Chapter 15 Sweet Nothings

Chapter 15: Sweet Nothings

The Federal Law Building bustled with elite professionals, moving with purpose and efficiency.

Lian Yi swiftly parked his car and walked inside with steady, unhurried steps. As he passed through the turnstile, a front desk staff member greeted him.

“Lawyer Lian.”

Lian Yi offered a polite, subtle nod. Just as he was about to look away, something seemed to strike him. His polished dress shoes clicked one last time as he stopped, standing perfectly still.

He hesitated, then offered a polite smile to the receptionist nearby. “If my husband comes looking for me when I’m not here, please let him come up directly and show him to my office. Thank you.”

The receptionist immediately understood and cheerfully agreed.

Lian Yi gave a gentle, relaxed “Appreciate it,” and continued on his way without further delay.

From that day on, both husbands were lost in their own thoughts.

Qiao Zhimian couldn't help but overthink, constantly wondering about the alpha’s sudden attentiveness.

Lian Yi would report his daily activities—what he did, who he met, what time he left and returned—and even during lunch, they would video chat as if sharing a meal.

While Qiao Zhimian happily reveled in this newfound intimacy, he also found himself unconsciously probing the man’s true intentions.

After several attempts, he began to realize that Lian Yi seemed genuinely unaware of anything unusual. Aside from this uncharacteristic behavior, everything else remained just as it had been.

As time passed, his guard gradually lowered.

But Lian Yi wasn't nearly as at ease.

He could sense the omega’s resistance and avoidance in certain areas. He’d secretly noticed that Qiao Zhimian still took his medicine out of his sight.

This only confirmed that Qiao Zhimian had no intention of letting Lian Yi know about his health condition—much less discussing it with him.

As his husband, this left Lian Yi feeling somewhat frustrated.

He couldn’t understand why Qiao Zhimian wouldn’t share his burdens, choosing instead to bear it all alone.

He also worried that if he kept overthinking things, it would only increase his psychological stress.

Lian Yi didn’t confront him or reveal what he knew. He simply made sure to show a bit more concern and paid extra attention to his mood and mental state.

.

“What’s on your mind? You're spacing out,” Yan Zhi waved a hand in front of Lian Yi’s dazed face.

The two had just returned from court. The tension from the negotiations had finally eased, leaving them both feeling drowsy.

They were now standing at a café downstairs from their law firm, grabbing a drink to perk themselves up.

“What’ll you have?” Yan Zhi asked casually while placing his order. He leaned lazily against the counter and winked at the pretty young man taking his order.

One smiled with unrestrained charm, like a preening peacock; the other pressed his lips together shyly, nervously tapping the order screen with his finger.

Lian Yi ordered his drink, glanced up at Yan Zhi, then coldly eyed the young man. Irritated by his friend’s flirty behavior, and already in an irritable mood, he decided to get away from the situation altogether and walked outside to sit at a small table.

Yan Zhi followed shortly after with the order slip, casually plopping into the seat across from him. He stretched his tired neck, his demeanor now noticeably more serious and composed than moments before.

“Out with it,” he said, a mischievous grin on his face. “What’s up this time? Let your brilliant strategist help you sort it out.”

“It’s nothing,” Lian Yi automatically dismissed him.

But then it occurred to him that although Yan Zhi was full of clever ideas, he could be surprisingly reliable at times.

He met his friend’s playful gaze thoughtfully and muttered vaguely, “It’s about relationship stuff.”

Yan Zhi’s smile instantly turned knowing and sly, as if he’d finally been given the chance to say what he’d been holding back. He rapped the table and exclaimed, “So you’ve finally noticed it, huh?”

“Noticed what?” Lian Yi frowned, confused.

“You and Qiao Zhimian,” Yan Zhi said with an expression of frustration. “I’ve always felt you two don’t act like a normal married couple—well, husband couple.” He didn’t forget to add examples: “At lunch today, I watched you two on video call. So formal! It didn’t seem like a married couple at all—more like two strangers who just met.”

He said it with such conviction and detail that even Lian Yi began to doubt himself.

He furrowed his brow and objected awkwardly, “We never even dated and went straight to marriage.”

After a moment’s thought, Lian Yi asked uncomfortably, “So... what should a normal husband couple be like?”

The question left Yan Zhi stumped. He really didn’t know how to summarize it broadly.

He sucked in a breath, thought for a bit, and shook his head. “All I know is it’s not like you two. There’s none of the usual affection or sweet moments.”

It was rare to see such a puzzled, troubled expression on the face of his brilliant friend.

Truly a benchmark in the legal world, but a complete amateur in love.

So eloquent and persuasive in the courtroom, yet so clueless and insensitive in this area.

“Omegas need to be cherished, understand? Cherished,” Yan Zhi said overdramatically. “Even I, a beta, get it. Look at you—all you ever talk about are legal codes. You’re so articulate when discussing cases, but you can’t even manage a few sweet words to make your omega happy.”

“What nonsense,” Lian Yi retorted irritably, gave him a sideways look. “Sweet nothings? You know how? Talk as if you’ve actually practiced them.”

The remark hit Yan Zhi right where it hurt, exposing his sore spot as a single man.

Gritting his teeth, he drew a sharp breath. He was about to continue the debate when the sounds of a loving alpha-omega couple’s conversation drifted over from the next table.

“Our baby smells so good, hubby loves it.”

“Mwah, love you, sweetheart.”

Yan Zhi shuddered with secondhand cringe and gestured for Lian Yi to listen.

“Baby, try this. Say ahh~”

“So sweet, hubby. Everything tastes better when you feed me.”

“Not as sweet as our darling. Hubby won’t eat this—hubby will eat you tonight when we get home.”

“So annoying~”

Lian Yi’s handsome brows furrowed deeply. His expression stiffened as if in pain, and goosebumps rose layer after layer on his arms beneath his suit.

His broad hands clenched into fists like sandbags. He felt uncomfortable and awkward from the inside out, rooted to the spot.

He lifted his gaze and met Yan Zhi’s eyes across the table—Yan Zhi, who was quaking with silent laughter. In a strained voice, Lian Yi asked quietly, “Is this really necessary?”

“You can’t handle even this?” Yan Zhi was barely holding back his laughter. “They’re just a young couple. You’re newlyweds—don’t you ever flirt?”

Lian Yi fell silent...

Call Qiao Zhimian "baby"?

He refocused his attention and pondered carefully.

That's weird...

But, it also seemed pretty good.

As for Qiao Zhimian calling him "husband"...

“......”

Lawyer Lian Yi calmly took a sip of coffee, his deep gaze drifting off into the distance as a faint, inexplicable smile curled at the corners of his lips.

Yan Zhi, sitting across from him, was so startled he couldn’t even laugh, almost wondering if something had gotten into him.

.

After finishing his coffee, with less than two hours left until the end of the workday and no urgent tasks ahead, Lian Yi called his assistant to go over a few key points for tomorrow’s meeting and negotiations.

He decided not to return to the law firm and headed home early instead.

When he arrived, the sky hadn’t yet darkened.

The living room was exceptionally quiet, with the Omega lying on the sofa, asleep. An open book rested beside him.

Lian Yi changed his shoes quietly, then tiptoed to the sofa, his gentle gaze falling on the peaceful, soft-featured face of the sleeping figure.

He watched for a while before noticing that the young man was clutching his pajamas—a thin piece of fabric that seemed barely noticeable in his hand.

So this was how he eased his anxiety when Lian Yi wasn’t around.

A wave of tenderness washed over Lian Yi. He knelt down, hesitating for a moment before speaking softly, “Baby...” He paused, feeling self-conscious, and quickly changed his address. “Qiao Zhimian, wake up. Don’t sleep here—you’ll catch a cold.”

Qiao Zhimian had only been dozing lightly, half-asleep. He could faintly hear the sounds around him but couldn’t distinguish reality from dreams.

Bleary-eyed, he mistakenly thought the word “baby” he’d just heard meant “hug.”

Without a second thought, he sleepily lifted his arms, waiting to be held.

Lian Yi’s expression softened considerably. He carefully gathered the Omega into his arms, holding him close, one hand resting on his slender waist and the other against his delicate back. Their faces brushed together intimately as they nestled together.

Qiao Zhimian rested his head against the man’s shoulder, inhaling the scent of bamboo mingled with his own pheromones. Content and affectionate, he nuzzled against him.

After a long moment, he suddenly realized what was happening.

“Hmm?” The Omega pulled back slightly, still dazed, and looped his arms around the Alpha’s neck, blinking in confusion. “You’re back? Why so early today?”

To Lian Yi, those words rubbed him the wrong way.

Did he not even realize who he’d been hugging all this time?

“What do you mean, ‘Why am I back?’” Lian Yi shifted their positions, sitting on the sofa and settling the Omega on his lap so they were face to face. “You didn’t know it was me? Who did you think was holding you?”

A touch of irritation tinged his voice.

Qiao Zhimian, nestled in the man’s embrace, gazed up at him with dazed, confused eyes, still too sleepy to grasp his meaning.

What’s with him...

“No,” he mumbled, burying his face against the man’s chest in an affectionate gesture. “I just... knew it was you.”

Lian Yi’s heart melted at his soft, pleading tone, and his mood lifted considerably. “Really?”

The Omega nodded obediently, mumbling a muffled “Mm.”

Wrapped in the warmth and security of the embrace, he began to doze off again.

Lian Yi lightly squeezed the back of his neck to keep him awake. “Qiao Zhimian,” he called softly. “In a couple of days, my law firm is hosting a celebration banquet. We can bring family. Would you like to go?”

It took a moment for the Omega’s sleepy mind to register the words.

His eyes fluttered open, sleepiness clearing as he looked at the Alpha. “Me? I can go to your firm’s banquet?” he asked, a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

Lian Yi looked him squarely in the eye and nodded. “If you’d like, as my family. I’ll be with you the entire time—it’s just a low-key party to unwind.”

He knew that since the Omega’s leg injury, he had become hesitant to go out, especially to crowded events.

But staying isolated at home, avoiding social interactions, wasn’t healthy long-term.

Learning to adjust emotionally, push his boundaries, and engage in some social interaction would be good for his well-being.

Of course, only if he was willing.

“You’ll stay with me the whole time?” Qiao Zhimian pursed his lips, seeking reassurance.

Lian Yi’s dark eyes sparkled as he tightened his embrace. “Yes, I’ll be right by your side the whole time.”

A sweet smile that showed his dimples spread across the Omega’s face, and he happily agreed.

Leaning against the man’s chest, he played with the lapel of his suit jacket and murmured to himself, “Family... I’m your family.”

With keen Alpha hearing, Lian Yi caught every word.

He smiled dotingly as he stood up, still holding the Omega, and headed upstairs. “That’s right, you’re my family. Now, my little family, rest a bit longer. Dinner will be ready soon.”

Qiao Zhimian lowered his head, his wide eyes blinking several times. He fell silent, his ears turning pink at the tips.