Chapter 8
Bai Yan’s face went white. He bit his lower lip and slowly sat up in the hospital bed.
Pei Tingyu’s magnetic voice continued, “I am not your superior, nor am I your employer.”
“You need to understand, and you need to get used to it: I am your marriage partner.”
The man’s well-defined hands rested on the edge of his suit trousers. His gaze was calm and steady, his very bones exuding an elegant nobility.
The sheer curtains were pulled to the sides and tied back, allowing the clear sunlight to stream into the room, casting a soft halo around the Alpha.
“Even if it is a contract marriage, for these three years, the factual marital relationship is still in effect.”
The man lifted his chin, the line of his jaw sharp and severe, his tone low and powerful. “In front of me, you don’t need to be so timid. You don’t need to guess my thoughts, nor do you need to think about how to cause me less trouble.”
“Some things are, by their very nature, my—that is, your future partner’s—responsibility.”
“Regarding my requests, if you are unwilling, you always have the right to refuse.”
Pei Tingyu’s voice paused, then he slowly continued, “Of course, if you are willing, you can also try to see me as someone trustworthy.”
“Someone you can trust, someone you can rely on.”
He curved his lips. “If we continue in this state, we’ll never be able to fool those people from the AO Matching System.”
In the full day that the young man had been unconscious, the Alpha had finally figured it out.
This marriage partner, who had burst into his world on a whim, was not an ornament for Yǎyuán, not a prop to pass inspections, but another living, breathing soul.
Regardless of the contract, at the very least, he didn’t want to see the young man lying lifeless in a hospital bed again.
Pei Tingyu was certain this had nothing to do with romance. He had no ulterior motives toward Bai Yan. It was simply an Alpha’s innate compassion for a weaker Omega.
It was a pity his experience with emotions was so limited. Otherwise, he would have known that a soft heart is the beginning of a stirred heart.
Long before he was aware of it, his heart had already made the choice for him.
As he finished speaking, the man slowly turned, only to catch a glint of crystal in the corner of the young man’s eye.
Pei Tingyu was slightly taken aback. The Omega’s pale pink pupils shimmered with moisture, like two disturbed pools of cherry blossoms, which in turn made the Alpha’s own heart tremble.
Bai Yan sniffled, trying hard to hold back his tears, but he failed. The tears fell, drop by drop, only to be messily wiped away by his own hand.
“I’m sorry—Mr. Pei, thank you. I’m just… still not quite used to it.” The young man’s eyes were red. Through a blur of tears, he tried to squeeze out a smile, but it looked worse than crying.
A child who grew up in an orphanage had no right to cry or be willful.
“Be good and obedient. Don’t cause trouble for others.”
“Only well-behaved children get adopted. Only they are worthy of being loved.”
“No one likes a willful, naughty child.”
But now, someone was telling him that he had the right to refuse, that he could try to rely on others.
Could it be that even someone as ordinary and frail as him was worthy of being cherished?
Pei Tingyu said nothing, simply staying quietly by his side, the scent of orange blossom slowly releasing into the air.
After a moment, the man sighed, his gaze gentle as he slowly walked toward him.
A low, magnetic voice sounded by his ear. “It’s alright. You never have to apologize for crying.”
Just as those words fell, the tears that had been welling in the young man’s eyes finally gave way and streamed down his face.
Bai Yan covered his face and wept, finally letting out all the anxiety, tension, discomfort, and fear he had been holding in.
Learning that Bai Yan was hospitalized, Lin Yu was filled with remorse. He rushed to the hospital as soon as his part-time job ended.
Led by a staff member, the Beta passed through the beautifully decorated and luxurious inpatient department.
The surroundings were serene and comfortable, with vast expanses of lush, green plants that made the air feel fresher than in a typical hospital.
It wasn’t until the Pei family’s assistant led him into a private elevator and up to the quiet top-floor ward that Lin Yu’s prejudice against the Alpha his friend was marrying began to soften.
When he entered the room, the young man was on an IV drip, holding a book in his hands to help with digestion.
Just before Lin Yu arrived, Auntie Chen had brought lunch from Yǎyuán.
The meal was rich and nutritious, low in oil and salt. And, worth celebrating, there were finally no sweet-leaning dishes.
The Beta housekeeper was diligent, only leaving with a satisfied expression after seeing him eat until his stomach was full.
Spotting Lin Yu hesitating at the door, the Omega’s eyes curved into a smile, his face much rosier. “A-Yu, come in and sit.”
“Yanyan, I’m so sorry. It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t asked you to come out that day, this wouldn’t have happened. Are you feeling better now?” Lin Yu’s face was full of guilt. He placed the bag he was carrying to the side and gazed at his friend with concern.
The young man comforted him in a soft voice, “How is it your fault? I’m always prone to getting sick when the seasons change. Besides, I’m much better now.”
Lin Yu saw that his complexion was indeed good—fair with a healthy blush, even better than before. He nodded, finally feeling relieved.
He looked around the hospital room and commented, “Did that Alpha arrange this? It’s decent enough.”
Lin Yu was a Beta; he couldn’t smell pheromones.
If he had been an Alpha or an Omega, the first thing he would have noticed upon entering the room was that the young man before him was practically pickled in the scent of orange blossom pheromones.
He gave the room a cursory glance and then lost interest.
Lin Yu took his friend’s hand and began to nag him earnestly. “These arrangements are nothing to Pei Tingyu! Yanyan, you can’t be fooled by these small favors.”
“You have to judge his character.”
The Omega blinked guiltily and nodded. “I know. Mr. Pei is a very good person.”
“Alright, let’s not talk about such depressing things.” Lin Yu took a sealed box out of his bag, opened it, and presented it to Bai Yan, raising his eyebrows proudly.
“I brought you a new flavor of baked cookies today. Low sugar, slightly sweet. You’ll definitely like them.”
Lin Yu was majoring in baking at university, and his biggest dream was to own his own cake shop.
He often made desserts at home, and his skills were excellent. Whenever he had free time, he would bring some to share with Bai Yan.
Bai Yan’s eyes lit up. “I haven’t had your cookies in so long. Let me try one.”
The Omega picked up a cookie with his fingers and put it in his mouth. The wheaty aroma, wrapped in a faint buttery flavor, slowly melted in his mouth. It was fragrant and crisp, the sweetness just right.
“Delicious! A-Yu, you made these so well.”
“Right? I knew you’d like them! You’re still sick, so just have a few. Hmm, old rule, help me share them with others to try.”
Lin Yu pouted. “Consider it a thank you to that Alpha for taking care of my Yanyan. Let him try some too. Remember to ask them what they think so I can improve them. I’ll bake more for you when you’re better…”
Bai Yan replied, “Okay. I’ll thank them on your behalf, A-Yu!”
The two chatted for a while longer. The Beta had another part-time job in the evening, so he had to leave as soon as it got dark.
Not long after he left, Pei Tingyu, finished with his work, walked into the hospital room.
When an Omega was sick, they would recover faster if they were soothed by the pheromones of a highly compatible partner.
For the past few days, the Alpha had been coming to the hospital to work after his own office hours, only leaving late at night to return to his nearby house.
There was actually a small lounge in the hospital room, but to accommodate the patient, it wasn’t soundproofed. Thinking the young man would be uncomfortable, Pei Tingyu hadn’t mentioned it after staying there the first night.
The scent of bitter orange blossom drifted in from the door. The young man reflexively closed his book and looked toward the entrance.
The man strode in gracefully, hanging the greatcoat from his arm on a rolling rack.
The Alpha’s custom suit revealed a broad-shouldered, long-legged physique with perfect proportions. His loose black shirt was slightly wrinkled, but his broad shoulders held it up in a superior line.
Bai Yan pressed his lips together and slowly greeted him, “Mr. Pei, are you finished with your work?”
“Mm.” Pei Tingyu loosened his tie and undid the top button of his shirt, his sexy Adam’s apple bobbing.
Bai Yan closed his eyes. He was really bad at making conversation.
His gaze suddenly fell on the paper bag nearby. A flash of inspiration struck him, and he blurted out, “Mr. Pei, my friend baked some cookies. Would you like to try one?”
The moment he said it, he buried his head in regret. Mr. Pei, with his elite demeanor, didn’t seem like someone who would be interested in little cookies.
But Pei Tingyu picked up the conversation, turning to ask politely, “May I?”
Eh? Bai Yan stared blankly for a moment, then opened the box and handed it to him, explaining, “It’s okay. He’s trying to improve the recipe and wants to know what people think.”
The man tried one and nodded calmly, offering a polite critique. “Very good. The flavor is a little mild.”
Eh? Is it? The Omega blinked and picked up another one, popping it into his mouth.
The wheaty flavor spread through his mouth. It tasted the same as before, the sweetness just right—any more would have been cloying.
Wait a minute—
It suddenly dawned on him. No wonder the dishes at Yǎyuán leaned sweet, and dessert was served after every meal.
Bai Yan’s eyes widened. So, the one with the sweet tooth was Mr. Pei all along?!
