Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Chapter 3

After treating an emergency patient, Zhou You tidied up, preparing to return to the Xing family's ancestral home.

He knew Xing Hui would come to pick him up, but he didn't realize Xing Hui had been waiting there the entire time.

The moment his feet touched the first-floor lobby, Han Xiaosong's voice called out from behind him.

"Brother Zhou!" Han Xiaosong ran up, happily throwing an arm around his shoulders and pulling him into a seemingly intimate embrace.

Han Xiaosong was the sole beta male nurse among the interns. Initially quite insecure, he found constant encouragement in Zhou You. Faced with the young, accomplished, and handsome Zhou You, Han Xiaosong saw a beacon of light and became his devoted admirer from that day forward.

"What's up, Xiao Song?" Zhou You smiled gently, neither minding the gesture nor pushing him away.

"Nothing much," Han Xiaosong grinned from ear to ear. "I never properly thanked you for last time. I'm off this afternoon and wanted to treat you to a meal. Will you do me the honor, Brother Zhou?"

Zhou You smiled, about to speak, when an all-too-familiar figure stormed over. Before either he or Han Xiaosong could react, Xing Hui delivered a powerful kick that sent Han Xiaosong sprawling to the ground.

The kick was undeniably forceful. Han Xiaosong immediately let out a pained shriek, and a chorus of shocked cries erupted around them.

"Xiao Song!" Zhou You gasped in alarm, rushing to check on Han Xiaosong, but Xing Hui seized his wrist, yanked him into an embrace, and sneered, "Xiao Song? Calling him so intimately?"

"Xing Hui!" Zhou You was furious. "What's gotten into you? Let go of me!"

Xing Hui was even angrier. Zhou You was laughing and chatting, hugging and being affectionate with some young man, yet he never showed Xing Hui an ounce of warmth.

Seeing Zhou You's worried expression now, a surge of jealous rage boiled within him. "So worried about him? Who is he? Some little thing you're keeping on the side?" As he spoke, his grip tightened.

It wasn't that Xing Hui was petty. Before their marriage, Zhou You had a notorious reputation for being a playboy, constantly flirting and surrounded by Omegas, betas, and Alphas.

Since being with him, Zhou You had cleaned up his act, but that didn't mean others weren't still interested, nor did it prove whether he had truly settled down or was merely pretending.

Zhou You's wrist throbbed from the tight grip, but he didn't even flinch, merely staring coldly at Xing Hui, his eyes filled with anger and undisguised disgust.

Xing Hui wasn't blind; he could see Zhou You was deeply unhappy, especially in such a public place, and at his workplace, no less.

But he was incandescent with rage. How could a married person flirt, hug, and laugh with someone else behind their Alpha husband's back?

"What? Did I hit a nerve? Upset?" Xing Hui switched to his deliberately provocative mode. "Did it hurt you when I kicked him? Or did I embarrass you, Dr. Zhou? If you're cuckolding me, he's lucky I didn't kill him!"

Xing Hui's shouting drew more onlookers. Several of Zhou You's colleagues, witnessing the scene, gathered around. Some helped Han Xiaosong up and took him for a check-up, while others stepped forward to mediate.

The colleagues knew Zhou You was married, but no one knew who his partner was, mainly because Zhou You never mentioned them. Typically, everyone assumed Zhou You's partner must be a beautiful Omega; otherwise, why would he guard their identity so closely?

Seeing them today, they were all surprised to varying degrees.

They never imagined Zhou You's partner would be an Alpha. And judging by his demeanor alone, he was clearly a person of wealth or status. His face was exceptionally handsome, and most importantly, he looked familiar, as if they'd seen him somewhere before.

Zhou You had no intention of responding to Xing Hui's irrational behavior. He forcefully shook off his hand, not even sparing him a glance, and instead turned to his colleagues, somewhat awkwardly saying, "I'll explain about Xiao Song later. Brother Chen, could you please look after him for me? Thanks. I'm off today, so I'm heading out." Without looking back, he strode purposefully towards the hospital lobby exit.

Xing Hui froze for a moment, his breathing instantly heavy, chest heaving. With an angry shout—"Zhou You!"—he charged after him.

"Charged" was more accurate than "walked quickly"; his footsteps were heavy, clearly indicating his intense fury.

In just a few strides, Xing Hui grabbed Zhou You by the shoulder, forcefully turning him around. "You're giving me attitude over an outsider?" He bit out each word, his grip on Zhou You's shoulder painfully tight.

Zhou You frowned but remained silent, watching Xing Hui's fierce expression.

Xing Hui gritted his teeth, then shifted his grip to Zhou You's cheeks, his large hand squeezing them, forcing him to look up. "Speak!"

Zhou You's handsome face was distorted by the grip. He glared hatefully at Xing Hui, his voice squeezed through clenched teeth. "...Let me go."

"Let me go, don't touch me—is that all you have to say to me?" Xing Hui completely ignored the passersby. He felt utterly wronged, as if declaring his sovereignty, ensuring everyone present could hear. "I'm your lawful husband! We have a marriage certificate!"

Why could others touch Zhou You without being pushed away, but he couldn't? He was the lawful one!

Several colleagues, seeing the situation, quickly stepped forward to intervene.

"Let's talk this out calmly. No need for violence."

"Yes, is there some misunderstanding here?"

"Dr. Zhou's spouse, please release Dr. Zhou first."

"Between husband and wife, whatever it is, discuss it at home. Please let him go for now."

The address "Dr. Zhou's spouse" softened Xing Hui's gloomy expression slightly, and the phrase "between husband and wife" also pleased him.

Seeing the redness at the corners of Zhou You's eyes, Xing Hui's grip loosened involuntarily.

Only then did he notice he hadn't held back his strength—red marks were left on Zhou You's cheeks. Xing Hui paused, then immediately reached out again, this time gently cupping Zhou You's face. "Does it hurt?"

Zhou You lowered his eyes, his eyelashes trembling slightly, his complexion pale.

Xing Hui now wore an expression that said "I feel bad," but his words were as annoying as ever. "If you'd just yield, would I have to do this? Looks like you're asking for it again."

Zhou You's face turned even uglier, flushing deeply, an unnatural red. He glared at Xing Hui and spat through gritted teeth, "Shameless!"

For some reason, Xing Hui took this as flirtatious banter and grinned happily. "What do I need shame for? I want you." With that, he bent down, scooped Zhou You up in a bridal carry, and strode out.

The turn of events left everyone stunned.

Brother Chen watched them leave, unable to hide his concern. "Will Xiao Zhou get beaten?"

"Probably not."

"His spouse doesn't seem like someone to trifle with."

"Don't you think Dr. Zhou's spouse looks familiar? I feel like I've seen him somewhere, but I can't recall where."

"I think so too."

"With such a handsome face, it's not a common one."

As they discussed, someone suddenly exclaimed, "The military channel! The news! The Xing family... that one!"

Upon hearing this, everyone had a moment of realization, followed by shock.

Considering Zhou You never mentioned his partner, it made sense—he was an important figure in the Central Alliance Military Department. His identity indeed couldn't be disclosed casually.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Zhou You was carried out of the hospital building and into the car by Xing Hui.

During this, Zhou You struggled but couldn't break free from Xing Hui's hold, attracting even more spectators.

He felt he had lost all dignity here for a lifetime.

He entertained the thought of never returning to work here.

Once in the car, Xing Hui pressed Zhou You into the seat, curling his legs and forcing Zhou You's knees apart with his own, leaning in close. The scent of roses filled Zhou You's nostrils, lungs, even his brain. He looked at Xing Hui in panic and helplessness, reminding him, "We're in public."

Xing Hui's inhibitor bracelet had been left on the car seat at some point. His throat felt a bit dry; he swallowed hard and said, "I know." He rubbed his knee against Zhou You's crotch.

Zhou You: "..."

If you fucking know, then why are you horny 24/7?!

Zhou You couldn't help but seethe internally.

Xing Hui’s long legs weren’t comfortable in that crouched position. After rubbing for a while, he let go of Zhou You and fastened his seatbelt, but not without sneaking a feel of Zhou You’s waist as he pulled back.

"If Dad weren’t waiting for us back at the ancestral home for dinner, I’d take you right here," Xing Hui said, then asked, "How long has it been since we did it in the car?"

Zhou You straightened his slightly disheveled clothes, glanced at Xing Hui with eyes flushed with irritation, and scoffed, "Is there nothing else in your head all day?"

Xing Hui chuckled, tilting his head to look at him: "Yeah, all I think about all day is fucking you, having you, drilling you." He laughed again—a pleasant, cheerful sound.

Zhou You took a deep breath, trying to control his anger, but before he could even finish exhaling, he couldn’t help but curse: "You primitive animal!"

Xing Hui laughed out loud, absolutely thrilled—he loved nothing more than hearing Zhou You curse at him.

Zhou You had to admit, when it came to shamelessness, he was no match for Xing Hui.

The car started, and Xing Hui spoke in a low, warning tone: "If that Xiao Song or Xiao Jin dares to hug or touch you like that again, I’ll cut him."

Zhou You frowned at him, his gaze full of distaste. After a long moment, he replied flatly, "Got it."

The car stopped in the large courtyard of the Xing family’s ancestral home.

As soon as they got out, Xing Hui grabbed Zhou You’s hand and interlaced their fingers: "Hold hands."

Zhou You was utterly annoyed. He ignored him but couldn’t shake free, so he just stewed in silence.

Xing Hui kissed the back of Zhou You’s hand, a faint, charming smile appearing at his lips as he led Zhou You inside.

Xing Mingyuan had been waiting for a while. Dinner was already prepared, just waiting for the two of them to arrive before serving.

"Dad," Zhou You always maintained politeness around Xing Mingyuan, with a hint of deliberate distance.

The old man gave a faint "Mm" and said, "Sit, let’s eat."

In front of his elder, Zhou You could still manage to give Xing Hui a somewhat pleasant expression and whispered, "Let go."

Xing Hui said reluctantly, "Why?"

Zhou You was impatient: "How are we supposed to eat if you don’t let go?"

Xing Hui joked that he’d feed Zhou You, which made Xing Mingyuan’s brow twitch—he had the urge to smash a bowl over his own son’s head.

After a while of fooling around, Xing Hui finally got serious, released Zhou You, and began to eat.

At the table, it was usually Xing Mingyuan who did the talking, while the two of them listened.

Xing Hui and Zhou You returned to the ancestral home three times a week, so there wasn’t much new to discuss—mostly small talk, with occasional mentions of work.

As the meal drew to a close, Xing Mingyuan shifted the topic: "Xing Hui, after the New Year, you’ll be pushing thirty. Isn’t it time to consider having a child?" He added, "This is what you promised me. You’ve been married five years—time to make good on that promise, don’t you think?"

Zhou You pretended not to hear. The matter of having a child had nothing to do with him.

In this world, Alphas couldn’t get pregnant or give birth.

If they wanted a child, they’d have to find an Omega to have one.

If Xing Hui wanted a child, then that would be the perfect reason to divorce him.

Xing Hui first glanced at Zhou You, then turned to his father and emphasized: "Fine, but it has to be Zhou You’s child."