# 9
When the two had just gotten married, Zuo Nian wasn’t this lively.
He would always stand in the corner, timidly watching Duan Baisui when he returned from work.
According to the housekeeper, when Duan Baisui wasn’t home, Zuo Nian would eagerly help with chores, either assisting with mopping the floor or busy in the kitchen.
He would ask the housekeeper about Duan Baisui’s preferences and seek advice on how to be a qualified partner.
The housekeeper told Duan Baisui, “Mr. Zuo truly cares about you. Perhaps you could say something to reassure him.”
That evening, Duan Baisui told him: “This is your home. You don’t need to be so formal.”
Zuo Nian’s eyes turned red as he said: “Thank you.”
He seemed very afraid that Duan Baisui would renege on their marriage and drive him away.
Zuo Nian had gone from having no home to having one. His experiences at the orphanage made him cautious wherever he went, fearing rejection.
He had no sense of belonging, so he learned to read people’s faces and prove his value through his own labor. He wanted to tell everyone that he was actually useful.
Until today, Duan Baisui had been gradually guiding and accepting him, which was why he could now see a more vivid, uninhibited Zuo Nian.
This was how two people should get along.
Tolerance, compassion, and mutual understanding were needed to uncover a partner’s deepest and most lovable sides.
Midnight.
The villa was completely silent.
The room’s blackout curtains were heavy, not allowing even moonlight to seep in.
Duan Baisui drowsily felt the person beside him constantly turning over, mumbling something.
He asked: “Can’t sleep?”
The person was startled and asked softly: “Did I wake you?”
“No,” Duan Baisui said. “I wasn’t asleep either. What’s wrong?”
After a long silence, Zuo Nian finally said: “My Abei Bei was washed today and is still hanging on the balcony. Without it, I feel a bit uncomfortable.”
“Don’t you have Little Sui?” Duan Baisui chatted with him.
“Little Sui and I aren’t familiar yet; it’s too new,” Zuo Nian mumbled. “The bedroom is so dark. I’ve counted so many sheep but still can’t fall asleep…”
“Brother…”
He hesitated.
“Hmm?” Duan Baisui prompted him to continue.
“Can Little Sui and I sleep in your covers?” Had the room not been pin-drop silent, Duan Baisui might not have heard him.
Duan Baisui turned his head slightly. He couldn’t see Zuo Nian’s face but knew he was right beside him because he could smell the familiar grape fragrance—Zuo Nian’s body wash.
Seeing that he didn’t respond, Zuo Nian quickly stuttered: “Ah, it seems, it seems I’m getting a bit sleepy now. Goodnight, brother.”
The room fell silent again.
Duan Baisui thought for a moment, then finally lifted the covers and said: “Come here.”
“Huh?”
“Don’t want to sleep in my covers anymore?”
“I do~”
The next moment, a warm body pressed against his.
There were no overly intimate actions.
Both lay stiffly, shoulder to shoulder, leg to leg.
Duan Baisui’s silk pajamas were light and thin, while Zuo Nian wore a pure cotton short-sleeved T-shirt and knee-length shorts. Now his warmth traveled through that thin layer of fabric onto Duan Baisui’s body.
So much so that Duan Baisui suddenly felt it was a bit hot with the two of them squeezed together.
“Can you sleep now?” Duan Baisui broke the awkward atmosphere.
Zuo Nian answered honestly: “Even less now…”
Duan Baisui was puzzled: “Why?”
“My heart is beating so fast, my body is so hot, and I want to hug you…” Zuo Nian said.
Duan Baisui laughed lightly: “Aren’t you being a bit ‘presumptuous’?”
Zuo Nian: “Brother, can I have tomorrow morning’s hug now? Just, just for a moment…”
Is it okay? It should be.
It’s just a hug; he should give it.
Besides, maintaining their current position was really tiring.
Once Zuo Nian fell asleep, he could quietly let go.
Just like when they were children—comforting him.
After all, he was timid.
Having convinced himself, Duan Baisui turned on his side and said: “Just one hug.”
Hearing this, Zuo Nian immediately burrowed into his embrace, burying his face in the crook of his neck, as docile as a young animal seeking security.
Duan Baisui held him, their bodies pressed tightly together.
His thundering heart felt like it was about to burst.
“Brother, your pheromones smell so good,” Zuo Nian murmured.
Duan Baisui hadn’t lost control of his pheromones; it was just that being so close, they couldn’t help but smell the scent lingering on each other’s collars.
“Mm,” Duan Baisui replied. “Yours too.”
“I thought you didn’t like my pheromones,” Zuo Nian said.
“I do.”
Feeling this was too dismissive, Duan Baisui added: “You smell very nice too.”
“So happy, like a dream…” Zuo Nian’s voice grew fainter.
They had agreed to just one hug, but Zuo Nian never let go, and Duan Baisui didn’t push him away.
This level of intimacy felt within his control.
Besides, embracing one’s legal partner while sleeping was the most normal thing—what was there to resist?
The Omega’s even breathing sounded in his ear.
Duan Baisui suddenly realized he was acting as Zuo Nian’s Abei Bei.
He felt both irritated and amused.
But his heart was also filled with intricate tenderness, feeling very warm.
That night, Duan Baisui had a sensual dream.
In the dream, Zuo Nian wore yesterday’s suspender stockings, slowly crawling from the other end of the bed.
The Omega’s warm, moist lips gradually pressed against his, urgently and seductively saying: “Brother, mark me? Completely mark me, okay?”
Duan Baisui woke from the dream and reached out to turn on the bedside lamp.
Checking the time, it was exactly seven o’clock.
About his usual time to get up.
Turning his head, he saw Zuo Nian was also awake.
The Omega stretched lazily, rubbed his eyes, his expression still a bit dazed.
When he looked at him, he suddenly sat up: “Oh no, Nian Nian overslept and hasn’t made brother’s breakfast!”
“No need. Let’s eat out together,” Duan Baisui said.
Zuo Nian: “Sleeping with brother last night was too comfortable, that’s why Nian Nian didn’t wake up. I really wasn’t intentionally lazy.”
“Mm.”
Zuo Nian crawled out from under the covers, a small tent prominently pitched in his shorts.
He pulled at his pants, pointing and saying: “Brother, I know, this is called morning…”
“Ahem.” Duan Baisui cleared his throat, interrupting him. “It will go down after using the bathroom.”
“Oh,” Zuo Nian nodded. “Don’t you have one too, brother?”
Duan Baisui: …
“Go wash up. Let’s head out early.”
“Okay~”
Watching the Omega run into the bathroom, he finally lifted the covers for a look.
How could he not have one? It was standing quite tall.
He didn’t know if this was an Alpha’s instinct or… if he had developed desire for Zuo Nian.
After they both got ready, Duan Baisui went to the garage to get the car.
Today he hadn’t asked the driver to pick them up, so he could spend more time alone with Zuo Nian.
The Omega ran toward him, hugging his down jacket, clutching two boxes of yogurt in his hand.
The car door opened and closed.
Zuo Nian exhaled visibly: “It’s so cold outside.”
Duan Baisui raised the temperature in the car a bit more.
“I brought yogurt. Brother can have some first to tide you over,” Zuo Nian handed him one of the boxes.
“Mm, just put it aside for now,” Duan Baisui said while starting the car.
“Okay~”
As the car drove out of the villa, Duan Baisui instructed: “A driver named Wu will come to pick you up this afternoon. He’ll take you to find a stylist who will do your makeup and help you choose clothes.”
“What about brother?” Zuo Nian tilted his head and asked.
“I have a meeting in the afternoon and probably won’t be able to accompany you for styling, but when you arrive, I’ll be waiting for you at the entrance of the venue.”
“Mm-hmm,” Zuo Nian inserted a straw and began drinking his yogurt. “I’ll do whatever brother says.”
After breakfast, Duan Baisui dropped Zuo Nian off at New Era Plaza.
Only after seeing his figure disappear around the corner of the alley did Duan Baisui restart the car.
All morning, Duan Baisui was somewhat distracted.
Every time he opened a file, his mind was filled with Zuo Nian’s face.
He felt like he was missing him a little.
But they had only been apart for a short while—it was truly strange.
_
Shortly after two-forty in the afternoon, Duan Baisui arrived at the venue early.
He had only been waiting at the entrance for a moment when a stretched Lincoln pulled up.
The driver got out first and opened the back door.
The person inside hesitated to come out, as if asking something.
Duan Baisui walked down the steps, past the driver, and asked: “Why aren’t you getting out?”
The Omega looked up with delight: “Brother!”
The carefully groomed Omega was so beautiful that one couldn’t look away.
The makeup artist hadn’t added much color to his face, only styled his hair, trimmed his eyebrows, and applied a touch of transparent lip gloss, making his already pink and full lips look very kissable.
Seeing the person who brought him comfort, Zuo Nian quickly climbed out of the car.
He wore the same style suit as Duan Baisui, except that Duan Baisui wore a tie while he had on a black bow tie.
Standing side by side, anyone could tell they were a couple.
“I didn’t see you just now. There are so many people here that I don’t know. I asked Uncle Driver if I could wait until you came before getting out,” Zuo Nian explained softly.
Duan Baisui extended his arm toward him and said: “If you’re afraid, hold onto me.”
From surprise to joy, it took just an instant.
Zuo Nian pressed his lips together in a sweet smile and raised his hand to hold Duan Baisui’s arm.
“Still scared?” Duan Baisui asked.
Zuo Nian shook his head: “With brother here, I’m not afraid of anything.”
He really knew how to be endearing.
The venue’s main doors opened.
One after another, people came forward to greet them.
Zuo Nian obediently stayed close to Duan Baisui, his palms subtly sweating.
As was customary, Duan Baisui, as the CEO, needed to go on stage to say a few words and summarize the year.
He seated Zuo Nian in the leadership section and said: “Don’t wander off.”
Zuo Nian nodded: “Nian Nian knows.”
This was his first appearance at the company, and no one knew his identity.
They only knew that the typically aloof, stern “Director Duan” had an unusual attitude toward him.
Inevitably, odd glances and whispers came from around them.
Some speculated whether he was a new artist that Director Duan was planning to sign.
Zuo Nian paid no attention to any of this. His eyes could only see the confident Alpha on stage.
So his brother, no matter where or at what age, was always this excellent.
Zuo Nian took out his phone and secretly pressed the shutter button, capturing the man’s handsome face.
The person on stage looked over, and their gazes met across the distance.
Zuo Nian’s admiration and love overflowed from his eyes. Touching the frozen image on the screen, he murmured: “Nian Nian loves brother the most.”
