1122 - Chapter 42

They officially got back together.

It didn’t take long for the whole family to find out, and everyone was quite surprised that Yan Nanchen had managed to win Jiang Yi back. However, for Yan Nanchen’s father, Chu Guzhi, this was clearly something he had anticipated.

When he saw his son bring Jiang Yi home their first meeting in five years he hugged Jiang Yi tightly, his heart aching for him.

“You’ve suffered all these years. From now on, if you need anything, you can come to me or your First Dad. We’re all family.”

Jiang Yi knew that Yan Nanchen’s father had been keeping an eye on him all these years and that Chu Beiheng’s care for him had been on his behalf. Feeling the embrace of this Omega elder, perhaps because he had lost his own parents so early, the warmth of parental concern made his nose sting.

“Thank you for looking after me all this time.”

Chu Beiheng, who was brewing tea nearby, suddenly interjected, “Am I not human? Was it my dad who took care of you all these years? Ah, this poor, undervalued specialist.”

“Brother, thank you,” Yan Nanchen said, patting Chu Beiheng’s shoulder.

Chu Beiheng scoffed. “Too light. Not sincere enough.”

“The building in the West District is being prepped for an entertainment company. It’ll be completed and operational next year. Do you want it?” Yan Nanchen thought of the entertainment industry his Uncle Youpan had invested in years ago. He had countless subsidiaries under his control, but entertainment was something he wasn’t particularly skilled at.

“An entertainment company?” Chu Beiheng raised an eyebrow, a glint of amusement flashing in his eyes. “That’ll do, I suppose.”

Chu Guzhi slid a document toward Jiang Yi. “Still being so formal? Or do you think Nanchen still needs more vetting?”

Yan Nanchen sat beside Jiang Yi, a trace of nervousness flickering in his eyes. He hesitated, watching Jiang Yi’s profile, then lightly poked his waist and whispered, “Yi Yi, you promised to marry me.”

Jiang Yi’s waist tingled at Yan Nanchen’s childish antics. He grabbed his hand, took a deep breath, and solemnly addressed Yan Nanchen’s two fathers sitting across from him. “Dad, First Dad, thank you.”

“Then this document takes effect immediately.” Chu Guzhi tapped the file on the table and looked at Jiang Yi. “Do you remember the promise I made you five years ago?”

Jiang Yi naturally remembered, he had a copy of the same document at home. He nodded. “Yes, I remember.”

Yan Nanchen, hearing this for the first time, looked stunned. “What promise?”

“Of course, the promise that your child would be one of the future heirs of Galaxy Group. All the shares under your name will belong to Qiao Qiao in the future. Any objections?” Chu Guzhi smiled at his son.

Yan Nanchen naturally didn’t dare contradict his father and found this arrangement perfectly reasonable after all, their family had always followed this inheritance model. It also made him realize that his father had been playing this game five years ago, fully aware that Jiang Yi would return and that he might be able to win him back.

He chuckled. “Why would I object?”

“Since Qiao Qiao is still a minor, these shares will be under Jiang Yi’s name for now. Any objections?”

Jiang Yi looked at Yan Nanchen’s father in surprise.

The next second, Yan Nanchen took his hand, interlacing their fingers, their warm palms pressed together.

“I love him, what’s mine is his, so I have no objections.”

Jiang Yi glanced sideways at Yan Nanchen. Perhaps it was the certainty in his tone that made him think of something in that moment. A flicker of emotion passed behind his glasses, and his ears gradually flushed pink.

Yan Nanchen felt his gaze and turned to meet his eyes, offering a gentle smile.

Across from them, Chu Beiheng silently brewed tea, his heart aching.

Pairs everywhere, when would it be his turn?

Time flew by. Half a year later, once Jiang Yi’s health had improved, he underwent the implantation of the hypermnesia chip alongside Qiao Qiao.

“His compatibility with the chip is only sixty percent.”

“In this case, a professional must monitor his data around the clock. Normally, chip compatibility reaches ninety percent within two days. Given his weakened condition, the observation period for adaptation has been extended to two months.”

“During these two months, he may experience low-grade fever and fatigue. If these symptoms occur frequently, it indicates the chip cannot integrate with him, and we’ll have to deactivate it. If he already has low blood sugar, the reactions may be more severe than usual.”

Outside the ward, Yan Nanchen listened to the doctor’s explanation, his frown deepening.

His gaze fell on the observation window in the door, where Jiang Yi still lay asleep. His expression darkened. “My daughter woke up already. Why hasn’t he?”

“Jiang Yi is surgery intolerant. The general anesthesia required for the minimally invasive implantation procedure affects him more significantly. But rest assured, it’s safe his waking time is just delayed.”

Yan Nanchen remained uneasy. “What will happen when he wakes up?” He recalled how Qiao Qiao had woken up with a hoarse voice and a sore throat, which worried him about Jiang Yi.

“Body aches or a sore throat are normal. Over the next forty-eight hours, we’ll monitor him closely. For more precise observations on chip compatibility, we’ll need to authorize technicians to access his chip data.”

“Understood.”

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll attend to other patients now.”

“Mm.”

After the doctor left, Yan Nanchen didn’t rush into the ward. Instead, he called his cousin-in-law, Duan Yizhou, the developer of the “hypermnesia chip”, who would know best about these matters.

The call connected quickly.

“Second Brother calling me? I’m truly flattered.”

Yan Nanchen ignored the teasing laughter on the other end. “No time for jokes. Yi Yi just had the chip implanted. The doctor said his compatibility is low.”

“What percentage?”

“Sixty.”

A brief silence followed. “Not as bad as I expected. When Ranran got hers, it was only fifty percent. She often ran a low fever.”

“The doctor recommended a professional monitor his chip data twenty-four seven.”

Duan Yizhou chuckled. “You could be that professional. I monitored Ranran myself back then.”

“How?”

“Come to my place later. Bring Jiang Yi’s chip code, and I’ll give you the monitoring watch. I’ll teach you how to use it when you get here.”

Yan Nanchen gave a quiet hum. “Alright. Thanks.”

“Just take good care of Jiang Yi, everything else is trivial.”

Yan Nanchen listened to Duan Yizhou’s words on the other end of the phone and fell silent for a moment before saying, “I really want to thank you. If you hadn’t bought Jiang Yi’s house back then, he might have had a hard time these past years.”

“These are small matters. Just treat him well.”

“Mm.”

And so, because Jiang Yi needed 24-hour monitoring of the chip adaptation data, Yan Nanchen was almost constantly watching the readings on his wrist monitor.

Sometimes, even during meetings, he would stare at the monitor, observing the other’s heartbeat, resting his chin on his hand and unable to suppress a smile. Other times, if he noticed Jiang Yi had a slight fever, he would signal to Chu Beiheng mid-meeting that he needed to step out and check on him.

This lack of focus had been caught by Chu Beiheng several times already.

But Yan Nanchen remained incorrigible, and Chu Beiheng was tempted to just kick him out to go be lovey-dovey elsewhere, if only to spare himself the constant display of affection.

In the CEO’s office.

“You’re going on a business trip?”

“Yes, for a week. There’s still the Neptune International division and business dealings with M Country that I need to go back and handle.”

“Can’t someone else handle it?”

“This matter is quite important. It’ll be better if I go.”

“Then what if I miss you?”

“We can call or video chat. Or you could just watch my heartbeat? Isn’t that your favorite thing to do?”

By the floor-to-ceiling window, Jiang Yi was embraced from behind by Yan Nanchen. Hearing this question, he couldn’t resist teasing him. No sooner had he spoken than his chin was pinched, a small act of retaliation before being tilted up, his lips lightly bitten.

“You’re doing this on purpose.”

Jiang Yi turned his head to meet Yan Nanchen’s aggrieved gaze and found it rather endearing. Facing him, he reached up to scratch under his chin, as if teasing a dog: “Puppy, I have my own career too. I can’t just stay by your side doing nothing. A week will pass quickly. Wait for me to come back, okay?”

As soon as he finished speaking, a large hand settled on the small of his back, pulling him closer.

The moment their eyes met, an overwhelming tenderness filled the air.

Seeing Jiang Yi’s determination, Yan Nanchen had no choice but to relent. He lowered his head dejectedly, resting it on Jiang Yi’s shoulder as he hugged him tightly. “Why hasn’t your Heat come yet? If it did, you’d have to stay by my side for a while.”

Jiang Yi laughed. “Stop obsessing over my Heat. The more you think about it, the longer it’ll take to come.”

He didn’t know why either. It had been half a year since he returned to the country. Though Yan Nanchen was by his side and he could feel the pull of Yan Nanchen’s alpha pheromones, his Heat still hadn’t arrived. There were signs, but nothing definitive.

It was torture for him too.

After all, he slept in Yan Nanchen’s arms every night. But because his Heat hadn’t come and his body hadn’t fully recovered, the doctor advised waiting until after his Heat before they could proceed. So, they had never dared to go all the way, always stopping after some teasing.

It was far from enough for either of them.

“Have I lost my appeal to you?” Yan Nanchen kissed Jiang Yi’s earlobe, his voice muffled.

Jiang Yi noticed his lowered brows and eyes, resembling a big dog denied its bone, and couldn’t help but smile. He playfully bit Yan Nanchen’s lower lip, teasing it gently with his teeth before saying, “Then you’ll have to try harder to seduce me. Like tomorrow night when I’m in M Country, don’t wear any clothes and video call me.”

Yan Nanchen felt his lips being toyed with like a plaything, and at Jiang Yi’s words, his eyes darkened several shades, an unbearable itch taking root in his heart. He reached out to cup the back of Jiang Yi’s neck, deepening the kiss.

Several minutes later, they pulled apart, breathing heavily, foreheads pressed together.

“Not wearing clothes might not be a good idea. I’m afraid I won’t be able to endure the nights without you,” Yan Nanchen murmured before pressing another kiss to Jiang Yi’s eyelid.

Jiang Yi let him have his way. “How about you wear an apron instead? Just an apron?”

Yan Nanchen thought for a moment before nodding. “Alright, I’ll video call you in just an apron.”

Hearing him actually agree, Jiang Yi couldn’t hold back his laughter. “Puppy, you’re really so obedient.”

“Or I could wear nothing at all,” Yan Nanchen murmured, pressing his cheek against Jiang Yi’s, his voice low and tender. “I’ll do anything if it makes you happy.”

“Then start with the apron. You can take it off once you start sweating.”

“Alright, whatever you say.”

The next day, the two reluctantly bid each other farewell at the airport before throwing themselves back into their respective work.

This time, Jiang Yi needed to return to M Country to help Director Duan acquire a batch of the latest medical equipment for the research institute. Since these instruments weren’t yet available domestically, securing them would play a crucial role in advancing the institute’s research progress especially for the Secondary Differentiation Gene Detection Technology.

But he hadn’t expected the other party to be such a tough negotiator. From the moment they met, the man had set an exorbitant price, fully aware of how vital this equipment was to Neptune Tech Group.

“1.2 billion that’s the final price Neptune Tech Group can accept.”

In the conference room, Jiang Yi clasped his hands on the table, watching the tall, blond, blue-eyed Alpha in a tailored suit across from him. The man’s expression remained unreadable, and the natural dominance of an Alpha exerted some pressure, but Jiang Yi couldn’t afford to back down now.

“What do you think, Mr. Robert?”

The Alpha called “Robert” remained impassive, idly tapping the table with his fingers before lifting his gaze to Jiang Yi. “Not impressed.”

Jiang Yi: “…” Suppressing his frustration, he exhaled silently. They’d spent the entire morning negotiating, yet this man refused to budge even an inch. There was nothing more to say.

So he pushed back his chair and stood, forcing a polite smile. “In that case, I won’t take up any more of your time, Mr. Robert. No need to see me out.”

He figured Neptune Tech did need this equipment, but dealing with someone so unreasonable would likely mean headaches even after the sale. Maybe it was better to wait and pass on this deal altogether.

“I know how badly you need this equipment,” Robert suddenly said. “Your child died because fetal testing couldn’t detect dominant or recessive genes. With this equipment, I imagine it could help heal that wound in your heart.”

Jiang Yi let out a cold laugh at Robert’s words, turning his gaze sideways toward the man. “So? I’m sure many would be eager to collaborate with Neptune. You’re hardly indispensable.”

“But this technology is exclusive to my new medical equipment.”

Jiang Yi caught the implication in Robert’s tone and frowned. “So, what do you want?”

Robert stopped tapping the table, interlacing his fingers as he leaned forward, locking eyes with Jiang Yi. “I’d like to invite you to dinner tonight. Just one evening, and I’ll sell you the equipment for 800 million.”

Jiang Yi froze for a moment before realizing he was being propositioned. The urge to punch the man surged, but for the sake of the company’s image, he restrained himself. With a mocking smile, he replied,

“Mr. Robert, I appreciate your ‘kindness,’ but this partnership hasn’t been pleasant. I suspect dining with you would give me indigestion.” With that, he grabbed his documents and strode out of the meeting room.

“I think you’d like my Alpha pheromones. Are you sure you don’t want to try? I could lower the price to 700 million if you do.”

Jiang Yi didn’t even glance back, sneering inwardly. Seven hundred million for one night with him?

Was he really that cheap?

Back at the hotel, Jiang Yi began stripping off his clothes the moment he stepped through the entrance. He loosened his collar and practically collapsed onto the bed, curling onto his side in agitation.

Robert’s Alpha pheromones had left him deeply unsettled, an oppressive, nauseating stickiness clinging to his skin.

The faint scent of Tuberose Jasmine, his Omega pheromones, gradually filled the room.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

A slightly hoarse, impeccably accented foreign voice announced, “Room service.”

Unaware of anything amiss, Jiang Yi dragged his unwell body up, pausing for a couple of seconds before rising to answer the door. The moment he opened it and saw who stood outside, his eyes brightened slightly.

“Yi Yi, did you miss me?”

It was Yan Nanchen.

The sight of him instantly brought Jiang Yi’s earlier grievances to the surface. Anger flared. “What are you doing here?”

Yan Nanchen immediately noticed Jiang Yi’s unusual expression and then caught the strong, intrusive scent of another Alpha’s pheromones on him. His gaze darkened.

Stepping inside, he slammed the door shut and pinned Jiang Yi against the wall, caging him in his arms.

“Yi Yi, whose scent is this on you?”

Before he could finish, Jiang Yi’s arms wound around his neck. Tilting his head up, lips brushing Yan Nanchen’s, he murmured with downcast eyes,

“Puppy, someone tried to bully me with 700 million. He said he’d sell Neptune the equipment for that price, if I had dinner with him.”

Hearing the grievance in Jiang Yi’s voice, fury surged through Yan Nanchen. “Seven hundred million just for dinner with you?”

“Mn.” Jiang Yi nodded.

“He’s got quite the imagination.” Yan Nanchen’s gaze dropped, seeing Jiang Yi still visibly upset. He had come to surprise him, only to find him wronged. Gripping his waist, he lifted Jiang Yi onto the shoe cabinet by the entrance.

Caught off guard, Jiang Yi found himself perched on the cabinet. Meeting Yan Nanchen’s gaze, he took advantage of the position to remove his glasses and set them aside, then wrapped his legs around Yan Nanchen’s waist, pulling him closer.

“Puppy, comfort me.”

“How about I buy his company and give it to you?” Yan Nanchen watched as Jiang Yi removed his glasses, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“No.”

“Then what do you want me to do to make you happy?” Yan Nanchen felt the legs wrapped around his waist tighten slightly. His gaze drifted downward those long, straight legs hidden beneath the suit pants would soon be revealed.

“Hold me. Hold me tight.” Jiang Yi leaned down, wrapping his arms around Yan Nanchen and kissing him.

The temperature in the entryway rose instantly. Who had started the fire? And who would soon be coaxing endlessly?

It went without saying.

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