Chapter 391: This Is Your Child?

Chapter 391: Chapter 391: This Is Your Child?

"Hmph. A surprise? Let’s just hope it’s not a fright. A man my age can’t handle any of your shenanigans."

Mr. Lu Sr. slowly screwed the cap back onto his thermos. He looked up and immediately noticed Yan Huoshui’s flashy outfit. The bundle in his arms was wrapped up so tightly that he didn’t think of it as a baby at first, just laughed at him. "You’re this old and still wearing all red? Aren’t you married? Don’t tell me you’re strutting your stuff for someone new."

"If I find out you’re doing anything to cheat on Lanlan, I’ll break your legs myself and send you straight to a military tribunal."

Yan Huoshui was speechless. "Could you try thinking something good about me for a change?"

"Am I the type of person who just falls for anyone? For my entire life, I will only love my Lanlan."

Mr. Lu Sr. figured as much. ’If he were really that kind of person, he wouldn’t have been single for over thirty years before finding a wife.’

"So what’s the happy occasion? Right, what’s this surprise you mentioned? It can’t be that thing in your arms, can it? It’s wrapped up so tight. Let old man me have a look."

Muttering, Mr. Lu Sr. leaned over his desk to get a look. Yan Huoshui put out a hand to stop him. "Ahem, you should just come out from behind there. I’m worried you’ll throw out that old back of yours."

Mr. Lu Sr.’s face turned red with anger. He hated it when people called him old, especially now, because there was a significant age gap between him and his wife.

"What do you mean, old back? I’m in my prime!"

He was clearly not convinced. Seeing this, Yan Huoshui didn’t push it and leaned down slightly to reveal the child in his arms.

"Well, I’ll be... Holy shit!"

Mr. Lu Sr. cursed. In his excitement, the hand he had braced on the desk slipped, and he actually did throw out his back.

"HSSS..."

He clutched his back, the sound a bit loud. Many students in the library turned to look in their direction, but neither of the two men had any mind to pay attention to anyone else.

Yan Huoshui was exasperated. "I warned you, but you wouldn’t listen."

Mr. Lu Sr. rubbed his nose sheepishly. "You never said it was *this* kind of surprise."

He moved his other hand from his lower back. Though the sharp ache was still there, that bit of pain was truly nothing compared to the surprise before him.

’The little rascal has a conscience after all. He finally brought me a real surprise.’

"This... Is this your child? Has Lanlan given birth?"

He immediately came out from behind his desk, his voice trembling with excitement.

Yan Huoshui nodded, trying to be demure but unable to hold back a smile, the corners of his eyes crinkling with pleasure. "Of course. Can’t you see these eyes? They’re exactly like mine."

"Quick, let me hold the baby."

Mr. Lu Sr. smiled so wide the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes bunched up. He held out his hands, staring eagerly at the little baby in Yan Huoshui’s arms.

Look at those big eyes, like red grapes, those long eyelashes, those tender, pale little cheeks, that delicate nose—every part of the baby just tugged at your heartstrings.

So utterly lovable.

The little one’s eyes shifted, their large pupils showing no fear of the stranger. Instead, they stared at Mr. Lu Sr. with great curiosity.

Seeing this, Yan Huoshui handed the baby over.

Mr. Lu Sr. fought to keep his hands from shaking as he steadily took the baby.

This was the first time in his long life he had ever held a baby, and his reaction was similar to Ye Ming and the others. ’So this is what it feels like. Babies are so light.’ But seeing the little one’s tiny face and obedient, clever expression was enough to instantly melt his heart, making it go all soft.

"Hello there, little one. I’m your grandpa~"

Mr. Lu Sr. was unconsciously putting on a baby voice. Yan Huoshui rubbed his ears, feeling a wave of goosebumps. Normally, the old man was all cussing and crazy antics; he’d never seen him like this.

’Tsk. My baby really is just that charming.’

Still, the old man sure was quick to claim a connection. ’Making himself the maternal grandpa just like that? I ought to make him call me Dad instead.’

Yan Huoshui had corrected him time and time again, but now he couldn’t be bothered. ’Oh, well. Mr. Lu Sr.’s wife became Lanlan’s mother, so we’re all one family in the end.’

As Mr. Lu Sr. said "grandpa," his eyes had guiltily flickered toward Yan Huoshui. When he saw that Yan Huoshui didn’t say anything this time, he secretly chuckled to himself and breathed a sigh of relief.

"What’s the little one’s name?"

"His full name is Yan Xingli, and his nickname is Yi Yi, as in the number one."

"Xingli... Yi Yi... Mmm, very nice, very nice."

Mr. Lu Sr. nodded in approval. He carefully poked the baby’s cheek with a finger, cooing, "Yi Yi, little treasure, you’re so cute."

Yi Yi pouted his little lips, smacked them together, and seemed to blow a tiny bubble, as if throwing a small fit.

Mr. Lu Sr. couldn’t help but laugh. "This little fella is quite touchy, isn’t he? Can’t even be poked."

"But he doesn’t cry much, which makes things easy."

Mr. Lu Sr. held the baby, unwilling to let go. Yan Huoshui had been holding his child all day, and now his own arms suddenly felt empty.

He couldn’t help but ask, "Have you had your fill? Give him here."

"Nope. I haven’t had nearly enough."

Mr. Lu Sr. dodged to the side, worried Yan Huoshui was about to snatch the baby back.

Yan Huoshui looked exasperated. "What are you thinking? Hold him as long as you want. I wouldn’t dare snatch the baby; it wouldn’t be good if he got hurt."

"Oh, good, good. Hehe."

Mr. Lu Sr. beamed, but he still kept some distance, clearly on guard in case Yan Huoshui made a move.

"Look at you, acting like you’ve never seen one before. It’s just a baby. You’ve never held one?"

"Yeah, how did you know? Well, in that case, you have to let me hold him some more."

As he spoke, Mr. Lu Sr. bent his head down and sniffed the baby like a creep. "Yi Yi smells so good. Such a sweet-smelling little baby."

Yan Huoshui couldn’t bear to watch. Mr. Lu Sr. was even more shameless than he was.

He stopped discussing the baby with him and got down to business. "So, here’s the deal. My baby was born the night before last, and I need to take my childcare leave. I have to take good care of him during this period."

Childcare leave was a holiday granted to every Beast Husband in this world. As long as a female gave birth to a Beast Husband’s cub, the female would get maternity leave, and the Beast Husband would get a corresponding three-month childcare leave. This leave was exactly what it sounded like: the Beast Husband was expected to take on the responsibility of raising and nurturing the newborn, and the first three months were the most critical period.

"Of course."

Mr. Lu Sr. didn’t even raise his head, continuing to gaze at the baby. He didn’t dare touch Yi Yi anymore, though. The moment he did, the little one would start to pout, putting on an air of cold, untouchable dignity. But the baby’s eyes were bright and lively, like a curious little kitten’s, sizing up the strange new environment.

The baby was very brave.

After finishing his business, Yan Huoshui saw Mr. Lu Sr. holding the baby, grinning from ear to ear, and wasn’t in a hurry to go home.

He stayed in the library for another thirty-some minutes. Guessing it was almost time for the baby’s feeding, he finally said, "Old man, give me the baby. I have to go home to feed him his growth liquid."

"Oh, oh, okay, in a minute."

Mr. Lu Sr. bounced the baby in his arms again. This was a newly discovered joy of his. Yi Yi loved it; every time he was lifted high, a happy smile would appear on the little one’s tiny pink lips.

He really couldn’t bear to part with the baby. He had said "in a minute," but several more minutes passed before he finally, reluctantly, handed the child back to Yan Huoshui.