Chapter 38
In his dream, it felt as if he were falling from a high place. Lin Song’an awoke abruptly in the early morning, his breathing uneven, only to find the pillow beside him empty.
There was no one in his arms; Tan Ning was not there.
Lin Song’an became fully alert instantly. He called out, “Ning Ning,” but there was no response. He quickly got out of bed, walked out of the bedroom, and looked around.
Thankfully, he saw a figure on the balcony.
Lin Song’an hurried over. Tan Ning was sitting with his knees hugged on a rattan lounge chair, his head tilted upward. He was holding a silver chain that shimmered, examining it carefully in the pale morning light.
Lin Song’an embraced Tan Ning tightly. “You scared me, Ning Ning,” he said, his voice trembling.
“You thought I had left?”
Lin Song’an buried his face in Tan Ning’s chest, exhaling a heavy, slow breath.
Stroking his hair, Tan Ning felt a bit amused. “Where could I go? I haven’t even graduated yet, dummy.”
Lin Song’an realized his fear was irrational and chuckled softly. Then he lay down with his head on Tan Ning’s lap. “Yes, Ning Ning still has another year of studies, then you’ll go abroad. Which country do you want to study in?”
“I’m not sure, maybe the UK. It depends on which schools our Law and Business program partners with.”
“Alright.”
“What about you? You’re going to Germany, right?”
Because Yan Zhiyu was studying in Germany, Fang Jin wanted Lin Song’an to go there too.
“Why does Lin Qi tell you everything?”
Tan Ning curved his lips into a slight smile. Lin Song’an shifted his position, resting his head on Tan Ning’s legs. Tan Ning adjusted so he could rest comfortably. Lin Song’an said, “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll keep working at Tianhe as I am now, take on more responsibilities, achieve something in my career, and then wait for you to come back. By then, I want to hire Lawyer Tan Ning as Tianhe’s legal advisor. Would you be willing, Lawyer Tan Ning?”
“Where does a fresh graduate become a legal advisor for a listed company?” Tan Ning casually brushed his fingers through Lin Song’an’s hair.
“If I say it’s possible, then it is.”
“You sound like a prodigal young master.”
Lin Song’an chuckled softly and turned over to hug Tan Ning’s waist.
He said, “Ning Ning, just follow your own path. Don’t let anyone influence you.”
Suddenly, Tan Ning recalled that day under the dormitory when He Qingrui said, “Oh my god, Tan Ning, you have the best 21-year-old life.”
Even if Lin Song’an hadn’t appeared, his 21st year would have been great—he was hardworking and excellent. But Lin Song’an’s appearance made these two years different, always worth remembering.
“What’s this?”
Lin Song’an noticed the chain in Tan Ning’s hand.
Tan Ning wanted to hide it, but Lin Song’an caught his hand. “What’s this? Did you buy it last night? I didn’t see you buying anything.”
Tan Ning let go, allowing the chain to drop into Lin Song’an’s palm.
He was about to blurt out a denial but swallowed his words.
After a long pause, he said softly, “It’s a birthday gift from two years ago.”
Lin Song’an was stunned. “For me?”
Tan Ning looked away. “Who else?”
Lin Song’an sat up suddenly, pleasantly surprised. “Why didn’t you give it to me?”
Tan Ning didn’t respond.
Lin Song’an sat beside him, putting the bracelet on his own wrist, nudging Tan Ning with his elbow. “Ning Ning, help me.”
Tan Ning hugged his knees with both arms, curling up like a little turtle.
Lin Song’an had to manage on his own. After some effort, he finally got the men’s bracelet on. Tan Ning glanced at it and laughed, muttering, “It doesn’t look good at all.”
“I think it looks great, really great.”
Back then, Tan Ning was still quite inexperienced; a 500-yuan down jacket was something he’d keep in the closet, afraid to wear. Let alone picking luxury items—he was dazzled by the five-figure diamond pieces at the counters and ended up choosing a bracelet worth a few thousand yuan.
He thought Lin Song’an would like it.
In reality, Lin Song’an never wore bracelets. He preferred items with strong, sleek lines, like steel-cased watches or his large cars.
“It doesn’t suit you.”
With that, Tan Ning took the bracelet off. Lin Song’an almost tried to snatch it back. “No!”
But Tan Ning put the bracelet on his own wrist. The chain hung loosely on both sides, swaying gently. Tan Ning extended his hand toward Lin Song’an, indicating he wanted help fastening it.
He didn’t look at Lin Song’an; his long hair fell over his cheeks, hiding his amber eyes. Even though he couldn’t see, Lin Song’an felt that Tan Ning was smiling.
Lin Song’an first leaned over to kiss him, then carefully helped him fasten the bracelet.
Tan Ning’s wrist was slender and fair, more suited to the bracelet than Lin Song’an’s.
“Thank you, Ning Ning.”
Tan Ning remained silent.
“Why did you want to break up with me back then?”
“That day, I brought this gift to Tianhe Villa to find you. Just as I was about to knock, I heard Lei Xin inside asking you whose sweatshirt was on the balcony, whether you were dating. You answered that you weren’t dating.”
Lin Song’an froze for two seconds. Just as he was about to explain, Tan Ning pressed his hand against Lin Song’an’s chest, fingers splayed. “I already know the truth now. I’m not angry anymore.”
Lin Song’an held his hand. “Besides that, was there another reason?”
Tan Ning thought for a moment. “Yes.”
“What is it?”
“Not telling you.”
Lin Song’an pulled Tan Ning onto his lap, pinching his waist and hips, tickling him, but Tan Ning wouldn’t reveal anything.
Little Tan Ning glanced at Lin Song’an, turned his head away, and said haughtily, “Guess slowly.”
Lin Song’an sighed with a smile.
As dawn approached, Lin Song’an suddenly said, “Ning Ning, let’s spend every birthday together from now on.”
Tan Ning didn’t reply. He rested his head on Lin Song’an’s shoulder, wrapped snugly in a blanket held by Lin Song’an. They sat on the seaside balcony, watching the sun rise from the horizon like an orange-red fireball, inching its way into the sky.
*
They stayed on the island for three days.
On the morning of the fourth day, Tan Ning woke up in Lin Song’an’s arms. Sleepily opening his eyes, Lin Song’an’s arm instinctively reached to hug him again. Tan Ning said, “Lin Song’an, let’s go back.”
Lin Song’an’s movements paused.
“Turn on your phone. If you stay out of touch any longer, your family will be in chaos, and it’ll just make things worse.”
Lin Song’an snuggled into Tan Ning’s embrace.
Tan Ning’s body was covered in red marks; his arms and waist ached intensely. He also had to endure the instigator’s shameless cuddling.
Staring at the ceiling with Lin Song’an pressed against him, Lin Song’an’s hair occasionally brushed against Tan Ning’s chin. They were tightly pressed together. Tan Ning thought, if only time could stop at this moment.
But once Lin Song’an turned on his phone, everything came to an end.
In just three days, Lei Xin had called Lin Song’an over fifty times. Fang Jin and Lin Yexun had called ten times. Message notifications popped up like chaotic musical notes.
Fang Jin’s WeChat messages were from three days ago at 11:20 p.m., on their way from the airport to the hotel after landing. He had turned off his phone shortly before, and her messages had come through soon after.
[Your dean told me you’re in a relationship.]
[Your partner is a beta.]
[Is this true?]
Looking at the thrilling timing, Lin Song’an smiled and glanced at Tan Ning, who was getting dressed. “This is what they call ‘a mother knows her child best.'”
[Yes.] Lin Song’an replied.
Soon, Fang Jin’s message arrived.
[Come home immediately.]
Clearly, they all knew Lin Song’an had left home without notice.
Tan Ning had left from Lin Song’an’s house, so he didn’t have a suitcase. He packed his clothes into Lin Song’an’s suitcase, closed it, and handed it to Lin Song’an.
Lin Song’an took it and went to the hotel reception to check-out.
After boarding the plane, Tan Ning looked out the window at the candy-colored island shrinking into a dot in the distance. He felt there were still many places they hadn’t had time to explore. He tried to focus on that tiny dot, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Wishing Tree.
He made another silent prayer in his heart.
Praying that heaven would bless Lin Song’an with safety and health.
He actually wanted to pray that they would be together forever, but Tan Ning felt that was too greedy.
Lin Song’an held his hand, interlocking their fingers.
Tan Ning turned his head, and Lin Song’an smiled at him.
In truth, Lin Song’an didn’t often smile. If Tan Ning was gloomy, then Lin Song’an was genuinely aloof. During their initial period of ambiguity, Tan Ning also felt Lin Song’an was cold and unapproachable. But since they started dating, Lin Song’an seemed like a different person—becoming affectionate, pretending to be pitiful, and thick-skinned.
No one but Tan Ning had seen this side of Lin Song’an.
As the pride of the Lin family and an outstanding peer, Lin Song’an was always humble, polite, and self-controlled.
Only Tan Ning knew that he was an alpha who could be lured to bed by Tan Ning wearing a shirt and beckoning with a finger—a fool who regretted not doing well the first time and came back twice more in the middle of the night.
Propping his head on his arm, Tan Ning couldn’t help but smile just recalling it.
But soon, he couldn’t smile anymore.
Because the Lin family’s car was parked at the airport entrance. A middle-aged man stepped out, proactively taking their suitcase, and said to Lin Song’an, “Young Master Lin, Madam is waiting for you at Tianhe Villa.”
Lin Song’an asked Tan Ning, “Ning Ning, are we going back to school or home?”
He referred to his house as their home.
“Let’s go back.”
From Ningjiang Airport to Tianhe Villa was fifteen kilometers—a route that passed by two flower gardens and a children’s park with a giant windmill. But Tan Ning had no mind to look.
His world had darkened.
Pressure surged like a collapsing mountain and an overturning sea. Tan Ning finally admitted he was afraid.
Very afraid, terrified.
He couldn’t breathe.
He suddenly realized that the GPA, honors, and scholarships he had worked so hard for and was so proud of were insignificant in front of Lin Song’an’s mother, Fang Jin.
In his three years of university, the largest scholarship he’d received was the Tianhe Scholarship. He’d heard that Lin Yexun had casually agreed to it while drinking with the university president, throwing around tens of millions like it was nothing.
Tan Ning had to spend a semester studying diligently, striving to score above 95 in every course, just to earn a scholarship of a few ten thousand yuan.
He came from an ordinary family, living with his grandfather.
His father had passed away early, and his mother had remarried.
Not to mention, he was a beta.
The trembling in his heart clashed with his organs; his vision blurred into a haze of gray, like lying on an endless black beach without sunlight.
Why was he so afraid?
Tan Ning didn’t know why. As the car turned a corner and the security booth of Tianhe Villa came into view through the windshield, Tan Ning began to tremble.
Even Lin Song’an’s grip on his hand didn’t help.
When they arrived at the house, the door was open.
Tan Ning’s face had turned pale. Lin Song’an wasn’t feeling relaxed either, but he still tried his best to comfort Tan Ning.
Fang Jin was sitting on the sofa.
Upon seeing Tan Ning, she suddenly remembered, “Oh, Xiao Qi’s tutor.”
Fang Jin was very beautiful, with a kind of heroic elegance. Her features were sharply defined, giving her a strong presence. With a bit of makeup, she exuded an aura that was both striking and intimidating. But she nodded slightly and offered Tan Ning a smile.
“Mom, Tan Ning and I—”
Fang Jin stood up, smiling. “Look at you, you’re not a child anymore. Going out with classmates and still hiding it from your parents—isn’t that a bit immature?”
Lin Song’an knew Fang Jin wanted to gloss over what he was about to say, but he insisted, “Tan Ning and I have been dating for over a year.”
Fang Jin acted as if she hadn’t heard, continuing to be the gracious elder. She asked Tan Ning, “Xiao Tan, are you heading back to school? It’s getting late; I’ll have the driver take you.”
Lin Song’an pulled Tan Ning behind him protectively. “Mom, I’ve made up my mind about Tan Ning.”
The smile on Fang Jin’s face vanished abruptly.
“What do you mean by ‘made up your mind’?” she asked.
“He’s my only choice for marriage.”
Fang Jin seemed to have heard the most ridiculous joke. She scoffed, “Your father said the same thing back then.”
Tan Ning’s hand clenched suddenly, and Lin Song’an grasped it tightly behind his back.
“Mom, I don’t want to argue with you or cause a family rift. I just want to show you my determination.”
“You’re only twenty-two.”
“I’m responsible for my own decisions. Dad has already invested in the pharmaceutical research institute. Medications for the susceptibility period will be developed. With technology advancing so rapidly, there might be better treatments in a few years—”
Fang Jin suddenly interrupted angrily, “Our marriage has been the subject of gossip behind our backs. Do you want to be a laughingstock too? Being with a beta—is that how you mock your mother?”
“I absolutely cannot allow you two to be together. You’re only in your twenties; you can’t bear this responsibility.”
Tan Ning’s heart contracted sharply.
He had finally heard those words.
“The rut period is just one hurdle, but there are decades ahead. Without a complete mark, as a level-nine alpha, admired by everyone now, you’ll live more painfully than anyone else in the future. If Tan Ning were an omega—even with a low pheromone compatibility—I might accept it. But he’s a beta, so it’s absolutely impossible.”
Tan Ning’s fingertips dug into his palms, the pain spreading throughout his body.
What should I do, Lin Song’an?
He didn’t dare move, could only tremble inwardly, tears forming in his heart. What should I do?
“Yan Zhiyu has returned.”
Tan Ning suddenly looked up.
Fang Jin’s gaze went past Lin Song’an’s shoulder to look at Tan Ning. She said to Lin Song’an, “You can make a comparison and then decide.”
Right in front of Tan Ning, Fang Jin called Mrs. Yan.
At this moment, Tan Ning didn’t even know where he was anymore.
“Mrs. Yan, is Zhiyu there?”
Tan Ning struggled to leave, but Lin Song’an whispered, “Ning Ning, wait a little longer.”
Tan Ning thought: Wait for what? What possible turning point could there be?
But the confident smile on Fang Jin’s face suddenly disappeared. From the other end came Mrs. Yan’s voice, “Mrs. Lin, I heard from my Zhiyu’s distant cousin Ye Ling that Song’an is already dating him. This situation puts our Zhiyu in a very awkward position.”
Fang Jin hurriedly denied, “That’s not true, Mrs. Yan, there’s been a misunderstanding.”
“Your son hasn’t even sent Zhiyu a message these past days. Matters of the heart require more than just pheromone compatibility, don’t you agree?”
