Chapter 64

Li Yuanxi and Wei Shu were led by the kindly female beta into a spotless cafeteria, where a table of light fare had been prepared.

The ship’s head chef was waiting nearby. The chubby woman, also a beta, took one look at the couple: a radiantly fair omega holding hands with a figure of pure darkness.

She silently wondered about the big boss’s peculiar taste in partners, a question mark popping into her head. But, under the first mate’s death glare, she snapped to attention and eagerly pulled out chairs for them.

“Hello, leaders. I imagined you probably haven’t had grains for a while, so I made some stomach-soothing dishes. Please, try them. If they’re not to your liking, I’ll prepare something else immediately.”

The chef politely poured them tea and stood alongside the first mate, keeping the couple company. Li Yuanxi’s stomach growled instantly at the sight of the colorful, aromatic dishes. It had been so long since she had seen real food.

“These dishes are perfect. Thank you for your trouble.” Li Yuanxi expressed their gratitude to both of them. She picked up a bowl and ladled out half a bowl of soup for Wei Shu, to help her digestive system readjust.

Wei Shu had been silent since entering. At most, she would offer a faint smile before retreating back into a cool, elegant composure. She took the bowl and began to drink her soup slowly.

The doctor arranged by the captain was already waiting outside. He signaled the first mate, who acknowledged it with a nod. “President Wei, Miss Li, after you’ve eaten, how about a routine check-up?”

The first mate’s smile was exceptionally friendly, showing just the right amount of concern, along with a hint of fawning goodwill as she looked at Wei Shu. A bit surprised by her change in demeanor, Wei Shu agreed. “Sure, we can do the check-up after we eat.”

“I also want Shu Shu to have a check-up, to see if her health is okay. We’ll still be on this ship for a while.” Li Yuanxi chimed in.

“Alright.” Wei Shu’s response was cool and soft. She then resumed sipping her soup with an elegant air.

They began to eat. Li Yuanxi kept piling dishes onto Wei Shu’s bowl, asking her in low whispers how she was feelings and if she could eat everything.

Seeing how attentive she was, the first mate thought the dark-skinned alpha wasn’t so bad after all. But she remained cautious, knowing appearances could be deceiving.

Wei Shu accepted every dish Li Yuanxi offered, telling her softly what she wanted or didn’t want. Their interactions were natural and sweet, making most of the onlookers lower their suspicions.

After the meal, Wei Shu mentioned wanting to shower and change. The first mate hesitated. There were no omega clothes on the ship, especially not maternity wear.

All they had was coarse work uniforms. Their soft undergarments weren’t suitable for a pregnant omega, either.

“We don’t have the right clothing for you here, ma’am. If you don’t mind, you could try a clean new uniform.” The first mate was full of apologies.

“No need. We have our own clothes. Our luggage has our things. Just take us to our room.” Li Yuanxi cut her off before she could apologize further. If she kept going, Shu Shu would be fast asleep.

The first mate, who had hoped to separate them for the check-up, was forced to lead them to their rooms with a stiff smile. The captain had arranged for two separate rooms, so there might still be a chance to split them up later.

They escorted Li Yuanxi and Wei Shu to their rooms. The first mate, rubbing her hands together in feigned worry, said, “These are single-occupancy rooms, so you’ll have to sleep apart.”

“That’s fine, we can just squeeze in together.” Li Yuanxi, playing the part of the understanding guest, waved her hand dismissively. Before the first mate could protest, she had already led Wei Shu into a room, leaving her frustrated.

Li Yuanxi gave the room a thorough inspection, then stepped out and said to the first mate, “We’re fine now. Go and rest. We’ll call if we need anything.”

The first mate was about to argue when the female beta behind her poked her in the ribs. If she pushed any further, they’d get suspicious. She just nodded and wished them a good rest, saying she’d see them later.

Li Yuanxi waved at them cheerfully. “Thank you so much! I really don’t know how to express my gratitude. Really, thank you. See you later.”

Holding her breath, the first mate gave a tight-lipped smile. She left reluctantly, her reluctance not lost on Li Yuanxi. She scratched her head, puzzled.

“Is it just me, or does it feel like they’re all on guard against me?” she mumbled, turning to see Wei Shu already undressing for her shower. The porcelain-smooth skin of her wife instantly captivated her full attention.

Seeing her silly expression, Wei Shu felt a quiet fondness swell in her heart. Silly was good. She liked it.

Wei Shu crooked a finger at her. Li Yuanxi’s eyes lit up, and she trotted after her without a second thought. They entered the bathroom together.

“Why are you back alone? Where’s President Wei?” The captain had just finished a satellite call with the current big boss. He frowned when he saw the first mate return by herself.

“President Wei and her alpha are in the room, showering.” The first mate responded with a stiff smile.

The captain frowned again, his biggest fear being that Li Yuanxi might be threatening his boss. “Forget it. The doctor will see them soon. A physical exam has to be done separately, anyway.”

The first mate could only nod in agreement.

Having confirmed the facts with the captain via phone, Wei Zheng went limp, collapsing onto the sofa. She gasped heavily for a few moments before bursting into loud, hysterical laughter, so powerful it passed through walls. She alternated between crying and laughing, a sound so moving it brought tears to the eyes of those outside.

The Ocean Group’s general manager laughed along with her, occasionally handing her tissues. This was a crucial moment, a perfect chance to make a good impression.

After laughing for a long, long time, the general manager’s throat was parched, but Wei Zheng was still at it. He cleared his throat and tentatively spoke up. “President Wei, the most important thing now is to get them back. We need to coordinate with the airline and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

“You’re right. But we’re not contacting them yet. First, I need to speak with Xiao Shu. Then we’ll release the news.”

Wei Zheng thought for a moment, then called her assistant to delegate tasks and apply for various private jet flight routes.

An hour later, she finally heard her little sister’s voice. “Second Sister, it’s been a long time.” Wei Shu’s clear, cool voice made Wei Zheng break down crying.

“Wah… Shu… Shu…” Wei Zheng was sobbing so hard she couldn’t get a single word out.

Hearing her sister cry, Wei Shu couldn’t help but join in. This broke Li Yuanxi’s heart. She listened to the familiar voice of her second sister-in-law with tears in her own eyes.

She missed her own parents. She wondered how they were doing. They probably hadn’t had a second child yet, right?

Looking at Wei Shu’s belly, she remembered pestering her parents for a little sister right before she left for her trip. It didn’t look like she was getting a sister, but she was definitely getting a daughter.

Wei Shu was crying hard. Li Yuanxi gave her two minutes to let it out, then gently rubbed her back, whispering in her ear. “Shu Shu, you have to stop crying. If you keep crying, the baby will be upset too.”

Wei Shu heard her and sniffled loudly, her eyes red and pitiful. She tried to control her sobs, steadying her breath. Wei Zheng was wailing so loudly on the other end that she didn’t hear what Li Yuanxi said.

If she had, she might have instantly chartered a boat to go and kill Li Yuanxi herself, right then and there!

Completely oblivious to the danger brewing, Li Yuanxi continued to soothe Wei Shu softly. With Li Yuanxi’s careful comfort, Wei Shu gradually calmed down.

Wei Zheng, now soothed by her assistant, was doing better too, though she was still hiccupping. “Shu Shu.”

“Mhm.”

“Shu Shu.”

“Second Sister, I’m here.”

“Shu Shu.”

“I’ve already talked to the airline. They’re sending a plane to pick you up. We’re coming, too.” Wei Zheng recorded Li Yuanxi and Wei Shu’s voices, handing the file over to the airline and Li Yuanxi’s parents.

The news that two survivors from the N968 flight had been found exploded onto the internet like a bombshell.

The story was being shared globally. Countless people commented, eager to know how they had survived, and whether there were other survivors who just hadn’t been found yet.

After two days on the cargo ship, Li Yuanxi and Wei Shu were picked up by a rescue helicopter.

On the helicopter, the eldest brother of the Wei family stared intently at Wei Shu’s belly and the dark-skinned person offering him a tentative smile. A figure as dark as night sat beside a woman so fair she seemed to glow.

Wei Yi clutched his chest, struggling to breathe. Meanwhile, Li Yuanxi’s father held her hand the entire ride, grinning like a fool. The sound of his laughter made Li Yuanxi’s heart ache.

“Your mother is waiting for you on the shore. We’ll be home soon.” Li Zheng gently patted Li Yuanxi’s head. It had been so long since he had last seen his little girl.

“You’re darker. Thinner.” Li Zheng held back his tears, stroking her face as a smile crumbled and tears fell. “It’s good that you’re back. Your mother and I missed you so much.”

Li Yuanxi rested her head on her father’s shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of sandalwood that always clung to him. It was the scent of a father. The scent of home.

Li Zheng stroked his daughter’s hair. Wei Yi, overhearing Li Zheng, looked at Li Yuanxi, who was so dark only her teeth were white, then back at his own sister, who was rosy-cheeked and well-fed.

He knew, deep down, that Li Yuanxi had done everything in her power to take care of Shu Shu. The contrast between them was painfully obvious.

Wei Zheng found it hard to glare at her anymore. But every time she saw that five-month belly, her heart ached. How had Shu Shu ended up pregnant in such harsh conditions?

Wei Yi grumbled to himself. Wasn’t Li Yuanxi supposed to be useless?

How did she manage to get a child in just a few months? Was this what ‘useless’ looked like?

As soon as Wei Shu got on the helicopter, she fell asleep in her eldest brother’s arms. Li Yuanxi sat opposite them, unable to even hold her own wife’s hand.

Her brother-in-law’s rage was too strong. She had to pick her battles.

The helicopter flew for over four hours before landing at a nearby port. A delegation from the airline, the local government, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were waiting.

A swarm of journalists had gathered, along with many locals who had come to see the two survivors.

The moment the helicopter stopped, Li Yuanxi wrapped a black blanket around Wei Shu, hiding her from view. Wei Yi had initially wanted to take over, but his heartless little sister simply snuggled deeper into Li Yuanxi’s arms.

“Shu Shu, are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?” Li Yuanxi smoothed down the stray hairs on Wei Shu’s face. Wei Shu shook her head, burying her face in Li Yuanxi’s shoulder. “No. It’s just too many people. I don’t want to face them.”

“It’s okay. I’ll get you through this. We’ll be leaving soon.” Li Yuanxi took her hand and, under the guidance of the staff, boarded a coach bus and drove away.

On the bus, the entire Wei family was present. Lu Wan was clinging to Li Yuanxi, kissing her and hitting her repeatedly, her eyes red as she choked out, “You’re never going anywhere without me again! You have to be in my sight every second, or I’ll beat you to death!”

Li Yuanxi nodded, wiping her mother’s tears. She noticed the new streaks of white in Lu Wan’s hair, and Li Zheng’s was not much better.

“But… how did you and Shu Shu…” Lu Wan took Li Yuanxi’s hand, making a vague gesture. She looked nervous, understanding her child, but also afraid of what might have happened.

A forced marking of an omega by an alpha was a serious crime. The minimum sentence was twenty years. In severe cases, it could mean the removal of the alpha’s pheromone gland.

“We fell in love, properly. And then one thing led to another. Oh… is my marriage certificate still safe? I’m a family man now. I have a kid to raise.” Li Yuanxi grinned, her eyebrows dancing as she recounted how she and Wei Shu had fallen in love.

“It’s safe. It’s always been safe.” Lu Wan held her daughter’s hand, smiling as tears streamed down her face.

On the other side of the bus, the Old Master Wei held his daughter’s hand, his heart aching. The nearly sixty-year-old man had tears in his usually stern eyes. “You’ve been through so much. Come home and we’ll take good care of you, restore your health.”

“I’m not suffering. Chuyi took excellent care of me. I didn’t feel any hardship at all with her. I just missed you all. I missed home.” Wei Shu looked at her brothers and sisters, and that one sentence made everyone cry.

“That child seems good. She truly didn’t make you suffer?” The old man tightened his grip, staring into Wei Shu’s eyes, terrified that she was hiding some grievance from him.

Wei Shu nodded. “Dad, you know we’ve been entangled for many, many years. Being with her was the natural conclusion.”

This explanation wasn’t just for her father. It was for her four siblings as well.

Hearing Wei Shu openly acknowledge Chuyi’s identity, Lu Wan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But Wei Shu hadn’t dropped her biggest bombshell yet. Everyone had accepted the baby so quickly. She hadn’t mentioned that Li Yuanxi had proposed and that she had already said yes.

She was afraid that if she pushed too hard, her eldest brother would pick a fight with Li Yuanxi right then and there. Still, she had Li Yuanxi’s pheromone on her. Her brothers and sisters must have realized it, right?

Wei Yi: No. I refuse that preparation.

The coach bus pulled into a temporary office of the airline company. Before the airline representative could even speak, they were stopped by the personal security of the Wei and Li families. “Please wait a moment. The doctors are still examining them.”