Chapter 39
“Brother Wen Yue, what are you doing here all by yourself?”
A soft light shone on the roses, and the depths of the garden were quiet and serene. The guests were all gathered in the front hall, and it was almost impossible for anyone to walk this way. Only the occasional chirping of insects broke the silence.
The smell of alcohol on the Omega was so strong it almost completely masked the young man’s freescia scent, which was why Bai Yan hadn’t recognized him at first.
The young man’s brow slowly furrowed. With such a strong smell of alcohol, how much has Brother Wen Yue had to drink…
“Tonight,” Bai Yan said, looking over with disapproval and asking with concern, “is this also your ‘little secret’?”
Wen Yue let out a hoarse laugh and walked gracefully toward the young man.
Under the sparse moonlight, the Omega young man’s features were clear and elegant. Even though he had drunk a lot, his eyes were still clear, as if reflecting the cool light of snow.
“Hold this.” He didn’t take no for an answer, stuffing the wine glass into the young man’s hand and suddenly lifting the beautiful hair from his neck.
In the moonlight, Bai Yan’s eyes widened, and his face instantly flushed red.
The young man’s neck was covered in a dense array of kiss marks and bite marks. The vivid red marks were of different shades, particularly conspicuous against his fair skin.
Of course, Bai Yan knew what these were. On the night of the marking, Mr. Pei had also left many such marks on him. Even though they weren’t this red, it had taken a long time for them to fade.
So many marks. One could imagine what a wild night of passion the Omega had experienced these past few nights.
As he was lost in thought, Wen Yue took out a blocker patch from his suit pocket and, with practiced ease, applied it to the back of his neck, covering his gland.
“Surprised?” he asked, glancing at the young man’s stunned expression. He took the wine glass from the young man’s hand, his slender eyebrows raised. “This is the uncontrollable possessiveness of an Alpha.”
“During their rut, they will constantly possess their Omega until they are completely marked, only then will they be satisfied.”
Wen Yue swirled the whiskey slowly and deliberately, then suddenly tilted his head back and drained the amber liquid in the wine glass.
The Omega’s sexy Adam’s apple bobbed up and down, his long, slender neck fully exposed, glowing with a delicate luster in the moonlight.
The strong smell of alcohol on him gradually dissipated under the effect of the blocker patch, and even the faint scent of his pheromones completely disappeared.
A blocker patch could perfectly conceal the residual Omega pheromones. But at the same time, it could also cause harm to the Omega’s body. In mild cases, it could cause allergies, and in severe cases, it could even lead to glandular inflammation.
A mix of emotions churned within Bai Yan.
Now that AO genders have evolved, specialized Omega blocker patches have long since disappeared with the widespread use of scent-blockers. The faint scent of pheromones in social etiquette does not affect AOs’ bodies.
Only some old, established families still adhere to their family traditions and have the Omegas in their families continue to use blocker patches.
Half a glass of whiskey was quickly finished. Wen Yue regretfully turned the wine glass upside down and, with a “Please excuse me,” was about to leave.
Bai Yan quickly followed, his hand hovering over the young man’s arm as he said softly, “Brother Wen Yue, you can’t drink anymore.”
Wen Yue’s steps paused, and he glanced at him with his long, slender phoenix eyes.
The worry in the young man’s eyes was not feigned. A single glance at his moist, shimmering eyes revealed an unpolluted, naive purity.
Wen Yue sighed to himself, suddenly stopped, and asked the person beside him, “A-Yan, you grew up in an orphanage, right?”
Bai Yan frowned and slowly nodded.
Wen Yue’s fingertips moved slightly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind the young man’s ear as he murmured softly, “Some people have parents, but would rather not.”
Under the hazy moonlight, the Omega young man’s gaze was covered with a layer of icy frost.
His pale, beautiful lips were tinged with moisture, and when he spoke, a faint, sweet scent of wine drifted out.
Bai Yan’s heart trembled. He quietly waited for Wen Yue to continue.
Wen Yue didn’t seem to want to say more, only smiling faintly. “A-Yan, you’re very lucky.”
“But you have to remember, for us Omegas, the most important thing is to guard our own hearts.” He raised his hand and stroked the young man’s soft hair.
His faint voice was like a murmur, as if he were admonishing Bai Yan, and also as if he were telling himself.
“What is marrying up? It looks glamorous, but it’s nothing more than a floating duckweed, completely at the mercy of others. Besides this status, who will really care about you?”
“In the end, you don’t even know who you are anymore.”
“Brother Wen Yue, please don’t think that.” Bai Yan looked up, his clear, moist eyes filled with seriousness.
“You are very good, and your works are very good. I like you simply because you are you, not for any other reason.”
The young man’s voice was soft and sincere. “In this world, there must be many other people who, like me, are moved by who you are.”
The Omega was stunned, a smile appearing in his eyes. He suddenly reached out and pinched the young man’s soft cheek.
“I’m sorry, A-Yan. I’ve had too much to drink. Just pretend I was talking nonsense.”
The young man was completely naive, his eyes curving into a smile. He even took the initiative to rub his cheek against the young man’s palm. “Mmm, it’s okay, Brother Wen Yue. I’m your younger brother. You can tell me anything you want.”
The touch of his palm was soft and delicate. Wen Yue couldn’t resist and pinched the young man’s cheeks with both hands.
“A-Yan, has anyone ever told you that you really look like a cute little rabbit?”
A mischievous glint flashed in his eyes. As he pinched the young man’s face, he shook his head regretfully. “It’s a pity I didn’t present as an Alpha.”
“Mmph…” Bai Yan blinked, his cheeks held by Wen Yue’s two hands and squeezed together, forcing his lips into a pout.
Before he could speak, a rustling sound came from beside him.
The two of them turned their heads and saw Jiang Zhiyi, who had walked over at some point, standing behind them, dumbfounded, his gaze blank.
The wine glass in his hand was shaking, the rim tilted down, and wine was spilled all over the ground at his feet.
Jiang Zhiyi had come to the banquet tonight with his two mothers. Before coming, he had heard that the CEO of the Pei Corporation and his partner would also be attending.
The Omega had asked around his Haicheng University friends for half a month but hadn’t found the person, and had long since given up on the idea that “Mrs. Pei” was his classmate.
His mothers had gone to socialize. There weren’t many people he knew at the banquet tonight, so Jiang Zhiyi was not in high spirits and was too lazy to go to the banquet hall to put on a fake smile.
So he had wandered around the small garden and, without realizing it, had reached its depths.
Who knew he would stumble upon the shocking secret of a wealthy family!
His cousin—Mrs. Qin’s daughter-in-law, Qin Chudong’s partner—was having a post-marital OO affair with his friend!
And they were so bold as to have a secret tryst on Mr. and Mrs. Qin’s wedding anniversary!
Their gestures were so intimate, saying things like “I like you,” and “it’s a pity I didn’t present as an Alpha.”
Listen to that! Are those the words of two innocent Omegas?!
Bai Yan was stunned in place. Before he could speak, Jiang Zhiyi had already come back to his senses. He approached the two of them, looking around in a panic.
He was horrified, exasperated. “Cousin! Bai Bai! Even if you can’t control your feelings, you can’t do it here!”
In just a few minutes, Jiang Zhiyi had already concocted a heart-wrenching emotional drama in his mind.
An OO couple, in love for many years, but opposed by a cruel, feudal family patriarch, forced to separate.
But their love was too deep. Even after one of them married an Alpha, they couldn’t bear to be apart. After countless hardships, they finally found a chance to confess their feelings to each other!
Wen Yue was speechless.
Bai Yan was speechless.
The young man seemed to somewhat understand Jiang Zhiyi’s thoughts, but he couldn’t believe it. He twitched the corner of his mouth and asked, puzzled, “Senior, have you misunderstood something?”
“Misunderstood what?! Isn’t it obvious!”
Even if you love each other so much, you can’t just do it anywhere!
Jiang Zhiyi was frantic. Without even stopping to scold Bai Yan, he went forward and took his hand.
“Bai Bai, you don’t know. Qin Chudong can’t stand any sand in his eyes. If he finds out about you and my cousin, he’ll definitely skin you alive!”
Jiang Zhiyi was sweating profusely with anxiety. He turned to leave. “Quick, quick, Bai Bai! No time to explain. We’ll talk later.”
“Cousin, I’m taking Bai Bai with me first!”
Bai Yan was pulled along for a few steps. Just as he was about to leave the rose wall, he quickly stood his ground.
He held Jiang Zhiyi’s hand with both of his and said sincerely and helplessly, “Zhiyi, you’ve really misunderstood. I came with my husb—with Pei Tingyu.”
Jiang Zhiyi’s vision went black. It took all his strength to barely suppress the scream in his throat. “What? Pei Tingyu is involved too?!”
Wen Yue crossed his arms with great interest, a look of someone enjoying a good show on his face.
Seeing his senior’s horrified expression, on the verge of fainting, Bai Yan rubbed his pinched cheek and said helplessly in a small voice, “Brother Wen Yue and I were just talking. We were a little close.”
“Pei Tingyu is my husband. We’re already married.”
Jiang Zhiyi froze.
He felt his legs go weak. He was really going to faint.
…
Ten minutes later, Jiang Zhiyi and Bai Yan returned to the banquet hall. They took some juice from a waiter and hid in a small, empty corner.
Jiang Zhiyi downed several glasses of grape juice, and his throbbing nerves finally calmed down.
The Omega leaned against the garden fence, feeling as if he had survived a catastrophe. He took deep breaths and patted his chest with lingering fear.
“You scared me to death. I really thought you and my cousin had something going on.”
Wen Yue had said he was going to check on the anniversary cake and had left first.
On the way back, Bai Yan had told Jiang Zhiyi about his marriage to Pei Tingyu.
Of course, he had omitted the part about the contract marriage.
Jiang Zhiyi pretended to be angry and glared at Bai Yan twice. “Hmph, I knew something was up with you recently. Why didn’t you tell me on the first day of school?”
Bai Yan held his hands up in front of him, fanning him, and apologized in a warm, soft voice, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hide it from you. We just got married, and not many people know. I haven’t told anyone.”
“Hmph, am I just anyone? You can hide it from anyone but me. And here I was, worrying about your love life.”
He gave Bai Yan a thumbs-up. “So our Bai Bai is so impressive. Usually so quiet, but when you make a move, it’s a big one.”
Jiang Zhiyi snorted. After Bai Yan’s repeated apologies, his anger finally subsided.
His gaze fell on Bai Yan’s hesitant expression. He suddenly beckoned with a finger and gave him a mischievous smile. “Are you curious about my cousin?”
Bai Yan looked at him blankly. “How did you know?”
The Omega raised his chin proudly. “It’s better to hide it. With your naive look, if those people inside saw you, they’d eat you alive.”
Bai Yan was speechless.
He lowered his head and touched his face. Is it that exaggerated? Am I really just a small fry at the bottom of the social ladder?
Jiang Zhiyi cleared his throat and said seriously, “My cousin, well, he’s been the ‘other family’s child’ since he was young, outstanding in every aspect. He was even colder than he is now, completely unapproachable.”
“I always thought he would present as an Alpha, but he ended up presenting as an Omega.”
Jiang Zhiyi: “Even as an Omega, he’s the highest level. He enrolled in the art department in college without a word and made a name for himself in the art world at a young age.”
Bai Yan nodded and asked, “Does Brother Wen Yue have a younger brother?”
He glanced at Jiang Zhiyi and added, “A biological brother.”
Jiang Zhiyi thought for a moment. “I don’t think so. At least, I haven’t heard anything officially.”
He added, “I didn’t believe it at first when I heard he was marrying Qin Chudong.”
“With my cousin’s proud and aloof personality, I thought he would be like those artists and stay single for life. But it’s a wealthy family, so a business marriage is normal. They seem quite happy now.”
Jiang Zhiyi shrugged.
Happy? Bai Yan lowered his head in thought. He actually didn’t think Mr. Qin was the type to betray someone’s trust, but Brother Wen Yue seemed… insecure?
But he wasn’t Brother Wen Yue. How could he know how they got along in private?
Is love really a matter of “only the one who drinks the water knows if it’s hot or cold”?
“Oh, don’t think about it.” Jiang Zhiyi enthusiastically wrapped an arm around the young man’s shoulder, a sweet peach pheromone scent rushing toward him, a racy smile on his face.
“I’ve said so much. Shouldn’t Bai Bai return the favor?”
He beckoned to Bai Yan with a finger and smiled mischievously. “Tell me, is an S-class Alpha really as capable as the rumors say?”
Just as he finished speaking, the sound of unhurried footsteps came from behind them.
“Young Master Jiang is here. I just heard your mother calling for you in the banquet hall.”
The low, magnetic voice held a hint of coldness. “I wonder what rumors Young Master Jiang wants to know about Alphas. Do you need to discuss it with your two mothers?”
The smile on Jiang Zhiyi’s face froze. The hand on the young man’s shoulder trembled twice.
He quickly turned around guiltily, his eyes darting around, and quickly distanced himself from Bai Yan. “Mr. Pei, hello. I was just about to go find my mothers. Since you’re here, I’ll be going, hahaha.”
With that, he ran back inside without looking back.
Bai Yan hadn’t yet pulled himself out of his thoughts and hadn’t even heard Jiang Zhiyi’s words clearly. He was still a little dazed seeing Pei Tingyu and blinked blankly. “Mr. Pei, are you finished?”
“Mm,” the tall, well-built man said, stopping in front of him, his gaze gentle as he looked over.
The brilliant lights of the banquet hall were behind the Alpha, enveloping the man in the center of the light, softening his cold, sharp features.
The scent of orange blossom quietly emerged, occupying all the space around the young man, driving away all the other pheromones that clung to him.
Pei Tingyu pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice tinged with apology. “I’m sorry. I said I would accompany you, but I was delayed for a while.”
“It’s okay.” The young man gave Pei Tingyu a faint smile, revealing his neat, white teeth.
“I’m fine on my own. I saw a lot of flowers in the small garden just now. Sister Haiqin’s skills are really amazing.”
“Is that so,” Pei Tingyu raised an eyebrow. “Which ones did you like?”
“There were roses, and also, um…” Bai Yan suddenly trailed off, his shoulders slumping in defeat.
Alright, he had been so preoccupied with Brother Wen Yue’s affairs just now that he hadn’t been in the mood to appreciate them.
Pei Tingyu suppressed the smile on his lips. Seeing the troubled look on the young man’s face, he knew he probably hadn’t had a good time.
The Alpha suddenly held out his hand to the young man and, leaning close to his ear, said softly in his magnetic voice:
“As an apology for tonight, would Yanyan allow me to personally show you the night view of Yǎyuán’s garden?”
“Please believe me, it will definitely not disappoint Yanyan’s expectations.”
The man’s breath sprayed by his ear. Bai Yan’s ears burned uncontrollably, and he could barely contain his wildly beating heart.
It was as if his heart were speaking, screaming for the person before him to stop exuding his charm, or it really couldn’t control itself and would leap out, whimpering!
“Of course, of course, it would be my honor.” The Omega’s lashes fluttered down in a panic. He curled his fingers and placed them on Pei Tingyu’s hand.
Pei Tingyu’s lips curved into a light smile. He rubbed the back of the young man’s hand a few times, his dark eyes fixed on the young man’s. “After the banquet is over, can you give me the rest of tonight?”
The man’s eyes were much deeper than the night sky, as deep and dark as the sea. It was as if once you fell in, you would never be able to escape.
Bai Yan swallowed, his snow-white lashes trembling slightly as he said softly, “Okay.”
Unconsciously, the piano music at the banquet had gradually changed to the tune of the wedding march.
Chen Peishan, who was talking to a guest, turned her head in surprise and saw Qin Chudong in a deep blue suit, sitting at the piano, his fingers flying smoothly over the Steinway keys.
The crowd gathered toward the banquet hall, but left the space around Chen Peishan empty.
“Peishan, today is our 30th wedding anniversary.”
Qin Bozong, wearing a suit that was clearly very old, held a bouquet of flowers and walked toward Chen Peishan in the center of the banquet hall.
This usually stern, half-white-haired head of the Qin family had moist eyes. “Back then, I was a poor boy with nothing. I even despised myself. But you weren’t afraid. you were willing to go against your family to support me.”
“We went through so many hardships after we got married. On our wedding day, I couldn’t even give you a ring.”
He suddenly took a ring box out of his pocket and, amidst the gasps of the crowd, knelt down on one knee, opened the ring box, and a dazzling, pigeon-egg-sized diamond ring was revealed.
Chen Peishan covered her face in surprise, tears finally streaming down her face.
Qin Bozong asked nervously, “Although we are no longer young, I still want to give you a wedding.”
“Peishan, will you marry me? Will I be blessed by the heavens to spend the rest of my life with the most beautiful person in the world?”
“Old man, how did you hide this from me for so long? Such a big surprise, and you didn’t even let me prepare in advance.” The Beta lady pretended to scold, her face showing the coquettishness of her youth.
Her eyes were filled with happiness. She happily extended her hand and let her husband slide the ring onto her ring finger.
A round of applause and blessings erupted from the crowd. The two exchanged rings under the witness of everyone and embraced deeply.
Bai Yan watched the happy couple in the center of the crowd, also infected by the warm atmosphere of the scene. His hands were red from clapping, and his large, moist eyes were filled with joy.
Pei Tingyu watched the Omega beside him with a gentle gaze, a faint, bitter smile on his lips.
He was willing to give his precious the grandest wedding, but would his precious be willing?
Never mind, never mind. Being able to protect his precious is already his good fortune.
What more could he ask for?
The piano music was coming to an end. Chen Peishan, in the center of the crowd, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, took her husband’s hand, and suddenly said loudly:
“Thank you all for coming. Today is not just to witness my happiness.”
“This year is a special year for me. It has been thirty years since I entered the jewelry industry.”
A gratified smile touched Chen Peishan’s eyes. “And my child, Qin Chudong, has also found the partner he is willing to spend his life with…”
Bai Yan looked at the two people behind Chen Peishan. Qin Chudong happily held Wen Yue’s hand, a big smile on his face as he gestured to everyone.
The beautiful young man had returned to his usual elegance, a faint smile on his lips. But Bai Yan noticed that there was now a light purple scarf around his neck.
Chen Peishan exchanged a look with her husband behind her and continued with a smile, “As parents, there is no greater happiness than witnessing the happiness of our children. Therefore, Bozong and I would like to announce an important decision today.”
Qin Bozong took over his wife’s words in a deep voice. “This is a young people’s world. We are old. It’s time for us to rest.”
“Within this year, I will step down as the chairman of the group. Chudong, from now on, the Qin Corporation is in your hands.”
The guests were in an uproar. No one had expected that Chairman Qin, who was still in his prime, would so easily relinquish his power.
Even Bai Yan was a little dazed. He had only come to attend a wedding anniversary, but how had it suddenly turned into a power shift in a wealthy family?
Rich people are so willful. This is much more exciting than a TV drama.
Qin Chudong’s pupils were shaking. He looked shocked, as if he hadn’t expected this result either.
But he was the host. He could only force a stiff smile and accept the congratulatory gazes from all directions.
“In addition,” Chen Peishan said with a smiling voice, winking mysteriously, “do you all remember the gemstone you each chose before the banquet started?”
Everyone quickly found the gemstone they had chosen earlier.
“These gemstones are my sentiments, and also the sentiments of the Chen family.”
She gestured to a waiter waiting by the side. The waiter was pushing a small trolley, on which sat a completely black, square box.
A slow smile formed on Chen Peishan’s lips. “I’m getting old too. It’s time for me to retire, but the Chen family can’t be left uncared for. I’ve never liked the traditional way of transferring power. Why not play a game?”
“The gemstones in the box and the ones in your hands can be paired up. I’ll take one out of the box, and whoever has the one that matches mine—”
“He will receive 20% of the Chen Corporation’s shares!”
The moment she finished speaking, the crowd was in an uproar. Even if the Chen family’s jewelry business couldn’t compare to the Qin family’s, 20% of the shares was not a small amount.
Some guests were even eager to try, wishing they could drill their eyes into the box.
Chen Peishan took a gemstone out of the box, placed it in her palm, and looked around the banquet hall, announcing loudly:
“A red diamond. Which guest chose this red and black diamond?”
Everyone hurriedly checked the gemstone in their hands, beating their chests and stamping their feet, all regretting how blind they had been to not have chosen this color.
A slightly surprised, lazy voice suddenly came from the center of the crowd.
“What a coincidence. The one in my hand just happens to be this color.”
