Married To My Childhood Friend: An Alpha Business Contract - Chapter 9

The British-style luxury villas of Green Treasure Garden were brilliantly illuminated. A massive, magnificent vintage crystal chandelier sparkled radiantly, its crystal bead curtains cascading down from the second floor.

After the family doctor completed a thorough external examination, a nurse knelt beside the man to bandage his wounds.

Lu Siyan sat constrained at the other end of the sofa, clutching a water glass. He felt utterly bewildered as to why he had followed this team of elites to the Alpha’s home. On his feet was a pair of well-fitting white rabbit slippers. Eerily, he had become the only person in this house—aside from Xiao Yanxiu—who possessed personal items used close to the body.

Outside, rain and snow mixed in a bone-chilling damp cold, but inside the heated room, the air felt sticky and humid. His half-wet, half-dry undergarments clung tightly to him, and the water vapor seeped into his lungs, making his breathing feel heavy and suffocatingly uncomfortable.

“Little Young Master, dry your hair.”

The housekeeper brought a towel to wipe away the moisture from his body. The hot tea in his hands was stealthily replaced with warm milk, and once he finished drinking, she urged him upstairs to wash up.

Lu Siyan found it hard to refuse such hospitality: “This… this isn’t quite appropriate.”

The Omega, half-resisting and half-complying, was led away.

It was the same pearly-white silk pajamas he had worn last time, along with a pair of unopened bear-patterned underwear that were pressed into his hands. The auntie had brewed hot ginger tea and urged him to take a hot bath quickly and change out of his wet clothes to prevent a cold.

In the bathroom, a full set of Omega toiletries had been prepared in advance—a lemon and orange series that complemented his own bergamot scent. The fragrances blended into a sweet, pleasant aroma.

Lu Siyan hesitated for a few seconds. Ultimately, he chose to wash away his disheveled state.

When he emerged again, the crowd in the living room had already dispersed.

Xiao Yanxiu was dressed in a crisp white shirt of master-class tailoring that traced the smooth muscular lines of his arms. Black suit trousers hugged his long legs, making his silhouette appear tall and upright. The man held a cigarette between his fingertips, standing composed and deep in thought before the floor-to-ceiling window.

“Finished washing?”

The man’s voice was deep and magnetic.

Xiao Yanxiu turned his head and caught sight of the Omega, who looked like a little rabbit. He flicked the ash from his cigarette and spoke with a natural tone, as if they were an old married couple. It was as if Lu Siyan were a frequent guest who naturally belonged in this house.

The tips of the Omega’s ears turned red: “I should go home.”

His hoodie jacket was still wet, hanging on the arm of the sofa. Lu Siyan gathered the clothes into his arms and retreated cautiously toward the hallway entrance.

Xiao Yanxiu didn’t stop him: “How are you going to get back?”

Outside, the rain-snow mix was falling, and the weather was wretchedly cold.

Lu Siyan’s fingers tightened around his clothes. He pleaded, “Could you please ask the driver to give me a lift?” Just like last time.

The man raised an eyebrow: “The driver went home long ago.”

It was late; people needed to rest. It wasn’t as if something dire was happening—did he really expect someone to stay on standby 24 hours a day?

Wisps of smoke drifted from the Alpha’s lips, carrying a faint scent of mint: “You’re really squeezing the working class, aren’t you?”

“Lu… Skin… Flint…”

If you’re allowed to run the household in the future, what will become of us?

Xiao Yanxiu enunciated each word, intentionally dragging out the last syllable as if he were teasing. Lu Siyan felt shamed by his nonchalant tone. The Omega glanced out the villa window and pointed a trembling finger: “Isn’t his car still there?”

The headlights were still on. On the way back, it would just be a quick detour to drop him off; it wouldn’t exactly be “skinning and squeezing” the man.

Xiao Yanxiu’s right eyelid twitched. He pulled out his phone: “Three, two…”

Before he could finish the countdown, the Buffett business van parked in the courtyard “whooshed” away and disappeared.

The man pulled back his hand: “Now there’s no car.”

Lu Siyan gritted his teeth: “How could you…”

He let the empty car leave rather than offer him a convenience. Xiao Yanxiu was clearly bullying him. Though he didn’t understand the reason, the Omega was so angry his fists clenched and his eyes reddened. He stubbornly insisted on leaving.

“You can leave if you want.”

The man suddenly appeared at his side, blocking the doorknob.

“But first, tell me how you plan to get back.”

“If you can make it home safe and sound, I’ll personally open the door for you.”

Dressed in thin pajamas, Lu Siyan’s skin was so delicate and white it seemed to have a layer of pearly shimmer, making him eye-catchingly radiant. The corners of his eyes, his cheeks, wrists, and ankles—all warmed by the hot bath—were flushed a tender, moist pink. It was practically an invitation to sin.

Xiao Yanxiu’s gaze swept over him from top to bottom. Sensing the scrutiny, the Omega covered his collar and shrank into the corner. He also retracted his fingertips, which had been pressing the doorknob but were now pinned under the Alpha’s palm. He pulled them back, clutching them over his wildly beating heart.

Lu Siyan turned his back: “I’ll call a Didi (ride-share).”

Xiao Yanxiu leaned down, his nose drawing closer to the back of the Omega’s neck: “You think there are Didis around here?”

Anyone who could afford to live in Green Treasure Garden wouldn’t be calling a Didi to go out. Yeah, nice joke.

Lu Siyan was flustered by the teasing: “But we are a lone Alpha and a lone Omega, with no official status or relationship. How can we stay together?”

If word got out, people would gossip.

Xiao Yanxiu tilted his head: “So… are you asking me for an official status?”

Lu Siyan stamped his feet in frustration: “I’m not, I didn’t!”

He pushed away the Alpha’s encroaching shoulder. The man finally stood up straight, giving the Omega space to breathe: “The wind and rain are heavy outside. Stay here for the night.”

Lu Siyan looked away: “No…” That won’t do.

Last time he had fainted in the car, so it was unavoidable. This time he was conscious, had his own hands and feet, and could move. How could he do something so reckless and improper? Lu Siyan refused decisively.

Xiao Yanxiu knew his concerns. Only after he finished teasing did he adjust his cuffs and explain seriously.

“I got into a fight at the night market today and punched someone. The reporters have caught the scent. Right now, within a five-hundred-mile radius, there are cameras everywhere.”

“If you leave my house today, you will definitely be followed.”

“Tomorrow’s news will have front-page headlines everywhere, featuring photos of you changing clothes and going from my house to yours.”

“They might even spin a tale about me ‘raging for the sake of a beauty.'”

The man spoke with a bit of a smirk. He chose that moment to swing the door open.

“Still leaving?”

He said: “I’ll call my favorite Bugatti to take you.”

The reporters wouldn’t even have to work hard to check. As soon as the license plate showed up, everyone would know it was his personal car.

A cold wind rushed through the doorway, chilling Lu Siyan’s thin frame. The Omega shivered. Thinking about being photographed, the rumors, and the “changing clothes” while entering and exiting someone else’s house—he wouldn’t be able to explain himself even with eight mouths.

After thinking it over, he pulled the door shut from the man’s hand, unwilling to cause further trouble.

“Then tomorrow… will you still send me out?”

Xiao Yanxiu had him right where he wanted him: “I won’t.”

Lu Siyan immediately bristled with shame and anger: “You…!”

This was truly too much. The Omega became annoyed, like a small frantic animal. He lunged at the Alpha, slamming into him and trying to force the door open. Today, even if he had to walk thirty kilometers, freeze to death, starve, or roll down the mountain, he was going home.

Xiao Yanxiu couldn’t stop laughing. He braced for the impact and caught the struggling Omega. He let the boy kick, hit, bite, and stomp. Far from being angry, he was actually quite happy.

Lu Siyan was usually so proper and kept a vast distance. Even if he blushed, he would turn his face away, afraid Xiao Yanxiu would take advantage and look at him more. It was rare to have him throw himself into his arms today. Even if he had rushed over to fight to the death, it was a genuine moment of intimacy.

Lu Siyan had no technique in a fight. Eventually, he was held by the waist and pressed into the man’s chest. Lu Siyan let out an “Awoo” and bit down on the man’s shoulder.

Caught off guard, Xiao Yanxiu hissed in pain and immediately raised his hands in surrender.

“I’ll send you, I’ll send you!”

He said: “Tomorrow, I’ll personally drive you.”

Lu Siyan wasn’t really after that. After making a fuss for a while, he realized he had lost his manners. He pushed the man away from his waist, his ears turning crimson. He stumbled back to the corner, picked up his fallen jacket, and hurried upstairs.

Halfway up, he paused. His eyes flickered as he turned back hesitantly to ask: “Which room do I sleep in?”

Xiao Yanxiu sat back leisurely on the sofa: “Wherever you slept last time is where you sleep this time.”

But last time I slept in… wasn’t that your room?

Lu Siyan bit his lip, unable to speak. He braced himself and ran back into the room, slamming the door. His back pressed against the door as he took several deep breaths. Once he calmed down, he looked around and saw Coffee and Cola lying at the foot of the bed.

The Border Collie and the Husky Xiao Yanxiu raised were just like their owner—not shy at all. They seemed to remember Lu Siyan, the “two-legged beast” who was particularly good at giving dogs baths. They got up slowly, wagging their fluffy tails and affectionately rubbing their heads against his knees.

After playing with the dogs for a while, Lu Siyan finally felt less awkward. He contacted his father and told a small lie, saying he had a heavy workload at school and would be staying in the dorm with Miao Yi. His family didn’t say much, only reminding him to rest well, as the nights were getting cold, and to cover up so he wouldn’t get sick.

After hanging up, Lu Siyan sat on the edge of the bed. After spacing out for a few seconds, he noticed a set of dark blue silk pajamas the man had left at the head of the bed. The material… seemed identical to the ones he was wearing.

The scent of Camellia and Cedar was stronger than usual—cool, fragrant, and very pleasant. The Omega’s nose twitched, instinctively drawn to the scent. He first poked the clothes with a finger, then carefully gathered them to his face.

Just as he leaned his neck forward, he immediately pulled back. He looked around cautiously to make sure no one was watching, and finally made up his mind to lean down and take a light sniff.

To his horror, just as his nose touched the fabric, the bedroom door was suddenly pushed open.

“I’m grabbing my pajamas…”

Xiao Yanxiu stood behind the door, reaching his hand out.

Lu Siyan’s brain went “Boom.” It felt as if someone had grabbed his heart; he had embarrassed himself to the extreme. The Omega turned red with shame and violently stuffed the clothes under the duvet, creating a large lump.

He tried to turn the tables: “You—why didn’t you knock!”

Xiao Yanxiu was stunned. He wasn’t blind; he had seen everything clearly just now.

“Knock?” He crossed his arms and started laughing. “This is my room.”

Halfway through his sentence, the Alpha realized the Omega was losing face, so he coaxed him: “Fine, fine, I’ll knock next time.”

“Then my pajamas…”

Lu Siyan’s cheeks were hot enough to start a fire. The Omega angrily yanked the clothes out and threw them at him. Go, go, go! Get out now!

Xiao Yanxiu caught them steadily with one hand. After thinking for a moment, he threw one garment back, draping it over Lu Siyan’s head like a red bridal veil.

“I’ll just wear the pants,” he said generously. “You can keep the shirt to smell.”

Lu Siyan was so angry he nearly fainted. He ripped the clothes off his head: “Who wants to smell you—!”

By the time he crumpled the clothes into a ball and threw them, Xiao Yanxiu had already closed the door, leaving the pajama top in the room. Lu Siyan jumped over and stomped on it wildly, then picked up a pillow and fought an imaginary battle with the air. After exhausting all his strength, he stuffed himself into the covers and hid away.

Truly, he had lost all face.

Lu Siyan covered his ears, forcing himself not to think anymore. Perhaps it was because of that piece of clothing he had picked up later, but the faint scent of Camellia and Cedar surrounded him. It allowed him, usually so vigilant, to sleep peacefully through the night.

The world was silent.

The next morning, Xiao Yanxiu got up from the study. The auntie called him for breakfast. The man buttoned his shirt cuffs with one hand and went to knock on Lu Siyan’s door.

After knocking twice without a response, he turned the handle and pushed the door open just a crack. He found that on his two-meter-wide bed, Coffee was sleeping on the left, Cola on the right, and in the middle was Lu Siyan, wrapped in the quilt, splayed out in a terrible—but very sound—sleeping position.

The Alpha didn’t wake him. Instead, he closed the door and instructed the housekeeper to serve breakfast half an hour later.

Coincidentally, the doorbell downstairs rang. As Xiao Yanxiu came down and pulled the door open, he was surprised to see the Lu father and son standing at the entrance.

The man froze for a moment, remembering the Huayun Engineering matter. He quietly kicked Lu Siyan’s shoes—which were neatly placed at the entrance—into a nearby gap. After hiding them well, he put on a confused expression and asked: “And you two are?”