Chapter 21
Eh? Hearing Wen Yue’s words, Bai Yan looked up at him in surprise.
Brother Wen Yue… doesn’t seem like the type to be so direct.
Bai Yan blinked in a daze.
In just an instant, the sharpness in the other Omega’s eyes disappeared, returning to a calm gentleness.
“Xiao Yan, what’s wrong?” Wen Yue frowned, looking at him with a puzzled expression, and smiled understandingly. “Is it something outsiders aren’t supposed to know?”
He lowered his gaze guiltily. “I’m sorry, my question has put Xiao Yan in a difficult position. If you feel it’s inconvenient, you don’t have to tell me.”
The young man pressed his lips together. Just now, was it my imagination…
“Of course not. It’s just rather simple,” Bai Yan said, regaining his composure. A smile once again filled his eyes as he answered seriously in his soft, cottony voice, “My husband and I met on the AO Matching System.”
He deliberately paused for a few seconds, feigning recollection. “The system recommended us. We got along very well, and after a few dates, we both thought the other was very suitable, so we got married.”
It’s a good thing I was prepared for this question. No matter how I say it, it can’t be wrong.
Wen Yue discreetly studied the young man opposite him. His cherry-pink eyes were filled with innocent purity, and his peaceful face showed no emotional turmoil.
There were no signs of coercion.
It was just that, compared to reminiscing about falling in love, it was more like reciting a prepared speech.
“Is that so,” Wen Yue said, having the servant take away his wine glass and taking a sip of tea. He nodded with a cool smile. “It seems it really is fate.”
As they spoke, Qin Chudong walked over with Oz and Pei Tingyu.
Qin Chudong squeezed in next to Wen Yue, his large hand wrapping around the Omega’s slender waist as he asked curiously, “What were you two talking about just now?”
Wen Yue shifted to a more spacious spot and glanced at him coolly. “Nothing. Just talking about some things related to Xiao Yan’s school.”
“So tired. My game was so off today.” Qin Chudong buried his head in Wen Yue’s neck and complained pitifully.
He was more like a big dog than Oz, who was wagging his tail beside him.
But he didn’t mention the results of the match at all, so one could imagine how disastrous it had been.
After exercise, an Alpha’s hormones were particularly potent.
Wen Yue released his clear, freescia-scented pheromones to soothe him and, with a sense of helplessness, took out his handkerchief to wipe his sweat.
Compared to Qin Chudong, Pei Tingyu was much more composed.
The man’s breathing was even, his tight-fitting clothes outlining his smooth lines, his firm muscles rising and falling with each breath.
The Alpha walked up to Bai Yan, his gaze tracing the young man’s rosy cheeks, and suddenly said softly.
“How are you? Are you alright?”
The man’s high, proud brow gradually filled his entire line of sight. Bai Yan’s heart beat a little faster.
Even his soft, obedient voice was a little shaky. “I’m fine, xian sheng.”
Mr. Pei’s figure… is really nice.
As expected of an S-class Alpha.
Another scene suddenly flashed in Bai Yan’s mind.
Moist steam billowed from behind the Alpha. Mr. Pei was bare-chested, hot water droplets dripping down his bulging chest and abdomen, something on the verge of bursting forth…
Phew, it’s a little hot.
Bai Yan furrowed his brow, his breathing suddenly becoming a little rapid.
The 3A-class sea salt pheromones were released into the air along with the hormones. The mutually marked pheromones were overwhelmingly present.
But for an unmarked Omega, it was slightly pungent, and the gland on the back of his neck felt a slight, tingling sting.
Bai Yan tried to take a few breaths, but the discomfort in his gland only grew worse, and a flush crept up his cheeks.
Pei Tingyu glanced at the crimson spreading behind his ear and calmly lowered his gaze, releasing his orange blossom pheromones to soothe him.
The higher-level pheromones forcefully created an independent space in the pavilion, enveloping the young man completely.
But the tail end was like a light feather, gently teasing the Omega’s delicate gland.
Like protection, and also like… marking.
The familiar scent swirled around him. Bai Yan’s brow relaxed, and the stinging on the back of his neck gradually dissipated, a faint scent of jasmine returning.
“Is this okay?” Pei Tingyu asked softly, his gaze lowered.
Only then did Bai Yan understand what Mr. Pei meant. He quickly shook his head and offered a beautiful smile. “I’m fine now, xian sheng.”
The collar of his sportswear was open low, revealing his soft, slender neck. Beneath the thin skin, the pale blue veins were clearly visible.
Like the most delicate green-stemmed flower branch, as if it would break with a single touch.
Pei Tingyu secretly traced it with his eyes, his tongue sliding over his itching teeth.
“What’s wrong?” The man’s gaze was almost tangible as it swept over the exposed skin of his neck.
Bai Yan flinched sensitively, looking up in confusion and muttering softly, his eyes filled with innocent naivety.
The man’s Adam’s apple bobbed. He deliberately lowered his voice, making it a little hoarse. “Nothing.”
“Oh.” The young man, not understanding, lowered his head and touched his face.
“What time is it?” Qin Chudong suddenly stood up, took off his sun hat to fan himself, and exclaimed without ceremony.
“I haven’t had Auntie Chen’s cooking in so long. Her beef bourguignon, I’ve been craving it for ages. The ones abroad just don’t have that taste…”
Amidst his friend’s noisy voice, Pei Tingyu withdrew his gaze from that delicate spot and said nonchalantly, “If you missed it so much, you didn’t come back much last year. Auntie Chen will be sad to hear that.”
Qin Chudong chuckled guiltily. “Weren’t there more important things?”
Bai Yan had no mind to listen to the rest of the conversation. He touched his face with his fingertips.
Mm, still a little hot.
The group moved to the main house. The two Alphas went upstairs to wash up and change.
The Omega stayed in the dining room to chat with Brother Wen Yue. His inner shirt was soaked with sweat and felt sticky and uncomfortable against his skin. He excused himself from Wen Yue and also went upstairs to change.
When he came back down, the three of them were already seated. Seeing him enter, Pei Tingyu stood up like a gentleman and pulled out the chair beside him.
Qin Chudong’s eyes were wide as he exclaimed in amazement, “Marriage really changes a person. I’m really curious, Bai Yan, how on earth did you conquer this asexual?”
“I remember someone saying just a few years ago that he wasn’t interested in marriage at all. How did he change his tune in just a year or two and get married so quickly?”
A few years ago, a third-rate media outlet, in order to attract attention, had deliberately used the Pei Corporation’s chairman as a gimmick.
They said that this golden bachelor Alpha looked celibate but actually had a constant stream of private affairs.
One moment he was ambiguous with this star, a few days later he was involved with that wealthy heiress, and even a certain someone’s partner was said to have a crush on him. It caused a stir online.
Not long after, at a banquet, Pei Tingyu publicly announced his single status and that he was not considering marriage for the time being.
For a time, countless little Omegas cried their hearts out in their rooms. When they remembered the media outlet that had spread the rumor, they found that it had disappeared overnight, never to be heard from again.
It had been a big deal at the time. Bai Yan clearly remembered this incident, and his smile instantly froze on his face.
Oh no, how could I have forgotten about this!
Qin Chudong was still staring at him with interest. A cold sweat broke out on Bai Yan’s back, his heart in his throat.
He moved his stiff facial muscles, about to speak, when the Alpha beside him cut in.
Pei Tingyu served Bai Yan a bowl of appetizer soup and placed it in front of him, saying lightly, “Weren’t you the one who said it was fate?”
Qin Chudong was speechless. Knowing he didn’t want to talk about it, he whined to his wife, “Honey, he must have seen how loving we are and felt lonely all by himself.”
Beside him, Wen Yue took a sip of honey tea and smiled softly without speaking.
The crystal chandelier overhead cast a brilliant light. A fresh bouquet of flowers was placed in the center of the dining room, its fragrance filling the air and masking the smell of the scent-blocker.
Bai Yan held his knife and fork, staring at the food in front of him, quietly listening to them chat.
“Old Pei, how much do you know about Hengtai in the capital? They’re probably making a big move soon. Old Mr. Yu has been in the ICU three times in a month. I think Hengtai is going to change hands this year…”
The tender beef was coated in a thick, dark brown sauce, gleaming with a golden luster.
Burgundy wine enhanced the color, carrots and onions removed the gamey taste, and bay leaves and thyme added flavor.
The aroma of the meat was intoxicating. The young man pressed his lips together, his eyes not blinking as he mimicked the elegant movements of the person beside him, his knife and fork tentatively reaching for the beef on his plate.
He rarely ate Western food, and his movements were a little clumsy. Therefore, he was very careful with each cut, trying to avoid making a scraping sound with his cutlery on the plate.
“Hengtai started with real estate. It was fine a few years ago, but unfortunately, they’ve been content with the status quo. A family business, you could say they’ve woven their own cocoon.”
The tip of the silver fork lightly tapped the edge of the plate, and a small piece of beef was speared.
Bai Yan tentatively took a small bite.
Mm, delicious!
His eyes instantly lit up.
“Who doesn’t know about the mess in their family? Yu Hengtai was also foolish, abandoning his first wife to marry that other woman. The two children they had are completely useless…”
The rich aroma of red wine filled his mouth. The tender beef melted in his mouth, succulent and juicy. When he bit down, a burst of meat juices exploded in his mouth.
Bai Yan’s eyes sparkled, his appetite whetted. As soon as he finished, he eagerly cut another piece.
His cheeks were puffed out from eating, and with his round, full eyes, he looked like a hamster preparing for winter.
Qin Chudong’s tone was wistful. “The eldest son of the Yu family used to be someone of note. I heard he’s a distant relative on my mother’s side. What a pity. If he came back, maybe the Yu family could still be saved.”
Wen Yue rested his chin on his hand and chuckled. “Looking at it this way, it’s also a kind of retribution.”
Qin Chudong nodded in agreement and asked, “Old Pei, are you going to get involved?”
Pei Tingyu said thoughtfully, “Maybe, depending on the situation.”
The dinner was a happy one for both hosts and guests.
Qin Chudong opened a bottle of brandy and was a little drunk by the end. Ignoring Wen Yue’s objections, he insisted on picking a rose from the vase and stuffing it into his hand.
The Alpha wrapped his arms around his lover’s waist, buried his head in his neck to rub his face, and said “I love you, honey” while giggling foolishly.
Wen Yue held the flower in one hand and supported the 1.9-meter-tall man with the other, both amused and exasperated. He disliked the smell of alcohol on Qin Chudong and wanted to push him away.
But the Alpha was like a piece of sticky plaster, clinging to him, impossible to peel off.
Fortunately, even when drunk, he knew his limits and held back his strength, not leaning his full weight on the slender Omega.
Wen Yue could only help him out the door with a servant, hastily saying goodbye to Pei Tingyu and Bai Yan.
Bai Yan nodded slowly, waved his hand twice, and said in a soft voice, “Goodbye, Brother Wen Yue, goodbye, Mr. Qin.”
Pei Tingyu had also had a little to drink. His jacket was draped over the back of his chair.
His body was a little hot after drinking. The man loosened the tie around his neck with one hand, his sexy Adam’s apple bobbing.
Bai Yan blinked very slowly and suddenly asked, “Why didn’t you let Brother Wen Yue and Mr. Qin stay here?”
Pei Tingyu poured another glass of wine and explained slowly, “When Qin Chudong was a child, he was kidnapped in the villa and locked in the walk-in closet of a servant’s room. He was only found a day later.”
“After that, he developed a trauma, moved out of the Qin family’s old house, and has never stayed in a villa since.”
Bai Yan nodded very slowly, his voice a little dull. “I see. Then it really wouldn’t have been right to have them stay.”
Under the warm yellow light, the two patches of crimson on the young man’s cheeks were not conspicuous.
Only on closer inspection could one see the moist vapor in his eyes, and the hint of moisture on his soft lips.
Vividly fragrant and colorful.
Even though there was enough scent-blocker, Pei Tingyu felt an inexplicable irritation in his heart. He frowned and averted his gaze, pulling his collar open wider.
The young man stared at Pei Tingyu, his cherry-pink eyes not blinking.
His gaze was focused and serious. After a long while, he said slowly and deliberately, “Mr. Pei, your hands are really beautiful.”
His mumbling was unclear. Pei Tingyu didn’t hear him and asked softly with a frown, “What?”
He wanted to say, wanted to say… what? Bai Yan’s slow brain couldn’t process such long information.
His head was dizzy, his eyelids growing heavier and heavier. Through his hazy vision, the Omega finally caught sight of the high, proud brow of the person before him.
The young man finally knew what he wanted to say.
Bai Yan’s figure swayed, the blush on his face spreading.
His eyes narrowed into two thin slits, and a sweet smile slowly bloomed. He said in a soft, obedient voice, “Xian sheng… you’re really beautiful.”
