Runaway Guide Chapter 38 — Birthday Gift

Aiden was already fourteen years old. His body hadn’t fully developed, but his features were very similar to Randy’s. You could tell with a glance that they were related. When Craig looked at the pair of omegas in front of him, one big and one small, his heart softened immediately. He really wanted to run out and buy the best things in the world to gift to them.

It was just a pity that Craig didn’t know how to please an omega. He had learned how to give flowers from his friend Anderson, as well as other key points of dating. Today was his first time trying out his advice. Randy was hugging a big bouquet of flowers, and neither happiness nor anger was evident in his expression. Craig snuck a glance at him, coughed, and said, “Come on, let’s go eat.”

As he spoke, he led the way and started striding forward. His steps were long, and his back was ramrod straight; he vividly displayed the disciplined air of a soldier.

Randy looked at him walking dignifiedly forward, and could only helplessly take his son to follow him.

Tonight he had come out to eat in private, so Craig hadn’t brought any of the Royal Guard with him. He had driven the hovercar here himself. The car's interior was very roomy. There was even a sofa, which Craig had just exchanged for a blue one in the last few days. He thought that Randy seemed to love the blue color of moon orchids, so he changed it.

“Why don’t you sit down?" After they got on the car, Craig gestured for Randy and Aiden to sit, then brought out a plate of fruit for them to eat. Randy wasn’t too reserved. He took up the knife and cut a slice of fruit for his son to eat, then stroking Aiden’s hair, asked with concern: “How has your health been lately? After you took Dr. Louis’s new prescription, did you feel any better?”

Aiden said, “Much better. This medicine has a lower dosage too, I only have to take one pill a day.”

“That’s good.” Randy paused, then reminded him, “When the semester starts I’ll give you some more to bring to school. Remember to take it on time.”

“I will, Dad.”

Listening to their conversation while he stared at the GPS, Craig couldn’t help but feel his heart ache. This child had been ill ever since he was born, constantly relying on medication to manage his disease. No wonder his face looked so pale, and his body was frail and thin.

Craig turned his head to look back at the two, and caught the scene of Randy smiling and caressing his son’s hair.

The two of them sat close together, enveloped in a warm, affectionate atmosphere. It made Craig’s heart instantly melt. He wanted nothing more than to walk over and wrap them up in his arms.

At that moment, Randy suddenly lifted his head and asked: “Where are we going to eat?”

They were fast approaching Noah, one of the most famous restaurants on the capital planet. The restaurant’s kitchen was located on the ground, but each private dining room floated in the air. Robotic waiters delivered food in hovering carts to the rooms. Sitting in the floating rooms, customers could enjoy the beautiful view of the city’s bustling nightlife.

After Craig parked the car, the three of them entered the restaurant. Craig announced his name at the front desk, and a robotic hostess soon walked over: “Welcome to Noah. General Craig, the room you booked is number 0825 in Section B, please follow me.”

The three of them followed the hostess and rode a floating platform to their room. When Aiden walked in, he was stunned. It was very spacious inside the private room, and the decor was luxurious. Three large, cushy sofas of different colors were arranged around an elegant crystal table. On the table was a cake with fourteen unlit candles.

Their room was at the very top of the restaurant. It floated above the hovercar highway, so that when they walked in, they could see cars rushing back and forth beneath their feet. When they looked up, they could see the whole night sky through the glass. The numberless stars in the sky and the colorful lights beneath their feet reflected off of each other, combining to form the most beautiful view in the solar system.

When the three entered the room, a line of words appeared in the air: “Happy 14th Birthday to Aiden!”

This message was clearly computer-controlled, and must have been planned in advance.

Aiden never thought that the serious-looking general would have this kind of caring side to him. He couldn’t help but feel moved. He turned and looked at the general. “Thank you.”

Craig coughed and said, “No need for thanks. I’m your father, and this is my first time celebrating your birthday with you. This is only what I should do.”

As he said this, he brought the two of them over to sit down on the sofa. He lit the candles, then looked warmly at his son in front of him: “Make a wish.”

“Okay.” Aiden put his hands together and made a heartfelt prayer. Although he wasn’t clear on what happened in the past between Craig and Randy, it hadn’t been easy to find his father. He wished his parents would be happy together, and not separate again.

After he made his wish, Aiden blew out the candles in one breath. Craig handed him the knife and said, “Here, cut the cake. I ordered a sweet fruit cake, I don’t know if you’ll like it or not.”

Randy said with a smile, “Your choice wasn't bad, he has a sweet tooth.”

Actually, it was Randy who had a sweet tooth. He and his son, after living together for so many years, had developed similar tastes in food.

Aiden took the knife, and quickly cut three thin slices of cake. He gave a piece to each of them, then thoughtfully handed out forks.

Craig usually didn’t like to eat sweet things, especially cakes with buttercream and the like. Ordinarily, he wouldn’t even touch them. But today, eating sweets with this father and son pair, he suddenly felt his heart turn sweet as well. To his left, his son was eagerly munching away with lowered head, and gotten some cream on his chin. His cute, quiet appearance really resembled that of a little bunny. As for Randy, he was also concentrated on eating, and there was a bit of cream by his mouth. These two’s habits were really exactly the same.

Craig felt that the scene in front of him looked just like that of a mischievous rabbit and an lovable bunny, both bending their heads and nibbling away. They ate with gusto, and the picture they made was truly pleasing to Craig’s eyes.

After they speedily dispatched the cake, Craig handed each of them a napkin and said, “Here, wipe.”

Aiden politely took the napkin and calmly wiped his mouth. Randy hadn’t managed to take it yet when Craig took the napkin and personally wiped the corner of Randy’s mouth. Although there was a layer of fabric separating them, he could still feel the warmth and softness of Randy’s cheek through the cloth.

Randy smiled and said, “Thanks.”

Upon seeing his eyes that curved from smiling, Craig’s heart couldn’t help but seize. If his son wasn’t there, he would really want to grab Randy and kiss him fiercely.

After they finished the cake, Craig took out the menu, and let the two of them order what they liked.

When ordering, Randy didn’t look at the prices at all, only caring whether he liked the dish or not. Very quickly, he had ordered seven or eight dishes. Craig, of course, had no objections. After they sent in their order, within five minutes, the robotic cook had made their dish and delivered it to their room in a small hovering cart.

Craig had wanted to say, “Don’t be courteous, go ahead and eat,” but he hadn’t managed to get the words out yet when the two of them took the initiative to bury their heads and start working their mouths.

Clearly, these two were very hungry today. They had probably been too busy preparing for the online auction, and hadn’t had time to eat.

Randy passed some string beans to Aiden. “Have some beans, son.”

Aiden also passed his dad a plump shrimp. When Craig saw this, he thought that Randy must like eating shrimp, so he moved the platter of shrimp in front of him. Randy happily peeled and ate the shrimp one by one. Aiden, however, never touched the shrimp, or any other meat dishes, preferring to only eat vegetables.

Craig couldn’t help but say, “Son, right now you’re still young, and your body is still growing. Eating some more meat will do you good.”

As he said it, he moved a meatball onto Aiden’s plate. “Try it, this restaurant is famous for its handmade meatballs.”

Aiden was touched, and said, “Thanks.”

If Carlo could see this scene, he would definitely want to cry. It was the exact same suggestion, “eating protein is good for you,” but when he said it, he was completely misunderstood and rejected, while when General Craig said it, Aiden was so moved he went misty-eyed.

Craig’s care made Aiden feel very warm. This was the first time he had felt the affection of an alpha father.

At that moment, Aiden’s communicator suddenly lit up. Xi Wei had sent him a video call. “Aiden, if I didn't remember it wrong, today is your birthday right? Happy birthday! Are you celebrating with your dad?”

In the video, Xi Wei was in his room at the palace, wearing comfortable clothes and holding his big white cat.

Aiden quickly replied, “I’m out celebrating my birthday right now.”

Xi Wei saw the scene in the video and said in surprise, “Oh, General Craig is also there! You three are celebrating together as a family?”

Craig said seriously, “That’s right, prince.”

Xi Wei smiled and said, “That’s great, have fun then. I’ll see you again in two days when school starts.”

Aiden nodded and said, “See you then.”

When he had just ended the call, another one came from Klaire. The golden-haired boy was also in his room, holding a big black cat in his arms. He said lightly, “Aiden, happy fourteenth birthday.”

This guy had probably talked it over with Xi Wei already, possibly through telepathy. He called to wish him a happy birthday at almost the same time, and he was even also holding a cat. Aiden smiled and replied, “Thanks, you’re really in sync with Xi Wei.”

After he hung up, Randy asked, “Those two are your best friends?”

Aiden said, “Yes, they helped me out a lot at school. Especially Xi Wei, he’s been very good to me through the years.”

Randy asked puzzledly, “I remember there was another classmate of yours, called...Carlo, right? Those three boys came to my house together to look for you. How come he didn’t call to wish you a happy birthday?”

Aiden smiled, unconcerned, and said, “I don’t really know him that well.”

Meanwhile, Carlo was in his room, anxiously turning this way and that.

Today was Aiden’s birthday. Carlo had wracked his brains, but hadn’t been able to think of of a good present to give him. He had run to the department store, wanting to buy him a necklace, but then he remembered the necklace Randy gave Aiden that he always had around his neck. Aiden definitely wouldn’t want to wear the necklace Carlo gave him over his dad’s. A ring would be even worse; only alphas wanting to propose marriage gave their omegas rings. Clothes... Stop joking around, everyone said that when an alpha gave an omega clothes, it was because they wanted to personally take them off. If he gave Aiden clothes, he’d definitely come across as a pervert.

After weighing it over, Carlo decided to buy him a smartwatch. Not only could a smartwatch tell accurate time in every major galaxy, but it could also be used as a communication device. In the future, when Aiden was at Ellen College, they’d be able to use it to keep in contact.

Carlo picked out a white smartwatch, and was pretty pleased with himself at his choice of a present. It’s just, how should he say this to Aiden to make him feel that Carlo really holds him highly? Say, “I spent the whole day searching to find you this watch?” Wouldn’t that seem stupid, having to take a whole day just to buy a present? Or he could say, “This is the present I painstakingly prepared for you. I hope you can keep it with you. It’ll be just like I’m always there by your side.” Wouldn't that be too corny?

Caught in the throes of first love, Carlo debated internally all afternoon, and still couldn’t figure out what to say.

He couldn’t have expected that in the restaurant’s dining room at that moment, General Craig was taking out a smartwatch of similar design and giving it to his son, saying, “This is my present for you. It’s a smartwatch that can accurately tell time to the nearest millisecond, and can also be used as a communicator. The blue gemstone set into the face is a mecha storage unit, with a mecha AI in it.”

Eyes full of surprise, Aiden looked at the watch, which had a simple and elegant design.

Craig continued, “The mecha I chose for you can interface with its owner and monitor their condition at all times. If a problem arises, it can automatically activate medical equipment and help them. You can put the medicine you usually take inside, and when the time comes, it’ll automatically remind you to take it.”

Craig had apparently given Aiden with one of the most cutting-edge medical mecha in the empire.

This kind of mecha wasn’t necessarily available on the market. Even the Imperial Central Hospital didn’t have many of them, and they were only used in the VIP wards. Craig must have paid an arm and a leg to buy this. To make up for thirteen missed birthday gifts, Craig didn’t hesitate in the slightest to spend money.

Touched, Aiden put on the watch. He lightly pressed the blue gem, activating the mecha with his fingerprint.

The gem glowed with a gentle blue light, and a calm voice sounded: “Greetings to the owner. The system has finished activating, and body scanning is underway. Would you like to name me?”

Aiden looked over to Randy, and Randy encouraged him: “It’s yours now, so you can name it whatever you want.”

“Okay...it’s blue, just like the color of the moon orchids Dad likes, so I’ll just call it Lune.”

“Naming successful. The owner’s current physical condition is fair. Heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate are all within the normal range. Omega pheromones are present within the body, should I extract a blood sample to determine the exact amount?”

Upon hearing the mecha’s report, Randy couldn’t help but feel a little surprised. He said, “You’re only fourteen years old, and you’re already producing pheromones? Could it be you’ve inherited my physique? I also matured early. I had my first heat a year before all the other omegas, and I was pregnant with you at just seventeen.”

Craig: “...”

Can you be a little more discreet in front of our son?!

Craig’s head hurt. This omega talked about his heat like he was talking about eating rice. He clearly didn’t care about the civilities of this sort of thing in the slightest. In Randy’s eyes, these were omegas’ physiological characteristics, and everyone knew about them, so they were nothing worth concealing. This was the way people lived and reproduced. It was completely natural.

Aiden asked uncertainly, “Dad, you were just eighteen when you gave birth to me?”

“Yes.” Randy’s expression was relaxed.

As they were talking, Aiden’s communicator lit up again. This time it was Carlo, who was calling about fifteen minutes too late.

Carlo faced the screen with a cold expression and said, “Aiden, happy fourteenth birthday. I bought a smartwatch and mailed it to you, you should go check if it’s been delivered or not.”

Aiden: “...”

He sounded as if he were saying, “I put together some homework for you, go back and do it, remember to turn it in.” This was obviously a matter of giving a gift, and yet he managed to say it in such an irritating tone. This could also be called a talent.

Aiden was silent for a moment, then said, “I understand, class leader. I’ll remember to check.”

After the call ended, Craig frowned a little, and said, “That was your class leader?”

Aiden said, “Yes.”

Craig wasn’t polite and said, “The smartwatch he gave you doesn’t have a medical mecha in it. Wear the one I gave you. As for his, you don’t need to use it.”

Aiden obediently nodded. “Okay.”

Carlo never thought that the first time he sent a gift to his sweetheart, he would actually give the same gift as his future father-in-law. What’s more, his gift was several times lower in grade...this was really just tragedy times two.

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