chapter 20

Chapter 20: Preparing His Breakfast

Nan Yi looked down at the couch, mulling over his thoughts and feeling that his idea was feasible.

"Mr. Nan."

Lost in thought, the butler, instead of responding to Song Jing, called out to him.

Hmm?

Nan Yi looked quizzically at the kindly butler.

Song Jing: "What do you want with him?" Song Jing retorted irritably.

"Song Jing! Haven't I told you to show some respect to Mr. Nan?"

Song Jing scoffed disdainfully, "All you ever do is chastise me. I'm going upstairs."

Song Jing shot a disgusted glance at Nan Yi and then turned and left the living room.

"Song Jing, He Shao treats you well because he has a kind heart. Don't overstep your boundaries."

The butler looked at the retreating figure of Song Jing with a worried expression, but the departing omega seemed to be oblivious.

Once upstairs, he disappeared around the corner.

Nan Yi stood quietly, waiting for the butler to continue.

"Mr. Nan," the butler called out again.

Nan Yi nodded in acknowledgment.

"I might have to leave tonight. From now on, I'll have to entrust He Shao to you."

Nan Yi, taken aback, quickly responded with sign language.

In sign language: "He Yushen is just momentarily upset. He doesn't truly want to send you away."

The butler gently interrupted him, "I apologize, Mr. Nan, I cannot understand your signs. Might you allow me to finish speaking first?"

Nan Yi hesitantly lowered his hands.

The butler said, "Young Master He has a stomach ailment and, unfortunately, dislikes breakfast, leading to frequent stomachaches. He's meticulous about cleanliness, can't tolerate spicy food, and prefers a mild palate."

Nan Yi furrowed his brows, unsure of the butler's intent.

The butler continued, "Starting from tomorrow, could I trouble you to prepare breakfast for Young Master He? Others are hesitant to persuade him, but if you make the meal, perhaps he won't let your efforts go to waste."

With each word, Nan Yi's surprise grew, his mouth agape in disbelief.

Using sign language, he responded, "I can't. He Yushen despises me."

"Why not... ask Song Jing instead?"

Nan Yi often instinctively used sign language, forgetting that the butler had just mentioned his inability to understand it.

The butler interrupted his continuous signing, "Please, Mr. Nan."

With a sincere expression, the butler looked at Nan Yi, worry evident on his face.

Seeing Nan Yi's silence, he added, "I genuinely implore you, Mr. Nan. I must return this evening to tend to the mistress."

The butler was a kind-hearted man who had never looked down upon or despised Nan Yi, especially not for being a lesser-grade Omega.

After contemplating for a while, with a demeanor of someone being led to the gallows, Nan Yi gritted his teeth and nodded.

Only with Nan Yi's consent did the butler breathe a sigh of relief.

"It's getting late, Mr. Nan. You should head to bed as well."

Nan Yi nodded again.

His steps felt heavy as he turned to ascend the staircase.

Reaching the stairs, he remembered he hadn't inquired about the breakfast preparation time for He Yushen.

But when he turned around, the living room was empty.

Resigned, Nan Yi slowly made his way to his bedroom.

Despite the corridor's short length, it felt like an eternity before he reached the end.

At his bedroom door, he gently pushed it open to find the room dark.

Moonlight streamed through the window, casting a dim glow inside.

Standing before the clear window was a silhouette, tall and forlorn.

Nan Yi wasn't sure how he sensed melancholy from a figure whose clothing details he couldn't even discern.

Perhaps it was the mournful moonlight.

"How deep must one's love be for them to return to someone they've despised for over two decades?"

Quietly, Nan Yi closed the door and tiptoed to stand behind He Yushen.

Without love, there would be no hate, Nan Yi thought.

A lengthy silence enveloped the room.

He Yushen sighed softly, "You don't speak anyway, why am I asking you?"

In that moment, Nan Yi felt that the man before him was genuinely saddened.

That night, He Yushen was even tormented by nightmares.

In the middle of the night, Nan Yi was awakened by He Yushen's constricting embrace.

As if a child feared losing a treasured toy, He Yushen clung tightly to Nan Yi.

Nan Yi didn't dare wriggle free. The slightest movement caused those strong arms to tighten further.

With his head tilted back for breath, Nan Yi's skin unintentionally brushed against icy cold flesh.

Resigned, Nan Yi released his faint comforting pheromones. After spending so much time with He Yushen, even though the pheromones were still weak, they seemed somewhat more potent than before.

Perhaps because an alpha grows attached to their omega, the faint scent of caramel managed to relax the sleeping He Yushen.

At last, Nan Yi could comfortably fall asleep.

Remembering the butler's request, Nan Yi rose early the next morning.

Upon awakening, the person beside him was still deep in sleep. Gently lifting the hand draped over him, Nan Yi softly got out of bed.

After releasing soothing pheromones all night, Nan Yi's gland felt a bit dry.

The morning air was chilly, and the room's air conditioning added to the cold, making it a stark contrast to the warmth of the bed.

From the wardrobe, Nan Yi picked out a wine-red, loose-knit sweater and a pair of soft, draping casual trousers to wear.

The clothes weren't discounted purchases of his own but were sent by Liu Yue.

All of which were neatly stored by the butler in the wardrobe.

The fabric was incredibly soft, and the vibrant color looked lovely. While grooming, Nan Yi found himself spending extra time admiring his reflection.

At least He Yushen was quite generous. Nan Yi suddenly felt that preparing breakfast for him seemed only fitting.

Descending the stairs, Nan Yi didn't spot the butler, indicating he must have already left.

Nan Yi wasn't much of a cook, but he could handle the basics. Whipping up a simple breakfast wasn't beyond him.

By seven in the morning, he had breakfast prepared and was waiting at the dining table.

Half an hour later, a neatly dressed He Yushen descended from upstairs.

He paused for a moment upon seeing Nan Yi, who appeared to have dozed off at the table.

The wine-red hue of Nan Yi's clothing accentuated his fair skin, which looked notably healthier.

After descending the stairs, He Yushen headed directly for the exit, feeling as though something was amiss that day.

Only when the sharp screech of a chair being pushed back reached his ears did he turn around with a slight frown.

The previously dozing figure was now hurrying towards him, hand subconsciously reaching for something at his waist. He Yushen watched calmly as Nan Yi, nearly tripping in his approach, stumbled forward into his arms.

He Yushen cast a glance at the hands gripping his clothing and then at the bunny slippers on Nan Yi's feet.

Finally, his gaze settled on Nan Yi's startled face.

He Yushen's brows furrowed. "Are you trying to throw yourself at me this early in the morning?"

Regaining his balance, Nan Yi felt awkward. This situation, especially given their posture, did resemble a cliché scene.

He Yushen withdrew his outstretched hand, coldly stating, "Avoid these petty schemes. Outside of your heat cycles, I won't touch you."

Nan Yi: …………

The man who spoke those words turned to leave, but in his haste, Nan Yi reached out and grabbed the hem of He Yushen's suit.

He Yushen turned back, his impatience evident.

The omega clutching his suit seemed flustered, avoiding direct eye contact.

"Is this what you want?" He Yushen's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained cool.

Blushing, Nan Yi quickly shook his head and pointed towards the nearby dining table.

Realizing his misunderstanding, a rigid smile tugged at He Yushen's lips.

"You want me to have breakfast?"

He Yushen asked again, feigning nonchalance.

Nan Yi nodded in confirmation, releasing the grip on He Yushen's suit.

He Yushen glanced at the hem of his suit, stating calmly, "I'm not eating."

Turning to leave again, Nan Yi could only grasp at him once more.

He Yue Shen was forced to a halt. "Aren't you annoying!"