Chapter 36

Chapter 36

New Year's Eve dinner wouldn't be ready until almost ten o'clock. The sky had long since darkened, and the floor-to-ceiling windows inside were fogged with warmth, adorned with the "fortune" characters freshly pasted that afternoon.

The coin-dumpling tradition was entirely new to Lu Yao. In the kitchen, dumpling wrappers were neatly stacked, and various fillings were rolled into small balls and placed on individual plates. The chef stood by, smiling, offering guidance on how much filling to use and how to shape each dumpling.

No wonder Fu Yanhuai found New Year celebrations boring.

Lu Yao glanced sideways at Fu Yanhuai. His movements were unpracticed, yet this routine seemed deeply ingrained in his memory—he wrapped dumplings with surprising speed.

Lu Yao knew how to cook and make dumplings. The ones with coins inside turned out delightfully plump.

"Little Deer's dumplings are so pretty," Wen Zheng praised. "No need for special marks; you can spot them instantly."

Fu Yanhuai pressed a decorative imprint onto the edge of a dumpling. "Who's coming tomorrow?"

Mentioning this made Wen Zheng sigh listlessly. "Who knows? Tomorrow will be nonstop."

Suddenly remembering something, she turned to Lu Yao. "There will be some people your age coming too, accompanying their elders for New Year visits. I recall your good friend is the child from the Xia family? You might run into him."

Lu Yao paused, surprised. He hadn't asked Xia Shiyue about his New Year plans. Wen Zheng, accustomed to such matters, said matter-of-factly, "Many people bring others along when they come to pay New Year visits. It’s indeed a good time for socializing and gift-giving."

Fu Jizhong, beside them, mused, "New Year celebrations aren't what they used to be."

But the one who would truly bear the brunt of it was Fu Yanhuai. He spoke up, "If pregnancy discomfort is an issue, you can just rest upstairs tomorrow. If Xia Shiyue comes, I'll have him go up to keep you company."

Lu Yao hesitated. "But wouldn't that be… inappropriate?"

Fu Yanhuai had never expected Lu Yao to learn these social niceties. He replied calmly, "It's fine."

He gently elaborated, "Large gatherings can be exhausting. There's no need to force yourself; just stay upstairs."

Wen Zheng genuinely considered this a minor issue. There would be plenty of years ahead; it wasn't as if they'd miss meeting forever. Lu Yao's health was paramount.

"Alright." Lu Yao had always been compliant with Fu Yanhuai. He wished to avoid any disagreements between them and diligently nurtured their relationship daily. "I understand."

The wrapped dumplings were taken away, and soon, the New Year's Eve feast would be served. Wen Zheng urged everyone to gather on the sofa for a family photo. "Consider this our first proper family photo. Once Nian Nian is born, we'll take a formal one."

Fu Yanhuai paused for a rare moment before silently settling at one end of the sofa. Wen Zheng playfully chided him, "Why sit so far away? It looks like I'm forcing you to take this. Both you and Little Deer should sit in the middle."

Fu Yanhuai watched as Lu Yao walked over and sat beside him. As Lu Yao settled in, a warm, sweet caramel scent enveloped him.

Fu Yanhuai gently wrapped an arm around Lu Yao's waist. Lu Yao smiled brightly at the camera, his eyes curving into crescents. The maid adjusted the angle and snapped the photo.

Wen Zheng zoomed in to examine it. "Not bad at all."

The photo was also sent to Lu Yao's phone. His first instinct was to look at Fu Yanhuai—his sharp, proud features were as unreadable as ever.

Lu Yao couldn't help but stare a little longer. Fu Yanhuai's looks were truly beyond reproach.

Fu Yanhuai barely glanced at the photo before locking his phone. Wen Zheng called for the maids to bring out the dishes, stroking Lu Yao's hair as she said, "Hungry? We made a lot of your favorites today."

Lu Yao nodded softly. "I really am."

Earlier, he'd even peeled and eaten an orange, but the tartness had only whetted his appetite.

The New Year's Eve dinner was just the four of them. Everyone was in high spirits—Fu Jizhong even brought out a bottle of long-aged red wine, pouring Lu Yao a glass of non-alcoholic sparkling drink instead.

When they clinked glasses, Lu Yao couldn't guess what was going through Fu Yanhuai's mind, but in that moment, he felt truly happy. His beloved was by his side, he had the family he'd always longed for, and soon, he and Fu Yanhuai would welcome their child.

For a fleeting second, Lu Yao made a silent wish—that this moment could last forever.

The TV blared in the background, mixing with the cheerful chatter at the table. Lu Yao loved this atmosphere.

The wine wasn't strong, but Fu Yanhuai still carried a faint scent of alcohol. Lu Yao leaned closer and whispered, "Did you drink a lot? Maybe switch to juice—you'll have a headache tomorrow."

Fu Yanhuai's aloof aura had softened considerably. He seemed more vibrant now. "Then I won't have to wake up early."

He idly played with Lu Yao's fingers. "Sleeping in once in a while might be nice."

This version of Fu Yanhuai felt more approachable to Lu Yao. Their closeness now was almost indistinguishable from that of a real married couple.

At least, that's how Lu Yao saw it.

"Every time I wake up, you're already gone," Lu Yao murmured. "I'm always alone."

If only Fu Yanhuai could spend more time with him. During the first trimester, Lu Yao had often felt unwell, and when he felt uncontrollably low, he'd desperately missed his Alpha.

But Fu Yanhuai was always busy, so Lu Yao had never voiced this small wish—until now, when the timing finally felt right.

"Can you take some extra time off for the New Year?" Lu Yao asked nervously. "Nian Nian's been much more active lately. The doctor said he can already sense his father's presence."

Fu Yanhuai understood Lu Yao's longing. Tonight hadn't left him entirely unaffected. The truth was, he didn't have to be so busy—much of it was him overthinking how to navigate his relationship with Lu Yao.

With alcohol lowering his inhibitions, Fu Yanhuai briefly let himself follow his instincts. "Alright."

The sweet caramel pheromones were actually quite pleasant. Fu Yanhuai knew that.

Across from them, Wen Zheng deliberately kept Fu Jizhong engaged in conversation. Getting Fu Yanhuai to open up was rare—best not to interrupt them now.

The dumplings were served after the main dishes. Wen Zheng slid both plates over to Lu Yao. "Little Deer, you pick first."

Lu Yao picked one and placed it in his bowl—it was one Fu Yanhuai had made.

Under Wen Zheng's encouraging gaze, he took a bite, then carefully produced a pure gold coin.

Wen Zheng beamed. "Little Deer will be the luckiest next year. May everything go smoothly for you."

Then she urged Fu Yanhuai, "Pick out the rest for him—let him try a few more."

As the New Year's Eve feast was drawing to a close, fireworks soared and bloomed outside the window, dazzling against the dark sky.

"If you want to go play outside, now's the time," Wen Zheng said, checking the clock. "It's not quite midnight yet."

Fu Yanhuai also wanted to get some air. He stood. "I'll take Lu Yao out for a bit."

Wen Zheng reminded them, "Bundle up, and don't stay out too long—don't catch a cold."

Lu Yao obediently agreed. He put on a thick coat, and Fu Yanhuai patiently and methodically fastened each button for him, starting from the bottom near his belly all the way to his neck.

With gloves on and a fluffy hat pulled low, Lu Yao was bundled up tightly.

A long-dormant childlike excitement stirred in him as he bent down with Fu Yanhuai to inspect the fireworks. "What's that one?"

The mittens and fluffy hat made Lu Yao look adorably clumsy. Fu Yanhuai steadied him by the shoulders. "Tell me what you want—I'll hand it to you."

"I want to play with those." Lu Yao pointed at the sparklers with his mittened hand. Softly, he added, "Back then… I always watched Lu Qianxing play with them."

He'd always wanted to try it himself—not just stand on the sidelines, watching others enjoy their happiness.

"Okay, I'll get it for you."

Fu Yanhuai took out two first. "I'll light them for you. Be careful not to get burned."

Lu Yao waited eagerly beside him, and Fu Yanhuai couldn't help but chuckle. "You like them that much? We can play with them again tomorrow."

These little things were easy to get—they could buy as many as they wanted.

Lu Yao mumbled softly, "I've never played with them before."

Only after the sparklers were lit did Fu Yanhuai place them in Lu Yao's hands. He held Lu Yao's wrist, guiding him to swirl them in circles, the sparklers tracing beautiful arcs in the dark night.

The glow lit up Lu Yao's eyes, and he gasped in delight. "This is so pretty!"

Fu Yanhuai gazed at him tenderly. "I'll set them off with you every year from now on."

He was certain that their lifestyle wouldn't change much.

The wind outside was still chilly, so Fu Yanhuai pulled Lu Yao into his arms from behind. With the long-awaited fireworks before him and his loved one in his arms, Lu Yao couldn't think of a reason to refuse.

"Okay."

Fu Yanhuai stayed with Lu Yao until they'd set off nearly all the safe fireworks before heading back inside. Lu Yao's face was flushed from the cold, but he was still buzzing with excitement.

"Done already?"

Wen Zheng was reclining on the sofa with a face mask on. Lu Yao sat beside her and excitedly told her, "Mom, the butterfly fireworks were awesome—they even spun on the ground! And there were so many colors. I loved them all."

With the excited young man cuddled up to her, Wen Zheng felt her heart soften. "Really? Then let Yanhuai take you out again tomorrow, okay? Are you sleepy? If you are, just go to bed. No need to stay up till midnight."

"I'm not sleepy yet. Maybe I slept too much this afternoon." Lu Yao glanced at Fu Yanhuai with concern. "You had wine earlier—are you feeling dizzy?"

Wen Zheng patted his hand. "Just a little red wine. It's not enough to make him drunk."

If Fu Yanhuai got drunk, would Lu Yao have to take care of him at night? That was something Wen Zheng absolutely wouldn't allow.

"I'm fine." Fu Yanhuai adjusted a cushion for Lu Yao. "Let's sit downstairs for a while. You can go up when you're tired."

Lu Yao snuggled comfortably into the couch. He'd been in great spirits all evening, and he kept giggling and chatting with Fu Yanhuai about the TV show. Fu Yanhuai patiently humored him.

Gradually, Lu Yao's voice grew softer, his breathing slower, until he tilted his head and fell asleep against Fu Yanhuai's shoulder.

Wen Zheng turned down the TV volume, and Fu Yanhuai carried him upstairs.

The double bed was fitted with soft cushions designed for expectant fathers. Fu Yanhuai adjusted Lu Yao's sleeping position so he lay on his side.

Perhaps influenced by his pregnancy-related hormones, Fu Yanhuai noticed that Lu Yao was emotionally sensitive. But that was fine—he had already planned to take things slowly with Lu Yao after the baby was born.

Lu Yao might not accept it, but Fu Yanhuai believed he could handle any unexpected situations that might arise.

He waited for a moment before turning to leave for the bathroom, but Lu Yao drowsily clutched the hem of his shirt, refusing to let go.

"Sweetheart, I'll be right back."

Fu Yanhuai released his pheromones, and Lu Yao's grip loosened slightly.

Promising softly, he murmured, "Right away."