POTINS 56 END

Three days later, Wen Zhongyi was discharged from the hospital.

Dad originally wanted to book a postpartum care center for him, but Wen Zhongyi strongly preferred to recuperate at home. So, Dad hired a highly experienced maternity nanny to stay at the house and take care of him.

All three meals a day were meticulously prepared by the nanny, and Xiao Liuyi was well cared for, too.

This was Wen Zhongyi’s first childbirth, but he hadn’t suffered too much and recovered quickly.

That evening, while Wen Zhongyi was nursing Liuyi, Meng Chuan suddenly said, “Shouldn’t we change his nickname?”

Wen Zhongyi was gently stroking Liuyi’s back, his expression soft and tender. He looked up slightly and asked, “Why change it?”

Meng Chuan argued logically, “We named him Liuyi because he was due on June 1st, but now he was born early. Calling him Liuyi doesn’t really fit anymore.”

Wen Zhongyi brushed back a strand of hair from his neck and looked at him. “Let’s not change it. Liuyi is fine. We’ve been calling him that for so long, we’re used to it.”

“Alright.” Meng Chuan smiled. “Whatever you say.”

Their child’s nickname was Liuyi, and his full name was Wen Jinyu—chosen by Father.

When Meng Chuan had said the child would take Wen Zhongyi’s surname, Father had given him a rare approving look.

Meng Chuan hadn’t thought he did anything especially commendable and said as if it were only right, “He’s the one who suffered through childbirth. The child should take his surname.”

Father nodded and sighed lightly. “Back then, I wanted Xiao Yi to take his dad’s surname too, but it didn’t work out in the end.”

Meng Chuan had heard Wen Zhongyi mention this before.

At the time, Father and Dad’s relationship hadn’t been approved of by the family. The Wen family was extremely powerful in Sanka, and in their eyes, Dad’s family wasn’t even worth mentioning.

What’s more, back then the political climate was unstable. Father was expected to marry an omega who could benefit the family—not fall in love with a little-known painter.

But Father held his ground, protected Dad, and never let him suffer.

However, when it came to the child’s surname, Father didn’t get his wish in the end.

Dad hadn’t minded. In his eyes, the child was theirs—what surname he bore didn’t matter.

“Will your parents be okay with it?” Father asked.

“They’ll be fine. My mom and dad like him more than they like me. They treat him better than a real son-in-law,” Meng Chuan replied.

Father’s lips curved slightly. “That’s good.”

During Wen Zhongyi’s confinement period, he couldn’t move around much, so Meng Chuan went back once to share the good news with Zhou Lu and Meng Jun.

Zhou Lu was beside herself with excitement. “Do you have photos? I want to see what the baby looks like.”

“I do.” Meng Chuan had expected them to ask and pulled out a stack of photos from his pocket. Casually, he added, “Your son-in-law reminded me to take them.”

It had been nearly two months since Zhou Lu last saw Wen Zhongyi, and she couldn’t help sighing. “I miss Xiao Wen so much.”

“He’ll be back once his confinement ends,” Meng Chuan said.

In the photos, Liuyi was either asleep or crying. Only the last few pictures showed him with his eyes open.

Newborn eyes were dark and shiny, dewy and bright, with short lashes clearly visible.

He had just been fed in those shots, calm and content in Wen Zhongyi’s arms. The two of them were smiling together at the camera.

Zhou Lu’s heart melted.

“Oh my, two little babies,” she said, pointing at the photo and showing Meng Jun, her face beaming. “Look how much this little one smiles like Xiao Wen—so adorable.”

Meng Jun, too, wore a kindly expression. “Have you picked a name for Liuyi?”

“We have,” Meng Chuan said. “His grandfather named him Wen Jinyu.”

Neither Zhou Lu nor Meng Jun looked surprised. They nodded approvingly. “That’s a good name.”

The old couple flipped through the photos over and over, never getting enough of them. Zhou Lu also reminded Meng Chuan of all the things to be mindful of during postpartum recovery and urged him to take good care of Wen Zhongyi.

“A maternity nanny alone isn’t enough. You have to really pay attention,” Zhou Lu said. “Postpartum depression is common—you need to spend more time with him and don’t upset him, got it?”

“Got it.” Meng Chuan smiled. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of him.”

Zhou Lu sighed, a bit wistful. “As his mother-in-law, I should be there helping too… But who would’ve thought you two would end up in a long-distance… interplanetary relationship.”

The kind of thing people would call insane had actually happened in their family.

Thankfully, both sides’ parents were open-minded and accepting.

Meng Chuan stayed home for a day, and before leaving, Zhou Lu and Meng Jun stuffed his pockets with heavy gold bracelets and lock pendants.

He was so weighed down, he worried about being robbed on the way back. He made the whole trip in a fluster, and when he returned, he told Wen Zhongyi, “These are early full-month gifts from Grandpa and Grandma.”

Actually, that wasn’t even all of it—Meng Chuan couldn’t carry everything and planned to go back for the rest another day.

The bedroom curtains were half drawn, casting a dim light.

Xiao Liuyi had just finished nursing and was sleeping soundly next to Wen Zhongyi. The scent of rose pheromones in the air was faint and gentle, with a trace of milkiness if one inhaled carefully.

Wen Zhongyi carefully sat up. His light pajamas slipped down, revealing a large patch of pale skin.

His complexion had improved a lot, and his dark hair was sleek and soft—Meng Chuan brushed it for him every day.

Perhaps it was Meng Chuan’s imagination, but after giving birth, Wen Zhongyi’s whole aura seemed to have subtly shifted. His features were softer, more tender, as if something inside him had melted away. It was hard to believe this was the once-cold and indifferent Colonel Wen.

Meng Chuan was moved. He couldn’t help leaning over to kiss him.

Wen Zhongyi’s gaze fell on Liuyi, and when Meng Chuan tried to kiss his lips, he turned his head aside and scolded softly, “The baby’s right here.”

“He doesn’t know anything,” Meng Chuan whispered. “Just one kiss, come on.”

Wen Zhongyi couldn’t resist him and finally tilted his head slightly to exchange a kiss.

The room was filled with the wet, suggestive sounds of swallowing. Perhaps sensing they were up to something indecent, Liuyi suddenly moved his arm and let out a loud wail without warning.

Meng Chuan: “…”

Wen Zhongyi’s cheeks flushed. He glared at Meng Chuan. “This is your fault.”

He undid his buttons and turned to nurse the baby. Liuyi sucked a few times, but kept crying.

Meng Chuan resignedly picked him up, gently rocking him. “Alright, alright, don’t cry. Go to sleep, you little rascal.”

“What kind of lullaby is that?” Wen Zhongyi smacked him from behind. “Is that how you talk to a baby?”

Meng Chuan laughed and hissed, “Okay, okay, my bad. I’ll do better.”

But after a while, Liuyi still wouldn’t stop crying, so they handed him over to the maternity nanny.

She immediately spotted the problem. “He needs a diaper change.”

Once Xiao Liuyi had a clean diaper, the crying stopped. Sniffling softly, he finally drifted back to sleep.

Wen Zhongyi and Meng Chuan looked at his flushed, tear-stained face and both felt a bit guilty.

The nanny reassured them, “It’s normal for first-time parents to struggle. Babies usually cry because they’re hungry, thirsty, or uncomfortable. Just pay more attention from now on—he won’t hold it against you.”

Liuyi slept for a long time. With the nanny staying beside him, Wen Zhongyi took a walk in the living room with Meng Chuan’s help.

Dad was painting on the balcony. He had held a few solo exhibitions, and many of his works had sold at high prices.

But he rarely appeared in public. Aside from attending galas with Father, he mostly stayed home quietly painting.

Dad liked peace and didn’t care for so-called high-society social circles. He simply stayed with his little family, doing what he loved, living a comfortable, content life.

Tuantuan was playing with toys beside him. When it saw Wen Zhongyi coming downstairs, it wagged its tail and rushed over, circling his feet.

Meng Chuan bent down and scooped it up, forcibly rubbing its head.

Wen Zhongyi strolled slowly to Dad’s side and saw what he was painting—a sleeping Liuyi.

A reference photo of Liuyi was next to the canvas, but the painting was even more vivid and adorable.

Dad smiled and said, “Every year on his birthday, I’ll paint a portrait of Liuyi—to capture his growth.”

Wen Zhongyi received one of Dad’s paintings every year on his birthday. It was his unique way of showing love.

Surrounded by love, Xiao Liuyi soon celebrated his full-month banquet.

Father and Dad organized it, and as soon as word got out, it caused quite a stir.

The banquet was held on the top floor of a luxury hotel, and people from all walks of life came to offer congratulations.

However, since Father had fallen out with his family years ago, not many elders from the Wen clan attended.

Though most guests had no memory of Wen Zhongyi, the moment he slowly walked in through the door, an inexplicable sense of familiarity swept through everyone’s hearts.

His face was familiar. His name was familiar. Though they couldn’t remember where they had seen him, they all felt certain—General Wen did indeed have such a son.

Wen Zhongyi had no idea what they were thinking. Wearing a polite smile, he nodded and greeted the people around him.

Meng Chuan walked beside him, pushing the stroller, occasionally reminding him to watch his step on the carpet so he wouldn’t trip.

To protect Xiao Liuyi, Wen Zhongyi didn’t linger long in the banquet hall. After greeting the guests, he pushed the baby into the quiet room next door and left him with the maternity nanny.

At their table, only Father and Dad were present, so there was no need to socialize with unfamiliar faces.

Even so, many people came over to toast Father. Dad had to stand up and accompany them, but after a while he sat down and whispered to Wen Zhongyi, “There are too many people—I want to leave early.”

Wen Zhongyi smiled and said, “Go ahead, Liuyi’s next door.”

Dad promptly got up and slipped away quietly.

With the full-month banquet over, Wen Zhongyi officially completed his postpartum confinement.

Aside from the abs on his stomach not being back yet, the rest of his body had basically returned to its pre-pregnancy state.

His long hair had also been trimmed shorter, tied at the nape of his neck. The bangs in front curled slightly, occasionally revealing his refined features. Sometimes, just a casual glance over his shoulder was enough to leave Meng Chuan stunned for half a day.

Wen Zhongyi had made up his mind to rebuild his muscles, but before that, he had something more important to do—

Return to the other world to take his exams.

Since the eighth month of pregnancy, Wen Zhongyi’s study schedule had eased up significantly. He only read occasionally and had completely put it aside after returning to Sanka.

Luckily, he had built a solid foundation, having invested a lot of time earlier. Even though he hadn’t studied much lately, the knowledge remained deeply rooted in his mind.

He planned to take Liuyi with him, too—after all, Grandpa and Grandma were still waiting to meet the child.

This time, Wen Zhongyi and Meng Chuan held hands tightly and hugged Liuyi close.

After a brief loss of consciousness, when they opened their eyes again, they were standing right outside their villa.

“The location is that accurate now?” Meng Chuan was surprised. “Why didn’t it drop me off at the front door before? Now that we’ve got a baby, it’s suddenly considerate.”

Wen Zhongyi’s first reaction upon opening his eyes was to check on Liuyi in Meng Chuan’s arms. The little one was asleep, completely unaware they’d just traveled through time and space.

Wen Zhongyi gently touched his cheek with his fingertip and said, “Maybe the god in charge of time and space went soft.”

Once home, Meng Chuan called Zhou Lu. In less than twenty minutes, Zhou Lu and Meng Jun arrived, full of excitement.

The moment she entered, Zhou Lu gave Wen Zhongyi a big hug. “Giving birth must’ve been tough. How’s your recovery? Are you feeling okay?”

Wen Zhongyi greeted her with a smile. “I’m fully recovered. No discomfort at all.”

“That’s good.” Zhou Lu looked him over carefully and, seeing that he was in good health, finally relaxed and rushed over to see Xiao Liuyi.

Liuyi was lying asleep on the bedroom bed, one tiny hand outside the blanket, lips moving unconsciously.

Zhou Lu didn’t dare make a sound. She crept closer, leaning over the edge of the bed, her eyes full of affection.

She snapped dozens of photos in a row—not just of the baby, but selfies too, including both herself and Meng Jun, recording their first time meeting their grandson.

Wen Zhongyi and Meng Chuan stepped outside. The first day of exams was tomorrow, and Wen Zhongyi needed to review more.

Meng Chuan stayed in the study with him, dutifully serving tea and feeding him fruit.

“Nervous?” Meng Chuan asked.

Wen Zhongyi turned a page, a lychee in his mouth, and said calmly, “What’s there to be nervous about? It’s just a few exams, not a battlefield.”

Meng Chuan: “…”

Fair enough. After all, he’d been through real bullets and blood—exams didn’t faze him.

After a while, Wen Zhongyi vaguely heard Liuyi crying.

Zhou Lu was already holding the baby and soothing him. Wen Zhongyi reached out. “Let me, Mom. He’s probably hungry.”

“Oh, okay.” Zhou Lu handed him over and instinctively went to grab the bottle, only to be steered out of the room by Meng Chuan’s arm around her shoulder.

With one arm around each parent, Meng Chuan said, “We’ll need a bit of privacy.”

Zhou Lu: “…”

Just as Meng Chuan was about to close the door, Zhou Lu caught him and asked in a hushed voice, “Liuyi’s body—is it like Xiao Wen’s?”

“What do you mean?” Meng Chuan was puzzled for a moment, then realized. “That’s not certain yet. He’ll differentiate when he turns ten. We’ll know then who he takes after.”

Zhou Lu didn’t understand what “differentiate” meant, but she got the gist. She hesitated, then sighed, “…Alright.”

Liuyi was a hybrid of Earth and another planet, so a strange constitution was understandable. Still, Zhou Lu silently prayed her grandson would be more Earth-like.

In the bedroom, Wen Zhongyi was nursing Xiao Liuyi.

A lock of hair fell across his face, half-concealing his expression. Light filtered in through the window, casting a soft glow over his gentle features.

After nursing, Liuyi settled down, staring up at Wen Zhongyi with wide eyes and letting out soft, cat-like noises.

Smiling, Wen Zhongyi pinched his cheek. “What are you saying?”

Meng Chuan came over, poked the baby’s little hand, and listened to his incomprehensible babble.

Since his full-month celebration, Liuyi had grown more alert. His skin was soft and fair, his eyelashes long and dense, his features resembling a young Wen Zhongyi.

Once Liuyi was asleep, Wen Zhongyi asked Meng Chuan to get the breast pump to prepare milk for tomorrow.

He couldn’t manage it alone, so Meng Chuan helped hold it in place, eyes falling on the deepened color of his skin. “Still swelling?”

Wen Zhongyi gave him a glance, fully aware of what he was thinking. He cut him off coldly: “Don’t even start. Your parents are right outside.”

“I was just asking. I wasn’t going to do anything.” Meng Chuan averted his eyes, looking slightly guilty.

Normally, it always rained on exam days, but this year was different.

The next day, the skies were clear, and the sun was warm.

Zhou Lu and Meng Jun stayed home with the baby. Meng Chuan took Wen Zhongyi to the exam site. Several buses were already parked outside the school gate, and students were getting off one after another.

Meng Chuan never thought he’d have the experience of dropping his wife off for exams, and he felt oddly sentimental.

He unbuckled and got out, then walked around to open the car door for Wen Zhongyi.

Once Wen Zhongyi stepped out, Meng Chuan checked his admission ticket and ID one last time. “Good luck. I’ll be waiting outside.”

Wen Zhongyi headed toward the exam hall in a white shirt, hair tied back—he looked just like an art student.

The exams lasted two days. After finishing, Wen Zhongyi told Meng Chuan, “Not as hard as you made it sound.”

Zhou Lu and Meng Jun hosted another banquet for Liuyi, making up for the full-month celebration they’d missed.

Ji Shu was shocked when he arrived.

Last time he’d seen Wen Zhongyi, he still had a belly. Now the baby was already born.

“Wait… Didn’t you say you were going on vacation?” Ji Shu’s eyes went wide. “Having a kid is a huge deal. Why didn’t you tell us earlier?”

Meng Chuan was cradling Liuyi, completely absorbed in his son. He replied absently, “Had him during the vacation. Just happened.”

“Seriously?” Ji Shu felt something was off.

“Why would I lie to you?” Meng Chuan said.

Ji Shu still wanted to ask more, but his eyes were drawn to little Liuyi. He rubbed his hands together. “Can I hold him? Just for a bit.”

Meng Chuan glanced at him, then magnanimously said, “Alright.”

Ji Shu immediately reached out and cautiously cradled the baby in his arms.

The little one was soft and warm. Ji Shu supported his head and marveled, “So tiny.”

“Careful, don’t drop him.” Meng Chuan hovered nearby, ready to catch him if needed.

After Ji Shu, Ji Ying came over, followed by Yang Jiaran.

Liuyi made the rounds in his aunt’s and uncle’s arms, finally returning to Dad.

Wen Zhongyi now held him with practiced ease. Smiling, he said, “He didn’t cry today—what a good boy.”

Meng Chuan looked down and teased, “Probably thinks it’s embarrassing to cry in front of so many people. Right, son?”

Liuyi didn’t respond, just snuggled into Wen Zhongyi’s arms and quickly fell asleep.

“I’ll take him,” Meng Chuan said. “I’ll bring him upstairs for his nap.”

He carried Liuyi upstairs, laid him on the bed, and let him sleep peacefully.

The dinner wasn’t formal—just close friends and family gathered. Everyone raised their glasses to toast little Liuyi.

“This toast is to the amazing dad,” Meng Chuan said, raising his glass toward Wen Zhongyi. “From pregnancy to childbirth, it wasn’t easy. You’ve worked hard.”

Wen Zhongyi smiled and clinked glasses with him.

After that, others followed suit and toasted Wen Zhongyi as well.

Never mind how strange male pregnancy seemed to Earthlings. Just the fact that Wen Zhongyi was willing to carry and give birth to a child as a man was enough to earn their respect.

Wen Zhongyi didn’t explain much. He drank two glasses of juice and then went upstairs.

The bedroom curtains were drawn. Dressed in silk pajamas, Wen Zhongyi took a peaceful nap.

Afternoon sunlight slipped through the gaps in the curtains, casting a radiant beam on the wall.

When he slowly woke, he saw Meng Chuan sitting beside the bed, quietly watching him.

Meeting his gaze, Wen Zhongyi blinked. His voice still raspy from sleep, he asked, “What are you looking at?”

Meng Chuan had been watching him for a long time and still hadn’t had enough. After silently staring for a few seconds, he leaned down, kissed his lips, and asked, “The weather’s nice. Want to go out for a walk?”

Since Liuyi was born, most of Wen Zhongyi’s time had been consumed by the baby. It had been ages since he and Meng Chuan went out alone.

He didn’t hesitate and nodded. “I do.”

Meng Chuan brushed back a strand of hair from his forehead. “Then let’s go now.”

And so, on that calm, sunny afternoon, Wen Zhongyi and Meng Chuan stepped out.

Before leaving, they let Zhou Lu know—there was milk in the fridge. If the baby cried or got hungry, she could feed him.

Zhou Lu asked where they were going and when they’d be back.

Meng Chuan shook his car keys and just said, “We’ll be back before dark.”

He pulled the silver sports car out of the garage. The sunlight reflected off the paint, making Wen Zhongyi squint.

Once in the car, Meng Chuan handed him a pair of sunglasses.

They drove off, heading into the sunlight.

They passed the park where they’d once hidden the ring and stone, and the alley where Wen Zhongyi had first arrived.

The tires rolled over dappled shadows in front of the bookstore. They saw the grand gates of the university.

Meng Chuan drove steadily, eventually reaching the cross-sea bridge.

Wen Zhongyi’s long hair fluttered in the wind, brushing across Meng Chuan’s cheek.

All their memories—good and bad—blew past like the sea breeze, leaving no trace.

While waiting at a red light, Meng Chuan suddenly pulled a rose from behind the seat like a magician.

Wen Zhongyi raised an eyebrow, knowingly asking, “For me?”

Meng Chuan smiled. “For my beloved.”

Wen Zhongyi took the rose, lowered his head to smell it, and smiled faintly.

The car circled the city, and before sunset, under the early summer shade, they shared a kiss.

The scent of roses mingled with bitter coffee—like a thread of memory guiding them back to the war-ravaged land of Sanka. Across fire and time, they reunited in a peaceful land.

No matter where they were, no matter who they were—this person remained by their side.

Their lips parted slightly after a long kiss. They gazed deeply into each other’s eyes.

No words were needed.

Happiness was enough.

—End of main story—