Chapter 3
Bai Yan spent the whole afternoon in his room.
He didn’t even know how to react when he first walked in.
The spacious suite was clean and tidy, and a set of tall, bright, floor-to-ceiling windows stood directly opposite the door.
Cream-gold sheer curtains were tied back on either side, and through the glass, he could vaguely make out the swaying green shadows of the lakeside in the distance.
The velvet carpet was plush and soft. The young man blinked and took a few steps forward from the small entryway, only then spotting his suitcase lying quietly on the rug.
The dusty suitcase, with its scuffed corners, looked completely out of place amidst the brand-new, sky-blue furniture.
Just like him.
The young man sighed softly to himself, his eyes dimming.
What on earth was Mr. Pei thinking?
Bai Yan shook his head, trying to push the unhappy thoughts from his mind. Whatever the Alpha was thinking, it had nothing to do with him. Theirs was just a contract marriage.
Since it would help the orphanage, what else was there for him to worry about? It wasn’t as if Mr. Pei could possibly fall for him, was it?
The only regret was that his own plans for a romance would have to be postponed for a few years.
Bai Yan worked to convince himself, and his mood brightened considerably. He folded his jacket and scarf and placed them on the sofa, then knelt on the carpet to open his suitcase and unpack.
Inside, his neatly folded clothes lay in tidy stacks. He didn’t have many; all told, just a few outfits for all four seasons.
The young man gathered the clothes in his arms and walked into the equally spacious bedroom. He freed a hand to open the walk-in closet and was immediately astounded by the sheer volume of clothes packed inside.
As expected of a wealthy family, the Omega marveled to himself, to be so thorough even for a contract marriage partner.
Bai Yan didn’t dwell on it. He gave the contents a single glance before closing the wardrobe doors and arranging his own clothes, hanging them in an empty section on the other side.
In just a short while, a light sheen of sweat had formed on his forehead, and his pale, fair cheeks had turned a little red.
The young man then fished a small jellyfish nightlight out of his suitcase and placed it on the bedside table in the bedroom.
He had night blindness. When he lived in the dorms, he had tried his best to overcome it. It was only after moving out for the holidays that he’d spent the money to buy a small nightlight.
By the time Bai Yan had finished unpacking completely, it was nearly dinnertime.
Before she left, Auntie Chen had informed him of the villa’s daily schedule, adding with considerate understanding that if anything was inconvenient, it could all be changed to suit his habits.
As a guest, Bai Yan could hardly have the audacity to act like the master of the house. Seeing that it was about time, he went downstairs early.
The marble staircase was polished to a brilliant shine, gleaming with a gentle luster. The vast villa was utterly silent; for a moment, it seemed the only sound was the echo of his own footsteps.
Suddenly, the sound of barking shattered the villa’s tranquility.
Bai Yan had just reached the first floor. Hearing the sound, he turned his head instinctively and saw a black-and-tan dog come flying toward him, so fast it was almost a blur.
The young man was startled. It was only when the dog reached his side and began to affectionately rub against his calf that he saw it was a Doberman.
Bai Yan’s beautiful eyes curved into two crescent moons. He crouched down and ruffled the Doberman’s head with both hands.
The Doberman’s eyes instantly lit up, and it turned its head to lick the young man’s hand.
The Omega’s lips curved into a smile as he affectionately patted the dog’s head, saying softly, “Where did you come from?”
He had a natural weakness for fluffy little animals. Unfortunately, the orphanage was already struggling to care for the children, let alone raise cats or dogs.
The Doberman didn’t understand Bai Yan’s words, but it whimpered and nuzzled against the young man’s cool palm.
Hearing the commotion, Chen Shulan came out from the living room.
Seeing the Doberman fawning on the floor, oblivious to its own weight, the composed housekeeper wore a rare look of chagrin.
“A-Yan, it didn’t bother you, did it? This is the Young Master’s dog, Oz. He’s usually kept elsewhere. The Young Master is coming back today, so we just brought him back to Yǎyuán.”
Chen Shulan beckoned helplessly to the Doberman. “Oz, be good. Don’t bother Young Master A-Yan.”
But the Doberman looked completely uncooperative. It plopped its rear end onto the floor, tilted its head up to butt against Bai Yan’s hand, and let out a series of whines.
Its uncropped ears rested obediently in Bai Yan’s palm, soft as two little blankets. Bai Yan’s heart melted.
Before he could say it was no trouble, he froze, having caught a certain phrase. He asked, stunned, “Mr. Pei is coming back here today?”
Chen Shulan replied, “Yes. The Young Master was on a business trip the last few days. He probably just finished his work today.”
As she spoke, a car horn sounded at the entrance.
The Doberman’s ears pricked up sharply, and it let out two excited barks toward the door.
Chen Shulan tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear and smiled elegantly. “Ah, that must be him now. I’ll go check on the soup in the kitchen.”
Didn’t she say he was on a business trip? How could he be back already? Bai Yan’s mind was a mess.
The door opened behind him. The Omega happened to be standing behind a planter by the staircase, where a fragrant bouquet of lilies spilled from a vase, hiding his slender figure from view.
The Doberman had already bolted toward the main door, barking as it circled the two men who entered.
Song Jian had been walking properly behind his boss, but before he could even step inside, he registered the big dog’s enthusiastic welcome. Oz circled his knees, eager but hesitant to get closer.
The Beta’s body went rigid. He froze in place, his prim and proper expression solidifying on his face. The ever-composed elite assistant, Song Jian, had few weaknesses, but he happened to dislike furry animals.
A cold sweat broke out on Song Jian’s brow. “Mr. Pei…”
Pei Tingyu glanced at Song Jian, then said languidly, “Oz, come back.”
The Doberman immediately turned at the command and trotted happily to the man’s side, wagging its tail as it sat down.
Before Song Jian could breathe a sigh of relief, he heard his iron-faced boss’s cold voice. “If I see another document like the one today, I’ll send you to take Oz to the vet for a check-up.”
“Yes, Mr. Pei.” Song Jian’s lips twitched as he retreated, looking as though he had a toothache.
Mr. Pei, who had been in a foul mood all day, finally allowed himself a pleased quirk of the lips.
The man lifted his gaze nonchalantly and took in the Omega in the distance, who was struggling to hold back a laugh.
The heating in the house was strong, and Bai Yan was wearing only a warm, yellow sweater. The soft fabric clung to the young man’s fair neck, and his delicate, lovely face was flushed from the heat.
The Omega’s lips were pressed into a slight, upward-curving line. His eyes were moist and clear, the mirth not yet faded from them.
Caught peeking, the young man’s pupils widened in alarm. He hastily averted his gaze and stammered out, “M-Mr. Pei, you’re back.”
The atmosphere instantly turned a little strange.
Chen Shulan’s voice came from the dining room at the perfect moment. “Young Master, Young Master Bai Yan, dinner is ready.”
The Alpha nonchalantly withdrew his gaze and coughed into his hand. “Let’s go eat,” he said. With that, he had a servant lead Oz away and strode toward the dining room without a backward glance.
The interruption allowed Bai Yan’s tense nerves to relax. He hadn’t expected Assistant Song to be afraid of dogs.
And Mr. Pei… if he wasn’t mistaken, he’d done that on purpose just now. A smile touched the young man’s lips. He’d clearly had the chance to call the dog back sooner but had deliberately waited until Oz was right at Song Jian’s feet before speaking.
Bai Yan walked behind the man, stealing glances at his broad-shouldered, narrow-waisted back from time to time.
Even after taking his seat, Pei Tingyu could feel the Omega’s glances—subtle in his own mind, but obvious in reality.
Even the jasmine pheromones in the air seemed to have become lighter, fresh and soft. The man’s heart, usually as still as an ancient well, felt as if it had been touched by something.
The servants in the Pei household were all Betas. The vast main house had been silent for a long time, devoid of any stranger’s pheromones. The sensation was both foreign and new, but not unpleasant.
Bai Yan completely reined in his thoughts during the meal. Pei Tingyu, too, was not in the habit of speaking while he ate.
For a time, the only sound at the dining table was the occasional, soft clink of cutlery.
The man’s table manners were refined, his every move exuding a noble grace.
The dinner at the Pei residence was sumptuous. While not as extravagant as the meals in TV dramas, the few home-style dishes were delicious and fresh, superior in both color and taste.
However, a few of the dishes were noticeably on the sweeter side. Perhaps this is a special feature of wealthy households, Bai Yan thought to himself.
After the main course was cleared and dessert was served, Bai Yan heard the low, magnetic voice of the person beside him. “Are you settling in alright?”
Eh? Bai Yan froze for two seconds, instinctively clenching his hands.
He pressed his lips together, choosing his words carefully. “It’s alright.”
Pei Tingyu nodded. “Good. After you’ve eaten, come with me to the study on the second floor to sign the agreement.”
Bai Yan’s fingers tightened on his spoon, the tip sinking into the soft cream. His relaxed mood tensed up once more.
The study was on the second floor. It had two rooms, an inner and an outer one, and the inner room even had a spiral staircase connecting it to the third floor.
Five-tiered, solid wood bookshelves were built into the walls, neatly filled with books that were all sorted by category. The spines bore titles in more than just the national language.
Bai Yan took one look and then pulled his gaze away. He sat properly at the desk, his legs together, and stared down at the tips of his own feet.
Pei Tingyu pushed a document on the desk toward the young man. He propped his forehead up with one hand, his eyes half-closed as if resting.
His deep voice vibrated against the Omega’s eardrums. “The terms of the agreement are all here. If there are no issues, sign at the end.”
Bai Yan carefully opened the document, reading it silently to himself.
Party A proposes a three-year contract marriage with Party B. During the term of the agreement, Party B is required to move into Party A’s residence and fulfill spousal duties; public disclosure of identity is not required unless necessary; information regarding the agreement must not be revealed…
Upon termination of the agreement, Party A will pay Party B a compensation sum of no less than eight figures, as well as any one property in the country…
Bai Yan skimmed a few lines and lost interest. A faint scent of orange blossom drifted through the study. The young man laid the document flat, sneaking peeks at the man opposite him from time to time.
Pei Tingyu had changed into a black turtleneck sweater, and his suit trousers had been replaced with loose, casual pants.
A few strands of the man’s hair fell across his forehead, and a hint of weariness showed in his eyes. The hard lines of his features appeared much softer in the lamplight.
Bai Yan’s gaze couldn’t help but slide to the Alpha’s eyelashes. They were like two small fans, long and dense, casting deep shadows.
The scent of orange blossom floating around him was sweet and pleasant, seeming to indicate that Mr. Pei was in a good mood.
Sensing the young man’s animal-like gaze once again, the eyes beneath the two fans suddenly opened. They were as deep and dark as a cold pool. “Is there a problem?”
Bai Yan jolted.
“No, no.”
He shot the document up to hide his face. Realizing what he’d done, he immediately and frantically lowered it, burying his head and pretending to be busy smoothing out non-existent wrinkles in the paper.
So embarrassing… Heat rose in the Omega’s face. He knew without looking in a mirror that he must be blushing.
The sweet scent of jasmine seemed to hang suspended in the air for a moment.
The young man kept his head down, his fair ears flushed crimson. His pale gold hair looked impossibly soft in the light, but his lips were chapped and peeling. He looked strangely like a flustered little rabbit.
A fleeting smile crossed the Alpha’s eyes. He decided not to tease this thin-skinned little rabbit any further.
“Mr. Pei, I’ve signed it.”
After finishing the document, Bai Yan quickly signed his name. Like a primary school student awaiting inspection, he obediently pushed the document across the desk.
Pei Tingyu casually glanced at the young man’s signature. The standard script was neat and proper, yet the corners of the characters were slightly rounded.
“Mm.” The man seemed to be in a good mood. He took a box from a drawer, opened it, and placed it in front of the young man.
When he saw what was inside, the young man’s pupils trembled.
Nestled in the deep blue velvet was a ring. At first glance, the band was simple and elegant, but its edge was inlaid with a circle of high-quality diamonds, understated yet luxurious.
The Alpha’s knuckles tapped twice on the desk. His voice was as nonchalant as ever. “If you don’t have plans tomorrow, we’ll go register the marriage.”
