The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 608: The Aftermath

Chapter 608: The Aftermath

The temperature in the room was just right. Not too hot, not too cold—just the perfect balance of warmth and comfort. Xu Feng was sprawled across the soft bedding, the weight of exhaustion pressing him deep into the mattress.

The ache of the morning’s activities and the lingering soreness from their late-night "sessions" had finally faded, soothed by rest, fresh blankets, and the real powerhouse—a fresh batch of seeds.

Xu Feng still wasn’t sure where Xuan Jian had gotten them from. They weren’t from his usual stash. His husband had assured him they were common seeds, nothing he’d want to plant in the greenhouse. After savoring the restorative energy that rushed through his body, it was undeniable it was what he needed.

It had left him feeling rejuvenated—almost skinless—as though every inch of him had been peeled away and renewed. He had promptly collapsed into a deep sleep after that, sinking into the bed like the saltiest salted fish to ever exist.

And he would have stayed that way for hours longer—if not for the soft rustling of sheets beside him.

His head remained buried in the pillow, silver strands spilling across the fabric in a tousled mess, but his awareness sharpened. The warmth to his right shifted, a tiny weight adjusting itself. Xu Feng kept his breathing even, playing at sleep for just a little longer.

But then—

"Da... Da..."

The hesitant call was so soft at first, barely more than a breath of sound, like the little voice wasn’t entirely sure if he had imagined the difference in his father’s breathing.

Xu Feng’s heart clenched.

That confusion didn’t last long.

A beat later, the tiny voice grew confident, embracing what his instincts told him was true.

"DADA! DADA!"

Xiao Long’s excited claps followed immediately after, his little hands smacking together in glee as soon as Xu Feng turned his head and cracked his eyes open.

The silver-haired ger blinked away sleep and was instantly greeted by the sight of his youngest sitting further back on the large bed, beaming at him.

Xu Feng had to pause.

Big.

His little dragon was big now.

Xiao Long had been nothing but a squirming bundle of warmth when he first found them struggling in his space four months ago. Four months. His mind still struggled to wrap itself around the rapid pace of their growth.

By all accounts, based on his modern parenting books, his children looked anywhere between fourteen to eighteen months old. A full year ahead of where they should have been.

Xuan Jian had assured him it was normal. "Their growth is only slightly faster than most ger born children. It’ll stabilize soon."

To outsiders, their size wouldn’t be too strange. People would assume he had given birth earlier than claimed—hiding them away until he had fully recovered. It wasn’t uncommon, especially among high-status families. And, of course, the boys had been seen in Yilin Town over the last few months—when the weather had permitted.

Still.

It didn’t change how strange it was to see his babies so big already.

And yet, looking at Xiao Long’s chubby cheeks and bright eyes, clapping with all the energy in the world, Xu Feng couldn’t help but smile.

A genuine, full, unrestrained smile.

A blur of movement caught his eye.

In front of Xiao Long, Da Long sat with a toy clenched in his hands—an intricately sewn, stuffed sword. A custom order Xuan Jian had requested from Xu Si. Because, of course, his husband would get them weapons before they could fully stand on their own.

Xu Feng had no objections. Not even when the collection of toys had expanded beyond that—there were daggers, but also softer, non-violent toys he had brought back. Xiao Long had a preference for the stuffed axe and currently had it tucked beside him.

But Da Long?

The sword was his favorite.

Xu Feng didn’t even get the chance to brace himself before Da Long spotted him awake, got to his feet abandoning the toy in his haste, and launched himself forward with all the determination of a seasoned warrior.

Tiny feet pounded across the mattress.

Xu Feng barely had a second to prepare before his eldest dove toward him, headfirst.

Instinct kicked in, and he caught the boy mid-attack, arms wrapping securely around him to prevent what would have surely been a brutal headbutt to the face. He wasn’t sure who would take more damage between the two of them.

... his son had a hard head... he had no idea who he inherited it from...

"Da Long," he chided lightly, voice still husky from sleep. "Are you trying to knock your poor but extremely handsome dad unconscious?"

Da Long giggled, utterly unrepentant, pressing his round face into Xu Feng’s chest with a delighted squeal.

Not to be left out, Xiao Long crawled over with alarming speed, throwing himself into the mix with a laugh. His small body burrowed into the puppy pile, his soft weight pressing against Xu Feng’s side.

Laughter filled the room.

Warmth flooded Xu Feng’s chest, something bright and all-consuming.

A gentle chuckle sounded from the other side of the room.

Xu Feng had sensed the fourth presence the moment he had awoken, but only now did he turn his attention toward the man standing before them.

Xuan Yang stood nearby, watching them with unreadable eyes, but the fondness in his gaze was undeniable.

And their little family had two dragons, a snake, and two little cubs.

Xu Feng pressed a kiss to each of his sons’ heads, then grinned up at Xuan Yang. "You’re just standing there? Not joining?"

Xuan Yang smiled as his expression softened even more. "You three look like you’re having plenty of fun without me."

Xu Feng chuckled as the boys rubbed their hair against his neck.

Da Long, still half-laughing, reached out a chubby hand toward his father standing at the edge of the bed. He was enjoying his time with his favorite people—okay he had a lot of favorite people—but he still remembered to invite his father to their puppy pile.

Xuan Yang hesitated for only a second before sighing, making his way over.

The moment he sat beside them, Xu Feng reached out, intertwining their fingers. His husband’s palm was cool, but it was just right. Xu Feng let his eyes slip closed again, content.

All that was missing now was Xuan Jian. Then, their little family would be complete.

...

The entire family consisted of early risers. Xu Feng was, admittedly, the latest riser of the bunch, and he had no plans to completely change that anytime soon. The salted fish life he strove for demanded he get as much beauty sleep as he could at any given time.

He was a nap king, after all.

While running the Silver Scale jam store turned pastry store, he’d reluctantly gotten into the habit of rising early every few days to check on sales and stock. However, it wasn’t as if he was aiming for some award for early rising. Shouldn’t the shop’s masters be granted special privileges, after all?

Still, he was certain it was morning—though, seeing his sons already fully dressed and ready to conquer the day, he felt the need to finally push himself into action.

With Xuan Yang’s gentle assistance, Xu Feng managed to untangle himself carefully from the playful pile of giggling children and wet kisses. He stood slowly, muscles only pleasantly sore now, and proceeded to clean himself lightly. There was no need for anything thorough; either Jian or Yang had clearly done an extensive job earlier, after their second intimate session in the very early morning hours.

After freshening up, Xu Feng slipped into thick, comfortable robes and wrapped a warm, fur-lined cloak around himself. It had initially been an afterthought, yet the cloak perfectly complemented the fur-lined socks someone had chosen for his children.

He smiled to himself as he realized his sons, Da Long and Xiao Long, wore similarly styled outfits—both dressed in adorable miniature versions, complete with matching fur detailing along their hems and collars. Xu Feng rarely dressed exactly like his sons, but coordinating their clothing brought him a bit too much joy—one of life’s simple, precious pleasures.

"Stay right here, in the center," Xuan Yang instructed softly, meeting their boys’ bright, eager eyes. Both little ones nodded solemnly, hands folded neatly on their laps, looking impossibly cute sitting together on the enormous bed.

Their toys were momentarily forgotten as they kept their word... nod.

Xuan Yang moved silently to Xu Feng’s side, gathering his long silver hair in capable hands. Xu Feng was confident enough in his ability to tie up his hair now—it had grown long again, cascading down his back in silken waves—but Xuan Yang’s help was always welcome.

His husband’s touch was gentle yet precise, tying the locks into a simple, elegant style befitting Donghua fashion and customs. It always amazed him how a "pampered young master" was so good at styling his hair.

"Comfortable?" Xuan Yang asked, his voice soft and attentive, fingers smoothing stray hairs back into place.

"Mmm," Xu Feng responded, smiling at the man through the bronze mirror.

Before Xuan Yang began working his magic, they’d adjusted their positions to ensure they maintained sight of their sons, though both boys understood the importance of not roughhousing on elevated surfaces. Da Long and Xiao Long continued to sit obediently, exchanging toys and giggling to themselves, occasionally glancing up to look at their dad and father.

"The New Year," Xuan Yang started quietly, and Xu Feng instantly understood what he meant. It was already mid-March, and this year, the Lunar New Year would arrive unusually late—falling at the start of April.

They had promised the Xuan family they’d return to the main household in Donghua City for the celebration. They had promised...