CH 60

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)

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​​After dinner, Xiao Die was cleaning up in the kitchen, while Shen Dai and Bai Xiangwan were playing with Qiuqiu.

Shen Dai was afraid that if Qiuqiu slept too much during the day, he would make trouble at night. So he woke him up. The little guy was reluctant that he howled a few times but after being held in his arms by Bai Xiangwan, he was inexplicably not irritable. He grabbed Bai Xiangwan’s button and played with it seriously.

“He recognizes you very well now and he can be quiet with you.” Shen Dai said helplessly.

Bai Xiangwan grabbed Qiuqiu’s tender little face with his thumb and index finger, pinched it gently, and said with a smile, “He likes my pheromones.”

Qiuqiu seemed to agree, raised his head and grinned.

Bai Xiangwan’s pheromone is the scent of elm. The fruit core of this tree is used as medicine to soothe the nerves. Although it is also of woody scent, it is not bitter. Instead, it smells like a warm feeling full of sunshine and vitality, just like Bai Xiangwan himself. This person is just as down-to-earth and powerful and it is no wonder that Qiuqiu likes him.

Recently, Qiuqiu has become more and more out of shape. It is completely different from the weak, wrinkled and small appearance when he was first born. His eyes are round, big and bright. His nose is upturned. His skin is fair and tender. And his head has only a few layers of fluff. The child is amazing looking. He is beautiful at every turn. It is the kind of the beautiful baby that would appear in baby product commercials. People who have seen him say that he looks like Shen Dai, but Shen Dai thinks he looks more like Qu Moyu no matter what. And he doesn’t know if it’s just a psychological effect.

“Look at his legs.” Bai Xiangwan straightened one of Qiuqiu’s fleshy legs, “According to the proportions of his body, this child has long hands and feet, so he will definitely be tall in the future.”

“Yeah, he is an alpha after all.” Shen Dai smiled, “He can’t be bullied.”

“Xiao Die said he is very noisy now?”

“Well, he’s too energetic. I’m going to hire another nanny for the night shift. Otherwise, Xiao Die and I will take turns to wake up at night, and we’ll be so sleepy during the day that we won’t be able to work well.”

“Qiuqiu does not want to sleep might be due to lack of security. He is in need of Alpha Omega pheromones to comfort him now. If the baby is insecure, he will cry.” Bai Xiangwan handed Qiuqiu to Shen Dai’s arms and took something out from his briefcase and handed a piece of paper to Shen Dai, “This is my 100th day gift to Qiuqiu.”

Shen Dai took it over quizzically. When he saw it, it was the receipt of the city hospital: “This is…?”

“I went to the city hospital to make some essential oils for Qiuqiu to soothe the pheromone. The nurse said that it will be ready in three days. You can pick it up tomorrow.”

Shen Dai stared blankly at Bai Xiangwan: “Senior brother…”

“I’m the only alpha Qiuqiu has access to now and he also likes my pheromones. Isn’t that what it should be?” Bai Xiangwan poked Qiuqiu’s fat belly and joked, “Take me as a father, yes? Right?”

Shen Dai was very embarrassed. Bai Xiangwan and him didn’t have a deep friendship when they were in college. After Bai Xiangwan was transferred to Lancheng, they only had occasional contacts for work. Bai Xiangwan is not obliged to help him like this, but over the past year, he has been helped a lot by him. How will he be able to repay such kindness? He sighed softly and said with a smile, “Senior Brother Bai, I don’t even know how to thank you.”

“It’s just me drawing some blood, it’s not a big deal. The nurse said that the essential oil from the gland fluid can be used for a year and it would no longer be necessary if Qiuqiu is older.”

“Well, I also thank you on behalf of Qiuqiu.”

“Don’t say thank you. You also worked for me for a few months for free. When your body recovers, can you consider joining me for a position?”

Shen Dai looked at Bai Xiangwan hesitantly and felt hesitated.

“Ah Dai, you seem to be avoiding something. I know you don’t want to say it and the teacher told me not to ask you. But everyone has a past and everyone has to move forward. If you tell me your difficulties, maybe I can help you. At least it’s totally fine for me to give you a stable job.”

“I know. I’ve recovered. And I’m definitely looking for a job.” Shen Dai smiled bitterly, “My situation is really embarrassing right now. My file is still in the research institute in Beijing. I’m currently on a major sick leave. And I haven’t officially handed in my resignation. Although your side is an independent site, the personal tax and social security cannot be transferred. I have to go back to the capital to solve these matters.”

“Call the teacher and walk through the process with him. It should be done quickly.”

Shen Dai smiled and nodded: “Yes. After a while, I will.” He has to consider far more than just a job. He has to think about what to do with Qiuqiu, what to do with his grandmother, and how to plan his career in the future. All these problems need to be solved urgently.

Bai Xiangwan stared at Shen Dai for a few seconds: “Your main problem isn’t this, right? It’s related to… Qiuqiu, right?”

Shen Dai knew what Bai Xiangwan really wanted to say was ‘Qiuqiu’s alpha father’. In fact, he felt that Bai Xiangwan knew something. There were many of their classmates and colleagues in the capital and the rare earth industry circle was very small so gossip flew easily. As long as Bai Xiangwan has heard a little rumour, he can guess what happened after a little analysis. But Bai Xiangwan has kept his mouth shut, which makes Shen Dai very grateful.

Shen Dai nodded: “However, don’t worry. I will deal with it as soon as possible.” He couldn’t let his savings go on like this. Although Lancheng’s consumption level was low, it was still very frustrating to just sit and eat and have no income.

“Okay, I expect you to officially come to work in my laboratory.” Bai Xiangwan looked at his watch, “I’m going back first. I have a report to write. I’m checking the information regarding the question you asked me a few days ago. I will discuss it with you when I’m done with it.”

“Okay, see you later.”

Shen Dai held Qiuqiu to see Bai Xiangwan off. Qiuqiu was still cheerful at first, but as soon as Bai Xiangwan opened the door, he had a premonition, so he cried loudly and his little hand was pointing in the direction of the door, trying to grab him back in the air.

“Okay. Don’t cry. You are overreacting.” Shen Dai felt that his eardrums were buzzing.

Bai Xiangwan held back his laughter and backed away. He wrapped Qiuqiu’s little paws and gave a soft ‘shh’.

Qiuqiu stopped crying immediately. With tears in his eyes, he looks at Bai Xiangwan.

“Senior brother, don’t be so accustomed to him. He is too dependent on you and it will be even more difficult for us to coax him.”

Bai Xiangwan came over, suddenly lowered his head and pressed it against Qiuqiu’s face. He released a little pheromone and coaxed him softly, “Don’t make trouble, Qiuqiu.”

Qiuqiu was obviously calm, but he was in Shen Dai’s arms. They were so close. Bai Xiangwan’’s gentle and steady pheromone invaded Shen Dai’s nerves so unpreparedly. Shen Dai was stunned for a moment. There is a tingling feeling in his scalp.

Since he washed off the ‘mark’ more than a year ago, his glandular function has become more sluggish than before. Not only the taste of epiphyllum pheromones has become weaker. But also the ability to perceive other people’s pheromones has also decreased. Washing the ‘mark’ would have caused a certain degree of damage to the glands, not to mention that he was not given anaesthesia at the time. It was an experience he was most afraid to recall. At that time, he was tied to the operating table like a lamb to be slaughtered and endured the severe pain. It still causes nervous tingling in the back of his neck from time to time and because of his screams and struggles, the doctor is naturally frightened and restrained when he starts the operation. The effect of the operation and postoperative recovery are greatly reduced.

However, for him now, if it is not for raising his own children, the gland is almost useless. If it is damaged, then it is damaged. But just now he sensed Bai Xiangwan’s pheromone, and his body even had a normal response when it received the invasion of the opposite sex pheromone. This proved that his gland function had recovered somewhat. This is a good thing, after all, no one wants to have a problem with their body parts.

Bai Xiangwan stood up straight and took a step back, staring at Shen Dai: “I’m sorry.” His eyes were more of an inquiry than an apology for accidentally offending others.

“It’s okay.” Shen Dai grabbed Qiuqiu’s little hand and waved it, smiling, “Goodbye to Uncle Bai.”

After Bai Xiangwan left, Xiao Die started to clean up. She washed some strawberries. The three of them sat on the sofa eating while watching a movie.

“Why is Qiuqiu so good today?” Xiao Die asked casually.

“Your teacher Bai left some pheromone on him.”

“Oh, I heard that Teacher Bai’s pheromone smells very good, is it White Elm?”

“Hmm, it smells good.”

Xiaodie turned her head to look at Shen Dai and said with a smile, “Mr. Shen, Teacher Bai is so kind to you.”

“Yeah.” Shen Dai said with emotion, “He went to the hospital to make pheromone essential oil for Qiuqiu, which made me very embarrassed.”

“Wow.” Xiaodie’s eyes lit up, “Mr. Bai is a workaholic. He is usually very cold to people. I think he is the most gentle to you. And he treats Qiuqiu as his own son.”

Speaking of this, if Shen Dai doesn’t understand what Xiao Die means, he is definitely stupid. But unfortunately, he can only pretend to be stupid: “Senior brother is just not good at communication.”

“Indeed, so Teacher Bai treats you…”

“It’s a bit late. I’ll go coax Qiuqiu to sleep first.” Shen Dai couldn’t deal with such a stubborn problem. Between him and Bai Xiangwan, there shouldn’t be any awareness of thinking in that direction.

Xiao Die blinked and looked at Shen Dai. She hesitated for a while and didn’t speak further.

Shen Dai took the warm baby bottle and carried Qiuqiu into the room. Qiuqiu still drank deliciously at first, but after a while, he started to fight his sleepiness. In the end, he couldn’t open his eyes and his little mouth was still sucking the bottle.

Shen Dai just stared at Qiuqiu like that, with a smile on his face.

Qiuqiu fell asleep. Shen Dai wiped his mouth, put him in the crib, and continued to watch him quietly.

The world of adults is always windy and rainy, but when he looks at this child, his soul can get a short period of peace and comfort. He is grateful every day for the existence of Qiuqiu. It gives him endless power, allowing him to face everything that frightens him.

It’s time for him to face the world. It is for his own future and for Qiuqiu. 

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Next update: 2022.06.22

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*Translator’s note: I really want Senior Brother Bai to marry SD. T.T!!! Head’s up. QMY will appear again in Chapter 62. -K