chapter 35

His thoughts were momentarily disrupted by the message. By the time he regained his composure, the car was already parked in the garage.

Anxious feelings came belatedly. With He Yu Shen absent, Nan Yi wondered how he'd go in on his own.

He wasn't sure why He Yu Shen had brought him here in the first place.

Pondering this, he eventually exited the car and noticed a black Maybach parked nearby. Recognizing the license plate, he realized it was He Yu Shen's vehicle.

Nan Yi breathed a sigh of relief, thankful He Yu Shen had already arrived.

"Mr. Nan."

A familiar voice emanated from behind him. Turning, he saw Song Jing's father.

Nan Yi gestured in greeting.

"Please, follow me. Young Master He is already inside."

Following the housekeeper, Nan Yi passed a landscaped rockery in the villa's front courtyard, walked past a fish pond and gazebo, before finally entering the residence.

"Mr. Nan has arrived."

The housekeeper announced his arrival as they reached the door.

"Come in."

An authoritative voice beckoned from within.

The Alpha leaning forward on his chair glanced at Nan Yi but promptly turned his attention back to Ling Ran, who sat in a wheelchair in front of him.

Nan Yi was slightly taken aback.

He remembered that just over a month ago, Ling Ran's legs were fine. How did he suddenly end up in a wheelchair?

"Come in."

Ling Ran spoke first.

Feeling lost, Nan Yi approached and stood not far from He Yu Shen, staring blankly at the two of them.

The Alpha squatting in front of Ling Ran and smiling softly was someone Nan Yi hadn't seen before – a genuinely happy He Yu Shen.

"You must be Shen Shen's Omega, right?"

Ling Ran gently looked up at Nan Yi, "Take a seat; you must be tired standing."

Nan Yi hesitated, wondering whether to admit to what Ling Ran had asked.

Somewhat dazed, he sat down and glanced uneasily at the squatting Alpha.

"Such a charming Omega. Shen Shen, you must cherish him."

Ling Ran, sitting, tenderly stroked He Yu Shen's head. With a tone as gentle as a father guiding a child, every word startled Nan Yi.

He dared not hope that the tiger would be gentle with him.

"Of course, I won't be like someone else; I'll naturally treat him well," He Yu Shen said.

Ling Ran paused slightly, then affectionately ruffled his hair.

"Oh, you," Ling Ran said with a hint of exasperation.

Lost in thought, Nan Yi listened to their conversation. Was He Yu Shen referring to He Zhang?

"A father obsessed with money, and a subpar Omega. Even if you weren't satisfied with the ones I've chosen for you, you shouldn't have sunk this low in your standards."

He Zhang, who had entered from outside, cast a disdainful glance at Nan Yi.

"He's fine for a fling, but don't include him in the He family genealogy," He Zhang continued.

Suppressing his trembling hands, Nan Yi's face turned pale. He bowed his head, biting his lower lip in humiliation.

Seeing his weakness, He Zhang frowned in even greater disdain.

"He Zhang!" Ling Ran reprimanded softly.

He Zhang furrowed his brows in displeasure but remained silent.

"You're in no position to tell me what to do." He Yushen stood up with a cold expression.

"Do you really think I desire to be part of this He family legacy?"

"Had father taken me away back then, you..." the alpha's words trailed off, his face hardened, and he sat down next to Nan Yi with a slight frown.

Ling Ran, seated in the wheelchair, looked on with guilt and added sorrow in his gaze.

"Disregard his words as nonsense."

Nan Yi's pale fingertips were abruptly pulled into someone's grip. The alpha's hand was broad, warm, and gentle. Nan Yi stared at it in disbelief.

"Such manners you have," He Zhang coldly glanced at He Yushen.

"You're unworthy."

"Enough, both of you, stop bickering," Ling Ran said, visibly bothered by the tension between the father and son.

Nan Yi's mind remained fixated on the hand that was holding his.

The sudden tenderness from He Yushen evoked an odd sensation in him.

"Madam, the cake the young master ordered has arrived."

As the butler entered the room, Nan Yi snapped back to reality.

He subtly tried to pull his hand away.

But the grip on his hand tightened.

“？？？”

"Stay calm," a deep voice whispered in his ear, sending tingles down Nan Yi's spine.

Initially, the room held just three people, but as the evening progressed, more guests arrived.

Nan Yi had relocated himself to a quiet corner, while He Yushen was engaged in a conversation with a bespectacled man.

He Zhang, on the other hand, remained close to Ling Ran.

Scanning the room, Nan Yi noted the diversity in age amongst the guests. Unlike the formal atmosphere at Yan An's father's birthday banquet he'd attended earlier, the mood today was much more relaxed.

The guests wore casual attire.

"Who are you?"

A little girl, about five or six years old, dressed in a soft yellow coat with a long white skirt, stood before Nan Yi. With wide eyes full of curiosity, she inquired.

"Are you an omega? You're so pretty."

The little girl placed her soft hand on Nan Yi's leg, tilting her head to gaze up at him.

Children's words are always the most innocent, whether it's the starry look in their eyes or their instinctual desire to be close to Nan Yi.

All genuine and heartfelt.

Nan Yi looked down, momentarily lost for words.

Seeing his prolonged silence, the young girl grew impatient.

"Why aren't you speaking? Don't you like me?"

The little girl didn't understand. All she knew was that her omega mother often praised her beauty, and everywhere she went, people wanted to hold her.

"Big brother, do you think I'm not pretty?"

She appeared slightly hurt, yet she was still captivated by the unfamiliar, beautiful omega in front of her.

With eyes brimming with tears, it seemed like she would burst into cries any second, leaving Nan Yi unsure of what to do.

He quickly shook his head, but then, realizing she might not grasp his intent,

He hurriedly placed his hand on her head, gently caressing her.

The little girl paused, clearly taken by the gentle omega before her.

"I knew no one could resist liking me," she declared with childish glee.

She then removed his hand from her head and climbed into Nan Yi's lap.

Nan Yi was taken aback.

A small head now occupied his vision, grabbing all his attention.

Her hair was tied into twin ponytails adorned with red butterfly bows.

"Big brother, I'll let you hold me for just a bit," she said.

The butterfly bow was slightly askew.

Gently, Nan Yi adjusted the crooked bow atop her head.

The child's body was soft, reminiscent of a plush toy.

Adorable.

With one hand holding the little girl and the other playing with her silky black hair,

Several more young omegas entered the room, all flocking around He Yushen nearby.

Yet, Nan Yi paid them no mind; his entire focus was on the delightful child in his lap.

"Big brother, are you hungry?" the little girl inquired.

Nan Yi shook his head, then remembered she couldn't see him.

He swiftly pulled out his phone and typed a message.

[I'm not hungry, big brother. Are you?]

Fortunately, she could recognize the simple characters and read aloud, "Mhm, I am. I'd like some cake."

She pointed towards a cake in the distance with "49" written on it.