Chapter 25
Lin Song’an knocked on the door of the chairman’s office. A voice from inside responded, “Come in.”
When Lin Yexun looked up and saw his son, he smiled. “What brings you here at this time?”
Lin Song’an placed a lunchbox on the coffee table. “I came to deliver some evidence. Also, could you please take this back home tonight?”
Lin Yexun chuckled. “Just in time. Your mother called earlier, asking why I suddenly had you bring me lunch.”
“What did you tell her?”
“I said I was craving Aunt Liu’s cooking but was too busy with work to go home, so I asked my son to make the trip.”
Lin Song’an collapsed onto the sofa; he was always most relaxed around his father.
In the public eye, his father was a stern real estate tycoon, but with his son, he was a doting father who granted any request. Father and son were alike in many ways—for instance, both enjoyed wearing suits and dressed meticulously, and both were high-level alphas.
At fifty-five, Lin Yexun looked like he was in his early forties. The teasing glint in his eyes as he looked at Lin Song’an made him seem even younger. “So, did your sweetheart enjoy the loving lunch?”
“He did. I’m thinking of going back to learn how to cook from Aunt Liu.”
Lin Yexun scoffed. “I’ve raised you for over twenty years, and I’ve never even had you pour me a cup of tea.”
Lin Song’an immediately sat up and flatteringly poured a cup of Biluochun tea for his father. “Dad, why did you agree to me being with Tan Ning?”
“I’d agree no matter who you’re with; it’s your choice.”
“Because you didn’t have that freedom back then?”
Lin Yexun paused, setting aside his documents, and looked at his son. “That’s part of it.”
“Dad,” Lin Song’an hesitated for a few seconds, then asked with difficulty, “What should I do about the rut period?”
“Medical science is advancing. It’s not a hopeless situation yet. Since two years ago, I’ve been privately funding two pharmaceutical research institutes, which have experts specializing in treating rut periods. Just wait a bit longer, Song’an. Don’t worry too much.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
“Do you have any other concerns now?”
“Mom. Since last year, she’s been telling everyone around her that my rut period is inherently different, that I’ll definitely marry a highly compatible omega and have children in the future. Even Lei Xin knows and keeps chattering in my ear, making me afraid to introduce Tan Ning to them, fearing they’d say something inappropriate.”
“Your mother is indeed a challenge. Right now, you absolutely cannot tell her you’re dating a beta. She’s been holding a grudge about this matter since back then.”
Years ago, Lin Yexun had a female classmate he was mutually attracted to during their student days. They were like-minded and shared the same aspirations, got into the same university, but because she was a beta, his parents did everything they could to break them up.
Thirty years ago, there weren’t even the common rut period relief medications available today. As a high-level alpha, Lin Yexun suffered greatly during his rut periods. Physically and mentally overwhelmed, he could only yield and marry Fang Jin, who was well-matched in family background and had a pheromone compatibility of 93%.
In a flash, many years passed, and Lin Song’an had grown up.
“After all these years, I’m already twenty-two, and Mom is still hung up on the past. Is it necessary?”
“She’s afraid I might still have divided feelings.”
“Do you?”
Lin Yexun pretended to knock him on the head. “You brat, is that how you talk to your father?”
Lin Song’an laughed and leaned back against the sofa.
“No, to be honest, at my age, I’ve come to terms with many things. Perhaps the fate that was missed wasn’t meant to be.”
“Then what about the fate that you hold onto and refuse to let go?”
“Being together is fate; focus on the outcome, not the process.”
“I understand.”
As Lin Song’an stood up, he said to his father, “Dad, I’ll attend tomorrow’s board meeting.”
“Why the sudden willingness?” Lin Yexun was surprised. Previously, you often said these formalities were boring and complained about not wanting to inherit the family business.
Lin Song’an showed his blue-dialed watch on his wrist and smiled. “To ensure the outcome I desire.”
Lin Yexun understood.
Lin Song’an thought: I need to become stronger, to quickly grow into someone who can protect the little cat for a lifetime in a world without parental shelter.
*
In the self-study room.
For the third time, Tan Ning felt He Qingrui’s gaze on him. Annoyed, he asked, “What are you doing?”
He grinned sheepishly and whispered, “You’re so diligent! You’re not in your final year preparing for postgraduate exams or civil service; why are you so serious all the time?”
Because Tan Ning had previously offered to help him with his luggage, He had developed a strong liking for him. In fact, He always found Zheng Yu and Xu Qingyang a bit odd—they often made snide remarks behind people’s backs. Between the two options, he preferred Tan Ning.
Tan Ning might seem cold on the surface, but he’d never stab you in the back.
He Qingrui was a chatterbox. Originally from the archives major, his class only had about twenty people, and everyone was close. Coming to the populous law school, he felt a bit out of place and couldn’t stay in the law school’s self-study room, so he followed Tan Ning to the public study room.
Tan Ning looked down at his IELTS book and said, “Nothing.”
He Qingrui thought of something and leaned over to ask, “Can I still sign up for that training program? With my current foundation, I probably can’t keep up, right?”
“Ask the class monitor,” Tan Ning replied succinctly.
He Qingrui wasn’t offended and obediently picked up his phone to ask the class monitor. Then he told Tan Ning, “The class monitor said I can sign up next semester because I need a foundation in Commercial Law.”
Tan Ning nodded, already showing signs of irritation between his brows, but since He Qingrui was sitting beside him, he couldn’t see Tan Ning’s frown.
They were in the large study room on the fourth floor of the library, with students from various majors. He looked at the electronic screen displaying the application notice for the Tianhe Scholarship and couldn’t help asking Tan Ning, “In that training program, do you have classes with Lin Song’an and the others?”
Tan Ning’s pen paused slightly.
He Qingrui thought Tan Ning might not know who Lin Song’an was, so he pointed to the Tianhe Scholarship on the electronic screen. “You know, the future heir of Tianhe Group. Have you seen him?”
Tan Ning didn’t respond, taking his cup to get water. He Qingrui followed, talking to himself, “I’ve only seen his photos on public accounts, never met him in person. My roommate saw him during the sports meet and said he’s extremely handsome, even better than the photos, like a celebrity.”
Tan Ning felt an indescribable emotion.
“My uncle has met him too; he works at Tianhe Group. So many people have seen him, but I haven’t.”
“Why do you want to see him?”
“Because I’m curious! The son of Ningjiang’s richest man. Oh, is Tianhe Group the biggest company in Ningjiang now? Can’t remember, but it’s either first or second. Aren’t you curious about what the richest man’s son is like?”
“Not curious.”
“Well, what are you curious about then, Tan Ning?”
Suddenly, Tan Ning turned around to face He and said, “Why do you talk so much? Why are you always following me?”
He was stunned, stammering, “We’re roommates. You’re the only person I know well here.”
“Go find the other two. I don’t like moving around with others.”
He Qingrui had always been a cheerful person, with many friends who liked him. Tan Ning was the first to reject his offer of friendship so coldly.
Tan Ning sat back down, but after a while, He Qingrui returned to sit beside him. Tan Ning glanced at him, and He Qingrui gestured by pointing to his mouth. “I’ll keep quiet, okay? Why so fierce?”
Tan Ning suddenly felt a bit confused.
Was he being fierce?
Maybe a bit. Lin Song’an often said, “Such a fierce little cat.”
Tan Ning looked at his own hands. Did he really have sharp claws?
As the self-study session was about to end, Tan Ning received a message from Lin Song’an:
[I’m downstairs at the main library.]
At first, Tan Ning didn’t want to go down, but Lin Song’an sent another message:
[Ning Ning, I’m not feeling well. I’ll leave after seeing you.]
Tan Ning immediately stood up, startling He Qingrui.
Tan Ning went downstairs with only his phone. The main library was surrounded by trees. Looking around, he saw someone sitting on a bench in a hidden corner.
He walked over and saw Lin Song’an smiling at him.
Tan Ning stopped five or six meters away, asking stiffly, “Where are you feeling unwell?”
Lin Song’an beckoned him over.
Reluctantly, Tan Ning walked closer.
Lin Song’an grabbed his hand, pulling him between his legs. He rubbed Tan Ning’s palm with his thumb and then buried his face in Tan Ning’s abdomen, complaining, “I accompanied my dad on a two-day business trip, and you ignored me for two days. So heartless.”
“You always message me in the middle of the night. How can I reply?”
“I specifically wait for you to reply when you wake up in the morning.”
Tan Ning was silent.
In fact, he always wanted to reply but was afraid Lin Song’an would think he was eagerly waiting for his messages. Replying at 8 am seemed too enthusiastic; replying at 9 am felt deliberate. To Tan Ning, replying to Lin Song’an’s messages was more challenging than scoring an 8 in IELTS reading.
Tan Ning found it troublesome; being just friends with benefits was easier.
“Where are you feeling unwell?”
Lin Song’an smiled. “Lovesickness.”
Tan Ning turned to leave, but Lin Song’an easily held him down on his lap.
Their location wasn’t exactly obvious but not entirely hidden either. If someone walked along the path, they could see them directly. Tan Ning hurriedly struggled.
But Lin Song’an insisted on teasing him, “Kiss me, and I’ll let you go.”
Tan Ning turned his head away.
Lin Song’an buried his face in Tan Ning’s neck, nuzzling. “Ning Ning, we haven’t been together for almost a month.”
Lin Song’an suddenly became unusually clingy, which usually meant only one thing. “Is your rut period coming again?”
“Probably,” Lin Song’an’s moist lips brushed over Tan Ning’s Adam’s apple, lingering by his neck, teasing him. He whispered, “I need you, Ning Ning. Come to my place this weekend.”
Tan Ning didn’t respond, but Lin Song’an said, “Not as a friend with benefits.”
Tan Ning suddenly looked up. Lin Song’an also raised his head to meet his gaze, smiling, “Okay?”
Hearing the implication in Lin Song’an’s words, Tan Ning felt inexplicably irritated. He struggled, saying, “Then solve it yourself. Using omega pheromone extracts works too.”
There was a hint of annoyance and jealousy in his tone that he himself didn’t notice.
“That’s not acceptable,” Lin Song’an smiled triumphantly. He caressed the back of Tan Ning’s neck, planting soft kisses on his face. His breath was warm and moist, his palm wandering along Tan Ning’s waist. Lin Song’an’s affection and longing were unmistakable. Just before their lips touched, he whispered, “Kiss me, Ning Ning.”
He never asked for much.
He just said: Kiss me, say something I want to hear, give me some reassurance.
He didn’t even need Tan Ning to give much.
At this moment, Tan Ning only needed to lower his head slightly to fulfill the request.
But Tan Ning just felt scared, as if he was exposing his most vulnerable spot to Lin Song’an.
Tan Ning had no experience in love and no friends to advise him. He could only rely on snippets from emotional bloggers he came across occasionally.
It seemed someone had said, “The one who loves first loses.”
Tan Ning couldn’t afford to lose.
Sensing Tan Ning’s emotions, Lin Song’an raised his head slightly and took the initiative to kiss him, sealing his lips.
“Ning Ning, someday you’ll kiss me on your own.”
Leaving this whispered promise, Lin Song’an released Tan Ning. It was getting late, and he had just returned from a business trip, having accompanied his father to inspect four places in two days. Jet lag had drained his energy, and even the car was driven over by a chauffeur.
He said he’d go back first and wait for Tan Ning to help him through the rut period this weekend.
Today was already Thursday.
Tan Ning’s long, thick eyelashes drooped as he pressed his lips together silently.
“Help me through the rut period” sounded nice.
It seemed that Lin Song’an was the pitiful one, but in reality, Tan Ning was the one who suffered. Lin Song’an would murmur “I love you” in a daze, but it always ended with Tan Ning crying and apologizing. After each rut period, Lin Song’an would forget what happened—his violence, cruelty, possessiveness, unrestrained strength—all remembered only by Tan Ning and the marks all over his body.
Watching Lin Song’an get into the car, Tan Ning turned and walked toward the library entrance. Just as he rounded the corner, he bumped into He Qingrui.
He was holding his own backpack in one hand and Tan Ning’s gray backpack in the other.
He looked dumbfounded.
Tan Ning abruptly stopped.
Did he see?
He Qingrui’s face turned red, full of the awkwardness of someone who had stumbled upon a secret affair. Afraid Tan Ning might silence him, he stammered, “I didn’t see anything, I didn’t see anything.”
“…” Tan Ning walked over and took his backpack.
“The library needs to change the lights, so they asked us to leave early. I couldn’t find you and you didn’t reply to my messages, so I… I brought your bag downstairs to look for you. I really didn’t see anything.” He was so anxious he was about to cry.
Tan Ning paused, staring straight at him.
He became more frightened, hunching his shoulders. “I just saw you sitting with someone.”
Tan Ning continued to stare.
He trembled, “Hug… hugging.”
Tan Ning kept staring.
“That person was Lin Song’an.”
Tan Ning’s face stiffened, a bit flustered. He could only try to stay calm and turned to walk away.
He wasn’t ready for others to know about this.
Before breaking up with Lin Song’an, he wasn’t afraid of people finding out. In the early stages of their relationship, he even wanted others to notice some clues. But later he realized that Lin Song’an didn’t want others to know. He had carefully dressed up and gathered the courage to meet Lin Song’an’s friends, only to hear Lin Song’an tell Lei Xin, “I’m not dating anyone.”
Lin Song’an had said two things that made Tan Ning unwilling to open his heart again; that was one of them.
Because of that sentence, every word Lin Song’an said afterward lacked credibility in Tan Ning’s mind.
Tan Ning thought it was better not to let people know. It didn’t matter to him, but for Lin Song’an, it might be a stain.
He Qingrui was now in a state of waiting to be silenced, but his eyes were shining with excitement. Before his “death,” he couldn’t help but curiously ask, “Was that really Lin Song’an? Are you dating him?”
“No,” Tan Ning replied coldly.
“But I saw you.”
“So what?”
“I’m just curious. You two seemed very affectionate. Are you really dating?”
“No.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“Fulfilling physical needs.”
He was speechless, finally squeezing out, “You’re so cool.”
At this point, He Qingrui could no longer view Tan Ning with his previous perspective. Tan Ning wasn’t autistic or emotionally deficient; he was simply operating on a different level than ordinary people.
Truly hiding one’s abilities, He Qingrui thought.
As they approached the dormitory, He remembered to ask, “What’s Lin Song’an like in person? Is he nice? What does level-nine pheromones feel like?”
Tan Ning suddenly stopped. He also stopped, chuckling awkwardly, “Oh, I forgot, we’re both betas.”
*
Author’s Note:
Tomorrow, our darling Ning Ning will accompany Lin Song’an through his rut period!
Tan Ning bby ??