Chapter 15

Patting his shoulder sympathetically, Huo Lian said, “That’s what you get for flirting with everything that moves.”
“I thought his wife was supposed to be—”
Huo Lian jabbed him sharply in the ribs, looking around in alarm before hissing, “Are you crazy? You’ll say anything out loud?”
That shut him up.
Thinking back, he had to admit that while Zuo Nian spoke a little slowly, he was nothing like the rumors that painted him as incapable of living on his own.
“Fool” wasn’t the word that came to mind.
If anything, he was the very picture of the “adorable airhead beauty” everyone was obsessed with lately.
Someone like that would be wildly popular if he ever entered the industry.
But he’d also be easy prey for the wolves lurking in the shadows.
Someone that guileless was better off kept safe at home.
After the gala ended, Duan Baisui and Zuo Nian got into the car.
The driver dutifully lowered the partition, giving them privacy in the back seat.
Staring at his suit pocket, Zuo Nian said softly, “Gege, my autographs…”
“You really like Lu Li?” asked Duan Baisui, glancing over at him.
Blinking, he corrected him. “It’s not like. It’s admire.”
“Is there a difference?” His tone was casual as he leaned back and closed his eyes.
“There is,” said Zuo Nian, very seriously.
“To like someone is to like all of them. Your heart beats faster, you want to be close to them, and when you can’t see them, you miss them. You even… cry because of them.”
“Admiration is just… thinking they’re good in one way. That’s all.”
“I admire Lu Li’s acting. That’s not the same as liking him.”
He rambled on for a bit. When he finally looked up, he saw that Duan Baisui had fallen asleep.
Letting out a little sigh, he thought, Bad Gege.
Nian‑nian hadn’t done anything wrong. And yet Gege had confiscated his autographs.
He pouted.
Eyes still closed, the Alpha beside him said, as if he had eyes in the side of his head, “Left pocket. Take it yourself.”
Delighted, Zuo Nian slipped his hand into the pocket and pulled the notebook out.
Lu Li had not only signed his name—he’d written, To the cutest little Nian‑nian, and even drawn a heart.
On the next page, Huo Lian had written a to‑sign as well, though it wasn’t as flamboyant.
“They’re both to‑signs. They’re so nice. No airs at all,” said Zuo Nian happily.
Without opening his eyes, Duan Baisui made a low sound—somewhere between a hum and a snort.
Guessing he must be tired, Zuo Nian tucked the notebook away and sat up straight, not daring to say another word.
He made a mental note to give him a nice massage when they got home.
…
The next day was New Year’s Day.
Xu Yi and Duan Yan finally came home.
They were supposed to have landed at ten in the morning, but bad weather had delayed their flight until two in the afternoon.
Both Duan Baisui and Zuo Nian went to the airport to pick them up.
After more than a month apart, both men looked noticeably thinner.
Cradling two bouquets, Zuo Nian ran over as soon as he spotted them. “Xu‑dad, Duan‑dad!”
“Nian‑nian came too?” Xu Yi said fondly, ruffling his hair.
“Mm‑hm. Nian‑nian hasn’t seen you in so long. I missed you,” he said, every word from the heart.
Following behind, Duan Baisui called, “Dad. Xiao‑ba.”
“You could’ve just sent the driver. No need to come yourselves,” said Duan Yan.
Taking his suitcase, Duan Baisui said, “We should. Nian‑nian got up early to order flowers. He really wanted to see you. So did I.”
Smiling, Xu Yi patted his shoulder. “Your dad talks tough, but you have no idea how happy he is that you two came.”
Awkwardly clearing his throat, Duan Yan said, “Are we leaving or not?”
“I know, Dad,” said Duan Baisui, chuckling.
It had been a long time since the whole family had sat down together. There was a lot to talk about.
After loading the luggage into the trunk, he got into the driver’s seat.
Zuo Nian rode in the back with Xu Yi, while Duan Yan took the passenger seat.
Once they were on the highway, Duan Baisui asked, “Xiao‑ba, are you feeling better? What did the doctors say?”
“Nothing serious,” Xu Yi said. “As long as I take my medication and keep receiving your father’s pheromone comfort, I’ll get better slowly. I probably still won’t be able to go into the office for a while, though, so any documents that need my signature, bring them home.”
“Forget the company,” Duan Yan cut in. “With me and our son there, it’s not going bankrupt. I told you over and over to rest, but you wouldn’t listen. What’s the point of a little Omega like you worrying yourself sick over everything?”
“…” said Xu Yi.
“Little?”
In front of others, Duan Yan was always the picture of steady authority. Only when things concerned Xu Yi did he completely lose his composure.
Their bond was something time couldn’t touch.
“The company isn’t that busy right now. Get plenty of rest, Xiao‑ba. If there’s any big decision to make, I’ll come to you,” said Duan Baisui.
“Mm‑hm. Don’t worry about it, Xu‑dad. If you get bored at home, Nian‑nian can close the shop early every day to keep you company,” Zuo Nian said sweetly.
Chuckling, Xu Yi said, “Wouldn’t that hurt your business?”
“Business hasn’t been great lately anyway,” Zuo Nian said, wrinkling his nose. “Besides, you can’t make money forever. You have to spend time with family too.”
“See? Even Nian‑nian’s more sensible than you,” said Duan Yan.
“Enough,” said Xu Yi. “I get it. Save a little face for me in front of the kids.”
“All right, all right,” said Duan Yan.
Their manor was far from the city, a quiet place they’d chosen years ago.
It took more than forty minutes to drive there from the airport.
Since Xu Yi still wasn’t supposed to be around crowds, Duan Baisui had asked the staff at the manor to prepare dinner there instead of going out.
Left Jun and Ason had also been invited and were planning to come by after work.
It was New Year’s Day. For once, both families would be able to sit down to a proper reunion meal.
While Zuo Nian sat in the living room chatting with Xu Yi, Duan Yan pulled Duan Baisui into the study.
First they talked about the aftermath of the Ju Xiao case, then about various company matters.
On every front, his son had done well. He was satisfied.
It had been a long time since they’d had a chance to sit down man to man like this. He made the most of it.
In truth, their relationship had always been a good one.
Growing up, Duan Baisui had idolized him, convinced he was the strongest Alpha in the world—strong enough to beat Ultraman.
When he grew older, he’d set his father as the bar he aspired to.
He wanted to spar with old foxes in the business world as effortlessly as Duan Yan did, and to care for his Omega at home as well as he did.
He couldn’t help constantly comparing himself.
Inevitably, he found himself lacking.
“You and Nian‑nian seem a lot closer these days,” Duan Yan said once the work talk was done.
“Mm.”
“Good. Your Xiao‑ba worries about you two all the time. But I knew you’d get there,” he said, looking at him steadily. “Alex, there can be pity in a marriage. But it can’t be built on pity.”
“Nian‑nian may seem carefree, but he’s very sensitive. Your Xiao‑ba’s right—don’t let your Omega’s heart grow cold.”
He’d been through it all himself—had even once saved a marriage he’d thought was beyond repair.
He knew his son’s heart better than anyone.
But feelings were something you couldn’t meddle in directly. As a father, all he could do was offer a gentle nudge from the sidelines.
“I understand, Dad.”
Around six, Left Jun and Ason finally arrived.
Arms full of gifts, they were ushered inside by the butler.
“We’re family. You didn’t have to bring anything,” said Duan Yan.
“It’s all for Xu‑ge, not you,” Left Jun joked.
“So that Alpha bone‑strengthening powder is for my wife too?” asked Duan Yan, eyeing the labels.
“Those are for Suìsuì,” Left Jun said.
“He’s only twenty‑six. Why would he need bone‑strengthening powder?”
“Then he can save it for when he’s your age.”
“Excuse me?” said Duan Yan. “What’s wrong with my age?”