ASFTB 48: You Beastmen Have Such Good Physiques 2

Jian Chengxi had always lived a life of depending on others, moving from one relative’s home to another. He had long since gotten used to a life of uncertainty. Actually, he didn’t care at all about moving or not moving, as long as the family was together, that was enough for him.

Just as he was thinking—

Li Lingfeng’s communication wristband rang.

The man turned around to answer the communication, then turned back to look at Jian Chengxi and said, “The deputy general said the school notified that they will let out early today. He will pick up Miaomiao from school and also bring back Suisui and Xiao Chen.”

Jian Chengxi let out a sigh of relief and said, “That’s good!”

The vegetable garden had always been managed by Grandma Li. Yet after all, Grandma Li was getting old and it was impossible for her to handle everything.

Jian Chengxi checked and said, “This fence seems to be a bit crooked again. General, help me bring the toolbox, I’ll nail it again.”

Li Lingfeng glanced at it. “Why don’t you hammer the fence deeper at once, then it won’t tilt later.”

Jian Chengxi rolled up his sleeves and said, “I can’t do anything about it. There seems to be a rock under this spot, no matter how hard I try, it won’t go down…”

As his words fell—

Li Lingfeng used only one hand to strike with the hammer, and the entire fence immediately sank down, making a dull sound. When it stood on the ground, it was solid with no twists or distortions. The man glanced back at him indifferently.

Jian Chengxi: “…”

It wasn’t that the soil was uneven, it turned out that the problem was with the person.

The two of them were repairing the garden.

The sound of a little girl came from not far away, her voice was clear and bright as she ran over, “Daddy!”

Jian Chengxi turned around with some happiness. “Suisui!”

Li Chen was carried over by the deputy general, while Li Suisui had already run into the garden.

Jian Chengxi said gratefully to the deputy general behind him, “Thank you for your trouble.”

The deputy general immediately said, “No trouble at all, it’s my pleasure. I really like kids, but unfortunately, we only have Miaomiao.”

Jian Chengxi smiled and said, “One child is good too.”

“We’re planning to have a second child!” The deputy general said happily, “I heard you and the general already have three children. It’s so fast. How can our family fall behind?”

Jian Chengxi: “…”

You don’t need to hear such rumors next time.

He returned to the garden to pick the fruit.

There was a ladder in the garden, and Jian Chengxi was preparing to climb it. He hadn’t climbed in days, and with the cold wind blowing, he was actually shaking a bit after climbing a few steps.

Li Suisui stood under the fruit tree and looked up at him. Her voice was clear and bright, “Daddy, be careful.”

Jian Chengxi felt somewhat touched. His daughter had grown up and was now caring for him. “It’s fine.”

Yet unexpectedly—

Li Suisui raised her little face and looked at him, “If you hurt yourself again, you’ll hide and cry like before!”

“…”

Actually, that last sentence didn’t need to be said.

Jian Chengxi inwardly complained, and continued picking fruit from the tree. This time, there were more fruits growing but selecting the good and edible ones wasn’t an easy task for most people. He focused intently on picking them.

The positions were a bit tricky, some were growing too far, and even when he stretched his arm, he couldn’t reach them.

At this moment—

Li Lingfeng walked over, and the man held the ladder. Then, Jian Chengxi was lifted down from the top.

His body was momentarily lifted off the ground, and he exclaimed in surprise.

Then, he was securely seated on Li Lingfeng’s arm. The man held him with one arm and walked over to the fruit, asking, “Which one do you want to pick?”

Jian Chengxi’s face turned red, as he was pressed against his strong and firm chest. He immediately looked up after hearing this and pointed, saying, “That one.”

Li Lingfeng reached out and was able to pick it immediately.

Sitting in his arms, Jian Chengxi no longer had to worry about being scratched by branches or bumping into anything while picking fruit.

“This one.”

“Ah, and this one too.”

“There, over there.”

Before long, Jian Chengxi’s arms were piled high with fruit, and a smile appeared on his happy face. “Such efficiency.”

When he lowered his head, he was very close to Li Lingfeng’s face.

Their eyes met.

He looked into his dark, deep eyes, and his breathing slowed a little.

Actually, carrying someone around should be a very tiring task, not to mention having to be commanded by the person being carried.

Yet the man didn’t say a word of complaint and even seemed to indulge his behavior.

Jian Chengxi’s heart inexplicably started beating faster, and he whispered, “I’m not that heavy.”

Li Lingfeng said in a calm voice, “You’re very light.”

Jian Chengxi let out a sigh of relief, but he still said, “You should let me down. Even though I’m not heavy, you won’t be able to handle it if I stay like this.”

Li Lingfeng’s expression remained neutral. “Pick a little more, I can carry you.”

Jian Chengxi was still a little worried. “But…”

Li Lingfeng, beside him, lifted his eyelid and looked at him, “If you really don’t believe in my strength, you can find a chance to test it next time.”

Jian Chengxi subconsciously said, “Of course I believe…”

He froze for a moment, and it took him a second to realize what Li Lingfeng was referring to. His face immediately turned red, and even images flashed through his mind, making him blush even more.

He turned his face and met Li Lingfeng’s gaze, which seemed to hold a hint of amusement.

Jian Chengxi: “…”

Ahhh!

He absolutely didn’t want to try. It would be dangerous!

Before long, another round of fruit picking was completed in the orchard. Jian Chengxi was recording the orchard’s measurements while thinking in his mind that he would set up the greenhouse in the next few days.

Not far away, Li Suisui and Li Chen were catching little bugs under the treehouse, playing.

Jian Chengxi shouted, “Don’t run too far!”

The two children responded.

Since having children, Jian Chengxi had come to understand the difficulties of being a parent.

Thinking of this—

Jian Chengxi glanced sideways at Li Lingfeng and softly asked, “General, you came to the Underground City when you were so young. How did you survive on your own?”

In fact, he had never really learned about Li Lingfeng’s past.

Seeing that he had asked, Li Lingfeng whispered, “I wasn’t always alone. In the first few years, I was taken in by someone.”

Jian Chengxi’s eyes brightened, “Really?”

It seems that in the general’s growth journey, he must have encountered some good people!

This world is still full of love!

Li Lingfeng nodded and said, “Hmm, he ran an iron shop, didn’t want to pay for workers, so he just took in cheap child labor and exploited them.”

“…”

There is love, but not much.

Jian Chengxi cleared his throat and said, “So, did General just keep working as a helper at the iron shop after that?”

Li Lingfeng shook his head. “No, I didn’t always work as a helper.”

Jian Chengxi’s hope was rekindled. “Did you do something else then?”

Li Lingfeng said slowly, “Later, the shop owner saw that I was capable, and gave me all the work to do.”

“…”

Jian Chengxi didn’t know how to comfort him, this was completely beyond words.

If it were him, he would have turned dark!!

Jian Chengxi was just about to comfort him when he heard Li Lingfeng say, “But later, I stopped doing it.”

“Ah, really?” Jian Chengxi became interested. “Did the boss have a change of heart?”

Li Lingfeng said with a neutral expression, “He went on to exploit others.”

“…”

Touching, but not much.

Jian Chengxi sighed deeply and said, “Yet no matter how you put it, the boss did at least accept the general back then.”

Li Lingfeng nodded.

Jian Chengxi clasped his hands and said, “I hope the old man, from the afterlife, can rest in peace seeing the general like this.”

Li Lingfeng glanced at him. “He’s not dead yet.”

Jian Chengxi: “…”

I was careless.

The iron shop owner was already over a hundred years old, and while basking in the sun on the street, he saw a pair of people walking toward him from a distance. The two of them walked side by side—one was tall and handsome, holding a child in his arms, and the other was a young man with a slender, well-proportioned figure and a delicate face, holding a bouncy, skipping little girl by the hand.

The sun was shining brightly.

The child next door shouted, “Grandpa, grandpa, someone has come to collect debt from you again!”

The old man was startled and shakily got up from the rocking chair, as if trying to run.

Jian Chengxi was both amused and helpless. He said, “Old man, we’re not here to collect debt, we’re here to visit you.”

The old man hesitated and turned around, the afternoon sunlight’s afterglow falling down. He squinted his eyes and looked at Li Lingfeng, seemingly trying hard to recognize who was in front of him.

Finally—

He was trembling all over, and cautiously said to Li Chen, “Lingfeng, you’ve grown up so much?”

The air was silent for a moment.

Li Lingfeng said in a deep voice, “I’m here.”

The old man’s eyes widened as if he had just realized, and said happily, “I knew it. You were much fiercer than this child when you were younger.”

“…”

Li Lingfeng said with a neutral expression, “You’re still the same as ever. Is that child a new hire?”

He was referring to the child at the shop entrance.

The child seemed young, wearing the shop’s work uniform.

The old man said happily, “It’s about the same as before, it’s not as good as you. After you left, I haven’t encountered anyone so easy to manage. What’s the matter, if things don’t go well, just come back here, I’m still missing a blacksmith.”

What he said seemed somewhat impersonal.

Yet it was precisely because of his sheltering that many children who were exiled to the Underground City didn’t starve to death on the streets.

Li Lingfeng turned around while holding the child’s hand. “Let’s go.”

Jian Chengxi smiled at the old man and said, “I’ll come visit you next time.”

The old man was getting older, and his physical condition was no longer as good as before. He grabbed Jian Chengxi’s hand and asked, “You’re his wife, right?”

Jian Chengxi nodded and said, “Yes.”

“Xiao Feng has a bad temper, please be understanding. If things don’t work out, just come find me.”

Jian Chengxi asked in confusion, “Are you going to take charge for me?”

The old man said cheerfully, “I’ll make you a better coffin.”

“…”

Such humor.

Jian Chengxi was about to leave, but then he heard the old man behind him softly say, “Old age, old age. The white-haired sends off the black-haired.”

He was somewhat confused, but when he looked behind, the old man had gone back to his rocking chair to sleep.

The sky was gradually getting late.

The family was preparing to take the airship back, and when passing by the hospital, Jian Chengxi looked over a few times, remembering Feiyun’s illness, and couldn’t help but feel worried.

Li Lingfeng spoke, “Since you’re worried, then go and take a look.”

Jian Chengxi asked him, “What about you?”

Li Lingfeng had already changed into his regular clothes on the airship, and in his normally neat attire, the collar was loosened by two buttons. The man whispered, “I’m going to find Mirage to discuss some things.”

Jian Chengxi was a bit confused about what he needed to see Mirage for. Could it be that Mirage’s wife ran away again?

Anyway, it’s certainly not for a medical visit.

However, it’s not appropriate to ask too much about such matters, so he just nodded and didn’t say anything more.

The airship stopped at the hospital entrance.

Unlike before, when they always came in secretly, they would enter directly through the front gate this time.

Jian Chengxi went straight to the fourth floor with the children, but he happened to run into Alice and Feiyun, who were in the hospital room. The mother and daughter were talking to each other.

Alice saw them with smiles on her face. “Suisui!”

The family walked in.

Feiyun’s condition actually seemed much better. The woman sat on the hospital bed, looking at him, and gave him a gentle smile. She said, “Mr. Jian.”

Jian Chengxi walked over and sat to the side. He asked, “How are you?”

“I must thank you. If your family hadn’t taken in Alice, perhaps Byrne would have used the child to threaten me.” Feiyun said with a sigh, “We’ve been married for so many years, I never thought he would become like this.”

Jian Chengxi comforted her. “It’s better to see him for who he is early on.”

Feiyun’s face turned a bit pale, “I’m fine, though I was indeed sad for a while, but I’ve also come to understand that some things can’t be forced.”

Jian Chengxi asked cautiously, “What about Byrne…”

“He’s fine. Although the stone injured him badly, he’ll be fine with some rest.” Feiyun said softly, “Now that he’s lost the position of chairman, the Fuchs family has been busy distancing themselves from him. I’ve made up my mind and after I’m discharged from the hospital, I’ll divorce him.”

This is definitely a very resolute decision.

Jian Chengxi looked toward the distance. “What about Alice…”

Feiyun smiled and said, “Joint custody.”

Jian Chengxi also nodded. After all, tuition and the cost of raising a child were not small expenses. Joint custody was the best outcome. Feiyun’s health wasn’t good, so she couldn’t take care of Alice wholeheartedly.

Seeing that her complexion didn’t look well, he said, “Would you mind if I check your pulse again?”

Feiyun extended her hand.

Jian Chengxi placed his hand on her slender wrist and felt the somewhat weak pulse. His expression shifted slightly.

The toxin hadn’t been completely cleared out; it had only stopped spreading thanks to Mirage’s help. To eliminate it completely would still take some effort. He would have to have a proper talk with Mirage later.

Feiyun looked at him and said, “My condition isn’t very good, is it?”

Jian Chengxi shook his head and said, “It was discovered early, so it’s not serious. You don’t need to worry too much—just focus on recovering your health. Alice is still young, she needs you.”

Feiyun looked toward Alice in the distance, her eyes filled with gentle affection. “I used to always hope Alice could be more outstanding, so that she wouldn’t be looked down upon like I was. Yet after what happened this time, I suddenly realized that as long as my child is happy, nothing else matters.”

Jian Chengxi nodded. “She’s still young, there’s no need to be so strict. I believe Alice will become an outstanding person in the future.”

She’s the main character, after all. How could she not be exceptional?

When Feiyun heard him say that, a faint smile appeared on her face.

Alice was sitting at the table doing her homework. Then she picked up her work and ran over, saying, “Mom, Alice finished her homework!”

Feiyun took Alice’s drawing and said, “This is…”

Alice propped her little face in her hands and said, “Today, the teacher assigned us to draw our dream home.”

Feiyun looked at the drawing.

Li Suisui’s voice sounded from the side, “Alice’s drawing looks just like Suisui’s house.”

Jian Chengxi was a bit surprised and leaned in to take a closer look. He found that the layout was indeed very similar to their house—there were flowers on the table, lots of vegetables in the kitchen, and even a small courtyard.

“It really is.” Jian Chengxi took the drawing and smiled. “They really are about the same.”

Feiyun glanced at her daughter, then smiled at Jian Chengxi and said, “It seems Alice really likes your home.”

Jian Chengxi said half-jokingly, “Then how about Alice becoming our child in the future?”

Having the future protagonist as his child—how cool would that be.

Feiyun joined in the joke and said, “I have no objections. Actually, I think your children are all very smart and will definitely have bright futures ahead.”

Jian Chengxi knew it was just a joke. The female lead would definitely end up with the male lead in the future. It’s just that the little male lead hadn’t appeared yet but that wasn’t a problem. He was more than happy for the protagonist to be friends with his kids and didn’t mind them being close.

So Jian Chengxi smiled brightly and teased the child. “Alice, would you like to be our child?”

The little angel by the bedside looked especially well-behaved and adorable. The three-year-old girl’s face flushed slightly red.

Alice took out a small paper crane from the nearby table, raised it up, and said, “Alice made this herself.”

Jian Chengxi’s eyes widened slightly. In his dream, this little thing contained the power of angels—it was something deeply private and precious. In that world, it was the way angels expressed their feelings, and from beginning to end, the heroine had only ever given one to the male lead.

Jian Chengxi hesitated and said, “Are you planning to…”

Alice secretly glanced at Li Suisui in the distance. Her cheeks were flushed red but she had a smile on her face. “It’s for Suisui.”

Jian Chengxi: “?”

Wait a second.

Weren’t the protagonist and the villain supposed to be mortal enemies?!

This wasn’t even in the original story!