Yan Zhuo’s reaction exceeded his expectations. Jiang Yan felt a pang of regret, having clearly underestimated Nan Yu’s importance to him. However, spoken words are like spilled water, impossible to take back, so he had no choice but to tough it out to the end.
Jiang Yan took a slight step back to create some distance between himself and Yan Zhuo. Nodding slightly, he said:
“You’ve liked Nan Yu for a long time, haven’t you? But unfortunately, he doesn’t like you back.”
The moment those words left his mouth, the entire villa plunged into an indescribable silence. The surrounding air seemed to have hit a pause button, freezing completely in place, leaving only the sound of heavy breathing echoing through the space.
It was Yan Zhuo’s.
Jiang Yan wasn’t afraid of dying at all, every word he spoke struck right at Yan Zhuo’s sore spot. Watching his face turn from green to pale and back again, his chest heaving irregularly, it was obvious he was about to burst from anger.
Jiang Yan knew right then that his gamble was working.
The only problem was the immense risk, he might easily lose his life in the process.
Yan Zhuo glanced sideways, the corners of his mouth twitching into an arc that resembled a scythe, cutting blood onto his pale face. After several seconds of silence, he suddenly burst out laughing.
“Who told you I like him?”
Tsk, tsk, tsk. Clearly on the verge of fainting from rage, yet still acting tough. Proof shows that a stubborn mouth gets you nowhere in love.
Jiang Yan shrugged with an air of absolute indifference. Thinking it wasn’t quite enough, he decided to pour more oil on the fire.
“It’s no secret, Mr. Yan.”
The implicit meaning was clear: the fact that your love goes unrequited is something even the dogs on the street know about.
“I heard that young master has a wonderfully warm personality, cheerful with just about everyone, except you,” Jiang Yan paused with an air of hesitation, sweeping his eyes up and down Yan Zhuo’s figure. After taking in his shifting expressions, he continued, “He seems very polite yet distant toward you, avoiding contact unless absolutely necessary. But you two have known each other for a long time, so how did it end up like this?”
“President Yan, is he… scared of you?”
Jiang Yan leaned forward slightly, staring straight into Yan Zhuo’s pitch-black, ice-cold eyes. The closer he got, the more he could feel the murderous aura emanating from him. Yan Zhuo remained silent, but the throbbing veins at his temples betrayed the inner turmoil he was experiencing.
Having finished his provocation, Jiang Yan started leaning back. Out of nowhere, Yan Zhuo suddenly struck, reaching out and grabbing Jiang Yan firmly by the collar.
Cold, slender fingers brushed against his neck, giving Jiang Yan a instant flash of goosebumps. Caught off guard, his waist bent forward as the pressure on his throat began to tighten slowly. Lowering his head, Jiang Yan could clearly see the bulging veins popping on Yan Zhuo’s forearm.
Looks like he was truly enraged.
Jiang Yan struggled to lift his head, looking up into Yan Zhuo’s eyes. For a fleeting second, it felt as though he were stranded in the middle of a dark, vast ocean, surrounded by shadows, churning undercurrents, and unfathomable depths.
“You have a lot of nerve.”
Yan Zhuo pulled slightly hard, causing Jiang Yan to stumble. He expressionlessly appreciated the other man’s predicament, appearing completely composed even as the strength in his hand steadily increased.
“Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will win a hundred battles.”
“Keep me here, and I’ll help you win Nan Yu,” Jiang Yan felt like he was about to be choked to death, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he strained his neck with effort. “President Yan, this deal is a guaranteed profit for you.”
Yan Zhuo let out a cold sneer, opening his mouth to utter a taunt. However, out of the corner of his eye, his gaze landed on the back of Jiang Yan’s neck. It was flat and smooth, completely devoid of a scent suppressor patch. His expression turned even uglier as he asked harshly:
“Are you a Beta?”
What…?
Hearing this, Jiang Yan froze for a moment before remembering his assigned identity. Dizzy and seeing stars, he instinctively reached out to grab Yan Zhuo’s wrist, nuzzling against it affectionately while forcing out a strained smile.
“Real as can be.”
Hearing this, Yan Zhuo’s brows furrowed tightly. He threw Jiang Yan away like a piece of trash, yet the sensation left on his hand felt like snake venom, seeping through his skin and sinking deep into his bones and blood. Disgust was undeniable in his eyes, and his voice reeked of utter revulsion as he sneered:
“A mere Beta dares to negotiate conditions in front of me?”
“…”
Before Jiang Yan could even catch his breath, he was choked right back up by Yan Zhuo’s single sentence.
May the world be free of discrimination.
What’s wrong with Betas? Betas are free and unbothered! Betas can even drive tanks! We’ll crash right into you pretentious snobs!
With his collar released, fresh air flooded back into his starved lungs. Jiang Yan gasped heavily for air. Thank goodness, thank goodness, almost died a second time. After calming his breathing, he looked back up at Yan Zhuo. As if he hadn’t learned his lesson just moments ago, he added in a flirting, suggestive tone:
“I’m very useful. You’ll see once you try me out.”
Jiang Yan felt like a piece of merchandise, forced to keep pitching himself to a difficult customer, spouting nonsensical sales pitches like ‘high quality at a low price, guaranteed not to disappoint or scammed.’
Indeed, sales really is the ultimate destination of the universe.
“Trying doesn’t cost you a thing. Come on, come on.”
Having spent so many years in the fighting rings, Jiang Yan’s face was as thick as a brick wall, practically invulnerable. Forgetting the pain as soon as the wound healed, he brazenly leaned back toward Yan Zhuo’s side.
Yan Zhuo raised his hand, pressing against Jiang Yan’s shoulder to stop him. Glancing down at his completely reckless attitude, he sneered:
“Why should I agree to your offer?”
Jiang Yan smiled, answering with absolute certainty:
“No reason. You’ll agree to it.”
According to the plot development, Nan Yu was scheduled to attend a joint family dinner with Yan Zhuo tonight. However, Nan Yu would also bring along Song Jingxuan, the gentle male second lead. During the banquet, the two of them would engage in constant subtle interactions and unambiguous flirting, leaving Yan Zhuo looking like a giant third wheel stuck between them.
Yan Zhuo would undoubtedly be consumed by jealousy and search for any means to win Nan Yu over. By then, would there be any worry about him not agreeing?
Yan Zhuo studied Jiang Yan silently, a dark, violent aura suppressed at the bottom of his eyes. Jiang Yan’s fearless, spectator-like attitude made him thoroughly unhappy, extremely unhappy.
The two remained locked in a silent standoff while Jiang Yan counted down in his head.
Three, two, one…
“Brother Yan Zhuo, ”
Here it comes…
The other protagonist had made his entrance.
And of course, he brought the male second lead along with him.
The quiet, desolate villa instantly grew lively.
With a gleam of amusement in his eyes, Jiang Yan raised an eyebrow at Yan Zhuo and tactfully stepped aside, leaving plenty of space for the two of them while acting as a dutiful background extra.
A three-person drama field, how exciting.
Jiang Yan felt like a melon-eating spectator, jumping around internally, his only regret was not having a bag of sunflower seeds in hand, making the show feel just a little incomplete.
After exchanging greetings, Yan Zhuo turned his gaze toward the person standing behind Nan Yu, asking in a neutral tone: “Little Nan, who is this?”
“This is my senior at school, Song Jingxuan.”
Nan Yu pulled Song Jingxuan by the wrist, looking up at Yan Zhuo with expectant eyes. Meanwhile, Yan Zhuo’s temples throbbed violently as he cast a guarded glance at Song Jingxuan.
“Brother Yan Zhuo, can we bring him along to tonight’s dinner party?”
Yan Zhuo paused upon hearing this, softening his voice as he spoke to Nan Yu:
“Today is a dinner for our two families. Bringing an outsider along might make Grandfather unhappy.”
“I know! That’s why I came over to find you,” Nan Yu said as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “Brother Yan Zhuo, when the time comes, can you speak to Grandfather on my behalf? Just let Senior have a meal with us.”
“…”
Seeing that Yan Zhuo didn’t reply, Nan Yu let go of Song Jingxuan’s wrist, turned around, and hugged Yan Zhuo’s arm, shaking it gently as he pleaded coquettishly:
“Brother Yan Zhuo, I know you’re the best.”
Jiang Yan was thoroughly enjoying the show from the sidelines. Before the smile in his eyes could fade, Yan Zhuo caught him red-handed. As a sharp glare landed on him, Jiang Yan tactfully retracted his smile.
And continued laughing secretly in his heart.
“…Alright, wait for me to change my clothes.”
After Yan Zhuo went upstairs, only the three of them were left on the first floor. Nan Yu looked around with a glowing expression when his eyes unexpectedly caught sight of a stranger.
“Who are you?”
“I am the new housekeeper.”
“Housekeeper?” Nan Yu looked quite surprised, raising an eyebrow as he finally directed his attention toward this irrelevant person. “Brother Yan Zhuo said that no one except me is allowed into his house.”
“How could that be?” Jiang Yan feigned shock, tilting his head to look at Song Jingxuan. “Isn’t there an outsider standing right next to you?”
Nan Yu noticeably froze at those words. The smile froze on his lips, and he awkwardly twitched the corners of his mouth. As Song Jingxuan beside him was about to speak, Nan Yu stopped him, curling his lips to counter:
“Brother Yan Zhuo wouldn’t hold it against me.”
Jiang Yan neither agreed nor disagreed with his claim. However, Nan Yu refused to drop it, following up with another question:
“Did he agree to it?”
“He will agree.”
Nan Yu wanted to question him further, but his gaze caught the back of Jiang Yan’s neck. His pupils shifted slightly as he asked, knowing full well the answer:
“Are you a Beta?”
“…”
As expected of the official match, even the questions they asked were identical. Jiang Yan was utterly speechless, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes.
“Just as you see.”
Hearing that, Nan Yu nodded and flashed a meaningful smile. He stopped paying attention to Jiang Yan, turning around to talk to Song Jingxuan instead.
When Yan Zhuo came downstairs, Nan Yu held Yan Zhuo’s arm with one hand while holding Song Jingxuan’s hand with the other. The three of them walked out side by side, looking awkward no matter how one viewed the scene.
Jiang Yan watched them leave, almost suffering internal injuries from holding back his laughter. He was terrified that if he failed to suppress it and got caught by Yan Zhuo, he would truly be a goner.
Once the car in his sight shrank into a small black dot, Jiang Yan finally lifted his foot to leave. However, just as he reached the doorway, he was blocked by two hulking men dressed in black.
“Apologies, you cannot leave this place.”
“On what grounds!” Jiang Yan’s eyes widened in shock. “I’m not a prisoner, what right do you have to stop me from leaving!”
“We apologize, but President Yan instructed that you cannot leave here before he returns.”
“Huh?”
Jiang Yan burst out laughing from anger.
That bastard Yan Zhuo, is being the male lead really that big of a deal?!
Jiang Yan was so furious that steam practically blew from his ears. Why did he have to be controlled by others wherever he went! He cursed silently in his heart while giving a middle finger in the direction they had driven off.
“Please go back inside.”
Night fell, and the city lights flared up.
Reeking of alcohol, Yan Zhuo returned to the villa with staggering steps.
The interior of the villa was even darker and quieter than the outside. In this empty home, there wasn’t a single person. Perhaps it couldn’t even be called a home, Yan Zhuo thought with a bitter smile, it was merely an empty shell of a house.
Or maybe it was just a coffin, holding a walking corpse.
No one was waiting for him to come home…
Annoyed, Yan Zhuo tugged at his tie. His head was spinning, his footsteps unsteady. He dragged himself toward the sofa with great effort and collapsed straight onto it.
“Ah, ”
A muffled groan sounded inside the villa, followed by the dull thud of a heavy object hitting the floor.
“Hiss…”
Jiang Yan rubbed his forehead, sitting up with a bewildered look. He had fallen asleep while waiting for Yan Zhuo to return, only to be crushed head-on while sound asleep, nearly getting squished to death.
Outside, moonlight poured through the window onto the floor. Staring through his grogginess, Jiang Yan finally recognized the person lying on the ground. Instantly, his head stopped hurting, his waist stopped aching, and he sprang right up with a bounce.
Oh crap!
Jiang Yan turned on the light and squatted down to check Yan Zhuo’s condition. He saw that the man’s skin bore a pale, heavy pallor, his entire body reeking of alcohol, clearly having consumed a massive amount.
However, he was a decent drinker, he didn’t throw a drunken tantrum. Even when bumped and hurt, he merely let out a soft groan.
Jiang Yan reached out to lift Yan Zhuo up. During the movement, the shirt rode up slightly, revealing a patch of fresh bruising on his lower back from the collision. Seeing this, Jiang Yan hastily tucked the shirt back in, acting as if nothing had happened.
For no other reason than sheer fear that Yan Zhuo would find out and beat him to death.
“It can’t be that bad…”
Squatting beside the sofa, Jiang Yan looked at Yan Zhuo, who had his eyes closed quietly. Feeling guilty, he thought: I only gave a little push, how did he pass out? Is the male lead really this fragile?
In his drowsy state, Yan Zhuo felt a pair of hands holding him. The chaotic, mixed scents of external pheromones were gone, replaced by a refreshing, dry atmosphere, just like many years ago when he also lay in a warm embrace.
His lips moved slightly, and he instinctively nuzzled closer to Jiang Yan’s side, softly muttering:
“Mom…”
“…”
Looks like he’s fine.
Jiang Yan let out a sigh of relief and smiled softly. Bending over slightly, he slapped Yan Zhuo’s face with moderate force, avenging the collar grabbing incident from earlier today, and decisively corrected him.
“Call me Dad.”