If there is something that the celestial fox spirit hated about humans, it is that they are too quick to assume things. It seems like it is in their damned genes to judge incidents hastily with just a single still photo. No matter what the era, humans and their ever-judgmental minds shine. Hence, the variety of horrific human-induced tragedies written in history textbooks.
Shen Yuan hated that trait. He always reminds himself not to pick up that attitude whenever he stays in the mortal realm, yet, ironically, here he was, asking himself, "Does Bai Tingfeng like Shen Yuan or me?"
Well, it is not important who receives Bai Tingfeng's infatuation. As long as the answer to that question is yes, he could use that liking to his advantage and use Bai Tingfeng as his "essence bank," which would help him completely assimilate his spirit with Shen Yuan's body.
With how many potential dangers lurking around him, there is a great need to unlock all of his celestial fox spirit abilities to protect himself properly and, at the same time, the cute baby human Yanyan.
"Well, I would be a hypocrite if I said I am not tempted to try the hip-breaking skills I read about. That must be true considering how he made my knees weak when—"
Shen Yuan quickly stepped on the break before he became "too human" and rewrote his thinking as a fox spirit.
All in all, it is a win-win for all three of them.
Clack!
The silver spoon loudly rang when it clashed against the pan. This caught the sitting Bai Tingfeng's attention, from his phone, his eyes stray towards the omega. He saw as Shen Yuan raised the spoonful of chicken rice, delivered it to his tiny mouth, and chewed it in a painfully slow manner.
"What is going on?" Bai Tingfeng asked himself. Why is the omega suddenly acting like he's filming a commercial? He had seen this action many times in TV ads filmed by Shen Yuan, but it is also a bit different, especially with how the omega's eyes are sharp and languid at the same time.
Making him look more alluring.
The cunning celestial fox spirit internally smirked when he saw the alpha drawn with his most low-key and basic seduction. Well, what else can he say? He and his vessel are fatally attractive.
"Can you taste the chicken rice for me? Please tell me if this taste would sit well with Yanyan," Shen Yuan turned to the handsome alpha male with his used spoon full of chicken rice.
He swiftly went to Bai Tingfeng, slightly blowing the piping hot rice to cool down.
Something's wrong with Shen Yuan. Bai Tingfeng immediately thought this when he saw how the other behaved.
"Shen Yuan, what- urk!" Whatever he was about to say was pushed down his throat with the omega's spoon.
"How is it? Is it too salty? Too flavorful? Or is it simply too delicious?" Shen Yuan asked in a suspiciously gentle tone. He then placed his warm palm against the hard and well-defined chest of the male. In his head, he is already picturing himself as the winner.
Phew!
Shen Yuan's daydream was ultimately stopped by hundreds of flying grains of rice, diced carrots, peas, and meat.
"Fuck?" with his face full of food, the disillusioned fox looked at Bai Tingfeng with repressed murderousness.
"Shen Yuan, I- that is an accident," Bai Tingfeng reasoned out while taking a step back. His heart was still thumping against his chest. What's with that sudden touch anyway? That is simply not Shen Yuan!
But regardless of his reason, the omega was just looking at him with dead, unfeeling eyes, totally overlooking the man's explanation.
"Damn! Is this damned human for real? Does Shen Yuan's touch repulse him so much that he would shamelessly spit at him? Unbelievable! I swear I will never ever dare to seduce this stupid human being. So what if he is ridiculously hot and good-looking? He is not the only male in this world with a dick and could supply me with the life essence I needed!" Shen Yuan was internally screaming while maintaining a perpetual dead expression.
"Waaaah! Daddy! Daddy!" All of a sudden, the alpha and omega heard their son crying.
The two instantly set aside the stress and unsettled grievances and ran directly in the direction of the crying little boy. They saw the child crying at the foot of the grand staircase.
"Baby, what are you doing here? It is only six forty-five in the morning. It's way too early. You can sleep more," Bai TIngfeng quickly scooped up Yanyan and tried to appease him.
But the little boy only cried more, "But Papa! I don't want to! Daddy left us. We need to look for him!"
"Who told you that Daddy will leave you? Daddy will stay with Yanyan from now on," Shen Yuan quickly responded as he slowly walked toward the father and son.
Hearing the voice of his other father, Yanyan snappily turned his head to Shen Yuan and cried, "Daddy!" at the top of his lungs. He wiggled toward his omega daddy, which Bai Tingfeng readily fulfilled by handing their son to Shen Yuan.
Shen Yuan soothingly rubbed Yanyan's back while silently shooting dagger eyes at the alpha opposite him— still, a few peas and carrots were in his hair. Passively saying, "We are not yet done, Bai Tingfeng," before focusing on Yanyan.
"It's okay now. You have just had a very bad dream," Shen Yuan said to his son.
"You will no longer leave me now, Daddy? Yanyan waited for you for so long. I don't want to be away from you," Yanyan innocently said, his voice muffled because his head was pressed on the crook of his daddy's neck.
Unbeknownst to him, his pure words caused a pang in the adults' chest.
His son or not, the celestial fox spirit swears that he will protect this boy at all costs. Shen Yuan will never let Yanyan plead for the love and attention that he rightfully deserves.
"Yes, Daddy will stay, and I will also take you wherever I go."
Bai Tingfeng silently watched his daddy-and-son duo. He, too, promised himself to do everything to protect their family of three.
"Daddy? Why do you smell delicious, and… why do you have a lot of meat chunks on you? There is also fragrant rice on your neck?"
In an instant, Shen Yuan's eyes turned sharply towards Bai Tingfeng; it literally translates, "I will surely kill you for this, Bai Tingfeng!
~~
Today is probably the happiest day for Bai Shengyan because never in his earliest dream did he picture that his daddy, who was gone for a long time, was finally here and, on top of that, would cook breakfast for him!
His purest intention when he asked his Papa to convince his Daddy to come home was to take care of him since he'd been in an accident. But as it turns out, his Daddy is caring for him now.
Yanyan's eyes shone brightly like stars as he opened his mouth to receive the spoonful of omelet rice served by his Daddy.
"How is that? Delicious?" Shen Yuan asked with a tinge of laughter in his voice. Feeding this kid is surprisingly enjoyable for him because Yanyan really looks like a little fox cub wagging his tail.
"Hmm!" the child yapped. "Daddy's cooking is delicious and also beautiful! I, Yanyan, love his name written on his omelet!"
Obviously, Yanyan was talking about the characters he had written using tomato ketchup. It was a neat, thin, and beautifully vigorous writing of Yanyan's name in traditional characters. Thousands of years on and off staying in the mortal realm made him acquire some skills, and calligraphy is one of them. Not trying to brag. But he is pretty skilled in that art since it was subsequently honed as he makes talismans.
"But why does Papa's omelet rice look weird?" Yanyan smartly pointed at Bai Tingfeng's plate.
Contrary to Yanyan and Shen Yuan's beautifully lettered "gorgeous" word on his omelet, Bai Tingfeng's plate looked straight from a horror movie. The ketchup exploded in all directions, like a messy blood splatter after a murder.
"That… Your Papa wants to make his omelet sweet with tomato ketchup," Shen Yuan responded nonchalantly.
Bai Tingfeng, on the other hand, was just silent. But his eyes reflect a sparkle of laughter.
"Ah! That's why! Papa really loved sweet and sour foods, and his favorite is sweet and sour pork."
The family of three enjoyed their delicious meal in total harmony. They were almost done with their breakfast when suddenly, Assistant Su came— well-dressed as always and cheerful with his greetings. But despite the flattering smile on his face, it's evident that something worries him.
Assistant Su unceremoniously bowed down to whisper something at Bai Tingfeng.
Shen Yuan would have ignored it if it weren't for the honest alpha assistant who kept looking in his direction.
"What is it?" Shen Yuan asked. Yanyan must have felt something was wrong, so he closed his mouth.
"That, Master Shen…" Su Yifan appeared hesitant to say more. The matter did involve Shen Yuan, but he must asked permission from his big boss before he speak.
"Well, there are some people who feel uncomfortable that you are presumed to be S-Class— an omega. So, they have launched a formal petition to broadcast your upcoming Awakener's Test publicly," Bai Tingfeng took the liberty to answer Shen Yuan.
"I think they are pulling this stunt to pressure you mentally and make you throw off your assessment."
Shen Yuan smiled reassuringly at Yanyan, who obviously understood that someone was out to bully his daddy.
"They are bad guys, Daddy."
"Indeed, they want me to shame myself. They are villains in our story."
Shen Yuan raised an eyebrow at Bai Tingfeng and Su Yifan. These two didn't hesitate to say serious matters in front of the child. He commends that. This must be why Yanyan was overall a headstrong kid— only that he is still a little kinder than other kids who tend to be a bully just like him.
"So, who is the leader behind this witch hunt? Are they related to that group?" Hinting about their nemesis, the Cardinals. "Or just some sleazy alphas with short di— I mean, dilated egos?"
Bai Tingfeng's face hardened and hissed, "Be careful about your words, Shen Yuan."
The celestial fox spirit just rolled his eyes, but internally, he felt guilty.
"I don't know if you know them. The one active in fueling the hype was the top hunter of the fifth-ranked hunter guild, the Huangjin Guild, Zhuo Kai."
Familiarity flashed in Shen Yuan's eyes, "First, a mysterious terrorist group, then a cunning grandpa who may probably know about my identity, and now an irrelevant trashy secondary villain. Antagonists simply love to throw themselves in my way now, huh? Should I consider an amicable divorce now?"
Shen Yuan thought. Bai Tingfeng isn't willing to be touched by him anyway.