Chapter 12

Chapter 12

"Mommy! I'm hungry!"

A big, burly wolf cub circled Lin Ze's feet, whimpering and whining for milk. But Lin Ze's chest was flat, unable to produce a drop of milk. The cub's round, plump belly slowly shrank.

Lin Ze was filled with guilt. He picked the cub up in his arms, only to see a face identical to Li Xiujin's, equally gloomy and sinister...

Lin Ze woke up with a start...

Outside, the sky was bright. Lin Ze's heart pounded wildly until his phone vibrated, snapping him back to reality. He opened it to see a reminder notification he had set.

The day after tomorrow was Xiao Zhuo's birthday.

March 22nd, this date...

Lin Ze found his marriage certificate and checked the alpha's birthday. Sure enough, it was also March 22nd...

To his surprise, it was the same day as Xiao Zhuo's.

Lin Ze went downstairs. A servant was preparing breakfast. There was no sign of the alpha; he had probably already gone to the company.

During breakfast, Lin Ze casually asked, "The day after tomorrow... is it General Li's birthday?"

The servant paused to think for a few moments. "It seems so."

After saying that, she went back to her work.

Her indifferent reaction suggested it wasn't a particularly important matter.

Lin Ze found it a bit strange but didn't press the matter further.

After finishing his meal, Lin Ze was in no hurry to go to school. Instead, he stood outside the fence, watching the mother wolf and her cubs from a distance.

Li Xiujin had hired a specialist to care for the mother and her pups. The keeper was feeding the mother wolf meat, while the cubs slept in an orderly row in their den, all with uniformly round bellies.

It was clear the mother was feeding them well...

But if *he* had a child...

Lin Ze looked down at his own flat chest. Could he feed a baby until its belly was round and full?

Remembering what the alpha had said last night, Lin Ze felt a flush of shame...

During a break at work, Lin Ze browsed a watch retailer's website. A silver watch with three circles on its dial caught his attention.

Lin Ze sent a text to Lin Zhuo.

- Birthday the day after tomorrow. Do you want a watch?

- A watch?

- You don't like it?

- Why would you think I like it? I don't wear stuff like that at all.

- Why suddenly think of giving a watch?

Lin Ze was taken aback by the question. An image flashed in his mind: a large hand with distinct knuckles holding a cigarette, a cold, solemn watch dial faintly glimpsed at the wrist.

After a moment, Lin Ze replied.

- Saw someone else wearing one, thought it looked... nice.

- Don't get one. I don't like wearing that kind of thing.

- Okay, big brother knows.

When school let out in the afternoon, Lin Ze didn't have the driver take him directly home. Instead, he went to the most bustling district in Country A to see the watch in person at a brick-and-mortar store.

The actual watch looked even more coldly elegant, matching the other person's temperament perfectly. The price was several months' salary, but it was still within his means.

"This model only has a few left. Would you like it?" the store attendant asked Lin Ze.

The truth was, Lin Ze wanted to buy two: one for Xiao Zhuo and one for...

Xiao Zhuo didn't like it, and the alpha probably had many watches already, maybe he didn't need one...

"I'll think about it some more," Lin Ze said before leaving the store.

When he returned home, the alpha hadn't come back yet. Lin Ze sat at the dining table waiting for him.

When Li Xiujin arrived home, the driver reported to him, "Mr. Lin went to the mall today but came out without buying anything."

Li Xiujin asked, "What did he look at?"

"It seemed to be watches."

In the living room, the gentle young man waited quietly. Hearing his footsteps, he immediately stood up, a smile appearing on his face.

It was obvious at a glance the smile was forced, not genuinely happy about his return.

During dinner, Li Xiujin said, "I opened a joint account for us."

"A joint account?"

"Fu Zhi didn't tell you?"

It was true Lin Ze hadn't heard Fu Zhi mention it, but fearing Li Xiujin would blame Fu Zhi, he quickly said, "I forgot."

Li Xiujin saw through it and sneered inwardly.

Lin Ze thought for a moment and added, "The day after tomorrow is Lin Zhuo's birthday. I need to go out."

So that's why he went to the mall.

Li Xiujin gave an indifferent "Hmm."

Lin Ze was taken aback by how readily he agreed. He looked up, wanting to ask how the alpha planned to celebrate his own birthday.

But seeing the alpha's suddenly gloomy expression, Lin Ze's scalp tightened.

He was fine just a moment ago...

The next morning, while tying the alpha's tie, Lin Ze's gaze lingered on his wrist several times. Today, he was wearing a new one, gold, encircling his wrist, half-hidden under his cuff...

"What are you looking at?"

The voice from above startled Lin Ze, making him tremble. He forced a smile and shook his head. "Nothing, nothing..."

Li Xiujin stared at him fixedly but said nothing more.

During student training, a few of them suddenly started repeatedly looking outside. Lin Ze followed their gaze and saw Fu Zhi standing there.

Soon, the school bell rang, and Lin Ze followed the students out.

"Colonel Lin, I apologize for the oversight in my work. I came to inform you about the spousal account between you and General Li," Fu Zhi said.

Actually, it wasn't an oversight.

Right after Lin Ze and Li Xiujin got their marriage certificate, Li Xiujin had issued an order to open a joint asset account with Lin Ze and notify him about it.

At the time, Fu Zhi hadn't told Lin Ze because he felt the matter required caution—after all, this account contained all of Li Xiujin's personal assets.

Even for someone deeply in love with their partner, taking such a risk was too great, let alone for a contractual marriage.

He had originally intended to wait for Li Xiujin to change his mind, but this morning, he received a reprimand instead, nearly losing his job...

"This... it's really not necessary..." Lin Ze said softly.

"It's the General's order."

"I see."

After Fu Zhi left, Lin Ze looked pale as he stared at the new account and password that had appeared on his phone.

"You can log in to check. This contains all of our General's personal assets."

All his assets...

It was just a marriage of convenience, so why...

On the afternoon of his birthday, Lin Ze bought ingredients and went to Lin Zhuo's place, preparing many dishes that Lin Zhuo loved.

After finishing, Lin Zhuo returned from overtime work, accompanied by an unfamiliar alpha.

"This is my boss's son, Su Chengjun. I brought him over for dinner."

"Hello," Su Chengjun greeted politely.

Lin Ze smiled, though he was worried inside. After Lin Zhuo's promotion, his direct superior was Su Jingyuan of the Su Group. Su Chengjun must be Su Jingyuan's son.

When had Lin Zhuo gained Su Jingyuan's trust to this extent?

"You made so much?" Lin Zhuo exclaimed in surprise.

"Yes, I made a little extra. You and your friend should eat quickly."

Su Chengjun seemed to visit Lin Zhuo's home often, as he skillfully took off his coat, washed his hands, and sat down.

"Then I'll dig in."

"Brother, why are you putting on your coat?" Lin Zhuo was about to sit down when he noticed Lin Ze putting on his jacket. "Aren't you eating with us?"

Lin Ze checked his watch. It was only six o'clock. If he hurried back, he might still make it...

"No."

"Then I'll see you out," Lin Zhuo said, standing up as well.

Once outside, Lin Ze pulled a thick red envelope from his pocket. "This is your birthday gift."

"I'm an adult now. You should keep it for yourself," Lin Zhuo said with a smile.

Lin Ze insisted on giving it to him.

Lin Zhuo had no choice but to accept it.

Then, Lin Ze spoke seriously, "The Su family is no ordinary family. Focus on your work and don't get involved in anything dangerous."

Lin Zhuo's smile faded as he gazed into empty space. "...Of course."

Hearing his assurance, Lin Ze felt slightly relieved.

Before heading home, Lin Ze went to the mall, intending to buy that watch.

"That model sold out this morning. It might be available again next week," the salesperson said. "Would you like to look at other styles?"

The others were nice, but none suited the alpha as well as that one. Hiding his disappointment, Lin Ze thanked the salesperson and left.

As soon as Lin Ze stepped out of the store, an omega who looked like a student approached him, discreetly opening a gift box. "Sir, were you looking for this watch?"

"The watches in their store are limited edition and often out of stock, so many people come to me for them. I guarantee they're genuine."

Luxury goods often had scalpers and resellers, and there was no doubt it was authentic—just priced several times higher than in the store.

"How much?"

The quoted price was indeed many times higher, but Lin Ze didn't hesitate and bought it anyway.

The omega, seeing the money in the account, grinned. "You're the most straightforward and generous customer I've ever met! The person you're giving this to must be a very beloved omega!"

"He's not an omega, nor is he..."

Lin Ze didn't finish the sentence. He packed the box and hurriedly left the mall.

Before leaving, Lin Ze had specifically asked the servants to prepare dinner later. After returning to the estate, he helped them prepare the meal.

When it was time for the alpha to usually return, he still hadn't come back...

"Did he come back this late on his birthdays before?" Lin Ze asked the maid.

"So you wanted to celebrate the General's birthday?" the maid exclaimed in surprise. "Didn't the General tell you? He never celebrates his birthday."

"Never?"

"Yes, never."

"Why?"

"We don't know either. I'm sorry, we forgot to remind you."

"It's not your fault," Lin Ze said distractedly.

Always suffering from insomnia, never celebrating birthdays—this alpha, whom everyone feared, didn't seem to live a very happy life...

"It's almost eleven. The General probably won't be back tonight. You should go rest."

"Alright."

After the servants left, only Lin Ze remained sitting alone in the vast, silent living room.

As Li Xiujin stepped out of the corporate headquarters building, a light rain began to fall outside. He raised a black umbrella and got into the car, closing his eyes once inside.

Fu Zhi started the engine. "General, today is your birthday..."

Li Xiujin did not respond.

"What a coincidence—it's the same day as Colonel Lin's younger brother's birthday. Lin Zhuo posted a huge table of dishes and a thick red envelope on social media, probably all prepared by Colonel Lin..."

Li Xiujin opened his eyes, his expression turning stormy as he stared at Fu Zhi.

Fu Zhi felt a chill run down his spine and kept his mouth shut until they reached the estate.

Unexpectedly, even close to midnight, the lights in the estate were still on.

Li Xiujin hesitated for a moment before stepping inside. On the sofa, the gentle and handsome young man was sound asleep.

Li Xiujin stood before the sofa, a cigarette in his mouth, not calling out, simply looking down at him.

Until Lin Ze woke up on his own.

Li Xiujin asked with a frown, "Why didn't you sleep in your room?"

"I..."

As he spoke, a box fell from Lin Ze's arms, rolling and tumbling until it landed at Li Xiujin's feet. Before Lin Ze could react, Li Xiujin picked it up.

"A gift for your brother?" Li Xiujin turned the box over in his hands.

"...No." Lin Ze shook his head gently.

Li Xiujin's gaze returned to his face, growing heavier.

"Oh? Then who is it for?"

Author's note:

A sweet chapter ^^