After a three-hour flight on a private jet followed by a one-hour helicopter ride, they arrived at their destination at four in the afternoon.
The helicopter slowly touched down on the yacht. Blazing sunlight and the salty tang of sea air washed over them. From the forward deck, the yacht stretched so far they couldn’t see its end. No service staff was in sight, but every amenity had been meticulously prepared.
Liang Wangyou, clad in white shorts and a white T-shirt, bolted like a shot to the outdoor bar shaded by a column umbrella. With practiced ease, he pulled a small dish from the cooler. Wen Yan wandered over and peered inside, finding it filled with plump, round objects that resembled fruit.
“These fruits grow only on this island,” Liang Wangyou said, rising on tiptoe to press one to Wen Yan’s lips. “And they only produce this little dish each year. Wen Yan, is it sour?”
Sweet, succulent juice flooded Wen Yan’s mouth. He nodded. “Very sweet.”
“Then forget it—all for Dad.” Liang Wangyou’s disappointment flickered for half a second before he brightened again, tugging Wen Yan off to tour the yacht’s layout. The pair set off without a backward glance, utterly ignoring the alpha standing behind them.
The yacht was divided into three levels. The lower held the kitchen and storage rooms. The middle deck—where they now stood—was dedicated to leisure and entertainment, boasting an arcade room, game room, and more. The top level served as the rest area for the owner. The space was vast and luxuriously appointed. Liang Wangyou led Wen Yan along by the hand, chattering nonstop the whole way. He explained that this vertical duplex yacht had been a fourth birthday gift from Liang Shijing. Whenever time allowed, they had spent a few summer days here every year for the past two.
They rode the elevator to the third floor. Liang Wangyou flung open the door and pulled him inside, right up to the edge of the spotless king-sized bed. There, he released Wen Yan’s hand, smoothed his already flawless clothes, and fidgeted shyly. “Wen Yan, I can dress myself now, but… could you do it for me this time?”
They had planned to go swimming in the sea shortly.
Wen Yan half-crouched and patted the little bulge of Liang Wangyou’s belly, teasing him. “Baby, why do you want me to change you?”
Liang Wangyou’s lips pursed in a dramatic pout. “Because Jin Shu said his mom changes his clothes for him every day.”
Wen Yan brushed his cheek tenderly, then knelt to remove his shoes. Liang Wangyou braced against his shoulders, giggling uncontrollably. To prevent a tumble, Wen Yan scooped him onto the bed. Liang Wangyou sprawled on his back, legs kicking wildly in delight. He was over the moon, and Wen Yan was too—mischievously tickling the soles of his feet all the while.
When they reached his underpants, Wen Yan asked, “Do you know how to wash yourself properly?”
“Dad taught me.” Liang Wangyou sprawled brazenly, legs splayed without a trace of embarrassment. “Get it wet first, then scrub scrub scrub—and flip it open.”
“Good.” Wen Yan reminded him gently. “No matter what, never let anyone touch you there casually. Got it?”
“No one would dare touch me, and I wouldn’t touch anyone else. It’s rude,” Liang Wangyou replied.
Wen Yan nodded. “While protecting yourself, learn to respect omegas too.”
“Yes, sir!” Liang Wangyou bolted upright, reciting the Alliance Army’s standard slogan with crisp precision. “Protecting omegas and betas is the innate mission of every alpha!”
“Good Baby.” Wen Yan ruffled his hair. “All dressed now—let’s go swimming.”
“But you haven’t changed into your swimsuit yet.” Liang Wangyou blinked innocently.
They stepped out the door to find Liang Shijing waiting in the corridor—he’d been there who knew how long. He was already changed, wearing nothing up top but plain beach trunks, a black bracelet circling his wrist. His hair fell in loose, artful waves, giving him the look of a runway model in motion… Wen Yan quietly averted his eyes and headed to his own room. He needed to change, yes—but more pressingly, to rip off the barrier patch, drain the backed-up bloody fluid, and down a hefty dose of painkillers.
It took him ages, so by the time he reached the middle deck, Liang Shijing had already slathered sunscreen on Liang Wangyou. Father and son lounged on adjacent chairs, with Liang Wangyou kneeling behind Liang Shijing, huffing as he worked it in. The alpha’s head dipped slightly, his broad lats tensing just a touch, while his fingers idly foraged in the fruit bowl. Little Alpha might sass him constantly with words, but his affection shone through as he carefully coated every inch of his father’s back.
“Don’t eat them all!” Liang Wangyou yelled midway through, spotting the sweet fruits nearly gone.
“Didn’t you say they were all for me?” Liang Shijing drawled lazily.
“What if Wen Yan wants more?” Liang Wangyou warned. “No more, okay!”
Liang Shijing didn’t reach for another. Wen Yan lingered behind them a moment longer before approaching. Liang Shijing glanced up. “Sunscreen on?”
Before Wen Yan could reply, Liang Wangyou piped up eagerly. “I’ll do it! I’ll do it!”
Liang Shijing tsked in mild annoyance.
Wen Yan settled onto a lounge chair. Liang Wangyou promptly abandoned his father—leaving a huge dollop of white lotion smeared on Liang Shijing’s back—and scampered over. His slick little hands slid onto Wen Yan’s shoulders. “Wen Yan, your back is so much smaller than Dad’s.”
“Obviously,” Liang Shijing muttered.
“And you’re so skinny, Wen Yan,” Liang Wangyou added.
As Wen Yan turned to face him, his gaze brushed over Liang Shijing to his left. The man’s appraising eyes traced Wen Yan’s chest and back, locking briefly before darting away. Such fleeting glances had grown frequent over the past few days. Without pause, Wen Yan turned fully to Liang Wangyou with a smile. “Then I’ll eat more from now on.”
“Yay! Later, Dad can grill us some little fish.”
“No grilling,” Liang Shijing refused curtly.
The father and son had been locked in open and subtle rivalry for days—like neglected concubines in a harem, forever jockeying for favor in Wen Yan’s presence. Every time Liang Wangyou tried to do something nice for him, Liang Shijing countered it. Now, even on the island, Liang Wangyou sensed his father spoiling the vibe again. Unable to hold back, he shouted, “You’re so annoying! Wen Yan doesn’t even like your cooking.” He tacked on, “And neither do I.”
These brief few dozen hours were a rare respite for Liang Shijing. Wen Yan pinched Liang Wangyou’s little foot. “Don’t talk like that. Let’s speak calmly, okay? Keep it quiet—no getting mad.”
Liang Wangyou obediently agreed. He watched as Liang Shijing scooped up the last few pieces of fruit from the small dish and popped them into his mouth. He wanted to stop him but held back, afraid of upsetting Wen Yan, so he swallowed his frustration instead. Liang Shijing even arched a brow at him in provocation. Liang Wangyou let out a little huff, shooting him a look that said, You’re in for it now…
Wen Yan caught every bit of their little exchange. He turned his face away and smiled faintly, but before he could smooth the corners of his mouth, he heard Liang Shijing say to no one in particular, “Dinner should be something nutritious.”
Meaning the grilled fish were just snacks, not a proper meal.
Wen Yan rubbed his knee, pretending not to hear.
Once the sunscreen was applied, Liang Wangyou’s temper flared and faded just as quickly. Before long, he was tugging eagerly at Liang Shijing’s hand. Liang Shijing shook him off with cool indifference, but Liang Wangyou latched onto his leg shamelessly…
“Father~ Father~ Let’s play that one~”
Liang Shijing ignored him and strolled across the deck, the boy dangling from his thigh.
Wen Yan had no idea what Liang Wangyou was begging for, but he couldn’t help feeling a pang of envy. The boy never threw tantrums at him or clung like this. Sometimes, Wen Yan startled himself with these odd thoughts—this petty possessiveness of his…
“Please, Father, you’re the best!” Liang Wangyou wheedled, putting on his most adorable pout.
Probably tired of the clinging, Liang Shijing shook him loose, scooped him up, carried him to the edge of the deck, and tossed him overboard. The middle deck sat a good three or four meters above the waves. Wen Yan bolted to the railing and peered down, spotting a pale little bottom bobbing amid the churning white foam on the deep blue sea…
Thinking Liang Wangyou had been knocked out, he leaped over without a second thought. Liang Shijing grabbed his hand and pointed downward.
Liang Wangyou hadn’t been dazed at all. The impact of hitting the water had simply yanked his shorts down. Mortified, he stayed submerged, wrestling them back up. Once they were in place, he kicked his chubby legs and popped to the surface, beaming up at them. “Do it again!”
~~~
Wen Yan swallowed the You’re insane that rose to his lips and shot the Alpha a complicated look.
“Want a lift too?” The Alpha stared back at him, face impassive.
~~~
Wen Yan descended the stairs to the lower deck in silence. He shed the bath towel draped over him and stretched out in the sunlight. His pale skin gleamed almost translucent in the golden rays, his slender legs extended taut, his lithe waist arching gracefully into a perfect stretch. Then, like a sleek fish, he slipped into the sea. Warm water enveloped him, bubbles surging in his wake. He glanced back—Liang Shijing must have jumped straight from the middle deck, right off his flank.
The ocean lay calm, but letting a six-year-old swim alone on the far side of the yacht was risky. Why wasn’t he checking on the boy? Wen Yan turned toward Liang Wangyou, only for the S-class Alpha’s superior physique to close the gap in seconds. A hand pinched his calf.
Wen Yan blinked in confusion.
Liang Shijing’s hands were always getting into mischief—ruffling his hair, tugging his clothes, tapping his forehead. Now this. Wen Yan pressed on. Through the crystal-clear water, he spotted Liang Wangyou playing contentedly alone, poking at coral and sea anemones. His lungs burning, Wen Yan surfaced for a deep breath. When he dove again, Liang Shijing had sunk to the white sandy bottom beneath the boy. Everyone seemed absorbed in their own fun. Wen Yan looped back to his entry point—he’d glimpsed a stunning rare sea star amid the coral; it would delight Liang Wangyou.
Sunlight danced overhead, the water beside him pristine as glass, the horizon fading to deep indigo. Beautiful. Utterly beautiful. Wen Yan burrowed into the coral, teasing a clownfish with bubbles before reaching for the sea star wedged in a crevice. As he leaned down, something nudged his calf. He whipped around in surprise—Liang Shijing, frowning at him from behind. Wen Yan turned calmly back and stretched for the prize.
