Chapter 2
The Alpha was highly efficient. Within a few days, Bai Yan received word that it was time to move into the Pei family home.
For ease of contact, he and Song Jian had added each other on a messaging app.
The Beta’s profile picture, befitting his temperament, was a calm sea. Assistant Song was the consummate professional and had apologized profusely for being unable to come in person.
He explained that since Mr. Pei was still on a business trip in a neighboring city, he had to accompany him and thus couldn’t pick up “Young Master Bai” himself. However, he assured Bai Yan that the Pei family’s driver was very experienced and would bring him safely to the Pei residence.
Bai Yan had no objection and quickly packed his few belongings.
Before the break, he had rented a room near the university to stay in temporarily. The school forbade students from staying on campus during the holidays, but fortunately, he had saved up a little money from tutoring and part-time jobs the previous semester.
The apartment belonged to a schoolmate from a wealthy family who, finding the dorms uncomfortable, had bought a small studio for himself. Worried the place would simply collect dust while he was home for winter break, he’d been considering hiring someone to check on it every few days when he chanced upon Bai Yan’s post. Struck by a sudden idea, he contacted Bai Yan immediately.
And so, Bai Yan had moved in. The landlord only charged him a symbolic few hundred in rent and had even waived the utility fees.
But now he had to leave early, and Bai Yan felt bad about it. After packing, he cleaned the apartment from top to bottom and covered the larger pieces of furniture with white cloths to prevent dust from accumulating in his absence.
The busyness had kept him from dwelling on the move to the Pei residence. It was only now, standing at the entrance to the complex, that the reality of it hit him, and a sense of uncertainty about the future began to surface.
The complex was adjacent to Haicheng University and was something of a “migratory” neighborhood, bustling with students during the semester and growing quiet during the holidays.
Just like now. The streets were utterly silent, without another soul in sight.
The snow had mostly melted, with only a few scattered patches clinging to the treetops. The sun peeked in and out from behind the clouds, bathing the afternoon air in a clear, bright light.
The winter sun wasn’t harsh enough to bother him, so he wasn’t using an umbrella.
Bai Yan moistened his dry, chapped lips. He’d been feeling run-down lately and kept forgetting to take his vitamins.
Who would have thought he’d be about to marry an Alpha he had only met once? And now, he was about to move in with him.
He wasn’t even sure of the man’s full name.
Tingyu.
The man’s name rested on his tongue, carrying a strange sense of familiarity.
The Alpha’s severe expression as he spoke surfaced in Bai Yan’s mind, along with those deep, dark eyes.
The faint scent of orange blossom seemed to float around him again, but it wasn’t unpleasant.
Perhaps because his own pheromones were jasmine, Bai Yan had a natural affinity for floral scents.
Just as he was lost in his rambling thoughts, a car horn suddenly honked up ahead.
Bai Yan snapped back to reality and looked up to see a black car stop in front of him. A neatly dressed, middle-aged man got out of the driver’s seat.
Upon seeing Bai Yan, the man first bowed deeply before straightening up with a kind smile.
“Young Master Bai, hello. I apologize for the wait! I am the Pei family’s driver, Zhao Chengming. Assistant Song sent me to pick you up and take you to Yǎyuán. From now on, I will be your dedicated driver. If there is anywhere you need to go, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
“This must be your luggage. Allow me to take it to the car for you.” Zhao Chengming’s sharp eyes spotted the suitcase beside him, and he immediately and deftly went to lift it into the trunk.
Bai Yan blinked in surprise. Before he could react, Zhao Chengming had already bowed and opened the car door, inviting him in.
He had no choice but to get in, only managing to say “thank you” once he was seated in the back.
The young man’s posture was very well-behaved; he sat upright with his knees together, his hands resting on them.
Zhao Chengming smiled into the rearview mirror. “You don’t need to be so formal. This is what we’re supposed to do.”
The car’s lines were smooth, the interior spacious and bright. The leather seats were soft and comfortable, and a fresh, aromatic scent floated in the air.
Bai Yan didn’t know anything about cars, or he would have recognized this as the limited-edition model from a certain brand that his landlord had been posting about on social media, dreaming of for ages.
Its exterior was modest and unassuming, but the interior was another world entirely—comfortable and pleasant, perfectly suited for a student.
Yǎyuán was located on a mountaintop, some distance from the bustling city center, but not too far from Haicheng University, which was also in the suburbs.
The low-key car sped along the mountain road. Zhao Chengming smiled into the back. “Young Master Bai, we’re almost there.”
Soon, a pair of large, silver-white, ornately carved gates appeared before them. Upon seeing the license plate, the guard in the security booth nodded at the car, and the gates slowly opened inward.
The manor’s driveway was wide and smooth, winding its way forward. The trees on either side were trimmed into elegant shapes, and the lawns were impeccably maintained.
Zhao Chengming chuckled. “Young Master Bai, this is Yǎyuán. We just came through the North Gate.”
Bai Yan was too astonished to speak. He gripped the hem of his jacket, and the knuckles of his already fair hands turned white from the force.
He had tried to imagine Mr. Pei’s home, but he had never anticipated a place of such opulent luxury. An estate this vast was probably the size of several orphanages.
Oh, no, he thought, it might be as big as dozens of Huixin.
The “Pei” family, “Pei Tingyu.” Bai Yan’s throat tightened, and he unconsciously bit his lower lip. Could it be the family that even he had heard of?
The car drove on for several more minutes before finally reaching its destination.
Zhao Chengming parked the car and opened the door for Bai Yan.
What greeted him was a three-story, platinum-white, standalone building. It was immense and richly decorated, with two small cherub fountains flanking the main entrance.
Bai Yan squinted slightly as he looked up. His vision was a little weak, and without his glasses, he couldn’t see clearly from a distance.
The moment the young man stepped out of the car, someone approached with light, quick steps.
The Beta woman who came to stand before him was about fifty years old. Her black hair was combed neatly into a bun, and her hands were clasped elegantly in front of her.
The Beta bowed to him and smiled. “Young Master Bai Yan, good afternoon. I am the housekeeper of Yǎyuán, Chen Shulan.”
“Hello.” Bai Yan’s lips curved into a stiff smile, and he nodded a little reservedly. He was unsure of the etiquette of a great family; in fact, the moment he set foot here, the thought of regretting his decision had already begun to sprout.
Such a high-class, wealthy family… Will it be terribly embarrassing if I don’t do things right?
“Please, don’t be a stranger. The Young Master is a master of the Pei family,” Chen Shulan said, then gave him a mischievous wink, the corners of her lips turning up. “If you don’t mind, you can call me Auntie Chen.”
“Of course, you can just call me A-Yan,” Bai Yan said with a nod, his stiff smile becoming a bit more genuine.
He secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If it had been like the wealthy families in TV dramas, he probably wouldn’t have been able to cope.
The scent of jasmine was released slowly, tentatively, from the back of his neck.
Chen Shulan was a Beta, and even though she couldn’t smell the pheromones, she could see from the young man’s expression that he was beginning to relax.
The housekeeper’s smile didn’t fade. She readily agreed, “A-Yan, let’s go then. Auntie Chen will show you around. The staff will bring your luggage up.”
They entered through the main doors. The villa’s interior was much more understated than its exterior, yet it concealed a luxurious elegance. A crystal chandelier on the vaulted ceiling cast a brilliant light that reflected off the ornate patterns on the carved walls, giving them a dark golden sheen.
Chen Shulan smiled as she introduced the space. “This is the ballroom of Yǎyuán. The Young Master doesn’t use it often. When the Madam was here, however, she often held banquets…”
After getting Bai Yan’s permission, Chen Shulan took his jacket and scarf. The heating in the villa was ample, and a rosy color soon returned to Bai Yan’s pale face.
“This way is the dining hall, the reception room…”
Bai Yan’s eyes sparkled. Though still reserved, he couldn’t hide his curiosity as he carefully took in his surroundings.
As they walked up the spiral staircase, Bai Yan learned more about the Pei family’s current situation from Chen Shulan’s explanations.
The Pei family had a long and storied history, with deep roots and business interests in every sector of the country. The previous head of the family and his wife had moved from the capital, Yancheng, to Haicheng after their marriage and built Yǎyuán.
Bai Yan listened silently. Even with his lack of interest in economics, the name Pei Tingyu was one he knew well—it was practically legendary.
Pei Tingyu. A top-tier S-class Alpha who, at a young age, was already ranked among the wealthiest people in the country.
What was most talked about, however, was that at twenty-eight, he was still unmarried, without so much as a single rumor to his name.
Given his wealth and status, even if he wanted a contract marriage with an Omega, there should have been more suitable candidates. A compatibility of 85% wasn’t actually that high. Bai Yan bit his lip.
Chen Shulan showed him Yǎyuán’s study, indoor gym, walk-in closet, home theater, music hall… Bai Yan’s expression shifted from initial curiosity to astonishment.
Sensing that the young man might want some time alone, Chen Shulan saw him to the third floor and then thoughtfully departed.
Before leaving, the gentle Beta housekeeper warmly mentioned that Pei Tingyu’s room was directly across from his. The servants didn’t live in the main house at night, so if he needed anything, he could knock on the door opposite his own.
That cold Alpha, who had so bluntly proposed marriage at their very first meeting—how could he possibly seem like someone easy to talk to?
Bai Yan mentally declined Auntie Chen’s kind offer and, with a soft sigh, pushed open the door to his room and went inside.
Top Floor of the Pei Corporation Twin Towers
A suffocatingly low pressure filled the CEO’s office.
“This proposal makes me seriously question the reason this company hired any of you. For two whole months, not a single person noticed the problem.”
“Take it back and redo it. If this happens again, the entire project team can pack their bags.”
The Alpha’s face was devoid of expression, yet it was immensely oppressive. His icy voice echoed in the spacious office.
The group of suited elites stood silent as cicadas in winter, heads bowed as they took the scolding, not daring to breathe.
The suppressive force of S-class pheromones was extremely potent. It wasn’t until they had left the office that the stagnant air among the crowd began to flow again.
The people from the secretarial department watched the ashen-faced department heads, clutching their documents and looking at each other, none daring to go in and disturb the CEO who had just lost his temper.
In the end, it was Song Jian who took the files. Under the respectful gazes of the secretarial staff, he knocked on the office door, his expression unchanged.
“Enter.”
The Beta cleared his throat, making a heavy mental note against his subordinates before composing his expression and pushing open the solid wood door.
At the large, solid wood desk, Pei Tingyu was flipping through a document, his expression one of considerable impatience.
He had just returned from his business trip to find a proposal riddled with obvious errors. His mood was, to put it mildly, not good.
Song Jian was concise. “Mr. Pei, the meeting with CEO Wang on Wednesday is set for the World Trade Center Tower. Thursday’s project meeting conflicts with the IFC Summit and needs to be postponed…”
The elite assistant finished outlining all the arrangements in a clear, brief manner. After a few seconds of silence, he added, “Mr. Pei… I’m afraid there is one more matter to report.”
“Speak.” The Alpha’s brow furrowed. He lifted his chin, the sharp line of his jaw appearing particularly severe.
Song Jian tucked the documents under his arm and adopted a different tone. “Today is the day Young Master Bai Yan moves into Yǎyuán. Would you like to go back and see him?”
The fountain pen, which had been gliding smoothly across the paper, suddenly paused, hovering in mid-air.
An image of that slender, white figure flashed through Pei Tingyu’s mind—the young man sinking into the leather sofa, his pupils wide with bewilderment.
Pale gold hair rested against the nape of his neck, which was so fair it was almost translucent, looking exceptionally clean and soft.
The Omega had a pointed chin and a thin frame. Even bundled in a sweater and down jacket, he looked lost in his clothes, as if he were a stack of paper that a gust of wind could scatter.
He wondered how the boy had even grown up.
Bai Yan.
The Alpha’s gaze darkened for a moment. The first time he had seen that name was on the AO Matching System.
At the time, he had just finished treatment at a private hospital for his erratic rut pheromones.
The suppressants were becoming less and less effective, and his doctor had warned him that if he didn’t take measures soon, his next episode would likely be even more severe.
This news quickly reached the group’s shareholders. Some hinted behind his back that if Mr. Pei’s health was failing, the corporation might consider a change in chairmanship.
Pei Tingyu sneered inwardly. Those old fools. They’ve all forgotten the turmoil the Pei Corporation went through back then. Now that the group is on the right track, they’re starting to get ideas they shouldn’t.
It wasn’t that there were no other solutions. He had a hundred ways to shut those good-for-nothing idiots up.
But for a rare moment, Pei Tingyu was tired of it all.
Perhaps it was working late into the night on the top floor of the company building, watching the New Year’s fireworks light up one after another outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, that Pei Tingyu realized with a jolt that tonight was, once again, New Year’s Eve.
Or perhaps it was his wandering Alpha friend who had suddenly settled down and gotten married before the New Year, now living in blissful newlywed harmony with his Omega wife, their saccharine displays of affection on social media an annoyance to all.
In any case, for reasons he himself didn’t understand, late one night, after a few drinks, Pei Tingyu, as if possessed, logged into the AO Matching System.
The very first profile that popped up was Bai Yan’s.
The Omega was simple and naive, having uploaded almost all of his information to the app, along with a photo.
The picture was taken in front of a wall of vibrant, dewy roses. Bai Yan wore a clean, white shirt.
The young man’s pale gold hair shone faintly in the light, his skin was as fair as jade, and his cherry-pink eyes were clear and bright, even more tender than the roses in the background.
He looked so young that Pei Tingyu wondered if he was even of legal age.
The Alpha’s gaze grew darker and darker. His thumb unconsciously pressed against the young man’s lips, which were curved in a faint smile, as his eyes scanned the description beside the photo.
Omega, 19 years old, congenital albinism, born in Huixin Orphanage, currently studying at… Pheromones: A-class white jasmine.
Jasmine. The man lowered his eyes, a sudden thought taking root: marrying an Omega and bringing him home might not be a bad idea.
And so, that very night, he had his assistant begin making contact.
The slender figure in his mind gradually became clearer. The young man’s expression was still reserved, but his eyes were firm.
The Omega’s voice was soft and clear. “I can sign the agreement. I don’t want the compensation. I only have one request…”
“Would Mr. Pei be able to provide financial support to the Huixin Orphanage? It is currently facing operational difficulties due to a lack of funding.”
“If Mr. Pei can provide support, I would be endlessly grateful.”
As if he knew his request was excessive, the young man had buried his head in unease, his snow-white teeth digging into his lip.
Yet, even then, Pei Tingyu had found his mind wandering, thinking, inappropriately, the Omega is so fragile. Best to bring him home and look after him properly.
Beside him, Song Jian stood with his head bowed respectfully, patiently awaiting his boss’s instructions.
The custom fountain pen, after hovering for a few seconds, came down again, writing sharp, angular English letters on the page.
Without looking up, the Alpha said flatly, “I’m going back to Yǎyuán tonight.”
