Chapter 39
“Feelings require more than just compatibility, wouldn’t you agree?”
Mrs. Yan’s words dripped with sarcasm. Fang Jin, mindful of her dignity, could only agree. Just as she hung up, ready to vent her anger, hurried footsteps sounded at the door.
It was Lei Xin and Ye Ling.
“Brother Song’an, I’m about to lose my mind! Just after dealing with Yan Zhiyu, now there’s a Tan Ning! Who is Tan Ning anyway?”
Ye Ling’s voice shattered the oppressive atmosphere.
Lin Song’an pinched the bridge of his nose and pulled Tan Ning in front of him. As Ye Ling entered, he saw Lin Song’an’s hand resting on a boy’s shoulder.
The boy looked familiar—as if he’d seen him in an A University classroom. That night during the Law and Business program class, Ye Ling had snuck in to surprise Lin Song’an, and Lin Song’an had leisurely walked back to the last row from beside this long-haired boy.
“You two!” Ye Ling rushed over.
Fang Jin frowned in irritation. “Ling Ling, can you not cause more trouble?”
“What do you mean I’m causing trouble? Auntie, I’m extremely disappointed in you this time. Before you found Yan Zhiyu through the compatibility test, you tacitly agreed that I was Brother Song’an’s childhood sweetheart, saying a 70% compatibility was enough. Now that the test results are out, you secretly contacted the Yan family behind my back. How can you be so selfish?”
“Is that how you speak to your elders?”
“Even if it’s not me, it can’t be Yan Zhiyu!”
“You—”
Although Ye Ling and Yan Zhiyu were distant relatives, being of similar age and family background, they were often compared by their families. Rumor had it that Yan Zhiyu was gentle and generous, while Ye Ling was known to be spoiled and arrogant.
Ye Ling had disliked Yan Zhiyu since childhood, despite barely meeting him. He hated him without reason.
When Lei Xin told him that Fang Jin had found the most suitable omega for Lin Song’an through the compatibility test, Ye Ling felt a chill in his heart. But upon hearing it was Yan Zhiyu, he became furious.
He immediately called Yan Zhiyu, boasting about how he and Lin Song’an had grown up together and were deeply in love, telling the Yan family to give up hope.
Yan Zhiyu had been somewhat interested after seeing Lin Song’an’s photo, but provoked by Ye Ling’s incessant rambling, he told his mother never to associate with the Lin family again.
“Anyone with a shred of dignity like Yan Zhiyu wouldn’t contact Brother Song’an again. Auntie, if you can, go find someone else in the gene bank. The Yan family won’t shamelessly cling to you.”
Fang Jin was so angry she had a headache. “You’re being too willful and have ruined everything.”
Ye Ling felt a bit afraid, having been scolded by his parents, but since he’d already acted, he didn’t regret it. He held his head high in front of Fang Jin.
“If you’d chosen your future daughter-in-law, you could have told me openly. But you went behind my back to contact the Yan family through my aunt and had her keep it from me. That’s too cruel. You didn’t consider me at all. Why should I listen to you?”
“What’s gotten into you?”
“I’m just doing what I should.” Ye Ling crossed his arms, unafraid of Fang Jin.
Lin Song’an breathed a sigh of relief, squeezing Tan Ning’s shoulder.
Tan Ning whispered to him, “You get rid of one, and another shows up. You sure have a lot of admirers.”
Lin Song’an chuckled. “Ning Ning, help me fend them off.”
“What are you two whispering about?”
Ye Ling shouted and rushed over again. He grabbed Lin Song’an’s arm, trying to pull him away. “Brother Song’an, he’s a beta! Are you crazy?”
Lin Song’an was pulled forward a couple of steps. Helplessly, he said, “Ling Ling, I’ve been dating him for over a year.”
Ye Ling suddenly released his grip, looking at Lin Song’an in disbelief. “I don’t believe it…”
But glancing down, Ye Ling saw the hickeys on Lin Song’an’s neck and similar marks on the skin exposed at Tan Ning’s collar. Both carried the same scent.
“You said you’d wait for me.”
Lin Song’an recalled when he might have said that and finally remembered. He rubbed his forehead and said, “I meant that when you grow up a bit and mature, we could discuss more work-related matters—not that I’d wait to date you.”
Tears streamed down Ye Ling’s face. “No, you’re a liar.”
Unable to find anything to vent his anger on, he noticed Lei Xin holding a bag of beer bottles and snacks. Without hesitation, he snatched it and threw it at Lin Song’an and Tan Ning.
Lin Song’an shielded Tan Ning with his arms, and Ye Ling froze, tears welling up again.
He had always acted sweet and obedient in front of Lin Song’an, pretending to be cute to win his favor.
He had gone abroad for school since middle school, waiting and waiting, but Lin Song’an had stayed in the country from middle school through university.
“You’re a big liar!” With nothing left to throw, Ye Ling could only point at Lin Song’an and Tan Ning, shouting, “You’ll pay for this!”
Turning to Lei Xin, he vented, “And you, get lost too!”
Lei Xin felt bewildered and stepped aside. “What’s your problem? What does this have to do with me?”
Ye Ling stormed out in anger. His outburst turned the tense confrontation into an awkward mess.
Fang Jin was at a loss. She tried calling Mrs. Yan, but there was no answer.
How had everything been ruined by Ye Ling’s meddling?
Furious but knowing she needed to reconsider her plans, Fang Jin grabbed her bag to leave. As she passed by Tan Ning, she glanced at both of them, her gaze lingering on Tan Ning.
Tan Ning displayed a nervous expression.
“Suit yourselves.”
As soon as Fang Jin left, Tan Ning turned and hugged Lin Song’an tightly, burying his face in Lin Song’an’s neck like someone who had just survived a catastrophe. Lin Song’an hugged him back just as tightly, whispering, “Ning Ning, don’t be afraid. It’s over.”
Lei Xin stood there, mouth agape, squinting his eyes.
Was this really that reclusive, ever-present “autistic” guy?
How did he become… kind of adorable?
He pouted, clearly displeased by the scene, and snorted, saying to Lin Song’an, “Bro, I’m heading out.”
Lin Song’an said, “Thanks.”
Lei Xin exclaimed, “Huh?” thinking: Thanks for what?
A few days earlier, after leaving Lin Yexun’s office, Lin Song’an had sent Lei Xin a message: [My mom found an omega for me through the gene bank—it turns out he’s related to Ye Ling, a distant cousin.]
Lin Song’an knew that Lei Xin would tell Ye Ling.
Ye Ling would undoubtedly cause a scene.
Although the Ye family wasn’t as influential as the Lin family, Ye Ling had been spoiled since childhood, utterly unruly.
He thought Ye Ling might be the one to break the stalemate.
Given the Ye and Yan families’ connection, Fang Jin couldn’t afford to offend the Ye family. It was a strategic move.
He wasn’t sure how Ye Ling planned to make him “pay,” but Lin Song’an thought: Dealing with a familiar, predictable issue is better than facing the unknown with a 97% compatibility match like Yan Zhiyu.
Hearing Lin Song’an’s thanks, Lei Xin was puzzled. Scratching his head as he left, he thought, “Did I mess things up or help out? I can’t tell.”
*
Lin Song’an dropped Tan Ning back at school and returned home alone. Just as he was bracing himself for a storm, his father, Lin Yexun, stopped him at the door. “I know everything. Don’t come home tonight. Go get a gift for your mother.”
“Huh?” Lin Song’an was confused.
“Buy her some flowers or jewelry—go now.”
So Lin Song’an returned to his car.
He drove to a luxury boutique, bought a necklace, and picked up a bouquet combining red carnations and pink cappuccino roses.
Though Fang Jin appeared to be a stern career woman, she had a softer side, evident from her collection of jewelry.
When Lin Song’an returned home with the gifts, he found his father in the yard on the phone, wearing a rare smile—a smile seldom seen in Fang Jin’s presence.
Seeing Lin Song’an, his father paused his conversation, said a few words to the person on the other end, and quickly hung up.
He approached, took the gifts from Lin Song’an, and said gently, “I’ll handle the matters below. Spend more time with your mother these days, behave yourself, and don’t frequently bring up Tan Ning in front of her. If you do, focus on his good qualities. Don’t oppose your mother right now.”
“Got it. Thanks, Dad.”
“And with Ye Ling, visit his parents—don’t seem too indifferent.”
“Understood.”
Lin Yexun glanced at his phone, then smiled at Lin Song’an before heading inside.
Fang Jin was sitting on the sofa, fuming. The housekeeper stood nervously beside her, enduring her scolding.
Lin Yexun sighed, sat beside her, gestured for the housekeeper to leave, and placed the flowers and jewelry in Fang Jin’s hands. “Our son bought these to apologize.”
Fang Jin turned her head away.
“He’s grown up; it’s normal for him to have his own thoughts. Besides, he’s your son. Do you think he’d become someone entirely submissive to you, without his own opinions?”
“Of course he has his own opinions,” Fang Jin sneered, casting a sidelong glance at Lin Yexun. “He found a beta—much more assertive than you.”
Lin Song’an’s expression stiffened.
“Seeing him, do you regret it? Your son is braver than you ever were. Are you thinking how great it would’ve been if you’d eloped back then?”
Fang Jin aimed to wound as deeply as possible.
“I don’t regret anything.”
Fang Jin was taken aback.
Lin Song’an took her hand, holding it gently. “Xiao Jin, we’ve been married for so many years. You should know.”
“Know what?”
“That my heart has long been solely yours.”
Her pupils trembled. She turned to look at him, wanting to ask but afraid, having waited decades for these words.
Lin Song’an smiled at her. “Give me a chance, and give our son a chance. The cold wars and misunderstandings we had in our early years—the wasted time and unpleasant experiences—do you want our child to go through that too?”
Fang Jin visibly softened but still refused to concede, her face tense, gripping the bouquet tightly.
Only when Lin Song’an embraced her did a hint of vulnerability appear on her face.
In the end, Fang Jin agreed not to break up the two young men but insisted, “I’ll continue communicating with Mrs. Yan.”
“Alright,” Lin Song’an replied.
He gazed out the living room’s floor-to-ceiling window. Outside, the sun was warm, but the wind howled incessantly.
*
For the last Law and Business program class of the semester, Tan Ning naturally wouldn’t skip. Missing a professional elective during their elopement had already made him anxious; he repeatedly confirmed with He Qingrui whether the teacher had taken attendance.
He Qingrui had also enrolled in the program.
Since he had switched majors, he needed to make up credits and probably wouldn’t graduate alongside Tan Ning. So he was taking his time, wanting to fully enjoy university life.
Sitting next to Tan Ning, he complained, “Why do we have to sit in the front row? I’ve hated the front row since I was a kid, and this is dead center. It’s terrifying.”
“You can sit at the back,” Tan Ning replied, puzzled.
He Qingrui nudged Tan Ning’s arm. “No way. It’s my first time in this class; I’m a bit nervous. I want to stick close to you.”
Tan Ning shook his head.
“After your elopement, you seem a bit different.”
“How so?”
“I’m not sure. You seem… less tense. Before, you always seemed like you were walking a tightrope every day.”
Tan Ning paused, then smiled. “Really?”
“You actually smiled! Oh my god, Tan Ning, you’re starting to seem like an omega!”
Tan Ning’s smile vanished instantly.
Realizing his mistake, He Qingrui immediately covered his mouth and sincerely apologized, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean anything by it. I just meant you seem more relaxed.”
Tan Ning didn’t respond.
Still curious, He Qingrui asked, “So, what about Lin Song’an? After your elopement, did he get in trouble at home?”
Tan Ning hesitated, then shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“Do you think he’ll back out?”
Tan Ning’s fingers hovered over the keyboard before slowly lowering. He repeated, “I don’t know.”
Actually, regardless of the outcome, Tan Ning suddenly felt at peace. He thought he’d already been greatly blessed; experiencing Lin Song’an’s sincere love was more important than anything.
When Lin Song’an dropped him back at school, he maintained a light-hearted demeanor, trying to comfort and cheer Tan Ning up, even though he was under immense pressure himself.
Thinking of his wish, Tan Ning now only hoped for Lin Song’an’s safety and health.
It’s strange—when he was younger, seeing those words on red envelopes felt perfunctory.
Either “Congratulations on getting rich” or “May you have children soon”—what kind of blessing was “Peace and Health”? Now he understood. When you cherish someone, you genuinely hope they’re safe and healthy, and nothing more.
“But… if he backs out, what will you do? Tan Ning, you’d be heartbroken.”
Tan Ning thought: I’m already heartbroken. Could you please stop talking?
“TV dramas are all lies. Rich kids don’t turn into frogs.”
Tan Ning didn’t understand what he meant and was about to ask when a commotion arose behind them.
He Qingrui looked back. “What’s happening?”
Turning around, he met Lin Song’an’s gaze. Lin Song’an smiled at him. “Hello.”
Startled, He Qingrui jumped up, but in his haste, he banged his thigh against the table, grimacing in pain.
Tan Ning belatedly looked up.
Lin Song’an set down his backpack and casually sat beside Tan Ning.
There was no empty seat between them.
Lin Song’an sat next to him in front of everyone.
All eyes were on them, like arrows flying their way, and the murmurs drowned out the class bell.
Everyone watched, observing every move and detail between Lin Song’an and Tan Ning.
They were all shocked—the rumors were true. Lin Song’an was really involved with that “autistic guy” from the Law School!
Tan Ning’s heart leaped into his throat. In a low voice, he asked, “What are you doing?”
“Attending class with my boyfriend.” Lin Song’an pushed his bag aside and greeted He Qingrui first, “Hello, what’s your name?”
“I-I’m He Qingrui.”
Lin Song’an smiled. “Hello, Classmate He. Ning Ning often says you’re a good friend.”
Though Lin Song’an wore a smile, his alpha aura was imposing. He Qingrui nervously shook his hand, swallowing hard.
Feeling embarrassed, Tan Ning slapped Lin Song’an’s arm. “What are you doing? Are you just giving up now?”
Aware that everyone was watching, Lin Song’an didn’t mind. He propped his arm on the table, resting his head, turning his body toward Tan Ning, and said with a smile, “Yes, since things are like this, I’d rather spend my time with my boyfriend.”
Seeing Tan Ning ignore him with a cold expression, Lin Song’an hooked his finger around Tan Ning’s, annoyingly tapped on Tan Ning’s keyboard, and just as Tan Ning was about to snap, Lin Song’an leaned in and said with a smile, “Let’s get back together, boyfriend.”
Tan Ning was stunned.
“Let’s start a real campus romance, shall we?”
