IM Chapter 40
by Volare“Dad sent me a message this morning saying there’s nothing much going on today, and he can handle it alone, so I don’t need to go. He also said he might be back early today.” Shang Jue’s expression also relaxed a bit.
“Then I’ll start cooking earlier later.”
“I’ll cook with you, Ge.” Shang Jue’s initiative still made Shen ChiTai a little unaccustomed, but when he looked up at Shang Jue’s eyes sparkling with anticipation and excitement, he really couldn’t bring himself to refuse.
But just thinking about the alpha’s consistently worrisome cooking skills, he couldn’t help but sweat in his heart, nodding and smiling, “Okay, let’s cook together.”
As long as I’m alive, that’s all that matters.
Shang Lü came back very early, and Shen ChiTai had just come out of the kitchen when he happened to meet him.
The omega greeted him with a smile, “Dad, you’re back.”
Shang Lü responded hastily and hurried upstairs, not even taking the time to look at Shen ChiTai.
Shen ChiTai watched the man’s hurried figure go upstairs, his eyes full of confusion, and the corners of his mouth, which were slightly raised when he smiled, gradually drooped. He stared in the direction the man left, somewhat lost in thought.
Shang Jue came out from behind him, noticing Shen ChiTai’s abnormality, and followed his gaze, only managing to catch a glimpse of a disappearing figure at the corner of the stairs.
“What’s wrong with Dad?” Shen ChiTai turned his head in confusion, asking Shang Jue with curious eyes.
Shang Jue often went in and out of the company, spending more time with Shang Lü than he did, so he should know something.
But the alpha shook his head, “I’m not too sure, but Dad’s behavior has been a bit strange lately indeed.”
Shen ChiTai frowned slightly. Shang Lü had been looking rushed every time he came back during this period, going back to his room immediately after eating, as if deliberately avoiding everyone.
Maybe he was overthinking it, but thinking about the scene he had seen last time, and now Shang Jue’s reaction. Shen ChiTai shook his head gently, withdrew his gaze from the corner of the stairs, and set the dishes on the table with Shang Jue.
When Shang Lü came down from upstairs again, he had changed into a clean and tidy set of casual clothes, still with a collar.
During the meal, Shang Jue put a piece of stir-fried fatty meat into Shen ChiTai’s bowl. Shen ChiTai’s eyes tightened instantly, a sense of inexplicable panic surged in his heart, and he cautiously looked up, his gaze secretly checking Shang Lü’s reaction, who was sitting across from him.
Seeing that the man was focused on eating, not noticing their actions just now. Shen ChiTai was about to breathe a sigh of relief and withdraw his gaze when he spotted a particularly conspicuous hickey on the alpha’s neck.
Although Shang Lü had deliberately worn a high collar to try to cover it, the familiar color and shape still made Shen ChiTai recognize it at a glance.
The omega’s eyes froze instantly, his mind went blank, and he reacted almost at the same time. His heart tightened suddenly, and a complex and confused expression floated on his curious face.
Seeing that he wasn’t eating properly, Shang Jue followed the omega’s gaze. The hand holding the chopsticks tightened unconsciously, and his knuckles turned slightly white from the force.
He squinted his eyes, and his gaze met Shen ChiTai’s in the air, only exchanging a single glance. The two tacitly chose to remain silent, as if they had reached some kind of silent understanding.
Inevitably, the atmosphere at the dinner table became a little subtle, and a kind of oppressive silence slowly spread among the three of them.
After the meal, Shang Lü made an excuse and hurried upstairs to the study. The two people who had been pretending that nothing had happened looked at each other knowingly.
“Is Dad okay?” Shen ChiTai asked with some worry.
Shang Jue wasn’t too concerned, “What could be wrong with him? Maybe he’s just got some unwanted attention, and he can’t resist it or avoid it, so he can only suffer in silence.”
“Unwanted attention?” Shen ChiTai asked him, “Do you know who it is?”
Shang Jue lazily picked his ear, flicking his little finger lightly, “Not sure, but I’ll find out sooner or later.”
Shen ChiTai still looked in the direction Shang Lü left, a little worried. It was rare for an alpha of this age to have such a strong romantic streak.
Only he and Shang Jue were left in the living room. Shang Jue was lying on the sofa, with his legs crossed, leaning his head against the omega’s thighs while playing on his phone. Shen ChiTai was calculating the total expenses of the cat cafe for this month.
The alpha suddenly put down his phone, looked up at Shen ChiTai, “Ge’s cat cafe earns less than he spends, and he still adopts stray cats, takes the cats for physical exams, gets the cats medical treatment, and after all that, he has to pay out of his own pocket. Why don’t you just run the company with me?”
“How can that work? I don’t like being constrained. It’s enough to have you and Dad taking care of the company. Besides, with the cat cafe, I won’t be bored when I’m busy, and taking care of the cats can pass the time, so why not?”
Shang Jue turned over and hugged his waist, burying his face in his arms, his voice muffled as he said, “As long as Ge likes it. I’ll support you no matter what you do.”
Shen ChiTai chuckled softly, reaching out and gently stroking the alpha’s thick, soft black hair. The two sat idly in the living room for half an hour. Shang Jue said he was sleepy, and Shen ChiTai told him to go back to his room and sleep.
Someone bent over, picked up the omega on the sofa, turned around, and walked towards his room.
“A… Jue.” Shen ChiTai grabbed the clothes on his back tightly.
“Ge, don’t be afraid. I won’t do anything tonight.”
Shen ChiTai’s ears suddenly burned, and his voice was slightly hurried, “I didn’t say that.”
Shang Jue raised an eyebrow, “If Ge wants me to put you down, then I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“…”
Shen ChiTai stiffened his face, turning his red neck away, not looking at the teasing expression on his face.
Shang Jue did keep his word and didn’t touch him. The alpha’s hot chest was pressed tightly against his back, and Shen ChiTai’s breathing was a little rapid.
Shang Jue didn’t speak, so he simply closed his eyes, and the sound of breathing beside his ear became clearer and more distinct. The alpha’s rhythmic breathing seemed to brush against his ear, like a lullaby, making him feel inexplicably at ease.
Shang Jue’s pheromones had subsided somewhat, and the pheromones released were very faint, just right, allowing the omega to relax from the inside out unconsciously, and finally slowly fall asleep.
Shang Jue left early the next day. When he got up, Shen ChiTai on the bed briefly woke up in a daze, then became too sleepy to wake, covered his head, and continued to sleep.
He woke up from this sleep directly at eight thirty. He suddenly remembered that someone had booked two hours online yesterday, from nine to eleven. Shen ChiTai hurriedly got out of bed, washed up, and rushed to the store, Yu Xingqiao was sitting bored at the door of the store.
The customers would be here in a while. He hesitated for a moment, then walked to Yu Xingqiao and sat down.
Yu Xingqiao tilted his head to look at him, seeing that he looked preoccupied, he casually said, “What’s wrong with you today? Didn’t sleep well last night? Or have you been overthinking things lately? You have a gloomy face so early in the morning, it’s quite ugly.”
“I’m okay.” Shen ChiTai panted slightly, he did have something he wanted to ask Yu Xingqiao, but it felt strange to say it.
“I’m just saying, suppose. If you have a partner, and they’re particularly strong in that area, what would you do?” Shen ChiTai’s voice was very soft, with an imperceptible blush on his face, and a hint of confusion and struggle in his eyebrows.
“What area?” Yu Xingqiao didn’t react for a moment, looking at Shen ChiTai in confusion.
“Just the area you’re thinking about.” Shen ChiTai turned his head away a little embarrassed, his voice even lower.
“Oh, oh. What else can you do, try your best to cooperate. Besides, no matter how strong they are, how strong can they be? It’s not like they can tire people to death.” Yu Xingqiao laughed carelessly, then seemed to suddenly realize something, and stared at Shen ChiTai with wide eyes, “That’s not right, why would you suddenly ask this kind of question? Could it be, holy shit, ChiTai, are you secretly keeping a lover?”
Yu Xingqiao looked at him with a face full of surprise, Shen ChiTai saw the teasing in his eyes.
“I swear… hiss…” Yu Xingqiao asked, “Who’s the guy? Do I know him?”
“A-Jue.” Shen ChiTai gritted his teeth, barely spitting out these two words, turned his face away, and dared not look at Yu Xingqiao’s expression.
“Oh, what? A-Jue, Shang Jue? No way? Isn’t he your brother? You two rolled around together?” Yu Xingqiao stared at him in disbelief, his mouth wide open.
Shen ChiTai nodded slightly with a face full of embarrassment, his ears were completely red, and his hands twisted together unconsciously, his fingers tightly clasped.
Yu Xingqiao opened his mouth again and again, but the words he originally wanted to say were swallowed back by him. He looked at Shen ChiTai, the shock in his eyes gradually replaced by worry, “I can understand you being with anyone, even if it’s a random person, but he’s your brother, you and him…” A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, there was surprise, worry, and a hint of helplessness.
Yu Xingqiao reconsidered for a few seconds, looking at the omega’s slightly haggard and uneasy face beside him, he still couldn’t bear to say too harsh words, “Also, this is such a big deal, and you actually kept it from me until now, don’t you consider me a brother?”
“I haven’t been with him for long.” Shen ChiTai lowered his head, his voice a little hoarse, as if trying to suppress the emotions in his heart.
Yu Xingqiao sighed slightly, in fact, these were not what he cared about most.
“Does Uncle know about you two?”
“Not yet.” Shen ChiTai raised his head, “I don’t know how to tell him either.”
“Then what are you going to do?” Yu Xingqiao frowned, asking worriedly.
Shen ChiTai was silent for a while, then said slowly: “Let’s take it one step at a time, maybe it’s just a momentary impulse for him, and he won’t necessarily stick with it to the end.” His voice was very low, with a hint of helplessness and bitterness, as if comforting himself, or as if avoiding reality.
Seeing that he had said so, Yu Xingqiao, as an outsider, couldn’t say anything more. Thinking about all the worries he had himself, how could he have the qualifications to care about others.
He gently patted Shen ChiTai’s shoulder, pretending to be relaxed and said, “Don’t think too much, anyway, you two aren’t biological brothers. Even if you’re really together, your dad can’t eat you.”
Shen ChiTai was about to speak when a sudden wave of nausea surged in his stomach, bringing on a strong feeling of sickness. His face turned pale instantly, his eyebrows furrowed tightly, and one hand unconsciously covered his mouth.
Seeing that his face didn’t look too good, Yu Xingqiao quickly moved closer to him, “Are you feeling unwell? Why does your face look so bad?”
“Maybe I ate something bad, my stomach is a little uncomfortable.” Shen ChiTai squeezed out a smile with difficulty, his voice weak and trembling. His stomach had never been very good, and he was prone to nausea when he felt uncomfortable.
This kind of situation had occurred sporadically before, and he had never taken it too seriously. But this time the feeling seemed to be stronger than before, and the nausea had not subsided, but had become more intense.
Seeing Yu Xingqiao’s worried face, he smiled and comforted the other party, “I’m really okay, I’ll be fine after a while, don’t worry.” He was telling the other party not to worry about him, but his pale face and trembling voice still betrayed him.
Yu Xingqiao stared at him for a long while.
“I’ll watch over the shop, why don’t you go to the hospital? I’m not comfortable with you staying in the shop like this. If you don’t go, I’ll call your brother and have him come and take you.” He said with a serious face and was about to take out his phone.
“Don’t bother him, the hospital isn’t far from here, I can go by myself. I’ll trouble you to take care of the shop.”
“Why are you being so polite with me, hurry up,” Yu Xingqiao urged him with concern, “Remember to send me a message when you get there.”
“Okay.” Shen ChiTai stood up, his steps a little unsteady. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and then slowly walked out of the shop.
On the way to the hospital, his physical discomfort had subsided a lot, so he hesitated again, feeling that it wasn’t a big deal and there was no need to waste time. But this nausea had been going on for a long time, and he wondered if it was because he hadn’t eaten well in the past that he had hurt his stomach.
After thinking about it, he decided to go and get it checked out anyway, after all, it would be reassuring to have an examination.
Even after coming out of the hospital, Shen ChiTai was still in a state of extreme shock. He stared blankly at the examination report in his hand, and the results of the examination clearly displayed on it.
Pregnant.
Looking at these words, the omega’s eyes were hollow, his mind was blank, and he couldn’t accept this fact for a moment. He clearly took medicine every time, how could this be, how could he be pregnant.
After a fierce struggle in his heart, he decided not to tell Shang Jue about this first. His hands trembled slightly, and he carefully folded the examination report and put it in his bag.
After returning home, he took out the birth control pills he had bought before from the cabinet, checked them repeatedly, and compared the dates, only to find that the medicine was expired.
It turned out that the medicine had already expired the first time he took it, so… this result was like a bolt from the blue to him, instantly shattering his world.
In other words, he had already been hit the first time.
From the initial look of astonishment and inability to accept it to gradually calming down, Shen ChiTai slowly placed his palm lightly on his stomach, which was not yet showing, his eyes filled with a complex emotion, there was surprise, worry, and a hint of confusion.
The doctor said the child was already two months old, it was his and Shang Jue’s child.
A subtle feeling that was hard to describe surged in the omega’s heart. He originally thought that he would resist this matter, but it didn’t seem to be the case.
Shen ChiTai couldn’t help but be curious about what Shang Jue’s reaction would be if he knew about this. The alpha had never mentioned children, and the two had never discussed this topic.
If he suddenly told him now that he was pregnant, he really couldn’t imagine how the alpha would react, maybe he would be happy, or maybe he would hate it.
And what about Dad’s side, how should he explain it? He used to think that he could put it off, but now that he had a child, it was no longer an option to put it off.
Thinking of these things, the person who had just received a great shock was filled with worry. He didn’t know how to face his father, and he didn’t know how Shang Jue would view this matter.
When Shang Jue’s novelty towards him disappeared, there would probably be nothing left between them except a brotherly relationship. The alpha would definitely meet an omega he liked in the future, and at that time, this child would be an extremely awkward existence for both Shang Jue and himself.
He didn’t want his child to bear too much as soon as they were born, the mistakes he had made should not be borne by an innocent little life.
But…
Even if there was only a glimmer of hope, he wanted to test Shang Jue’s attitude first.