The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 586: Touching Trees

Chapter 586: Touching Trees

Xu Feng wasn’t the clumsiest person in the world, but even he knew that walking with both babies in his arms—already drowsy and heavy with sleep—was a risk he didn’t need to take. It was different when they were secured against him in a carrier, snug and safe.

He could pretend that pride was more important than caution, but that wasn’t the case. Not when it came to his children.

Safety first. Always.

The night had ended in chaos.

But this type of chaos... this just might be his new normal.

With Xiao Long and Da Long cleaned and changed into fresh pajamas—a pair of matching light blue and light green onesies patterned with tiny airplanes—their war against sleep was nearly over.

The two boys were already halfway into dreamland, their little heads bobbing slightly as their bodies fought to stay awake. Limbs spasming by the force of will to stay awake.

Xu Feng moved slowly around the nursery, rubbing Da Long’s back in gentle, rhythmic circles as he rocked him. The soft weight of his son in his arms was grounding, even as exhaustion crept up on him. Across the room, Xiao Long was tucked against Xuan Yang’s chest, eyes barely open, but still watching.

Still waiting.

Xu Feng huffed softly. These two were something else. They had a preference, and tonight, they had made it clear—they wanted their ger dad.

At least they weren’t crying anymore.

With careful movements, he placed Da Long down into his crib, his small fingers still curled tightly around Xu Feng’s sleeve even as sleep fully took him. His grip only relaxed after a few more quiet strokes over his back. Once satisfied, Xu Feng turned toward his other little cub, already reaching for Xiao Long.

A quiet whisper from the doorway made him pause.

The other four children had arrived.

Xiao An and Xiao Momo were escorted inside, each rubbing their eyes sleepily as they padded into the nursery with quiet steps. Behind them, the new babies followed one held by Xu San and the other by Xu Si.

Xu Feng watched them with quiet amusement. Even putting all the children to sleep was an ordeal, but this was their normal. The two Lee children had been sleeping with the cubs since they returned to Nanshan Estate—would it be fair to separate the newcomers?

Would Xiao An and Xiao Momo even allow it?

He hummed, absently rubbing the back of Xiao Long’s head as the boy settled against his chest.

His nursery was big enough now, but what about in the future?

Where would the children sleep if the number grew?

Would they stay in a separate courtyard? Would they take over one of the unused wings of the estate? Or—would they be raised among the servants?

His gaze flickered toward the cribs and small beds neatly arranged around the nursery.

He hadn’t thought about it before—not thoroughly. He was already running a home, but was he also running a daycare... and night care center?

It was something to think about. But not tonight.

Night waits for no one.

One by one, the children succumbed to sleep, the soft rhythm of their breathing filling the nursery until the only ones left standing were three adults.

And even that wouldn’t last much longer.

The courtyard outside was silent. Not even their dogs barked in the distance. The night air was crisp, but the warmth inside the nursery kept the cold at bay.

There were things to discuss. Things to plan. But Xu Feng was barely holding on to consciousness at this point. The exhaustion that had been creeping at the edges of his awareness all evening finally crashed down on him in full force.

His limbs felt heavy.

His thoughts drifted.

And just as a yawn racked his body, making his eyelids flutter—

He was airborne.

Strong arms wrapped around him effortlessly, lifting him from his feet as if he weighed nothing at all.

Xu Feng didn’t even flinch.

There was no point in fighting it.

The warmth of his iceberg settled around him like a cocoon, and he let himself melt into it.

The day had been long. Tomorrow would likely be just as busy. If Xuan Jian wanted to carry him, who was he to refuse?

Half lidded eyes flickered up at him, a faint, drowsy smile playing at his lips. "You’re spoiling me."

Xuan Jian didn’t respond with words—he only held him closer, his grip firm but careful as he carried him out of the nursery.

Xu Feng sighed softly, allowing his eyes to close.

The nursery door was left open—not that it was necessary. He suspected Xuan Jian’s hearing was better than both his and Xuan Yang’s combined. The two of them would wake the moment any of the children so much as stirred.

The warm air of their bedroom greeted him before he even realized they had crossed the threshold. Unlike the main hall where they had dined earlier, their private rooms were fitted with heated flooring, making the chill of the night melt away the moment they stepped inside.

Xu Feng relaxed even further.

More renovations were coming. The heating would be extended across the entire estate. It was expensive, yes, but they had the funds now. And Xu Feng wanted his people to live comfortably.

Xu Zeng had even agreed to it without complaint. His hard earned booty was being freely spent—with his permission.

More changes were afoot.

Xu Feng smiled faintly at the thought.

The warmth of the room seeped into his skin, and he barely registered the way his clothes were being removed, the fabric slipping off his shoulders with ease.

They knew him too well.

He didn’t like sleeping in his outside clothes. He preferred fresh, clean, and loose clothing before bed—it was one of his small habits. And without a word, his husbands made sure of it.

He’d spent the evening caring for their children.

And now, they were caring for him.

As Xu Feng was dressed in something soft, something comfortable, something meant only for sleep, a quiet voice rumbled near his ear.

"Sleep, Feng’er."

And—

He didn’t fight it.

.

.

.

The carriage was filled with a soft hum of excitement, a mixture of giddy laughter, and tiny gasps as the older children marveled at the world outside.

The two smallest, Little Treasure and Big Treasure—Xu Feng hadn’t yet given them permanent names, but for now, they were his treasures—were snuggled into baskets lined with warm blankets. Their tiny forms were practically swallowed by the soft blue onesies they wore, their round faces peeking out from the fabric.

Next to them, Xiao Long and Da Long were dressed in matching aquatic themed onesies, both blue but with different embroidered details. Xiao Long had a little fishes stitched onto his chest, while Da Long had a tiny whale.

Across from them, Xiao An and Xiao Momo sat perched on their seats, eyes wide with curiosity as they peeked out the windows of the carriage. Their clothes were also fished out from Xu Feng’s personal stash—modern outfits from his old world.

Momo, the little ger, wore a stylish boy’s outfit, complete with a soft knitted vest that made him look more mature than his years. Xiao An’s outfit was meant for a five year old—it fit well enough, but it was clear that if she had been any taller, the modern clothes wouldn’t have worked.

Xu Feng made a mental note to check if that was the largest size he had in his storage. He’d have to make some custom clothes for Xiao An if that was the case.

All four babies were settled in temporary baskets, safely tucked beside them with a stroller folded away beneath the carriage seat.

Xu Feng knew this trip wouldn’t be easy. Six children, all under the age of five, and only five adults to manage them. Xu Si, Xu San, and Lee Hua had their hands full with the estate and the start of the renovations, which meant that today, the responsibility of managing all six children fell to him, Xuan Yang, Xuan Jian, Xu Zeng, and Xu Hu Zhe.

It should be fine.

Right?

Guomin was supposed to take over as his official driver soon, but for today, they had kept things the same. Xu Feng rationalized that leaving him behind just this once wouldn’t cause any problems. He needed to see how their store in Yilin Town was doing, and there was no better way to shut down rumors than by appearing in public, looking exactly as he was—unapologetically himself.

And besides, hiding away had never worked anyway...

The ride was smooth, with the wheels of the carriage gliding effortlessly over the well traveled roads leading toward Yilin Town. The gentle rocking lulled Little Treasure and Big Treasure into light sleep, their tiny fingers curling around the edges of their blankets. Xiao Long and Da Long weren’t far behind, their onesie covered feet occasionally kicking out before they, too, dozed off.

But Xiao An and Xiao Momo? They were completely awake.

Their eyes filled with awe as they took in the scenery rolling by.

"Look! Look!" Xiao Momo exclaimed, pointing excitedly at the vast fields stretching across the horizon. "Tree!"

Xiao An nodded rapidly, her small hands gripping the edge of the window as she tried to see more as if they had never seen trees before. "And those trees! They’re bigger than home!"

Xu Feng chuckled, watching the two. "This is your first time leaving the estate in a while, isn’t it?"

Xiao An turned, her bright eyes looking up at him cleverly. "Yes!"

Xiao Momo nodded eagerly. "Can we go outside and touch the trees?"

Xu Feng blinked. "No."

Both children groaned in disappointment, but before they could complain further, Xuan Yang cut in with a rare amused smile. "In the spring when you’re a bit older and it is warmer."

Xiao Momo huffed but didn’t argue. Xiao An, on the other hand, turned her attention back to the window, content to continue watching in silence.