The breathing on the other end of the phone paused for two seconds. After He Siheng finished speaking, he realized his invitation had been a bit abrupt.
He hurriedly explained, “I-I just think your dad was wrong to do that. Look, you already got first place in the exams—you’re plenty impressive already, and you’ll only get better in the future. There’s no need to use your future happiness as a bargaining chip. So don’t back down, and don’t worry about his mood. Be tough about it—run away from home to make your stance clear!”
The more He Siheng spoke, the more he felt like he’d had too much fake booze and was rambling nonsense. How had he ended up inciting rebellion? Wasn’t this basically stirring up trouble between Tan Jing and his dad?
What left him even more flustered was that Tan Jing actually took it to heart. “You make a good point. Running away from home to show my resolve is a great idea.”
“No, no, no, I actually…”
He Siheng wanted to take back what he’d just said, but then he heard the guy let out a soft sigh laced with a hint of dejection.
“But if I go to your place, Uncle He might not be happy about it.”
Hearing the downcast tone and concern in Tan Jing’s voice made He Siheng’s mouth move faster than his brain again. “Come on over. I’ll handle Boss He.”
Tan Jing’s lips curved up. “Alright, I’ll go pack my bags.”
Before He Siheng could say anything, the call was briskly ended.
He Siheng stayed frozen in his room, still holding up his phone in silence.
Crap. Tan Jing was all relaxed now, but the pressure was all on him.
How was he supposed to explain this to Boss He without giving the man high blood pressure?
Meanwhile, at the Tan Family home.
Tan Cong couldn’t wrap his head around it. Tan Jing was usually so efficient—why was chasing someone taking this much effort?
According to Jiang He, things had already started around his birthday. It had been two months now, and nothing was set in stone yet. With his son’s charm, that shouldn’t be the case. Which Omega had such picky taste?
After mulling it over, Tan Cong decided on some father-son bonding. He’d pass on some experience and offer advice.
Tan Cong went downstairs and knocked on Tan Jing’s door. When he opened it, he saw Tan Jing packing his luggage.
“What are you doing?” Tan Cong asked.
“A friend invited me to his place for New Year’s.” Tan Jing picked out a few short-sleeved shirts and light jackets from the closet. There was no winter in Coconut City—a few spring outfits would suffice.
Tan Cong frowned, displeased. “Going to someone else’s house for New Year’s?”
Tan Jing’s lips quirked up. “To chase my boyfriend.”
Tan Cong blinked. “Did that kid invite you?”
“Yeah.”
“Then we need to hurry,” Tan Cong said eagerly, getting worked up himself. “Where’s his family? I’ll drive you right now… No, we can’t go empty-handed. I’ll have Secretary Chen buy some gifts right away.”
His urgency matched his rapid-fire speech.
Even Tan Jing felt a bit helpless. “No need to rush like this.”
Tan Cong calmed down. “You’re right. Showing up this late at night—people might think you got kicked out.”
Tan Jing fell into a subtle silence for a few seconds.
Pretty much.
A special notification pinged from the phone on the bed.
Tan Jing picked it up and glanced at it. It was a message from He Siheng to Little Strawberry.
He Siheng: Bro, let’s talk.
He Siheng: I’ll pay you to take down that photo you just posted. Delete it from the group album too.
Tan Jing tilted his head in confusion and replied: You like that kind? ⊙д⊙
He Siheng: …
He Siheng: I! Do! Not!
He Siheng: I just don’t want you treating his past hardships like entertainment.
Tan Jing paused, his heart softening with a twinge of guilt.
He was the type to use any means to achieve his goals. He’d uploaded that photo to play the pity card and get He Siheng’s sympathy.
He Siheng’s soft heart was expected, but what wasn’t—what caught him off guard—was how much kinder and more sincere He Siheng was than he’d imagined.
Tan Jing agreed to He Siheng’s request, deleted the photo, and apologized as Little Strawberry: Sorry, I won’t post stuff like that again.
He Siheng: You offended Tan Jing, not me. Apologize to him in person sometime.
The curt reply showed he was really pissed.
But Tan Jing couldn’t help curving his lips upward.
Guilt was guilt, but this feeling of being protected by the guy he liked? Pretty damn good.
Tan Cong hadn’t left yet. He’d meant to probe for more about that Omega but hadn’t gotten the chance. Now he saw Tan Jing reply to a few messages, then purse his lips in a smile.
That lovesick look was just like Tan Wan’s when she’d had her online fling.
Tan Jing was usually so steady—this was the first time Tan Cong had seen him smile like a lovesick fool.
Tan Cong thought, This isn’t good. At this rate, my boy will get totally wrapped around that guy’s finger.
Then again, both of them were S-Rank. Finding an Omega who could soothe him wasn’t easy. If he got played, so be it.
Tan Cong suddenly remembered that He Family kid. He recalled He Siheng’s gene test showed S-Rank Alpha potential too, but he hadn’t Differentiated yet. He Yunlang was still grinning like an idiot about it. Wait till his son Differentiated and went through a Susceptibility Period—see if the old man didn’t drop dead from worry.
With that thought, Tan Cong chuckled smugly.
Coconut City was a place without harsh winters. Even in the season, the sun shone warmly, green trees shaded the streets, and the skies stayed clear and bright.
This pleasant winter weather drew crowds from all over every year.
In the towering, brightly lit terminal, tourists from every corner streamed in endlessly, their chatter weaving into a lively symphony of bustle.
He Siheng lounged bored at the arrivals gate, sucking on a lollipop.
Another wave of people surged out. He casually scanned the crowd and spotted the person he was waiting for more easily than expected.
The guy towered over the surrounding tourists, his posture straight and tall. He’d taken off his coat after landing and draped it casually over his arm, leaving him in a perfectly weighted black knit sweater—simple, unadorned, elevated purely by his tall, lean frame. Crisp and clean.
That face stood out most in the crowd: deep brows and eyes, pitch-black pupils, high nose, thin lips—an impeccable look, marred only by a touch of aloofness.
Plenty of gazes skimmed over him covertly, lingering a few extra seconds under the guise of subtlety. Two girls trailing behind whispered, one clutching her phone tightly. Even egged on by her friend, she shook her head furiously, ears red.
Just as she steeled herself to ask for his contact, the guy ahead halted, lifted his lips in a smile toward a spot at the arrivals gate. The distant, keep-away aura softened instantly.
Tan Jing quickened his pace, pulling his suitcase toward He Siheng. He stopped in front of him, eyes lowered with a smile. “You really came to pick me up?”
He Siheng shifted the lollipop to the other side of his mouth, arms crossed in feigned reluctance. “All because of my mom and her talk of hospitality.”
Seeing he seemed in a great mood, He Siheng muttered, “So happy to run away from home?”
Tan Jing smiled. “Depends on who’s taking me in.”
He Siheng paused, then awkwardly clarified, “I’m not taking you in out of kindness. My next Heat is right around New Year’s. I called you here because you’re useful.”
Tan Jing drawled out an “Oh?” as if buying it. “So I’m just a tool, huh.”
“It’s fine,” he said with an ambiguous laugh. “I like you anyway. Use me however you want.”
Like a cat stroked in a sensitive spot, He Siheng bristled instantly. “Why do you have so many flirty lines!”
Tan Jing tilted his head. “Huh? What did I say?”
