| The Paternity Guard (PATERNITY) |
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Ying Qi quietly placed back the tile and returned to his room expressionlessly.
He lay on the bed with his clothes on and covered his head with the blanket.
He didn't see anything—didn't see that person who had been living under the same roof for so long and didn't see his fragile look while clutching his stomach, which was visibly swollen...
He also didn't see the jade device he had thrown on the floor and what he did with the jade device was self-explanatory but why was his stomach...
…………
For the next few days, Ying Qi avoided going near that courtyard.
He actually wanted to leave but Shi Qi was about to give birth, so he decided to wait until after that. Physician Gu should have arrived by now.
When Shi Qi had his first child, both he and Master Gu were by his side. Even though they were a bit clumsy at that time, that Shi Qi almost miscarried several times, but now everything was comfortable and worry-free as they already knew what to do, so it should be smoother than the first time.
To avoid thinking about Yin Ji, he focused all his attention on Shi Qi's unborn child, or sometimes he just let his mind wander without thinking about anything in particular.
But he seemed unable to control his legs because after a while, he couldn't help but visit that courtyard night after night.
Sometimes, Yin Ji would walk around the house while murmuring to himself, lie in bed under the covers and doing who knows what. And when exhausted, he'd fall asleep early with his brows furrowing occasionally as his legs cramp painfully but no one massaged it for him.
And once, when Yin Ji bathed, Ying Qi saw his usually smooth, taut stomach swollen like a five- or six-month pregnancy, which was also the time of their last meeting.
Until one time, that person slipped on the wet floor while stepping out of the tub but fortunately, he barely avoided a fall by grabbing the edge in time.
It was then that Ying Qi realized he was the only one here because Zou Wuxiao, who usually followed Yin Ji closely, wasn't around.
He remember Shi Er's awkwardness before, so they probably already knew at that time…
Ying Qi furrowed his brow as he dangled on the roof while completely unaware of his voyeuristic behavior.
Ke Weiqing came with his usual smile but with a hint of unknown sorrow in his eyes. "Ying Qi, I heard you are concerned about this Young Master, so I came."
Ke Weiqing also had a day of carelessness which was caused by someone he had a grudge against.
It was known as the Poisonous Scorpion, which was a deadly toxin. However, that person was cruelly killed by Zou Wuxiao, who is unaware of his true situation.
Ke Weiqing with purple and blue complexion, said, “Thank you for avenging me, Young Master Zou.” but Zou Wuxiao's heart was filled with regret that he even wished that he should not kill that person so easily so that he can kill him again ten thousand times.
And one day, Zou Wuxiao suddenly knocked him out, and after he woke up, the deadly toxin in his body was gone.
When he was poisoned, he lay on the bed for a few days while nearly dying, but then recovered completely because of Zou Wuxiao’s help, who disappeared.
"Exchanging blood?" Ying Qi couldn't help but speculate.
"Ming also said so, but whether he is dead or alive, he should have at least let me know!" Ke Weiqing said with a touch of sorrow while leaning on the chair back, seemingly drained of all anger.
Ying Qi thought of Yin Ji, alone and pregnant. He comforted him, "Blood Demon Palace must have more than one person with this skill. Perhaps someone else has saved him."
Ying Qi said so, but if Zou Wuxiao was saved then why hadn't he appeared?
Before Ke Weiqing left, he hinted at Ying Qi
about going to his old courtyard. Seeing Ying Qi's firm shake of his head, Ke Weiqing smiled knowingly before patting his shoulder, and whispered, "Anyway, I wish you well." Ying Qi was stunned.
Ying Qi started paying attention to that courtyard during the day that he spent a long time there under the pretense of watering flowers. Yet, he never noticed a trace, nor did Yin Ji appear in his line of sight. He wondered why he didn't come out to bask in the sun and breathe fresh air.
Wasn't there anyone bringing him food?
Eventually, he realized that his actions disrupted the normal routine of life there, so he tried to return to his usual schedule.
Two courtyards that were close and both observing each other at different times and places.
Sometimes that's how it is—so close yet so far apart.
At World's Supreme Fortress, the lights were dazzling, especially at midnight.
Ying Qi finally dragged his somewhat exhausted body back to East Lake Villa. Originally, Shi Er and the others dragged him to the Shadow Guards Camp to stay but he felt his eyelids twitching and sensed something was about to happen, so he declined and left.
The courtyard, usually silent, was now aglow with lights that cause a stir in Ying Qi's heart.
He swiftly used his lightness skill to leap towards the familiar courtyard. As he reached the gate, he was stunned—there stood two people, one of whom was clearly Zuo Wuxiao and cradling a disheveled person in their arms. Seeing Ying Qi approach, Yin Ji hastily covered the exposed belly with a piece of clothing and turned to Zuo Wuxiao to say, "Hurry and take me away."
It was evident that someone outside was waiting for them. Zuo Wuxiao and Yin Ji leaped to the wall where several people received them. Zuo Wuxiao paused for a moment, probably to prevent someone from approaching but after waiting for a while with no movement, he furrowed his brow but said nothing before vanishing into the darkness.
Once everything was calm again, Ying Qi moved his stiff legs before turning to look at the person who had appeared out of nowhere.
He was unsure what to do because Yin Ji did not look well, perhaps the child was about to be born prematurely. But with his condition, traveling was risky. And who would help with the delivery of the baby?
His mind was in chaos that he didn't know what to do anymore.
"Aren't you going after them?" He heard himself asking the other person.
"I really want to, but he seems to have more important matters to attend to, or else he wouldn't have missed me. But how about you? Looks like your child is about to be born, aren't you going after them either?"
‘Can you tolerate him living under your nose for so long? It means that you have expectations for this child, right?’
"I can't move right now..." Ying Qi trailed off.
He didn't know where to find them. Even if he did, what difference would it make if there was no forgiveness?
"You fool, aren't you worried about him now? Xiao Qi, although Yin Ji treated you poorly before, and I also didn't like him but don't do something you'll regret. Do you understand?" Ke Weiqing took a few steps forward before resting his head on Ying Qi's shoulder, which caused his voice to become muffled because of the fabric. "Hey, Xiao Qi, since you're not leaving now, can I borrow your shoulder for a moment..."
The two emotionally turbulent individuals leaned on each other for warmth, while on the other side, the situation of the other two people was no better than theirs.
……..
In World's Supreme Fortress, Ying Qi lay under a tree with Baobao while enjoying the shade. His thoughts wandered to an unknown place.
Nearly ten months had passed. He wondered if they were safe.
Baobao wore a soft yellow outfit while bare feet, looking adorable and peaceful as he slept.
If he had a child, would they be this cute too?
Someone entered.
Ying Qi thought it was Shi Qi or another shadow guard, but to his surprise, it was Ke Weiqing, who was holding a bundle in his arms with a pained expression.
Ying Qi quickly stood up from the lounge chair as he held Baobao tightly, and said anxiously, "Young Master Ke, what is this?"
Ke Weiqing handed him the bundle as he forced a smile. "Xiao Qi, congratulations. You're a father now."
Ying Qi took it dumbfoundedly as his eyes fell from the baby's face in the bundle then back to Ke Weiqing's face, mumbling after a long pause, "And... how is he..."
Ke Weiqing glanced at the ground before looking up with his tears almost welling in his eyes. "All I can say is, congratulations again. You're free now..."
After Ke Weiqing left, Ying Qi sat weakly on the chair with his mind hazy.
He vaguely remembered the way that person frowned when opening up that place for him, remembered how that person slept with a restless hand on his stomach, remembered the last time that they met and the plea that he said to leave him alone...
From the Central Plains to the borderlands, he had grown accustomed to saying "me" in everything.
He even... had a child...with him.
Was it all to seek forgiveness?
……..
"Godfather, godfather, baby!"
His sleeve was suddenly tugged that caused him to come back to reality with the tender voice of Baobao. Ying Qi lowered his head to look at Baobao who was gazing intently at the baby in the bundle while calling out, "Baby, baby, baby!"
Ying Qi put them together and whispered, "You're Baobao but he doesn't have a name yet."
Another child joined the Fortress, and the one-year-old baby suddenly became a big brother.
Every day, he patrolled around with his small chest puffed out while comforting his crying younger brother with his limited words. Although he didn't understand the concept of protecting and setting an example for his younger brothers, he still cried less instinctively that even when he fell accidentally, he held back his tears while waiting for the affectionate comfort from their father figures as he knew a kiss would make it better.
Xing Beiming looked at everything with satisfaction with a feeling of accomplishment.
Shi Qi pinched the tiny hand of Ying Qi’s baby.
Ying Qi's child was different from his. Although he was chubby and fair-skinned, and looked very lovable with his rosy complexion, he never seemed to gain weight despite being nursed well.
Children mostly thrive on breast milk, and when they are full, that's sufficient for them. So, there's usually no issue of babies being picky eaters.
The reason why this baby couldn't gain weight probably had to do with his other parent's genetics.
……..
One night, Ying Qi lay in bed while watching his peacefully sleeping baby, who was clutching his hand inside the crib.
The baby didn't have a name yet, and he couldn't help but think that maybe that person had already decided on a name.
"What will he call you?"
He gently shook the baby's hand that caused the baby to make a soft noise and wriggled his hand a bit before quieting down again.
As he was about to drift off to sleep, he sensed someone behind him, who was whispering something softly near his ear, even though it was unclear, "I miss you...I really like you... how about calling him Xiaoqi? Or Qi Qi? Hmm?"
Following his lead, Ying Qi subconsciously responded, "Whatever is fine. Children can be called anything. Aren't you going to take care of him? It's pitiful for a child to be abandoned right after birth..."
"I'm not abandoning him. I just wanted you to take care of him first because I don't have time to care for him, especially since I don't know how to take care of a child. What if, I accidentally... um, you know, fell him to the floor because of my cluelessness?"
"There will always be a way, and you know that I didn't have experience before either, right? As long as you put in effort..." His words abruptly stopped as Ying Qi suddenly opened his eyes when he felt the warmth behind him, along with an inappropriate tongue in his ear and a hand moving towards his sensitive areas!
It wasn't a dream!
The person behind him quickly jumped to the foot of the bed to avoid the impending attack while licking his lips and appearing lazily indifferent. "Xiao Qi, it's been so long since we've seen each other. Why be so fierce as soon as we meet?"
Ying Qi widened his eyes. He felt completely deceived and fooled.
He actually thought...
"You didn't... did you collude with Young Master Ke to deceive me, or did you even deceive him? I thought he was so heartbroken... You scoundrel!"
Yin Ji looked at his furious expression, feeling a bit wronged. "How did I deceive you? I just forced you onto me and gave you some medicine, but you seemed to like this child a lot, didn't you? You'd be at a loss if you didn't like me!”
"It's my loss, huh?" Ying Qi clenched his fist tightly and swung it towards the unrepentant face of this shameless person.
Yin Ji intended to let him blow off some steam with a few punches but unexpectedly, this person came straight at his face, which is a big no.
So, he quickly extended his palm to block this powerful punch.
It was too dangerous!
If that fist had landed, his carefully maintained face would have been ruined again. Holding the hand of his beloved Xiao Qi, he teased, "Xiao Qi, my body hasn't fully recovered yet, so I can't take your punch. How about saving it for later?"
Pulling back his hand forcefully, Ying Qi's eyes involuntarily glanced at Yin Ji's stomach. Seeing this, Yin Ji immediately took off his clothes neatly and efficiently.
"Yin Ji! What are you..." Ying Qi was about to rebuke loudly but then remembered the sleeping child nearby and lowered his voice, "What are you doing? Why are you taking off your clothes?"
"I'm taking off my clothes to show you, didn't you want to see?" Yin Ji said matter-of-factly, and in the blink of an eye, he took off his shirt before beginning to also remove his pants.
Ying Qi stepped forward to stop him from taking off his pants while suppressing his anger. "Who said I wanted to see! What kind of rogue behavior is this! Quickly put your clothes back on... and go back where you came from!"
Yin Ji's hand paused mid-way through taking off his pants. His entire body felt drained, and he spoke with a muffled voice, "Xiao Qi, you still haven't forgiven me, have you? It seems I was too optimistic, thinking that... I'll leave then..." His trembling hand reluctantly withdrew from Ying Qi's grasp and held onto his clothes as he slowly walked towards the door.
Ying Qi stared at the swaying tip of his hair as he walked and thought about the horrifying wound he had seen on Yin Ji’s abdomen earlier. Although it was already healed, just the thought of the scene made him realize how intense it must have been.
Yin Ji was lucky to have survived.
So, watching him leave so decisively and although he was filled with doubt, Ying Qi couldn't help but try to persuade him, "Wait...just a moment..."
Swish—
Yin Ji, who was about to open the door, suddenly turned his head back and his eyes seemed to be flashing brightly.
Ying Qi, who had just made up his mind, felt a bit of regret in that instant but the words had already been spoken, so there was no turning back now. He could only watch as Yin Ji, like a released monkey...umm leopard, threw away his clothes and jumped onto his bed. "Xiao Qi—I knew you would stay with me. I really like you—"
After numerous attempts to break free from the tight embrace, Ying Qi finally gave up trying to push the person away. Luckily, the person didn't attempt anything else, so he reluctantly fell into a deep sleep. Especially, he was not sleeping properly for a long time…
———
"Why did you lie to me?”
"No! I'm really innocent!"
"When Young Master Ke handed the child to me, the expression on his face clearly said that!"
The expression of unbearable sadness didn't seem like an act.
"Are you sure he wasn't... struggling to hold back laughter?"
“...”
After a while, "Why do you insist on hiding away?"
The night that Yin Ji was taken away by Zuo Wuxiao, he almost thought he had given up.
But without hesitation, Yin Ji replied, "With such a big belly and looking so haggard, how could I let you see me? Of course, I have to hide away!"
"..."
In fact, he has already seen it.
"I really wasn't pretending to be pitiful..."
...
Regardless of love or not, it's only now that I have the qualification to say 'I love you.’
Translator note:
And that's it! That's the end of Ying Qi and Yin Ji's Story! The next chapter is the story of Zuo Wuxiao and Ke Weiqing.