Chapter 390: Taking the Child to Ask for Leave

Chapter 390: Chapter 390: Taking the Child to Ask for Leave

Yan Huoshui’s smile widened at the security guard’s words. He wasn’t in a hurry to test the cub’s spiritual power. Besides, a Beastman’s spiritual power potential wasn’t fixed at birth; there was still room for it to grow after they reached adulthood.

’But my and Lanlan’s cub definitely won’t be ordinary.’

He offered a gentle, humble smile and didn’t reveal too much, saying only, "He’s a male."

"Oh, that’s wonderful! Having a cub is such a blessing."

Although females were held in high esteem in this world, most people didn’t favor females over males. After all, just having a child was a blessing, so who were they to be picky?

Yan Huoshui nodded at the security guard and walked into the school, holding the baby.

The new semester at Imperial Capital University had just begun, so the campus was bustling with students coming and going.

With his striking red hair, red eyes, and red clothes, not to mention the baby in his arms, Yan Huoshui was an eye-catching sight. Students passing by couldn’t help but stop and steal glances at him.

As a teacher, he usually dressed more simply and discreetly on campus. Some students who saw his outfit today could hardly believe it was him. But once they were sure, a few male students curiously approached. "Huh? Teacher, why did you bring a baby to school today?"

However, given Teacher Yan’s usual stern demeanor in class, they didn’t dare get too close to see the cub in his arms. They deliberately kept a safe one-meter distance, but their eyes were glued to the little one’s face, unable to look away.

"What a beautiful little one. You can already tell he’s going to have lovely features, even at this age."

"I know, right? Especially his nose. It’s perfect."

Hearing this, Yan Huoshui’s eyes crinkled in pleasure. His expression softened as he proudly agreed, "Mhm, he gets his nose from my wife."

"Huh? Is this cub yours, Teacher Yan?"

At first, they had assumed it was the child of one of his relatives. It had never even occurred to them that the baby could be his.

Perhaps, just like Jiang Xia, they found it hard to connect the baby’s light-colored hair to Yan Huoshui’s fiery red locks.

Yan Huoshui had been waiting for them to ask. He gave a demure nod, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "Mhm. He was born the night before last. A male, and very well-behaved."

"Wow, that’s amazing! You got married and had a cub so soon, Teacher Yan. That’s so wonderful."

The male students looked on with similar envy.

Yan Huoshui offered generously, "Want to get a closer look?"

"Can we?"

Their faces lit up with surprise. They hadn’t expected Teacher Yan to be so approachable outside of class.

Yan Huoshui dipped his chin in assent, and the students instantly swarmed forward, though they were careful to be quiet, afraid of waking the baby in his arms.

"So adorable! His cheeks are so chubby. He’s just so tiny."

"He looks very healthy."

"I bet his spiritual power is strong, just like yours, Teacher."

...

The students murmured to one another in low voices, unable to tear their eyes away from the baby.

It was the first time any of them had seen a baby this close. A newborn cub was so tiny! They couldn’t help but hold up their hands to size him up, realizing he seemed smaller than two of their palms put together.

These students were all freshmen and didn’t know about Shi Lan. After letting them admire the baby for a while, Yan Huoshui added with a smile, "My wife is an alumna of Imperial Capital University, too. It’s all thanks to her that I was able to have a child of my own so soon."

"What a fateful connection! What’s your wife’s name? We’ll look her up."

"Shi Lan."

Yan Huoshui spoke his wife’s name in a gentle voice. Though his tone was much the same as before, anyone could sense the tenderness that unconsciously softened his gaze and the pride laced in his voice as he uttered those two words.

"Shi Lan?"

One of them thought the name sounded familiar, then slapped his forehead. "Oh! Isn’t that the Empire’s only 3S Female?"

"Heavens, such a powerful female! The males in her graduating year were so lucky. If only I’d started school a few years earlier."

The male student muttered to himself, his voice full of unconcealed longing. The student next to him quickly jabbed him with an elbow.

’What an idiot! Coveting the man’s wife right to his face? Does he have a death wish?’

After being nudged, the male student looked up and his eyes met Yan Huoshui’s piercing red gaze from behind his glasses. Yan Huoshui’s lips were curled into a smirk. He was still smiling, but it was the kind of smile that sent a chill down one’s spine.

He shuddered and quickly made an excuse. "Teacher Yan, I wish you and your wife a long and happy life together! I have to get to class, so I’ll be going now."

With that, he scurried away.

When the other students saw this, they worried Yan Huoshui might turn his anger on them, so they also made a quick escape.

Yan Huoshui scoffed. Cuddling his son, he thought about how those males would never even get to meet his wife, and the sour feeling in his heart quickly faded.

’They’re just kids. My wife wouldn’t give them a second glance.’

He continued to parade his son around campus, showing him off. Students would occasionally strike up a conversation, and he didn’t find it the least bit annoying, patiently repeating the same story about his son each time.

After receiving plenty of blessings and envious looks, he was finally content. He then carried the baby straight to Mr. Lu Sr. to request a leave of absence.

Mr. Lu Sr. might have seemed like a simple librarian, but his wife was the dean, which meant he held considerable sway.

The little one had slept the whole way. He only stirred and opened his eyes when Yan Huoshui carried him into the library.

Yan Huoshui looked down and let out a short, gentle laugh, his gaze full of warmth. "Yi Yi, you woke up the moment we entered the library? Looks like you’re going to be a smart one."

"Then again, that makes sense. You’re my cub, after all. How could you possibly be dumb?"

The little one couldn’t understand grown-up words yet. He just knew his father’s mouth was making some gurgling noises he didn’t recognize. But he knew it was his father, and he carried a scent he liked, so he wasn’t the least bit upset. He simply twisted his little head, his eyes darting about curiously.

Yan Huoshui let him look around, holding the baby with a steady, practiced arm. In just a short time, he had already mastered the skill and looked like a natural.

He walked up to Mr. Lu Sr.’s desk.

Mr. Lu Sr. was hunched over his desk, brewing tea. It was the very same floral tea Shi Lan had given him. She had sent him a batch from Black Star once before, and he liked it so much that he’d mentioned it to her. So, Shi Lan had found the time to prepare a large supply just for him.

Mr. Lu Sr. always took brewing tea seriously, especially when it was a cherished gift from a junior. He kept his head down, completely focused on the task at hand. Even when he heard a knock on his desk, he didn’t look up. "If you’re borrowing a book, go find a robot inside. Come back when you have it."

Yan Huoshui clicked his tongue. "Mr. Lu Sr., it’s me."

Hearing that familiar address, Mr. Lu Sr. knew instantly who it was.

He huffed proudly. "And what if it is? You can still wait until I’ve finished brewing my tea."

With that, he buried his head in his work again.

Yan Huoshui caught the fragrance of the floral tea and glanced down. A small smile touched his lips, and he decided not to pester the old man.

Once Mr. Lu Sr. had finished brewing, Yan Huoshui finally spoke, a wide grin on his face. "I’ve got a surprise for you."