The Beta Wife Claimed by Competing Alphas - Chapter 35

What is there about me that is worth your curiosity? Mu Yan asked himself in his heart.

It was likely just a misplaced sense of emotion that arose after doing “that kind of thing.”

Mu Yan had only ever had one boyfriend, Lu Chong, and he couldn’t grasp the concept of one-night stands. In his view, people should meet, understand each other, fall in love, and only when the feelings matured naturally should they share such intimacy.

With Shang Qiyue, the steps had been completely reversed.

Ordinary people want to understand each other after meeting; after understanding, they naturally want to love each other; and after loving, they want to have that kind of relationship. Perhaps Shang Qiyue, after finishing the final step, felt something was missing and only then turned back to want to understand him.

Mu Yan didn’t know how the man felt just now, but he had to admit that while making love with Shang Qiyue, under the influence of hormones, he seemed to experience a happy, being-loved illusion.

But it was only an illusion.

Shang Qiyue was probably very comfortable, which was why he had set a one-year term and even felt the impulse to understand him.

But there was truly nothing about Mu Yan worth understanding. The only thing Shang Qiyue might find novel was how laughable his past poverty had been. Yet Mu Yan still couldn’t let go of that pitiful, ridiculous pride; he couldn’t play a pure clown like Granny Liu.

“Sir.” Mu Yan ultimately didn’t answer Shang Qiyue’s question. He simply called him softly, fumbled through the hazy moonlight filtering through the window, and kissed the corner of Shang Qiyue’s mouth. “Goodnight.”

Shang Qiyue didn’t answer immediately. Mu Yan knew he likely wouldn’t bring up the previous topic again. After a moment, the man pressed Mu Yan’s head into his chest and kissed his forehead.

“Goodnight.”

“Mr. Mu, we really should thank you properly. You truly did our hospital a huge favor. Come, I’ll drain this cup first; you drink as much as you like.” The Office Director, who had organized the dinner, filled his glass with white liquor and downed it heroically.

Nominally, this was a dinner organized by the hospital to thank Mu Yan for stepping up to help that day. Originally, the hospital wanted to invite Mu Yan’s mother as well, but she didn’t want to be around so many people and declined.

Mu Yan was not used to such occasions and raised his wine glass with both hands in a bit of a panic.

Shang Qiyue turned his head and leaned in, whispering at a volume only the two of them could hear: “If you don’t want to drink, just take a tiny sip to be polite. It’s okay.”

His brother was on his other side, and the distance Shang Qiyue maintained while speaking was clearly a bit too close. Mu Yan was already poor at socializing, and the nervousness made his heart race even faster.

Seeing him freeze, Shang Qiyue raised his glass to the Office Director, signaling that he would drink on Mu Yan’s behalf, and took a shallow sip.

“Why are you so nervous when someone toasts you?” Shang Qiyue asked in a low voice.

Mu Yan knew he was performing poorly. He had always been fearful of crowded settings; even when he was the guest of honor, he felt at a loss.

“It’s fine, it’s fine,” Shang Qiyue comforted him softly. “He’s toasting you, so just relax. This liquor actually tastes quite good; you can try a bit yourself.”

Mu Yan followed his advice, picked up the tiny wine cup, and took a cautious sip.

“How is it?” Shang Qiyue asked.

“It’s bitter,” Mu Yan whispered.

Shang Qiyue couldn’t help but laugh, but he didn’t say anything further, only asking if Mu Yan wanted to switch to a soft drink. “There seems to be yogurt, and probably fruit juice or something. Do you want some?”

“Is this wine very expensive? I’ll try to drink a little more.”

In his heart, Mu Yan thought that not drinking it would be a waste, but he felt saying that in front of Shang Qiyue would be too embarrassing, so he swallowed the thought.

“If you don’t like it, even the most expensive wine is worthless. But this white liquor really is quite good. Try it again; if you truly can’t handle it, then switch.”

His brother probably heard that last remark and couldn’t help but smile.

“Brother,” Mu Yan acted as if he were annoyed. “What are you laughing at? Stop laughing.”

Lin Yi immediately suppressed his smile. “I’m not laughing. This wine really is expensive; that bit in your hand is worth several hundred yuan. Drink more if you want.”

“Mr. Lin, Mr. Mu,” Section Chief Yuan, sitting across half the table, raised his glass to them from afar. “We really must thank you this time. I’m getting on in years and can’t drain this cup, so please don’t take offense.”

“Chief, don’t say that. It’s just a casual meal; there’s no need for formalities,” Shang Qiyue interjected with a smile.

“I must toast President Shang as well. I wish you abundant wealth and that everything goes your way.” The Section Chief raised his glass to Shang Qiyue, who acknowledged it by lifting his glass with one hand.

“Our hospital thought long and hard about how to thank Mr. Mu. Later, we realized that since Mr. Mu was there, he must be a patient’s family member. We figured the best reward would be to provide better medical conditions for your mother. The hospital happens to have a vacant VIP ward; how about your mother moves in starting tomorrow? Our hospital also collaborates with the A University Medical Department. If there are any cutting-edge research programs, we will notify you both immediately.”

“Then we truly must thank the Chief…” Mu Yan’s brother was clearly stunned, then quickly stood up. “My brother isn’t much of a drinker; let me toast you instead.”

Shang Qiyue stood up and said it was just a casual meal and everyone should relax. He conversed naturally with the people at the table, handling the situation with ease while even finding time to put food on Mu Yan’s plate.

His brother chatted with Director Zhang beside him, then stood up to toast the Chief and other leaders one by one. Finally, it was Shang Qiyue’s turn.

Shang Qiyue stood up. “I said it’s a casual meal, Mr. Lin, no need for such politeness. Mu Yan is my subordinate; it’s only right to look after him. I can’t let you toast me alone; let’s all drink together.”

The glasses clinked, and the guests and hosts were all happy. The food his brother and Shang Qiyue put in Mu Yan’s bowl piled up like noodles—as soon as he finished some, more appeared.

By the time Mu Yan finally finished the mountain of food in his bowl, the dinner was mostly over. Shang Qiyue said he had already called his assistant to pick him up and suggested the hospital staff only needed to send Mu Yan and Lin Yi back.

Mu Yan actually thought his brother was drunk; he was a bit wobbly when he first stood up, a way he never acted normally. But his brother insisted he wasn’t drunk, just too full. Mu Yan didn’t feel like arguing and helped him along anyway.

Lin Yi’s home was in a narrow alley where cars couldn’t easily enter. Mu Yan didn’t want to trouble the young nurse who drove them, so he asked her to park outside while he walked his brother up.

Several streetlights in the alley were broken. Bicycles and scooters were parked haphazardly; some were even tipped over. Mu Yan turned on his phone flashlight and skillfully guided his brother around the obstacles.

In the urban village, people left early and returned late, generally sleeping very early. At this hour, only the sound of the wind blowing could be heard. His brother claimed he wasn’t drunk, but most of his weight was leaning on Mu Yan, and his steps were crooked. Their shadows twisted and swayed beneath the streetlights accordingly.

And he says he’s not drunk.

“Yan Yan,” Lin Yi suddenly called out to him. “Tell me the truth. Is President Shang pursuing you?”

“That is impossible. Brother, why would you think that?”

“During dinner just now, he took great care of you. When he called and heard you were in trouble, he came to the hospital immediately.”

“And the VIP ward for Mom, that must be his doing too. The hospital staff and the police all seem to respect him a lot. Does he like you?”

Mu Yan had not expected his brother to think this way.

On the way over, he had planned exactly how to explain his relationship with Shang Qiyue. He would say President Shang was young and successful, and arranging a hospital room was just a simple favor for him; that there was some internal politics at the company and, as a loyal subordinate, Shang Qiyue had helped out once he heard about their mother’s illness.

But he had forgotten that his brother spent every day at the dinner table closing business deals; such things were hard to hide from his eyes.

“He does not. President Shang is so accomplished; how could he take an interest in someone like me?” Mu Yan denied it instinctively.

Does Shang Qiyue like him?

Perhaps a little. Otherwise, why would he rush to the hospital the moment he heard Mu Yan was hurt? Why would a man who never lifted a finger in the kitchen boil tea eggs for him? Why, during intimacy, was he willing to kiss and coax him, calling him ‘baby’ and saying he was beautiful?

But Mu Yan knew those were just things Shang Qiyue gave out on a whim.

Shang Qiyue’s “liking” was the same.

“Then do you like him?” His brother asked, not waiting for Mu Yan to finish explaining why Shang Qiyue would not like him.

“No, I don’t.” Mu Yan shook his head decisively.

“Is it because of Lu Chong?” Lin Yi seemed to hesitate for a long time before asking.

Mu Yan realized he had not yet told his brother about the breakup.

“No. Lu Chong and I, we have already broken up.”

“Is it because of the money?” Lin Yi sounded panicked. “That is my fault. I remember you said he was starting a business and did not have much money right now. Don’t let—”

“It is not because of that.” Looking at his brother’s anxious face, Mu Yan found the words Lu Chong said before the breakup even more ironic.

His nose tickled and he felt like crying, but not because of Lu Chong.

“It is for many reasons. We have been together for a long time and I realized we were not a good match. It was not an impulse, and it has nothing to do with Mom’s situation. Don’t overthink it.”

“That is good then.” Lin Yi let out a heavy sigh of relief, looking as if a weight had been lifted. “I was just afraid it was because of us.”

“You did not hold me back,” Mu Yan interrupted him quickly. “When everyone else in the village started working to provide for their families, and I was still in school needing you to give me money, did you feel I was holding you back?”

The two had reached Lin Yi’s door. Lin Yi fished the keys from his pocket and finally managed to find the keyhole after several tries.

The old sensor light flickered on and off. Lin Yi turned back to look at his younger brother, who was now taller than him, and gave a silent smile.

“Yan Yan, I just want to say, I hope when you make decisions in the future, you can consider yourself a bit more. Mom does not have to stay in a VIP ward; she was quite happy staying with Auntie Peng.”

“President Shang is not our kind of person. You should understand the concept of an ‘unequal match’ better than I do. Look at those celebrities on TV who marry into wealthy families, how many of them are actually happy? President Shang is good to you now and willing to pamper you, but what if he finds someone new later, or needs to get married? What will you do then? I don’t want you to be mistreated.”

“I know, Brother. I have it under control,” Mu Yan said softly. “President Shang is just my boss right now. He could have any Omega he wants; right now, he just finds me novel. He is a man of status; even if I don’t agree to anything, he will not make things difficult for us. As for the VIP ward, if the hospital wants to take it back, they can.”

Mu Yan lowered his eyes gently. His voice was warm and had a reassuring quality to it.

Even though he had used this very demeanor to deceive Lin Yi several times already.

“Yan Yan, I did not mean you are not good enough for him. You are a match for anyone, no matter how great they are. Don’t say things like that.”

The sensor light went out again. Mu Yan smiled, and the light flickered back on, revealing his brother’s serious expression.

“If he likes you, and you like him, then of course you can be together.”

“But I don’t want you to be with him just because he can arrange a VIP ward for Mom.”

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