To Marry My Little Chestnut - Chapter 22.1

“Have him for breakfast?”

The Changxing Group’s business interests at home and abroad were vast. Changxing had only begun dipping into international trade last year. Zheng Tingyang was merely the Executive Director of a Changxing branch; where did he get the audacity to speak so boldly?

Zheng Tingyang spat out the words coldly, “I can’t smell pheromones. You might be able to suppress others, but you can’t suppress me.”

High-level Alphas were indeed born superior, like high-IQ geniuses for whom everything came easily. The sole son of the Gao family had that capital. But Zheng Tingyang was a lone wolf, a half-baked interloper who had appeared out of nowhere, yet he disregarded everyone’s feelings and trampled the Gao family’s dignity into the dirt. He was ruthless, appearing unsatisfied unless he drew blood.

Young Master Gao, used to walking tall in the capital and looking down his nose at everyone, had never heard such absurdity. He let out a cold laugh, and the silence among the onlookers deepened.

“See you at the bidding. Enjoy your chat, everyone,” he withdrew gracefully.

The man’s voice drifted through the venue, yet it felt like a thousand-pound hammer striking everyone’s heart. Everyone said Alphas were the leaders and that pheromones were a biological form of forced suppression. Yet Zheng Tingyang was a Beta. With just a few words, his deterrence was as heavy as a deep bell. He did not seem like an ordinary Beta at all. In a light tone, he uttered ruthless words. It was as if tobacco had entered the lungs; the seemingly light mist was harsh enough to sting the throat.

As Zheng Tingyang walked out of the venue, even the high-level executives from Changxing were stunned, momentarily unsure of whether to stay or go. Zheng Tingyang was representing Changxing this time. If he left, what were these old fossils supposed to do? One by one, their faces flushed with awkwardness. However, they eventually found excuses to withdraw from the venue. Since Zheng Tingyang was not giving Haoyang Group any face, they had no choice but to follow his lead.

For a project worth over a billion, Zheng Tingyang not only intended to do it, but he intended to kick Haoyang Group and Gao Wenjing out entirely. The man walked away elegantly, leaving everyone behind to gasp in shock.

“What did he say?” Gao Wenjing’s eyes nearly split with rage as he gripped his wine glass tightly.

The small cake had already been packed and placed on the table in the room. Zheng Tingyang carried the person back to the room. Yu Yan was pressed almost entirely into his chest. Even after reaching the bedroom, Zheng Tingyang refused to let go, hugging him tightly as if afraid the man might vanish.

Yu Yan did not struggle. He rubbed his head against Zheng Tingyang’s chest, his heart feeling a bit heavy. He did not know how much face he had made Zheng Tingyang lose today. He had embarrassed him in front of outsiders, and as a wife, he had been teased. He felt wronged in his heart, but he did not want his own grievances to ruin Zheng Tingyang’s business.

Yu Yan sniffled and asked in a muffled voice, “Tingyang, is it okay if I do not go out next time? I will not pester you to come along anymore. I will stay home quietly and wait for you to come back from your business trips.” He was a little afraid that Zheng Tingyang would hate a wife who brought him shame. The dim, uncertain night sky outside the window mirrored his state of mind.

Zheng Tingyang kissed his forehead and said softly, “How could I?”

“Are you still feeling unwell? Should I call a doctor?” Zheng Tingyang repeatedly pressed his palm against Yu Yan’s forehead to check his temperature.

The fact that he could not perceive the scent of the glands made his heart sink. It brought him fear and anger, not anger that Yu Yan had made him lose face, but anger that Yu Yan had been made uncomfortable in front of everyone and had become a target of criticism.

“I am not uncomfortable anymore. It was just for a moment earlier.”

Yu Yan asked, “You did not get into a fight after you went back, did you?”

Zheng Tingyang curled his lips into a light smile. “Do I look that fierce?”

“A little bit,” Yu Yan nodded.

In fact, he had quietly looked at Zheng Tingyang’s back several times in the dark. There seemed to be many scars and even a large black tattoo. He had never seen it clearly. Zheng Tingyang never showed it to him, and Yu Yan was well-behaved enough not to ask. Zheng Tingyang fed him a few bites of the small cake. Yu Yan was still sluggish from the pressure of the Alpha pheromones. Once he was full, he lay down to sleep. While Yu Yan slept, Zheng Tingyang listened to his stomach. Feeling that the little life inside was still growing robustly, he felt a bit more at ease.

The bidding meeting was the next day. The original project proposal for the cooperation was scrapped. Zheng Tingyang’s backup team had already submitted a new plan for his review, and it had passed.

At night, while Yu Yan slept in the bedroom, Zheng Tingyang’s phone kept ringing. Several directors could not understand why he suddenly abandoned the cooperation, saying he was being far too impulsive.

“In business, you endure for a moment to gain in another. At worst, after this is over, you can have President Pei transfer you back to the capital and let someone else take over the Haicheng project. Why would that not work?”

It was a video conference, and several high-level executives were arguing incessantly inside.

“Zheng Tingyang, do you think Changxing belongs to you? You are working for President Pei! How dare you go against him?”

“President Pei is currently abroad and cannot be reached. When he finds out, he will definitely strip you of your Executive Director position!”

“This is simply nonsense.”

Zheng Tingyang’s fountain pen moved across the documents on the desk, signing his name with a flourish. “The Haicheng branch will fully follow through with the cultural tourism project. There is no need for the shareholders to worry.”

Director Wang laughed. “How much capital do you have to fight Haoyang Group?”

The Changxing Chamber of Commerce had an unshakeable status in the capital, but Zheng Tingyang only held one of the major branches. In terms of seniority, they were many years behind Haoyang Group. A branch only a year old could not topple the deep-rooted Haoyang Group. Word was that Young Master Gao was furious and was hell-bent on winning this contract. Zheng Tingyang’s expression remained indifferent. He was too lazy to listen to the directors argue endlessly and simply hung up.

Late at night, the lights outside the study’s floor-to-ceiling windows were brilliant. Zheng Tingyang rubbed his eyes and leaned back to rest. He thought about what the shareholders had said. He was just someone working for President Pei, an Executive Director of a branch. They were not wrong. Before he was even transferred to Haicheng, those old fossils used to secretly call him “President Pei’s hound,” a stray dog that could be thrown far away any day.

A person like him, with no family background or status, who relied only on his own hands to carve a path, was the easiest to use and the easiest to eliminate. In the eyes of those directors, he was a loyal dog with no right to make decisions. Doing so was no different from insulting his master.

But what was the reality?

Zheng Tingyang gave a light laugh and opened his eyes to see a small head peeking through the study door.

“Woke up?” Zheng Tingyang closed the drawer he had just opened, leaned back, and opened his arms as a sign for Yu Yan to come over.

Yu Yan had slept for a short while, and his glands finally were not burning anymore. He was wearing the plush pajamas Zheng Tingyang had specially brought for him. He simply sat in the man’s lap, leaning against him like he had no bones, his nose carefully nuzzling him.

“What did you hear?” Zheng Tingyang asked gently, stroking his back.

Yu Yan answered truthfully, “I heard everything.”

Zheng Tingyang touched Yu Yan’s brow. “Worried? Why is the little fish frowning?”

Sitting in his lap, Yu Yan was like a soft bun. He would nuzzle into his arms whenever he was held; he was a well-behaved cat.

“Even if it is just half a point of worry for you.”

Zheng Tingyang cupped his face. “I thought you were going to tell me to bow my head, admit my mistake, and go cooperate with Gao Wenjing so I would not delay the business because of you.”

Yu Yan had indeed thought that, at least before he knew Zheng Tingyang and Gao Wenjing had a falling out. Zheng Tingyang did it for him. He was not a heartless person; one should not bite the hand that feeds them. His husband had stood up for him, and he was happy about it. Yu Yan rubbed his chin against the man’s collarbone. “Then I would be too heartless.”

“I cannot help, but I just think you are good. I think you are the best.” His head rested against the man’s chest, listening to the rhythmic drum of the heartbeat inside, feeling a tremor in his own heart. “Thank you for not finding me embarrassing.”

An Omega’s pheromones being exposed in front of everyone, even if the scent was faint, was still a breach of etiquette. If the Yu family had not gone bankrupt, Yu Yan would not actually be so insecure. He knew he had a good appearance and a good upbringing; it was only after losing his backing that he felt he was not worthy.

Yu Yan stopped talking and quietly buried his face in Zheng Tingyang’s chest. From time to time, his nose nuzzled slightly, his warm breath grazing Zheng Tingyang’s collarbone. The phone screen on the desk dimmed slightly. It was his inquiry to Zhou Jiangru about the heat period.

Zhou Jiangru wrote, “Logically speaking, smelling Alpha pheromones might trigger his heat early. Is there any other physical discomfort?”

Zheng Tingyang turned off the phone screen. His Adam’s apple rolled slightly as he inhaled the faint fragrance on Yu Yan’s short hair, feeling as though his soul were being lured away. Zheng Tingyang finally understood why ancient emperors became obsessed with beauties and neglected their morning courts. If this person was Yu Yan, he feared he would want to die on the bed every night.

Sitting in his lap, Yu Yan felt very small. His legs could not reach the floor, and his slightly rounded belly was soft and bouncy whenever he moved.

“Tingyang, if only I were not an Omega,” he hummed.

Zheng Tingyang gently massaged his short hair, feeling that Yu Yan’s gender did not matter; whatever gender he was, he would find a way to get him. “If you were not an Omega, you would not have to suffer by carrying a baby.”

Yu Yan immediately said, “Then never mind. I quite like the baby. The little one has been growing so fast lately.” He reached out to support the lower part of his abdomen, lifting his sweater to reveal snow-white skin and a stretched navel. It was evident that Yu Yan really did not have much meat on him. The skin on his lower abdomen was pulled somewhat tight, as if it were being stretched further every day.

Zheng Tingyang held him while he sat on him, his palm following Yu Yan’s to stroke the pregnant belly. “It is fast.”

“Tingyang, your breath is making me hot,” Yu Yan said with a flushed face.

With Zheng Tingyang holding him like this, his nose was right at the back of Yu Yan’s neck. The warm breath grazed his glands like a feather. His glands were very sensitive today. If this continued, Little Yu Yan would be saying hello.

“Oh, I forgot. This place should not be touched casually.” Zheng Tingyang’s stern lips thinned into a line. “I am not an Alpha. I have made you suffer.”

Yu Yan panicked. “No, I did not mean that.”

“I know.” He was simply blaming himself for not being qualified, for being unable to taste his lover’s fragrance in this life.

“I brought medicine. I have not taken it before, and I do not know what it is like. I” Yu Yan spoke incoherently, not knowing how to explain. He simply pulled back the short hair at the nape of his neck and proactively offered his glands. “I am afraid you will think I am too delicate. If this place is touched, I will go soft. I do not want you to think I am that my behavior is very strange.”

For instance, when Little Yu Yan would stand up, when his legs would go weak and he would want a kiss, why his eyes were watery; it was all because of this organ. For instance, that terrifying dream he had last time. Zheng Tingyang was driving, leaving him aching and broken all over. When he woke up the next morning, his reproductive cavity was sore again. It was all because the heat was coming. How was he supposed to say that?

“If you do not mind, next time your body is not so sensitive, can I take a bite?”

Zheng Tingyang nibbled on his earlobe. The man’s deep, husky voice was like a dreamcatcher in a flower shop, easily enveloping him and making Yu Yan’s head spin. He turned his head and said with a beaming smile, “Okay.”

The next day, Yu Yan originally planned to stay in the hotel and eat small cakes as a vacation. He even told Xiang Qian about what happened yesterday.

Xiang Qian was shocked again, “Zheng Tingyang is that much of a man?”

Yu Yan foolishly hugged his phone and replied, “I told you a long time ago he was great.”

Xiang Qian asked, “No, Zheng Tingyang is so strange. Just because you are pregnant, why is he so willing to throw everything away?”

The Great Prophet Yu Yan wrote, “Secret.”

Once the baby was born in the future, he would tell him about how he and Zheng Tingyang knew each other in high school. In the evening, Zheng Tingyang did not take him out. Instead, he had Secretary Lin stay behind to play chess with him.

Yesterday, Xiang Qian felt that the way he looked after falling in love was a bit terrifying, so he quickly sent him a message: “Three little habits to prevent the baby from becoming silly.” One of them was playing chess. Yu Yan had known how to play since he was a child and had even joined a chess club in university; he just had not touched it for several years after graduation.

Secretary Lin, who considered himself a highly educated elite, actually suffered defeat after Yu Yan figured out his strategies over a few games. After several rounds, Yu Yan’s back ached from sitting. He supported his lower back, protruding his belly, and walked slowly around the living room. After one lap, he returned to look seriously at the chessboard. “Brother Lin, when will Tingyang be back?”

Secretary Lin was momentarily dazed by his appearance and checked the time. “The bidding should end in about an hour.”

Yu Yan nodded and took a scoop of cream cake. “So busy. Is Tingyang’s usual life very expensive?” He asked with his mouth full, his cheeks bulging.

Secretary Lin did not catch on. “What?”

Yu Yan’s eyelashes lowered slightly. “Nothing.” Just he had checked his savings; he no longer had any property under his name. Tingyang had given up a contract for him. He was not sure exactly how much money it was. He had experience with bankruptcy; when the baby was born in the future, he could find another part-time job outside the flower shop. The two of them would always manage to live a good life.

Hearing this somewhat naive remark, Secretary Lin was certain that the young master of the Yu family was a delicate person who did not know the ways of the world. Even after being married to President Zheng for so long, he still remained oblivious to outside affairs.

“The bidding should be almost over. I will go downstairs first. President Zheng will be back soon. Would you like to sleep for a while?”

Yu Yan shook his head and waved goodbye obediently. He was not sure if Zheng Tingyang would be targeted at the bidding meeting or if he would face bankruptcy. He had nothing to his name and could not even help shoulder half the burden. He had nothing, but he was a very grateful person. He thought he should give Zheng Tingyang something to make him happy. For example, himself?

Yu Yan found the medicine he had specifically brought in his suitcase. The doctor said that taking this would make the heat come faster.

“Our company’s estimate for these two plots of land was only 1.8 billion. It is crazy; how did it get this high?”

Following the decision making level’s discussion on site, the only proposals that passed the bid were Haicheng Changxing and Haoyang Group. The cooperation had fallen through, and the bidding for the land began. A silent smoke of war rose. The auctioneer called for a price again, dropping the gavel. “2.5 billion. Does Young Master Gao at No. 6 want to increase the bid?”

The secretary beside Gao Wenjing repeatedly reminded him that the liquid capital had already exceeded the estimate. Most of Haoyang Group’s liquid assets had been in foreign stocks and futures for the past two years. Gao Wenjing snatched the paddle from the secretary’s hand. “2.6 billion!”

Adding 100 million at a time, who knew how long it would take for the seaport at the intersection of these two cities to turn a profit? The essence of business was to analyze pros and cons and choose the most important. Young Master Gao could not swallow this insult. He was even less willing to let Zheng Tingyang step over his head. Gritting his teeth, he was determined to make the other party suffer, even if it meant selling his own assets. He was certain that the cash flow in Zheng Tingyang’s hands was insufficient.

Zheng Tingyang, sitting in the crowd, did not even wait for the auctioneer to ask before raising his paddle. “3 billion.”

Thirty billion!

“Young Master Gao, we cannot follow anymore. The Old Master will be furious! The company cannot move that much out!” The secretary broke into a cold sweat, wondering how a perfectly good cooperation had turned into this.

Gao Wenjing lost the entire auction. The crowd scattered in small groups. Some went to the lounge area to congratulate President Zheng on winning the bid. Others stood back, waiting for a joke. The price exceeded the original value of the land, nearly doubling it.

Zheng Tingyang held a glass of red wine, slowly savoring it. Gao Wenjing narrowed his eyes strangely. “Winning the bid is one thing, but you must also have the ability to execute the project. President Zheng, do not end up losing everything and becoming a stray dog on the street like the Yu family just because of a moment of impulse.”

Zheng Tingyang did not answer. He just moved the corner of his mouth and calmly drank the liquid in the wine glass in one gulp.

“The auction just ended. I would like to see where you get that three billion. Does Pei Changji know you ruined the cooperation behind his back?” He gave a cold laugh, adopting a nonchalant, reckless attitude. “We will see. The prestige you think you have is just the confidence Pei Changji gave you. Without him, you are nothing.”

“President Zheng, our Young Master Gao did not mean that.” The secretary beside him tried to smooth things over.

Support