about the baby's birth.
"Oh, right, I haven't told Azhi yet. I'll go tell him now that since we can't get into the inner court right now, we should work hard for a few more years and build a solid foundation."
"Okay, it's good that you've figured it out. Go on now."
"Go on, go on, but take it slow."
"Good."
Shen Liyan ran out, and the two elders behind him were terrified watching him. They almost chased after him to help him up, but luckily he was steady on his feet. He had been well-raised as a child and his vestibular system was well-developed, so he was not prone to falling.
"Brother, we're getting a new member in our family! I'm so excited! I'm really free right now, how about we take care of the baby together?"
"Sure, Yanyan works so hard, it's only right that we help him out. But shouldn't we go out now and have Azhi take Yanyan to the hospital for a checkup? We need to get a proper diagnosis first."
"Yes, yes, let's go."
As they talked, they went out together. As soon as they opened the door, they were startled to see Song Yanqing and Lu Liuru, the two doormen.
Shang Shujue pounced on him, Shen Lanting clutched his chest and was caught by Lu Liuru. Before the four of them could even stand up straight, excited cheers erupted from the other side, and Lu Xingzhi's laughter could be heard, looking completely unimpressed.
"Hahaha... Yanyan, I'm going to be a dad! Our family has a new member, hahaha..."
" Lu Xingzhi! Put me down! I'm getting dizzy--"
"Oh dear, ancestor, don't get so excited! Quickly put Yanyan down!"
Hearing the commotion, the four of them quickly went over and found that Lu Xingzhi had picked up the person and spun him around. Dad Lu immediately slapped him on the forehead.
"You brat! You're a father now, how can you be so careless? What if you drop my grandson?"
"..." Lu Xingzhi rubbed his forehead, looking aggrieved as he snuggled into his wife's arms, speaking expressionlessly but with a slightly aggrieved tone, " Yanyan, Dad hit me..."
Shen Liyan hugged Lu Xingzhi, rubbed his head, and comforted him gently. The other Alphas silently hugged their wives; that slap really hurt.
Dad Lu: "..." Damn it! You're only bullying me, aren't you?!