The Honest Man Was Targeted by His Ex-Boyfriend's Alpha Brother - Chapter 28

Boyfriend.

Boyfriend?

Boyfriend!

Chen Wang’s face suddenly felt as if it were on fire. He could clearly feel his adrenaline spiking, causing every muscle in his body to go rigid. He stood there, stiff as a wooden post.

“Be careful.” A straight, broad shoulder blocked his view. Hua Yunlian raised one arm, shielding Chen Wang behind him while glaring coldly and warily at the group of thugs.

Logically, as a Beta, Chen Wang should not have been able to smell pheromones clearly. Yet, at this moment, his senses were overwhelmed. Not only could he detect the faint scent of Damascus rose emanating from Hua Yunlian, but he also noticed the lean, powerful physique beneath the leather jacket. Even the light chestnut strands of the man’s hair, swaying slightly in the breeze, seemed to move in slow motion.

Hua Yunlian was fierce and mercurial, yet last night, he had trembled in Chen Wang’s arms like a helpless young animal. Chen Wang looked at him with a complicated expression. His heart hammered against his ribs, one thud after another, loud enough to shatter his chest.

He felt utterly pathetic. This was clearly just an outburst of Hua Yunlian’s Alpha chauvinism—a display of possessiveness before lowlifes, no different from a predator marking its prey or territory.

So why did his heart feel this way?

Chen Wang numbly pressed a hand to his chest. This feeling had only appeared once before, during his adolescence when facing Hua Jingchen. But Hua Yunlian was several years younger than him and such a rogue; it was impossible for Chen Wang to have any other feelings for him. Even if they clung to each other in passion in bed, it was only because of the secret lover’s contract. It had absolutely nothing to do with love.

“What? Are you that scared?” After dealing with the thugs, Hua Yunlian suddenly leaned down to look at him, his finger grazing Chen Wang’s burning cheek.

The exceptionally handsome face was too close. Chen Wang hurriedly turned his head away. “Let us… let us just go.”

Hua Yunlian gazed at his slender back, his eyes wandering over his narrow waist and long legs, unable to hide the fascination in his gaze. That title had indeed slipped out instinctively. After all, Young Master Hua frequently attended social gatherings where “baby” and “darling” were used almost like business terminology among the many men and women there. Sweet talk came easily to him.

But if it could become real with Chen Wang, he would not object. Hua Yunlian was not someone who acted without considering the consequences, but whenever he encountered Chen Wang, he felt that even with all the misunderstandings and barriers between them, it was worth a try.

Unfortunately, the other person wanted nothing to do with him.

The roar of the helicopter blades could be heard from a distance. Ever since the incident, Chen Wang had not looked him in the eye. He sat blankly in the passenger cabin, lost in thought. Hua Yunlian placed the noise-canceling headphones on him and buckled his seatbelt.

“I just saved you, yet you are waiting for me to serve you like some high-ranking official,” he remarked impatiently. He had not yet found the time to deal with him properly.

The helicopter started up slowly. The noise was loud, and since it was Chen Wang’s first time flying, he was a bit nervous. He did not hear a word of what Hua Yunlian said. He gave him a confused glance, his gaze lingering on the man’s face for only half a second before darting away. His mind was still a chaotic mess, replaying that word: “Boyfriend.”

Hua Yunlian felt even more frustrated. Was his face electrified or something?

By the time they landed, it was nearly eight o’clock in the evening. Both were exhausted. The driver had been waiting for a long time and drove them back to Chen Wang’s apartment.

Chen Wang had returned to this madman’s side in a daze. Hua Yunlian could see he was not in the best state, so he did not press him. He reached out and stuffed an out-of-place red cloth bag into his hands.

“Put it in the fridge.”

Chen Wang said nothing. He was always efficient. After putting the items away, he immediately began unpacking his luggage and tidying up the toiletries that Hua Yunlian had scattered everywhere. It seemed that after he ran away, Hua Yunlian had stayed in this apartment for a night. It was an improvement for the young master that he had not trashed the place.

Chen Wang smiled. It was a pyrrhic victory, but knowing Hua Yunlian had been inconvenienced gave him a small sense of satisfaction. He tossed an empty tube of toothpaste into the bin and tied the trash bag. He froze for a second when he saw their toothbrushes standing side by side. They looked far too much like a couple living together.

Hua Yunlian was so busy with work that there was no reason for him to come and catch him personally. He could have easily sent a few hulking bodyguards to bring him back. Chen Wang’s brain felt as if it were stalling.

“How long did you intern at the Federal General Hospital?” The Alpha’s voice rang out abruptly.

Chen Wang jumped. He turned to find Hua Yunlian leaning against the doorframe, watching him do housework for who knew how long. He replied, “Ten months.”

Ten months of experience. He had performed so brilliantly that he should have become a young, outstanding gland genetics doctor. But even now, Chen Wang carried the stain of academic misconduct, which limited his career prospects and made any appeal feel like a distant dream.

“Enough.” Hua Yunlian’s gaze was neutral as his fingertip tapped the screen, the blue light deepening his features.

Chen Wang was suspicious, wondering what mischief he was plotting now. “What are you doing?”

Hua Yunlian started to walk away. “I was at a dinner a few days ago. A friend from a biological research institute mentioned they were looking for talent. The spots are limited, and he asked if I knew anyone suitable.”

His tone was light, but Chen Wang suddenly felt as if there were not enough oxygen in the room. He followed him out. “So… so…”

His eyes widened in disbelief. Was Hua Yunlian planning to recommend him to the Glandular Biology Research Institute? Was that why he had pushed him to quit his other jobs?

Hua Yunlian clearly did not intend to explain further. They were not exactly on intimate terms right now. If he said too much, what if Chen Wang got arrogant and ran away again? Naturally, Chen Wang did not know that the “friend” was a famous general. Hua Yunlian had used a massive amount of personal influence for that dinner.

“President Hua, thank you.” Chen Wang stood awkwardly by the sofa, somewhat incoherent. “Truly, thank you.”

Noticing that his form of address had become more respectful, the man tilted his head and smirked. “I am not satisfied with just words.”

Chen Wang’s cheeks turned bright red. He slowly considered what exciting things he could do to satisfy him, but he could only think about them; he was too embarrassed to act.

Hua Yunlian tapped the leather sofa restlessly and frowned. “I am not helping you for nothing. I am doing it because your skills are truly exceptional. To stay at a private hospital would be a waste.”

Chen Wang’s eyes wavered. He pursed his lips. He was still quick to react in other areas. He asked softly, “What do you need me to do for you?”

Hua Yunlian did not beat around the bush. “Both Hua Jingchen and Hua Hongfei have stakes in the Gland Research Institute. I only have one percent more than them, which is hardly an advantage. I have no genetic talent on my side that I can use.”

Chen Wang realized what he was saying. His level of nervousness was no less than when he first performed surgery. His lips trembled, and he swallowed hard. “You mean…”

“Brother Chen Wang, enter the Biological Research Institute for me.” Hua Yunlian raised his deep eyes. His amber pupils reflected Chen Wang’s tense face. His expression had never been more focused. “Become my only sword in this field. What do you say?”

Chen Wang really did not know how Hua Yunlian did it. One moment he was entrusting him with such a heavy responsibility with a grave look, and the next he was complaining about being hungry and taking him to the mall for dinner. Chen Wang was so excited his hands shook; his mind was entirely filled with the joy of starting a new job. He wanted to go back and prepare his interview materials right away.

Hua Yunlian had already noticed his every move. The corners of his mouth curled up, but he quickly suppressed the smile to avoid showing any weakness.

The waiter slowly lifted the pot lid, and the milky aroma of fresh fish soup filled the air. “Gentlemen, please enjoy your meal.”

After Chen Wang’s escape attempt, the young master had suddenly learned a bit about taking care of people. He was the first to serve the soup, placing it in front of Chen Wang with a stoic face. Chen Wang gave him a surprised look.

When he went to refill the soup, the rim of the bowl burned him. He winced and withdrew his hand. Recalling Hua Yunlian’s cold, handsome expression from a moment ago, he thought to himself that this man was such a poser—he would not even make a sound even if he burned his paws.

With the prospect of a new job, Chen Wang watched him eat with gusto and felt he was not quite so detestable anymore. “During the team-building trip, I thought you did not like fish.”

Hua Yunlian picked out a fish bone. The tender meat was light and savory, melting quickly in his mouth. “Who said that? You do not know me at all.”

Chen Wang was silent for a moment. That was true. He had never been very interested in Hua Yunlian. Even when he saw him in his ferocious leopard form, he simply treated him as a natural-born monster and never asked for details.

For some reason, Hua Yunlian’s arrogant smile flashed before Chen Wang’s eyes again. The impact of that “boyfriend” comment had been too great. It caused a sense of curiosity to rise within him now. However, this likely involved the secret history of the Hua family. Chen Wang was too embarrassed to speak until they finished their meal.

As they passed a discount supermarket, Hua Yunlian saw the man beside him act as if he were being pulled by a magnet, disappearing in a flash.

Hua Yunlian frowned. “Damn it, what is so interesting about a bunch of cheap goods?” He followed after him.

The supermarket was full of discounted items and many foreign drinks that Chen Wang liked. He pushed the cart, comparing items back and forth. He could spend ages comparing a tube of toothpaste by its weight in grams before finally choosing the one he felt was most suitable.

Hua Yunlian looked at the household items in the cart. Full and satisfied, his mind had slowed down. In the past, when he went out with people, he was usually surrounded by beautiful Omegas. They went to bars, KTVs, or golf courses. This was his first time going to a supermarket with someone, let alone a discount one.

He looked at Chen Wang’s pale profile and suddenly felt an impulse to pin him down right there and then. Without a shred of shame, he said loudly, “You are a bit like my wife.”

Chen Wang was startled as he saw several nearby shoppers casting suggestive glances their way. He coughed. “Let us keep the uncertain things quiet.”

Hua Yunlian looked at him and felt a tingle on his head, wanting to let out his leopard ears and give them a shake. In truth, he did not have many complex feelings for Chen Wang at the beginning. What kind of intentions could a leopard cub have? Day after day, it was only attachment and longing.

But when they finally met again, he saw the person he most looked forward to being intimate with his most hated enemy. A sense of crisis and panic tortured Hua Yunlian every day. No. That was not right. Chen Wang was his, and his alone. He would possess Chen Wang by any means necessary, whether it meant sleeping with him, killing him, or ruining him.

Hua Yunlian worked hard to learn to speak and adapt to human society, all for the sake of their reunion. He only wanted to take this cold, gentle Beta for himself. He belonged only to him, and one day he would understand his feelings. Just as a leopard bites the throat of its prey—even if the life gradually fades away, it does not stop the beast from purring with love and joy as it licks the prey’s dull eyes.

“Are you shy?” Hua Yunlian looked back and asked with a smile.

Chen Wang was much thinner-skinned than he imagined; his eyes darted around nervously. “Let us talk at home.”

“Fine.”

Hua Yunlian casually grabbed a few boxes of condoms and tossed them onto the checkout counter. He gave Chen Wang’s cheek an intimate peck and said without any reservation in the crowded line, “Do it for me before bed, Brother.”

The entire room fell silent in unison, everyone looking at these two handsome and shameless young men. Chen Wang’s brain let out a loud bang as his internal systems overheated.