Chapter 13

His heartbeat thundered in his chest, as if trying to break free.
“Gege, your pheromones smell so good,” Zuo Nian murmured.
He hadn’t lost control. They were just so close that he couldn’t help catching the traces embedded in his clothes.
“Mm,” said Duan Baisui. “Yours do too.”
“I thought you didn’t like mine,” Zuo Nian said.
“No.”
Feeling that was too perfunctory, he added, “You smell very nice.”
“I’m so happy. It feels like a dream…” Zuo Nian’s voice grew softer and softer.
They’d said it would be just one hug, but he never let go.
And Duan Baisui never pushed him away.
This level of intimacy still felt manageable.
More than that, there was nothing strange about sharing a bed with one’s legal spouse. Why fight it?
Soon, the Omega’s breathing evened out beside his ear.
Only then did it occur to Duan Baisui that he was essentially serving as A‑Beibei’s stand‑in.
He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Still, his heart felt full, warmed by a hundred tiny sparks of affection.
That night, he dreamed of something he never would have admitted out loud.
In the dream, Zuo Nian was wearing yesterday’s stockings and camisole, slowly crawling toward him across the bed.
His lips were hot and damp as they pressed against his skin. “Gege, mark me,” he panted. “Fully mark me. Please?”
He jolted awake and reached for the bedside lamp.
The clock read exactly seven.
About the time he usually got up.
Turning his head, he saw that Zuo Nian was awake too.
Stretching with a lazy groan, the Omega rubbed his eyes, still half in a daze.
Then he sat bolt upright. “Ah! Nian‑nian overslept. I didn’t make breakfast for Gege!”
“It’s fine. Let’s eat out together,” said Duan Baisui.
“I only overslept because it smelled so good sleeping with you,” Zuo Nian said earnestly. “I really wasn’t trying to laze in bed.”
“Mm.”
Climbing out of bed, he revealed an obvious tent in the front of his shorts.
Tugging at the waistband, he pointed and said, “Gege, I know this is called a morning—”
“Ahem.” Duan Baisui’s cough cut him off. “Just go to the bathroom. It’ll go away.”
“Oh.” Zuo Nian nodded. “Don’t you get them, Gege?”
“…Go wash up. We should head out soon.”
“Okay~”
Only after the Omega trotted into the bathroom did he lift the covers and look down.
Of course he did. The bulge was impossible to miss.
He didn’t know if this was just an Alpha’s instinct—or proof that he was finally, truly starting to want Zuo Nian.
Once they’d both gotten ready, he went to the garage for the car.
He’d told the driver not to come that morning. This way, he’d get a little more time alone with Zuo Nian.
Clutching his down jacket, the Omega hurried over with two cartons of yogurt in hand.
The car door opened and closed.
“It’s so cold outside,” he breathed, hands tucked into his sleeves.
Turning up the heat, Duan Baisui said, “We’ll warm up in a minute.”
“I brought yogurt. You can have some first,” Zuo Nian said, passing one over.
“Set it aside,” he said as he pulled out of the driveway. “We’ll drink it later.”
“Okay~”
Once they’d cleared the gates of the villa, he said, “A driver will pick you up this afternoon. His last name is Wu. He’ll take you to the stylist, help you with hair and makeup, and pick out an outfit.”
“What about you?” Zuo Nian asked, head tilted.
“I’ve got a meeting this afternoon, so I probably can’t go with you. But I’ll wait for you at the entrance to the venue.”
“Mm‑hm.” Sipping his yogurt, he said, “Nian‑nian will do whatever Gege says.”
After breakfast, he dropped Zuo Nian off at New Era Plaza.
He didn’t drive away until he’d watched him disappear around the corner into the inner corridor.
He couldn’t focus all morning.
Every time he opened a file, all he could see was Zuo Nian’s face.
It felt disturbingly like he… missed him.
Which made no sense at all. They’d only been apart for a little while.
By two‑forty, he’d already arrived at the hotel.
He hadn’t been waiting long when a stretched Lincoln pulled up outside.
The driver got out first and opened the rear door.
For a moment, no one emerged, as if the person inside were asking a question.
Walking down the steps, Duan Baisui bypassed the driver and asked, “Why aren’t you getting out?”
Zuo Nian’s eyes lit up. “Gege!”
The Omega who stepped out looked so stunning it was hard to look away.
The makeup artist hadn’t piled on heavy colors, merely styling his hair, trimming his brows, and dabbing a touch of clear gloss on his lips, making them look even plumper and more kissable.
The moment he saw him, all his nervousness melted away. He practically flew out of the car.
He was wearing a suit that matched Duan Baisui’s, though where Duan Baisui wore a tie, he had a black bow at his collar.
Side by side, they were unmistakably a pair.
“I couldn’t see you just now. There were so many people, and I didn’t know anyone. I asked the driver if we could wait until you came before I got out,” he explained in a whisper.
Holding out his arm, Duan Baisui said, “If you’re scared, hold on to me.”
Surprise flickered across his face, quickly followed by joy. Looping his arm through his, he said, “Then I’ll hold tight.”
“Still scared?” asked Duan Baisui.
Shaking his head, he said, “As long as Gege’s here, I’m not afraid of anything.”
He really knew how to be sweet.
The doors swung open to admit them.
People kept coming up to greet them.
With damp palms, Zuo Nian pressed himself close to Duan Baisui’s side.
As usual, the president had to go on stage and say a few words—sum up the year, make a brief speech.
He sat Zuo Nian in the front row with the other executives. “Don’t run around,” he said.
“Nian‑nian knows.”
It was his first time at the company. No one knew who he was.
All they could see was how uncharacteristically gentle young President Duan was with him.
Curious glances and hushed whispers buzzed all around, most people speculating that he was some newcomer President Duan was personally planning to sign.
Zuo Nian didn’t notice any of it. His eyes were glued to the Alpha on stage.
No matter where he was or how old he got, his Gege was always the same—outstanding.
He slid out his phone and, as discreetly as he could, snapped a photo.
Their gazes met across the crowd.
All his awe and love spilled from his eyes. Stroking the frozen image on his screen, he whispered, “Nian‑nian likes Gege the most in the whole world.”
…
The executives took turns at the podium. By the time the speeches wrapped up, it was nearly dinnertime.
The hotel staff began bringing out dishes, and the lights dimmed.
Quietly, Zuo Nian shifted his chair closer, pressing up against Duan Baisui’s side.
The executives at their table kept the conversation flowing around work.
None of it made much sense to Zuo Nian, and he didn’t dare interject.
He just listened quietly and smiled when everyone else did.
Only when the food was finally served did things relax a little.