# 8
The winter morning dawned late.
It was just six-thirty, and outside the window it was still pitch dark.
Duan Baisui was a light sleeper, and since he hadn’t slept soundly the night before, he woke up when Zuo Nian’s finger accidentally touched his lips.
He heard Zuo Nian’s soft “Brother, good morning,” and his heart melted.
After waking up from sleep, the Omega had completely forgotten last night’s unpleasantness, still offering him all his tenderness.
His brain was slow to respond for a moment, guessing that Zuo Nian had gotten up so early most likely to cook for him.
Otherwise, his shop didn’t open until nine-thirty, so there was really no need to get up three hours early.
Duan Baisui opened his eyes, wanting to tell him to sleep a bit longer, and that they could go to a restaurant later.
But when he turned his head, he saw a dazzling flash of white.
Zuo Nian appeared to be changing clothes. He had taken off his cartoon pajama pants, and as he bent over, his full, round buttocks were facing him.
His slender, long legs were clad in black stockings, with lace trim hanging at his hip bones.
He was naturally exceptionally fair-skinned, and the contrast between the black lace and his skin tone made him look both pure and seductive.
This sight was too much of a shock for Duan Baisui.
He had never imagined he would see this side of Zuo Nian.
Perhaps it was because his gaze was too intense, but Zuo Nian suddenly turned his head and looked deeply into his eyes.
Duan Baisui wanted to say something but didn’t know where to begin.
On the contrary, Zuo Nian wasn’t embarrassed at all. He curved his red, swollen eyes into a smile and said, “Brother, did I wake you up?”
Duan Baisui finally came to his senses and turned his gaze aside: “No, why are you up so early?”
Zuo Nian answered obediently: “I bought some fish slices yesterday. Today I want to make fish porridge for you.”
It was indeed as he had guessed.
Duan Baisui: “Don’t go to so much trouble. Why don’t you lie down a bit longer…”
“It’s no trouble,” Zuo Nian couldn’t find his underwear on the bed.
Yesterday, he had remembered what the sales consultant had said: typically, all Alphas would become animalistic when they saw this outfit, eagerly tearing it apart before ravishing their partner. So, persuaded by the consultant’s silver tongue, he had also bought ointment and a soothing agent, and had even specially prepared a pair of underwear by the bed, thinking that if Duan Baisui tore this one, he would still have something to wear.
Unexpectedly, he hadn’t needed the ointment, and the underwear had disappeared.
Going bare-bottomed early in the morning was quite embarrassing.
“Fish slices can’t be left out for long; they won’t stay fresh. Brother, you sleep. Nian Nian will call you when it’s ready,” Zuo Nian said as he walked toward the wardrobe, squatting down to pull open a drawer and rummage through it.
Duan Baisui sat up and rubbed his brow. How could he possibly sleep now?
If he closed his eyes now, all he would see was Zuo Nian’s pale, bare bottom. It was truly maddening.
Zuo Nian finally found his boxer shorts. When he turned around, he saw that Duan Baisui had also gotten up.
His usually meticulously groomed hair was now a mess.
His typically cold face now showed only the languor of someone just awakened.
Zuo Nian suddenly felt that the man before him overlapped with the feisty little dumpling from childhood.
It seemed that his brother had never changed; he had just grown up.
Noticing that Zuo Nian’s gaze was wandering over him, Duan Baisui asked puzzledly: “What are you looking at?”
Zuo Nian’s gaze fixed on a certain spot. After looking for a long time, he looked down at himself and sighed: “Brother is so big. Are all Alphas this big?”
It took Duan Baisui a while to realize what he was talking about.
“You…”
“Huh?” Zuo Nian’s expression was pure.
“I…”
Duan Baisui’s ears felt hot, and he was at a loss for words.
The person before him wasn’t being lewd at all; he was simply asking a genuine question. So Duan Baisui couldn’t even bring himself to reproach him.
Finally, Duan Baisui left with an awkward “I’m going to take a shower.”
Zuo Nian nodded confusedly: “Oh.”
The bathroom had a wet and dry separation.
The partition was made of wavy glass that allowed light through but not shadows.
Duan Baisui showered inside while Zuo Nian brushed his teeth and washed his face outside.
Once everything was done, Zuo Nian left the bedroom, first going to the baby room to feed the kitten, then happily running downstairs to busy himself in the kitchen.
After marinating the fish slices, he put the white porridge in the pot to cook.
He also wanted to steam a couple of braised pork buns.
Zuo Nian hummed a tune as he opened the refrigerator to get the buns.
At this moment, Duan Baisui knocked on the kitchen door and asked: “Is there anything I can help with?”
Zuo Nian tilted his head and thought for a moment, then said: “Can brother wash fruit?”
Duan Baisui: …
“Yes.”
“Then please wash some. We can have some with breakfast, and I want to take some to the shop to eat.”
“Alright.”
There was plenty of fruit at home. Duan Baisui stood in the kitchen, cutting apples into pieces, removing pomegranate seeds, and soaking strawberries in salt water, which would need to be rinsed once more.
The white porridge began to boil, and Zuo Nian poured in the marinated fish slices.
Duan Baisui casually took Zuo Nian’s small lunch box from the cupboard and neatly arranged the fruit inside.
Remembering that Zuo Nian had mentioned wanting to lose weight a few days ago, Duan Baisui said: “You can’t just eat this for lunch. You still need to eat a proper meal.”
Zuo Nian obediently replied: “Okay~”
His tone was so adorable that Duan Baisui couldn’t help but turn to look at him.
Zuo Nian happened to look up as well, and their gazes collided.
The braised pork buns released their meaty aroma, and the fish porridge also cooked up a fresh flavor. Zuo Nian’s eyes curved into a smile.
Yes, this was how it should be.
Even if it was just a moment’s companionship, it could make him beam with joy.
Something so easy to do—why be stingy with it?
This was the person he was meant to spend his life with. From the moment he chose him, he should have taken responsibility for him.
Both materially and emotionally.
After breakfast, Zuo Nian came with a tie to help him put it on.
It was only just eight o’clock. Duan Baisui needed to go to the company, but it was still early for Zuo Nian to go to his shop.
The two parted at the door, with Duan Baisui seeing Zuo Nian standing outside, reluctantly watching him leave.
After a moment’s thought, he turned and went back. Under Zuo Nian’s surprised gaze, he asked: “Would you like a hug?”
Zuo Nian’s eyes widened slightly. When he realized what Duan Baisui was asking, he opened his arms and threw himself into Duan Baisui’s embrace, saying: “Then, then let’s hug.”
Zuo Nian’s arms wrapped tightly around him, as if afraid he might change his mind.
His black hair brushed against Duan Baisui’s jaw, tickling him.
After quite a while, Zuo Nian still seemed reluctant to let go. Duan Baisui gently patted his back and said: “Alright, I need to go now.”
Only then did Zuo Nian step back, saying shyly: “I, I’m just too happy.”
“Mm.”
“Will there be more tomorrow?” Zuo Nian asked.
“Yes.”
“And the day after?”
“Yes.”
Zuo Nian smiled again, his eyes shining brightly: “Brother, Nian Nian is starting to look forward to every morning now.”
Having said that, he waved to Duan Baisui: “Goodbye, brother. I hope your work goes well today.”
“Mm.”
Sitting in the car, Duan Baisui could see his own unconsciously upturned lips through the glass window.
It turned out his little father was right—hugs really do make both people happy.
With the year-end approaching, company affairs were numerous.
Duan Baisui had meetings all morning and reviewed a pile of reports.
At four o’clock, Luo Yin came in with the speech for tomorrow night’s annual party.
Duan Baisui skimmed it briefly before setting it down and asking: “How is Ju Xiao?”
The lawsuit was still in process. After Rong Jin was taken in, Ou Kai and Meng Cheng were also brought in for questioning.
He didn’t know if this counted as justice for Ju Xiao.
Regardless of how Rong Jin and the other two were eventually sentenced, they would most likely never work in the entertainment industry again.
“Mr. Ju is much better. He’s more cheerful than before. He’ll attend tomorrow night’s annual party as usual and says he wants to thank you in person,” Luo Yin answered.
“Mm,” Duan Baisui nodded.
Ju Xiao hadn’t terminated his contract with the company. After the TR boy group disbanded, the company redesigned his development path and assigned him a new manager—a decisive female Beta.
She had managed many well-known actors and her professional abilities were first-rate.
Being a Beta herself, she could better understand Ju Xiao’s struggles.
Lately, Ju Xiao’s popularity remained high. Taking advantage of this opportunity, his new manager secured two endorsement deals for him and a lead role in a film by a major director.
In the future, Ju Xiao would return to the public eye as an individual artist.
Duan Baisui certainly hoped that after escaping his nightmare, he would have better development.
After all, in this industry, resources were mostly divided between Alphas and Omegas, who had natural advantages—strong physiques, handsome appearances, beauty, and strong learning abilities.
Meanwhile, “ordinary” Betas were often marginalized and ignored.
He thought that after this incident, more people would hopefully pay attention to the Beta community.
Their efforts shouldn’t be ignored, nor should they be limited by their secondary gender.
_
Perhaps due to the weather, Zuo Nian’s business wasn’t very good today.
By five in the afternoon, there hadn’t been many customers, and he had only sold one hundred and fifty-six yuan worth of goods.
He put down the doll costume he was sewing and propped his chin on his hand, sighing heavily.
At this rate, when would he ever earn back that thirteen thousand yuan?
How could he have been so impulsive that day?
Just then, his phone “beeped” twice, and a WeChat message notification popped up on the screen.
Zuo Nian opened his phone; it was a message from a contact saved as “Salesman Thirteen Thousand.”
Salesman Thirteen Thousand: Dear VIP member Mr. Zuo Nian, thank you for choosing our products. This is a follow-up message. How do you feel after using our products? Is there anything we need to improve? Looking forward to your reply.
Zuo Nian held his phone, thought for a long time, and slowly typed: Hello, can I return the items?
The reply came quickly: Mr. Zuo, I’m sorry, but these are intimate products. For our customers’ safety, we don’t support returns. Is there something about the products that dissatisfied you?
Zuo Nian: My husband doesn’t like them.
Salesman Thirteen Thousand: Oh, my dear customer, is it the method of use that’s incorrect? Perhaps we can try something else? You bought so many items; there must be one that suits you both. If you have any questions during this time, you can consult me. Keep up the good work.
Zuo Nian: …
It seemed returning the items was impossible.
Zuo Nian got up, counted the money in the drawer, and carefully put it into his backpack.
After some thought, he dialed Assistant Luo’s number.
Zuo Nian knew that Duan Baisui was busy with work. To avoid disturbing him during meetings, he usually called Duan Baisui’s assistant during working hours.
He knew that many people who wanted to reach Duan Baisui needed to schedule through his assistant, so he did the same, not wanting to trouble Duan Baisui.
“Hello, Mr. Zuo,” the man answered formally when the call connected.
“Hello, Assistant Luo. I just wanted to ask if my husband will be coming home for dinner tonight?”
Zuo Nian only dared to call Duan Baisui “husband” in front of others. He didn’t dare to do so in front of Duan Baisui himself.
He was afraid of seeing Duan Baisui’s surprised and uncomfortable expression.
He thought he should give his Alpha more time to gradually accept him.
“Mr. Zuo, Director Duan has a dinner meeting tonight, so he most likely won’t be home for dinner. You don’t need to wait for him,” Luo Yin said.
“Oh, alright. Then, please take good care of him. Drive slowly at night. Thank you.”
Zuo Nian politely ended the call and went to the convenience store to buy a rice ball.
Usually, when Duan Baisui wasn’t home for dinner, he would just make do with something simple.
When he returned home, the large villa was eerily quiet.
Zuo Nian was very afraid of this kind of silence.
He turned on all the lights in the living room, which finally gave him a bit of courage.
He went upstairs to feed the cat and clean its litter box, then took out his used intimate garments and his Abei Bei doll to wash.
He hung the clothes on the balcony as the sky gradually darkened.
Zuo Nian brought the well-fed kitten to the living room and sat in front of the TV to watch the finale of “New Bamboo.”
Tonight, the last two episodes would air back-to-back, finishing around eleven o’clock.
Just as Zuo Nian was crying with mucus and tears streaming down his face, Duan Baisui returned.
The two looked at each other awkwardly, and Duan Baisui asked: “Why are you crying?”
Zuo Nian wiped his nose: “After waiting so long, they all ended up dead!”
Duan Baisui glanced at the TV screen and said: “That’s just the characters’ fate. Nothing to cry about.”
Zuo Nian nodded and asked with a tearful voice: “Has brother eaten?”
“Yes,” Duan Baisui took off his coat and casually draped it over the sofa.
Zuo Nian obediently ran over to help him remove his tie.
Duan Baisui looked down at his red, swollen eyelids, finding him both pitiful and adorable.
To cry like this just from watching a TV show.
“Brother, are you laughing at me?” Zuo Nian looked up at him.
Duan Baisui: “No.”
Zuo Nian: “I saw it. You were just laughing.”
Had he just laughed? How had he not noticed?
“You saw wrong,” Duan Baisui said.
After a pause, he asked: “Tomorrow night is the company’s annual party. Would you like to come with me?”
Zuo Nian: “Eh?”
“The leads from this drama will be there. Perhaps seeing them alive and well will make you feel better,” Duan Baisui nodded toward the TV.
Zuo Nian asked excitedly: “Can Nian Nian really go?”
“Yes.”
“Can Nian Nian get autographs from the actors I admire?” Zuo Nian looked very happy.
“Yes,” Duan Baisui said.
“Thank you, brother! Brother is the best Alpha in the world!”
