Ch 99: Transmigrated to become a Koi Husband

When Qin Zhao woke, the daylight had already brightened the room.

The house was silent, and the space beside him on the bed was empty. As he moved his fingers, he felt something soft and warm pressing on his arm.

A faint milky scent reached his nose, and the little one, sensing he was awake, crawled a couple of steps toward him.

Qin Zhao instinctively pulled the cub into his arms, lowering his gaze to meet a pair of round, dark, glistening eyes. “Awake?”

“Yah!” The little fish fry waved his small arms, his chubby hand reaching out to gently press against Qin Zhao’s forehead.

The soft touch on his forehead startled Qin Zhao. Observing the baby’s serious expression, he quickly understood.

The little fry was imitating Jing Li.

Lately, Qin Zhao had been running recurrent fevers, and Jing Li often tested his temperature by touching his forehead like this. The baby must have observed it and decided to copy.

The little one probably didn’t fully understand what the gesture meant, but it was his way of showing care for Qin Zhao.

Qin Zhao’s heart melted. He took the baby’s chubby little hand and rubbed it against his cheek. “Daddy’s fine, don’t worry.”

“Yah… dya dya!”

Qin Zhao froze mid-motion.

The ever-composed Qin Zhao found himself stunned, rare as it was, and remained so for quite a while. “Are you calling me?”

The little fish fry tilted his head. “Yah?”

Qin Zhao sat up and lifted the baby into his arms, joy spreading across his face. “Say it again. Say it for Daddy again.”

“Yah… yah!”

“Why are you making Daddy hold you so early in the morning? Didn’t I tell you Daddy’s still sick?” Jing Li entered the room just in time to see Qin Zhao holding the baby.

He walked to the bedside and casually tested Qin Zhao’s forehead. “The fever’s gone down.”

His tone was neutral, without any obvious emotion.

Qin Zhao glanced at Jing Li’s expression but said nothing.

His memory lingered on Xiao Yue bringing him home the previous night. If he remembered correctly, the little fish fry had seemed rather upset then.

He wasn’t sure if the anger had subsided overnight.

Qin Zhao quickly came up with a plan.

He lifted the baby from his lap and said, “The little fish fry just called me Daddy.”

The baby, held up under his arms, seemed confused by suddenly being suspended in the air. His short legs kicked reflexively, and he looked toward his other daddy, Jing Li. “Yah…”

Qin Zhao: “…”

“No, that’s not what you said earlier.” Qin Zhao frowned slightly.

The baby’s eyes showed a hint of puzzlement. “Yah… yah yah…”

“Still wrong,” Qin Zhao said patiently, trying to teach him. “It’s ‘Daddy.’ Say it again.”

The cub: “Yah yah…”

Jing Li: “Pfft.”

“He really said it earlier,” Qin Zhao sighed as he cradled the baby back into his arms. “This silly little boy…”

“I know.” Jing Li turned to fetch clothes for Qin Zhao, smiling as he said, “He called you last night, but he’s probably not used to it yet. He’ll need some time to practice.”

“Really?” Qin Zhao raised an eyebrow and looked down at the little fry in his arms, who was happily tugging on his hair. “Seems I missed my son’s first ‘Daddy’ again. Tell me, why is my luck always so bad when it comes to moments like this?”

“If you hadn’t been drinking and running a fever last night, you wouldn’t have missed it.”

Jing Li snorted lightly, handed the cub over, and tossed a coat to Qin Zhao.

Instead of putting it on, Qin Zhao patted the spot next to him on the bed. “Come here.”

Jing Li sat down beside him, only to be pulled into an embrace from behind.

“It’s my fault,” Qin Zhao murmured, resting his head on Jing Li’s shoulder, his warm breath brushing against Jing Li’s neck.

His voice was soft enough to make anyone’s resolve waver.

Jing Li felt a tingle at his ear and instinctively turned his head away to avoid it.

This man—he’d been sick so many times yet never learned his lesson. Instead, he’d only gotten better at coaxing him.

“Still angry?” Qin Zhao studied Jing Li’s expression, then covered the little fry’s eyes with one hand and leaned in to kiss Jing Li’s cheek. “It was an accident this time. I promise it won’t happen again. Trust me.”

Jing Li wasn’t really angry anymore.

In truth, most of his frustration had dissipated the night before, but he didn’t want to forgive Qin Zhao too easily. Otherwise, who knew what reckless things he might do next?

Jing Li had never been good at arguing with Qin Zhao and didn’t know how to deliver a harsh scolding. Instead, he stiffened his face and threatened, “If you do this again, I’ll kick you out and lock you outside.”

It was a soft and adorable attempt at fierceness.

“Alright.” Qin Zhao suppressed a smile and replied earnestly, “If I mess up again, no need to kick me out—I’ll go stand outside and reflect on my actions myself.”

The little baby, unaware of what his two fathers were discussing, wriggled out of Qin Zhao’s hand with a babble and smacked his lips.

“Looks like someone’s hungry,” Qin Zhao remarked.

“I’ve already asked Ah Qi to prepare breakfast,” Jing Li said, standing up with the baby in his arms. “Hurry and get up, freshen up, and come eat.”

The two of them quickly tidied up and headed to the front hall together.

As they stepped inside, they saw someone already sitting at the table, casually eating as though he were the master of the house.

“Ah, finally awake?” Xiao Yue greeted them with a wave, pointing to the table. “I grabbed some food from outside. No idea if it’s to your taste.”

Qin Zhao: “…”

A headache began to brew again as Qin Zhao pressed his fingers to his temples. “Why are you…”

Why are you still here?

“Last night, it was already late when we returned. I must thank you, dear brother, for allowing me to stay at your home,” Xiao Yue said leisurely, still composed and unhurried.

Qin Zhao remained silent.

Jing Li, perceptive as always, noticed the subtle change in Qin Zhao’s mood. Holding the little fish fry in one arm, he gently tugged at the hem of Qin Zhao’s robe with his free hand. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Qin Zhao took a deep breath and replied calmly, “Let’s sit.”

Qin Zhao, ever sharp, immediately grasped the situation from Xiao Yue’s words.

This general was clearly intrigued by his current lifestyle and had taken advantage of his fevered state last night to deceive Jing Li into letting him stay.

Unfortunately, Qin Zhao couldn’t expose him now. Explaining his connection to Xiao Yue would be difficult, to say the least.

He turned and grasped Jing Li’s hand, leading him to the table to sit down.

On the table, there were no simple porridge and flatbread as they usually ate. Instead, an array of exquisite pastries and steaming bowls of porridge were laid out, including several dishes Jing Li couldn’t even name.

Their current life was much better than when they lived in the village—not luxurious but at least free from constant worry about food and clothing. However, due to Qin Zhao’s recurring illness, the family had been cutting back on expenses, and they hadn’t had anything so lavish in a long time.

These dishes…

They certainly didn’t look cheap.

Jing Li instinctively glanced at Qin Zhao.

Without a word, Qin Zhao scooped a bowl of chicken porridge and placed it in front of Jing Li.

“Eat.”

Jing Li nodded, “Oh,” scooping a spoonful, blowing it cool, and feeding it first to the little fish fry, who had been whining and wriggling in his arms, clearly hungry.

As Jing Li focused on feeding their baby, Qin Zhao wasn’t idle either. He occasionally picked up a piece of pastry or spooned some porridge to feed Jing Li. His actions were so natural and practiced that Xiao Yue couldn’t help but feel his teeth ache at the sight.

Clearing his throat, Xiao Yue broke the silence. “Your son looks a lot like you.”

Qin Zhao didn’t even lift his head. “Hmm.”

“…” Xiao Yue was momentarily speechless before adding, “Though his temperament seems different. You weren’t so—”

Before he could finish, Qin Zhao kicked him hard under the table.

Xiao Yue instantly realized his mistake.

He was supposed to be pretending they had only just met, so saying something like that was a glaring slip.

Cursing himself for letting his hangover get the better of him, Xiao Yue quickly shut his mouth and instinctively glanced at Jing Li to gauge his reaction.

Fortunately, Jing Li was entirely focused on feeding the little fry and didn’t seem to notice their conversation.

After breakfast, Jing Li took the little fish fry to the courtyard to play in the snow, while Qin Zhao stayed by the window brewing tea.

“I never knew you had such skill in making tea,” Xiao Yue remarked, sipping his cup and shaking his head. “What a pity, though. Your technique is good, but the tea leaves are too low-quality.”

“Enough already,” Qin Zhao said coldly. “How long are you planning to linger in my home? Aren’t you eager to get back to your barracks?”

Xiao Yue frowned. “What’s the rush? Is this how Master Qin treats his guests?”

“I’m in no hurry. I just wanted to remind you not to forget the silver you owe me before you leave.” Qin Zhao poured himself another cup of tea, his tone calm and measured.

Xiao Yue blinked. “What silver?”

Qin Zhao took a piece of paper from his sleeve and pushed it across the table toward Xiao Yue. “Last night, you managed to kick over three flowerpots, break two ceramic cups, and shatter the flowerbed in front of the study. According to the double compensation rule, this is the amount you owe me.”

Xiao Yue stared at the paper in disbelief. “Those broken things are worth ten taels?”

Qin Zhao replied evenly, “If you don’t believe me, I can take you to the market to confirm.”

Xiao Yue: “…”

The image of the mighty General of the Nation and the former Regent wandering around a market to haggle over ten taels of silver was absurd, to say the least.

“Fine, I’m just unlucky.” Xiao Yue slapped a silver note onto the table with disdain. “Ten taels—this general won’t argue with you over it.”

Qin Zhao motioned for Ah Qi to take the note, which he promptly did.

Xiao Yue grumbled a few curses under his breath, then paused as the sound of children’s laughter drifted in through the window. He pushed the window open a crack and caught sight of the little fish fry in a red jacket tottering across the snow-covered courtyard.

The baby bent down to scoop up a handful of snow and flung it into the air, scattering the fine flakes all over the yard.

“If someone had told me before, I’d never have imagined you living a life like this,” Xiao Yue said suddenly, with a touch of sentimentality.

Qin Zhao raised a brow. “What kind of life?”

“Marrying, having children, worrying about rice, oil, and salt.” Xiao Yue’s gaze lingered on the small figure in the courtyard. “For people like us, who toy with power and have blood on our hands, escaping with our lives intact and avoiding complete ruin is already a blessing. Who dares dream of anything more?”

Qin Zhao chuckled. “In that sense, I suppose I’ve been favored by fate.”

“More than favored—it’s practically spoiled you,” Xiao Yue sighed. “I’m getting on in years myself. Who knows when I’ll manage to find a wife as beautiful as yours?”

Qin Zhao smirked. “Then you’d best hope everything goes smoothly for me, so you can return home soon and stop hiding out on the border.”

“Let’s hope so.”

Xiao Yue laughed heartily and raised his cup to clink it against Qin Zhao’s.

The two had known each other for many years and could even be considered old friends, though their paths had diverged because of power struggles. In the past, Xiao Yue never would have imagined himself sitting calmly with Qin Zhao and sharing a cup of tea like this.

Let alone working together toward the same goal.

Xiao Yue glanced at the man sitting across from him.

He had never seen Qin Shu like this before.

Gentle, calm, as though all his sharp edges had been smoothed away.

And yet, paradoxically, Xiao Yue found this version of Qin Shu even more terrifying.

Like the ominous stillness before a storm.

Suddenly, a noise came from outside the window. Xiao Yue turned his head and saw the little fish fry standing below the window, craning his neck to peer inside.

The little fry was crouched near the wall, his front covered in a streak of white plaster from brushing against it.

The half-open window frame was much taller than him. The baby jumped a few times in place but couldn’t even reach the edge of the window.

Though this little baby looked exactly like the ever-annoying face of Qin Zhao, his adorable antics softened Xiao Yue’s heart. Even his smile turned gentle. “What is it? Want to play with Uncle?”

The little fish fry tilted his head back and blinked at Xiao Yue, his big eyes wide and blank.

Xiao Yue chuckled and pushed the window fully open, leaning on the sill and extending a hand toward the baby. “Come here, Uncle will hold you.”

But the baby didn’t move. He stared unblinkingly at Xiao Yue, then suddenly puckered his lips and burst into tears with a loud wail.

Xiao Yue: “?”

The baby’s crying was loud and heart-wrenching, startling the two men inside into a fluster. Before either could react, the baby turned and bolted away, throwing himself into Jing Li’s arms nearby.

And cried even harder.

“…”

Finally, it was Qin Zhao who broke the silence, turning to Xiao Yue with a deadpan expression. “Since he was born, my son has cried so few times you could count them on one hand. But you managed to scare him into sobbing with just a smile. That’s quite a feat.”

Xiao Yue: “…”