Chapter 67 1/2

Jiang Li noticed the dads at the door, belatedly realising that Cen Lang’s words were like eye drops in front of Dad Lu. He quickly moved his legs, trying to defuse the situation: “Dad keeps it in his heart, but you—”

Seemingly every strand of hair is arrogantly screaming about wanting a wife, not bothering to hide it.

Cen Lang cleared his throat: “With my active encouragement, Dad Lu couldn’t resist returning to Earth with me.” Jiang Wanlan paused; so, this was the reason for Lu Jing’s second return to Earth.

Lu Jing probably hadn’t faced such a mental assault in twenty years. With a dad like this, even ten wouldn’t stop his son from dating Cen Lang. Jiang Li patted a seemingly proud Cen Lang, “Get up.” Cen Lang straightened from his leg, frowning, “You don’t smell like food.”

Unlike a little one covered in the scent of milk,.

Jiang Li seemed to return to their first meeting at the military academy, content with just dewdrops.

Jiang Wanlan knocked on the door, bringing in new food. Jiang Li claimed not to be hungry and didn’t want the salty dishes, so how about sweets? “Do you want mango towel rolls, or taro, matcha flavours? Mille-feuille, mousse, pudding?” He sounded like coaxing a child refusing to eat.

Cen Lang’s dark eyes instantly turned to Jiang Li: “Haven’t you eaten?”

Jiang Li: “Had breakfast, had lunch, and dad insisted on having afternoon tea. Just a sip of nutritional supplements is enough.”

Next month, he planned to report to the research institute, still as busy in the lab as before, with no time for proper meals, just some supplements. After giving birth, he had to restrain his appetite.

Cen Lang: “During the postpartum month, you should eat a lot. Dr. Xiao Jiang, do you want me to feed you?”

Cen Lang selected from the exquisite plate, chose a piece of durian cake, broke it apart, and said, “Half for each; I’m hungry; eat with me.”

Jiang Li pushed the larger piece to him and said, “Eat more.”

In just four words, Cen Lang grasped Jiang Li’s exposed weakness, saying, “From now on, I’ll accompany you during the postpartum month. You eat as much as you want, and I’ll eat as much.”

“I heard many Alphas gain weight during the Omega’s postpartum month. Dr. Xiao Jiang, I lost more than ten pounds on a business trip; look at you.”

Jiang Li looked at his lean figure, shaking his head. “No.” How could he? Cen Lang needed to eat a lot to recover.

Cen Lang: “Then let’s drink nutritional supplements together.” “Are you worried about not adapting to life at the research institute after being used to home-cooked meals? I can bring you lunch every day and pick you up from work.”

Jiang Wanlan looked at Jiang Li expectantly.

Lu Jing: “He’s right.”

Under three pairs of intense gazes, Jiang Li had to give up his plan to restrain his appetite and take a bite of the delicious durian cake. So fragrant. Drinking supplements was just a habit to save time; now, it seemed like he was developing another habit.

Cen Lang’s lips curled, once again effectively playing the pitiful card on Dr. Xiao Jiang.

Two birds with one stone, not only persuading Jiang Li to eat but also securing a life where he could see his wife three times a day. Jiang Li probably had to call him for even a sip of soup.

Once upon a time, he looked down on this pitiful act that damaged Alpha’s dignity. He must have been young.

In the first week after giving birth, Jiang Li rarely held the baby. With two young grandpas, a robust great-grandpa, and a watchful Cen Lang who forbade him to exert too much effort, Jiang Li could only observe and touch.

During this period, the baby’s eating and sleeping were top priorities, not much for interaction. The baby would let anyone hold them throughout the day, but if someone else tried to move the crib at night, the little one would start fussing.

Cen Lang never let the cleanliness-conscious Jiang Li change the baby’s diapers, although Jiang Li didn’t mind. He had prepared for all the chores since deciding to raise a child alone.

The process of raising a child is also a journey of understanding parents; even if it’s just before the first birthday, the effort invested is unimaginable.

Jiang Li calls “Dad” many times a day, pleasing both Jiang Wanlan and Lu Jing.

Though injured, the military dog Black Wind still loves exercise, going for three walks a day. In the morning, either Cen Lang or Lu Jing walks alone, then Lu Jing and Jiang Wanlan together, and finally, Cen Lang takes Jiang Li for a stroll.

Obviously, Black Wind is only interested in the morning walk. As a military dog, going out with Lu Jing or Cen Lang makes it feel like a mission, with humans assigning tasks like detecting prohibited substances in people’s backpacks.

During the leisurely walks with lunch and dinner while eating dog food, Black Wind strongly disapproves of the dog-human walking combinations, thinking it’s better to stay home and look after the little master.

After each walk, Black Wind always rushes ahead of Cen Lang to the doghouse, sitting at the entrance as a guard, alert to someone encroaching on his territory. Cen Lang feeds him raw meat bones, saying, “Your monopolising behaviour only reveals you have no partner.” A straight dog.

Black Wind guards his territory with a sharp gaze, refusing to go inside even as the weather turns cool.

Lu Jing can only install underfloor heating in the doghouse.

Originally unplanned, with a considerable amount of construction work, the two top-tier Alphas worked tirelessly from morning to night.

In November, Jiang Li prepared materials to apply for the position of researcher at the institute, conducting lichen research in Cen’s lab and regaining the sensation of immersed experimentation.

Under the care of the whole family, his body recovered completely. On December 1st, the institute officially issued Jiang Li an acceptance letter.

It snowed a little that day. The courier delivered the acceptance letter to the door of Lu Jing. Cen Lang was shovelling snow in the yard, saw it, and called Jiang Li out to sign for it.

Opening the acceptance letter revealed a security access card, allowing free entry and exit to the institute.

The institute highly favoured top research talents, providing the highest flexibility in terms of time.

As long as you propose a research project in the early stages and report progress periodically, the institute doesn’t care about your daily activities. Some projects can’t be completed solely within the institute, so many researchers go on field assignments.

This made Jiang Li happy.