Hey, look who's back. I'm sorry I'm late, y'all, I got a job. But it's just a two-week gig, so I'll still have a few free weeks afterwards before school starts...haha.

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Aiden’s birthday was fast approaching. The eighteenth birthday held a very important meaning for omegas, but because of Randy’s unusual identity, it wasn’t a good idea for him to hold a birthday banquet with great fanfare. Randy finally decided to get the family together and celebrate Aiden’s birthday in private.

That night, Randy made a beautiful birthday cake with his own hands, and Craig also personally went into the kitchen to cook a tableful of sumptuous dishes for his son. The family gathered in the dining room to happily and harmoniously eat a birthday dinner. From Randy, Aiden received lots of clothes in the latest fashion. Craig had spent even more generously, straight out giving his son a house. His grounds were, “You’re already an adult. If you get married in the future and don’t want to live with your dad, you can live alone with your alpha.”

It was a social custom of the Empire for alpha-omega couples to leave their families and live alone after marriage. After all, if the omega’s heat arrived, it would be pretty awkward to have their parents there. If the couple had their own home, it was more convenient for them to develop their relationship and raise children.

Moved, Aiden took the keys for his new house from his Craig’s hand, and said, “Thank you, Father.”

Hearing the word “Father,” Craig felt very moved. Ever since the moment when he learned that Aiden was his own son, he had been looking forward to the day when Aiden would open his mouth and call him “Father.” However, Aiden had treated him like a stranger at the outset, and then he had left home to study at the faraway Ellen Academy, staying there for four years… Now that his son had graduated and come home, their father-and-son relationship had gradually improved. Today, on his eighteenth birthday, the long-awaited word “Father” had finally left his mouth.

Craig held back the urge to tightly hug his son, and gently rubbed Aiden’s head, saying, “Although your dad and I are reluctant to let you to marry so early, marriage is a major event that will affect the happiness of the rest of your life. It’s better if you think it over yourself and come to an understanding.”

Randy interrupted and said, “I didn’t say I was reluctant. He’s already grown up, getting married is perfectly normal. It’s just that if he leaves, the two little guys will be calling for their brother every day. That’s the real headache for us.”

Craig looked back at the little son and daughter who were sitting at the table, eating seriously, and he couldn’t help but smile and say, “These two kids are even closer to Aiden than they are to you.”

Aiden also started smiling. He rubbed his little brother’s head with his left hand, while helping his little sister pick up a piece of food with his right hand. He said, “Don’t worry, even if I do marry in the future, I’ll still come home often to see you.”

After they finished eating their meal, it was already almost ten o’clock. Craig had to return to the palace, and Randy took the initiative to send him to the door. The two of them had just reached the door when they discovered there was someone hiding there, sticking his head out and looking furtively around. Craig frowned, walked quickly up to him and grabbed him, bringing him out of his corner. He asked sternly, “What are you doing, hiding there?”

“...” The guy he had grabbed scratched the back of his head awkwardly and stammered, “I, I’m looking for Aiden.”

Randy recognized the other person by the light of the streetlamp. It was Aiden’s childhood classmate, Carlo. He hadn’t seen him for many years. The taciturn, foolish and dazed boy in his memory was already more than 185 centimeters tall, straight and slender, and he had inherited the handsome, resolute appearance of the alphas of the Bech family. It was just that, scratching his head, he still looked a bit foolish.

Thinking of what had happened a few days ago, when his son said he would give this boy a chance, Randy couldn’t help but smile. He looked at Carlo and said, “Are you looking for my son for something?”

Carlo had actually wanted to wait until Craig left before asking Aiden to come out. He hadn’t thought that while he was hiding there, secretly looking on, he’d be spotted by the vigilant General Craig. He was so embarrassed he was itching to dig a hole to bury himself in.

Right at that moment, a soft voice suddenly sounded behind him: “Dad, what happened?”

As if he’d seen his savior, Carlo immediately twisted his head to look at Aiden, scratching his head and explaining, “I, I originally wanted to spend your birthday with you, but...seeing the general’s hovercar parked outside, I knew you and your family were having a get-together. I, I didn’t have the nerve to go in and disturb you.”

Randy smiled, looked at his son and said, “Since he came to find you, you guys take your time and talk. I’ll go send the general home.”

When Craig heard that Randy wanted to send him home, his eyes instantly filled with happiness. Remaining calm and collected, he lightly held Randy’s hand behind his back and said, “Let’s go, we can take a walk to help our digestion.”

“Okay.” Randy didn’t throw off Craig’s hand. He was already very used to this alpha holding hands with him.

After they had walked a few steps, Craig calmed down from the excitement of holding Randy’s hand, and he asked a little worriedly, “No matter how you say it, that Carlo is still an alpha. Is it really proper for you to let our son be alone with him?”

Randy smiled and said, “Don’t worry, my son’s personality is like mine. He won’t be at a disadvantage.”

Thinking of that night when Randy had pressed him down, Craig felt his hair stand up, and he suddenly felt some sympathy for that boy Carlo.

Silhouetted under the streetlights, the two men’s figures gradually drew away. Standing there, Carlo saw them leaving hand in hand, and couldn’t help but say, “The two of them have such a good relationship!” Craig and Randy already had three children, and they were still walking along holding hands like sweethearts in the midst of their first love. It really made people jealous. He really wanted to hold Aiden’s hand like that… Just as he was indulging himself in flights of fancy, Aiden suddenly spoke up and interrupted him. “You came to spend my birthday with me?”

“Uh…” Carlo came back to himself, and looked at Aiden, embarrassed. “Let’s go for a walk too, okay?”

“No, my little brother and sister just went to sleep. If I leave, they won’t have anyone to look after them.”

“Oh...then can I come in?”

Faced with his eyes full of expectation, Aiden was silent for a moment, and could only turn and open the door. “Come in.”

Carlo happily followed Aiden into the house. Aiden poured him a glass of water, then went about his own business and walked upstairs to look in on his little brother and sister. Carlo followed him curiously, and saw Aiden open the door to a bedroom, and walk to the bed to cover his sister with a blanket. Then he walked to the neighboring room. His naughty alpha little brother hadn’t fallen asleep yet, and when he saw his big brother come in, he immediately tugged his hand and wanted him to tell a story. “Brother, I want to hear a story, hear a story!”

Aiden smiled and rubbed his head, and began a story in a soft voice.

Seeing his warm profile, Carlo’s heart beat like a drum. He really wished that Aiden could instantly give him a son, and the two of them could hug their son and tell him stories together.

“Big brother, who is he?” Adrian looked at Carlo, on guard, and after sizing him up, he wrinkled his nose and said, “How come he keeps following you!”

Carlo: “...”

Aiden smiled and said, “He’s Brother’s friend.”

“Oh.”

The child looked at Carlo with eyes full of hostility. Carlo really felt worn-out at heart. His father-in-law the general didn’t like him, Aiden’s little brother also didn’t like him, was he really that unlikable? He clearly wasn’t that ugly…

With great difficulty, he waited until Aiden coaxed his fierce little brother to sleep. Carlo and Aiden finally returned to the living room. Aiden smiled apologetically and said, “Sorry, my little brother is kind of naughty, and he’s always clinging to me. If I don’t tell him a story, he won’t go to sleep… That’s right, have you had dinner?”

Carlo said quickly, “I, I ate already.”

His words had just landed when his stomach betrayed him by rumbling loudly. Carlo’s face immediately turned red. When Aiden saw his embarrassed state, looking at a loss for what to do, he couldn’t help but think to himself that this guy’s foolish look was a little bit more cute than how he was as a child, walking around with his nose in the air and looking down on omegas.

“I’ll go get you something to eat.” Aiden turned and got some food from the kitchen, and put the leftover cake in front of him as well.

Feeling incomparably moved, Carlo ate up what Aiden had brought him until it was all gone, then wiped his mouth. He took a box out of his pocket and stuffed it into Aiden’s hands. “This...is my birthday present for you. Happy eighteenth birthday.”

“Thank you.” Aiden smiled and accepted it. When he opened it and took a look, inside was a ruby necklace of a simple and stylish design. The gemstone had been carved into the shape of a five-star fruit leaf, and it sparkled under the light. Just the craftsmanship was worth no small amount, let alone the material, which was the best available. Aiden knew the market well, and looking at the expensive necklace in his hands, he couldn’t help but ask, “You’re still a student right now, where did you get so much money from? Did you ask your parents for some?”

Carlo scratched his head embarrassedly and said, “I saved my allowance, and over the summer, I made some mecha parts and sold them, and earned a little bit.” He paused, then added, “Wait until I earn more money in the future, and I’ll buy you some better gifts.”

Aiden had a nouveau riche dad, and had never lacked for money ever since he was small, so he had never paid attention to the prices of presents at all. However, Carlo’s diligence made him feel a little touched. After all, for an eighteen-year-old alpha who was still attending school, taking out several hundred thousand crystal coins to buy a birthday present wasn’t something just anyone could do. That Carlo would spend so much of his hard-earned money was clearly because he attached so much importance to his birthday.

“This necklace, I don’t know if you like it or not…” Carlo scratched his head and sneaked a glance to observe Aiden’s reaction.

Aiden smiled and said, “Okay, help me put it on.”

Carlo immediately stood up in excitement, walked behind Aiden, and gently and cautiously helped him put the necklace on. When worn against his neck, the leaf-shaped ruby made his neck seem more slender and fair in contrast, making it so people itched to take a bite.

The omega pheromone gland was located on the back of an omega’s neck. Carlo knew that if he just took a bite there, he could temporarily mark this omega.

His breathing grew more and more rapid, and his fingers even began to tremble. Carlo stared at Aiden’s beautiful neck, and swallowed down his saliva. After what seemed like forever, he still couldn’t close the necklace’s clasp.

“Are you done?” Aiden couldn’t help but urge him.

“Oh, I’m, I’m done.” Carlo restrained his body’s impulses and quickly fastened the necklace, then took his hands back.

After hesitating for a moment, Carlo said, “Actually I...still have another gift I want to give you.”

Aiden looked back in confusion. “There’s still another gift?”

“Yes, there’s still one that’s more precious.” Carlo blushed and said.

Carlo had originally planned to give Aiden his first kiss, but after carefully thinking it over, he thought it would be a bit too embarrassing to only give him his first kiss. After searching “what to give as a birthday present for the first time to the omega you like” on the web countless times, and reading the how-tos on the forums, he finally decided to give Aiden a necklace that was a bit more expensive for him to wear first, and then give him his first kiss. This way, he would never be erased from Aiden’s mind, and he would have something to remember Carlo by. Even when he wasn’t by his side, Aiden could look at the necklace and think of him. It was the best of both worlds.

Unfortunately, he was counting his chickens before they were hatched. When he was actually facing Aiden’s clear eyes, Carlo felt a bit embarrassed to say it out.

Aiden saw that the alpha in front of him had a face as red as a tomato, and he couldn’t help but laugh and say, “What gift do you have, why don’t you tell me?”

Carlo scratched the back of his head with all his strength, braced himself and said, “I, I’ve never kissed an omega before, and I heard that your first kiss should be given to the person you like. So, I want to give you my first kiss, I...and I’ll keep you in my heart forever.”

Aiden gave him a blank stare. He held back the urge to laugh, looked at him seriously and said, “Your first kiss...that also counts as a gift?”

Carlo looked down in embarrassment. “Counts? It counts, right? After all, people only have one first kiss in their lifetime. If you lose an object, you can buy another one, but a first kiss is precious. Once it’s gone, there won’t be a second one…”

Aiden heard how he stammered out such words, and he almost laughed himself to death inside. He didn’t think that this guy would actually be so pure and innocent! He didn’t know why, but a strong desire to bully him rose up inside him. Aiden was harboring a wicked idea, but he feigned calmness on the surface and said, “Since you want to give such a precious gift to me, then I’ll accept it.”

Carlo didn’t expect him to respond so positively. He stared blankly for a moment, then looked at him in ecstasy and said, “Really?!”

“Yes.”

“Then, then I’ll kiss you now.” Carlo gently and cautiously moved nearer. His trembling hands looped around Aiden’s waist, and Carlo’s lips slowly covered his.

Aiden saw him closing his eyes, his face tense with focus, and he quirked the corner of his mouth in amusement. He stayed in the same place and didn’t move.

Carlo’s lips finally touched Aiden’s. This omega’s lips were even softer than he had imagined. Carlo immediately felt his heart ripple, and he felt like he was floating in the air. Drunk on the feeling, he held Aiden tight, pressing their lips together, not wanting to let go.

Aiden waited for a long while, but the alpha in front of him just innocently pressed their lips together, and didn’t have the intention of moving a step farther. Aiden found it funny, but couldn’t help feeling a little sympathetic at the same time. This guy definitely hadn’t studied well in physiology class, and he still wanted to talk big and give him his first kiss. In the end, he didn’t even know how to kiss…

Helpless, Aiden could only open his mouth and say, “Your first kiss is just like this? It doesn’t meet the standard, does it?”

Carlo looked foolish. “Ah?”

Aiden moved to his ear and said, “Do you want me to teach you?”

Carlo hadn’t managed to react yet when Aiden reached out and hugged his waist. His tongue deftly pried open his jaw, invaded his mouth and wrapped around his tongue. Carlo was caught unprepared, and he looked at the bold omega in front of him, wide-eyed with surprise.

It wasn’t until he finished his deep kiss that Aiden let go of this guy whose brain had gone offline. He lightly wiped his mouth and said, “You’re really dumb.”

Carlo: “...”

In the entire history of the empire, the number of alphas who could test into military school at sixteen could be counted on one’s fingers. In terms of IQ, Carlo clearly wasn’t stupid, but when it came to feelings, he really was dumb. Back then, he and Klaire had been studying like mad at school, staying up late every night to learn their textbooks by heart. So far, he hadn’t seen many films, and his dating experience was zero. When it came to technique, his level was basically negative.

After being kissed by this omega, it took a long while before he came back to himself. He touched his lips. It seemed like Aiden’s sweet taste was still lingering there. He suddenly felt incomparably excited, and he hugged Aiden hard and immediately went back for another kiss.

Aiden immediately blocked his lips with a hand, and smiling and not smiling, he said, “You’ve already lost your first kiss.”

Carlo: “...”

Aiden said, “It’s late, you should go back.”

Although Carlo didn’t get his way, Aiden taking the initiative to kiss him made him so happy he felt like he was flying. On the road back, he was in such a cheerful mood he started humming a tune. He had finally gotten his first kiss. Although he played the passive role, just this one kiss was enough for him to savor for a long time…

Incomparably excited, Carlo proudly sent Klaire a message. “Bro, let me tell you some big news. I kissed Aiden today!”

Klaire bluntly replied, “More like you were kissed, right?”

Carlo: “...”

Klaire continued to mock him. “I kissed Xi Wei when I was just three years old.”

Carlo: “...”

After being mocked, Carlo was silent for a moment. He finally thought of a comeback: “If you have the ability, go kiss him right now. See if he doesn’t blow off your head.”

Klaire: “...”

Although Klaire mocked Carlo on the surface, at heart, he was extremely jealous. Regardless of whether he had played the active or the passive role, Carlo had still managed to kiss Aiden. He himself was still stuck in the friendzone with Xi Wei. It really made him feel tired!

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5:25 for 3,168 words, or 10.3 minutes for every 100 words. Slowed down my rate by thirty seconds... 😅

I've always thought having to read novels in installments was like being forced to eat a cookie one crumb at a time. But at the same time, I'm following updates for about twenty novels right now...so each day, I might be able to eat two or three crumbs? Still better than nothing, haha. Oh for the days when I can eat a whole cookie...

If you like this translation, please consider supporting me on Ko-fi! Extra chapter for every two kofis.

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