Chapter 42 Yearning

Chapter 42: Missing You

As soon as Lian Yi arrived, he was swept up in endless work. He didn't even have time to unpack after his flight landed before going straight to the Bar Association to report.

After more than two years apart, his former colleagues and superiors welcomed him back with a mix of handshakes, shoulder bumps, and hugs.

They praised him, saying he carried himself with more composure and maturity now, having shed his former arrogance and flamboyance. Settling down with a family really changes a man.

As always, he just gave a humble smile, making easy, casual jokes with his colleagues in French.

On the surface, he showed no signs of homesickness, still seeming completely in his element, cool and collected.

But only he knew how out of place he felt in what was once a familiar work environment and city.

It always felt like something was missing, leaving him feeling empty inside.

As if his body had arrived but his soul hadn’t followed—like a machine programmed for work.

He operated like a machine, navigating workplace relationships and immersing himself in a heavy workload to numb his feelings.

He knew clearly that only by making the most of every moment, achieving his goals and results sooner, could he return to the home he yearned for day and night, and see the person he longed for.

Mian Mian was also working hard in his own career.

He adjusted his mindset, keeping his longing for his husband hidden deep inside. He endured the heavy emotions, not wanting to bother his alpha or let their child sense his anxiety and become unsettled.

The time zone difference made communication difficult.

Their free time never aligned—one was always sleeping late at night or swamped with work.

Even calling each other took careful consideration, afraid of disturbing one another.

Their texted life updates were often out of sync, with replies rarely immediate.

Their deep longing for each other often couldn’t be shared in real time.

8:00 PM.

The banquet hall glowed with warm lights and an air of luxury.

The Qiao family held a celebration for the successful conclusion of a project led by Qiao Zhimian.

The two Qiao brothers opened the event with polished speeches summarizing the project.

Whether listening attentively or not, everyone subtly glanced at Qiao Zhimian’s legs, which could now support him standing.

Some alpha heirs from other companies stared even more boldly, their gazes predatory.

After being lovingly cared for by his husband, Mian Mian’s complexion had grown rosier, his skin fair and radiant.

Post-pregnancy, his face looked even more charming and captivating, his almond-shaped eyes sparkling. When he smiled, his eyes curved sweetly, and the dimples at the corners of his lips were as sweet as honey, captivating hearts.

Many who relied on the Qiao family’s influence only dared to think to themselves.

But there were always those foolhardy and bewitched souls who couldn’t resist muttering inappropriate, covetous remarks.

"I can't believe his legs can actually stand up again."

"If I’d known earlier, I’d have had my father propose a marriage alliance with the Qiao family. Qiao Zhimian’s face is so sweet—when he passed by me earlier, he smelled amazing. That proud, aloof look of his makes you want to ‘pamper’ him properly."

"He's really been underestimated. A delicate omega who’s not only into art but now also doing business with Qiao Baichen."

"Exactly, I heard he handled the details personally."

"Didn’t they say the second son of the Lian family went abroad again? How could he leave such a tender, juicy beauty alone at home? Isn’t he worried another alpha might snatch him away?"

Qiao Zhimian skillfully mingled with various distinguished guests, toasting and conversing with ease.

After socializing for a while, his legs began to tire.

At times like these, his mind always drifted to Lian Yi.

If he were here, he would never let him stand for so long—he’d pick him up and set him in a chair to rest.

He’d even tenderly massage his legs, easing the tense muscles.

Qiao Zhimian curved his lips into a slight smile, but a faint sense of loss lingered in his heart.

He excused himself and walked alone to the tea break area, setting down his empty wine glass.

Just as he reached for another, a deliberately affected male voice with a sticky tone interrupted him.

"Young Master Qiao, this wine isn’t really suitable for an omega—it’s too strong."

Qiao Zhimian’s delicate brows furrowed slightly in discomfort, and he turned with mild curiosity.

He recognized the man—the youngest son of some family, a good-for-nothing alpha who only knew how to squander money.

Dressed in a peacock-like dark red suit with an emerald green tie, he was decent-looking but had terrible taste in clothing.

"Try this?" The alpha picked up another glass of clearer-looking wine, identical to his own, and offered it to Qiao Zhimian. "Its aroma is like morning dew—pure and elegant, with a honey-like sweetness."

As he spoke, he sniffed the wine and stepped closer to Qiao Zhimian, leaning in intimately with a piercing gaze.

"Just like a white rose," he said, taking a perverted deep breath.

Qiao Zhimian smiled faintly, raising an eyebrow with a hint of mockery.

Playing along with the alpha’s barely contained excitement and presumptuous expression, he lifted his slender, pale hand and accepted the offered glass.

Qiao Zhimian twirled the stem between his fingers casually.

The next moment, his eyes turned icy, as if looking at trash, and he slowly poured the wine over the man’s head.

"Since you like it so much," he said lightly, "you should have more."

Without waiting to see the man’s stunned, trembling rage, he set the glass down and walked away, not wanting to stay a moment longer.

To save face, no one made a scene, and the man didn’t dare utter a word as he stared at Qiao Zhimian’s retreating figure.

But the incident still drew attention, with people asking what had happened.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

Qiao Zhimian stepped outside, where the noise faded and the air felt fresher and cooler.

Gazing into the dense night ahead, he sighed in frustration, his chest tight and heavy.

Already frustrated by the long-distance relationship with his husband, how dare some clueless nobody even think of coming onto him? That guy wasn’t even worth comparing to a single hair on his husband’s body!

The more Qiao Zhimian thought about it, the more disgusted he felt, and the alcohol was hitting him.

He loosened his tie, picked up his phone, and was about to complain to his husband, but then he remembered the time difference—he was probably asleep at this hour.

In the end, the Qiao family's young master gave up, forcibly holding back his clingy nature, and sullenly switched to another chat window, typing away to complain to his brother and sister-in-law.

.

In the quiet of the late-night villa, a baby’s cries broke the silence.

Qiao Zhimian had just finished his bath and changed into his pajamas. He was in the nursery, holding Xiao Shubai and trying to soothe him.

Somehow, the little one had been restless at night these past couple of days, needing his father nearby and the scent of his father’s pheromones to feel even a little secure.

Today was even worse—even being held and comforted by his omega dad wasn’t helping; he was still whimpering.

“Xiao Shubai, don’t cry, baby. What’s wrong with you?” Qiao Zhimian’s eyes grew red, suddenly feeling a bit helpless. His son’s face was flushed from crying, and his breathing became labored.

If only Lian Yi were here.

The thought made him want to cry. He held back his emotions, sniffled, said a few words to the nanny nearby, and just carried the child back to the bedroom to sleep together.

Somehow, as soon as Xiao Shubai touched his dads’ bed, his crying gradually subsided.

His little face was covered in tears, hiccupping and sobbing, his soft hand reaching clumsily for his daddy’s pillow.

He even clumsily rolled over and babbled as he crawled toward it.

“Baby,” Qiao Zhimian suddenly understood, his lips trembling as he choked out, “You miss Daddy too, don’t you?”

He climbed into bed, cradled his son in his arms, and took one of Lian Yi’s worn shirts to cover him with.

Sure enough, surrounded by the combined scent of his daddy and dad, Xiao Shubai fell asleep within moments.

After soothing his son to sleep, Qiao Zhimian forced himself up despite his discomfort.

His breath felt feverish, and the deep emptiness of his heat was returning.

He’d only remembered it was his heat after returning from the event and had immediately taken an inhibitor.

Perhaps because he’d been drinking, the inhibitor didn't work as well, and now, at this hour, his heat was coming back.

He squeezed his thighs, got out of bed barefoot, went to the drawer for another dose, and without hesitation gave himself another shot.

Qiao Zhimian trembled from the pain, breathing heavily as he lay back on the bed, lips quivering, his body aching and weak.

Hugging Lian Yi’s pillow, he curled into a ball. The residual alcohol in his stomach churned, and a cold sweat broke out on his smooth forehead.

He inhaled the faint remaining scent of the alpha’s bamboo, feeling so lonely and upset due to his physical discomfort. Eventually, he couldn’t hold back anymore and began to cry softly.

Big tears fell one by one onto the sheets, leaving dark stains.

In his daze, he tremblingly picked up his phone from beside the pillow and sent a voice message to his alpha.

His voice was husky and soft, sniffing and sobbing: “Lian Yi, honey, I’m not feeling well… I’m so uncomfortable… The baby’s crying, and I want to cry too… I’m in pain… We both miss you so, so much, we just really, really miss you…”

He rambled on, saying whatever came to mind.

Afraid of disturbing the child, Qiao Zhimian only vented for less than a minute.

His emotions finally eased a bit. Dazed, he spaced out for a moment, then suddenly remembered something and, as if snapping awake, frantically took back all the messages.

Thankfully, he was in time.

Qiao Zhimian let out a sigh of relief and used the back of his slender hand to wipe the tears from his face and eyelashes.

Early the next morning, Qiao Zhimian woke up sleepy.

The first thing he did was check on his son, still sound asleep beside him.

Once he confirmed the little one was peaceful, he yawned and picked up his phone to check the time.

A notification showed a message from his husband, sent several hours earlier.

His eyes lit up, all sleepiness gone, filled with excitement and anticipation as he opened it.

“Mian Mian, what did you send me? Why did you take it back?”

Qiao Zhimian pursed his lips, his eyes shining as he replied:

“It was nothing, just a misclick.”

Then, he added a smiling cat emoji.

“Love you!”

After sending it, Qiao Zhimian put down the phone, lay back on the bed, and stared expressionlessly at the ceiling, deep in thought.

.

The night was deep, the moon hanging alone in the sky.

Suddenly, car lights illuminated the outside of the villa.

Shortly after, the front door opened without a sound.

Lian Yi quietly changed his shoes in the entryway, his black trench coat and neatly styled hair still damp from his trip.

He didn’t turn on the living room lights, heading straight upstairs.

The nanny responsible for night shift with the child happened to be coming out of the nursery and bumped into him.

Lian Yi gave a polite nod, staying quiet to avoid waking the child.

He directly opened the master bedroom door—the light was on, but no one was inside.

“Mr. Qiao is with the young master,” the nanny reminded him.

Lian Yi hesitated for a moment, then slowed his steps as he entered the nursery.

The omega had fallen asleep beside the baby’s crib, a toy still in his hand.

Lian Yi gazed at the boy’s tired, peaceful face, and all the longing he’d held back for so long surged forth, accompanied by endless heartache.

His throat tightened, filled with emotion. His eyes softened with deep love, growing warm.

The hollow feeling in his heart finally felt somewhat filled.

The alpha crouched down, gently stroking his wife’s soft face with his fingertips, not wanting to wake him.

He gently lifted him by the arms, cradling him face-to-face against his chest. His broad palm protected the back of his head, letting him nestle into his shoulder and continue sleeping soundly.

As if telepathically connected, Qiao Zhimian murmured contentedly and buried himself dependently into the man’s neck.

Lian Yi instinctively released soothing pheromones, enveloping the omega. As they passed through the hallway, he noticed the childcare specialist seemed about to say something.

He raised a hand and made a shushing gesture, continuing into the bedroom without pausing.

Standing reluctantly by the bed, he held his husband a while longer, kissed his pink-tinged ear, and then carefully tucked him under the covers.

Just after tucking him in, his phone began to vibrate.

"Hey, Owen..."

The man answered quietly, his warm, intense gaze still fixed on the figure in bed.

A colleague’s voice urged in English over the phone: "Liam, where have you gone? Your flight takes off in less than half an hour."

Lian Yi sighed inwardly, glanced at his watch, and took one last deep look at his husband.

He rose and left reluctantly.

He was headed elsewhere, but due to weather, had to make an unscheduled layover nearby for a transfer. It was sudden, with only a sliver of time in between. He hurried back just to spend a few minutes.

Qiao Zhimian slept deeply and peacefully.

When he woke, daylight was streaming in.

His short hair was disheveled as he sat up in bed, somewhat confused.

Hadn’t he been with the baby last night? He remembered resting for a moment—how did he end up in bed?

Also, he sniffed the air.

Why did it carry the scent of Lian Yi’s bamboo pheromones? Shouldn’t that have faded long ago?

It suddenly dawned on Qiao Zhimian.

His eyes visibly brightened, overflowing with excitement. He scrambled out of bed and hurried outside.

"Darling!" he called out, rushing through the hall. When no one answered, he searched room by room.

Not in the study, not in the nursery, not in the guest room.

"Sir?" The childcare specialist looked puzzled by his behavior and asked hesitantly, "What are you looking for?"

"Did Lian Yi come back?!" Qiao Zhimian turned abruptly to ask.

"Lian Yi did return last night," the childcare specialist replied after a moment’s thought. "But he left again not long after carrying you back to your room."

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Author's note: Aww, poor Mian Mian [pitiful]