The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 609: Spring is Coming

Chapter 609: Spring is Coming

It had been a long, fulfilling winter, with a few precious weeks still left. Xu Feng found himself wishing it would never end—and not just because of the looming visit to the main Xuan household. Even though he was officially the "wife" of the young master of the Xuan family, Nanshan Estate was now unchangeably his.

Completely and rightfully his, independent of his marriage and the birth of their children.

In fact, his ownership had extended far beyond what he’d initially imagined. Xu Feng now held the deeds to the farmland worked by the villagers of Nanshan, and he knew silver and gold wouldn’t be an issue again, even if they didn’t have a sizable gold reserve.

He was now a landlord!

It was a surreal feeling—like a distant dream he’d never quite fully believed would come to pass. He knew what was in his marriage contract, but he never believed Lady Xuan would deliver on her promises. His plans had always been to "run with the balls," or keep Nanshan Estate (not including the farmland) after a clean divorce.

But even with that plan, there was the chance she could make his life miserable if Xu Feng stayed where she could easily find and torture him. Life imitates art, and there were one too many evil mother-in-law dramas in Dongmen.

How Xuan Yang had convinced Lady Xuan to agree without even meeting their children, Xu Feng still didn’t fully understand. Especially now that Xuan Jian was officially recognized as not only Xuan Yang’s "right hand" but also Xu Feng’s husband. He’d questioned it briefly, but Xuan Yang hadn’t elaborated, and Xu Feng hadn’t pressed.

Instead, Xu Feng focused on savoring each quiet moment of happiness, like the beautiful, unconventional wedding they had celebrated out of the traditional wedding seasons—spring and fall. The one they held in the cold winter month was much warmer than his first wedding in Donghua.

It wasn’t anything like their first wedding in many senses. Held without the pressure of elders and complicated family politics, it was simply a small, joyful gathering. The villagers from Nanshan Village attended the buffet like they had the first wedding, while Bai Mo, Xu Zeng, and all their closest friends and a few distinguished guests attended the actual ceremony.

This time, their vows had been heartfelt and honest, free of expectations and contracts. The three husbands had stood proudly together in the gentle warmth of Blooming Courtyard’s greenhouse. Even their sons were great hosts, although Da Long and Xiao Long were confused at the ceremony and the visitors they’d welcomed

The buffet for those not as close to the family was held at the main reception area of Nanshan Estate, far from the walls of Blooming Courtyard, but it was still lavish and warm, especially with all the recent renovations.

The hosts were most excited by the good mood and their friends—new and old—in fancy new clothes. The matching white fur-lined robes the cubs wore and the fur sets worn by the other children charmed everyone present. There had been no pressure, only music, joy, and a few varieties of strong wine that packed quite a punch.

Thinking back on it, Xu Feng smiled fondly at the memory, glancing up from his breakfast to the renovated greenhouse now bathed in gentle sunlight. It was a beautiful structure, with a clear glass casing allowing the sun’s rays to warm even the coldest winter day.

Xuan Yang was there, gracefully intercepting their two energetic sons as they explored their favorite place in the estate, even more favored than their new playroom in the main building. Da Long was racing around, occasionally stumbling but never staying down long, while Xiao Long, crawling swiftly, giggled behind his brother, eager to join the game.

Xiao Long still hadn’t walked yet, which was normal for a "four-month-old," or even a "7-8 month old," but worried Xu Feng a bit since he developmentally was around 14 to 15 months old. Despite his brother being able to walk three months ago, Xiao Long didn’t seem like he was even remotely interested in joining him.

Despite the idyllic setting and the warmth radiating from the greenhouse, Xu Feng’s heart felt unexpectedly heavy. Anxiety crept into his thoughts, dimming the pleasure of his breakfast—something that really should have been impossible; food was king after all.

Their children were growing rapidly, already appearing far older than their actual four months. Xuan Jian had reassured him that their accelerated growth rate wasn’t unusual for ger-born children carrying an immortal bloodline or demon beast heritage, but that didn’t fully soothe Xu Feng’s worry.

What would the Xuans think when they finally met Da Long and Xiao Long? Would they recognize them fully as Xuan Yang’s sons or treat them differently due to Xuan Jian’s involvement? The complexities of their potential bloodlines were a looming concern—they could have Xuan Jian’s dragon heritage or Xuan Yang’s abnormally potent snake bloodline.

Even if they were accepted by the Xuan family, it could put them at risk—Xu Feng had witnessed enough politics in his short time in Donghua to know that much. What he hadn’t seen was even grimmer.

"You’re thinking too much, again," Xuan Yang’s voice softly interrupted his spiraling thoughts. He had paused, holding Xiao Long securely in one arm while gently guiding Da Long back towards Xu Feng with the other. His dark eyes were gentle but seemed to see through the silver-haired ger.

Xu Feng forced a smile, shaking his head. "It’s hard not to."

Xuan Yang sighed but nodded as he stepped closer to press a kiss onto Xu Feng’s forehead. The warmth and reassurance from the gesture helped ease some of the lingering tension in his brows.

"Trust us; trust yourself," Xuan Yang murmured, settling beside him.

As if sensing their father’s worries, the boys immediately reached out to share their warmth. Da Long moved closer to Xu Feng’s leg without asking explicitly to be held, but Xu Feng couldn’t resist and pulled him close.

Xiao Long, still secure in Xuan Yang’s arms, eagerly reached out. "DADA!" he called enthusiastically, quickly finding his way into Xu Feng’s lap. Their bright, innocent faces immediately chased away any remaining dark thoughts.

Xuan Jian had reassured Xu Feng that they had a workaround to hide the children’s true bloodline purity—the same method Xuan Jian himself had used to lay low when entering the continent. It should keep their potential concealed effectively.

Still, powerful forces existed within Dongzhou, and they preferred not to awaken prematurely... at all—Xu Feng didn’t want that drama at all. As far as Xuan Jian was concerned, locating the vulnerabilities in the barrier shrouding Dongzhou remained their highest priority. Everything else, including these familial concerns, was secondary.

Yet Xu Feng couldn’t help but worry—not only about his children’s safety but also about the safety of his husbands, his brother, and his closest companions—particularly Xu Hu Zhe and Bai Mo, whose bloodline purity he had personally enhanced or at least helped enhance. But even with these worries looming, the tension was steadily melting away.

He hugged Da Long and Xiao Long close, letting their comforting warmth ground him firmly back in the present. "I just wish things could stay like this a little longer."

Xuan Yang nodded, eyes softening with understanding. "Spring comes, whether we want it or not. We’ll just have to face it together."

Xu Feng sighed dramatically but smiled despite himself. "Fine, but let me sulk a little longer first."

Xuan Yang chuckled gently, pressing another kiss to Xu Feng’s temple. "It seems to suit you."

*gulp*

Xu Feng was halfway through his breakfast when he became distracted, the savory aroma of freshly steamed mantou and fragrant congee momentarily forgotten. Before him was a traditional breakfast spread: steaming bowls of plain rice porridge garnished with chopped scallions, pickled vegetables with a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors, and fluffy scrambled eggs lightly seasoned with salt and sesame oil.

A small dish of dried pork floss sat at the edge of the table, ready to be sprinkled onto his porridge, and beside it were slices of salted duck egg yolk—rich, golden, and tempting.

Despite the enticing spread, Xu Feng found his focus shifting downward, caught by the earnest gaze of Xiao Long, who was doing everything but drooling. The large gulp had come from such a little body.

Their youngest, nestled comfortably in Xu Feng’s lap, was staring intently upward for an unknown amount of time, eyes large and expectant, mouth slightly open to reveal tiny white teeth—new and adorable.

Xu Feng chuckled softly, warmth flooding his heart as he reached for a spoonful of eggs, carefully bringing it to Xiao Long’s waiting mouth. The boy’s eyes immediately narrowed in blissful delight, cheeks bulging out comically like a chipmunk hoarding for winter.

"You’re just like your father," Xu Feng murmured, amusement clear in his voice. But even as he said it, he wondered exactly which father Xiao Long took after in terms of appetite. Was it Xuan Jian’s hearty appetite, Xuan Yang’s deceptively voracious cravings, or perhaps even his own subtle but undeniable appreciation for good food?

He shook his head lightly. Whoever the child resembled, Xiao Long certainly loved to eat.

The cubs had transitioned to solid foods quicker than the parenting books suggested, though they still drank milk and formula regularly. But seeing Xiao Long chew enthusiastically, small fists balled up in excitement as he swallowed and eagerly opened his mouth for more, Xu Feng hoped he wasn’t spoiling him—or worse, harming his digestion by allowing too much too soon.

Maybe he wasn’t doing everything exactly by the book, but looking at the bright, healthy cub in his lap chewing with gusto and the other smiling up at him, Xu Feng couldn’t help but think that maybe being flexible wasn’t so bad.