My Fierce Beta Husband is Surprisingly Sweet | Chapter 78 | A Warmth Called Family | Novela.app

Chapter 78 - A Warmth Called Family Li Zi navigated the car through the evening traffic, her hands steady on the wheel as she drove Yan Yan and Li Zhenting home. In the backseat, Yan Yan was engaged in a video call with Li Shian. The volume was turned up, allowing the conversation to fill the cabin. "A-Zi, drive carefully," Li Shian’s voice crackled through the speakers, thick with a comical amount of jealousy. "Make sure you deliver my wife and your wife home safely." On the other end of the line, Li Shian sounded like a literal jar of overturned vinegar. She had originally planned to pick up her beloved husband herself, but Yan Yan and Li Zi had been enjoying their communal life so much that they had flatly refused her. This rejection had left the middle-aged Alpha feeling quite dejected. Yan Yan laughed softly, his voice a soothing balm. "How old are you now? Still acting jealous and competing with your own children?" "I am not," Li Shian grumbled, her eyes fixed mournfully on her husband through the screen. She looked as though she wanted to crawl through the network cables just to reach him. "We haven't seen each other in a month, and you won't even let me come fetch you." In the corporate world, Li Shian was the quintessential "overbearing CEO," a pillar of industry with a sharp mind and a commanding presence. Yet, the moment she faced her wife, she regressed into someone hopelessly childish. Her assistant, sitting nearby in the office, pointedly turned away, unable to bear the sight of their formidable boss acting like a pouting teenager. Li Zhenting and Li Zi exchanged a brief, knowing glance in the rearview mirror, their expressions a mix of amusement and bewilderment. Since coming into close contact with Li Zi’s parents, Li Zhenting’s perception of the two elders had been constantly rewritten. He found it hard to reconcile the cold, detached nature of Li Zi with the vibrant, open-minded, and frankly lively household she had been raised in. His impression of Li Shian had always been frozen in that single encounter at the police station during his youth: shrewd, capable, and possessing the momentum of a thunderbolt. As it turned out, the legendary Li Shian was nothing more than a total "wife-slave"—the kind who didn't mind acting spoiled even in front of the younger generation. "Where’s Xiao Li? And my grandbabies? Yan-er, quickly, let me see them!" Finally remembering the others, Li Shian excitedly urged Yan Yan to switch the camera view. "Xiao Li is over six months along now, isn't he? Is everything alright?" Yan Yan shook his head at her exuberant display and flipped the camera to face the front passenger seat. Li Zhenting sat there, looking somewhat stiff and nervous. "See? Xiao Li is doing just fine." Li Zhenting gave a rigid wave to the camera. "Hello, Auntie." "Oh, Xiao Li is still so formal," Li Shian’s voice came through with a warm, teasing lilt. Li Zhenting gripped his seatbelt, looking toward Li Zi for help. "Mom, don't tease him. He’s sensitive," Li Zi said, her eyes focused on the road, though she couldn't resist throwing him a lifeline. "Protecting your wife already? Fine, fine. Truly my daughter," Li Shian chuckled. "Just focus on chatting with Dad," Li Zi countered. Upon returning to the house, the family sat down for dinner. Throughout the meal, Li Shian’s fervent gaze rarely left Li Zhenting’s midsection, as if she could already see her two precious grandchildren through his skin. The intensity of her stare made Li Zhenting incredibly self-conscious; he instinctively wanted to shield his belly with his hands. Yan Yan, who had grown accustomed to the young man’s shy temperament, reached under the table and patted Li Shian’s leg, silently signaling for her to tone it down. Li Zi didn't intervene, enjoying her meal with a sense of quiet satisfaction. She felt this dynamic was healthy; Li Zhenting needed more interaction with her parents to bridge the gap and make their relationship more comfortable. Having grown up without the warmth of a traditional family, Li Zhenting was a blank slate when it came to parental affection. If he could build an emotional bond with Li Shian and Yan Yan, perhaps he could finally experience the kind of familial love he had missed. However, as bedtime approached, a certain someone began to get cranky. Now that his belly had grown significantly, Li Zi was no longer comfortable letting Li Zhenting bathe alone. She had him soak in the tub while she sat on a stool outside, helping him wash his hair. She scooped up some warm water, gently pouring it over his head. "Is the temperature okay?" she asked softly. "Hmph." A muffled sound escaped his nose. "Is it too hot? Or a bit cold?" "Hmph." Li Zi arched an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eyes. "Is there a pig in the bathroom?" "You're the pig!" The man snapped his eyes open, glaring at her with mock indignation. "You didn't help me at all today. You just sat there watching the show while your mom stared at me. You have such a twisted sense of humor—you just love watching me get embarrassed, don't you?" "Guilty as charged," Li Zi admitted shamelessly. "You really are quite cute when you're flustered." "You!" Li Zhenting started to sit up, determined to argue his point with this thick-skinned woman. She immediately pressed him back down with a firm but gentle hand. "Stay still. Finish your bath properly." If he weren't pregnant, Li Zhenting would have certainly engaged in a physical tussle with her. Unfortunately, his body felt heavy and cumbersome; he didn't dare exert too much force. He could only console himself with the thought that he was taking the high road for the sake of the babies. Later, as they settled into bed, Li Zi pulled him into a hug from behind. Her arms circled his protruding abdomen, and she whispered into his ear, "My parents are actually quite easy to get along with, aren't they? You don't need to be so tense every time. Just talk to them naturally." "We’re family now," she added. "Don't be afraid of saying the wrong thing." Li Zhenting’s tense frame finally relaxed. He turned slowly in her arms, his eyes downcast. "I know. I just... I still need a little more time." "I know," Li Zi murmured, her fingers tracing the lines of his brow and eyes. "Brother Ting is already doing his best." "Alright, let's not dwell on that. I haven't given you a mark today. If I don't, the kids might start acting up later." She tilted her head toward his neck. "Come on, lift your chin a bit." Li Zhenting obediently tilted his head, exposing the soft, sensitive skin at the nape of his neck. As the familiar sensation of her teeth and the flood of her pheromones enveloped him, he let out a contented sigh, curling his body into hers. The following day, Li Zhenting made a "triumphant return" to the auto repair shop—his first visit since his pregnancy had become prominent. He strolled in with a casual air, drawing incredulous stares from his former colleagues. Tang Jiu’s jaw nearly hit the floor. "Brother... you... your..." "Your belly is huge!" Li Zhenting didn't mind the bluntness. He found a sturdy stool and sat down. "Didn't I tell you guys? It's twins. Stop making such a fuss." The group of rough-and-tumble men immediately abandoned their tools. They crowded around him as if he were an exotic specimen from another planet, their eyes fixed on his midsection. Li Zhenting eventually grew impatient. "What are you all doing? Is this a zoo visit?" Before he could truly scold them, Liu Yan emerged from the breakroom. Seeing the commotion, he laughed and began shooing the men away. "Brother Li is back. Don't crowd him; give him some fresh air." He walked over to Li Zhenting, and though he had been prepared, the sight of the high, rounded belly still brought a flash of surprise—and a trace of envy—to his eyes. It was wonderful that Brother Li could have a family of his own with Sister Li Zi. Liu Yan couldn't help but wonder what his own future with Yu Tianwu would look like. She had claimed she was only going abroad for six months, but that half-year mark had long since passed, and she hadn't breathed a word about returning. Perhaps life overseas was simply more exciting. He gave a self-deprecating smile. A world-class artist’s life was surely more interesting than that of a common Alpha mechanic. He felt he had finally seen through Yu Tianwu’s silver tongue; she was always full of sweet words, but her actions rarely aligned with them. Even though she frequently expressed her affection over the past six months, talk was cheap. Anyone could say they loved someone. Li Zhenting, always concerned for his brothers, asked, "How have things been lately? No one’s been coming around to cause trouble, right?" Liu Yan shook his head. "Don't worry, Brother Li. We’re all doing fine." "Exactly!" someone chimed in. "You should focus on taking care of yourself. Brother Li, your belly is so big... will it be a problem when it's time to give birth?" "Shut your crow's beak!" another mechanic barked. "Medical science is advanced these days. Brother Li can just have a C-section if he needs to." "Right! Can't you say something nice? Like how Brother Li’s kids will definitely be as badass as he is!" *How can an infant be 'badass'?* Li Zhenting was nearly driven to laughter by these blockheads. "I’m not planning on a C-section," he said, resting a hand on his stomach. "My health is excellent. I’ll go for a natural birth if I can." "As expected of Brother Li! Even giving birth is hardcore!" The group began showering him with exaggerated praise again, and Li Zhenting lifted his chin, letting out a proud "Hmph." Once the men’s curiosity was satisfied and they returned to their work, Liu Yan leaned in closer. "Brother Li, a few days ago... I think I saw Su Qiang." That was a name Li Zhenting hadn't heard in a long time. He frowned in confusion. "Wasn't he sent to prison? Has he been released already?" "I’m not sure. It might have just been someone who looked like him from behind," Liu Yan said, shaking his head as if to clear the thought. "But it doesn't matter. That’s all ancient history now." "Exactly. Don't worry about him. Just focus on living your own life," Li Zhenting said, patting his shoulder. Then, remembering something else, he asked, "How are things going between you and Yu Tianwu?" "The same as always," Liu Yan said, his lips thinning into a straight line. "She’s abroad, I’m here. There isn't much to it." "Have you thought about going to see her? If it's a matter of the plane ticket, I can help you out with that." Liu Yan quickly shook his head. "No need, Brother Li. You have your own life to lead with Sister Li Zi. I have the money, I just feel..." He paused. "I can wait a bit longer." Li Zhenting didn't quite understand the complexity of his friend’s hesitation. If it were him and Li Zi, and she had gone abroad to develop her career, he would have followed her without a second thought. But he was a man of few attachments, whereas Liu Yan had a family to consider. It wasn't a fair comparison. He simply offered a word of comfort. "Don't worry. She’ll be back soon." "I hope so," Liu Yan replied, looking out toward the horizon. In the brilliant blue sky, a passing jet had left a white vapor trail that was slowly, silently dissipating into the void.