Chapter 111

Chapter 111

"...What?"

Yi Ye thought he must have misheard.

The person who had been holding him tightly from behind suddenly fell silent, his arms locked around him like chains, his body cold, his tense, protruding veins pressing against his thin skin.

"...Xiao Bai?"

"You and Lin Pei..."

Bai Chuan’s voice was barely audible, as if forced from his chest, hoarse and barely coherent, "You two..."

Did something happen between you? Do you like him? Why do you always look at him differently? Do you really care about him that deeply? But what do I lack compared to him... Is it my appearance or my Alpha status?

A flood of questions choked Bai Chuan. He couldn’t bring himself to ask, like a coward.

If Yi Ye answered yes, he’d surely lose control, even do something irreversible to Yi Ye.

"Never mind..." He closed his eyes, trembling, "Just forget I said anything."

His hands suddenly pulled away, the cold that had enveloped Yi Ye vanished instantly. Bai Chuan turned and marched straight into the kitchen, leaving only his back.

The living room fell silent.

Yi Ye finally reacted, covering his face in regret.

He knew it, the noise in the meeting room had been so loud, how could Bai Chuan not have recognized him?

"Xiao Bai..." He shuffled awkwardly to the kitchen door, peering at the tall figure inside, "Are you okay?"

Wait, why was he even asking that?

He quickly backtracked, trying to laugh it off, "I didn't expect you to recognize me, haha..."

But that sounded just as awkward.

Bai Chuan had his back to him, gripping a kitchen knife, his jawline tense, only half of his face faintly visible, calm without a trace of the earlier trembling chaos.

Yi Ye pondered, honestly he couldn't understand the reason for Bai Chuan's anger, so he didn't know from which angle to comfort him. Jealousy? But Bai Chuan and Lin Pei probably haven't developed a romantic line yet, they've barely met, it shouldn't be to the extent of being angry just because he and Lin Pei were alone together.

Then... was it because of him?

"Are you unhappy that I met with General Lin Pei?" Yi Ye probed.

Bai Chuan: "..."

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, "I said, forget I asked anything, you go out, I need to cook."

How could Yi Ye leave Bai Chuan alone to stew in anger.

"No."

Bai Chuan pursed his lips, simply not speaking. No matter how Yi Ye asked, he pretended not to hear, the sound of chopping vegetables with the knife clattering, momentarily seeming to deliberately drown out Yi Ye's voice.

Yi Ye's temper flared, he strode over and pressed the other's hand, gritting his teeth, "What are you chopping and cooking for, why are you really angry?"

Bai Chuan glanced back, catching a glimpse of the obviously reddened skin on the back of his neck, restraining his voice, "Let go."

"I’m not letting go."

"Let go."

"Oh? What’re you gonna do if I don’t let go?"

He’d figured out Bai Chuan’s weakness, knowing that at most, he’d just sulk and give the cold shoulder, and wouldn’t do anything to him. He raised his eyebrows casually, as if saying, 'If you don’t speak, we’ll be stuck here till morning.'

Infuriating. Yet adorable.

It made Bai Chuan feel pathetic.

His breathing deepened, and with another word from Yi Ye, he suddenly tossed the kitchen tool into the sink and yanked the youth, pinning him against the countertop!

His movements were too fast, vegetables scattered across the counter with a clatter, and before Yi Ye could react, he was sitting on the cold counter, a hand pressed his shoulder, a shadow loomed, teeth aimed for his gland—

What do you think I’ll do to you?

You’ve no clue what I want to do to you.

I want to fuck you, shut that mouth I love and hate, leaving you too weak to cry. Oral’s just the basics. Maybe I loved you wrong from the start, I should’ve forced you to be with me back on Qixing, instead of letting all these dogs swarm you now, yet you don’t even know I love you.

Do you know how much I hate this, how much I regret it?

Sharp canines pressed against his skin, about to pierce the gland.

Bai Chuan’s mind was a mess, torn apart by conflicting feelings...

—But the next second, he froze.

Yi Ye closed his eyes tightly, his hands on the edge of the countertop revealing his tolerance and forbearance.

A large hand gripped Yi Ye's shoulder deeply, Bai Chuan opened his mouth, in that moment the hate for his own heart suddenly surpassed everything, and his teeth finally just bit down lightly on Yi Ye's nape.

He completely gave in, venting his anger by burying his head into Yi Ye's chest: "Why didn't you dodge!"

Yi Ye slowly opened his eyes, "...You bite when you're scared. The first time we met, you bit my shoulder and cried into my arms, remember?"

He said hoarsely: "I'm not the same as I was back then."

"You've grown up, but brother will always be brother."

"That again," Bai Chuan continued, "Do you know how much I hate it when you say that?"

"Why?"

Bai Chuan didn't answer.

He straightened up, his slightly red eyes looking at the youth, his thumb rubbing the warm and soft skin on the neck. There was a circle of teeth marks he had left, and only at this moment could he feel a bit of security, feeling that the person in front of him belonged to him.

Why couldn't he leave a permanent mark on Yi Ye?

Even if it were an OMEGA, or even an Alpha, he had various ways to leave a permanent mark on Yi Ye, to make the whole world stay away from them. But it's just because he's a Beta, so anyone can covet him freely.

"Do you know, your gland is full of Ling Pei's scent, you've been with him, right?" But without waiting for Yi Ye to answer, he suddenly grabbed Yi Ye's face, crazily leaning in closer to that face, "Don't tell me, don't tell me... it's okay if you've been with him, it's okay, brother."

He didn't care. There was no need to bring up what had already happened, as long as Ling Pei could never get close to him again, he would find a way to get rid of all those disgusting guys. It should be them who tricked Yi Ye, right? Using looks, family background, and sweet talk to coax the kind brother into helping them out, he knew this routine too well.

"Wait... um..."

With his cheeks pinched, Yi Ye couldn't speak clearly and leaned back. He almost fell but quickly braced himself against the counter. Bai Chuan, acting like a madman, roughly pushed his way in front of him. Standing slightly taller than Yi Ye, who was perched on the counter, Bai Chuan wore only a thin white shirt, revealing the lines of his chest.

The more time they spent together on the main planet, the more Bai Chuan's maturity stood out.

Yi Ye glanced at him but quickly looked away.

Bai Chuan, on the other hand, thought he was acting guilty. Had his feelings for Ling Pei grown so strong that he wouldn't even look at his own brother?

"Do you... really care for him that much?" Bai Chuan asked, his voice breaking, "Why?"

Let me talk!!

Yi Ye roared inwardly.

Feeling a mix of anger and amusement, he bit down hard on Bai Chuan's hand. Seizing the moment when Bai Chuan frowned, he shoved him away and quickly bent his knee, pressing his leg against Bai Chuan's chest to stop him from lunging.

With his slender calf encased in suit pants, Yi Ye leaned back, his long black hair cascading over his shoulders as he caught his breath. The toe of his leather shoe accidentally pressed into Bai Chuan's chest.

"Can you let me finish talking first?"

In combat, Yi Ye often used this move to keep threats at bay, but he never imagined he'd use it on Bai Chuan.

Bai Chuan looked stunned, his Adam's apple bobbing, but he stayed silent.

"First of all, how did you get the idea that Ling Pei and I... did it? How is that possible!" At the word 'did,' Yi Ye paused, embarrassed, "Think about it—it's impossible! He was in rut and didn't have any sedatives, so he asked me for help... but it's not what you think—he just sniffed my gland."

"...That's it?"

"The gland isn't that big of a deal for a Beta! If I were an omega, I'd have kept my distance. Your brother isn't stupid."

Bai Chuan stayed silent; Yi Ye's naivety often made him feel like he was dealing with an idiot.

"You and him, really didn't?"

"No way! I could never be into a guy!"

"..."

Bai Chuan couldn't tell whether he should feel relieved or angry.

"But you let him touch your gland. Do you care for him?"

Yi Ye hesitated, unsure how to answer.

Sure enough.

Bai Chuan immediately darkened his gaze: "Between Kaiser, Bush Meihua, Ling Pei, and me, who matters most to you?"

"...Don't you think your question is like those cliché ones couples ask: If I and so-and-so fell into the river, who would you save first?"

"So, who is the most important to you?"

"...You, you, you, alright!"

Yi Ye angrily kicked his chest, "When did you become such a boring person! They are either friends or my superiors and students of the Imperial Honor Military Academy. If I asked you, who would you save if I and someone else fell into the water, would you be happy to answer?"

Bai Chuan: "You."

Yi Ye froze.

Bai Chuan held his calf and lowered his leg, staring straight at him: "No one’s worth me jumping in to save, only you. I’d die for you without a second thought."

"………………"

Yi Ye’s heart quivered:

"System... what, what should I do? The hero’s got some serious brother issues..."

"System: ..."

"System: Pretending to be dead.jpg"

Knowing he still came first in Yi Ye’s heart, Bai Chuan's rationality slightly recovered. However, seeing the red mark left by Ling Pei on Yi Ye's nape, he still felt very displeased. He snatched a wet wipe, leaned over, and pushed aside Yi Ye's long hair, wiping his skin with a blank expression. His movements were slow, exuding a chilling pressure.

Yi Ye: "It’s probably not necessary..."

Bai Chuan said coldly: "A top-tier Alpha’s pheromones can linger on a person for a long time. You have a meeting tomorrow, are you gonna show up like this and tell everyone you hooked up with Ling Pei?"

"I already said we didn't do it."

"But that’s how they’ll see it."

Yi Ye thought about it and realized it was true. Even Bai Chuan had mistaken that he and Ling Pei had done something, so the elders in the Senate would only be more persistent.

"Will wiping with a wet wipe help?"

"It’s better than nothing."

"Any other options? I’ve already showered."

Bai Chuan withdrew his hand and suddenly said: "Just hug me."

"...Huh???"

"My pheromones can mask Ling Pei’s scent, and they’ll just think it’s a brotherly thing." Bai Chuan reached out his hand, looking at him, "Me or Ling Pei?"

Yi Ye, of course, decisively chose Bai Chuan.

His intuition told him that if he didn't choose Bai Chuan, this guy might just break down on the spot.

But... previous hugs had the right mood and setting, or they were during a heat period. Being asked to hug Bai Chuan out of the blue made Yi Ye’s fingers twitch with nervousness.

If only Bai Chuan would make the first move, but he just stood there with his arms open, not moving, as if he’d leave if Yi Ye didn’t come to him.

"Maybe..."

"Yi Ye." Bai Chuan's blue eyes were filled with his reflection, "If you don’t want me, I’m gone."

"..."

After a moment of hesitation, Yi Ye finally tentatively reached out, his arms wrapping around Bai Chuan's back. During the process, he was so embarrassed that he even thought about withdrawing and running away, but remembering Bai Chuan's words, he thought, what kind of brother is afraid of hugging his younger brother? So he gathered his courage and flung himself into Bai Chuan’s arms.

With a thud, he hugged him firmly.

The scent from Bai Chuan's chest hit him, and then his body was suddenly tightly encircled, bringing a sense of security.

The storm of thoughts in Bai Chuan's mind finally stilled when Yi Ye threw himself into his arms.

With his chin resting on his shoulder, he sighed silently.

He longed to see Yi Ye cry in his arms, to eliminate all distance between them, to do everything that lovers in the world would do... But after all the back and forth, what Bai Chuan truly desired was simply a hug from Yi Ye, a definitive choice.

Gradually, the pheromones were released, the scent of cedar filled the cramped kitchen. Bai Chuan nestled into Yi Ye's body, enveloping him and the precious, vast world in his arms with his gentle pheromones.

Outside, dusk fell, and the sunset cast shimmering rays of light into the room.

"You knew it was me in the meeting room, so why did you pretend not to recognize me and leave?" Yi Ye's voice came muffled, his face pressed against Bai Chuan's chest.

"I couldn't enter. If something had happened between you and Ling Pei, it would have tarnished your reputation."

Moreover, he wasn't sure he could stay composed if he saw what was happening inside.

"That's considerate of you. By the way, I heard you're joining the Senate?"

"It's temporary, just like a temp job. I applied for a position with Judge Ai Linya, which lets me study in the Senate during the holidays."

"So you can be my assistant?!" Yi Ye suddenly sat up, only to be pressed back down.

"Most likely, but they won't let you have just me as your assistant. There'll probably be someone else too."

"Just having you is enough. After today, I realized how exhausting it is to talk to those Senate folks."

"It's alright." Bai Chuan gently stroked his hair, murmuring, "I'll take care of anything you don't want to handle."

"Having a brother is great. But who do you think they'll choose as the other assistant?"

Bai Chuan pursed his lips, silent.

"Hmm?"

Sensing something was off, "You don't know, do you?"

In a tone reluctant to admit, "...I saw the list today."

"Who is it?"

Yi Ye looked up at him.

Bai Chuan's jaw clenched, and he muttered, "It's Eugene."