Chapter 1 The Newlyweds

Chapter 1: The Wedding Night

Qiao Zhimian, dressed in a well-tailored light-colored suit, sat proper and dignified on the edge of the marriage bed.

His slender, pale hands rested obediently on his lap, while the pounding of his heart thundered in his chest.

Today was the day he married his beloved alpha. Due to his leg injury, which made movement difficult, he had skipped the wedding banquet toast and had returned early to the bedroom.

He had been waiting ever since the exchange of rings and vows concluded.

Qiao Zhimian pursed his lips, shifted slightly to ease the soreness in his waist from sitting too long, and let his gentle gaze fall toward the wheelchair beside him.

It stood like a tolling alarm bell, constantly reminding him of his misfortune.

It made him rejoice in the fulfillment of his love, yet also filled him with unease and self-doubt because of his disabled legs.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps in leather-soled shoes echoed—measured, powerful, and unhurried—drawing closer and closer to the bridal chamber.

Qiao Zhimian’s beautiful almond-shaped eyes widened, shining with eager anticipation as he looked toward the door.

The footsteps halted, the lock clicked crisply, and Qiao Zhimian’s breath hitched.

The tall, imposing figure of the alpha appeared under the bright light.

Lian Yi’s intense, steady gaze fixed on the omega’s nervous yet excited face. The faint, pure scent of white roses wafted intermittently to his nose.

He had removed his suit jacket at some point, now casually draped over one hand.

His tie had already gone, and his gray-black shirt was unbuttoned, revealing a firm chest glistening with a light sweat from drinking.

The alpha stood motionless, clearly having drunk heavily.

Qiao Zhimian’s hands braced against the bed, his instinct to rise and support him thwarted by the realization that he couldn’t stand—a pang of humiliation.

Lian Yi’s grip loosened, the suit jacket falling away as he walked leisurely toward the omega and stopped before him.

Looking down, he met those loving, sparkling almond eyes. The scent of white roses grew stronger as he drew nearer.

The omega gazed up at the man—the alpha he had fallen for at first sight during university.

With his handsome, chiseled face, dark eyebrows, and star-like eyes, he carried a righteous, noble demeanor that always made him the focus of attention among the law school seniors.

Noble like bamboo, extraordinary and peerless—even his pheromones carried the fresh scent of bamboo.

Qiao Zhimian’s softly pink lips curved slightly, his beautiful eyes narrowing into crescents as he smiled adoringly.

He gently tugged at the man’s shirt, tucked into his trousers, and called out nervously yet tenderly, “Husband...”

Lian Yi’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his furrowed brow relaxing briefly as a flicker of clarity returned to his dark, intoxicated eyes.

He studied the omega’s face—a face he had known for three years, all too familiar.

The dimples beside his lips seemed to hold sweetness, and his soft, daring voice calling him “husband” made his own ears flush pink.

After a moment, Lian Yi slowly grasped the hands clutching his shirt.

The male omega’s frame was much slimmer than that of an alpha. His slender hands were completely enveloped by Lian Yi’s large palm, the wedding ring on his finger pressing prominently against Lian Yi’s skin.

Lian Yi’s cold gaze fell on their intertwined hands. The muscles in his forearm tensed slightly as he ignored the hope in Qiao Zhimian’s eyes and forcefully pulled them away.

Qiao Zhimian’s heart sank, his smile fading into unease as he looked pleadingly at the man. “Senior...?”

The alpha nonchalantly gripped the omega’s slender wrists with one hand, pinning them above his head.

The aggressive scent of bamboo pheromones surged forth, hostile, filling the room.

Qiao Zhimian was forced onto his back, his eyes wide with bewilderment. He felt the oppressive atmosphere and the strong scent of alcohol emanating from the alpha flooding his senses.

His legs hung limp over the edge of the bed, immobile, leaving him vulnerable under the alpha’s dominating presence.

Lian Yi’s breathing was heavy, his drunken gaze drifting from the omega’s clear, moist eyes to his full, trembling lips.

He leaned slowly toward those soft lips, stopping just short of touching them.

The alcohol coursing through him ignited the accumulated anger in his heart, spreading like wildfire.

It screamed at him not to be deceived by the innocent, gentle appearance before him.

Qiao Baichen, the current head of the Qiao family—the good older brother of his newlywed omega.

When his family faced financial strain, Qiao Baichen had taken part in the bidding for shares in exchange for investment.

Trusting Qiao Zhimian and the Qiao family, even though their offer was far lower than others’, he had persuaded his family to choose the Qiao Group.

And what was the result? Immediately after signing the contract, they reneged. The condition for transferring the funds was that he return to marry Qiao Zhimian?

How ridiculous.

Otherwise, they would drag things out. Legal battles would take too long, and his family couldn’t afford the delay.

Other investors had already withdrawn. Even if the contract were voided and replaced, Qiao Baichen could still file lawsuits over transaction disputes, prolonging the ordeal.

Under federal commercial law, the shares would be frozen.

The Qiao family had money and no scruples. If this continued, it was clear who would be driven to ruin first.

They knew his father wouldn’t let his lifelong work go to waste—that he would beg and pressure him.

And he, bound by a sense of responsibility and misplaced trust, would have to abandon his career and ideals to return.

The alpha’s hot breath brushed against Qiao Zhimian’s cheek, making his heart race with nervous anticipation.

When the alpha remained still, Qiao Zhimian whimpered softly like a kitten, twisting his sore wrists.

Finding himself unable to break free, he fixed his gaze on the alpha’s well-shaped lips, mustered his courage, closed his moist eyes, and clumsily pressed his own lips forward.

The soft sensation on his lips snapped Lian Yi back to reality. His face darkened, jaw tightening as he pulled back slightly, his eyes blazing with drunken fury.

Qiao Zhimian froze, opening his eyes to meet the alpha’s gaze. Something inside him seemed to shatter. The curve of his lips vanished, replaced by panic and fear welling up from within.

Lian Yi’s free hand moved unhurriedly to clasp the omega’s slender neck, gently tightening his grip.

He then looked down at the omega’s limp, powerless legs, then returned to those eyes, now wide with shock and filled with tears. “It’s all retribution.”

"Whimpering..." Hearing these cutting words, Qiao Zhimian's ears buzzed.

He fell from heaven into hell in an instant, the stark contrast leaving him momentarily stunned.

He looked helplessly at the alpha, his sorrowful tears welling up more and more, his nose and eyes turning red.

So it wasn’t voluntary after all, so he still didn't like him.

Qiao Zhimian held back his tears. Everyone said that Senior Lian Yi hated delicate, crying omegas the most, so he never cried in front of him.

Even when his confession was rejected in front of all his classmates, he held back his sadness and forced a smile.

But now, he couldn't do it anymore, he couldn't stay strong any longer.

Qiao Zhimian trembled, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The alpha's pheromones were too rough and domineering, and the omega's innate fear and dread surged uncontrollably.

As his tears fell, in a mix of escape and seeking comfort, he instinctively wrapped his arms around Lian Yi's neck, buried his face in the crook of his shoulder, and sobbed and shivered with grievance.

Lian Yi's hand, which had been resting on his neck without real force, loosened at that moment.

Smelling the intense scent of white roses from the omega in his arms, even his drunkenness faded slightly.

Why? He was clearly hurting him, taking revenge on him, so why did he still...

The alpha, bewildered, raised his arms as if to hug him back.

The omega's curled eyelashes brushed against his skin, and scalding tears dripped onto his collarbone. It felt like a burn, making him freeze and lose his composure.

A conflicted and complicated emotion surged within him, accompanied by a dense, piercing pain.

Lian Yi took a deep breath, steadied his chaotic mind, and instead of returning the embrace, he grabbed the arms wrapped around him and mercilessly pulled them away, pushing the omega off.

Lian Yi straightened his tall frame, took a few steps back, gave the omega a deep look, then turned and walked out of the wedding room.

Qiao Zhimian cried until his face was wet, lying alone on the bed covered in white rose petals, biting his lip and letting out soft, painful whimpers.

.

'Ring!!!'

As dawn broke, a sharp, piercing alarm clock rang out.

Lian Yi's eyes snapped open, and he bolted upright from the reclined driver's seat of his car, his heart pounding heavily.

He let out a heavy sigh, tiredly rubbing his temples. The intense headache from his hangover throbbed, making the veins in his temples bulge.

Fragmented memories flooded back into his mind, recalling some unpleasant scenes.

He rarely drank, and his alcohol tolerance wasn't great, but he usually didn't black out.

What happened yesterday left him feeling both regretful and irritated.

Lian Yi frowned deeply, opened the car door, and stepped out.

Given his height, the car's interior hadn't provided enough space for a comfortable sleep, leaving his body sore and aching.

He gripped his shoulder and rotated the joint, stretching his neck. His gaze fell on the villa before him—or rather, his newlywed home.

After an internal struggle, he resignedly walked inside.

"Mr. Lian... good morning." The housekeeper was surprised he was entering from outside and bowed her head nervously to greet him.

Lian Yi responded politely and made his way upstairs unhurriedly. As he passed the master bedroom, he noticed the door was still slightly ajar, just as he had left it.

Remembering the harsh words he had spoken while drunk last night, his expression shifted. He walked over quietly and stood still.

His hand on the doorknob, he debated whether to go in and check. After another internal battle, he finally let out a sigh and let go.

Forget it, it wasn't his concern. He still had to hurry to the law firm for work.

Since he had chosen to do such a thing, he should have known what kind of attitude to expect.

After having his hopes dashed, staying up all night, the omega still lay on the wedding bed in the same position. Hearing movement at the door, his listless eyes slowly shifted to look.

Tear stains still marked his pale face. Spotting those familiar men's leather shoes, he couldn't help but hold his breath in anticipation.

Soon, the figure at the door disappeared, and the sound of running water came from the bathroom in the adjacent guest room.

Qiao Zhimian withdrew his gaze, a bitter smile touched his lips on his fragile, pale face. How many times had he been disappointed? Why couldn't he learn to accept reality?

He hadn’t liked him even when he was whole and healthy, so how could he like him now?

The omega gripped his painful, stiff legs, wrinkling his pants.

Feeling sorry for himself, he slowly curled up, burying half his face in the soft quilt, tears welling up again.

The pain was overwhelming—he couldn't tell whether it was his heart or his body.

If he didn't like him, why did he agree to marry him...

Author's Note:

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Acting all high and mighty now—just wait until you find out your wife is innocent. You'll regret it.

Here it is! The story will have a mix of sweet and sour moments, not overly angsty—just comforting and down-to-earth. [Throws flowers]

The harshest things the top has said are all in the first chapter and the synopsis.

A workaholic, celibate lawyer who has never been in a relationship and never even thought about dating, slowly learning how to care for his wife and becoming more and more doting. [Throws flowers]