TPLTMOE – Chapter 87

Chapter 87: Extra 4 – Pregnancy (4)

The little Omega couldn't manage on his own and ultimately had to rely on the enigma's help. Fortunately, Jiang Zhiyu had already become quite adept at the entire process and technique.

His long, slender middle and ring fingers pressed together, the veins on the back of his hand faintly visible in a muted bluish-gray, like ancient vines tangled in muddy marshland. The slightly rough pads of his fingers, careful not to scrape delicate skin, moved with an impossibly gentle touch.

But it was still unbearable.

Ling Ran bit his lip, refusing to make a sound, his eyes tightly shut. Tiny glistening tears welled up at the corners, dampening his long, thick lashes. His breath hitched sharply in his throat, his legs trembling uncontrollably. He wanted to turn over, but the pillow behind him held him firmly in place.

All he could do was reach out with damp, reddened eyes to pull at Jiang Zhiyu's hand.

He could feel it—the soft entrance of his reproductive cavity had already been forced open.

But it hadn't yet reached the threshold the doctor had mentioned, so Jiang Zhiyu didn't relent.

His gaze darkened, avoiding the little Omega's eyes, his expression focused and serious, as if he were the most patient and meticulous researcher, slowly probing and exploring.

Finally, he used his now-warmed fingertips to circle and rub, teasing gently.

The entire process seemed to stretch on endlessly. When it was nearly done, Jiang Zhiyu lifted his glistening, wet fingers.

Ling Ran's cheeks were flushed, his face buried in the pillow, unwilling to look. His fluffy nape seemed to radiate a hint of grievance, like a pitiful little thing, heavily pregnant and yet still bullied.

And indeed, he had been bullied—though mainly in strict adherence to the doctor's orders, for the sake of his health.

Jiang Zhiyu first went to wash his hands, then returned with a damp towel to clean him.

The little Omega was surprisingly cooperative now, even lifting his arms and legs on his own.

As the enigma meticulously wiped him down, Ling Ran stared with slightly dazed eyes, his unfocused gaze settling on the enigma's face. Before him was a strikingly handsome face, like a poster of an oil painting, dazzling enough to make one's vision swim.

When Ling Ran realized just how much he had succumbed, his ears burned with shame.

A fleeting sense of shame and rationality seemed to return. Even though, by the middle and late stages of his pregnancy, nearly everything had been handled by the enigma—aside from eating, sleeping, and using the bathroom, which no one else could do for him—he had practically become helpless, his self-sufficiency dwindling to almost nothing.

Yet the enigma, usually so strict and rigid, didn't seem to find anything wrong with the little Omega's parasitic habits.

On the contrary, the one who had created this situation in the first place was none other than himself.

Ling Ran was gently turned onto his side, a soft pillow tucked into his arms for him to hold.

Clutching the pillow, letting the enigma continue to wipe his back, he silently thought to himself—this dependence, this laziness, was only because of the baby in his belly. Once the child was born, he could do all these things himself again.

He wasn't truly lazy.

Jiang Zhiyu performed all these tasks with practiced ease, even changing the absorbent pad beneath the little Omega, which had gotten slightly damp.

Fortunately, the bedsheets remained clean and tidy, with no other areas soiled.

The absorbent pads were specially selected by Jiang Zhiyu—only the most comfortable and softest materials would do, as the Omega's skin was now both sensitive and delicate.

Sleeping on them overnight shouldn't cause any irritation.

Sometimes, the little Omega's body would unconsciously secrete fluids, and being shy, he always felt embarrassed to let others see. So every morning, Jiang Zhiyu would quietly replace them with fresh ones.

Lately, they had to be changed again before bedtime each night.

Once everything was taken care of, Jiang Zhiyu climbed into bed, removing the long pillow behind him and replacing it with himself, letting the Omega lean back against his chest.

The little Omega's body still trembled slightly, pressing the dampness at the corners of his eyes onto the arm of the man behind him. Jiang Zhiyu kissed the nape of his neck tenderly. "You did so well just now, baby. You worked hard."

Ling Ran sniffled a few times, still feeling utterly exhausted.

Even though he had barely moved the entire time, lying still on the bed.

He could feel the baby inside him shifting, faint movements rippling across his rounded belly. He wondered if the little one was getting restless, eager to come out.

With a choked sob, he whined, "Husband... my belly..."

Jiang Zhiyu tensed, reaching for the emergency call button. "Does it hurt?"

Ling Ran quickly grabbed his hand. "No, it doesn't hurt. It's just the baby moving. Feel it."

He guided the Enigma's large palm to his stomach, where indeed, there was a faint stirring—as if the little one was saying hello through the thin barrier of skin to its parents outside.

Jiang Zhiyu kissed the top of his head. "Anywhere else uncomfortable besides your belly?"

Ling Ran shook his head. "No."

"Inside," Jiang Zhiyu gently tapped where the baby had just moved, "does it still feel bad?"

Ling Ran shook his head again obediently. "It was just... really sore and swollen earlier... but it's fine now."

Jiang Zhiyu relaxed. Soreness and swelling at the entrance were normal reactions—after all, it had been forcibly stretched open.

"If you feel unwell, tell me immediately," Jiang Zhiyu said firmly. "No keeping it to yourself, understand?"

"I understand."

After a brief silence, Ling Ran suddenly called out again, "Husband..."

Ever since Jiang Zhiyu had insisted on this form of address, the little Omega had obediently complied, calling him "husband" at every turn—each time sending a jolt of heat through Jiang Zhiyu's body.

"I'm here."

Ling Ran asked, "Can we... have the baby come out sooner?"

Jiang Zhiyu chuckled, adjusting the heavy belly for him, helping him rest his legs more comfortably.

"Soon. Your due date is next week."

Jiang Zhiyu remembered it clearly.

Ling Ran thought for a moment, then tried to negotiate. "Can't we move it up to tomorrow? Dr. Xu has methods, right? Can we ask him to think of something? I want the baby out now..."

Jiang Zhiyu knew he had been suffering lately, especially in the final stages of pregnancy. His belly had grown so large that he struggled to sleep at night, often plagued by backaches, leg pains, and swollen feet.

As a father, he couldn't truly empathize with what an Omega experiences. All he could do was stay by his side during this time, taking care of him and soothing his emotions—though these efforts paled in comparison to what the Omega would endure through pregnancy and childbirth.

Damp, sticky breaths lingered around the gland at the back of the Omega's neck. Jiang Zhiyu couldn't bring himself to bite it, instead pressing gentle, lingering kisses over the sensitive skin.

"Your physical condition isn't the strongest, so the due date probably won't come early," Jiang Zhiyu murmured. "If it gets too hard, your husband will think of another way, okay?"

Ling Ran knew deep down that no doctor could change this. His earlier question had been offhand—if the little one in his belly wasn't ready to come out, no one could force it.

He shook his head lightly. "No, it's fine. I'll just hold on a little longer. The doctors already said the baby is healthy inside me. I want to bring them into the world safely."

"You will. Both of you will be safe and healthy."

Jiang Zhiyu squeezed the Omega's hand. "I'll be with you the whole time."

With the Enigma by his side, most of Ling Ran's tension and fear about the unknown faded.

Childbirth was entirely unfamiliar to him. His knowledge of physiology had been taught to him by Jiang Zhiyu, but they hadn't covered pregnancy and delivery before he unexpectedly conceived.

Later, Xu Guanyi had examined him and estimated the conception date to be around early October.

Ling Ran was amazed at how precise medical science could be—it was almost as if they could carve the exact date, October 9th, onto his belly.

And the timing did indeed point to October 9th.

Because that day had been his birthday—and the first time the Enigma had knotted inside him, marking him for life.

Getting an Omega pregnant on the first knot.

Xu Guanyi had sighed in disbelief.

Logically, Ling Ran's reproductive system hadn't fully developed before then, making him naturally less fertile. For conception to happen on the first try, it all depended on the partner's capability.

And without a doubt, the Enigma was extraordinary.

Soon, only two days remained until the due date.

The doctor suggested Ling Ran do some light exercises to prepare—nothing strenuous, just walks in the garden during the cooler hours of morning and evening.

Jiang Zhiyu helped him into a soft cotton nightgown. Ling Ran had been wearing dresses for a while now—partly because of the summer heat and his elevated body temperature, and partly because pants always felt too tight around his belly. Dresses were far more comfortable.

Once dressed, Jiang Zhiyu guided him downstairs for a slow stroll.

The private hospital was well-secured, with a spacious garden in the courtyard. Since moving in, Ling Ran had never had the chance to explore it.

The garden was meticulously maintained, filled with blooming flowers. Just two steps down, the scent of roses reached him.

Jiang Zhiyu kept an arm firmly around his waist, pressing him close to his chest as they walked in.

Only by keeping Ling Ran completely within his grasp could Jiang Zhiyu feel even slightly at ease—otherwise, the fear of something happening to him or the baby would never leave.

Ling Ran gazed at the rose petals glistening under the sunlight, as if someone had just watered the enchanting flower field. He took a deep breath, wanting to step closer for a better look.

Before he could approach, a small, round head suddenly popped up from behind a nearby bench, eyeing the two of them warily.

Startled, Ling Ran instinctively leaned back, but fortunately, Jiang Zhiyu steadied him with a firm grip.

Jiang Zhiyu turned his head, his cold gaze falling on the child who had emerged from behind the bench.

The child, no more than five or six years old, was an adorable little boy holding a small water gun. He stared at them with intense vigilance, the gun barrel aimed in their direction as if ready to fire at any moment.

Worried that Jiang Zhiyu might frighten the child, Ling Ran gently tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Don't be so harsh."

Jiang Zhiyu tightened his hold around him. "Alright."

But his gaze didn't soften.

He had no idea whose child this was, lacking even basic manners. If the reckless little brat ended up bumping into his Omega, Jiang Zhiyu couldn't guarantee what might happen.

Ling Ran, however, wasn't the least bit upset. His eyes curved into a gentle smile as he extended his hand toward the child, a piece of milk candy hidden in his palm.

This candy was something Jiang Zhiyu had allowed him to have—strictly monitoring his sugar intake due to health concerns. Ling Ran had saved it for a long time, reluctant to eat it, but now he offered it to the child as a peace offering.

The boy's eyes lit up at the sight of the candy. He wanted to approach but hesitated, casting a fearful glance at Jiang Zhiyu before freezing in place.

Ling Ran coaxed, "This is for you. Don't you like it?"

The child quickly shook his head.

Ling Ran smiled warmly. "I can't come over right now. Why don't you come and take it yourself?"

Though intimidated by the enigma's aura, the temptation of the milk candy was too much to resist. Clutching his water gun, the boy inched forward slowly before snatching the candy from Ling Ran's palm.

Jiang Zhiyu commanded, "Say thank you."

The child paused in unwrapping the candy and obediently mumbled, "Thank you, sister."

Ling Ran's face flushed instantly. He glanced down at himself—no wonder the child had mistaken him for a girl. He was wearing a dress, and his hair had grown longer lately, falling softly around his neck, giving him a rather feminine appearance.

"You're welcome," Ling Ran replied gently, "but I'm a brother."

"No way!" The child, mouth full of candy, stared at Ling Ran in disbelief before pointing at his rounded belly. "But you're wearing a dress!"

Jiang Zhiyu stroked his Omega's burning earlobe and countered, "Who said men can't wear dresses?"

The child was stumped, stammering incoherently. Instinctively, he sensed the tall man was not to be trifled with, while the pretty "brother" seemed much kinder.

He turned to Ling Ran and declared, "I know why your belly is so big."

Ling Ran feigned surprise. "Oh? You're so smart! Then tell me, why is that?"

The child puffed out his chest proudly. "I learned this in kindergarten. You're pregnant! There's a baby in your belly, so it's gotten bigger. After you have the baby, your belly will go back to normal, just like a balloon!"

I never expected kids these days to know so much. Suddenly intrigued, he asked, "So what else do they teach you at kindergarten?"

The child puffed out his chest proudly. "Lots! I remember everything the teacher taught. I can teach you too."

What followed was a half-hour impromptu lesson from the child to Ling Ran.

Jiang Zhiyu, worried Ling Ran might get tired from standing, simply picked him up and sat him on the bench. Without bothering to hide it from the kid, he pulled Ling Ran onto his lap, one arm resting on the back of the bench while the other encircled his waist, his hand lightly resting on Ling Ran's belly, gently stroking it in slow, rhythmic motions.

Sunlight filtered through the leaves above, casting a soft golden glow over them.

Ling Ran and the child seemed to have found kindred spirits in each other, chatting away like old friends. Jiang Zhiyu didn't interrupt, though he discreetly tossed the kid's water gun aside when he wasn't looking, just in case it dripped on Ling Ran.

After half an hour, the two were still reluctant to part, but Jiang Zhiyu had to separate them—Ling Ran needed to return for his checkup, and the child's parents came to fetch him for his medicine.

Back in the hospital room, Ling Ran suddenly looked at Jiang Zhiyu with concern, hesitating before asking, "Do you... not like him?"

He hadn't seen Jiang Zhiyu say much to the child in the garden, and his expression had seemed stern the whole time.

Was it too late to ask this now, when the baby was about to be born?

Jiang Zhiyu knew how sensitive and anxious his little Omega was during this stage. He pulled him into a gentle embrace, pressing a soft kiss to his lips.

"How could I not like him?" His large hand stroked Ling Ran's belly. "This is our child. I couldn't love him more."

Ling Ran still seemed unsure, tilting his face up with eyes glistening.

"What if he's disobedient later?"

"I'll discipline him myself."

"What if he's really, really dumb and bad at school?"

"He's our child. He'll inherit our intelligence—he won't be that dumb."

"What if he's ugly?"

Jiang Zhiyu cupped his Omega's face. "If he looks like me, he won't be ugly. If he looks like you, even less so."

When Ling Ran fell silent, Jiang Zhiyu brushed his thumb over his cheek and murmured, "If there's anything else you're unsure about, you can keep asking."

Ling Ran thought carefully. He didn't know if it was because he could feel the baby was about to arrive—about to leave his body and become his own little person—but the fear and unease inside him had grown overwhelming.

Maybe it was the hormones making him so sensitive and afraid.

But under the Enigma's tender, loving gaze, his emotions slowly settled, replaced by a quiet courage.

This was their child, who would come into the world wrapped in their hopes and love.

Soon, there would be one more person in his world besides his Enigma.

One more person to love, and one more person to love him.

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