Chapter 37
Lin Song’an searched for Tan Ning amid the bustling crowd.
Actually, Tan Ning wasn’t far from him, but for a moment, Lin Song’an just couldn’t spot him. All he saw were fluttering red ribbons and waves of devout wish-makers coming and going, while he stood still, the surrounding chaos feeling like a revolving lantern.
After a while, Tan Ning emerged.
Lin Song’an didn’t move until Tan Ning walked up to him, tilting his head in confusion. “What’s wrong?”
Lin Song’an snapped back to reality, smiled at him, and opened his arms to embrace him. Tan Ning was compelled to bury his face in Lin Song’an’s shoulder, catching the scent of incense clinging to him.
Tan Ning thought Lin Song’an might ask what wish he had gone back to make. He was still torn between not wanting to lie in front of the wishing tree and not wanting to tell Lin Song’an the truth. But Lin Song’an didn’t ask; he seemed preoccupied, his hand gently rubbing Tan Ning’s back. Then he said, “Ning Ning, let’s go.”
Tan Ning kept glancing back at the wishing tree every few steps.
The tree was laden with red wooden plaques, almost obscuring its green leaves. So many people making wishes, each desire so heavy.
Would his own wish be heard?
They retraced their steps along the road.
Lin Song’an held Tan Ning’s hand the entire time, their fingertips lightly touching. Feeling that this wasn’t enough, Tan Ning curled his fingers slightly, pretending to withdraw his hand. Lin Song’an reflexively tightened his grip.
His broad palm enveloped Tan Ning’s entire hand, warm and reassuring.
Lin Song’an gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
They passed a row of bars, where various songs—fast and slow—blended together, yet didn’t feel chaotic. Tan Ning heard a few lyrics that tugged at his heartstrings and stopped.
Lin Song’an led him inside.
It wasn’t too crowded, but as soon as Lin Song’an entered, he caught people’s attention. Several petite omegas in revealing outfits swayed to the slow beat, inching closer to Lin Song’an. Frowning, Lin Song’an pulled Tan Ning into his arms.
At school, everyone knew Lin Song’an’s status. Even if they were curious or admired him, they didn’t dare get too close. But here, in an unfamiliar bar, Lin Song’an’s appearance stirred a palpable excitement.
Voices faded, leaving only the music.
Drunken omegas stumbled over, peeling off the inhibitor patches from the back of their necks, their eyes dreamy as they gazed at Lin Song’an.
Tan Ning had never felt the power of pheromones so directly.
Unable to empathize, his understanding of pheromones was more akin to a disease—especially after witnessing Lin Song’an’s uncontrollable agony during his rut periods. It made Tan Ning view pheromones as useless and burdensome.
But now, the way those omegas looked at Lin Song’an was filled with restlessness and attraction.
A wave of overwhelming panic surged within Tan Ning.
Lin Song’an had been out for too long; the inhibitor patch on his neck only lasted twelve hours, and they’d gotten wet at the beach earlier.
Realizing this belatedly, Tan Ning’s expression turned cold as he glared at the omegas, his eyes filled with obvious anger. But those alcohol-fueled omegas, stirred by the faint traces of pheromones, lacked both morals and shame. They ogled Lin Song’an hungrily, as if they would pounce on him the moment Tan Ning wasn’t there.
Leaning down, Lin Song’an whispered into Tan Ning’s ear, “Ning Ning, let’s get out of here.”
Tan Ning grabbed his hand and started walking.
Without a word, he gripped Lin Song’an’s wrist and strode forward until Lin Song’an gently reminded him, “Ning Ning, we’re going the wrong way.”
Tan Ning abruptly stopped.
Just as Lin Song’an was about to soothe him, Tan Ning began to flare up. “Why did you only bring one inhibitor patch when you went out?”
“I—” Lin Song’an wanted to explain that his inhibitor patch was a specially formulated, most potent kind, but Tan Ning didn’t give him the chance.
“Seeing your pheromones make those omegas lose their minds makes you proud, doesn’t it?”
“Ning Ning.”
“You all are so amusing. Are you animals? Do you only act on instinct?” Tan Ning’s eyes reddened.
“My pheromones didn’t leak.”
Tan Ning rarely appeared so flustered and helpless; he could only mask himself with icy words. “Right, they didn’t leak. But because you’re such a high-level alpha, you naturally intimidate them. Those omegas are clearly low-level. Just a little contact, and they become like that. Lin Song’an, why don’t you give it a try? Maybe it feels great?”
Lin Song’an was stunned.
Tan Ning laughed, but it was hollow. “From now on, during your rut periods, you won’t need to smash things or use me as a tool. You can start with the pheromone extract to see how good it feels, then try someone with a high compatibility—have a complete marking with that Yan Zhiyu—”
Before Tan Ning could finish, Lin Song’an pulled him tightly into his arms.
“I never treated you as a tool.”
“But I am a tool—just a vessel for you to use during your rut periods.”
“Ning Ning, please don’t say that. You know how I feel. I’m begging you, don’t say such things.”
Choking back tears, Tan Ning said, “You won’t be able to hold on. Even without your mother’s interference, you won’t last.”
“Believe in me, Ning Ning.”
“I don’t believe you,” Tan Ning bit into Lin Song’an’s shoulder, stifling his vulnerable sobs and reverting to his cold demeanor. “I don’t believe you at all.”
Lin Song’an’s father had been a dominant figure in the business world for years, seemingly invincible, yet he ultimately succumbed to his instincts. If he truly loved his first love, he wouldn’t be living in such harmony with Lin Song’an’s mother now.
Pheromone compatibility made them affectionate.
Everything was predestined.
Lin Song’an grew up in luxury; he had no reason to force himself to suffer.
He recalled Lin Song’an mentioning that Tianhe Group had faced several crises, and each time, Fang Jin helped Lin Yexun turn the tide. She and her family were his father’s greatest support.
Tan Ning thought: And me? What can I offer Lin Song’an?
“Ning Ning.”
Lin Song’an’s voice shattered his muddled thoughts. He looked up to see the hurt in Lin Song’an’s eyes.
“Ning Ning, if you give up, what am I supposed to hold on to?”
A sharp pain pierced Tan Ning’s heart, making it almost impossible to breathe.
They were both fighting; the real storm hadn’t even begun. How could he surrender so soon? There were still decades ahead—hundreds of rut periods.
His eyelashes quivered, and then he stood on tiptoe and embraced Lin Song’an.
He took the initiative to hug him.
“From now on, I won’t go to crowded places. I’ll carry three inhibitor patches every day and try not to go out before and after my rut periods, okay?”
Tan Ning tightened his hold on Lin Song’an.
“Ning Ning, don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid.”
Tan Ning clung to Lin Song’an’s shoulders and neck, like a wounded, anxious kitten.
But the kitten’s tenderness didn’t last long. Before they even reached the hotel entrance, Tan Ning was ignoring him again.
Lin Song’an tried to hold his hand, but Tan Ning kept his fists clenched in anger. When Lin Song’an touched his shoulder, he turned away.
In the elevator, an elderly couple entered, arm in arm, walking unsteadily. Tan Ning held the elevator door open for them. The old lady smiled warmly, “Thank you.”
She had kind eyes, glancing between Tan Ning and Lin Song’an. “Are you here on your honeymoon? You look like a newlywed couple.”
Just as Tan Ning was about to deny it, he heard Lin Song’an say, “Yes.”
He lowered his head, staring blankly at his shoes, listening to Lin Song’an chat with the elderly couple.
The old lady mentioned they were celebrating their golden wedding anniversary and even handed a rose from her bouquet to Tan Ning.
Initially, Tan Ning didn’t react until Lin Song’an accepted it on his behalf and placed it in his hand.
“Thank you, ma’am,” Lin Song’an said.
As the old lady exited the elevator, Tan Ning murmured softly, “Thank you, ma’am.”
Back in their room, Tan Ning went to shower first. When he came out, he noticed that the rose had been placed in a small glass vase. He wondered where Lin Song’an had found it.
He turned and walked into the bathroom, where Lin Song’an was unbuttoning his shirt.
Seeing Tan Ning, Lin Song’an looked slightly surprised but then smiled. “What’s up? You dare to come in while I’m showering?”
Tan Ning walked up to him, standing between Lin Song’an and the sink. The steamy air created an intimate atmosphere. The lingering scent of shower gel matched the fragrance on Tan Ning. Lin Song’an leaned down to nuzzle him, his cheek brushing against Tan Ning’s temple.
“What does Ning Ning want to do?”
Tan Ning reached out, moving his hand to the back of Lin Song’an’s neck, touching his gland through the waterproof inhibitor patch.
Lin Song’an’s Adam’s apple bobbed.
He lifted Tan Ning onto the sink. “What does this mean, Ning Ning?”
Tan Ning didn’t speak, and Lin Song’an’s kisses descended like a storm, even more passionate and intense than the night before.
