Chapter 66
Sunlight filtered through the leaves as Shi Nuo carried Wu Wu through the massive forest.
The trees, tall and imposing, loomed over them, creating a strange sense of scale, as if they had shrunk.
The light within the forest was dim and green, different from the bright sunlight outside. The ground was covered in moss, and low-hanging branches, intertwined with vines, some resembling hanging snakes, obstructed their path.
The household robot followed close behind.
The spacecraft was parked in a clearing outside the forest, ready to be remotely activated if needed.
Shi Nuo had activated his optical brain’s scanning function, the thermal imaging display showing the locations of nearby creatures.
The household robot also provided occasional updates, alerting him to any animals approaching.
They had been walking for half an hour and, apart from a few venomous snakes they had avoided, hadn’t encountered any large animals.
Before landing, Shi Nuo had scanned the area, ensuring there were no predators within their planned exploration zone, choosing a safe, relatively flat area near the edge of the forest, not venturing too deep, wanting only to show Wu Wu a different environment.
The white-haired toddler, his chubby cheeks rosy, was strapped securely to Shi Nuo’s chest, his large, dark eyes wide with curiosity as he observed his surroundings.
“Pa…pa,” Wu Wu pointed excitedly at a red squirrel with a bushy tail as it scampered up a tree.
“It’s a squirrel,” Shi Nuo chuckled, stopping to look up at the tree with Wu Wu.
They were still about fifteen meters away and didn’t approach. The squirrel, wary of them, quickly disappeared among the branches.
They both looked up, a small tuft of white hair sticking up from the top of Wu Wu’s head, a miniature version of Shi Nuo’s own hairstyle. The toddler’s hair was short, the small topknot barely noticeable.
Shi Nuo had also tied his own hair up, a small topknot keeping his longer bangs out of his eyes.
Whenever he tied his hair up, Wu Wu would insist on having the same hairstyle, pushing its small head against his hand, even in its wolf cub form.
His hair had grown considerably longer, the soft black strands now reaching his shoulders.
Hugh, before leaving, had prepared everything, but he had forgotten to buy a hairdressing robot. Again.
The squirrel was gone. The path ahead was still clear, and Shi Nuo continued walking, carrying Wu Wu.
It was midsummer, but the temperature within the forest was noticeably cooler, the air growing colder the deeper they went. Fortunately, he had dressed Wu Wu in a long-sleeved, thick onesie and small black boots, a stylish little outfit Hugh had prepared.
He had bought many clothes for Wu Wu, in various sizes, even some for a two-year-old.
Sensing the chill, Shi Nuo touched Wu Wu’s hand, relieved to find it warm.
Their “adventure” was uneventful, their route carefully chosen, avoiding any steep slopes or dangerous areas.
Wu Wu seemed to enjoy the outing, its babbling and excited “papa” sounds a constant stream of happy noises.
Back in the spacecraft, Shi Nuo gave Wu Wu some water, then leaned back in the pilot seat to rest. Carrying the cub for over an hour had tired him out.
He had considered letting Wu Wu walk, but the toddler, once on the ground, would undoubtedly explore everything, touching and grabbing, running off in all directions.
Getting dirty wasn’t a problem; he could wash him later. But the forest held unseen dangers, and he didn’t want to chase after a runaway toddler.
The spacecraft, piloted by the household robot, lifted off smoothly and headed back.
Wu Wu, sitting on his lap, still seemed to be processing the new sights and sounds, its babbling a continuous stream of nonsensical words.
Shi Nuo, resting, listened to his son’s chatter, a faint smile on his lips.
As soon as they were back inside the house, Wu Wu, surprisingly, tried to take off its boots, squatting down and tugging at them, its chubby little backside wiggling, its efforts futile.
Shi Nuo picked up the toddler and removed its boots, and Wu Wu, its earlier frustration gone, let out a happy gurgle.
Wu Wu’s feet were small and chubby, its toes plump and pink, and Shi Nuo, chuckling, sniffed them, then wrinkled his nose in mock disgust. “Stinky feet.”
Wu Wu giggled and lifted its feet, offering them for another sniff.
After playing for a while, Shi Nuo put Wu Wu down and let him put on his slippers.
Wu Wu, wearing bright green frog slippers, followed Shi Nuo everywhere, like a little shadow.
Shi Nuo peeled and deveined a few cooked shrimp, removed the heads, and placed the meat in a bowl for Wu Wu, fastening a bib around the toddler’s neck as he sat on a small stool, happily eating and playing.
At a year and a half old, with ten baby teeth, Wu Wu was curious about food and enjoyed exploring different textures and flavors.
The shrimp, large even in Shi Nuo’s hands, seemed enormous in the toddler’s small grasp. Instead of using his teeth, he meticulously picked at the shrimp meat with his fingers, completely engrossed in his task.
Shi Nuo was in the kitchen, frying chicken nuggets and drumsticks, a dish he had made several times now, his skills improving with each attempt.
He glanced at Wu Wu, who was sitting by the kitchen door, just as the toddler dropped a piece of shrimp on the floor. Without hesitation, Wu Wu picked it up and popped it into his mouth.
Shi Nuo, about to give him another piece, sighed and decided not to interfere. The floor inside the house was clean, and it hadn’t touched the ground outside, so it wasn’t a big deal.
The chicken sizzled in the hot oil, its aroma filling the kitchen.
Wu Wu, playing in the living room, its small nose twitching, suddenly abandoned its toys and crawled towards the kitchen, its little legs moving quickly.
“Papa! Wu Wu…eat! Eat!” it cried, grabbing Shi Nuo’s leg and sitting on his foot, drool dripping from its chin.
“It’s too hot. It needs to cool down.”
Shi Nuo placed the cooked chicken on a wire rack to drain the excess oil, then picked up Wu Wu and carried him out of the kitchen, closing the door to prevent the smell from tempting the toddler further.
He wiped Wu Wu’s chin and kissed his chubby cheek.
“Let’s go pick some vegetables,” he said, grabbing a wicker basket from the table.
The midsummer air was warm, filled with the buzzing of cicadas.
As soon as they stepped outside, Wu Wu suddenly growled, its eyes narrowed, its gaze fixed on the sky.
Shi Nuo’s heart pounded. Wu Wu, a beastman cub, had heightened senses. Was there danger?
Danger from the sky…he thought of the interstellar stray beast, but a flicker of hope also rose within him, and he looked up.
The sky was clear blue, a few birds flying overhead, the scene peaceful and serene.
Then he saw a small black dot moving rapidly across the sky, quickly growing larger.
Like a starship.
This thought made his heart race.
The familiar dark gray starship grew larger, its engine’s roar growing louder.
The strong downdraft from the landing ship made the grass sway wildly, and Shi Nuo shielded Wu Wu’s eyes with his hand.
As soon as the starship landed, the hatch opened.
A figure emerged and rushed towards them, and Shi Nuo was suddenly engulfed in a tight embrace.
Hugh Elvis’s breathing was rapid, his emotions overflowing as he held Shi Nuo and the cub close.
“I’m back,” he whispered, his voice hoarse, his eyes filled with a longing that mirrored Shi Nuo’s own.
“Welcome home,” Shi Nuo’s eyes glistened with tears, and after a moment, he said, “I made shrimp and fried chicken. It’s almost time for lunch.”
“Okay,” Hugh replied softly, then reluctantly released Shi Nuo, his gaze taking in the Omega and the cub.
Wu Wu?
The white-haired toddler, his chubby face flushed from being squeezed in the Alpha’s embrace, was glaring at him, his small face a picture of indignant outrage.
“It’s your father. Father’s back,” Shi Nuo quickly explained.
Wu Wu glanced at the man, then turned its head, refusing to acknowledge him.
“He’s forgotten you,” Shi Nuo chuckled, poking the toddler’s nose playfully.
Hugh smiled. “He just needs time to adjust.”
He reached out to take Wu Wu.
As soon as he held the toddler, Wu Wu started crying, its loud wails echoing through the air.
Shi Nuo quickly took him back, and they both tried to soothe the crying child, standing there for a while before remembering to go inside.
Wu Wu’s tears subsided, but his eyelashes were still wet, and he clung to Shi Nuo’s neck, occasionally glancing at the man sitting across from them.
The household robot returned with a basket of vegetables and went to the kitchen to wash and prepare them, following its pre-programmed instructions.
Shi Nuo was happy, his smile wide and genuine.
The familiar cold lotus fragrance, stronger now, filled the house, a comforting presence.
Noticing Wu Wu looking at him, Hugh smiled and reached out to ruffle the toddler’s hair, his fingers brushing against the small topknot, only to have Wu Wu swat his hand away.
His gaze fell on the small topknot in Shi Nuo’s hair. He couldn’t resist reaching out and touching it. “Your hair has gotten long,” he said.
“It has,” Shi Nuo agreed.
“Should I cut it for you?” Hugh offered.
Shi Nuo looked at him for a moment, then nodded. “Okay.”
Neither of them mentioned buying a hairdressing robot or going to a salon.
The scent of lotus blossoms mingled with the sweet fragrance of tea olive, and Hugh Elvis licked his sharp canines, his throat moving slightly.
Almost six months of separation, no access to his Omega’s pheromones, even their bond partially severed, suppressing his instincts…it hadn’t been easy. His pheromones had been fluctuating, and he had needed suppressant injections every three days.
Shi Nuo, soothing Wu Wu, saw him lick his teeth and blushed, his ears turning red.
But the child was here.
Marking, even a temporary one, was an intimate act, best not done in front of their child.
As if sensing his hesitation, Hugh simply stepped closer, bent down, and kissed Shi Nuo’s cheek.
Slap—
Wu Wu, its eyes wide with indignation, its small face contorted in anger, slapped Hugh’s face, its chubby hand remaining in mid-air, as if ready to strike again.
Shi Nuo, both amused and slightly alarmed by the loud slap, quickly grabbed Wu Wu’s hand, glancing at Hugh nervously. That slap had sounded quite forceful.
Hugh stepped back, rubbing his cheek, his brow furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line.
It hadn’t hurt, but he couldn’t understand why Wu Wu was so hostile towards him.
Seeing the toddler still trying to hit him, he clicked his tongue, bared his teeth, his canines prominent, and let out a low growl, a warning.
This only seemed to enrage Wu Wu further, who, forgetting its own wolf nature, started yelling and babbling, its sounds like angry gibberish.
Shi Nuo couldn’t help but laugh, and Wu Wu, glaring at him, continued its babbling, its head turning and twisting as Shi Nuo tried to cover its mouth.
Hugh, amused by his son’s antics, his mood considerably improved, said, “I’ll go get my luggage.”
Shi Nuo had intended to help, but Wu Wu was still babbling angrily, and he continued to soothe the toddler.
Hugh, his mood light, made several trips to the starship, carrying his belongings, the cub’s continuous babbling a cheerful, albeit unintelligible, background noise.
He couldn’t understand the toddler’s words, but he didn’t mind.
Shi Nuo gently patted Wu Wu’s back, surprised by the cub’s persistence, its seemingly endless stream of angry babble.
As he watched Hugh unpack, he talked about their recent activities, their morning walk in the forest, their trip to the river to watch the fish, the small, everyday moments of their lives.
Hugh listened intently, responding occasionally, his own long silence finally broken.
A warm summer breeze blew in through the open door, carrying the scent of grass, wildflowers, and sunshine, a vibrant, carefree energy filling the house.
