The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 559: Return of a Dancer

Chapter 559: Return of a Dancer

The greenhouse buzzed with warmth and life as the soft glow of paper lanterns flickered overhead. Their delicate light shimmered against the walls and fresh wooden beams. It cast a dreamy glow that mingled with the twilight filtering in from above.

Xu Feng stood at the entrance, momentarily still, taking in the familiar yet altered sight. Every time he entered the greenhouse in the last few hours, it stunned him. Yet, the greenhouse wasn’t as vibrant as he remembered.

The Dragon Chrysanthemums—once lush and overflowing in the space—seemed thinner, their blooms less full. The unknown seeds he had planted months ago—maybe even a year earlier—had sprouted but looked weak, their leaves drooping as if weighed down by the absence of their caretaker.

The air felt cooler, lacking the dense humidity it once held. Despite the muted greenery, the space brimmed with warmth—not from plants, but from people. Family. Friends. And most importantly, his children.

Laughter echoed as Xiao Long, with his bright eyes and contagious giggle, pivoted his head between the Lee children—Lee An and Lee Mo—basking in the attention they were showering on him.

It seemed the little boy was a natural social butterfly, easily fitting into any group, his cheerful squeals and other "unidentified" noises drawing soft chuckles from the adults around.

Da Long, on the other hand, was more composed and had found his way into Xuan Yang’s arms, perfectly content in the quiet safety of his family.

Xu Feng watched this with a soft smile as he made himself comfortable after setting down the fried meat dish he’d brought.

Both boys seemed cautious around Xuan Jian—their papa—who seemed much more intimidating than their father, Xuan Yang. This wasn’t what Xu Feng would have expected. Xuan Yang was more frosty to him when they first met. Xuan Jian was his iceberg, but he was always a sweetheart when it counted.

He would have guessed Xuan Jian’s gentle nature would draw the boys, but surprisingly, it was Xuan Yang whom Da Long felt most relaxed with. Xuan Jian, despite his quiet affection, seemed to intimidate them—a twist Xu Feng hadn’t seen coming.

Xu Zeng, meanwhile, seemed at peace among the plants. Xu Feng’s eyes softened as he watched his brother absentmindedly brush his fingers along the leaves while simultaneously juggling the attention of the three energetic children.

Xu Zeng’s fingers lingered on the brittle edges of a wilted Dragon Chrysanthemum, his expression unreadable. The sight tugged at something deep within Xu Feng—a sense of belonging, of family finally whole.

As the evening deepened, the spirits began to flow. Jars of common Yilin spirits were passed around, their sharp aroma cutting through the greenhouse air.

Xu Feng took a cautious sip and winced. Strong, yes—but not pleasant. How could people subject themselves to this?

He turned to Xu Hu Zhe, mischief glinting in his eyes. "Do we still have any of my fruit wines, or have you all drunk me dry while I was gone?"

Xu Hu Zhe’s eyes widened before a small smile played on his lips making the scales under his eyes glisten. He was almost confused, but he remembered his master, his...Xu Feng was always a strange one.

Disappearing for a moment was all it took before Hu Zhe returned with several clay jars. The smell drew most of the adult’s eyes as soon as he entered the greenhouse.

The fruit wine glistened as it was poured, its sweet scent immediately softening the sharpness of the room. The first sip brought a pleased hum from Xu Feng. Smooth, rich, and just the right amount of sweetness.

A whole new level of enjoyment was unlocked!

The mood shifted from happiness to elation. The attention wasn’t too focused on Xu Feng or even the two sets of returnees to the estate.

Conversations flowed freely, and laughter was louder and easier. The slight awkwardness that had clung like fog earlier evaporated. Xu Feng’s chest swelled with joy.

His children—his bright little suns—were the heart of it all. One silently shining and the other a small giggling bundle.

Xiao Long’s delighted shrieks filled the air as he showed off to the Lee Mo and Lee An, while Da Long, calmly observed everything with wide, curious eyes.

Xu Feng raised his cup again, running a finger along the rim absentmindedly. Was he drunk? No—probably not yet. Maybe. Nah...But he didn’t care.

For the first time in what felt like forever, every little sound didn’t make him jump. No flinch, no instinctive glance over his shoulder. The weight of the apocalypse, of survival and endless tension, loosened its grip.

Here, now, he was safe. Home.

He sighed, rolled his eyes, and lifted his glass again—but paused. His eyes flashed and his flushed expression became a bit more noticeable. Slowly, deliberately, Xu Feng began to move, his limbs jerking stiffly.

Xuan Jian, mid-sip, more like mid-gulp, froze—the doting smile on his lips turning brittle as he watched his lover begin his strange mating dance. Xuan Yang’s ever-composed face tinged red.

It all happened so fast, it seemed like a bit of a fever dream.

Xu Feng grinned wide, movements becoming more mechanical. "Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto..." he half-sang, half-giggled, his arms stiffly chopping through the air.

Xuan Jian blinked. Once. Twice. His brain was buffering.

Xuan Yang moved first. He clutched Da Long more securely and glanced at Xu Zeng, his brother-in-law, the silent intention clear as he transferred his son over to the other man.

Xu Zeng, without looking up, waved a hand and secured his hold on the sleepy Da Long. "Momo, Hu Zhe, and I will watch the cubs."

He and Xu Hu Zhe didn’t drink any of the alcohol. Bai Mo had drunk several glasses but seemed to be holding his liquor very well. Much better than many of the men present who were larger than him, a ger.

Satisfied, Xuan Yang strode forward, intent on stopping whatever madness Xu Feng had planned. Xuan Jian wasn’t far behind, though his expression had shifted to something... unreadable.

Xu Feng, still caught in his ridiculous dance, barely noticed until two strong arms caught him—one warm, one cool—effectively sandwiching him between his husbands.

"I’m not even done yet!" Xu Feng huffed, breathless from laughter. "Let me show off my moves!"

Xuan Yang leaned in, voice low. "You’ll regret it in the morning."

Xuan Jian said nothing but tightened his hold, his face buried in Xu Feng’s shoulder—whether to hide laughter or exasperation, no one could tell.

Xuan Yang looks a bit longer at his lover—the person he loved and cherished and had been grieving for months, this idiot.

He simply nodded at Xu Zeng, his idiot was escalating, and there were people around who really didn’t need to see this "performance".

Laughter rippled around them, light and free. The paper lanterns swayed above, casting golden light on the family gathered below. For now, it was enough.

They were home...well, to bed. Together.

Xu Feng pulled back slightly, before melting into Xuan Yang’s arms. It was too comfortable, he didn’t want to leave the arms of his love, his young master, his snake.

Xuan Yang had already gently kissed both his cubs on the forehead before his handover. With a final nod to the others in the room, he smoothly lifted the silver-haired ger into his arms.

Xu Feng’s weight seemed negligible, but the motion was uncharacteristically hurried—a change from Xuan Yang’s usual composed, scholarly demeanor. He didn’t seem to care.

His only goal was to carry his idiot husband back to their room. Without hesitation, he strode out of the greenhouse, ignoring the amused glances that followed.

Xuan Jian sighed softly. "There are two rooms on the other side of Blooming Courtyard," he informed his brother in law.

There were three grown men—Bai Mo, Xu Hu Zhe, and Xu Zeng—and two dragon cubs. However, the baby bed in the room Xuan Jian and Xuan Yang had been sharing during Xu Feng’s absence was the most suitable place for them... other than with their fathers.

"Budding Courtyard is sufficient. The boys remember it, don’t you?" Xu Zeng asked, glancing down at the sleepy Da Long in his arms.

The two buns were barely awake, their internal clocks ringing nonstop—no wine needed. It was well past their bedtime.

Xiao An sat quietly beside her ger dad, her eyelids drooping. Xiao Momo was even worse off, sprawled across the laps of Min and one of his brothers who adored spoiling him.

The little ger seemed completely lost in sleep, a thin line of drool trailing down his cheek. Still, his cuteness couldn’t be hidden in the slightest.

Unexpectedly, Xiao An softly murmured, "I remember."

Her small voice surprised everyone, and warm smiles spread around the room.

Still half-asleep, Little Momo mumbled, "Sleep together..." as he instinctively reached out to clutch Xu Zeng’s clothes, like some sort of magnetic force took control of his body.

Lee Hua hesitated, instinctively reaching to reel in his spoiled little ger, but Min gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "It’ll be fine," Min assured him after exchanging a glance with Xu Zeng.

Two more children wouldn’t be too much for three adults to manage for just one night—hopefully. They could only really hope.

And so it was settled.

The greenhouse gradually quieted, the warm light of the lanterns flickering as the family slowly drifted off to their respective rooms, those without children in their care remaining to clean up the space.

"I haven’t practiced with jade eggs in a while" A voice was heard heading back to the main house from the greenhouse...