The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 542: Gates of Nanshan

Chapter 542: Gates of Nanshan

A man who oddly seemed like he could fit in anywhere appeared in the center of a quiet forest that had previously been scarily still. His silver hair blew gently in the breeze, moving strands across his forehead.

His frame was shorter than it had been a few moments before, but taller than it had been when he last found himself in this particular part of the forest.

The forest was unchanged in its eerie stillness, but this time, the silence felt more like a welcome embrace than an ominous warning. The man, now fully in tune with the stillness, tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into a subtle, knowing smile.

The silver-haired ger with the deep red mark on his forehead stood there, relaxed. It was as though the forest recognized him, and he, too, recognized this form. Yes, he was a ger again. Xu Feng, or rather, the version of Xu Feng that the people of Donghua knew, had returned.

This form, though altered, felt natural—as if slipping into an old skin.

He glanced down at his outfit, not exactly fitting for these ancient woods but chosen with care. No elaborate robes, no embroidered tunics—he hadn’t exactly packed traditional clothing in his space.

The sleek design of the grey baby carriers stood out against the dark fabric of his shirt, slung perfectly over his shoulders, one on the front and one on his back. It was a double model, just enough to carry the two little buns that now rested against his chest and back.

Xu Feng exhaled deeply, tasting the air of Donghua.

It was different. Crisp, clean—nothing like the polluted stench of Dongmen. This air was lighter, and familiar, even if it lacked the magical allure of the air inside his space or the soothing essence of Dong Yang’s. Still, he made it. They made it.

Anything—anything—was better than Dongmen. Xu Feng’s chest swelled with emotions he hadn’t prepared for, and before he knew it, his feet were moving.

He had no map, no clear idea of where he needed to go, but his body seemed to know. His instincts guided him deeper into the forest, as though the land itself recognized him and was leading him home.

With one hand, Xu Feng gently rubbed the round head of the child strapped to his front—Da Long. The touch was comforting, not just for the child but for him as well.

The other bun—Xiao Long—rested peacefully against his back, quiet and unmoving. Xu Feng smiled. Both were fast asleep, their soft breaths creating a rhythmic hum that matched the steady beat of Xu Feng’s footsteps. ’Thank the heavens they were sleeping.’

Xu Feng was grateful for their slumber. These babies were definitely bigger than he expected, but at least they slept like babies were supposed to.

And if dramas and TV shows had taught him anything, it was that babies sleeping meant parents could get some rest—though, for today, rest was a luxury.

He chuckled under his breath, the sound sharp but amused. He was supposed to train with Xuan Jian, wasn’t he? That was the plan—or at least, that’s what they said.

However, no one really expected Xu Feng to do much training. They were coddling him, just like they always did. But now, thanks to his...adventure back to Dongmen, Xu Feng had gotten more "exercise" than he ever bargained for.

"Hah." The laugh escaped him, dry and tinged with irony.

Xu Feng grinned as he gave Da Long’s tiny hand a gentle squeeze. "Your dad’s hopeless," he whispered fondly, rubbing the small fingers nestled against his chest.

The cool air of the back mountains nipped at his skin, but the two cubs—his cubs—kept him warm. They were like little furnaces, radiating heat. Xu Feng hadn’t even noticed the cold until now, thanks to the warmth pressed so intimately against him.

The thought crossed his mind: ’Were all dragonborn babies like this?’ Perfectly regulated little heat generators?

He couldn’t help but wonder. Would they grow up to be more athletic than him, too? The odds were not in his favor.

He could almost hear Xuan Jian’s voice teasing him, telling him to stop overthinking. But how could he not? These were his children. Their children.

Xu Feng’s pace quickened as if his feet knew exactly where to take him. The forest around him grew denser before it became sparser, the trees towering overhead like silent guardians.

Xu Feng’s smile was something uncontrollable. His happiness was practically overflowing. He was back home—well, almost. Sure, he hadn’t become the scarily domineering, dragon-blooded warrior he had hoped to be, even after awakening his memories and powers.

He was still just a strangely "weak" plant ability user. Even though he could smash zombies, he wasn’t the picture of intimidating strength he’d imagined.

His home was just barely out of sight as the day started in full swing. Xu Feng had been walking through the forest for hours, ever since nightfall. He had begun his journey back to this world the day before, hopping between spaces until he finally arrived.

It didn’t feel like much time had passed, but he knew somehow that time had been lost in the transitions between spaces.

When they touched down in the Nanshan woods, it had already been early morning, before the sun rose. The pale light of the two moons had guided his path through the overgrown forest, their soft glow reflecting off the dew-covered leaves and damp earth.

A stray thought flitted through his mind as he walked: overgrown snakes and wild boars too large for their own good. There were plenty of those roaming these mountains.

His stomach grumbled softly. But stopping for food wasn’t in the plan—unless the children needed something.

As he walked, Xu Feng’s thoughts kept drifting to his sleeping children. They slept so deeply, too deeply for his peace of mind. He constantly checked on them, pressing his hand against their small backs to feel their breaths and make sure their bodies stayed warm. He barely had experience with human children, let alone cubs.

The tree line began to thin as the forest started to give way to open land. He kept walking, his steady pace carrying him closer to familiar ground.

The sky lightened gradually as the forest came to life behind him. The path ahead became clearer as the forest opened fully, revealing the familiar expanse beyond.

But just as he was about to let out a sigh of relief, a sudden thought hit him—a dad responsibility he had entirely neglected.

Were their diapers full?

There was a smell. A suspicious smell. But... there were smells in a forest, right?

Even Xu Feng could tell this was a poor excuse. He wasn’t getting the hang of this dad thing as easily as he’d thought he would. He’d put those diapers on hours ago, and not once had he thought to check them since...

With a sigh, Xu Feng dropped his bundles at the edge of the grass. He laid out the changing cloth directly on the cold earth, muttering to himself as he worked.

Once Da Long was cleaned and dressed in fresh clothes, Xu Feng turned his attention to Xiao Long, who was still snugly nestled in the carrier on his back. The second cub proved to be just as much of a mess as the first.

Xu Feng huffed, half-laughing as he changed him too, muttering under his breath about how it was two against one.

With both buns now properly changed and wrapped back into their cozy carriers with a few more clothes tacked on, Xu Feng slung the baby bag over his shoulder and set off once more.

.

.

.

It was hard to say how much time passed as Xu Feng trudged across the open field.

Soon enough, the familiar walls of the Nanshan Estate came into view, looming large and steady against the soft morning light. Xu Feng’s heart swelled at the sight, a warm wave of relief washing over him.

He had made it.

His steps slowed as he reached the larger entrance.

Xu Feng stood there for a moment, staring up at the familiar gates. It felt like he had been gone for months and lifetimes at the same time.

A voice from beyond the gate came through.

"Master Xu?"

He was Master Xu, wasn’t he?

Xu Feng smiled slowly at the call. And then came another call.

*Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle!

The first call would not be outdone by the cry of his stomach. Even in the early morning light, it needed to let all those in earshot know, the master of the estate was home, and he was hungry...

Xu Feng’s smile froze on his face.

He really was really hungry.

"Young Master Xu?" Another call came, but this time it wasn’t from Nanshan Estate. It was a voice he remembered, but not one he heard too often. It came from a different pathway, the one leading down to the Nanshan Village below his estate.