Chapter 38

The atmosphere in Oak Bay had grown strangely tense lately. In the past, the omega and the alpha had enjoyed a harmonious home life, but recently the omega had fallen almost completely silent. Usually, only Liang Wangyou could knock on his door and get a response. Ever since birthday month had arrived, Liang Wangyou had been bringing home piles of birthday gifts for Wen Yan every day, keeping him company with endless chatter.

Construction had begun on the Inland Sea in Northern Lu, and the distant sounds of digging occasionally drifted over during the day.

During the daytime, Wen Yan continued accompanying Liang Shijing to the Chief’s Mansion. Suddenly, the two of them had stopped communicating entirely. Even their chairs, which used to sit side by side, were now kept far apart. “What’s wrong?” had become the most frequent phrase in Liang Shijing’s vocabulary lately, and they had been stuck in this state for nearly a week.

In the afternoon, Wen Yan sat propping his chin, lost in a daze.

“What’s really going on?” Liang Shijing suddenly spun him around—chair and all—to face him.

What’s wrong?

The alpha’s face before him perfectly overlapped with memories from the past. This office had never changed. A faint fragrance lingered in the air. Five years ago, it had been specially blended for the pregnant omega, who was constantly nauseous and craving the scent of the alpha’s pheromones. But the alpha had been so busy, constantly meeting with people and unable to stay in the office for long stretches. So they had hired a world-class perfumer to create something soothing for the omega to smell instead… And then there was this massive desk, which the omega had sat on, touched, and even left slick with his bodily fluids…

“There’s nothing wrong. I just want to go out for a walk…” Wen Yan turned his face away in embarrassment.

Perhaps because he was still recovering from a serious illness, his cheeks remained pale. His voice was soft and faint, his movements lazy, his demeanor a mix of detachment and awkwardness.

Liang Shijing stared at him for a long moment before nodding in silent permission.

Wen Yan ended up holing up in Lin Yichu’s office for several days. At first, Cheng Zhu came to fetch him, but later Liang Shijing started coming personally. Lin Yichu grumbled a bit at first, but after it happened too many times, he stopped bothering. The main reason was that Liang Shijing was exceedingly polite. In the formal setting of the Chief’s Mansion, protocol demanded using official titles, but Liang Shijing insisted on calling him “Uncle.”

Lin Yichu had no retort for that. He pretended not to hear and stopped trying to keep Wen Yan around.

Today marked the tenth day of their wordless standoff. At dusk, Wen Yan found himself with no escape—he had to ride back to Oak Bay with Liang Shijing. He had barely spoken during this time, but he always kept his neck ring set to maximum blockage, his eyes flickering with unspoken words.

The car pulled up, and Liang Shijing tugged at his tie before instructing the driver to leave. Wen Yan could sense the alpha’s irritation and quietly shrank into the corner.

“You eat too little and sleep too late. You don’t talk, you don’t smile.” Liang Shijing’s expression darkened. “At the Chief’s Mansion, you either head straight to Lin Yichu’s office or pretend to nap in the lounge. Do you think I’m blind? One glance from me, and you play dead for ages?”

Wen Yan picked at the seat cushion.

Liang Shijing drew in a deep breath. “Starting tomorrow, no more weekend time with Liang Wangyou. You’re staying by my side twenty-four hours a day. Wherever I go, you go—including when I rest.”

“That won’t work,” Wen Yan murmured weakly.

This period of silence wasn’t defiance; it was deliberation. Five years had passed, and Liang Shijing still seemed to care about him as much as before. There was no hatred in his eyes. What if… what if Liang Shijing still liked him even a little? Could he ask for the alpha’s help?

He desperately wanted to live—to live a long, long time, to always be there for Liang Wangyou and…

The sunset painted the sky in a gradient from near to far, leaving the car’s interior dim. A long while passed—so long that the lawn lights began flickering on one by one. Thin beams of light like silken threads fell from the alpha’s straight nose bridge into the omega’s eyes. Half of Liang Shijing’s face was lost in shadow, while the other half glowed with a divine warmth, much like that day in the study.

“Are you bored?” he asked suddenly.

“What?” Wen Yan hadn’t caught it.

Accompanying the alpha to the Chief’s Mansion was an essential part of his work, but it wasn’t for the omega. He was terribly bored there. The staff were all busy with their duties, and even Lin Yichu was often away on trips, barely visible. Lately, the omega’s days had consisted mostly of reading books, napping, and eating. He spent entire days trailing the alpha, only able to see the child he longed for once they returned home—and even then, he barely spoke. He was a lazy pig who loved sleeping in, yet he had to rise early every day…

“Go out for a walk. See your friends,” Liang Shijing said softly. “Go wherever you want. Starting tomorrow, the bodyguards won’t restrict your movements anymore. Just make sure to come back on time.”

Wen Yan stared at him in a daze. “Why?”

Don’t you need my pheromones?

“Why do you think?” Liang Shijing gave his leg a light kick. “Aren’t you friends with Li Li? If you’re bored, go out and have some fun. Go find him.”

Wen Yan felt like Liang Shijing’s brain must have short-circuited. The alpha needed his pheromones every moment of the day, yet now he was telling him to go out? While Wen Yan was still puzzling over it, Liang Shijing made another concession.

“You can even go on a trip if you want. Just tell me ahead of time, and I’ll make the arrangements.” With that, he opened the car door and stepped out.

Wen Yan was stunned. He couldn’t make sense of it—one moment Liang Shijing was interrogating him, the next he was acting indifferent. Had his illness fully healed? Did he no longer need Wen Yan’s pheromones?

The alpha’s sincerity was confirmed the very next day. Wen Yan woke up to find it was already past ten in the morning. Strange—he had definitely set his alarm the night before, so why hadn’t it gone off? After washing up, he headed downstairs for breakfast. Consul Ji informed him that the car was ready and asked where he’d like to go. If he was heading to SOP District, he should take the gift the Chief had prepared for Li Li.

The gift was an invitation letter emblazoned with the flags of the Alliance of Eight Nations. The Eight-Nation Alliance Medical Academic Exchange Conference was held every three years and was due to take place soon in the Capital. Attendees were medical titans from around the world, and participating was the lifelong dream of countless doctors—but entry couldn’t be bought with money.

The invitation lay quietly on the table, thin yet weighty.

“The Chief said you can give this to Mr. Li,” Consul Ji explained. “If he’s satisfied, we can provide one for him every year going forward.”

“Thank you,” Wen Yan said, pausing before adding in a quiet voice.

“This morning when I came in to refill your water, I noticed your phone was dead. It’s charged now—you can message the Chief if you’d like.” With a flourish, Consul Ji pulled Wen Yan’s phone from his own pocket.

Wen Yan climbed into the car, and the endless expanse of green lawns in Oak Bay sped past the window. After mulling it over, he still tapped open the chat interface labeled “He’s Very Busy Don’t Always Find Him.”

He had changed the contact name on a certain crisp morning, back when their relationship wasn’t so close yet. Wen Yan had woken to find Liang Shijing gone and called him. At the time, Liang Shijing was in the middle of a briefing meeting, and taking the call seemed to delay some decision—though it hadn’t caused any real harm. From that day on, Wen Yan had made a point of reminding himself: Liang Shijing is very busy. Don’t bother him.

A soldier raised his hand in salute, and the ornate gates slowly swung open.

Wen Yan thought for a moment, then typed out one word at a time: “Thank you, Liang Shijing. You’re a good person.”

Liang Shijing’s reply came just as Wen Yan arrived at Li Li’s place.

Liang Shijing: Good that you know.

…Wen Yan could practically picture Liang Shijing saying it with that dismissive air, his brows slightly furrowed, letting out an almost imperceptible cool huff. He silently locked his phone, got out of the car, and—much to his disappointment—Li Li wasn’t home. He slipped the invitation through the narrow slot in the mailbox by the door, then called Li Li. On the other end of the line, Li Li sounded thrilled enough to blast off into space. Wen Yan had never heard him so excited and found himself smiling along.

“This isn’t actually from me,” Wen Yan said with a laugh. “It’s from Liang Shijing. But I’ll get you a gift too.”

The bodyguards standing silently behind him nudged their companion. “Should we log this?”

A hiss escaped through the other’s teeth. “The Chief would get mad, right?”

Afterward, Wen Yan got back in the car and suggested they head to South District for a stroll. South District was the Capital’s famous enclave for the wealthy—sparsely populated but home to a cluster of high-end malls, including that one, the place the omega manager had once eyed covetously.

The mall’s air conditioning was still cranked up as high as ever, and the stores looked just as exorbitantly refined. Only a handful of people wandered the halls as Wen Yan “aimlessly” browsed his way to the café, glancing at the pillar parasol and the rattan chairs beneath it.

Saliva flooded his mouth on reflex. That lemon juice was… alphas were…

The manager of the bespoke menswear shop was a new face. He smiled faintly and guided Wen Yan to the jewelry display case, where gems of every variety were meticulously arranged. Pristine facets gleamed under the lights, diamonds refracting brilliant fire in dazzling sparks… So that wavy diamond tie clip was one of their classics.

The dilemma that had stumped that omega manager back then suddenly made perfect sense. The alpha must have consulted an omega already—because he already owned a one-of-a-kind leaf-shaped tie clip.

“Could you take this out for me to look at?” Wen Yan pointed to the natural agate cufflinks displayed on the black velvet lining.

“Of course.” Once the clerk brought them out, she explained, “This style is fairly casual, perfect for more relaxed occasions. Would you like to try it with a suit?”

The cufflinks were exquisitely crafted, with intricate openwork carving that would probably chime crisply with every gesture. Wen Yan shook them and heard just such a delicate sound. Without hesitation, he pulled out his card and paid.

The bodyguards standing silently behind him nudged their companion again. “Not for that doctor, is it?”

The other hissed through his teeth once more. “Can’t pretend we didn’t see this one.”

Wen Yan didn’t have the clerk wrap the box. He toyed with it as he went. By the time he emerged from each subsequent store, he had an extra shopping bag in hand. He bought Liang Wangyou a ton of stuff—clothes, accessories, models, toys… Exhausted from all the shopping, he finally paused at the lemon juice stand.

“Add extra sugar,” Wen Yan said, just to be sure.

One of the bodyguards discreetly jotted in a little notebook: 3:38 p.m., Mr. Wen offers us drinks, but we’re on duty and can’t accept. Mr. Wen’s taste is off today—he told the clerk to add extra sugar.

He finished the note in one swift go and sent it straight to Chief’s Mansion. After review by the professional staff, it was forwarded to Liang Shijing as an encrypted message.

Over there, the lemon juice wasn’t even ready yet when Cheng Zhu walked into the Chief’s Office clutching a folder. Liang Shijing seemed to have eyes in the back of his head; without looking up from his documents, he reached out a hand. Cheng Zhu handed over the activity log, which chronicled Wen Yan’s every move from the moment he got in the car, updated every five minutes.

13:46 Mr. Wen looking at his phone.

13:52 Mr. Wen texting someone.

14:11 Arrived at SOP District.

14:16 Mr. Wen knocks; no answer.

…

14:30 Mr. Wen says he’s going to South District.

14:56 Mr. Wen enters mall; not cold; lingers ten minutes at outdoor café.

15:17 Mr. Wen buys cufflinks.

…

17:00 Mr. Wen buys lemon juice, extra sugar.

“Your drink, sir. Enjoy.” The clerk handed over the cup.

Wen Yan plopped down at a random seat, stuck in a straw, and took a cautious sip. It was fine—not as sour as he remembered. Liang Shijing might actually drink this level of sweetness. But with the weather so hot, the ice would probably have melted by the time they got back to Oak Bay. The bodyguards stared straight ahead, thinking their job had gotten tricky lately. The omega kept spacing out, leaving them unsure what to log. Fortunately, he soon picked up his cup and left. They figured he was heading back to Oak Bay—until Wen Yan announced his next stop.

“Yes, sir.” The bodyguards exchanged a glance.

Wen Yan knew full well that Liang Shijing was tracking his itinerary. Sorry, but he had no choice. Even if it made Liang Shijing angry, he had to go back and see that long-abandoned, crumbling home—the place where he’d grown up. If not now, there might never be another chance…

The car merged smoothly into the bustling traffic. The streets felt utterly foreign at first, but as they entered a Controlled District, every tree along the roadside, every paving stone, grew familiar. Deeper in, they turned onto a deserted lane shaded by greenery. The glittering skyscrapers vanished, and amid the vast expanse of sky and earth, it felt as if only this black sedan moved through the silent woods.

Moments later, a sprawling White Manor came into view.

Wen Yan peered quietly out the window, watching the low buildings grow larger and sharper. It was pristine, its facade bathed in the soft gold of the lingering sunset. The tires crunched over the gravel path and came to a stop before the fountain. Wen Yan sat frozen, unmoving, for a long, long time…

Where was the decay in this home?

The front yard lawn was neatly trimmed, and the crape myrtle trees bloomed in vibrant clusters, their branches swaying gently. Petals drifted away like snowflakes on the breeze, landing on the grass and the spotless roof of the car. The alpha father of a born omega, his pheromones were the faint floral scent now permeating the air.

Wen Zecheng had planted that tree himself. It was the same age as Wen Yan.

Wen Yan stumbled through the door and crossed the lawn, mounting the steps one by one. So many years had passed, yet the house remained unchanged, as if Wen Zecheng might open the door at any moment, smiling as he asked why Wen Yan had taken so long to return and whether he had eaten dinner.

He pushed open the door. The last ray of sunset glow fell across the floorboards.

In the entryway, a young Wen Zecheng was hurriedly changing his shoes while a childcare worker brought out the exquisitely cute little omega.

In the living room, the little omega crawled across the floor, babbling his first words, as Wen Zecheng played with him while taking a work call.

In the dining room, Wen Zecheng stirred the soup in the tureen three times to the left and three times to the right before smiling at the little omega. “Here, it’s not hot anymore.”

Time always answered in silence. Now the little omega had grown up. His fingertips trailed over the spotless lacquered furniture as tears pattered down. Wen Zecheng had done so many terrible things, but to Wen Yan, he was the father who had raised him. He simply couldn’t hate the man—even if Wen Zecheng was ruthless and cruel, it was still Wen Zecheng who had endured hardships to bring him up. The sunset faded, and the unlit rooms grew as still and dark as a black film negative. Wen Yan walked quietly through every room. Suddenly, he wanted to call Liang Shijing. How could you be so magnanimous? Why maintain this house for me? Everyone who lived here was your enemy.

Are you sad?

His phone buzzed in his pocket at just that moment. Wen Yan fumbled it out in a panic. The caller wasn’t Liang Shijing—it was their most precious treasure, the child he shared with Liang Shijing.

“Wen Yan, I’ve been waiting for you at home for so long! Where are you? Why haven’t you come back yet?” Liang Wangyou asked.

“I’m on my way back right now. Just wait a bit, okay?”

“Have you set off? I want to come pick you up.”

Wen Yan silently wiped away his tears. “That would be too much trouble. Be good and wait for me. I bought lots of gifts for you.”

Liang Wangyou whooped with excitement on the other end of the line, chattering away like spilled beans. He promised to finish his homework, take his bath, and wait in his room. The wave of sorrow unknowingly ebbed under the warmth of those words. After hanging up, Wen Yan walked to the foyer. He turned back for one last look, committing every detail of the place to memory.

He stepped outside. A black sedan waited quietly under the streetlight.

Crape myrtle petals drifted down—Wen Yan halted in his tracks.

Just like their reunion three months ago, the alpha’s car was waiting for him. But this time, there was no army sealing off the street. The door opened, and a pale hand reached out to grip the frame. Then the alpha’s tall, upright figure emerged.

It was outside expectation yet within anticipation. Wen Yan instinctively stepped back a few paces, his heart racing to a boil. This time, the alpha crossed the lawn to stand before him, but he didn’t ask why Wen Yan hadn’t died out there. Instead, he said he had come to pick him up.

“Aren’t you going home yet?”

Wen Yan silently lowered his gaze. Had the alpha wanted to say those very words back then, too?

They had arrived in two cars, two people. They returned in one car, two people.

“What did you do this afternoon?” Liang Shijing asked.

“I went shopping,” Wen Yan replied.

“Did you buy anything?” Liang Shijing pressed.

“Yes, some things for Little You.” Wen Yan waited a moment after answering, only to sense that Liang Shijing seemed angry again.

What?

“While I was out shopping this afternoon…” He fished out the box, holding it loosely in his palm. “I wasn’t sure if you’d like it… You could try wearing it when you’re not going to the Chief’s Mansion—”

Before he could say “wearing it,” Liang Shijing pushed his outstretched hand away. Wen Yan blinked in confusion, then added, “It’s not for anyone else. I bought it for you…”

At that, Liang Shijing took the box, opened it, and toyed with the agate cufflinks in his clean, faintly flushed palm.

Wen Yan watched silently. The alpha was still as easy to appease as ever.