Chapter 13

Chapter 13

No kidding, An Nuo genuinely wanted to punch Lu Yunyan.

The main reason was Lu Yunyan’s incessant teasing—so irritating that even An Nuo had his limits.

But the fact he dared think this actually showed that the distance between them had shrunk considerably, thanks to Lu Yunyan’s constant provocations.

Lu Yunyan was either mouthing off or getting physical—hugging, comforting, kissing, gushing praises, baby this, baby that—and their extremely intimate physical contact had happened as recently as last night.

Without deliberately restraining himself, anyone could easily get carried away in that kind of atmosphere.

Stirred by Lu Yunyan’s words, An Nuo lost his cool and really hauled off and punched Lu Yunyan hard.

Each punch landed on beat, matching each word and exclamation mark.

“Will! You! Be! Serious! Already!”

After actually hitting him, An Nuo wasn’t rattled. Instead, he felt a sense of release, thinking, "Should’ve done this sooner."

He quickly threw a few more punches at Lu Yunyan.

“You! Promised! You’d! Handle! It!”

“Are! You! Kidding! Me!”

An Nuo pulled his punches somewhat—he wasn’t going full force with every punch—but overall, he didn’t hold back much. After so many hits, even the hardiest alpha would feel the pain.

Lu Yunyan caught An Nuo’s fist, enveloping it in his larger hand, and quipped, “Are you trying to beat me to death?”

But An Nuo had another hand free, so he kept punching.

“I! Was! Scared! To! Death! By! You! First!”

Lu Yunyan had no choice but to capture his other hand too, then pulled him close, pulling him into a hug.

“Alright, fine, if you don’t want to call me that, you don’t have to. I admit I was in the wrong just now.”

Lu Yunyan didn’t play it off as joking or playful banter—he openly owned up to his intentions.

“I wanted to hear you call me that, but I messed that up this time. I’ll try to do better next time.”

Held in Lu Yunyan’s arms again, An Nuo was no longer nervous and had gotten used to Lu Yunyan’s body heat and scent.

“But you scared me.”

An Nuo’s voice was muffled, sounding genuinely hurt.

“When I asked you nervously, you said it was fine, you told me not to worry, that you’d handle everything… But then at the last moment, you blindsided me with things I had no time to prepare for.”

The soft, whined complaint came from within the embrace. An Nuo felt warm and pliant in his arms, and he smelled sweetly scented—even his complaints sounded endearing.

“How about I let you hit me to vent your anger after we get back?” Lu Yunyan suggested, trying to calm him. “We’re about to go in now, and you can’t go in there if you’re still upset.”

An Nuo’s voice remained muffled: “I’m not upset, I’m just feeling helpless here.”

Helpless?

An Nuo said, “You knew I was nervous, yet you deliberately messed with me… You might think it’s nothing, just teasing me or joking around, but it actually scares me.”

Lu Yunyan felt a pang in his chest suddenly, beating faster as an ache he couldn’t name swelled within him.

Was this the innate pull of an omega?

Could it really so easily stir such a strong protective urge in an alpha?

Lu Yunyan’s heart melted on the spot. His previously somewhat teasing attitude shifted as he seriously reflected on his inappropriate words and actions.

“It’s my fault. I won’t say things like that again.”

He held An Nuo, rubbing his back to soothe his upset partner.

“How about a kiss? Hmm? Don’t be scared, baby.”

A kiss in this context wasn’t about taking advantage of An Nuo—it was the alpha’s way of backing down to show goodwill.

An Nuo didn’t agree, but he didn’t refuse either, so Lu Yunyan took it as tacit permission.

He gently pinched An Nuo’s cheek and was about to lean in for a gentle kiss—

When a voice floated down from above them. It sounded somewhat distant but was clear.

“Sorry to interrupt. I can’t hear what you’re saying, but I can see what you’re about to do.”

Startled, as if busted, An Nuo immediately shoved Lu Yunyan back as far as he could.

Then he looked up. About eight or nine meters away stood a three-story conservatory, and the person speaking was on the second floor, waving at them.

Lu Yunyan’s weary tone sounded beside him: “That’s my dad.”

An Nuo had guessed as much. Only Lu Yunyan’s father would dare interrupt them at a moment like this.

He felt a flash of despair.

To be seen in such a situation.

But also somewhat relieved.

At least he hadn’t heard what they were saying, and a scene like that—wouldn’t it only prove their relationship was strong, making them look like true love?

An Nuo froze for a moment before Lu Yunyan’s father came down to their level.

It was likely Lu Yunyan’s omega father, dressed in white, exuding an otherworldly elegance even from a distance.

An Nuo knew about Lu Yunyan’s two fathers.

Though he’d never met them in person, most people had heard parts of their story.

Lu Yunyan’s omega father was named Shi Yu, and his alpha father was named Lu Xu.

Both came from top-tier wealthy families, childhood sweethearts, from equally powerful families.

It was both a family-arranged union and a genuine love match. They naturally married upon reaching adulthood and had only one son—Lu Yunyan.

Theirs was one of the capital planet’s most classic high-society love stories.

Though rumors of marital strife surfaced every year, they also publicly flaunted their love every year to debunk those rumors.

An Nuo didn’t follow them closely, only catching the occasional headline.

The intricacies of elite families are as deep as ocean trenches, with internal complexities that outsiders can never truly discern from the surface. Thus, An Nuo gave no credence to media portrayals.

Yet, at the same time, too many marriages among the elite are just for show. So even when one of the parties stood right before him, An Nuo did not easily accept that their love was genuine.

He had already learned his lesson thanks to Lu Yunyan.

Some truths come with a price, and knowing too much was not always a good thing.

Besides, his relationship with Lu Yunyan was nothing more than a contractual pretense of affection. It was best to curb any unnecessary curiosity and simply play the role he was meant to.

Shi Yu descended from the second floor and boarded another golf cart without stopping to greet them. He drove ahead alone, only turning back to say, "Let's talk inside."

An Nuo toed the line.

He sat up straight beside Lu Yunyan, like a well-behaved grade-schooler.

Seeing An Nuo like this, Lu Yunyan refrained from mischief either. He focused on driving, following quietly behind Shi Yu until they reached the main house.

After getting out, An Nuo finally got a good look at Shi Yu.

Unlike the stereotypical petite and gentle omega, Shi Yu was tall and slender. He had a gentle demeanor, yet exuded elegance and pride.

Standing beside him, one could feel him to be intimidating.

And also impressive.

Shi Yu took the initiative to greet An Nuo, smiling as he extended his hand. "Hello, An Nuo. I’m Lu Yunyan’s father. Welcome to our home. It’s a pleasure to meet you today."

The moment An Nuo lifted his head and met Shi Yu’s gaze, his heart raced uncontrollably. He was so nervous he almost stopped breathing.

But he kept his composure.

He shook Shi Yu’s hand in return. "...Hello, thank you for the welcome. Thank you for having me today."

His words carried a textbook-perfect politeness.

Shi Yu smiled. "Let’s go inside. Lu Xu has been waiting."

The scenery outside, which resembled a botanical garden, had already amazed An Nuo, but the interior was even more astonishing. The house was semi-open, with ceilings at least ten meters high, decorated like a fairy-tale forest—complete with an indoor waterfall.

An Nuo stared in awe.

Who would put a waterfall in their living room?

Noticing his astonishment, Lu Yunyan murmured in his ear, "It’s a holographic projection. The waterfall is fake, and so is the scenery."

That made sense.

"There are other themed settings too. I’ll show you later."

"Sure," An Nuo, still young and curious, quickly agreed. "...Okay."

He decided to make peace with Lu Yunyan, for now.

He’d overlook the teasing about calling him "husband."

Lu Xu sat upright inside, clearly waiting for them. "You’re here."

A tall, robust alpha, his features showed the traces of age but also the wisdom that came with it. He radiated authority.

"Father."

Lu Yunyan greeted him, then introduced, "This is An Nuo."

When it was An Nuo’s turn to speak, his voice trembled slightly. He couldn’t help thinking—well, here comes the man who might remove his gland.

If his fate was indeed to have his gland removed, Lu Xu would undoubtedly be the one to decide it.

"H-Hello..."

He stumbled after just two words.

He didn’t know how to address him, since he’d completely forgotten to discuss this with Lu Yunyan.

By rights, since they were married, he should call him "Father."

But his own father was far from good, and this father by marriage was a stranger he was meeting for the first time.

Who could call a stranger "Father"?

Especially one who seemed stern and aloof—and might even remove his gland in the future?

An Nuo’s mouth went dry; he couldn’t force the word out.

At this critical moment, Shi Yu seemed to sense An Nuo’s discomfort and said, "An Nuo is meeting us for the first time. There’s no need to rush with titles. You can call us Uncle for now, and we can adjust later."

This could easily have been misinterpreted—as though implying, "You’re not worthy to call us Father? Just stick to Uncle!"

But Shi Yu’s tone was reassuring yet decisive, making An Nuo feel at ease.

"Okay... Uncle Lu, Uncle Shi, I’m An Nuo. It’s a pleasure to meet you."

Though he appeared stiff and anxious in private, as if he were on the verge of a misstep, having grown up under high pressure, An Nuo was well accustomed to such tension.

When he spoke formally, he came across as poised and gracious.

An Nuo smiled slightly, projecting deference. "Since it’s my first time meeting you, I’m inevitably a bit nervous. If I misspeak or act inappropriately, please be understanding."