Chapter 5 Pretending to Sleep

Chapter 5: Pretending to Sleep

The car's heater was running on high, making Qiao Zhimian's cheeks flushed and warm.

He hadn't fully processed what happened at the banquet yet; the warmth of being protected by an alpha lingered persistently.

The omega's luminous, moist eyes darted repeatedly, unable to stop stealing glances at the man driving beside him.

Among top-tier alphas, Lian Yi was unusually fair-skinned. He had well-defined bone structure, long, slender fingers, and broad, strong palms.

Those hands were so beautiful that anyone who saw them would naturally assume they were meant to hold pens and write—completely unrelated to violence or fighting.

Yet now, they were resting on the steering wheel, bruised, scraped, and red.

His knuckles were pale from his firm grip, making the swollen knuckles even more noticeable.

Qiao Zhimian's mind was a mess—he felt both happy and stubbornly wondered:

*Didn’t you say you didn’t like me?*

*Then why did you hit someone for me?*

*Why get so angry on my account and act like you care so much?*

*You pummeled that guy so badly, and even hurt your own hands.*

In all their years of knowing him, this was the first time Qiao Zhimian had ever heard of Lian Yi getting physical.

Every former classmate spoke of Lian Yi as friendly yet distant, polite and patient—never known to lose his temper, no matter how frustrating the academic questions became.

The more Qiao Zhimian thought about it, the more agitated he felt. He picked at his cuticles, pressed his lips together, and muttered sulkily, tinged with unintentional accusation, “Why did you hit him?”

Lian Yi smoothly turned the steering wheel with one hand, turned the heater down slightly, and frowned, his composed expression faltering—clearly stumped by the question.

Why did he, anyway? He hadn’t really thought about it.

Just bringing it up again made him uncomfortable.

In his eyes, Qiao Zhimian clearly cared about those vile, insulting remarks.

He heard them, and he was hurt—so why did he do nothing? Why not make those people pay?

Why act like nothing happened? With people like that, there was no reason to be courteous.

If it were the Qiao Zhimian he used to know, he would’ve immediately confronted them, or at the very least gone home to tattle to Qiao Baichen.

How did a year abroad turn him into someone who seemed withdrawn, indifferent, and self-abandoning?

It made Lian Yi wonder if, during the year since his leg injury, Qiao Zhimian had become numb to hearing such ugly words and seeing such disgusting expressions.

“Why do you think I hit him?” Lian Yi’s expression turned cold, as if displeased by the question. “Didn’t you tell me to act the part of a good husband? Shouldn’t a good husband defend his omega?”

As he spoke, he took a quick sideways glance at Qiao Zhimian between driving. “I didn’t break our contract, did I, Young Master Qiao?”

Qiao Zhimian hadn’t expected that answer. His beautiful almond-shaped eyes widened, and he glared fiercely.

So much for feeling touched and happy—now it felt like a douse of cold water had been dumped on him.

Always with the snide, aggravating comments!

“Not in the least, Lawyer Lian!” he retorted, the corners of his eyes tinged with red, not giving an inch.

Then he pressed his lips together, angrily turned toward the window, folded his arms across his chest, and seethed quietly.

Even without the tone, Lian Yi could sense the emotion just from that address.

His composure wavered, and he felt a little guilty. As he drove, he kept watching the omega beside him.

The punk seemed unwilling to engage further, his slender chest rising and falling rapidly. The window reflection showed his eyes reddened—he was genuinely upset.

Was it something I said?

Lian Yi frowned, maintaining pressure on the accelerator. He didn’t know what to do—dealing with an omega felt harder than handling a court case.

His thin lips parted several times. He had just uttered “I—” when a sudden phone call interrupted him.

“Tsk,” he clicked his tongue irritably, refocusing on the road and checking the caller ID.

He came to a stop at a red light. He reached for his Bluetooth earpiece, tapped to answer—no response. A quick check confirmed it wasn’t connected.

The light turned green.

Lian Yi stepped on the gas and simply put the call on speaker—it wasn’t like there was anyone else around.

“Hello,” he said, his voice shifting back to its professional coolness.

The person on the other end spoke respectfully, “Lawyer Lian, the clients from the afternoon meeting are here. They want to discuss the case with you in person.”

He lowered his voice a few degrees and added, “Also, Li Ting herself specifically asked to speak with you about the counterclaim…”

Qiao Zhimian withdrew his gaze from the window, his eyes shifting subtly as he strained to hear.

Lian Yi’s brow furrowed deeply. He tapped his fingers lightly on the steering wheel and glanced at the omega sulking beside him.

“I have some personal matters to attend to right now; I can’t get away,” he replied. “What about Yan Zhi? Have him handle it for me.”

“Um… Lawyer Yan can’t either. They only want to talk to you,” the assistant apologized. “They’re all sitting together right now, and it’s pretty awkward.”

Lian Yi sighed quietly in resignation, thought for two seconds, and said, “Alright, I’ll come by later. Let them know.”

As soon as those words left the man’s mouth, Qiao Zhimian felt completely disappointed and unhappy.

They finally had some time together, and now he had to go back to work.

He pursed his lips, closed his eyes, and simply pretended to sleep.

Lian Yi ended the call and, through the window’s reflection, noticed the omega had somehow fallen asleep.

He unconsciously softened his breathing. At the next red light, he reached back for his suit jacket from the rear seat and gently draped it over Qiao Zhimian’s legs.

Half an hour later, the rolling wheels came to a gradual stop.

Lian Yi unbuckled his seatbelt, got out, and walked around to the passenger side. The omega was fast asleep, clutching his jacket.

The housekeeper waiting at the entrance hurriedly brought the wheelchair over.

“Mr. Lian—”

“Shh.” Lian Yi cut her off quietly, glanced at the wheelchair, and said, “No need, thank you.” With that, he leaned down, carefully shifted Qiao Zhimian’s head onto his shoulder, slid one arm under his knees, supported his lower back, and effortlessly lifted him in a bridal carry.

Qiao Zhimian seemed a little startled, his delicate eyebrows furrowed as he murmured softly against the alpha’s chest. His fair, tender face nuzzled against the sturdy chest, and his slender fingers moved slightly, clutching the collar of the man's shirt.

Lian Yi held his breath, looking down at the small head resting on his shoulder. Only when the omega settled did he steady his pace and carry him upstairs to their home, the sound of his leather shoes on the floor falling softly and deliberately.

Entering the bedroom and reaching the bedside, Lian Yi carefully and gently tucked the person in his arms under the covers.

Just as he was about to stand up, he noticed the omega’s small hand still gripping his collar, refusing to let go.

Lian Yi gazed at the peaceful sleeping face, gesturing vaguely in the air, unsure how to proceed.

It wasn’t until his phone vibrated again—his assistant calling to urge him—that he gently pried open the slender fingers one by one and stood up to leave.

As he closed the bedroom door behind him, Lian Yi answered the call.

"Hello."

"I’m still at home, leaving now."

The alpha’s magnetic, deep voice grew increasingly distant.

In the dim light, Qiao Zhimian opened his eyes and looked toward the door, his gaze clear and devoid of any drowsiness.

He’d already taken the day off, yet he still had to go to the law firm—and meet with Yan Zhi again.

What's so special about *him* that you'll only talk to *him*? Anyone can just call and take him away from me.

And he hasn’t even treated the injury on his hand yet.

The omega pouted angrily, tightening his arms and hugging the suit jacket in his embrace even closer.

"So annoying!" he muttered, unsure whom he was cursing.

After cursing, his neck and ears flushed red as he buried his soft face deep into the inner lining of the jacket, inhaling the distinct scent of Lian Yi’s bamboo-like pheromones. Like a kitten, he nuzzled against it repeatedly.

Unconsciously, the fragrance of white roses began to emanate from the developing gland at the back of the omega’s neck.

.

By the time Lian Yi finished handling matters at the law firm and returned home, it was almost 11 p.m.

Exhausted, he changed his shoes and walked from the entryway to the living room, loosening his tie as he went.

He paused slightly when he saw the omega sitting by the sofa.

"Still awake?" he asked, clutching his tie in his hand.

Qiao Zhimian looked up at him, his clear eyes appearing even brighter under the light.

Setting aside the book on his lap, he was about to say something when his gaze fell on the alpha’s fist. The words on the tip of his tongue instantly changed.

"Did you do this yourself?" His eyelashes fluttered slightly.

Lian Yi’s brows twitched, momentarily confused about what he meant. Following the omega’s gaze, he raised his hand and looked down, only then realizing he was referring to the simple bandage on his wound.

"Oh," he said dismissively, "the intern at the law firm gave it to me."

He’d applied it hastily and had almost forgotten about it.

Qiao Zhimian pressed his lips together, tightly clutching the trauma medicine he had prepared.

After hesitating for several seconds with a pout, he finally couldn’t hold back and muttered, "Take it off."

"Huh?" Lian Yi didn’t understand.

The omega’s heart pounded, unsure why he was so worked up. "Come here."

Lian Yi glanced at him, then at his own hand. Despite his confusion, he obediently walked over.

Qiao Zhimian looked up at the man, first taking his tie and setting it aside neatly, then blushing as he grabbed Lian Yi’s large hand.

The sensation of skin against skin sent a shiver through him—the omega’s fingertips were cool and soft, his slender hands needing both to fully envelop Lian Yi’s.

Lian Yi’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he followed the omega’s movements, extending his arm and leaning forward slightly to make it easier for him.

Qiao Zhimian, somewhat shy, lowered his head and carefully removed the bandage someone else had applied, tossing it into the nearby trash can. Then, he took out the disinfectant he had prepared and meticulously applied it to the alpha’s wound.

Finally, he affixed the dressing he had bought, which featured an extremely childish and prominent cartoon pattern.

Lian Yi frowned at the thing, his expression hard to describe.

"All done, Dr. Qiao?" He curved his lips into a smile, amusement flickering in his eyes.

Qiao Zhimian was so embarrassed he nearly buried his face in his chest.

Releasing the man’s hand, he pretended to busy himself with tidying up, nodding like a chick pecking at rice.

Then he muttered emphatically, "Don’t you dare remove it..."

Lian Yi said okay and asked if there was anything else. If not, it was time to sleep.

After seeing Qiao Zhimian upstairs, Lian Yi went into the bathroom to shower. Halfway through, the childish bandage came off.

Soaked with water, the adhesive no longer stuck. Worried the little one would throw another tantrum, he sneaked downstairs to the drawer where Qiao Zhimian kept his supplies and replaced it with an identical one.