The entire group of dragons crowded forward to observe their newly born clansman up close. It had to be said — Yang Xiao cut quite a figure. His skin was fair and tender, his body plump in the way of babies, with rolls of adorable flesh encircling his little arms and legs. His bright, large eyes were framed by long lashes, making him utterly endearing.
Seven or eight pairs of hands reached out to touch him, sensing this newborn's aura. Yang Xiao greeted every one of them with a clean, bright smile, which only deepened their fondness.
Even Zhu Qing's beautiful eyes shimmered with an unreadable light as she watched, looking for all the world as though she wished she could bear one of her own.
"All right, all right." Zhu Yan beamed, unable to shut his mouth, and seeing Yang Xiao beset by so many relatives, felt a pang of protectiveness. He stepped forward to intervene. "The birth of a new clansman for our Dragon Race is a momentous joyous occasion, and it calls for a proper celebration. How many years has it been since Dragon Island saw such an event? Everyone go back and prepare — we'll gather again soon for a grand feast of celebration."
Zhu Kong nodded: "The Grand Elder is quite right. This truly should be celebrated."
With the Grand Elder's word, the cluster of dragons finally withdrew from Yang Xiao's side, allowing the little fellow to breathe a sigh of relief.
Fu Zhun gazed at him tenderly, smiling as she asked: "Come, go home with your mother."
Yang Xiao showed a hesitant expression and turned to look at Yang Kai, his gaze clearly seeking permission — as though he couldn't go unless Yang Kai agreed.
This sight did not escape Zhu Yan's notice, and a wave of melancholy washed over him. Somehow, he and Fu Zhun's standing in Yang Xiao's heart seemed inferior to Yang Kai's? True, it was Yang Kai who had hatched the boy, but after all, they were his blood parents.
Could it have something to do with the Progenitor Dragon's origin?
Fu Zhun looked toward Yang Kai as well, and in her lovely eyes, the habitual dominance and coldness had vanished entirely, replaced by a faint hint of pleading.
Yang Kai flashed a grin and waved his hand: "Go ahead. Be sure to behave yourself."
Yang Xiao replied with the utmost respect: "Yes, I will be very well-behaved."
These words struck both Zhu Yan and Fu Zhun with a bittersweet blend of heartache and gratification — heartache that Yang Xiao seemed to listen to Yang Kai so especially well, and gratification that the child was so sensible.
Taking Yang Xiao's little hand, Fu Zhun gave Yang Kai a gentle nod, then turned and soared in the direction of Ice and Snow Island. The Grand Elder also nodded at Yang Kai with a grateful expression before hurrying after them.
The remaining dragons gradually dispersed, though every one of them wore a peculiar expression when looking at Yang Kai. After all, his ability to hatch a dragon egg that had long since lost all vitality was nothing short of miraculous.
Before long, only Yang Kai, Zhu Qing, and Qiongqi remained on the island.
"Reluctant to part with him?" Zhu Qing suddenly asked, looking at Yang Kai.
Yang Kai withdrew his gaze and let out a dismissive snort: "He's not my child. What would I be reluctant about?"
Zhu Qing pouted and took his hand of her own accord: "Let's head back too. We ought to think about what kind of gift to bring the little fellow."
"What gift?" Yang Kai asked, taken aback.
Zhu Qing smiled: "Didn't you hear the Grand Elder say we should celebrate properly? The little one will be the guest of honor. As elders, the least we can do is present a welcoming gift."
Yang Kai's expression cleared with sudden understanding: "That's true — we should get something. What do you want to give?"
Zhu Qing said: "I haven't decided yet, but I think those Dragon Blood Pills you refined would be perfect. The little one has just been born, and this is exactly the time to strengthen his bloodline." She paused, then added: "But those were a gift from you to me."
"Take them if you want. After you give them away, I'll refine another batch for you. That stuff won't be worth much anyway."
Won't be worth much… Zhu Qing was rendered somewhat speechless. On Dragon Island, even Dragon Blood Flowers were exceedingly precious, let alone Dragon Blood Pills. But considering Yang Kai's alchemical prowess and the existence of those two Wood Spirits, Dragon Blood Pills probably truly weren't anything valuable in his eyes.
They flew without further conversation, the three of them making their way at full speed back to Half-Moon Island.
Although Yang Kai had been in a daze during the egg-hatching, he had in fact paid a price for it — he simply hadn't felt it much at the time. Now, having returned to Half-Moon Island and spent a wild night with Zhu Qing, the exhaustion crashed over him all at once, and he slept soundly for several days straight.
In a hazy stupor, he suddenly felt a tickling sensation at his nose, as though something were brushing against it.
Still caught between sleep and wakefulness, Yang Kai reached out and caught a delicate hand, then tugged it into his embrace, mumbling: "Stop it."
A soft, feminine body lay against his chest, motionless, warm breath puffing against his skin. Yang Kai shifted his eyes closed, half-encircling the figure in his arms, while one large hand had already wandered along a graceful waist and come to rest on a pert, rounded rear.
He gave it a gentle squeeze — and his brow furrowed involuntarily.
Something about this feel seemed… off.
Though the elasticity was just as remarkable, the shape just as full and round, this didn't feel like Zhu Qing's body. Moreover, the fragrance drifting from between those tresses was nothing like hers.
Yang Kai jolted awake, fine beads of cold sweat beading on his forehead as a horrifying thought surfaced in his mind: could it be… he had gotten himself into some sort of mortifying situation?
Before he could figure it out, he heard footsteps approaching from outside, and then Zhu Qing's voice: "Your father is sleeping — he's been asleep for several days now. Ah — you two…"
In the doorway, Zhu Qing stood frozen, her beautiful eyes wide as she stared at the scene on the bed.
On the large bed, Yang Kai lay on his side, with Mo Xiaoqi nestled halfway in his arms, and his large hand resting squarely upon her soft, round backside — in the unmistakable pose of a squeeze.