The car slowly drove into the heart of the city’s bustling commercial district. Fu Xu pressed his small face against the window, eyes wide and round, taking in everything with the awe and curiosity of a fawn stepping into a forest for the first time. He watched the world outside with rapt attention, each movement and detail imprinting itself on his senses.
Towering skyscrapers rose like glass and steel spires piercing the clouds. Sunlight reflected off the buildings’ mirrored surfaces, dazzling enough to make him squint.
The streets below bustled with people hurrying to and fro, while the neon signs and colorful shopfronts glimmered with a vitality that made the air almost hum with life. From the plaza outside drifted the faint sounds of music and vendors calling out, blending into a lively symphony of urban existence.
For Fu Xu, all of this was foreign and yet mesmerizingly new.
He had spent years trapped in the small, oppressive cage of the Fu family estate, where the only view he had was the narrow square of sky above and the only sound he could reliably hear was the rustling of leaves in the wind.
Occasionally, laughter from Fu Jiaze would reach him across the estate, carrying warmth that was always tinged with mockery and alongside it were endless insults and scoldings. Like a wildflower growing forgotten in a crack between stones, he had learned to survive in that limited world.
And now, suddenly, he had been transplanted into this vast, unfamiliar expanse and he didn’t know where to place himself in it. Everything felt overwhelming, as if the world had grown too big for his small, cautious self.
“Does it feel too noisy?” Gu Wangyan’s gentle voice broke through his thoughts, careful and soft. He noticed the faint crease between Fu Xu’s brows and slowed the car. “It’s normal to feel a little overwhelmed when suddenly thrust into a place like this. Your senses are still adjusting.”
Fu Xu turned his head, a small blush of embarrassment coloring his cheeks and nodded slightly. “A little…” His fingers twitched unconsciously along the edge of the car window, whitening at the tips. “There… are so many people.”
“Yes, there are,” Gu Wangyan agreed with a small smile. He carefully steered the car into the underground parking garage beneath the mall.
“But everyone is busy with their own things. No one is paying any special attention to you. We can take it slow.” He unbuckled his seatbelt, shifted slightly and looked at Fu Xu with a serious, unwavering gaze.
“Fu Xu, you must remember: you are free now. This place, these people, these sounds, they are all part of the world you now have the right to touch. You don’t need to fear anything and you don’t need to hide from anyone.”
Fu Xu lowered his eyelids, letting his long lashes cast delicate shadows beneath his eyes.
Freedom. The word had been whispered and repeated so often in his life yet it had always seemed like a layer of glass separating him from it, a barrier he could never reach.
But Gu Wangyan’s voice was different: gentle, patient yet firm in a way that inspired trust. Hearing it, Fu Xu felt his tense nerves loosen just slightly, like a rope easing under careful hands.
Gu Wangyan stepped out first, walked around to the passenger side and opened the door for him. He extended a hand. “Come on. Let’s go see.”
Fu Xu hesitated for a moment, then finally placed his small, cool hand into Gu Wangyan’s. He was gently helped out of the car and as his feet touched the polished marble floor, he wobbled slightly, unsteady from the unfamiliar flatness and openness. It was a sensation he had never experienced before, solid, broad and yet free.
As soon as he stepped into the mall, Fu Xu instinctively shrank a little behind Gu Wangyan.
The chaos inside was even more intense than outside: lights blazed brightly enough to make the marble floors reflect every shadow, the noise of footsteps, chatter and music rolled over him and the intermingled scents of perfume, food and fabric assaulted his senses all at once.
Fu Xu clutched Gu Wangyan’s coat like a lifeline, eyes wide and cautious, alert to every movement, every sudden sound.
“Don’t be afraid,” Gu Wangyan said, sensing his tension. He slowed their pace and even positioned himself slightly in front of Fu Xu, shielding him from the flow of passing shoppers.
“Look over there,” he said, pointing to a nearby patisserie. Inside the glass window, colorful cakes and macarons were arranged like tiny jewels. “Those are sweets, very sweet. Doesn’t it make you feel a little better just looking at them?”
Fu Xu followed his finger’s direction. The desserts, delicate and artistic, made his eyes widen further. He had never seen anything so beautiful or so vibrant.
“Do you want to go in and have a closer look?” Gu Wangyan asked gently.
Fu Xu shook his head, then nodded, hesitating as he spoke in a small, timid voice: “N.. no… maybe not…”
He was afraid of accidentally touching something, afraid that one wrong move would ruin the perfection of the display. More than that, he feared the shop assistants’ refined eyes, judging him silently.
Gu Wangyan did not press him. He merely smiled and continued to lead him forward, hand still holding Fu Xu’s lightly. “It’s fine. We’ll just walk around for now. If we see something you like, then we can decide.”
Gu Wangyan moved like a patient guide, walking alongside Fu Xu while softly introducing the surrounding shops. “That one over there sells clothes. See the mannequins in the window? They’re dressed in this year’s latest styles and that one beside it is a bookstore…”
Fu Xu’s attention slowly began to drift toward the things he had never seen before.
Students in school uniforms clustered together, choosing stationery with faces full of youthful excitement. Young couples strolled hand in hand, picking out gifts for one another, their eyes filled with sweetness.
Parents pushed strollers, cooing and teasing the children inside with gentle smiles. These ordinary, everyday scenes, mundane to most, were utterly captivating to him, each one a glimpse into a life so different from the small, suffocating world he had always known.
His steps gradually loosened, no longer so rigid and tense as when he had first entered. Though he still instinctively avoided oncoming crowds, the fear and anxiety in his chest had softened, replaced by a timid curiosity that made him glance around more boldly.
Occasionally, he would lift his head just enough to catch sight of the dazzling array of items in the nearby shops before ducking down again like a startled rabbit.
Gu Wangyan observed everything with quiet satisfaction. Bringing Fu Xu out to experience the world was an essential part of his psychological rehabilitation. Years of confinement had not only restricted his movements but had built walls around his mind, leaving him incapable of normal social interaction and imbuing him with an almost instinctive fear of the outside world.
Only by letting him feel the warmth and kindness of the world firsthand could Gu Wangyan hope to gradually unlock the tightly closed doors of Fu Xu’s heart.
“Are you tired? Do you want to find a place to sit for a while?” Gu Wangyan asked gently.
Fu Xu shook his head. “No… I’m not tired.”
Gu Wangyan smiled. “Alright then, shall we go a little further? I want to pick out a tie for Yunzhou. He has an academic conference next month.”
At the mention of “Yunzhou,” his voice softened in a subtle, almost imperceptible warmth.
Fu Xu nodded silently. “Okay.”
The tie counter was on the third floor, elegantly simple in its design. Rows upon rows of neatly arranged ties stretched before them, a riot of colors and patterns that left Fu Xu momentarily dazzled.
Gu Wangyan meticulously examined each one, occasionally lifting a tie and holding it against himself before shaking his head and setting it back down. After some deliberation, he finally narrowed it down to two finalists. Holding one in his hand, he turned to Fu Xu. “Which one do you think looks better?”
Fu Xu froze, startled by the question. He had never been asked to give an opinion on something so trivial or so personal, before. He lowered his gaze, cheeks warming and whispered, “I…I don’t know…”
He had never encountered such things before. Back at the Fu family estate, even decent clothes had been a rarity, let alone high end ties. He had no sense of fashion, no concept of what looked good.
“That’s alright,” Gu Wangyan reassured him. “Just go with your feeling. There’s no wrong answer.” He held out a navy tie with subtle stripes. “How about this one?”
Fu Xu examined it cautiously. The dark color and simple pattern felt understated yet refined, appropriate for a professional like a doctor. “This one… seems… suitable,” he murmured.
“Is that so?” Gu Wangyan smiled softly, then held up a burgundy tie. “What about this one?”
“This color… it’s… bright,” Fu Xu said hesitantly. “But…it’s also very pretty.”
To Fu Xu, each tie seemed valuable and unique in its own way.
Gu Wangyan was amused by the earnestness on his face. He ruffled Fu Xu’s hair lightly. “You’re right. Actually, both of them look great. We should get them both.” Setting the two aside, he nodded. “Let’s take these.”
Watching Gu Wangyan interact with the shop assistant with ease, Fu Xu felt a strange flutter in his chest. Selecting a gift was a process he had never experienced: the deliberation, the comparisons, the subtle care hidden in the details.
He had never received a gift and never given one either. Seeing the two neatly stacked ties, he couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy for Yunzhou.
It was then that a slightly mocking voice called from behind. “Fu Xu?”
Fu Xu froze as if struck by a spell. His entire body stiffened and his blood seemed to congeal in his veins.
He could not forget that voice.
Slowly, he turned. His heart pounded violently in his chest, almost shoving itself up through his throat.
Standing a few steps behind was a man in a sharply tailored gray suit, his posture upright, his face handsome, the corners of his mouth curling in a faintly condescending smirk. It was Shao Xuan.
Years had passed but Shao Xuan appeared little changed, save for a subtle hardening around the brows that made him seem more mature, his gaze sharper, his air of superiority heightened.
Shao Xuan had just returned from abroad, out shopping at a friend’s invitation, never expecting to run into Fu Xu here.
Fu Xu’s face went pale as death, lips trembling, even forgetting to breathe. Instinctively, he stepped back and pressed himself behind Gu Wangyan.
Why… was Shao Xuan here? Hadn’t he gone abroad for further studies and supposedly wouldn’t return?
Gu Wangyan’s brow furrowed slightly. Without showing a hint of panic, he placed himself protectively in front of Fu Xu, his calm gaze turning toward Shao Xuan. “Do you know each other?” His tone was measured, distant yet cold.
Shao Xuan’s eyes swept over Gu Wangyan, then landed back on Fu Xu. His gaze was sharp, playful and probing.
He knew this man, Gu Wangyan, a highly respected psychologist with a rare presence in the public eye, an omega in a world that scarcely tolerated such openness. But what was he doing with Fu Xu?
“Know each other? Hardly,” Shao Xuan sneered, his tone flippant. “More like… a few brief encounters.” His gaze lingered like a hook on Fu Xu’s pale face.
“Fu Xu… I thought you’d be stuck in the Fu family cage forever. Never thought you’d make it out. Looks like the Fu family has grown more generous toward you.”
His words pierced Fu Xu like needles. He shrank inward, nails digging deep into his palms.
He remembered the day the Fu family had dragged him from a remote village, telling him he was their long lost child and that he was to marry Shao Xuan, heir of the Shao family.
The young Shao Xuan had been intrigued by the unusually beautiful “fiance” often visiting the estate with small gifts and a predatory gaze, uttering ambiguous words that left Fu Xu both fearful and faintly hopeful.
Until the results came back, Fu Xu’s omega traits deemed low grade, even “inferior” everything changed.
Shao Xuan’s attitude turned abruptly, from interest to open contempt. He never returned to the estate, openly mocking the Fu family for presenting him with a “fake” fiance.
Later, Shao Xuan grew close to Fu Jiaze, Fu Xu’s meticulously groomed younger brother, who would boast about the gifts he received from Shao Xuan, gloating: “See, he never liked you. Your face is barely passable; otherwise, he wouldn’t bother.”
Fu Xu remembered the alpha’s cruel words vividly: someone like him was unworthy of life, unfit even for a reproductive facility; the Fu family had wasted time on a mistake. Those words cut into his heart like poisoned knives, leaving him with a harsh truth: he had always been a joke.
When Shao Xuan’s departure abroad was announced, the Fu family sighed in relief. He thought, finally, the nightmare was over.
Yet now, that nightmare stood before him once again.
“Sir,” Gu Wangyan’s voice grew colder, cutting through Shao Xuan’s words, “choose your words carefully.”
“Friend?” Shao Xuan raised a brow, his playfulness sharpening. He leaned closer, eyes roaming Fu Xu’s body. “Doctor Gu shows quite the kindness, willing to associate even with… hmm… ‘special’ omegas.”
He sniffed lightly, frowning as though detecting something. His gaze hardened. “Fu Xu… what is that scent on you?”
Fu Xu’s body trembled violently. Instinctively, he tried to cover his neck. The scent… it belonged to Shen Loucheng.
Last night, they had slept together. Shen Loucheng had held him for hours, even biting his gland. The alpha’s potent, invasive scent seemed to have seeped into every fiber of his being.
Shao Xuan’s eyes locked onto him, sensing amusement. “Alpha pheromones, not any of the Fu family alphas. What’s this, Fu Xu? Lonely? Sneaking off to find a new protector?”
His tone was full of malicious insinuation, as though Fu Xu could survive only by clinging to an alpha.
“You’re lying!” Fu Xu finally dared to speak, tilting his head out from behind Gu Wangyan, voice cracking with suppressed tears yet striving for strength. “I didn’t!”
“Oh? Didn’t you?” Shao Xuan pressed forward, step by step. “Then whose scent is this? Did some careless alpha fancy you, the inferior one? Well, your face is quite pretty… suitable enough for a temporary diversion, I suppose.”
“Sir!” Gu Wangyan’s expression darkened. He stepped forward, completely shielding Fu Xu, gaze icy. “I don’t care what past grievances you have with Fu Xu. Apologize immediately or don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
Shao Xuan seemed taken aback at Gu Wangyan’s seriousness, pausing before letting out a derisive laugh. “An omega, too.” His eyes flicked to Fu Xu trembling behind Gu Wangyan. “And you think the two of you can do anything?”
He lingered on Fu Xu again, a mixture of contempt, curiosity and something faintly indecipherable in his expression.
“By the way, Fu Xu,” Shao Xuan’s voice slowed, chilling in its casualness, “I heard the Fu family wanted to marry you off to that idiot in the Wang family. Didn’t happen? Or… did you find him too stupid and run off to find someone better?”
Fu Xu’s lips were pale from biting down hard, tears welling in his eyes yet stubbornly refusing to fall.
“I… I’m living well now.” Every word was an effort, squeezed out in a whisper so soft it could barely be heard yet there was a firmness in it he had never felt before.
“Well?” Shao Xuan’s tone dripped with amusement, as if he had just heard a ridiculous joke. He looked him over from head to toe. “Wearing some cheap clothes, who knows where, following an omega around the mall… and that’s what you call living well? Fu Xu, have they locked you up so long that you’ve forgotten how to tell right from wrong?”
He took a step forward, trying to bypass Gu Wangyan to get a closer look at Fu Xu but Gu Wangyan’s hand was cold and firm, blocking him without hesitation.
“Sir, I see you have no intention of apologizing,” Gu Wangyan said calmly. He took out his phone. “In that case, I suppose our only option is to call the police.”
Shao Xuan’s laugh was filled with derision. As if anyone would come to help a pair of omegas. Today was inconvenient for him, otherwise, he might have toyed with them a little longer for amusement.
“What a delightful joke,” Shao Xuan sneered. “Today’s not the day but we’ll catch up properly another time.” Without an apology, he gave Fu Xu a lingering look, amusement dancing at the corner of his lips, before turning and leaving.
Only when Shao Xuan’s figure vanished from sight did Fu Xu feel as though every ounce of strength had been drained from him. His legs went weak, nearly buckling beneath him and Gu Wangyan reacted swiftly, catching him before he fell. His body was ice cold and trembling uncontrollably.
“It’s alright now, Fu Xu. It’s alright.” Gu Wangyan crouched beside him, gently patting his back. His voice was soft, calm, like a hand soothing a frightened animal. “He’s gone. He won’t hurt you anymore.”
Fu Xu buried his face in his hands, shoulders trembling as the pent up sobs finally broke through. Every word Shao Xuan had spoken cut into him like a blunt, serrated knife, reopening wounds long thought healed.
Memories he had tried desperately to bury surged back with a sharpness that took his breath away. He had believed he had become numb but the pain returned with a vengeance the moment old scars were exposed again.
“I’m sorry,” Gu Wangyan said softly, guilt lacing his tone. “I should have thought this through. I shouldn’t have brought you to a place like this, exposed you to someone like him.”
Fu Xu shook his head, tears blurring his vision as he looked up. His face streaked with the traces of crying. “No… it’s not your fault, Doctor Gu… It’s… it’s me… I’m useless…” He didn’t even have the courage to face his own past.
Gu Wangyan sighed and pulled out a tissue to gently wipe away the tears. “It’s not your fault, Fu Xu. You need to understand that the fault lies with those who hurt you, not with you. You don’t need to punish yourself for the mistakes of others.”
He helped Fu Xu to his feet and spoke softly, “Let’s find a place to sit and rest for a while, alright?”
Fu Xu nodded, sniffling and allowed Gu Wangyan to guide him to a nearby resting area. Gu Wangyan bought him a cup of warm milk and handed it over. “Drink this. It’ll make you feel better.”
Fu Xu wrapped his hands around the warm cup, feeling the first trace of heat seep into his cold fingers. He lowered his gaze, staring at the distorted reflection of his own face in the liquid, his mind a tangled mess.
Shao Xuan had returned… but what did that mean? Would he tell the Fu family about him? Would they come after him again? And Shen Loucheng… if Shen knew about his past with Shao Xuan, would he be angry?
A storm of thoughts swirled inside his head, leaving him with a splitting headache.
Gu Wangyan sat quietly beside him, neither urging nor questioning, simply giving him the space he needed to calm down.
After a long while, Fu Xu’s emotions settled somewhat. He sniffed and whispered, “Doctor Gu… let’s go back.” There was no desire left in him to continue shopping; all he wanted was to return to the Shen residence, a place that, despite its emptiness, offered him some measure of safety.
Gu Wangyan nodded in agreement. “Alright. Let’s go back.”
After settling the payment, Gu Wangyan carried the two ties and guided Fu Xu back to the parking lot. Fu Xu’s steps were still unsteady, his grip on Gu Wangyan’s hand tight, as if afraid of encountering anything frightening again.
The ride home was quiet. Neither spoke. Fu Xu rested against the window, staring blankly at the darkening sky, feeling the weight of disappointment settle in his chest.
He had hoped this outing would be a step forward in his recovery but the shadows of his past clung to him stubbornly, dragging him back into that cold, inescapable hell no matter where he went.
It wasn’t until the car rolled into the Shen family parking area that Fu Xu’s heart began to steady. Gu Wangyan parked at the entrance and looked at him. “Don’t dwell on today’s events.”
Fu Xu nodded but unease still lingered. “Doctor Gu… will he… go to the Fu family?”
“Maybe he will, maybe he won’t,” Gu Wangyan said honestly. “But you need to believe this: you’re not the same person you were before. You have a place to go and… people to rely on.” He paused, not explicitly saying who but Fu Xu understood.
Shen Loucheng.
The alpha who seemed cold yet personally tended to him, who had allowed him to leave the house and who had even held him as he slept.
Thinking of Shen, Fu Xu’s chest tightened in a strange, inexplicable way.
“I understand. Thank you, Doctor Gu.” Fu Xu unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the car door. “I… appreciate your help today.”
“You’re welcome,” Gu Wangyan said with a faint smile. “Remember to take your medicine on time and call me if anything comes up.”
“Mm.” Fu Xu nodded and stepped into the villa.
Inside, the living room was dimly lit, only the soft glow of the sunset spilling through the windows, casting a shadow on a figure seated on the sofa.
Shen Loucheng had no idea how long he had been sitting there. Hearing the door open, he lifted his head lazily, eyes falling on Fu Xu. In the fading light, it was difficult to read his expression.
“You’re back.” His voice was low, carrying a subtle huskiness.
Fu Xu’s heart skipped a beat. He instinctively clutched the hem of his clothes. “Mm,” he murmured.
He moved to the center of the living room, head lowered, unwilling to meet Shen’s gaze. Shao Xuan’s lingering presence clung faintly to him and though barely noticeable, Fu Xu didn’t know if Shen could detect it or if he would ask who he had encountered today.
Shen Loucheng said nothing. He simply stood, walked over and reached out to touch Fu Xu’s cheek.
“Why are you crying?” His fingers, cool to the touch, brushed over the still wet tear stains.
Fu Xu froze, unprepared for such directness. His eyes reddened instantly, a tide of fear and hurt rising within him. He couldn’t speak, only shook his head slightly.
Shen Louchen studied his flushed eyes, brow furrowed just a fraction and said nothing further. He removed his coat and draped it over Fu Xu’s shoulders.
The coat carried Shen’s distinctive scent, enveloping Fu Xu in a cocoon of warmth and security.
“Are you hungry?” Shen Louchen’s voice softened. “The kitchen kept the soup warm. Chen sent it over this afternoon.”
Fu Xu lifted his head, glancing at Shen Louchen’s blurred profile. Somewhere deep inside, a warmth blossomed.
He shook his head, then nodded faintly, finally whispering, “A little.”
Shen Louchen took his hand and led him to the dining area, pressing the switch. Warm yellow light flooded the room, dispelling shadows and unease.
“Let’s eat first,” he said.
Watching Shen Louchen move about, Fu Xu silently resolved not to tell him about Shao Xuan. He didn’t want to trouble the alpha who had just shown him a sliver of kindness.
As for what the future held… he dared not think.
He only wanted to eat, sleep and stay beside Shen Loucheng, even if only for a little while.
That night, before Fu Xu could even bathe, Shen Louchen drew close, inhaling softly at his neck. His voice was cold, sharp: “Did you go meet an alpha?”
Fu Xu’s heart skipped violently. The moment he had feared had come.
✦ ✧ ✦
Vynellia
[Translator]
☕ A LITTLE SOMETHING FOR THE TRANSLATOR
You read the chapter. They wrestled with the words. Seems fair, no? (￣▽￣)
☕ BUY THEM A COFFEE →
✧ (づ｡•ㅅ•｡)づ ☕ ✧
✦ thank you for reading ✦
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Substitute MarriageChapter 2 · PleaseChapter 3 · Thank you, Mr. ShenChapter 4 · Mr. Shen, are you going to throw me away?Chapter 5 · You don’t have to please me in everythingChapter 6 · Is This For Him?Chapter 7 · Do you know you don’t have long to live?Chapter 8 · But what about you? What will you be then?Chapter 9 · That’s a vehicle from the logistics department.Chapter 10 · What do you take my Shen family for?Chapter 11 · Can I bite your gland?Chapter 12 · He is not my “medicine catalyst”Chapter 13 · Who is that Alpha?Chapter 14 · Perfectly matched omegaChapter 15 · Perhaps you could call him, baby?Chapter 16 · That’s… Fu Xu’s scent?Chapter 17 · It was made by the masterChapter 18 · Abusing a pregnant omega is a serious crime.Chapter 19 · Mr. Shen is the best alpha.Chapter 20 · Family elderChapter 21 · Shen Louchen’s berserk periodChapter 22 Part 1 · You are my wifeChapter 22 Part 2 · You are my wifeChapter 23 · Aren’t we mutually in love?Chapter 24 · Which alpha did you go to see?Chapter 25 · Fu Xu, tell me you like meChapter 26 · Could Mr. Shen possibly have a little crush on him?Chapter 27 · Get out!Chapter 28 · Stay close to meChapter 29 · Mr. Shen and I are a legally married coupleChapter 30 · Spit it outChapter 31 · He’s been acting increasingly strangely latelyChapter 32 · Do you listen to everyone except me?Chapter 33 · Monthly ExamChapter 34 · Parent Teacher MeetingChapter 35 · The classroom was cold at nightChapter 36 · Court deathChapter 37 · Wife, Kiss meChapter 38 · This omega trying to steal a kiss from him?Chapter 39 · His omega turned out to be a little cunning.Chapter 40 · Is this little omega taking advantage of him?Chapter 41 · “Madam Shen” is your trump card, understand?Chapter 42 · Mr. Shen, I don’t know how to wear it…Chapter 43 · HusbandChapter 44 · Why is Shen Louchen acting like a peacockChapter 45 · I won’t abandon you, and I never willChapter 46 · Omega with a 92% match rateChapter 47 · Are you waiting for him?Chapter 48 · How can someone magically transformChapter 49 · Now it’s all good, two kids.Chapter 50 · Mr. Shen, will you regret it then?Chapter 51 · What is regret?Chapter 52 · If you’ve got the guts, say it again!Chapter 53 · That’s my milk teaChapter 54 · What he wanted to replace was the alphaChapter 55 · How do you know I’m not part of Mr. Shen’s plan?Chapter 56 · Why don’t you just kill me?Chapter 57 · Are we sending him away?Chapter 58 · Are you angry?Chapter 59 · Inhibitor or marker?Chapter 60 · Let Fu Xu mark himChapter 61 · There should be limits to joking, right?Chapter 62 · Do you really not like Young Master Lian?Chapter 63 · Will you still love me after I go to school?Chapter 64 · You are the best husband in the worldChapter 65 · Extra 1Chapter 66 · Extra 2