Married To My Childhood Friend: An Alpha Business Contract - Chapter 10

Lu Siyan curled his body up, sinking into the deep gray bedding. His legs were clamped around a thin silk quilt, revealing a section of fair, clean calf.

The Omega was sleeping soundly.

The fluffy husky tail resting by the pillow brushed against the back of his hand, startling him awake from his dreams.

Sunlight streamed through the 270° wraparound floor-to-ceiling windows, unreservedly bringing the lush, emerald-green scenery of the camphor forest in the courtyard into the room.

The golden rays spilled into the bedroom, clinging to the head of the bed as if a layer of fine gold leaf had been spread across the marble floor tiles. The entire room shimmered with brilliance.

Lu Siyan sneezed and snapped his eyes open.

The Omega had an ominous premonition. He sprang up like a coil, but because he rose too quickly, his vision went black, and he abruptly collapsed back to where he started. His round head thudded back into the pillow.

For a short moment, the world spun and he saw stars. The symptoms of low blood sugar were glaringly obvious.

“I’m doomed, I’m doomed!”

Today, both the university and the film set had tight schedules, and Xiao Yanxiu’s mansion was a hundred thousand miles away from his destination. On a workday during the morning rush hour—with dense crowds and congested roads—he had to leave as early as possible.

Like a whirlwind, his figure darted out of the room. His bare feet hit the floor with a crisp patter-patter sound. The Omega anxiously called out the man’s name.

“Xiao Yanxiu!”

He was about to be late.

The Beta teacher in charge of Cultural Studies at the College of Liberal Arts was the strictest when it came to roll calls; being late meant a deduction in credits, and the failure rate was incredibly high. Over at the film set, today was filled entirely with Jiang Shuyao’s scenes. That “ancestor” was even more difficult to deal with—plots and lines had to be written and revised on the spot. Everyone was rushing the schedule; nothing could go wrong.

Lu Siyan was busy looking for him, but the second-floor study was empty. Just as he reached the corner of the corridor and was about to step down the stairs, he suddenly heard the man’s voice. It was deep, yet intentionally raised in volume to give him a slow, deliberate warning.

“Sweetheart…”

“I have guests over here.”

He had better weigh his options and not just barge down blindly.

The man flicked the ash from his cigarette. Usually, he was anything but serious, but this was a kind reminder to hide Lu Siyan’s identity. He didn’t want the boy to run out in a panic and make a fool of himself in front of outsiders—what if they encountered someone familiar with the Lu family who recognized him with a sharp eye?

Lu Siyan’s footsteps halted abruptly, like a sudden brake.

He carefully processed the word “Sweetheart,” and the shock made his limbs go numb and his heart tremble. His ears flushed a deep red. The hanging crystal chandelier happened to block the line of sight; between the upstairs and downstairs, neither side could see the other clearly.

His clothes were disheveled, his hair was a mess, and his eyes were still misty with sleep—he clearly looked like he had just rolled out of bed. It would be improper to rush out and let a guest see him like this.

But he was in a hurry to leave and feared the man would dawdle, so he wanted to urge him once more. The Omega was caught in a dilemma.

Seeing him linger for a while, Xiao Yanxiu guessed he had something on his mind and softly reassured him: “I’ll be right there.”

Only then did the footsteps on the second floor retreat, albeit reluctantly and slowly, back into the bedroom.

Once he was gone, Xiao Yanxiu picked up his teacup, blew on the steam, and smiled faintly at the Lu father and son sitting before him. The man explained with feigned nonchalance:

“He’s young and currently very clingy to me.”

“Forgive the intrusion.”

The guests downstairs didn’t stay long and were dismissed after a few words, leaving behind a thick stack of paper documents on the table.

When Lu Siyan ran downstairs wrapped in a scarf, the materials brought by Father Lu and Lu Shiyuan were being cleared away by an assistant. The Alpha was standing by the door, fiddling with his car keys, waiting.

Seeing him approach, Xiao Yanxiu leaned over and pulled a pair of white sneakers out from a gap, placing them neatly on the cashmere floor mat. Lu Siyan approached uncomfortably; the act of fetching his shoes felt too intimate. With a red face, he stuffed his feet into the shoes.

“How did they get in there?”

The Omega questioned him slightly. He clearly remembered taking his shoes off at the entrance before entering the house last night. Moreover, the way Xiao Yanxiu pulled his shoes out of that gap was very strange—who would naturally pull out a pair of shoes that were completely hidden from view?

The Alpha froze for a moment and stared at him. He hadn’t expected this little Omega to be so sensitive and observant. Though the question hit the nail on the head, the man came up with a lie effortlessly.

“There were many people in the house last night, coming and going. Someone must have accidentally kicked your shoes. Usually, when my things go missing, they’ve mostly been kicked into that gap. It was just a coincidence.”

It definitely wasn’t because your father and brother suddenly visited, making me lose my wits and worry that you might be misunderstood…

Lu Siyan stared into the man’s expressive eyes and nearly drowned in them. Sensing his heart beating abnormally, he urgently looked away and didn’t persist with the questioning.

The two went out one after the other. Xiao Yanxiu specifically chose a car he didn’t usually drive. After gentlemanly opening the passenger door, Lu Siyan had just sat down when the man leaned halfway in.

In the cramped space, the scents of Camellia Cedar and Bergamot collided unexpectedly. The Alpha’s bangs brushed against Lu Siyan’s eyelashes.

The Omega’s heart skipped a beat. His breath hitched and his spine went stiff as he pressed against the back of the seat, not daring to move. From this angle, to fasten the seatbelt, the man’s fingers had to brush past his waist to click the metal tab into the buckle.

Xiao Yanxiu fumbled, trying several times but failing to find the slot. The man bowed his head lower, his gaze shifting further inward. His head brushed against the crook of Lu Siyan’s neck, and his ear grazed the boy’s chest. Lu Siyan’s heart felt like it was going to jump out.

Almost by reflex, Lu Siyan cupped both of Xiao Yanxiu’s cheeks. The Omega’s fingertips lifted slightly, and the two were suddenly caught in a “deeply affectionate” gaze. Realizing this posture was even more ambiguous than before, he suddenly let go and gave the man a push.

Xiao Yanxiu’s head hit the roof of the car with a dull thud. Just as a pained sound escaped the man’s throat, his injured head was pulled back into a tight embrace. Lu Siyan’s soft fingers carefully pressed against the bruised spot.

The Alpha opened his eyes and saw the Omega looking flustered and helpless. Concern was wrapped in his gaze as he looked at him without concealment. Certain restless, underlying intentions were discovered.

Lu Siyan gasped for breath and guiltily looked away. Just as he wanted to let go, his fingertips—still entangled in the man’s hair—were suddenly pressed down firmly by Xiao Yanxiu.

“What are you doing?” the man asked, raising an eyebrow. “Trying to murder your husband?”

Lu Siyan’s face burned like it had been brushed with a layer of pink blush. Xiao Yanxiu’s sports car had a very low chassis and a low body; he didn’t dare move recklessly again for fear of hurting him more.

Avoiding the shallow and deep exchanges of their breathing, he looked down and swatted away the restless hand at his waist. “I can fasten the seatbelt myself.”

Xiao Yanxiu laughed, watching Lu Siyan fumble as he carefully avoided him, working hard to click the buckle. He was adorably obedient. Before leaving, Xiao Yanxiu couldn’t resist pinching that rosy, apple-like cheek before returning to the driver’s seat.

The car started slowly and drove away from the camphor forest.

The Omega was secretly smitten, not saying a word. The cheek that had been pinched was still burning hot, and his thoughts were difficult to calm. Even his breathing was erratic.

The man timed it perfectly, stopping in front of Lu Siyan’s university gate ten minutes early. The expensive and rare luxury sports car attracted the attention of many passing students.

Before getting out, Lu Siyan pulled up his hoodie and cautiously wrapped his head in his scarf.

Xiao Yanxiu was amused by him: “Is it necessary to be so dramatic?”

Lu Siyan busied himself: “There are cameras everywhere within a five-hundred-mile radius. You’re the one who said that.”

The man tapped his fingers on the steering wheel: “I did say that.” He suddenly leaned over: “But being in a relationship with me shouldn’t be so bad, right?”

Was he really that afraid of a scandal?

Lu Siyan couldn’t tell if he was joking or serious. His fingers paused while tying the scarf, and he muttered a small protest: “Don’t always be like this.”

Xiao Yanxiu asked lazily: “Like what?”

Being so clingy and ambiguous with everyone.

The “Prince of Playboys” who strolled through a forest of flowers without a single petal sticking to him—the one who could have countless Omegas rushing to him with just a wave of his hand. He would never give his heart.

Lu Siyan didn’t want to talk to him anymore. He reached out to open the car door: “Thank you for today.”

The Alpha muttered to himself: “You thanked me yesterday, you thanked me the day before, and from now on you’ll thank me every time you see me. Are you only going to thank me with your mouth?”

Lu Siyan: “Didn’t I treat you to dinner yesterday?”

Although during the meal he had ended up getting into a fight with someone else, he had paid the 168 yuan per person fee the moment he walked in. He hadn’t freeloaded. As for the gift he promised, he had been saving up lately. As soon as he had enough, he would give it to him.

The man acted as if he were afraid he would dodge the debt.

Xiao Yanxiu made up his mind: “Yesterday’s meal doesn’t count.” He hadn’t actually managed to eat anything. The man took the initiative to arrange: “We’re doing it again tonight.”

“What time do you finish class? I’ll pick you up after school.”

Lu Siyan was shocked: “I still have to go to the film set.”

Xiao Yanxiu: “Then I’ll pick you up from the set.”

Fearing the other would arrange some random food he didn’t eat, the Alpha jumped ahead: “I’ll choose the restaurant.”

Lu Siyan: “Weren’t you letting me treat you? Why are you the one booking it?”

Xiao Yanxiu said righteously: “If you’re treating me to a meal, shouldn’t you pick something I like to eat?”

Lu Siyan said hesitantly: “That’s true, but…” He lowered his head, fiddling with the fuzz on his scarf, and whispered: “But I’m a bit short on cash lately.”

If it was too expensive, he probably couldn’t afford it.

The man’s brow quirked—this was exactly what he wanted: “It doesn’t matter. I can lend you money if you’re short. You can just pay me back when you get your wages from the film set.”

Lu Siyan: “So, I have to borrow your money to treat you to dinner, and then pay you back once I’ve earned it?”

Xiao Yanxiu: “Is there a problem with that logic?”

Lu Siyan: “It sounds like there’s no problem, but…”

But it still feels very strange.

The Omega didn’t have time to overthink: “I’m doomed, I’m going to be late!”

Along with the sharp ringing of the bell, students timing their arrival at the school gate quickened their pace toward the teaching buildings. Lu Siyan was like a little rabbit, dragging his backpack as he hopped and ran outward.

Xiao Yanxiu sat in the car and lit a cigarette. His gaze followed that small, soft, and adorable figure. The wicked urge to tease him grew stronger.

So, with the corners of his lips curling slightly, he reached out to roll down the car window and shouted shamelessly into the bustling crowd:

“Sweetheart…”

“I miss you.”

Many students turned their heads at the sound, wondering who this second-generation heir in a luxury car was pursuing with such effort. Lu Siyan’s tiny figure vanished into the crowd. He covered his burning red ears with his scarf, his feet moving so fast they could have sparked fire.

He ran even faster.