# 11
The second day was New Year’s Day.
Xu Yi and Duan Yan had returned.
They were originally supposed to arrive in City A at ten in the morning, but due to weather conditions, they were delayed until two in the afternoon.
Duan Baisui and Zuo Nian went to the airport together to pick them up.
After more than a month apart, both Xu Yi and Duan Yan had lost quite a bit of weight.
Zuo Nian, holding two bouquets of flowers, ran over joyfully when he saw them and called out, “Papa Xu, Papa Duan.”
“Year-year is here too?” Xu Yi affectionately patted his head.
“Mm-hmm, Year-year hasn’t seen you for a long time and missed you,” Zuo Nian said sweetly, though he was speaking from his heart.
Duan Baisui followed behind Zuo Nian and called out, “Dad, Little Dad.”
“You could have just sent the driver; you didn’t need to make a special trip,” Duan Yan said.
Duan Baisui took the suitcase and said, “It’s what we should do. Zuo Nian got up early to order flowers because he wanted to see you both quickly, and so did I.”
Xu Yi smiled and raised his hand to pat Duan Baisui’s shoulder, saying, “Your dad is just being stubborn. He’s actually very happy that you and Year-year came.”
Duan Yan awkwardly coughed and asked, “Shall we go?”
Duan Baisui smiled too: “I know.”
The family hadn’t been together for a long time, so there was much to talk about.
Duan Baisui put the luggage in the trunk and then went around to the driver’s seat.
Zuo Nian accompanied Xu Yi in the back seat, while Duan Yan sat in the front passenger seat.
As the car began to drive smoothly, Duan Baisui asked, “Little Dad, are you feeling better? What did the doctor say?”
Xu Yi: “Nothing serious. If I take my medicine on time and receive your father’s pheromone comfort, I’ll gradually get better. However, during this period, I probably still won’t be able to go to the company, so if there are documents that need my signature, you can bring them back for me to review.”
Duan Yan: “What company? With your son and me around, how could it possibly collapse? I’ve told you to rest, but you insist on being a workaholic. You’re a small Omega, why worry about so many things?”
Xu Yi: …
“Not… that small?”
Duan Yan was composed and dignified in public, but only became flustered when it came to matters concerning Xu Yi.
Their affection for each other was something that even time could not diminish in the slightest.
“Little Dad, the company isn’t that busy lately. Please rest well, and if there are any major decisions, I’ll come back to discuss them with you,” Duan Baisui said.
“Yes, Papa Xu, rest assured at home. Year-year can close the shop early every day to come keep you company, so you won’t be bored,” Zuo Nian said obediently.
Xu Yi smiled gently: “But wouldn’t that interfere with your business?”
Zuo Nian wrinkled his nose: “Business isn’t so good lately anyway. Besides, you can’t earn all the money in the world; you need to spend time with family.”
“See, even Year-year is more sensible than you,” Duan Yan turned to look at Xu Yi.
Xu Yi: “Alright, I get it. Say less and give me some face in front of the children.”
“Okay, okay, okay,” Duan Yan agreed repeatedly.
Duan Yan and Xu Yi preferred quiet, so their estate was located in a rather remote area.
It took more than forty minutes to drive there from the airport.
Considering that Xu Yi should still avoid crowded places, Duan Baisui had instructed the housekeeper to prepare food at home.
Zuo Jun and Ason had also been invited early and planned to come over after work.
Since today was New Year’s Day, the two families could have a complete reunion dinner.
Zuo Nian kept Xu Yi company in the living room, while Duan Yan called Duan Baisui to the study.
First, he inquired about the follow-up handling of the Ju Xiao incident, and then asked about some company matters.
Duan Baisui had done everything well, which put his mind at ease.
The father and son hadn’t sat down for a heart-to-heart talk in a long time, so now that they had the opportunity, they naturally had to have a good chat.
In fact, Duan Baisui and Duan Yan had a good relationship.
Since childhood, Duan Baisui had admired Duan Yan, believing he was the strongest Alpha in the world, even capable of defeating Ultraman.
As he grew up, he always regarded Duan Yan as his benchmark.
He hoped to be like his father, skillfully dealing with those old foxes outside while taking good care of his Omega at home.
He even often compared himself to Duan Yan, ultimately concluding that he wasn’t a qualified husband.
“I see that your relationship with Year-year has become much closer lately,” Duan Yan said.
After discussing work, he inevitably turned to concerns about his son’s life.
“Mm.”
“That’s good. Your Little Dad always worries about you two. But I believe you can handle it well,” Duan Yan looked at him with intense eyes. “Alex, marriage can have tenderness, but it can’t be pity.”
“That child Year-year may seem carefree, but his thoughts are actually very sensitive. Your Little Dad said something right—don’t chill an Omega’s heart.”
Duan Yan spoke from experience. He had even saved old Duan’s shattered marriage due to a strange experience.
Duan Baisui was his son, and he could see what was on his mind.
However, when it came to feelings, outsiders couldn’t interfere too much. As a father, he could only indirectly hint at a few things.
“I understand, Dad.”
_
Around six o’clock, Zuo Jun and Ason arrived.
The two of them brought bags of gifts and were welcomed in by the butler.
Duan Yan said, “We’re all family. There was no need to bring so many things.”
Zuo Jun joked, “They’re all for Brother Yi, none for you.”
Duan Yan pointed to the beautifully packaged box: “So that Alpha bone-strengthening powder is for my wife too?”
Zuo Jun: “That’s for our Sui-sui.”
Duan Yan snorted: “My son is only twenty-six this year. What does he need bone-strengthening powder for?”
“Then save it for when he reaches your age…”
“Hey, I don’t like the sound of that. What about my age?” Duan Yan objected.
“Old, that’s what,” Zuo Jun replied.
“Ha! Me, old?” Duan Yan wasn’t convinced. “Darling, am I old?”
Xu Yi, who was frequently asked this question, answered without hesitation: “Not old, not old at all.”
Zuo Nian, who was standing nearby, chimed in: “Dad, you’re all very young, not old at all, like celebrities.”
“See, my daughter-in-law knows how to talk,” Duan Yan declared triumphantly.
Zuo Jun: “My son is just good at sweet talk. Come here to Dad—oh, you’ve put on some weight…”
Zuo Nian was greatly distressed: “What?”
It’s worth noting that he was still trying to lose weight.
He looked worriedly at Duan Baisui, who firmly shook his head, indicating that he wasn’t fat.
But Zuo Nian still thought that he couldn’t sneak cookies at night anymore.
_
The dinner was harmonious. Duan Baisui accompanied Zuo Jun and Duan Yan in having some drinks and hadn’t left the table yet.
The other three couldn’t touch alcohol for various reasons and had already gone downstairs to watch TV.
The two elders loved to talk about the past, and Duan Yan often mentioned his time-travel experience from his youth.
Duan Baisui had heard it so many times he could recite it.
But his father was in high spirits, and Duan Baisui never interrupted their conversation.
He just listened quietly, refilling their glasses when they were empty.
“I’m telling you, after you woke up that time, you were like a completely different person. Before that, you were so obnoxious, always making Brother Yi angry. But suddenly you got smart, calling him ‘baby’ all the time, and even selling game accounts to buy rings.”
No matter how bizarre the story sounded coming from Duan Yan, Zuo Jun would believe it—that was their friendship.
“Sigh, I can’t imagine how much grievance Xu Yi would have suffered if I hadn’t had that foreknowledge,” Duan Yan sighed. “Those were stupid things I was capable of doing. I really would have hurt him.”
“Fortunately, you two have been good from high school until now,” Zuo Jun remarked, feeling both admiration and some sadness. “Unlike me and Ason…”
“Aren’t you two doing well?” Duan Yan asked.
“No, no,” Zuo Jun waved his hand. “I’ve let him down. Really. I mean, why couldn’t I be an Alpha? I don’t have pheromones, and I can’t give him children. He loves children so much…”
“Come now, don’t you have Year-year? Year-year is so good,” Duan Yan clinked glasses with him.
Zuo Jun drained his glass in one go: “Yes, Year-year is very good. I’ve also let Year-year down. My dad was a difficult man and gave Year-year no small amount of suffering. How was I so weak that I couldn’t protect them both? When I think about what he did to Year-year, my heart aches.”
“It’s all in the past. Year-year now has Alex, and Alex will take good care of him,” Duan Yan comforted him.
Whether it was because of the alcohol or emotions, Zuo Jun’s eyes reddened as he raised his glass to Duan Baisui: “Sui-sui, I know that back then, you had no intention of marrying Year-year. You were also forced into it.”
Duan Baisui: “Dad, there was no forcing. It was my promise. Please rest assured, no matter what, I will treat Zuo Nian well.”
Zuo Jun choked up, and a thousand words became one sentence: “Thank you for your trouble.”
The dinner ended at nine o’clock.
Duan Yan and Zuo Jun were both quite drunk.
The butler helped Duan Yan upstairs to rest, while Ason prepared to take Zuo Jun home.
“Dad, it’s so late. Why don’t you stay? There are plenty of rooms here,” Duan Baisui urged.
“Yes, Beautiful Dad, it’s so late, and driving isn’t safe,” Zuo Nian added.
Ason shook his head: “Jun’s father is coming early tomorrow morning, as you know. He’s an unreasonable old man. If we’re not back, he’ll be angry with Jun again.”
Xu Yi: “We’ll call you early tomorrow; you’ll make it in time.”
Ason: “No, lately my pheromones have been unstable at midnight. It wouldn’t be good if it affected you all.”
Duan Baisui: “Then I’ll drive you.”
Ason smiled: “You’d be going back and forth, making it even later. Don’t worry, I drive very safely.”
Unable to persuade him, Duan Baisui helped get Zuo Jun into the car.
After fastening Zuo Jun’s seatbelt, Ason said to Duan Baisui: “Oh, Sui-sui, there’s something I want to discuss with you.”
“What is it?”
“I’m thinking of taking Year-year back to the United States in a couple of days. We might be gone for four or five days. Is that okay?”
Duan Baisui: “Of course.”
Zuo Nian, who had followed them out, reluctantly held onto Ason: “Beautiful Dad, are you really not staying?”
Ason flicked his nose: “Be good, go inside quickly. It’s cold outside. Your Fat Dad and I need to go.”
“Oh~”
Xu Yi, wrapped in a thick shawl, hesitated before saying: “We’ll be in touch then.”
Ason smiled: “Alright.”
After seeing off Ason and Zuo Jun, the butler came to Xu Yi and said: “Mr. Duan refuses to sleep and keeps calling for you.”
Xu Yi nodded: “I understand.”
He turned to Duan Baisui and Zuo Nian: “You two should rest early too. I’ll go up to check on your dad.”
Duan Baisui: “Mm.”
Zuo Nian: “Goodnight, Papa Xu.”
“Goodnight.”
Knowing that Duan Baisui and Zuo Nian were coming back, the butler had already instructed the servants to prepare their bedroom.
The arrangement in the room was almost untouched. It still retained the way it looked before Duan Baisui left, with familiar traces everywhere.
Duan Baisui came out of the bathroom to find Zuo Nian lying on his stomach with his back to him, playing on his phone, his snow-white feet swinging back and forth.
The butler hadn’t thought they would sleep separately, so only one blanket had been prepared.
Duan Baisui lay down on the bed and, seeing that Zuo Nian still showed no intention of getting under the covers, asked: “Aren’t you going to sleep?”
Zuo Nian looked worried: “Brother, I’m a bit concerned about Bai Xue.”
“Bai Xue is…?”
“My little cat.”
Wait a minute, Duan Baisui tried to process this.
“Your orange cat is named Bai Xue (White Snow)?”
Zuo Nian replied seriously: “Yes, because I found it on a snowy day, so it’s called White Snow.”
Duan Baisui: …
What a naming genius.
“You have an automatic feeder at home, and you’ve prepared enough water. It’s just one night; nothing will happen.”
Zuo Nian watched a video he had taken of White Snow eating canned food that morning and murmured, “But there’s no one at home. It’s just a little kitten—won’t it be scared?”
“No, there are no ghosts in a cat’s world,” Duan Baisui said.
Upon hearing the word “ghost,” Zuo Nian put away his phone and dove under the blanket.
“What about in the human world?” Zuo Nian asked timidly.
Duan Baisui said decisively: “There are.”
Zuo Nian shrank in fear.
The night at the estate was eerily quiet. The curtains, not fully drawn, left a narrow gap, as if a pair of eyes were secretly watching everything in the room.
“Click”—the light went out at that moment.
Zuo Nian was so startled he gasped, then stammered, “Bro-brother, can I hug you? Brother?”
Duan Baisui’s tone was flat: “Are you treating me like your Abei Bei?”
“No, no,” Zuo Nian hurriedly denied. “You’re different from Abei Bei. You are Year-year’s Alpha, a very important person. Can Year-year hug you? Year-year is really scared.”
Duan Baisui “reluctantly” said: “Come here then.”
Zuo Nian shifted closer and, feeling Duan Baisui’s warmth, tightly wrapped his arms around Duan Baisui’s waist: “Thank you, brother.”
“Go to sleep.”
In the dark room, the Alpha’s lips curved almost imperceptibly.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
