Chapter 38
Chocolate for White Day?
If he remembered correctly, chocolate sold on Valentine’s Day often had a special meaning.
For example, it was given to one’s romantic partner.
If it weren’t for these two chocolates, Bai Yan would have almost forgotten that last month’s Valentine’s Day had also passed.
At that time, he had just moved into Yǎyuán and wasn’t yet familiar with Mr. Pei. It was impossible for them to spend such a holiday together, let alone give such a meaningful gift.
Bai Yan held the two chocolates and turned his head in a daze, his two eyes blinking naively as he asked, “Mr. Pei, there are two chocolates here. Are they a complimentary gift from the shop?”
Pei Tingyu’s hand tightened on the steering wheel. He gave a nonchalant nod. “Mm.”
It was as if the Alpha who had carefully chosen the flavors in the bakery, who had, for fear of burdening the young man, reluctantly given up a large box and instead chosen only two chocolates, was not him at all.
That’s right. Bai Yan nodded to himself. How would an elite like Mr. Pei know about these things?
A beautiful curve appeared on his lips, his two eyes sparkling. When they stopped at a red light, he held out the two chocolates in his hand to the man.
“There are exactly two. Mr. Pei, let’s have one each.”
“Alright.” Pei Tingyu raised an eyebrow and didn’t refuse, picking one up, a faint smile in his eyes.
The man unwrapped the candy and put the chocolate in his mouth. The sweet scent of jasmine mixed with the taste of cocoa filled his mouth. The sweetness was just right, flowing all the way to his heart.
The young man beside him also lowered his head and carefully unwrapped the foil. A small, black, heart-shaped candy was fully revealed.
Bai Yan hadn’t had candy in a long time. He tentatively bit into the shell. The dark chocolate shell melted in his mouth, and a spicy flavor shot through him.
It’s spicy. The young man savored the new flavor with curiosity.
The two of them thought in unison, it tastes very good.
The red light ended, and the frozen stream of traffic continued to move forward.
Pei Tingyu’s gaze was calm and dark, seemingly fixed on the road ahead, but his peripheral vision would occasionally glance at the young man obediently eating beside him.
The young man had his head down, chewing slowly, the paper bag spread out on his lap, careful not to let any crumbs fall.
As if afraid of making a sound, even the sound of his chewing was almost non-existent.
The man sighed to himself. When will my precious realize that in front of me, he can do whatever he wants?
The rest of the drive was quiet. Bai Yan packed up the wrapping paper and stared out the window at the rapidly passing green scenery.
They say you can tell an Alpha’s personality by the way he drives.
Mr. Pei drives very steadily. He doesn’t get anxious even after hitting several red lights in a row. But he’s not slow either. He speeds up on the curves, much faster than Uncle Zhao, and it’s very exciting.
Ugh, this feeling is probably like that spicy chocolate.
At four o’clock, they returned to the Yǎyuán main house. The stylists and makeup artists were already waiting in the walk-in closet.
Bai Yan went into the changing room to change. This suit’s collar was a little low compared to his usual clothes.
A large area of skin on his neck was exposed, and if he wasn’t careful, even, even his chest… would become faintly visible, with a hint of pink.
Bai Yan tried to get used to the form-fitting, high-quality suit fabric. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and turned around a few times. As he moved, the lace-trimmed collar immediately became even wider.
The young man’s brow furrowed slightly. He looked at his reflection in distress, feeling that something was not right.
Perhaps he had stayed too long. A soft knock came from outside the door, followed by the man’s polite inquiry, “Yanyan, are you alright? May I come in?”
Bai Yan’s heart trembled. He hastily covered his chest and said in a muffled voice, “Of course.”
Pei Tingyu opened the door and saw the young man with his hands over his chest, his moist, clear eyes looking straight at him.
His snow-white lashes framed a pair of large, round, cherry-pink pupils, the lashes fluttering like a butterfly’s wings.
The young man’s figure was slender and tall. Encased in the magnificent, high-quality shirt, the lily-of-the-valley and butterfly embroidery on his chest was striking. A gold chain belt cinched his narrow waist, making it seem even more slender and soft, as if it could be snapped with a single grip.
Like an elf born of a spring narcissus, pure white and elegant, ethereal and pure.
The man’s breath caught. He quickly closed the changing room door and strode toward the young man.
The Alpha’s gaze was dark, the danger in his pheromones reduced to a minimum. His low, magnetic voice was very soft. “Yanyan, do you need help?”
Bai Yan slowly let go of his hands. The lace on his chest, without support, immediately drooped down, revealing a large area of pinkish-white skin.
The young man immediately put his hands back, pressed his lips together, and looked up with a puzzled and distressed expression, asking, “Mr. Pei, I’m not sure… is this suit supposed to be like this?”
Pei Tingyu stared at the smooth, delicate skin, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. His eyes were incredibly dark, and a desire that was growing rapidly surged through his blood.
But the man’s face remained impassive as he lowered his gaze, releasing his gentle pheromones to soothe him.
“This kind of collar needs to be fixed with special pins,” the man explained slowly. He took a few silver pins from a box on the counter and asked in a gentlemanly manner, “May I?”
The familiar, warm scent of orange blossom lingered at the tip of his nose, quietly blending with his own jasmine scent.
“Okay.” The young man was stunned for two seconds, then slowly nodded and took a few steps toward Pei Tingyu.
They both forgot that on the other side of the door were some of Haicheng’s top stylists.
The Alpha slowly bent down, his cool fingertips approaching the young man’s chest.
The cool metal pin and the man’s knuckles brushed against his skin, creating a subtle, tingling sensation that made Bai Yan instinctively flinch, the thought of escape rising in him.
But his heels felt as if they were glued to the marble floor, and his hands and feet had lost their strength, unable to move.
The two were very close. Bai Yan only needed to look up slightly to see the man’s sharp jawline and his pale, thin lips.
They say people with thin lips are fickle. But Mr. Pei is clearly so gentle.
Even when they kissed…
His heart stirred, and a strange thought suddenly occurred to him.
If the one who had married Mr. Pei back then had been an Omega as beautiful as the one today, would Mr. Pei have been just as good to him?
Bai Yan’s heart trembled. He wouldn’t allow himself to think any further. His gaze wandered, and he was drawn to the collar pin on the Alpha’s collar.
The black surface glinted in the light, and a dark green light, like an aurora, flowed from it.
Mr. Pei… is wearing this collar pin today too.
Not just today. It seems that recently, whenever Mr. Pei wears a shirt, he has been wearing this collar pin.
Thump—thump—
His heart pounded like a drum. The orange blossom pheromones seemed to weave an impenetrable net, completely enveloping him.
Even though the young man deliberately held his breath, the Alpha’s scent was irresistible, invading his senses and lungs, driving away the strange, inexplicable sourness.
“There.”
Pei Tingyu withdrew his hand and took a few gentlemanly steps back, leaving the space in front of the mirror to the young man.
Bai Yan’s drifting thoughts finally returned. He looked in the mirror.
The drooping lace collar was now neatly fastened, covering his chest, revealing only a hint of his collarbone.
He tried turning a few times. The gold tassel belt at his waist also swayed slightly, the diamonds at the edges sparkling magnificently.
Graceful and swaying, nothing more.
“Alright,” the young man’s eyes curved into two crescent moons. He turned enthusiastically to show the Alpha. “Mr. Pei, look, it’s perfect.”
He had no idea that his outfit alone was enough to buy any high-end residence in the center of Haicheng.
“Mm.” The man’s expression was unprecedentedly gentle, his gaze admiring his lover.
My little prince, you deserve all the treasures in the world.
At eight o’clock that evening, the two arrived at the banquet venue on time.
The doorman saw the Bentley’s license plate, bowed respectfully, and without even checking the invitation, directly opened the carved gate.
The banquet was held in a mountaintop villa.
After getting out of the car, the lively sound of conversation came from the brightly lit villa.
Bai Yan swallowed nervously and slowly looked around at the magnificent surroundings. Although he had researched in the study for the past few nights, he had never experienced it.
What if I say the wrong thing? What if I embarrass Mr. Pei?
Pei Tingyu naturally sensed the young man’s mood. A gentle smile touched his eyes as he comforted him softly, “If you don’t want to go in, we can leave right now.”
“The weather is nice tonight. Do you want to go for a drive?”
The seriousness in the man’s words was not feigned. Bai Yan’s heart tightened, and he refused, “How could that be? We’re already here.”
Pei Tingyu said slowly, “Then don’t feel burdened. Why not think of it as a game?”
“I’m here for everything.”
The light words “I’m here for everything” fully demonstrated the Pei family’s status among the Haicheng elite.
Hadn’t he worked hard for so many years just so the people around him could be free?
“Okay.” A smile bloomed on the young man’s face. He linked his arm with the man’s and walked forward with a straight back.
The two of them walked into the banquet hall together. For a moment, the conversation in the hall quieted down.
There had long been rumors among the Haicheng elite that Pei Tingyu, the chairman of the Pei Corporation, had suddenly gotten married quietly at the beginning of the year. And his marriage partner was just an ordinary Omega!
But at every banquet, the mysterious “Mrs. Pei” had never appeared. Pei Tingyu had only attended discreetly, wearing a wedding ring.
When someone asked curiously, the answer was always the man’s light and breezy reply that his partner was busy with his studies and it was inconvenient for him to attend.
Studies? Still a student? What studies could be so important as to delay attending a banquet with Mr. Pei!
The people who heard this almost coughed up blood but still had to smile and flatter, “Mr. Pei, your lover is so devoted to his studies. He’s really outstanding.”
Only the Pei family had the confidence to walk sideways in Haicheng.
Besides being surprised, everyone was also very curious about this mysterious partner of Mr. Pei. How stunning must this person be to make this golden bachelor Alpha fall in love, unable to extricate himself?
Seeing him today, they were completely convinced.
The tall, well-built Alpha’s face was severe and steady, as noble and elegant as ever.
The Omega beside him was exquisite and beautiful, his white hair and pink pupils so beautiful he didn’t seem of this world. His figure was slender and tall, his gaze cool and distant. As he walked, he was like a pine tree or a flowing cloud, his temperament so noble. They were truly a perfect match.
Bai Yan, who had been cramming for several nights on the Green River forum, searching for the experiences of seniors in pretending to be from a wealthy family, secretly chanted in his heart: Everyone is a fern, everyone is an angiosperm. There’s dust on the ground, my heels should lightly touch the ground, lightly touch the ground…
Pei Tingyu’s gaze lovingly swept over the young man, who was tensing his jaw and pretending to be cold and aloof. He couldn’t help but laugh to himself.
His precious is really… too cute.
Mrs. Qin, who was talking to a guest, suddenly caught sight of the two entering. A flash of surprise crossed her eyes. She gently excused herself from the guest and walked toward Pei Tingyu.
Chen Peishan’s friendly gaze swept over the two of them, and a generous smile immediately bloomed on her face. “A-Yu, long time no see. This must be your partner?”
Pei Tingyu bowed to the Beta, a gentlemanly bow, and his lips politely touched the back of the lady’s hand. “Hello, Auntie Qin.”
When he stood up again, the man looked at the Omega beside him with a gentle gaze and said in a low, magnetic voice, “He is my lover, Bai Yan.”
Bai Yan froze.
Mr. Pei, you didn’t say before that this was the form of address.
Bai Yan’s heart skipped a beat, and his breathing became ragged.
Meeting the Beta’s friendly gaze, the young man moved his stiff facial muscles and offered a slightly nervous smile. “Hello, Auntie. I’m Bai Yan, my husband’s… lover.”
“Good, good, A-Yan is such a handsome child.”
Hearing the young man’s “Hello, Auntie,” the smile on Chen Peishan’s face immediately grew wider, but a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes.
It was fleeting, so fast that Bai Yan thought it was his imagination.
The Beta lady blinked quickly, and the hint of sadness completely disappeared without a trace.
She beckoned to a waiter and said with a smile, “It’s our first meeting. How can I not give A-Yan a gift?”
The waiter quickly brought over a gift box, and a hand in a silver-white glove carefully opened it.
Inside lay a variety of gemstones. The surfaces of the gemstones were smooth and translucent, their colors clear.
Even though Bai Yan was a complete layman, he knew that even the smallest one inside was priceless.
Thanks to his hard work the past few nights, Bai Yan knew that Mrs. Chen Peishan was a famous jewelry designer in Huaguo, and today was not only her wedding anniversary but also the 30th anniversary of her career in the jewelry industry.
“As for the use of these jewels, allow me to keep you in suspense for now,” she said mysteriously, her voice low. “It’s A-Yan’s first time here, so you can pick two. A-Yu can still only pick one.”
Bai Yan obediently said his thanks and chose a pale green and a dark green gemstone.
Pei Tingyu, on the other hand, chose a small, pink and white diamond.
Chen Peishan smiled and put the box away. “Alright, I won’t disturb you any longer. Have fun.”
She pouted and complained, “That Chudong, who knows where he and his father have run off to. They said they were going to prepare something, but they haven’t come back for half a day.”
“Who knows what those two are up to.”
Pei Tingyu gave a polite nod. “Uncle Qin and Chudong are probably planning a nice surprise for Auntie.”
“Oh, please,” Chen Peishan said, shaking her head. Even though she was joking, the smile in her eyes couldn’t be hidden.
“As long as those two don’t give me a scare, I’ll be thankful.”
As they spoke, another guest arrived. Mrs. Qin politely excused herself from the two of them and went to greet the new guest.
Pei Tingyu took a glass of juice from a waiter’s tray and handed it to Bai Yan, asking warmly, “Are you alright?”
Gazes came from all over the hall from time to time. The young man didn’t even have time to sneak a breath, the nerves in his back were so tight.
He took a small sip of the juice. The sweet citrus flavor filled his lungs, and he secretly smiled. “I’m fine.”
Pei Tingyu’s brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t speak. Suddenly, someone walked toward him.
“Mr. Pei, I’m Shen Hui from Tenghui Pharmaceuticals. It’s my good fortune to be able to meet you today.” The man had a beaming smile and bent over, eagerly extending his hand to Pei Tingyu.
“Hehe, I wonder if there will be an opportunity to cooperate with Mr. Pei in the future.”
Although today was a private banquet, and all work and social networking were officially forbidden, the business world was a tangled web, and some people could always get an invitation.
“CEO Shen, I’ve long heard of your name.” The Alpha’s brow furrowed slightly. He glanced at him coolly, gave his hand a light shake, and then let go, clearly unwilling to say more.
But Shen Hui couldn’t read his expression and kept casting glances at Bai Yan, a racy look on his face. He chuckled and was about to continue.
“One moment,” Pei Tingyu said coolly, stopping him from continuing.
The Alpha suddenly took Bai Yan’s hand and led him to the side.
The man’s eyes were apologetic as he looked at the young man who was trying hard to maintain a cold expression. “I’m sorry, A-Yan. I may have to be a little while before I can come find you.”
Bai Yan shook his head understandingly and gave the man a sweet smile, revealing the shallow dimples at the corners of his mouth. “It’s okay, Mr. Pei. You go ahead and be busy. You don’t need to worry about me.”
A smile touched Pei Tingyu’s lips. He leaned close to the young man’s ear and said softly, “The small garden of the Qin family was designed by Zhou Haiqin at Qin Chudong’s request back then. If I remember correctly, it won an international horticulture gold medal that year. You can go take a look.”
“Really?” Bai Yan’s eyes lit up, his lips curving, almost about to laugh out loud.
Fortunately, he remembered to maintain his persona. He coughed lightly into his hand and nodded reservedly. “Okay, Mr. Pei. I’ll go out then.”
Shen Hui watched the little beauty walk away. I didn’t realize Mr. Pei liked this kind of little lover. Hah, a skinny little thing, what’s so exciting about that?
But, this little beauty’s back, why does it look so familiar?
Hiss—
An overwhelming pressure of strong pheromones rushed toward him! Shen Hui’s eyes instantly widened, and a bone-chilling coldness rose from the back of his neck.
Even though they were indoors, with plenty of scent-blocker, and the people around them were talking and laughing, completely unaffected, this pheromone pressure was not weakened in the slightest, and it stabbed into his nerves with unerring accuracy!
This is the power of an S-class Alpha?!
A fine sweat instantly broke out on Shen Hui’s forehead, and his whole body trembled uncontrollably. The genetic suppression made him uncontrollably feel the urge to submit, his knees going weak, and he almost fell to his knees.
A layer of frost covered Pei Tingyu’s eyes, his tone bone-chillingly cold. “I hear your company has been embroiled in many scandals recently. CEO Shen might want to focus his attention on the right path.”
With that, he withdrew his pressure and walked away.
“Cough, cough, cough, cough!”
A violent cough erupted from Shen Hui’s throat.
He straightened up, looking wretched, and snatched a glass of whiskey from a waiter’s silver tray, gulping it down.
The fiery liquid went straight to his stomach, finally washing away the fear in the depths of his soul.
The Alpha wiped the sweat from his forehead and gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with hatred as he stared at Pei Tingyu in the center of the crowd.
Pei Tingyu, right? So what if you’re high-level? Hah, just you wait! When your pheromones go out of control, you’ll be begging me for help!
The night was as cool as water. The spring night had shed the heat of the day, and a gentle, hazy moonlight sprinkled on the garden path.
The sound of the piano in the villa gradually faded behind him. As he walked deeper, the crowd thinned out.
The scent of evening flowers floated in the air, and the garden was filled with the natural scent of flowers and plants.
Without the stuffy smell of scent-blocker, Bai Yan couldn’t help but take a deep breath. The fresh, natural air filled his lungs again, and his tense nerves finally relaxed.
Alright, he had overestimated himself. After all that, his face was starting to hurt from being so tense.
Banquets and such are really not for him.
He’d rather be with plants than with people.
Bai Yan completely relaxed. He was just about to enjoy the night view when he suddenly caught sight of a tall, moon-white figure standing under a small rose wall ahead.
Under the sparse moonlight, the person had their back to him, their thin shoulders as if draped in a soft, beautiful moonlight.
A scent of freesia mixed with a rich aroma of wine drifted over on the wind. Bai Yan squinted his eyes and looked closely.
Before he could see clearly, the person swirled the wine glass in their hand and turned around lazily, their elegant, classical eyebrows raised.
The Omega’s clear, mellow voice was the same. “How much longer are you going to watch from there?”
“A-Yan?”
Bai Yan’s eyes widened in surprise. Brother Wen Yue?!
