Duan Jiayan was woken up by the sound of Fu Yuan knocking on the door.

Fu Yuan seemed to be saying something by the door and the person hugging him replied before gently letting him go and getting off the bed. 

In a daze, Duan Jiayan could hear Lu Xingci opening the door.

Lu Xingci and Fu Yuan talked in a low voice but Duan Jiayan could still roughly make out Lu Xingci saying that he was fine.

Realising they were talking about him, Duan Jiayan sniffed the pheromones in the air, slightly comforted after being startled awake.

The pain on his skin from last night had vanished without a trace and Duan Jiayan continued laying on the pillow, rubbing against it a little. 

A shadow fell across his face and he felt a warm finger rub across the bottom of his eye.

Duan Jiayan cracked open an eye and asked tiredly, “What time is it?”

“Half-past ten,” Lu Xingci sounded very awake, he probably woke up a long while ago. “Have you woken up?”

Duan Jiayan nodded.

He thought back to all that happened last night and was too embarrassed to stay in bed any longer. He turned around and slipped his feet into his slippers before recalling something, “Did you bring stuff to freshen up with?”

“Auntie passed me a set yesterday.”

Duan Jiayan mumbled in acknowledgement as he walked over in his fluffy slippers and headed out to freshen up.

As they got up late, Fu Yuan let them eat something first before they made their trip back to Ning City. 

Fu Yuan watched as Duan Jiayan ate, the bottom of his eyes still had a faint green tinge to them.

Due to his fair skin, his dark eye circles were particularly obvious after a night spent staying up.

Thinking back to last night, where Duan Jiayan did not answer the door despite her numerous knocks, only for her to see his deathly pale face collapsed on his bed the moment she decided to enter.

Fu Yuan’s mind blanked out for a moment and she only remembered to call for emergency medical services once she came to. 

The doctor took one look at the red rashes on Duan Jiayan and said it was due to his stress disorder, and he had been suffering from it for a long time.

As the hospital in Hai City could not free up a quarantine room, she had to contact some friends for help. Just then, a stranger called her.

The person on the other line was a boy who said he was Duan Jiayan’s classmate. He also explained why Duan Jiayan’s stress disorder had been under control for so long.

It was because he had been relying on this boy’s pheromones. 

When they met, Lu Xingci gave her a copy of the compatibility report from the Nan Shan hospital. After the doctor studied the report, he confirmed that Lu Xingci’s pheromones will be able to assuage Duan Jiayan’s condition, it might even be more effective than a quarantine room.

Under the doctor’s suggestion, they brought Duan Jiayan back home and had Lu Xingci accompany him for the night.

Fu Yuan looked at the both of them sitting together as they ate breakfast. Duan Jiayan very naturally reached out and patted Lu Xingci on the shoulder, hinting to the latter to pass the jug of orange juice over.

After being patted by him, Lu Xingci brought the jug over and helped him pour a glass of orange juice. 

Fu Yuan could feel the worry in her heart lessen and turn into warmth as she watched their interactions.

Last night, after hearing Lu Xingci’s name, a lot of things became a lot clearer, such as how he was able to get Nan Shan’s hospital records after working hours.

Earlier, he also helped with the case involving Qiao Nan. Back then when she faced the gentle and polite looking young man, despite feeling thankful, in her heart there was also undeniably traces of concern.

The heir of the Lu family. 

Even though he was still young, one could still see the bright future the youth had ahead of him. If it was not for Duan Jiayan being his classmate, someone like this would most probably never cross paths with this family.

The boy in front of her was simply too good and he was smart, she was worried that Duan Jiayan would be at a disadvantage.

After all, in a lifetime an alpha is able to mark multiple omegas but an omega can only be taken by one alpha. Even though the law only allows for a single alpha-omega pair, the rich often partake in many unpleasant things in secret.

However, she was relieved after thinking about how Lu Xingci rushed over from Ning City last night, along with an electronic copy of their compatibility report. She could feel that her worry was not needed. 

She spent all night thinking about it and was unable to fall asleep as she kept worrying about Duan Jiayan’s condition. When the sun was almost up, she quietly made her way to Duan Jiayan’s room and peeked in.

The both of them were sleeping together, with Lu Xingci’s arm draped Duan Jiayan’s shoulder seeming very intimately but she could see that they were only hugging.

She recalled Lu Xingci saying he wished to bring Duan Jiayan back to Ning City. She initially had her reservations about the idea but now she knew what decision to make.

After Duan Jiayan was done with breakfast, Fu Yuan brought him into a room alone. 

She looked at his slightly fatigued expression and gently asked, “Why didn’t you tell me that you were suffering from a stress disorder?”

“I didn’t want to worry you,” Duan Jiayan saw that she was not angry at him and relaxed, though in his heart he still felt slightly guilty. “Plus that time in Nan Shan, after Lu Xingci and I did our test, the doctor said he was able to help me deal with the disorder and so I thought that I did not need to tell you for now.”

“Ridiculous,” Fu Yuan shook her head. “If the one you had met was not him, then something horrible might have happened.”

She frowned as she continued, “However I am also to blame, this past year I’ve been busy with my work and your younger brother… I really neglected you too much.” 

Duan Jiayan could see the self-reproach in her eyes and hurriedly took her hand, “Mom, don’t say that.”

Fu Yuan stopped talking and gently patted him on the back of his hand.

“Let’s stop talking about all this,” she changed the topic. “Let’s talk about him then, that classmate of yours.”

Duan Jiayan gave an ‘ah’ before rubbing his nose and staring at her. 

Seeing his nervous look, Fu Yuan laughed while shaking her head. She took Duan Jiayan’s hand and squeezed it.

After half a beat, she said slowly, “It’s not bad, he has the ability to take care of you, and does seem very into you.”

Seeing Duan Jiayan heave a sigh of relief, Fu Yuan added, “But he’s still an alpha.”

Fu Yuan reminded him, “You still have to learn how to protect yourself.” 

Duan Jiayan was wearing a shirt to sleep. Last night he slept irregularly and messed up his collar, revealing his smooth and white neck.

He was naturally used to being a free spirit and so Fu Yuan was worried that with matters regarding alphas and omegas, he would similarly not pay too much attention to what was going on.

“An omega with stress disorder has scent glands that aren’t matured. Before it reaches maturity, it cannot withstand too intense activities,” she pointed out. “Don’t trouble others too much.”

Duan Jiayan never thought that she would say all that. 

“It’s fine, me being like that… no… How could you think of all that?” The tip of Duan Jiayan’s ears burned when he heard his mother talking about those matters. He stammered, “We won’t—”

“En,” Fu Yuan interrupted him. “Mom is just reminding you. I know the both of you are good kids.”

“……” Duan Jiayan was so stimulated that he could not speak.

“When you’re a guest in someone’s house, you have to remember to be polite,” Fu Yuan saw his red ears and softly added, “Mom went out to buy some Lunar New Year goodies for you to bring to his house. Remember to thank his mother, if it wasn’t for her help, he would not have been able to make it last night.” 

“Recently Yunsheng’s condition has stabilised a lot. Once matters here have been settled, I’ll go over to thank their family as well.”

Duan Jiayan watched as Fu Yuan talked slowly yet determinedly.

He was even telling Lu Xingci last night, if Fu Yuan had known about his stress disorder, she would definitely go over to Lu Xingci’s house to personally thank them herself.

Who would have thought that such a thing would become a reality so soon? 

It was already 10 pm by the time they returned to Ning City.

The Lu family house was located near the Jingshan alley, this was Ning City’s best residential district. The buildings were made with green tiles and white walls, and there was nature all around.

After entering the big gate, they had to make it past the pavilion surrounded by water before they finally stepped foot into the main house.

It just so happened to be dinner time and spotting them, the auntie in the house informed Jiang Yao and she came out from the house. 

She saw Lu Xingci holding Duan Jiayan’s hand and her eyes brightened. She smiled as she made her way forward, “I heard Xingci say that you like spicy dishes, I made cold diced rabbit for you, come and try it out.”

“My mother is very good at cooking but she only enters the kitchen a handful of times a year,” Lu Xingci added from beside him. “I’ve to thank you for that today.”

Hearing this, Duan Jiayan’s amber eyes bent into crescents as he thanked her, “I’ve troubled you, auntie.”

Jiang Yao nodded her head before studying Duan Jiayan’s skin. She felt relieved after seeing that there were not any signs of his rash present. 

“Come on in,” Jiang Yao said as she ushered them in. “It’s quite tiring having to rush over here.”

Lu Xingci saw Duan Jiayan following her and gently patted him on the shoulder. Duan Jiayan turned around to look at him.

Lu Xingci suppressed his voice and teased, “You’re being so well-behaved, afraid that my family won’t like you?”

Duan Jiayan stared at him for a moment and after realising Jiang Yao was out of sight, raised his elbow and ruthlessly jabbed at Lu Xingci. 

There was not a trace of the well-behaved student from before.

After he was done elbowing him, he hurriedly turned his head around and walked off. Seeing his ability to switch face faster than he turns a page of a book, Lu Xingci could not help laughing as he followed behind them.

After they made their way inside, Jiang Yao first went to the kitchen and left Lu Xingci to bring Duan Jiayan to the living room to rest for a little while.

After passing through a partition, they entered the living room that was designed in a stylish inky colour. Mahogany furniture was placed around the place, with some green plants used as embellishments. 

In the corner of the living room, was an old lady pruning a potted plant. She wore a loose modified Tang-style outfit, and carried herself in a dignified manner.

After Duan Jiayan entered, she had just cut a bunch of flower stalks.

After seeing him, the old lady passed the flowers in her hand to a maid before rubbing her hand and walking up to them with a smile on her face.

Lu Xingci gently squeezed the back of his neck and introduced the lady, “This is my grandma.” 

Duan Jiayan looked at the elderly lady with a friendly smile on her face, looking just like Jiang Yao earlier. He meekly greeted the elderly, “Hello grandma.”

The elderly lady’s gaze fell on his face and the smile in her eyes deepened, “Hello to you too.”

As she spoke, she looked at Lu Xingci sternly, “No wonder, the previous time you didn’t attend my birthday for him. I heard from your mother that you rushed to Hai City to fetch him?”

Duan Jiayan could not discern her mood and looked sideways at Lu Xingci. 

Noticing his gaze, Lu Xingci quietly held his hand and gave a gentle squeeze.

Lu Xingci smiled at her, “I fetched him over so you can get to know him better. You’ll have to see him for the next few decades after all.”

The elderly lady glanced at him before turning to look at Duan Jiayan who had been paying attention to both of them. She gently said, “This child looks good and is easy on the eye. According to your mother, he also has a good temper.”

Duan Jiayan, “……” 

Duan Jiayan decided that from this moment on, he will be a good-tempered person in front of Grandma Lu.

After dinner was over, Lu Xingci’s grandma gave Duan Jiayan a thick red packet. Shocked, Duan Jiayan thanked her profusely.

“This is from grandpa and me,” she paused for a beat before continuing. “This is the first time Lu Xingci brought someone home. He had never liked anyone before so if there is any area that is lacking, we’ll still need you to take care of him.”

“No no, it’s not like that,” seeing how polite she was being, Duan Jiayan was also honest in his answer. “We… Actually, he has always been the one looking after me.” 

“That’s what he should be doing,” the elderly lady said with a gentle look on her face. “Do come over to play whenever you have the time.”

After they were done talking, Jiang Yao brought Duan Jiayan to his room.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me,” Lu Xingci said from the other side of the door. “Can I come in?” 

Duan Jiayan acquiesced and Lu Xingci pushed the door open. He saw him looking for clothes to wear and asked, “About to go shower?”

Duan Jiayan nodded before continuing to dig around for his clothes. He had already dug around his luggage twice before confirming that he could not find what he was looking for.

“Oh no,” Duan Jiayan said as he stood up. “I rushed to pack my stuff and forgot to bring my pyjamas. If my mom realised I left my pyjamas behind, she’ll definitely nag at me.”

“Then what are you wearing tonight?” 

“I’ll wear a t-shirt,” Duan Jiayan said. “I should have brought a long-sleeved t-shirt, it’s just that it’s a little thick.”

Lu Xingci looked at the white t-shirt he had dug out.

Just as he said, it was indeed quite thick.

Wearing such pyjamas to sleep could not be very comfortable. Lu Xingci watched as the other knelt in front of his luggage as a thought surfaced. He asked, “Do you want to wear my pyjamas?” 

Duan Jiayan looked at the clothes in his hands before looking at Lu Xingci. After some hesitation, he ultimately nodded his head.

After he was done showering and was about to wear his clothes, Duan Jiayan placed his hand atop the dark blue pyjamas before quickly retracting it.

He stared at the clothes in front of him, belatedly realising that this was clothing Lu Xingci had worn before.

He thought back to how it had previously stuck to his skin and was probably stained with an alpha’s pheromones…… 

“F*ck,” Duan Jiayan exclaimed.

He figured he should just wear his t-shirt. It might be thick but at least it won’t torment him so much.

Just as he was thinking about this……

“Are you done showering?” Lu Xingci knocked on the bathroom door and asked. “It’s been a while.” 

‘I’m done,” Duan Jiayan said. “I’m wearing my clothes now.”

The boy outside was silent for a moment.

“Are the clothes okay?” Lu Xingci suddenly asked. “Is it a little big?”

Duan Jiayan stared at the clothes that he had touched and lied through his teeth, “It’s still okay on me.” 

If he were to say now that he felt too embarrassed to wear Lu Xingci’s clothes, he could imagine just how the person outside would tease him. How could he give Lu Xingci such a chance?

Fine, he’ll wear it.

Duan Jiayan steeled his heart, reached out to grab the top and wore it.

As he was leaving the bathroom, Lu Xingci happened to be sitting on his bed, playing with his phone. 

Seeing Duan Jiayan leaving the bathroom, Lu Xingci’s fingers paused and he looked up.

As one grows up, the difference in an alpha and omega’s body will become more distinct. Especially at their age, the difference in body stature is extremely obvious.

Even though Duan Jiayan’s build isn’t all that different from Lu Xingci’s, he was still ultimately more slender than the other. The shirt that fit him nicely became looser on Duan Jiayan’s body. It was like a little kid that was wearing grown-up clothing.

Perhaps to make it easier to walk around, Duan Jiayan folded the bottom of his pants up, revealing his slender and fair looking feet. 

He walked over while drying his hair, the collar of his shirt was a little damp.

He was not sure if it was because Duan Jiayan was uncomfortable but when he met his gaze, his prettily-shaped Adam’s apple subconsciously moved.

He looked a little nervous.

Lu Xingci’s gaze deepened as he gave him a once over. As Duan Jiayan made his way over, he stuck his leg out to stop the other from walking. 

Duan Jiayan did not think the other would suddenly stick his leg out to trip him. He lost balance and was tugged into Lu Xingci’s embrace.

His momentum when falling was rather high and Lu Xingci hugged him and they fell onto the bed. Lu Xingci did not care about his phone that fell to the bedside.

He continued hugging Duan Jiayan as he flipped them around, his fingers gently pinching the other’s earlobes.

Sensing that his omega wanted to struggle, he leaned into Duan Jiayan’s ear and said, “Don’t move, let me take a look.” 

They were very close to one another and could hear the sound of the other’s breathing.

Duan Jiayan was a little stiff, he pursed his lips in embarrassment, “What’s there to look at?”

“You,” The boy towered over him as he studied him. “You wearing my clothes.”

As he spoke, Lu Xingci’s dark eyes hooked up, a slight smile gracing his face as he showed a look of interest. 

“……” Duan Jiayan turned his head away, not meeting his eyes. “Are you done looking?”

Lu Xingci did not answer him immediately. Instead, he pecked him lightly on his face and asked him, “There will be guests coming tomorrow, I might not be able to take care of you. I’ll give you a temporary mark?”

Duan Jiayan nodded.

He turned around and buried his head into the pillow, showing off his pale and fair nape. 

It’s been a long time since he had a mark, Duan Jiayan’s slender and pale nape no longer carried any hints of the mark they had previously done.

Lu Xingci squeezed his nape, an uncontrollable urge to possess rising from the depths of his heart.

He wanted to leave a permanent mark on him instead.

How long would he have to wait, Lu Xingci thought somewhat frustratedly. 

If he had to wait for a few more years, he most probably would not be able to take it.

When the marking was taking place, Duan Jiayan could not help but close his eyes.

This was the fourth time Lu Xingci was giving him a mark.

The effects of temporary marks will in fact increase, regardless of whether one is an alpha or omega. 

At first, Lu Xingci could still control himself but in the end, his actions got rougher and Duan Jiayan ended up being pressed into the bed.

He instinctively squeezed the bedsheets, a moan quietly escaped from his throat, “Wu…”

His noises seemed to have triggered the alpha who bit his nape harder.

After the temporary marking, Duan Jiayan collapsed onto the bed and it took a long while for him to recover. 

He shook his head and slowly sat back up before he suddenly heard the person beside him ask, “Where am I sleeping tonight?”

Duan Jiayan found the question weird, “Aren’t you sleeping in your room?”

Lu Xingci stared at him, not saying a word.

Duan Jiayan realised what was going on. Frankly, he did not mind sleeping with Lu Xingci but once he thought of Jiang Yao, he felt that it was not the best idea to mess around with Lu Xingci now, “Your mom already arranged for me to have my own room.” 

“You really think she would not know about what I want to do?” Lu Xingci looked at him with a small smile on his face. “I know where she keeps the keys. You’ve already entered my house and you still think you can hide?”

Duan Jiayan thought that made sense.

“Then you can come over in the middle of the night,” Duan Jiayan nodded as he spoke. “I’ll leave the door open for you.”

“……” 

“It’s rather exciting that way,” Duan Jiayan tried his best to persuade him. “You get to experience the thrill of a having secret relationship, this might be the only chance you get in your lifetime, what do you think?”

Lu Xingci almost burst out laughing from his words.

He hooked one arm around Duan Jiayan’s waist, while his other hand went to hook behind Duan Jiayan’s neck, applying a gentle pressure onto it.

As he was just marked, the skin there was extremely sensitive. 

“Ah Ye,” Lu Xingci called out.

Duan Jiayan shivered, his brain seemed to have been overstimulated by that one word.

His eyes gradually teared up and he looked at Lu Xingci accusingly.

The man he was staring at accusingly only placed his palm on his nape. It was such a threatening move but his voice was instead soft and, strangely enough, sounded a little pitiful, “Let me sleep with you.” 

“……”

Duan Jiayan felt like he was about to explode.

The author has something to say: Duan Jiayan! You can do it!

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