Chapter 5#

“Not bad-looking, not ugly.” Lu Yinbing lowered the hand he had placed over Man Yu’s forehead and instructed him: “Go buy me a bottle of water.”

He’d probably had too much to drink and needed to sober up a bit first.

Was the bullying finally going to start? But it turned out much better than Man Yu had imagined—asking him to buy water was nothing. When he was in school, he’d helped classmates run errands all the time. This didn’t count as bullying at all. Even if a stranger on the street was thirsty and asked him for a drink, he’d buy one for them.

Besides, Lu Yinbing had just spoken up for him. Man Yu actually felt a pang of sourness in his heart, but he still thought Lu Yinbing wasn’t bad at all—quite nice even, just a bit of a pampered young master’s temper. That was normal; his younger brother and sister threw tantrums sometimes too.

Lu Yinbing didn’t offer any money, and Man Yu was too embarrassed to ask. He walked away stiffly, and only when he was far enough off did he raise his hand to smooth back the hair that had been tousled up.

Tianzai Shui was the most luxurious private club in the capital. There wasn’t a single convenience store within a mile of the place. He circled around once, worried about making them wait too long, and finally found a club where he could buy something.

Mineral water that sold for two yuan a bottle at the supermarket went for eighty here. The rest were premium waters he didn’t recognize, printed with French text, bottled in glass, priced high enough to empty his entire savings. Man Yu picked the cheapest one, then realized he’d forgotten to ask Lu Yinbing whether he wanted room temperature or chilled. He thought about it and asked which two types sold best, then bought one of each.

The club’s custom gift bags also cost extra. He considered it and decided against it.

Man Yu had completely forgotten that the other person was his husband’s white moonlight—the one who had destroyed his marriage.

The man asked him to buy water, and he wholeheartedly thought of the other person’s needs, even considering whether the water should be warm or cold.

Afraid the other person might get thirsty, he even jogged back.

When Man Yu returned, panting heavily, Lu Yinbing was no longer there. More accurately, everyone was gone. Only Sheng Lin remained in place, looking at him with an extremely complicated expression, filled with disgust and contempt, along with something strange he couldn’t decipher.

Sheng Lin sneered: “You think just because he spoke up for you, you’re something special to him? Ran off obediently to buy water, and the person’s already left. He just toys with everyone like they’re dogs.”

Only Sheng Lin and the others knew how uncharacteristic Lu Yinbing had been. He had touched Man Yu’s hair. He had touched Man Yu’s hair!

Even when they passed a wine glass to Lu Yinbing, they had to wipe their fingerprints off it first.

Fortunately, after asking Man Yu to buy water, Lu Yinbing had abandoned him and left—or Gao Yuyang and the others would have seriously wondered whether he was interested in Man Yu.

It was probably just a drunk, impulsive bit of perverse amusement. Like seeing a lottery ticket and having to scratch it open. Man Yu’s shaggy hair covered half his face—anyone would want to lift it up to see what he actually looked like. Chances are Lu Yinbing didn’t even see him as a person, just petting him like a cat or dog.

Man Yu didn’t get angry either. He just stood there blankly listening to Sheng Lin’s acid remarks finish.

Even if Lu Yinbing was teasing him, he still didn’t think the man was bad. He just wasn’t naturally good at dealing with people like that. He was a little afraid of Lu Yinbing, and he had no desire, as Sheng Lin suggested, to get entangled with him. He truly wanted to stay far away.

Their relationship was like layers of a pyramid pressing down on each other. Man Yu was crushed at the very bottom. Even Sheng Lin—who struck him at will—had only to grovel before Lu Yinbing. The moment he saw Lu Yinbing, it was only natural that he couldn’t catch his breath.

Moreover, he could smell Lu Yinbing’s pheromones, and instinctively felt uneasy.

He guessed Sheng Lin’s exasperation came from the white moonlight in his eyes reprimanding him on behalf of a Beta he looked down on.

It was human nature. In his place, he’d be angry and upset too.

But he wouldn’t curse at anyone.

Man Yu wanted to comfort Sheng Lin, to heed his mother’s advice and curry favor with Sheng Lin to improve their relationship. Sheng Lin’s anger did have its reasons. But Man Yu was very clumsy with words and stuttered, only able to repeat over and over: “Hu—husband, I—I’m sorry, don’t—don’t be angry…”

Sheng Lin once again felt the powerlessness of punching cotton.

Bound by the setting, he couldn’t throw or smash anything, so he just glared coldly at Man Yu.

Lu Yinbing’s car hadn’t gone far. He sat in the back seat, holding warm saline solution in his mouth to rinse, wiping his hands with a warm towel.

Through the one-way glass, he spotted the little stray cat running back clutching four bottles of water, panting heavily.

His hair was blown into a messy tangle by the wind. Seeing that everyone was gone, a bewildered expression crossed his face. His lips were slightly parted, and the gauze on his cheek made him look even more pitiful.

It made Lu Yinbing feel a surge of excitement.

But he restrained himself.

In truth, if Lu Yinbing had asked Gao Yuyang and the others to buy water, they would have scrambled to obey too. But people were just different.

Sheng Lin’s little brother—was he clever? Sure enough, he knew how to entice people. Was he a fool? Sure enough, he was foolish and blank. Whoever told him to buy water, he’d go. He didn’t even know to ask for something in return, and he stuttered too.

Even when Sheng Lin lost his temper at him, he just stood there blankly. Only after Sheng Lin finished did he awkwardly try to comfort him—his lips forming the words “don’t be angry.”

Who comforts someone like that?

Sheng Lin looked like he was about to die of anger all over again.

Being too honest to a fault made people feel that bullying him was a real sin—but Lu Yinbing had committed plenty of sins since childhood.

He felt he should bully the boy a bit harder, until those teary red eyes looked up at him pleadingly, stuttering, begging him.

Lu Yinbing said he needed to cool down, but he didn’t cool down. For the first time in his life, he had a dream.

The dream was even more excessive than he’d imagined. He didn’t even know the other person’s name, yet the boy was already in his arms, pinned and kissed until wet sounds filled the air, lips swollen from kissing, clutching his shirt, tilting his head up in pitiful entreaty: “Gent—gently, please, please…”

Sweet dreams and nightmares both have a habit of cutting off at the crucial moment. When Lu Yinbing woke, it was barely past three in the morning. The sky was still dark, and the stars outside the window twinkled faintly.

He sat for a while. The scenes from the dream kept flashing before his eyes, growing fainter and fainter. He could barely remember the details anymore—only the other person’s tear-rimmed eyes were exceptionally clear. He looked down, and the blanket had tented up into a large mound again.

The bathroom’s water ran for a long time, and the washing machine in the laundry room began its cycle.

Lu Yinbing stood on the terrace, gripping the railing. His jet-black hair was still dripping wet.

He had considered himself superior for twenty-two years, and this was the first time he’d ever had a dream like this—about someone he’d only met once. He clicked his tongue, a bit puzzled.

Since his secondary differentiation, his heat periods hit with far more ferocity than during his Alpha stage. Three suppressant injections could take down a bull, enough for a full-grown Alpha to weather an entire heat cycle, yet they could only sustain him for a single day.

Countless Omegas and Alphas were obsessed with him—or with the Lu family’s wealth. People tripped over themselves to help him through his heat. The mere thought of finding someone to hastily get through his heat made Lu Yinbing feel like he was getting shortchanged.

He wasn’t for sale. And during his heat, he had to sell himself cheaply? On what grounds? Because they weren’t as beautiful as him and had stupid brains, they could defile his body without paying?

Joke’s on them—paying money wouldn’t save them from being sent flying either.

Even if they looked like celestial beings, in Lu Yinbing’s eyes, they still weren’t worthy.

Lu Xingyun thought his brother had narcissus syndrome potential—first-rate at brooding over his own beauty.

This sudden bout of spring fever unsettled Lu Yinbing. Just recalling the cool, smooth sensation of the other person’s skin lingering on his palm made his throat tighten.

At the time, he’d been as though possessed. Without a second thought, he’d lifted the boy’s hair—and hadn’t felt disgusted when he touched the other’s skin.

The next morning, when Lu Xingyun respectfully invited Lu Yinbing downstairs for breakfast, Lu Yinbing had already been at the hospital undergoing a full medical examination.

Top to bottom, inside and out—checked thoroughly. Confirmed that he had no heat disorder, had not been induced into an omega cycle, and had nothing in his body that shouldn’t be there. Only then did he accept that he had simply taken a fancy to the other person.

People were truly something. After years of being picky, suddenly—love at first sight.

Lu Yinbing had been accustomed to getting whatever he wanted since childhood. Whatever he set his mind on, he’d find a way to obtain it.

He felt this wouldn’t be difficult. A bastard son—life at the Sheng household couldn’t have been easy. From the way the boy dressed and his attitude toward Sheng Lin, it was plain to see. There was every reason to find himself a patron. Yesterday, every move the fool made carried deliberate allure—more than enough proof that he was interested.

Besides—

Lu Yinbing passed a full-length mirror in the hospital corridor, stopped, and examined the man standing inside it. He revealed a contemptuous yet supremely confident smile. He believed no one could resist him. In the entire capital, in the entire country, there was no one with a superior figure or appearance. Rather than being randomly married off to anyone, why wouldn’t they choose him?

He was certain the Sheng family would be more than willing.

He guessed that within three days, the other person would contact him of their own accord.

Compared to pursuing someone himself, he’d rather see that seemingly honest and dutiful boy pluck up the courage and carefully seduce him.

Like a stray kitten with messy fur, terrified of people but pitifully nuzzling against his trouser leg, begging him to take it home.

Pitiful and adorable.

——

Sheng Lin rarely stayed the night at home, so Man Yu got up early from the guest bedroom to prepare breakfast for him. He heated a packet of the medicinal soup his mother had asked him to bring back.

The soup was said to be taken three times a day for three months straight before it would take effect. Man Yu didn’t know if it was truly that miraculous.

He rubbed his flat stomach, feeling hopeful.

After all, he was a traditional, honest Beta. He still longed for the days of husband, children, and a warm bed. If Sheng Lin never came to like him, having a child to keep him company would be consolation enough.

Sheng Lin came out of the master bedroom around ten o’clock with squinted eyes. Seeing the lavish spread, he was in an unusually good mood—for the first time in months. Man Yu’s cooking was genuinely impeccable. For once, Sheng Lin quietly sat down and ate breakfast with him, tossing his unwanted egg yolk into Man Yu’s bowl.

Man Yu was a bit flustered by the attention. He quickly stuffed the yolk into his mouth, cheeks puffed out, and gave Sheng Lin a slightly shy smile.

There should have been Man Yu’s photo on their digital marriage certificate, but Sheng Lin disliked him so much he hadn’t even glanced at it. He’d assumed Man Yu must not look like much—otherwise, why cover his face? He’d pictured a skinny, gaunt figure with protruding cheekbones. Seeing his full face for the first time yesterday, he couldn’t lie to his conscience.

It was far better than he’d imagined—genuinely pretty and delicate, moving in a fragile way. The kind of first love Alphas probably fantasized about.

But it wasn’t enough to shake his resolve to divorce Man Yu. Such a bland dish couldn’t make him accept this arranged marriage. Man Yu was boring, a Beta, from a poor family—too many flaws, too embarrassing.

Sheng Lin looked away with annoyance and reminded him: “Don’t forget to sign the divorce papers.”

Man Yu’s smile faded.

After breakfast, Sheng Lin put on the suit Man Yu had ironed for him in advance, tying his tie as he walked out. There was a shareholders’ meeting today and they’d ordered him to dress formally. He’d been at the company for three years, and this was his first chance to attend such an important meeting. His tie-tying was far from practiced, and the more he fumbled, the worse it got.

Man Yu checked the briefcase Sheng Lin had left in the study, packed up some pastries he’d baked himself, and walked over to hand it to him. Seeing Sheng Lin’s furrowed, frustrated brows, he gently reached out and took the tie.

He’d just washed dishes. His palms still carried the fresh lemon scent of dish soap, slightly cool.

Man Yu pressed his lips together nervously, stood on tiptoe, and while carefully watching Sheng Lin’s expression, deftly tied a neat, elegant knot. His slender, snow-white fingers fluttered like the wings of white butterflies. Only after he’d gently straightened Sheng Lin’s suit did he hand over the briefcase.

Sheng Lin stared at him mutely, slightly dazed. Clearly, he hadn’t expected Man Yu to know these things.

A small flicker of sweetness rose in Man Yu’s heart. If every day could be like this morning—him and Sheng Lin like a real couple. Him preparing breakfast for Sheng Lin, tying his tie, seeing him off to work.

In the three years of marriage, he’d often looked up tutorials on housekeeping and caring for a husband. His hands were skilled, and he’d done chores since childhood, so he picked things up easily. He could definitely be a virtuous wife and take good care of her husband—it was just that Sheng Lin was never home, and he never had the chance to show it.

He didn’t want a divorce. He wanted to live properly with Sheng Lin.

Sheng Lin snapped back to reality and snatched the briefcase from his hands: “Don’t think this will stop me from divorcing you. Sign the papers.”

How ridiculous—cooking, ironing clothes, and tying a tie, and he thought that would stop the divorce?

Might as well marry a nanny.

His voice was loud. Man Yu flinched, shrinking his hands back and stepping away two paces.

The security door slammed shut. The neighbor upstairs sent him a message asking if he could close the door more gently.

Man Yu hadn’t expected that such an expensive apartment would have poor soundproofing either. He apologized repeatedly and packed some small pastries to bring upstairs and downstairs as an apology.

This property was a high-end development jointly built by the Sheng family and a state-owned enterprise. To prove the development was worth investing in, the Sheng family had made a big deal out of using this place as Sheng Lin’s marital home—everyone knew about it. But Sheng Lin didn’t think much of the place and almost never came back.

Man Yu rarely went out and wasn’t familiar with the neighbors. This was the first time they’d seen him. Clearly a soft pushover. They gave him a once-over, nodded coldly, took the gift box, set it aside, and shut the door.

Compared to the rich people Man Yu had encountered, Lu Yinbing was actually the one with the best attitude toward him.

Keeping house wasn’t easy either. A three-hundred-square-meter apartment, no domestic help—all of it Man Yu’s responsibility to clean alone. The Sheng family looked down on him, so naturally they wouldn’t assign a servant to attend to him for nothing.

He did a thorough cleaning once a week. The place was spotless. He had the stove on simmering soup while giving the place a quick tidy. The timing was perfect—he’d made two meat dishes, two vegetable dishes, and one soup, divided into two portions, delivering one to Sheng Lin’s company and leaving it at the front desk.

Then he took Metro Line 3 to the sanatorium in the suburbs and placed the other portion by his aunt’s bedside.

Man Hong was asleep clutching a stuffed toy. The setting sun filtered through the gaps in the curtains, falling on her forehead and making her sleep fitfully.

Man Yu drew the curtains, sat back down, and tucked the blanket around Man Hong. He leaned forward slightly, gently patting her shoulder, humming a lullaby tenderly, as if coaxing a child.

Man Hong’s furrowed brows smoothed out, and she gradually settled into deeper sleep.

Outside the glass door, the caregiver silently beckoned to him. Man Yu tiptoed out and pulled the door shut behind him.

The caregiver handed him a list: “These are the daily necessities your aunt will need for the next two months. Don’t forget to buy them.”

“Ah.” Man Yu took it and scanned the list. Same items as before.

The caregiver turned to leave, then suddenly remembered and asked: “Are you really skipping this checkup?”

Man Yu looked blank.

Seeing that he knew nothing, the caregiver explained: “Your family side decided. They didn’t discuss it with you? Oh, and next year’s fees—I don’t see any activity from your family either. Make sure to follow up on that.”

Man Yu pressed his lips together and asked: “How—how much does a c—checkup cost?”

“About a thousand yuan or so.”

He had just over three thousand in his card—enough. Man Yu stopped the caregiver and said: “I—I’ll pay for it.”