Which Fierce Alpha Disguises as a Beta to Abduct a Wife? - Chapter 6

“Will we actually get married?” Zhou Yunqiu asked instead of answering.

“Of course we will. You’ve been my Omega since we were children; both our parents have already decided on you. Your position is irreplaceable,” Fang Yanting said with absolute certainty.

Zhou Yunqiu smiled. What a lovely phrase—both our parents have already decided on him. But Fang Yanting himself didn’t truly accept it, did he?

Instead of looking for a fight at that moment, Zhou Yunqiu played along. “Since we’re going to be married, I have a favor I need you to help me with.”

“Name it. If I can help, I certainly will.”

“My brother has a research project that needs patent authorization from the Xu Group. I heard you are also competing for that patent; I hope you’ll withdraw,” Zhou Yunqiu said quite bluntly.

Fang Yanting hesitated. “This…”

“You’re willing to drop ten million on an Omega, but you won’t help your own fiancé with a small favor?” Zhou Yunqiu asked with a smile.

“That was all just nonsense and gossip. Don’t take it seriously.”

“My heart is uneasy,” Zhou Yunqiu said, taking a sip of water. When he set the glass down, his smile had vanished. “I haven’t visited your parents in a while. I think I’ll go tomorrow…”

Fang Yanting interrupted him hastily. “I’ll withdraw.”

Zhou Yunqiu’s eyes instantly curved into crescent moons. “It’s a deal, then. I have things to handle tomorrow, so I’ll visit them another day.”

Fang Yanting ground his teeth in secret. He didn’t dare let Zhou Yunqiu see his parents; every time the boy saw them, he would subtly or overtly complain about him! It always ended with Fang Yanting getting a lecture.

Still, since they were getting married anyway, yielding a bit of profit was no big deal—as long as it kept Zhou Yunqiu obedient and out of trouble.

However…

Recalling the rumors he had heard lately, Fang Yanting couldn’t help but ask, “Qiuqiu, you and Jiang Huaiyan seem to be getting very close lately.”

“He’s my bodyguard. Except for when I’m sleeping, he’s by my side constantly. Is it strange that we’re close?” Zhou Yunqiu lowered his head to eat, failing to notice the odd look in Fang Yanting’s eyes.

“Does he not have a partner? Spending all that time with you.”

“Even if he did, he’d still have to be by my side. I am his employer.”

Fang Yanting: “…Qiuqiu, that’s not right of you. No matter how busy a person is, they need time for their lover. Otherwise, being with an Omega like you all day will make his partner worry.”

Zhou Yunqiu looked up at him. “He’s a Beta. That’s what you told me when I was in heat and needed an Alpha.”

Fang Yanting was left speechless by the rebuttal.

“Don’t worry. He doesn’t like me, and my pheromones don’t affect him.”

Ultimately, the meal ended with both men harboring their own hidden thoughts.

After Fang Yanting left, Zhou Yunqiu went downstairs to find Jiang Huaiyan. From a distance, he could see Jiang Huaiyan sitting on a bench outside the car, making a phone call. His superior looks were drawing gazes from a crowd of passersby.

Feeling a bit displeased, Zhou Yunqiu walked over quickly.

Jiang Huaiyan didn’t know who he was talking to, but he was communicating so intently that he didn’t even notice Zhou’s approach. Zhou had intended to call out to him, but then he heard his father’s name: Zhou Yushen.

Is Jiang Huaiyan talking about my dad to the person on the phone?

His heart tightened. Instinctively, he lightened his footsteps and leaned closer, wanting to hear what was being said.

But Jiang Huaiyan noticed him.

Zhou Yunqiu stood still, his eyes darting around guiltily. “I’m finished eating.”

Jiang Huaiyan made an excuse to hang up, stood up, and glanced behind the boy. Once certain Fang Yanting wasn’t there, he asked, “Home?”

“Yes.” Zhou Yunqiu got into the car.

On the way back, Zhou Yunqiu remained silent, simply staring at Jiang Huaiyan. Jiang Huaiyan suspected the boy had heard his phone call, but he wasn’t sure how much.

“Someone called me just now wanting to know about Mr. Zhou’s condition,” Jiang Huaiyan said, testing the waters.

“Asking about my dad’s illness? Who?”

Jiang Huaiyan provided a name. “Likely someone who collaborated with Mr. Zhou before. They seemed quite concerned.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yunqiu’s mood turned sour. If it were a business partner, it was impossible not to know about Zhou Yushen’s illness; it wasn’t a secret in the business world. Unless the person wasn’t from that world—and if they weren’t, why were they asking? How did they know him?

It was probably another Omega his father had provoked in the past. Unable to reach him, they were finding other ways to dig for news. Such things had happened countless times before.

Seeing his bad mood, Jiang Huaiyan thought his lie had been seen through. He asked tentatively, “Little Master, is there a problem with that call?”

“In the future, don’t pick up that person’s calls, and don’t give my contact information to strangers,” Zhou Yunqiu said coldly.

“Understood.” Jiang Huaiyan breathed a sigh of relief; Zhou Yunqiu hadn’t heard the actual content regarding Zhou Yushen.

Half an hour later, the car stopped in front of the villa. Jiang Huaiyan got out to open the door for Zhou Yunqiu.

Just as Zhou was about to step out, a sudden, dense pain flared up within his kneecaps. His face went pale.

“Little Master, what’s wrong?” Jiang Huaiyan noticed the sudden change and spoke with concern.

“My legs… they hurt.” Zhou Yunqiu rubbed his knees, his brows knit into a knot.

“Leg pain?” Jiang Huaiyan looked up at the sky. Dark clouds were gathering; it looked like it was about to rain.

He quickly turned around and crouched down. “Little Master, get on. I’ll carry you in.”

Zhou Yunqiu looked at that broad back and didn’t hesitate. This was a lingering ailment from when he was kidnapped two years ago. At that time, his legs had been broken by the kidnappers and hadn’t received timely treatment. Even though he eventually recovered enough to walk normally, it left severe aftereffects. Whenever it rained, the pain in his knees became unbearable.

And every time the pain flared up, it was Jiang Huaiyan who carried him. He was no stranger to this back.

But this time, the feeling had changed. It felt more comfortable, more secure—it made him never want to let go.

However, the pain in his knees grew worse, causing him to break out in a cold sweat. He lost all other thoughts, wanting only for the pain to stop.

“I need painkillers.” As soon as they entered the villa, he urged Jiang Huaiyan in a trembling voice.

Jiang Huaiyan moved quickly. He placed Zhou on the sofa and brought the medicine immediately. Zhou Yunqiu didn’t even wait for water, swallowing the pills dry.

“Careful, don’t choke.” Jiang Huaiyan frowned and poured him a glass of warm water.

Zhou reached out to take it, but his slender fingers were shaking from the pain.

“Easy, don’t rush.” Worried that the boy couldn’t hold the glass, Jiang Huaiyan kept his hand over Zhou’s, bringing the rim to his lips and carefully helping him drink half a glass.

Once the water was finished and the pills were down, the medicine hadn’t yet taken effect. Zhou Yunqiu couldn’t help but pinch his own kneecaps, trying to use the pressure to distract from the bone-deep agony.

But the pain didn’t ease; instead, it grew more intense than ever before.

“Jiang Huaiyan.” Zhou Yunqiu couldn’t endure the agony any longer and instinctively called out to the person he trusted most.

“I’m here.” Jiang Huaiyan looked at the cold sweat on the boy’s exquisite face and his pale lips. A layer of undeniable concern rose in his icy eyes.

He took hold of Zhou Yunqiu’s hands, which were tightly gripping his knees. “Don’t pinch yourself. Pinch me instead.”

Zhou Yunqiu didn’t hold back; he dug his fingers into Jiang Huaiyan’s arm. His nails bit into the flesh, and thin lines of blood began to seep out.

Zhou Yunqiu was startled and moved to let go.

Jiang Huaiyan held his hand firmly, refusing to let him move. “It doesn’t hurt. Pinch as much as you want.”

Zhou Yunqiu looked down at him, a layer of mist forming in his eyes. He choked up, whispering that it hurt.

“Just endure it a little longer. The medicine will kick in soon.”

Zhou Yunqiu sniffled pitifully. “Jiang Huaiyan, give me a kiss.”