Chapter 3

“Good evening, Sir.” The circular,No. 2 housekeeping robot stretched out its long metal arms at the doorway, blueelectronic lights flickering in its eyes like water waves, “How was yourday today?”

Zhuo Xiang Ming hung his briefcase and suit jacket on its metal arm:“Good, how about you?”

Itturned away as soon as it collected the things, broadcasting a short happyjingle as it cheerfully said: “Very good, Sir.”

Therewere no partitions on the first floor of the small duplex, you could see the diningroom as soon as you walked in. Tong Yan had already stood up from the dining table,and when Zhuo Xiang Ming approached, he politely greeted, “Brother XiangMing, you’re back.”

“Yeah.” Zhuo Xiang Ming said, “Were you comfortable athome today?”

Tong Yan: “I was comfortable.”

After briefly looking into Zhuo Xiang Ming’seyes, he looked towards the kitchen. “The dishes are almost done, you can gowash your hands.”

He desperately tried to appear nonchalant, but Zhuo Xiang Ming still sensedhis anxiety.

“I was in somewhat of a hurry this morning, so I forgot to tell you.” In order to show proper affability, Zhuo Xiang Ming motioned Tong Yan to sit down, then walked over to him, resting his hand on the back of his chair as he looked down at him. “Xuan Gui has the right to unlock all the rooms in the house, if you need to open a room, just ask it. Umm…it also knows where the car keys are … Have you got a driver’s license?”

Tong Yan nodded, then shook his head: “I haveone, but I haven’t driven yet.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming: “That’s fine, when school starts, I’ll send… Tong Yan?”

TongYan tilted his face towards him, within a considerably short period of time, a finelayer of sweat had appeared on his forehead. His eyes were shut tight, fannedby extremely long eyelashes.

Zhuo Xiang Ming quickly realized what was wrong, immediately retractinghis hand and backing away, suppressing his pheromones: “Sorry.”

TongYan also got up and walked away, but his legs were unstable, so he tripped overthe table’s legs.

“Be careful.” Zhuo Xiang Ming stepped forward to catch himbefore he could fall into the table, one hand against Tong Yan’s lower back,the other hand catching his shoulder.

“Pardon.” He said again, after letting go.

TongYan had already made it to the kitchen doorway. This was obviously a result of ZhuoXiang Ming’s carelessness, but he somehow looked even more troubled than Zhuo XiangMing, repeating: “It’s fine … it’s nothing, this is my problem.”

This was a bad beginning. Even though Zhuo Xiang Ming didn’t intend toestablish a deep relationship with Tong Yan, he still blamed himself for hisown carelessness.

He wanted to keep comforting him, but Zhuo Xiang Ming realized that itwould be more effective to take a shower and change his clothes. Most of the employeesin his company were alphas, in his current state, standing in front of Tong Yanwas equivalent to bombarding him with the pheromones of dozens of people. Heheaded towards the stairs: “You eat first, I’ll be right back.”

Thishappened right before dinner, both of them were a little embarrassed. They nolonger tried to force conversation, quietly eating their meal.

Unexpectedly,the atmosphere after the meal was much better. Only Zhuo Xiang Ming’s ownpheromones remained on his body, and he’d suppressed it as much as he could. Itwas a very light smell of cedarwood, once he was in a soothing mood, there wasn’tthe slightest hint of aggression. Tong Yan sat three people widths away fromhim on the sofa, watching the financial news that was being broadcasted on the superion screen. Zhuo Xiang Ming was earnestly engrossed, and Tong Yan also slowlyfollowed along.

Unexpectedly, about midway through, abroadcast about yesterday’s wedding suddenly began.

Althoughthe offscreen anchor’s appearance and tone was solemn and upright, the content wasvery gossipy: “… putting aside the two consortia, the newly-wed omega isonly eighteen years old, and the alpha is the largest shareholder of the recentlylisted company, YaTai Securities. Coupled with the age difference of nine years,and the newly-wed omega’s status as a high school senior, this wedding also causedan unprecedented amount of heated discussions on OUKM.”

CueTong Yan’s sudden:

He glanced at Zhuo Xiang Ming out of the corner of his eye. Afterswitching to home clothes, the other man appeared much more relaxed, sitting upright,his expression hadn’t changed. He was still looking forward while occasionally sippinghis coffee, as if the story being reported in the gossip, finance, and current trendsnews, every social network and major newspaper had nothing to do with him.

TongYan pouted covertly; adults always love to pretend.

ButZhuo Xiang Ming really wasn’t pretending to be calm-The Zhuo and Tong family wereactually aiming for this kind of overwhelming publicity. If they had gotten marriedin a low-key and secretive way, it would’ve been no different than not gettingmarried.

However, the omega sitting beside him was obviously a bit uncomfortable.Zhuo Xiang Ming’s post-work relaxed nerves gradually tightened, and even hisheartbeat accelerated slightly. After a while, he finally realized that TongYan was unconsciously releasing nervous pheromone.

Whenomegas release pheromones of a help-seeking nature, nearby alphas immediately startto develop a desire to protect them-alas, this was their animal-like instinct.

Zhuo Xiang Ming remained calm, sitting to the side.

Bythe time the news broadcast concluded, it was completely dark outside, the smartlights in the room lit up one by one. He sent for another cup of coffee before asking,“Will this trouble you?”

“This news.” Seeing Tong Yan’s blank look, Zhuo Xiang Ming clarified,“Will this cause any trouble for you at school?”

Although Tong Yan was obviously very concerned, unexpectedly, he subconsciously responded right away, “It shouldn’t.”

Theinternational high school Tong Yan attended indeed had a relatively relaxed atmosphere,but this was his first marriage, he couldn’t speak from experience. Additionally,after a one-year leave from school, he’d have to restart the school term, hewouldn’t be familiar with his classmates, nor his teachers. In fact, inwardly, TongYan was on the verge of panic.

“Really?” Once the conversation didn’t go in the expecteddirection, Zhuo Xiang Ming’s intention to placate could only be put aside. Inthe end, he could only say, “That’s good.”

–

ZhuoXiang Ming’s temperament made him appear to be a very unfriendly person. If TongYan had to describe him, his first word would be solemn, the second, handsome.

His estrus came earlier than most omegas. With only an alpha father anda beta older brother in the family, both with varying levels of denseness, theywere completely unprepared. Tong Yan had lost his appetite for nearly a week, whenhe finally had no strength to get out of bed, they still categorically identifiedhis illness as influenza.

Thesimilarly ignorant Tong Yan endured his estrus for two days without aninhibitor. During that time, the family didn’t avoid bringing over visitors, whetheralpha or omega. Pheromones of diverse flavors ran rampant in the villa. When TongYan’s “illness” caused him to not be able to keep down any food, and theantipyretic medicine didn’t make the slight dent in his fever, the familydoctor was finally called in.

Atthat point, it was already too late. His sex gland had been frightened into withdrawalbefore he was able to release pheromones. The sex gland was also developingslowly, the skin on his nape feeling thinner and softer than everywhere else. Thatlasted until two months ago, when a little scent gradually started to emerge.

Hesmelled it one day when he was alone in the bathroom. He’d torn off the isolationpatch, and the sweet smell immediately filled his nose.

Atthe start, Tong Yan was horrified at this change, the scents of all the unfamiliaralphas rendered him a hermit. Later on, whenever he met an individual with theattribute A, he habitually got out of the way.

ZhuoXiang Ming, who he’s only met a few times, was no exception.

Thatman’s pheromones were so overbearing, even when he was gone, and the housekeepingrobots cleaned everywhere several times, his scent lingered in the house for along while. Tong Yan had to hide away, waiting until the afternoon to come out.

–

Thehour was late, having a general understanding of each other’s work and restschedule, the two went upstairs together and bid each other good night, headingto their respective bedrooms.

TongYang had to work during the day, only now did he find the time to contact TongYan.

He forwarded an OUKM post discussing “Desk-neighbor CP”to Tong Yan. Tong Yan didn’t open it, replying: Boring.

TongYang: Where is it boring? I just think it’s good to have a chat. Big BroZhuo Xiang Ming got off work, right? What did you guys talk about?

TongYan: Nothing in particular.

“Don’t call him in such an embarrassing way …” Tong Yancouldn’t help but add.

TongYang: Although my identity is a matchlessly respectable brother-in-law, pleaseremember that ‘everyone loves beauty.’ Now then, may I ask my darling babybrother, this is the second night after the wedding, how far into thedesensitization treatment course have you gotten?

TongYan blushed furiously: Go away!

WhileTong Yan punished his cell phone, at the other end of the hall, Zhuo Xiang Mingpicked up a call from Lin Yue Hua.

“Did you eat?” Lin Yue Hua asked asusual.

Zhuo Xiang Ming replied as usual: “Yes.”

“AndTong Tong?”

Zhuo Xiang Ming: “He ate too.”

“…” Lin Yue Hua said, “I meant, where is he? Don’t yousleep in the same room?”

Thistime it was Zhuo Xiang Ming’s turn to be speechless: “Why would we sleepin the same room?”

LinYue Hua laughed as if she was watching a good play: “How many days are left untilschool starts? Anyway, you have to hurry it up.”

Whycould he hear mockery in his mother’s words? Zhuo Xiang Ming guarded against furtherhumiliation, deciding to not lower himself to her level, “Understood.”

“Do you really understand, or are you coping with your need tounderstand?”

Zhuo Xiang Ming: “I’m hanging up.”

“Fine.” Lin Yue Hua said, “As long as you live together,it’s certain that you’ll keep running into each other. You guys will slowly getused to it. The boy is still young, don’t bully him.”

“I won’t.”

Thinkingabout Tong Yan’s crestfallen expression as he watched the news, Zhuo Xiang Mingasked: “When will the wedding wire copy be sent out?”

“Ina few weeks’ time, as soon as the bidding document comes out.” Lin Yue Hua said,“Why do you ask? Are you troubled? I don’t think you’ll run into anyone on yourway to work. You’re not a celebrity, you’ll be fine in a few months.”

Zhuo Xiang Ming also thought this way before,and no matter how much Lin Yue Hua liked Tong Yan, she couldn’t completely seethe problem from Tong Yan’s perspective, so it’s natural that she overlooked it.

“You know that he’s about to start school. When the other studentssee him and point at him, even if it’s not malicious, he’ll always feeluncomfortable.” Zhuo Xiang Ming said, “Almost done will have to do. Biddingfor the project still depends on your strength, it has little to do with publicopinion.”

Enlightened,Lin Yue Hua immediately agreed: “You’re right. Sigh … The Tong family didn’tmention it, and I also never thought about this side-effect. Mom understands.”

“Go to sleep first, mom has to apply herfacial mask.”

“Okay.” Zhuo Xiang Ming hung up.

After dealing with a bit of work, when he looked up again, it wasalready passed midnight. Seeing that none of the robots were nearby, Zhuo XiangMing left the worktable, planning to pour himself a glass of water. But as soonas he walked out, he saw Xuan Gui’s electronic eyes flashing a blue light inthe darkness.

“Xuan Gui?”

“… Brother Xiang Ming.” Unexpectedly, Tong Yan’s voicesounded.

The home system detected a lack of drowsiness in the voices, and the lightswere immediately turned on to the dimmest setting. Tong Yan was in his pajamas,holding a glass of water, Xuan Gui following behind him.

“Icame out to fetch a glass of water.”

ZhuoXiang Ming: “I also came out for some water.”

He looked at Xuan Gui, which had apparentlycome out of Tong Yan’s bedroom: “Was it in your bedroom?” Zhuo XiangMing frowned. “I don’t know what kind of program those guys wrote, but it’srecently become very talkative and clingy. You can sleep by yourself, you don’thave to indulge it.”

“No, I’m the one who let Dudu in.” Tong Yan couldn’t stand thedark, it was tolerable when he was drunk last night, but today he was sober. Beingin that unfamiliar room, he was completely unable to sleep by himself. But on secondthought, this butler robot had already worked all day, and now he was making itaccompany him, perhaps Zhuo Xiang Ming was worried. Therefore, he explained,“I have a charging station in my room, it can still re-charge.”

Afterhearing this, Zhuo Xiang Ming suddenly felt a bit speechless.

Since the latest system update, Xuan Gui suddenly started feeling that itsname was no good, privately raising one suggestion after another, all of whichwere rejected by Zhuo Xiang Ming. The new system update was also very unstable,frequently overwriting its memories. For example, it forgot that he’d changedits batteries three years ago, and now thought that its current battery was stillthe factory version. It always felt that its battery life was short and frequentlyslipped away to plop its butt onto the charging station.

Sinceit had refused to acknowledge Zhuo Xiang Ming’s corrections, he’d simply let itbe, he didn’t expect it to swindle the naive Tong Yan.

NaiveTong Yan: Brother, I have my water, so I’ll head to bed first.

Zhuo Xiang Ming: OK.

NaiveTong Yan: Dudu’s battery has to be replaced. Should I take him to get it changedtomorrow?

Zhuo Xiang Ming: It’s fine, let him tough it out for a few more days. I’mtesting how long the battery will last.

TongYan: Oh … Okay.

–

Althoughhe said that he’d head to bed first, in the end, Tong Yan waited at the door asZhuo Xiang Ming brewed himself a cup of coffee.

It was really late, Zhuo Xiang Ming was used to it, but Tong Yan was an obedientchild, it felt weird for him to not be in bed yet.

“Do you feel uncomfortable living here?”

“Yes.”

TongYan quickly replied, then subconsciously lowered his eyes.

Zhuo Xiang Ming smiled for the first time since returning home, thecorners of his mouth twitching slightly. Although fleeting, the gentleness inhis eyes was real: “It’s normal to feel uncomfortable, the environment hasto be slowly adapted to.”

TongYan was neatly dressed in light gray and pale pink checkered pajamas. With his thinshoulders, fluffy blow-dried hair covering his forehead, and eyelashes castinga faint shadow on his cheeks under the dim yellow lights, the boy looked huggable,but also a bit lonely.

Hearing what he said, he raised his head and looked at Zhuo Xiang Ming, nodding.

Althoughthey’d only been in contact for a few hours, Tong Yan had always been thinkingabout how best to play the role of a newly-wed spouse. Coupled with the factthat both parties knew that the role was bogus, this play felt even morelaborious.

Hisheartfelt nod at this time finally made him look like a child. Confronting astrange room and a strange alpha, he was a little confused, mostly terrified.

The dim light of night made it easier to feel softhearted. Zhuo XiangMing took a hand away from his coffee cup and placed it gently on Tong Yan’s shoulder:“The news reports about the wedding will go away soon. When you start school,most people will have already forgotten about it.”

Afterbeing touched, Tong Yan instinctively shrank away, afterwards, he forcedhimself to look nonchalant. When he heard what he said, he replied dully, “OK.”

“Good.” Zhuo Xiang Ming was much taller than him, if Tong Yan stoodwith his back straight, the top of his head could probably reach Zhuo XiangMing’s shoulder. Zhuo Xiang Ming moved forward a little, the hand resting on TongYan’s shoulder moving to the back of his head, completing a hug that had almostno physical contact.

Zhuo Xiang Ming didn’t linger, quickly letting go: “Was thatokay?”

TongYan blushed furiously, his ears completely bright red: “Yes.”

“Then we’ll take it slowly like this.” Ambiguous status coupledwith ambiguous actions; Tong Yan wasn’t the only one feeling embarrassed. Zhuo XiangMing said in a low voice, “Good night.”

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Author’snote:

TongYan: Only I have smelled my pheromones

ZhuoXiang Ming: Yeah, it smells like cape jasmine

ZhuoXiang Ming: My pheromones are very mild, veeerrry mild

TongYan: No, it’s strong! Very very strong!

T/N:

Xuan Gui–lit. Spinning Turtle

Super ion- It’swhat it says. Doesn’t seem to be something that exists. I guess it’s supposedto sound futuristic.

CP- hahachn.wordpress.com“CP n. Couple. This Internet slang term is often used to describe couples inmovies or TV series. Sometimes it is also used to describe real-life couples.”

Big Bro/ babybrother- Tong Yang uses an unusual way to say older brother (Guo Guo), and relativelycutesy way to say little brother (Di di). Idk if that’s how he usually talks,or if he’s just being silly. Guess we’ll see.

There’s only a 9yr age difference. They wayeveryone acts, you’d think ZXM was pushing 50.

9 years isn’t a lot but he is only 18. If he was atleast 20 it would defo not seem as big as a gap. It like he’s one day past legal age.

I get that for sure.

Cuteeeeeee~~~~~

Well, I don’t mind ZXM being mature.It’ll make TY more comfortable.Thanks for the update ❤️I want to hurry and see them warm up with each other.

No, I meant everyone else acts like there’s a huge age difference between them when it’s just 9yrs.

Welp.9 years is a lot, you know…