Chapter 18
Professional path seems to be… botany, a rather narrow field for employment?
Pei Tingyu was silent for another two seconds, then suddenly asked, “When does your school start?”
“Ah?” The Omega didn’t hear clearly. His eyes, beneath their snow-white lashes, widened in confusion, his pupils shining with a flowing light.
A petal danced and spun in the wind, landing right on top of his head.
The pale gold hair was plated with a layer of gold by the light. His long, slender lashes fluttered. The young man’s gaze was innocent and pure, so beautiful he didn’t seem real.
Pei Tingyu’s gaze darkened for a fleeting moment. His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he repeated the question.
“March second. It should be the week after next.” The young man lowered his head and gently brushed the petal away, then busied himself with cutting the next branch. His fair, slender fingers looked even more delicate and soft than the petals.
Pei Tingyu nodded thoughtfully. “Mm, I shouldn’t have any other arrangements around that time. I’ll take you to school then.”
Eh? Bai Yan blinked in surprise. He was just about to say there was no need to trouble him, but he swallowed the words back down.
Since Mr. Pei had said so, it would be rude for him to refuse again.
His face felt inexplicably hot. He turned his head away and answered obediently, “Okay, thank you, Mr. Pei.”
However, the motion of cutting the roses had, without him realizing it, slowed down.
Pei Tingyu rubbed a petal that had fallen into his hand and asked casually, “Are you planning to live on campus, or commute?”
Snip. Another branch was cut. A delicate flower leaf brushed against Bai Yan’s throat, making it tickle slightly.
Unconsciously, Bai Yan had already cut a large bouquet of roses. He stood up, holding the bouquet. The fragrant flowers lay in the crook of his arm, the fresh buds nestled against his soft cheek.
The young man smiled and looked up, his soft, clear voice sounding crisp to the ear. “I plan to commute, Mr. Pei.”
Bai Yan had already thought about this. He didn’t plan to continue living at the school next semester.
For one, he was already married, and his school had mixed BO dorms, which would be inconvenient. For another, if Mr. Pei’s rut started, it would be inconvenient for him to rush back from the school.
“Mm, Haicheng University isn’t far from Yǎyuán. The driver can make the round trip in less than an hour.” The Alpha’s brow relaxed. He propped his chin on his hand, and the upward tilt of his voice indicated that he was in a good mood.
Pei Tingyu then asked, “If I remember correctly, you’re studying botany at Haicheng University. Why did you want to study this major?”
Bai Yan pressed his lips together in embarrassment and said with a light laugh, “Actually, I originally wanted to apply for biology. My score probably wasn’t high enough, so I was transferred to this major.”
Pei Tingyu was silent for another two seconds. Biology, it seemed, also had poor job prospects for undergraduates.
Mm, studying abroad for a master’s might make him more competitive.
Europe is safer than the other side. The light in Y Country isn’t too strong, but there are a lot of rainy days…
The man frowned in thought as the young man’s soft, cottony voice continued, “Although it was a mistake at first, after studying this major, I found that I really like it.”
His beautiful eyes sparkled with excitement, his expression animated. “Plants are much more magical and resilient than we imagine.”
Even a tiny seed holds a mystery that could overturn the world.
Life itself is a miracle.
A soft curve touched his lips. “And, they’re much more beautiful.”
“Mr. Pei,” Bai Yan suddenly called out to the Alpha.
Pei Tingyu just barely came back to his senses and saw the Omega holding the bouquet of vibrant roses closer, showing them to him with a smile.
“I picked a few too many flowers. Would you like to take some back?”
The fragrance was intoxicating. Pei Tingyu was stunned for a moment, the scene before his eyes seeming to overlap with a photo from his memory.
It was also a wall of roses, but that one was a sea of fiery red, while this one was pure pink and white.
The only thing that hadn’t changed was the equally beautiful and dazzling smile on the person before him.
Pei Tingyu’s gaze unconsciously softened. He said softly, “Okay.”
Bai Yan’s smile became much more sincere. Before he could continue, he heard the man’s leisurely voice, “Have you been to the courts or the gym at Yǎyuán?”
His smile immediately froze on his face.
Pei Tingyu crossed his arms and raised his eyes nonchalantly. “If I remember correctly, the nutritionist mentioned that exercise would be beneficial for you.”
The man’s tone was teasing. “Regrettably, I have never received a report of you using any of the courts.”
“Mr. Pei.” The smile on Bai Yan’s face immediately vanished.
He scratched his face in embarrassment, his voice instantly weakening. “That’s not necessary… As long as I’m a little careful, I won’t end up in the hospital again.”
Bai Yan’s heart trembled. He had always had poor coordination and had stayed far away from any ball sports.
If he fell in front of Mr. Pei, it would be too embarrassing.
A hint of a smile flashed in Pei Tingyu’s eyes, but his tone was noncommittal. “Your negative attitude makes me think it’s very necessary. Starting this afternoon, shall we?”
“O-okay.” The young man, who had been so high-spirited just a moment ago, now looked dejected, like a frost-bitten eggplant. Even the flowers he was holding seemed to droop.
Pei Tingyu smiled. Before he could speak, a sharp ringing of a cell phone suddenly sounded.
The man gestured to Bai Yan and went to the side to answer the call.
Bai Yan bit his lip and kicked at a stone at his feet, his head bowed, thinking of how to make up an excuse to get out of this afternoon. The man’s slightly regretful voice came first.
“Sorry, it seems we can’t go today. I have to go back and deal with a document this afternoon.”
Bai Yan secretly rejoiced. Before he could breathe a sigh of relief, he heard the man add slowly, “A friend of mine heard I got married and is coming over with his partner tomorrow.”
The young man’s eyes widened, his soft, obedient voice becoming tense. “Th-then, Mr. Pei, is there anything I need to prepare?”
So soon, I’m not sure if I’m ready… Mm, looks like I’ll have to stay up all night watching male model videos.
“Don’t be nervous. He’s naturally dense. He won’t notice.”
The young man didn’t feel much relief after hearing this, his beautiful little face scrunched up.
A mischievous thought suddenly arose in the Alpha’s heart. He said deliberately, “This time it’s only two people. When we attend cocktail parties later, there will be crowds of people.”
Bai Yan’s expression tensed as he bit his lip, making a silent resolution.
Th-then I’ll watch three times as many male model videos tonight!
Pei Tingyu was completely unaware of the young man’s inner thoughts. Seeing his serious expression, as if he were attending an international conference, he couldn’t help but break into a laugh.
The Alpha couldn’t help but step closer to the young man and pat his head.
The smooth hair was soft to the touch, and a faint, sweet scent of jasmine lingered around him.
The man asked softly, “Do you remember what I said before?”
Bai Yan was stunned for two seconds. The magnetic voice from his memory overlapped with the man’s smiling voice now.
“In front of me, you always have the right to refuse.”
“This time, too.”
“If you’re unwilling, you don’t have to force yourself. Just stay in your room.”
The Alpha’s eyes were dark as he looked at him seriously, his low, magnetic voice very soft, creating a strange illusion of deep affection in his ears.
Bai Yan’s ears grew hot, and he blushed shamelessly.
After a long moment, he finally shook his head and answered with his moist, bright eyes, “It’s alright, Mr. Pei. I can do it.”
Mr. Pei has already done enough. As his partner, how can I hold him back?
Mm, I’ve decided. I’ll start watching tonight and stay up all night!
