The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 557: The Whole Family

Chapter 557: The Whole Family

As the evening settled into a pleasant rhythm and the meal neared completion, Xu Feng’s thoughts wandered to the festive atmosphere he’d enjoyed when he passed the spring exam.

Xuan Jian and Xuan Yang had gone all out, decorating the gazebo with paper lanterns and setting up a candlelit barbecue under the dual moons. Thinking back, it was quite romantic. The memory warmed his heart and sparked an idea.

Why not make this night special too?

The greenhouse was the perfect location. It was cozy, inviting, and far less effort than moving everything to the gazebo. It was only a few steps away from the kitchen.

"Do you know where the paper lanterns are kept?" Xu Feng asked Xu San, stretching his back as he glanced toward the greenhouse.

"They’re in the side storage room of the large reception room," Xu San replied, already wiping her hands, ready to retrieve them.

Before she could leave, Xu Hu Zhe intercepted. "I’ll get them," he said firmly, patting the third girl’s shoulder, and heading out with a purposeful stride. It was becoming a pattern—Xu San seemed to be repeatedly saved from physical labor today.

"We’ll dine in the greenhouse!" Xu Feng called after him.

His words sparked a ripple of movement. Without needing further instruction, everyone pitched in to transport the seating and a long table to the greenhouse.

Momo and Xu Zeng worked together to maneuver the heavy table. The teamwork wasn’t effortless, but two immortal beasts/demon beasts wouldn’t have too much trouble with the weight of the table.

Meanwhile, Xu Si stayed by Xu Feng’s side as his sole kitchen helper. Xiao Long, who had been perched on a futon nearby, watched his uncle work with curious eyes. The little one pouted briefly but didn’t fuss, earning a soft smile from Xu Feng.

To remove the pout from his son’s lips, he dipped a finger in the cooling barbecue sauce and poked a small taste into Xiao Long’s mouth.

"Ah!" The boy exclaimed after the explosion of flavor spread in his mouth. It was a spur-of-the-moment action for Xu Feng, but the grin on the youngest’s face made it all worth it.

He was raising a little foodie!

"Can you grab two bamboo picks of meat for Xiao Momo and Xiao An, and some sauce for Da Long?" Xu Feng asked Xu Si, noting the girl’s lingering glances between Xiao Long and the bustling greenhouse.

Xu Si nodded eagerly, retrieving the items before scooping up Xiao Long, who raised his tiny arms as if understanding the plan perfectly. Xu Feng chuckled. It seemed nothing could surprise him anymore in this world—not even how intuitive his children were.

Especially not that.

Turning his attention back to the pot of soup, the rich aroma signaled its readiness. Xu Feng stirred it gently, anticipation building. He was ready to dig in too. Food always has a way of soothing life’s many troubles. Tonight’s feast felt like the perfect balm for his soul.

The only thing that could make this night better was if his husbands were home.

The soft shuffle of feet coming from the direction of the reception room drew his attention. Xu Feng assumed it was Xu Hu Zhe who was returning with the decorations. As he added the final touch of seasoning to the soup, his mind wandered to Lee Hua and Min.

They hadn’t been seen since his nap. Surely, they were busy with estate matters, but they should join the feast. A portion of the meal would also be sent to the guards.

Xu San had already ensured everyone at Nanshan Estate shared in tonight’s abundance. The main kitchen was cooking up a meat-filled meal for all the inhabitants of their home.

"Hu Zhe, can you call Min and Lee Hua? Dinner will be ready soon," Xu Feng called out over his shoulder.

There was no response.

"Xu Hu Zhe?" he repeated, his brows furrowing. Silence. That wasn’t like Xu Hu Zhe at all. Had something delayed him? Or was there an issue?

Xu Feng turned to see what was taking so long, his eyes scanning the greenhouse entrance before moving toward the main courtyard. Had he taken the items to the greenhouse or was—

The thought didn’t even have time to finish its passage across Xu Feng’s mind when it seemed to malfunction.

Xu Feng’s eyes froze as they met a pair of familiar eyes—Xuan Jian’s—his breath hitched. Standing just behind him, slightly obscured but unmistakable, was Xuan Yang.

The two men who could make this moment sweeter than anything else were here.

They looked haggard, their faces drawn with fatigue, and Xuan Yang was noticeably thinner than Xu Feng remembered. But they were here. They were home.

Clatter.

The ladle slipped from Xu Feng’s hand, hitting the ground with a hollow clang. He didn’t even notice.

"Welcome home—" his voice cracked, his throat suddenly tight.

Xuan Jian stepped forward, his dark grey eyes softening as they took in Xu Feng’s expression. Before he could say anything, Xuan Yang moved as well, his gaze locking onto Xu Feng with the same intensity it always held for only himself and Jian.

For a moment, Xu Feng forgot the room, the greenhouse, the feast, and even the two babies he’d birthed. His world narrowed to the sight of his husbands.

"I—I wasn’t expecting you," Xu Feng managed, his voice trembling slightly. He pressed his palms to his cheeks, realizing they were damp. Was he crying? He hadn’t even noticed.

Xuan Jian reached him first, pulling him into a firm embrace that chased away the last traces of doubt. Xuan Yang followed, his hand resting against Xu Feng’s shoulder like he was afraid to let go.

If he let go, would Xu Feng disappear?

At no point in this reunion did either man mistake him for his brother. They were twins, but Xuan Jian and Xuan Yang seemed to know who their lover was immediately.

"I missed you both." Xu Feng said after an unknown amount of time. "Is there something you want to eat? We’re having a feast tonight in the greenhouse. Oh, and the children, the children are in the greenhouse—"

He was rambling, that much was obvious, but for the life of him, Xu Feng couldn’t find the stop button. It had self-destructed. The words were the only thing keeping Xu Feng from sobbing like a baby.

The line of tears was enough. He didn’t need to become completely undone in his lover’s arms. As if understanding his worries, Xuan Yang put a stop to the words.

"Hmmm." Xu Feng felt the other’s cool lips against his own, the temperature balancing the hot arms wrapped around his waist like a vice grip.

Xu Feng closed his eyes, letting their presence ground his racing heart. For the first time in what felt like forever, he felt truly at peace.

It was good to be home, but even better for everyone to be home.

Maybe he should have been more ambitious with their menu for the night. It was a homecoming for all, he should have had more dishes. Would there be enough food for everyone to eat their fill?

Why was he getting dizzy? Oh yeah, he needed to breathe! He couldn’t live on kisses alone, air was a nonnegotiable.