CH 59

Title: 顶级掠食者 (Alpha Predator)

Author：水千丞 (ShuiQianCheng)

Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)

Protagonists ：沈岱 (Shen Dai -MC), 瞿末予 (Qu Moyu -ML)

֍֍֍

​​A year later…

When Shen Dai came back from the library, he went to the supermarket to buy some vegetables. He also wanted to buy some live grouper and a four-pound Dungeness crab. He grew up in the north and has no special preference for seafood. But this is in the northwest so the locals don’t like to eat it. All these things are shipped here by air. They are fresh and expensive, and are suitable for treats and celebrations. And today it is for celebration. .

They are celebrating Qiuqiu’s 100th day and him completing his thesis.

Shen Dai struggled to open the door and entered the house with two large plastic bags in his hands. A beta girl ran over from the house to take over: “Mr. Shen, why are you buying so many vegetables yourself? It’s so heavy.” The girl has a beautiful and simple look. She has a round face. Her name is Xiao Die. She is an intern at the research institute and a student of Bai Xiangwan. Shen Dai is not an employee there. She helped him to do some simple experiments and collect data. Along the way, he discovered that this girl is diligent and sensible. Not only is she very serious in study and work, but when she sees him alone with a child, she always takes the initiative to help. Shen Dai simply let her live with him, providing her with food, drink, lodging and salary.

The house he rents now is also owned by Bai Xiangwan. This is the company’s welfare apartment. It has been bought for a few years, but Bai Xiangwan lives in the dormitory of the research institute so he charges him a nominal rent. Because of the help of these two people, his life pressure is much less. Otherwise, he would be dragged down just by taking care of his own child.

Shen Dai smiled and said, “I went to get some seafood. Would you cook it?”

“I’ll follow the tutorial, what’s so difficult?” Xiao Die excitedly looked at the fish fluttering in the bag, “Wow, it’s so big. It must be quite expensive.”

“It’s cheaper than eating out.”

After the two sorted out the ingredients, Shen Dai looked at his watch: “I’ll go see Qiuqiu. I’ll be here to help you later.”

“Go ahead. Teacher Bai is working overtime. He’s definitely not going to reach here before half past six.”

Shen Dai washed his hands and walked into the room quietly. In the crib, lay a fair, tender, chubby baby boy. He was sleeping soundly, with a small finger in his mouth, two lips that were moistened by saliva. He happily sucked on them, not knowing what he was dreaming about.

Shen Dai looked at his little alpha with a soft expression that appeared like his heart has melted.

Qiuqiu was born in the 36th week. Although he is still a little premature, according to the doctor’s judgement on his condition, as the child grows older, the effectiveness of the substitute pheromone will decrease. In the absence of the alpha father’s comfort, natural birth is more dangerous for him and the child, so he chooses to take him out earlier. Qiuqiu was thin and small when he was born. He was monitored in the hospital for half a month and Shen Dai was also anxious for half a month. Fortunately, the child finally returned home as healthy as can be.

Qiuqiu is the child’s nickname. Shen Dai’s grandfather named him ‘Dai’, which is the big Mount Tai, so his son should be called ‘Small Mount Qiu’.

Shen Dai slowly bent down, stroked the fluff of hair on Qiuqiu’s head with his fingers, then lowered his head and gently sniffed the tip of his nose. Qiuqiu’s pheromone is Longbai. The smell is very unique, similar to medicine. But it does not smell depressing. There is still a bit of refreshing smell under the fine taste. But the glands of the newborn baby have not yet fully developed. The scent of pheromone was very faint. It’s a pheromone variety determined by genetic testing. Shen Dai smells the child from time to time. He smells more like a milk stench than a seemingly non-existent medicinal fragrance.

Shen Dai smiled and gently kissed Qiuqiu’s cheek. He never knew what it would feel like to have a child but now, it was as if no expression of love was enough. Although Qiuqiu’s energy is terrifying and raising children is the most tiring job he has ever done in his life, he still likes it.

After three months of recuperation, his body will gradually recover. He planned to take Qiuqiu back to the capital to see his grandmother and visit his teacher. If it wasn’t for the special care of the teacher, even if Senior Brother Bai was willing to help him, he would not be able to enter and leave the institute as freely as a non-staff person. No one here knows him and no one inquires about his past. So his time is fairly smooth despite having the toughest time of his life.

Although his past was kept hidden in the dark and he did not dare to look back, every time he looked at Qiuqiu, he felt that everything he had paid for was worth it.

He went back to the kitchen to help Xiao Die prepare dinner together. The two chatted and laughed about Qiuqiu’s growing up.

“By the way, Mr. Shen, I read a popular science article yesterday. It said that in Qiuqiu’s situation, alpha pheromone is needed for comfort before the age of three. But compared to the kind of decellularized pheromone or artificially synthesised pheromone, there is other pheromone that suits him better.”

“I know. The doctor had mentioned it to me, but… forget it. He’s doing fine now.” Shen Dai knew what Xiaodie wanted to say. After a child is born, the child still needs pheromone from both parents in the process of growing up. Otherwise, the child will be easily panicked or anxious. However, the child requirements will not be as harsh as it was while they were in the mother’s womb. When the parents’ pheromone is lacking, if there are people who often appear around them and make them feel safe, such people’s pheromone can also play a role. And now the only alpha who often has contact with Qiuqiu is Bai Xiangwan. But he felt that this request was inappropriate. Senior Brother Bai had already helped him too much. He always tried his best not to bother others. How could he be so embarrassed to ask someone to have a tube of gland fluid taken for no reason?

“But I feel that the current alternative pheromones are not able to appease Qiuqiu. Qiuqiu’s energy is too high. Sometimes I think it’s not that he doesn’t have enough fun if he doesn’t want to sleep, it may be that he doesn’t feel safe.” Xiao Die sighed. “I have brought two alpha younger brothers from my hometown. But they are not so hyper. Qiuqiu’s pheromone level should be quite high.”

“I don’t know. I haven’t tested it.” Shen Dai thought to himself. Is the effect of substitute pheromone really bad? The doctor did remind him that after the child is born, he no longer relies on the mother’s body to perceive the world, but has his own sensory system. At this time, whoever is close to him, he likes the taste of whoever that is. Obviously, Qiuqiu doesn’t like the alternative pheromones now. He likes Bai Xiangwan’s pheromone.

“Never tested?” Xiao Die was very surprised. “Why?”

Generally, the pheromone level will be tested immediately after giving birth to a child. C-class is mostly defective and B-class is the most common. If you got A-class, it is already good news to tell your relatives and friends. Not to mention in the event of good graciousness by Gods and you got an S-class instead…

Shen Dai smiled and said, “I am against using the pheromone level to classify a newly born person into the classes. What kind of a person this child will become in the future and what kind of achievements he will achieve should be related to family, education, personality. His personal struggles are also closely related. A single and subjective data should not be used to draw conclusions. So I will not test him for pheromone levels. And I don’t care. As long as he is healthy.”

Xiao Die looked at Shen Dai with admiration on her face: “Mr. Shen, what you said is really good. No wonder you can achieve these achievements on your own.”

“Anyone who is willing to work hard will open up a world of their own. Your teacher Bai is like that. And also my teacher, Professor Liu Xi, who is a beta, can still become a world-class rare earth expert.”

Xiao Die nodded vigorously: “Professor Liu is our idol. And I will work hard!”

The two prepared a hearty and delicious dinner, and when it was almost seven o’clock, the doorbell rang.

Shen Dai got up to open the door and said with a smile, “Why are you ringing the doorbell when you go back to your own house? It’s rare that you’re only 30 minutes late today.”

Standing outside the door is a tall and handsome male alpha. His appearance is very superior, with a tall nose, broad forehead and cold fair skin. His temperament is capable and restrained. But his hairstyle has no trace of styling and he has a lab coat with unknown stains and inside is a wrinkled shirt. This is simply the image of a standard science and engineering male who is quite sloppy and obsessed with scientific research.

He is Bai Xiangwan, a fellow mate during Shen Dai’s student days. At the age of thirty-two, he became the youngest Ph.D. supervisor of Lancheng University, the head of the Xingzhou Group’s research institute in Gansu mining area, and Liu Xi’s proudest eldest disciple.

Bai Xiangwan showed the cake in his hand: “Twenty minutes. Ten more minutes just to buy this.”

“Mr. Bai, you’re here.” Xiao Die took the cake diligently.

Bai Xiangwan nodded to Xiao Die and asked, “Ah Dai, where is Qiuqiu?” He began to look around to find the noise maker.

“He is asleep.” Shen Dai pointed to the back room, “It’s rare for him to be quiet so let’s eat first.”

Xiao Die took credit and said, “Mr. Bai, I have prepared a lot of delicious food together with Mr. Shen. The crab that Mr. Shen bought was so big and it was alive. It should cost a lot.”

“Then I have to taste it.” Bai Xiangwan smiled and glanced at Shen Dai, his eyes were gentle and powerful, “Today is worth celebrating.”

The three sat down. Shen Dai poured three glasses of red wine. He raised his glass, took a deep breath, and suddenly felt a lot of emotion in his heart: “I am very happy today. My thesis needs some revisions and final checks but it’s basically completed. And today is the 100th day of Qiuqiu. I want to thank you all. Thanks to Senior Brother Bai, Xiao Die… without your help, I don’t know how embarrassing my life would be.” At the end of his speech, his nasal cavity feels sour and his eyes are a little red, “Really. Thank you.”

Shen Dai looked back on all the hardships he had experienced this year. The hardships were indescribable. He had endured night after night of pain, anxiety, fatigue, and self-doubt. Until now, he has not completely gotten rid of the shadow that Qu Moyu placed on him. But at least he is getting better every day. At least when he thinks of Qiuqiu, his heart is full of strength. He can survive, thanks to the support of Senior Brother Bai and Xiao Die. He had met such nice people.

Xiao Die smirked: “Mr. Shen, I can learn things while I’m with you. I also have food and shelter. And I especially like Qiuqiu, so please don’t be polite to me.”

Bai Xiangwan also smiled and said, “You’re welcome, it’s not worth mentioning.”

Shen Dai looked at the two of them gratefully: “I toast this glass of wine to you two.”

“Let’s eat!” Xiaodie happily clapped her hands, “Qiuqiu 100th day. I hope he is healthy, happy, sleeps more and less screaming. Hope hegrows into a handsome guy soon!”

A happy smile appeared on Shen Dai’s face.

֍֍֍

Next update: 2022.06.21

֍֍֍

*Translator’s note: I still have fantasies about Senior Brother Bai being with SD instead of QMY. I am still allowed to have fantasies, right? -K